It hasn’t been a very good week for Grant Thibodaux. Not only has his fiancee been kidnapped, but her father has a heart attack and dies in his arms. As executor of Orleans’ will, he needs to speak to Mr. Roustin, Orleans’ lawyer. He calls to speak to him, and speaks to his assistant, India Beckett, instead.
“Grant Thibodaux.”
“Hello, Mr. Thibodaux, I’m India Beckett, Mr. Roustin’s assistant. I know he said I’d call after the funeral, but I’m taking off early today. I want to attend.”
Her voice was husky, sultry and sent a shiver down his spine. Collecting himself, he was able to formulate an answer.
“Certainly, Miss Beckett. I’d be proud to have you there.”
“I know that you’ve heard this until you’re blue, but your father was a special man, and I’ll miss him.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, Miss Beckett.”
She sniffled and laughed lightly. “I ought to be the one saying that to you, Mr. Thibodaux.”
“Perhaps, but I sense he was precious to you, too. I haven’t quite had the chance to process it. I imagine at the funeral, I’m gonna crumble.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably.
“I wanted to set up a time and date convenient for you. I realize there are a lot of demands on your time, suddenly. Are you free Monday?”
“I am. I’m also supposed to get a call from my assistant—whose name I don’t know, and talk about the business.”
“Would you rather put this aside for another day?”
“No, ma’am. You called first.”
“Would a morning or afternoon appointment suit you better?”
“I’m fine with either. What fits better into Mr. Rouston’s schedule?”
“He’s partial to early mornings, he likes to take care of as much as he can before noon. We’re always in by eight. Well, I am. He’s here by six. I often wonder if the man sleeps.”
Grant chuckled. “Same was true of Orleans. I’m not worth much at six, but I’m pretty perky by eight. How about first thing after you arrive?”
“That’s acceptable. I’ll set aside a block of time so you have your leisure to discuss. I know you’ll have a lot of questions. Mr. Rouston is the best at answering them. If he doesn’t know, he’s also good at finding people who do.”
“Thank you, Miss Beckett. I look forward to seeing you Monday. If you can, find me at the funeral.”
“I’ll be the girl with a box of tissues in my lap.”
He chuckled softly. “And I’ll be the man giving the eulogy.”
© 2019 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 