“We’ve spoken several times already today. Do you really require the niceties?”
“I certainly don’t expect them,” Dylan replied dryly. “Have Kehoe handle Janice. He’s been doing it well enough for the past two days.” At Dylan’s command he had been, anyway, and completely unwillingly. Kehoe had been a surly and unpleasant companion in Reno and on board the company jet. Dylan had ignored his hostility and loaded him up with work. “I just walked with him to his office, so you should be able to find him for Janice. What’s this about Stalwalter? Have the managers at the camp made their selections for new hires?”
“I think so, considering Stalwalter already wants one of them.”
“Fine,” Dylan said, opening his office door.
“Should I get Stalwalter on the phone first, then?” Mrs. Davenport called after him.
“No,” Dylan said, tossing his suitcase on a nearby couch before he rounded his desk. “I have another call I need to make first.” He ignored Mrs. Davenport’s sniff. “And close the door!” he yelled as she started to walk away.
She did so with a muted bang.
Dylan checked his watch. It was five forty-five. He might be able to catch Alice as she finished her dinner. They’d agreed a while back not to communicate by cell phone, but he had her number, and made sure she had his. Counselors were discouraged from using their cell phones or texting except for emergencies while they were on duty, but Dylan thought this rated an exception. Yes, he’d be seeing her in person later tonight, but he knew how important this was to her.
The phone rang once, twice, then three times. She might not be carrying her phone. He let it ring a few more times. Disappointed, he started to hang up.
“Hello,” he heard her distant, hushed voice.
He jerked the phone back to his ear. “Alice? It’s me.”
“I know,” she said, and despite her exasperated tone, he sensed the smile in her voice. The excitement.
“They offered you a position, didn’t they?”
“Yes.”
He grinned full out. It was impossible not to be affected by the barely restrained happiness in her voice. “I’m in the kitchen pantry. Red Team had dinner duty tonight. I ducked in here when I felt my phone ringing. I can’t talk long. It just happened . . . they made me the offer right before dinner. They called us in one by one. It was nerve-wracking. I feel really bad for the people who didn’t get a spot, but the managers told them that everyone had done an outstanding job, and that they’d be giving them excellent recommendations. They also invited them to apply at Durand through regular channels in the future, if they were still interested. Kuvi got a spot! So did Thad and Dave and Lacey Sherwood . . .” She paused, as if something had occurred to her. “Did you already know? Before you called?”
“Not firsthand. We just arrived back in Morgantown, and Kehoe and I haven’t been too chatty, even though I’m sure he’s had the final list since last night. I didn’t want to ask. Him or anyone. I didn’t really need to. I was confident we’d want you,” he said. He didn’t elaborate. He thought Alice understood he wanted her to win this challenge completely on her own merits.
“I’m so glad Kehoe wasn’t here when the managers told us.” Even her whisper brimmed with happiness. “The managers were so nice when they reviewed my performance and offered me the position. They said I approached things in a fresh, innovative way and that I wasn’t afraid to take chances. Course they were wrong about that. I was scared shitless most of the time. They also said they were impressed by the connections I’d made with my kids in such a short period of time.”
“They weren’t being nice, baby. They were being smart. We want you for purely selfish purposes.”
There was a pause.
“Alice? Everything okay?”
“I should probably go,” she whispered. “Someone is going to hear me.”
“Okay. I’ll see you in a few hours, then?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hang up. “Dylan?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks,” she said in a muffled voice.
“I had nothing to do with them hiring you, Alice. That was all you. Surely you believe me when I say that. If anything, given Kehoe, I might have been an anchor around your neck.”
“I know,” she said, and her voice broke slightly. “But no matter what the circumstances, I’m standing here at Camp Durand because of you. And it’s . . . just . . .” She cleared her throat. “Really been an incredible day.”
Something inside him gave a little. She really had the power to stir him, and yet she seemed so unaware of her ability.
“I’m glad. Because you deserve it. And so many more special days besides.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, suddenly sounding embarrassed. Self-conscious. She’d never stop fascinating him.