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Morgan dropped his hands. “I’ll see you out, Mother.”
“No, Adrian will. You and Miss Winston are going to get to work.” Victoria turned and faced Kathleen. “While I appreciate your input and we will take your recommendations under advisement, we will continue to do what we feel is best for our company. If you can’t accept that, I have to rescind my offer to allow your presence at my plant.”
That can’t happen. “Yes, of course. I understand,” she replied nervously.
“Good, now pass me one of those binders, and I’ll read through it on the ride home.”
Nice going, Kathleen—you almost get yourself kicked out of here before you can even get started. Kathleen handed Victoria a binder and watched as she kissed her son goodbye and left. She had heard and read a great deal about Victoria Kingsley but nothing compared to meeting her in person. While she was very firm and definitive in regard to her business, watching her maternal interactions with her son was something clearly not many got to witness. She felt honored.
“Well, I guess that’s that.” Kathleen started packing up her bag. “I’ll focus on the regulatory changes as you requested, Mr. Kingsley.”
Kathleen watched the handsome Kingsley drop his shoulders and lean against his desk. The closer he got to Kathleen, the more out of control she felt. Kathleen knew she had to bring her wayward mind and body under control. He was part of her investigation, after all.
“It’s Morgan, and if you prefer you can conduct your sessions using your interactive method. If the team is receptive to the idea, I’ll consider incorporating your way into some of our program.”
Kathleen offered up a small smile. “Was that too hard?”
“Not at all. I can be a reasonable man when I want to be, Miss Winston.”
“I guess we’ll find out just how reasonable you are when you attend my class, and please call me Kathleen.”
“All right, Kathleen, but I have no intention of attending your class,” he said matter-of-factly.
Kathleen felt a slow smile spread across her face. “Why? Are you afraid you just might learn something and realize my method is better than the program you so covet?”
“Not at all.” His face went blank, and he held her gaze.
Kathleen dropped her eyes and reached for her rolling bag. “Shall I get started?”
“Absolutely.”
Morgan came from around the desk and reached for Kathleen’s bag. “I got it,” she said.
“I insist,” he replied as he placed his large hand over hers.
Kathleen felt a spark that wasn’t electrical and quickly pulled her hand back. You have got to get it together. “Fine.”
“And if I may suggest...you are open to suggestions, right?”
Annoyed by the sarcasm, Kathleen rolled her eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“You should lose whatever that perfume is you’re wearing. The men might find it distracting if you want them to focus on your class. Don’t worry—they’d never be inappropriate.”
“I’m not, and I know the drill. Besides, I’m not wearing perfume,” Kathleen explained, walking toward the door.
Morgan stepped in her path, preventing Kathleen from moving forward. He stared into her eyes and said, “If you’re not wearing perfume, then it’s you. All you,” he concluded, his voice low and husky.
Kathleen felt light-headed. She thought for a moment that somehow all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. Focus, Kathleen.
“I want my men to concentrate on the training and not the trainer,” he continued.
Kathleen pushed her shoulders back and raised her chin defiantly. “Maybe it’s you with the concentration problem. Every consider leading by example?” She stepped around him and walked out the door.
* * *
Kathleen’s first day wasn’t as difficult as she’d imagined. It was just the opposite. Everyone was extremely nice but not in a sucking-up type of way, either. The assistance offered to Kathleen no matter where she went or what she requested was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to help. Even her initial class, in which she’d expected to receive pushback, especially from the more seasoned staff, went well. Everyone appeared open to the training, and some were even excited about the opportunity to explore her new methods. Other than that initial hiccup in the office that morning, she had a good day. Kathleen still couldn’t get over the effect Morgan Kingsley had on her mind and body. Her attraction to him was an unexpected hurdle she had to get over. The jury was still out on Morgan and his company.
While Kathleen had limited access to the Kingsley systems, she was given the ability to review all the training material including their archived programs. A big part of Mr. Silva’s charge had been that the new COO had implemented policy changes that put the staff in danger. Kathleen was in the perfect position to prove or disprove that allegation. The first thing she did was check the company’s policy change log against what they had filed with the state. She found no irregularities. In fact, she was impressed with just how well organized they were. However, Kathleen knew just because the paperwork was in order didn’t mean everything was aboveboard. Yet for some reason she felt relieved that the paperwork confirmed what she’d seen so far. It was like she was rooting for them, which was something that she never did this early in the investigation.
