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“You don’t? I just assumed that you loved the business.”

“I do.” Abagail looked Ivy over again, finally finding that balance she’d been seeking before. “I’d only leave it in someone’s hands that would have a passion for the company, someone who had the ability to keep it going.”

“Why not just close down?”

“I don’t want to.” Abagail shrugged her shoulder slightly. She wasn’t sure when she’d want to officially retire, but she would probably want to keep it going as long as possible to keep her brain in the game. “I’m not sure when exactly I’ll be ready to give it up, Ivy. But I’d like to do that on my own time.”

“I understand.” Ivy ran her fingers through her long caramel-brown locks. “Is this about Warren?”

“In some ways.” Abagail flicked her gaze to where Warren had been standing. “In other ways, it’s not about him at all.”

“I can try to find him a job.”

“No.” Abagail picked up her tea again, resolute in this decision. “He needs to work for a job, and he needs to learn how to work. I don’t want him to terrorize you.”

“Hey, I’ve grown a spine.”

“A small one.” Abagail’s lips quirked up slightly. She had loved seeing Ivy come into her own, or perhaps, get back to who she used to be. It was the smallest compliment that she’d give to Ivy. The bigger one was the fact they were even having this conversation. Despite Ivy’s rough start at Kerr HR, she was a hard worker, and brilliant. She’d been the right choice for the company.

“Why me? You’ve never seemed particularly fond of me.”

Abagail hummed. “I recognize your tenacity, appreciate your hard work. You’ve had an uphill battle, but I don’t think for a second it was a choice of your own making or because you added to it daily.”

“Well, thank you.” Ivy’s cheeks tinged with a blush.

“Think about it, Ivy. Taking over Kerr HR won’t be an easy job, and there’s plenty of time for you to make that choice and remake that choice. I want to know that this will work in both our best interests.”

“So when do you want an answer?” Ivy looked at Abagail directly.

“When you’re ready.” Abagail nodded firmly. She’d already started to form a plan for the transition, one that would take quite a bit of time, but would be good for both of them in the long run, Abagail was sure of that.

“All right.” Ivy’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Do you know anyone, since you seem to have these odd connections, that might be interested in a front receptionist position?”

Abagail smiled. She’d hoped that would come up today, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to be the one to bring it up. “I have someone you can interview. Checkered work history, but similar to your situation. She’s a hard worker.” Abagail flicked her gaze up to meet Ivy’s. “I’ll send her to Nathalie and Lachlan, and they can decide on their own if she’s worth the trouble.”

“Worth the trouble?” Ivy’s lips quirked slightly. “That sounds like she has a story.”

“Oh she does. It might be good for her to work in a medical office in the long run anyway. She needs to learn to navigate the medical system adeptly.”

“She does?” Ivy furrowed her brow.

“Yes, absolutely. It’s a skill she’ll need to develop quickly.” Abagail finished her tea and set it down. “Let me know what youthink of my proposal when you’re ready to decide. There’s no rush. I plan to be around for a while longer.”

Abagail stood up, indicating the conversation was over. She was ready for whatever was going to come next. At least, she was preparing for it.

thirty-nine

“Six months.”

“What?” Nicola looked up at Lachlan, the beautiful doctor who always had a smile on her face. Thank goodness it wasn’t Nathalie, because Nathalie always stressed Nicola out. Wherever Nathalie went, there was usually someone who was left high strung. Now, Nicola could handle it, but she was already stressed out over everything happening that week.

“You’ve worked here six months,” Lachlan said with a bit more explanation this time. “Did you think you’d make it that long?”

“Hell no.” Nicola laughed lightly, cringed at her language, and then shook her head and laughed again. “Sorry about that.”

“Patients are gone, Nicola. I’m not worried about it.” Lachlan leaned over the front counter and smiled at her again. “But six months is a pretty good run for you, wouldn’t you say?”

“Yeah, I would.” Nicola leaned back in the rolling chair that had become her best friend in the last few months. It had taken her a while to get into the work, but since she was so quick at memorizing things and so good with customer service, it had seemed like a natural fit. Nicola crossed her arms. “Are you going to fire me?”