Читать книгу Macgowan Meets His Match - Annette Broadrick - Страница 9

Sydney, Australia

Early February 2004

“Resigning! What do you mean you’re resigning!” Jenna Craddock’s employer sputtered. Basil Fitzgerald was a lovable bearlike man, happily married to the same woman for forty-five years. He was gruff and abrupt, his camouflage for a tender heart.

Jenna was going to miss him.

“Why would you leave a perfectly good position after six years? What do you want? More money? More holiday time? Talk to me!”

Jenna had known he would not be happy with her announcement. She sat in front of his desk, her hands folded in her lap while she waited for him to stop blustering.

“My leaving has nothing to do with my position with you. It’s a personal matter.”

“Oh. You’re getting married, huh?”

Jenna laughed. “Of course not. When have I had time to date with such a slave master as you?” she teased. “I’m moving to the U.K. I’ve been saving for years for the chance to return as an adult and explore.”

“Fine. Then take a leave of absence and go. There’s no reason to resign.”

“I have no idea how long I might be gone. Once there, I may decide to stay. I don’t want to leave here with you thinking I’ll be back.”

“Nonsense. You’re an Australian. You can’t expect to find work in another country without legal papers.”

“Actually, I was born in Cornwall. I’m a citizen there.”

“Really? You never mentioned that to me. I’ve always thought of you as a native Australian.”

She smiled and didn’t comment.

He studied her for several minutes in silence. “Come to think of it,” he said finally, “I don’t know much about you except that you’ve been an exceptional assistant and I’m going to miss your quiet efficiency. Maude thinks you hung the moon. She tells me I’ve been much easier to live with since you’ve been with me, keeping me organized.”

“Don’t worry. Personnel will find someone equally capable for you. I won’t be leaving for another six weeks, which will give them plenty of time to find someone.”

“Hmph.”

She smiled. She would have been disappointed if he’d indicated that she could be easily replaced. “I’m not dropping off the edge of the earth, you know,” she said gently. “I’ll keep you informed about where I am and what I’m doing.”

Basil sighed. “Nothing I can say will change your mind, will it?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, if you don’t find whatever it is you’re looking for, you know you can always come back here.”

“Thank you.”

“Now I have to pass on this news to Maude. She’ll be convinced that I’ve done something to drive you away.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll explain to your wife and make certain she knows this trip has nothing to do with you,” Jenna replied with a grin.

When Jenna left his office, Basil stared sadly at the door she’d closed behind her. Jenna was leaving…not just his legal firm, not just Sydney, but Australia, as well.

She would be greatly missed.