Employers often put one thing in writing but expected their employees to cut corners to get the job done faster and cheaper, regardless of the potential risk to themselves and their families. Most employees went along with such antics because they felt they had no choice. Kathleen was determined to make sure the Kingsley employees knew they had a choice. Over the next couple of weeks, Kathleen conducted what she called “featherlight interviews” with her trainees. She would weave investigative questions into her training sessions and found nothing out of the ordinary. While Kathleen appreciated his hands-off approach to her work, she found herself looking forward to their check-in moments, as Morgan called them, at the end of each day.
But Kathleen combed through old and new training records and found a smoking gun. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what she’d expected. The most damaging evidence she found was against a senior-level welder by the name of Mundos Silva. While Kathleen couldn’t review the Kingsley employees’ personal records, she did have access to their training files. It seems Mr. Mundos Silva had experienced a great deal of difficulty passing most of his required training. It had taken him longer than others and multiple times to pass. There were notes in his files indicating that his supervisors had offered him assistance and additional training in areas where he was having difficulty. Unfortunately, Mr. Silva refused the help. Kathleen found that the outside training specialist recommended that Mr. Silva be demoted to a position more appropriate for his current level of ability. The recommendation and change took effect long before there was a change in leadership.
“Damn,” Kathleen replied, after reading the last note in his file. She called her boss.
“Kathleen, what’s up?” Simpson answered.
“I found something.”
“What?” She could hear the anxiousness in his voice.
“It’s not against the Kingsleys, but Mr. Silva.”
“Tell me.”
After going over everything she’d found out so far, she read the final note in the file. “‘Mr. Silva is a valued employee who we should do everything we can to try to help according to the Kingsley Family Stay Whole policy.’”
“What the hell is the Kingsley Family Stay Whole policy?” he asked.
“Apparently anyone who’s been here for more than five years is eligible to receive any form of help they may need in the event of a crisis, to stay whole.”
“What?”
“I just heard about it. The Kingsleys believe in taking care of their employees. There’s even something for those who’ve been here for fewer than five years,” she added.
“Maybe we can get a job there after we’re both fired. It’s time to come home, Kathleen.”
“Not yet. You need to bring Mr. Silva in for a follow-up conversation.”
Kathleen was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. Confusion and anger that she might have let herself get played and pleasure that it appeared the Kingsleys were actually what she was finding them to be: good people with a great company.
“I’m already ahead of you, but there’s nothing to find,” Simpson insisted.
“You may be right, but I have to be sure. Besides, I have to finish the training and system updates. That way I can leave, and no one will ever know the real reason for my visit.”
“Fine, but make it fast,” he said before hanging up on her.
Kathleen had a feeling that Simpson was right, but for reasons she didn’t want to explore she just knew she had to stay a little longer...for Morgan.
Chapter 5 (#ua6d577af-6ea2-5bd9-8aca-d2027141437c)
The pledge that Morgan made to keep his distance proved to be harder than he thought. He spent the next two weeks doing everything he could to avoid spending any time alone with Kathleen. Whenever she came near him with questions, concerns or comments his brain seem to shut down, allowing his hormones to take control. After turning down several recent offers for female companionship, putting himself through grueling workouts in his home gym and riding his horses until he started to smell like one himself, Morgan spent the entire weekend wondering what Kathleen was doing. She never wore rings, so he figured she wasn’t married, but it seemed impossible for a woman like that to be single. The question and idea had made him nuts all weekend.
Morgan had a history of dating beautiful and compliant women, but none of them affected him like Kathleen. Her beauty aside, it was her passion for her work, the compassion he’d seen her show his team, but most of all, the way she challenged him when she believed she was right about something that attracted him.
It was another Monday afternoon when Morgan sat at a table in the cafeteria across from where Kathleen was sitting talking to several of his employees. However, this time she seemed to be focusing her attention on Troy, one of his senior welders. The way she threw her head back when she laughed at whatever he was saying to her grated at him and he had no idea why.
“I’m surprised Kathleen hasn’t filed charges against you,” Adrian said before biting into his chicken.
“What?” Morgan frowned and he looked over at his friend.
Adrian wiped his mouth with his napkin and said, “The way you’re attacking her with those glares.”
Morgan turned his head and pushed his plate forward. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do. Just ask Kathleen out already,” Adrian suggested.
“Don’t be ridiculous. First, Kathleen works here. Second, she may be married or at least have a man. And third, I’m not—”
“Don’t say you’re not interested because I know better.”
“Do you now?”
