Blackhawk's Betrayal. Barbara McCauley
it open. âMorninâ, Boss.â
âYou can be boss today, Prescott. In fact, I think Iâll just give you the Four Winds and crawl back to my bed.â
Sam frowned. âWhatâs wrong?â
âI think the bug my nephews had last week decided to visit me, too,â she said weakly. âWill you ask Suz to reschedule my appointments?â
âSure.â He noticed the woman was still standing outside Human Resources, though it seemed a bit odd she had put her hand on the doorknob and not moved. âYou need soup or something sent over?â
âPlease,â she groaned, âdonât mention food. And Jacobâs home today, so if Iâoh, God, not again. Bye.â
The line clicked dead. Poor kid, Sam sympathized, slipping his phone back into his pocket. He could think of much better ways to spend a day in bed.
That thought drew his glance back down the hall. The woman was gone. He could still smell her, though. A soft, pretty fragrance that seemed to whisper in his ear.
Damn.
Heâd never even seen her face.
Heaving a sigh, he glanced at his watch and headed for his office, hesitated briefly outside of Human Resources, then kept going. Since Clair had cancelled their morning meeting, this would be a good time to get a jump on the end-of-the-month reports. At the rate the Four Winds was growing, he could barely keep up with the paperwork. He didnât have time to traipse after beautiful, mysterious women.
Halfway down the hall, he stopped.
Oh, hell, why not?
Even if she was applying for a job, she wasnât an employee yet, he figured. He turned back around and headed back for Human Resources. He might as well satisfy his curiosity while he had the chance. No harm in putting a face to that sexy body.
He stepped into the office and glanced around. Janetâs secretary was not at her desk, and the door to the inner office was closed. The waiting room was empty.
Damn. Heâd already missed her.
Slipping his hands into his pockets, Sam wandered closer to the closed door.
âI see youâve had some restaurant experience, Miss Daniels,â Sam heard Janet say. âAnything in particular?â
âHostess, waitress, bussing,â the woman replied. âSome kitchen training.â
âAre you available nights, weekends and on call?â
Sam waited for the woman to mention a husband or children, but she didnât, simply answered that she was available whenever she was needed.
âMiss Danielsââ
âPlease, call me Kiera.â
âKiera, you havenât listed any references on your application. Could you give me your last place of employment?â
âNo, Mrs. Lamott. IâIâm sorry, but I canât.â
No references? Sam lowered his brow. Janet couldnât possibly hire the woman without references.
âKiera.â Janetâs voice softened. âMy sister explained your situation to me, which is why Iâm meeting with you so quickly.â
Situation? Sam leaned closer to the door. What situation?
âI appreciate it, and I assure you, Iâm a hard worker and learn quickly.â Desperation edged the womanâs voice. âIâll work any hours you ask, do whatever you need me to do, but please just give me a chance.â
Sam narrowed his eyes and frowned. He didnât care what the woman looked like, or what her âsituationâ was. The Four Winds was not a charity. It was a business. They hired people based on qualifications, not because they said please.
Rule Number Two: Hotel policies applied equally to the entire staff.
Sam wished like hell he could see what was going on inside the office. He could hear both women speaking, but theyâd lowered their voices and he couldnât make out their words. His ear was all but touching the door when he heard Janet speak again.
âCan you start tomorrow?â
What? Sam raised his head, then stared at the door and frowned. Janet had actually hired this woman without any references at all?
âYes, of course I can start tomorrow. Thank you.â The womanâs voice trembled. âThank you so much. You wonât be sorry, I promise you.â
âGo downstairs to the lower lobby employee entrance and ask for Francine. Sheâll fit you for a uniform.â
He rarely interfered with the head of a department, but there were times it was necessary. Anything that took place here at the Four Winds was ultimately his responsibility, and that included hiring and firing. He straightened, set his jaw and prepared himself to face both women. Janet might not like it, but if he had to supersede a decision, then sheâd just have toâ
The door opened, and his mind simply went blank.
Her face was everything heâd imagined and quite a bit more. A sensuous, delicate sculpture of high cheekbones, straight nose and wide, full mouth. Smooth, sun-bronzed skin against deep, smoky-blue eyes. Eyes that considerably widened when they met his.
The faint tinge of black and blue next to one of those bewitching eyes was like a sucker punch in his gut.
âSam, I didnât know you were here.â Smiling, Janet moved to the door. âThis is Kiera Daniels. Kiera, Sam Prescott, general manager of the Four Winds.â
âMr. Prescott.â Kieraâs smile never made her eyes. âHow do you do.â
He took the hand she offered; it was as soft as it was warm. âWeâre not formal here, Kiera. Just Sam.â
âI hired Kiera for the lunch shift at Adagioâs,â Janet said. âSheâs on her way downstairs to see Francine.â
âWelcome to the FourWinds.â He realized he was still holding the womanâs hand and reluctantly let go. âIâm headed in that direction. Why donât I show you the way?â
âI wouldnât want to trouble you.â Kiera hitched her purse a little higher on her shoulder. âI can find my way.â
âIâm sure you can.â He kept his gaze steady with hers. âBut itâs no trouble at all.â
He saw the resistance in her eyes, knew she wanted to refuse his offer but, under the circumstances, couldnât. Heâd cornered her, and she countered with a lift of her chin and a nod.
Janet looked at Sam. âWas there something you needed?â
Something he needed? Oh, right. He had been lurking outside her office, hadnât he? âI want to take some stats into my lunch meeting with the Cattlemenâs Association. Iâd like to reassure them we have the staff to handle a convention their size.â
âNo problem.â Janetâs gaze shifted to Kiera and softened. âIf you have any questions, or if you need anything at all, please donât hesitate to call me.â
Sam set his back teeth. Obviously, Janet had let her heart rule her decision, not her head.
Rule Number Three: Do not get emotionally attached.
Which he wouldnât. But what he would do, at least for the moment, was trust Janetâs decision.
And