“We’ve been friends for over ten years, and I know when someone’s piqued your interest. Considering all the hard labor you’ve put in these last couple weeks, I’d say Kathleen has more than done that.”
What she’s doing is driving me crazy. “Like I said, she works here—”
“She’s working here. She doesn’t work here, and as far as her being married or having a man, she isn’t, and she doesn’t.”
Morgan could feel his anger on the rise, and he didn’t understand why. Had Adrian asked Kathleen out? Did she turn him down? Had he already gone out with her? Those questions were racing through his mind and driving him crazy. “How the hell do you know that?”
Adrian must have sensed the change in Morgan’s demeanor. “Chill, man, I heard one of the welding guys asked her out.”
“Who?” Morgan hadn’t realized that he’d fisted his hands on the table.
Adrian shrugged and took another bite of his food. “I’m not sure, but I think it might be one of the guys she’s sitting next to. I don’t know if she said yes.”
I’m going to fire his ass. Wait, where the hell did that come from? He used the palm of his right hand to rub against his temple.
Adrian turned toward his friend. “Look, man, just ask the woman out. You know you want to. Didn’t you say she seemed interested when you first met?”
“Yeah, when she thought she was talking to you. Ever since she found out who I was, Kathleen’s been tense and standoffish.”
“Probably because you’ve been quiet and brooding.” Adrian wiped his face and took a drink of his soda.
“Quiet and brooding?”
“Yeah, that’s what the women around here call you,” Adrian explained with a half smile.
“Do they now?”
“Yes. You haven’t even attended one of Kathleen’s classes,” Adrian noted.
“I don’t need to,” he defended.
“She might appreciate the gesture, and you’d be surprised how cool it is.”
Morgan’s eyebrows rose. “Would I?”
“Hell, perhaps Kathleen would like a man who can make her laugh like that.” Adrian directed Morgan’s attention to the area were Kathleen now stood talking to Troy and two additional women. They were all laughing and standing near the exit, and Kathleen had her hand resting on Troy’s arm.
“Perhaps we should both get back to work. Those containers aren’t going to clean themselves.”
Morgan stood, threw his trash out and headed for the exit away from where Kathleen stood. Morgan knew Adrian was right, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, but he also knew he had to get his foreign and inconvenient feelings for Kathleen under control before he did anything. It was time to talk to one of his brothers, and he knew the perfect one too.
* * *
Kathleen had been keeping an eye on Morgan from the moment he walked into the cafeteria. Their encounters over the last couple of weeks were very professional, although she found herself having more inappropriate thoughts and dreams about the man she was investigating, a probe that had only yielded positive responses from his employees.
As part of her investigation, she got to see how well prepared his administrative team as well as his frontline staff were. Kathleen needed to make sure she wasn’t allowing her personal whatever she was feeling for Morgan to interfere with her ability to do her job. It had never been a problem before, and she was going to make sure it didn’t become one now. It was time to deal with Morgan Kingsley.
Kathleen figured if she could interview him about the complaint one of two things would happen. She’d either be able to clear the charges once and for all or find a reason to move forward with a full investigation. Now all she had to do was find a way to interview Morgan without him catching on. Kathleen knew just the person to ask for help too.
* * *
Morgan stood in the immaculately decorated living room of his younger brother Brice’s home and smiled. He remembered how not very long ago when he’d visited his brother, Brice would direct him downstairs to his man cave and away from the living room. The painful memories of his then soon-to-be ex-wife were too much to handle. Morgan was happy his brother and sister-in-law had since reconciled, even though at first he hadn’t seen it happening. Watching Brice handle his conflicting feelings for Brooke while being forced to work with her told Morgan that Brice would be the perfect person to ask about his foreign feelings for Kathleen and how best to handle them.
“Here you go.” Brice handed Morgan a bottle of beer.
“Thanks, man. You sure this is cool? I haven’t interrupted anything, have I?” he asked, noticing his brother’s wet hair, pajama bottoms and T-shirt.
“Not now,” he replied, smiling.
“Good, I’d hate to disturb Brooke. How’s she doing with everything?”
“She’s fine. She hasn’t had an MS flare-up in a while.”
“That’s great. I still can’t get over how well you two are handing Brooke’s multiple sclerosis diagnosis. I’m proud of you, bro.”
“I appreciate that. We’ve made a decision.”
“About what?”
Brice’s face lit up. “We selected a surrogate, and we’re starting the process next week.”
“For real?”
“Yep.” Brice nodded.
