The following Monday dawned bright and crisp. While people in other parts of the country were shoveling snow and loading up their fireplaces with wood to keep warm, here in Austin Leta drove with her car windows partially down.
She passed Auditorium Shores on the way to the office. The trail was lined with running enthusiasts enjoying a bit of sunshine, albeit jogging in sweatshirts and long pants this time of the year.
The Ladd Agency offices would be closed through the holidays, starting tomorrow. Without the extra paycheck coming in during those weeks, she’d have to schedule more hours at Central Market and a couple of extra shifts at the Hole in the Wall to make up for the lost income.
In the last weeks, she’d easily adjusted to having extra money in her budget. That was not a good thing, given the temporary nature of the job at the Ladd Agency. Still, the extra income had allowed her to get back on top financially, and for that she was grateful.
She was waiting at the elevators when her phone alerted she had a message from Jane.
I’d like to see you in my office after the company meeting this morning.
Immediately, she feared the worst. Her work had been highly praised, but no new assignment had been forthcoming. She didn’t want to think the worst. But it was entirely possible the need for her position was at the ending point and Jane wanted to tell her so.
No matter how she tried to ignore the prickly notion, the concern followed her right into the staff meeting like a cocklebur she couldn’t shake off.
“Good morning, everyone,” Jane said upon joining her employees in the small conference room. She set her steaming coffee mug down on the granite table and motioned for everyone to take a seat. “As you know, we close operations until after the first of the year, but before I send you all home to enjoy the holidays, I have something important to share.”
The dozen or so people in the room exchanged curious glances. Jane took a sip of her coffee before continuing. “We’ve had a good year. Revenues are up as we’ve enjoyed a steady stream of work. Occasionally more work than we’ve been able to manage.” She looked across the table. “We brought Leta on to help out, and she’s done a fabulous job.”
Leta smiled. “Thank you. I’ve loved being here.”
Despite the praise, she felt her insides tighten, knowing that her temporary employment might be about to come to an abrupt end. She never wanted to sit across the desk from that Edith Styles woman again and be told she had to consider moving her mother to another facility. If she lost this job, she’d have to find another. And quick.
Jane leaned forward in her chair, adjusted the black and gold scarf at the neckline of her pretty cream-colored blouse. “I’d like to send you all off to enjoy the holidays with some good news.” She paused and looked around the room with a huge grin. “We’ve taken on a new client. A very influential and highly visible political candidate. We’ll be assisting Governor Wyndall Holiday in his bid for reelection. While it’s not yet official, most believe the governor will have no serious opposition in the May primaries. His major contender heading into the general will be Nathan Emerson. Emerson currently holds a senate seat and has done very well pushing a health care–related agenda.”
Leta’s ears perked up. The announcement was not all that surprising, given the projects she’d been asked to work on, but she couldn’t help wondering what all this would mean, especially for the man she admired.
“Ten months sounds like a long time, but in the world of election cycles those weeks will pass in a flash. There’s a lot to do ahead.” Jane nodded at her human resources director. Dawson handed her a stack of sealed envelopes. “So expect to return after this short holiday break ready to tackle some hard work. Until then, consider this year-end financial gift a token of my appreciation. Please know you are all valued here at the Ladd Agency.” She circled the room, handing out the envelopes to everyone, including Leta. “I hope you all have a wonderful break.”
Her co-workers dispersed from the table, no doubt anxious to begin their holidays. “Merry Christmas, everyone,” Elaine called out before turning to Erin. “Honey, you going home to Nacogdoches to be with your folks?”
Erin nodded. “Yup, leaving this afternoon.”
The older woman gathered the used coffee mugs onto a tray. “Well, drive safely. Lots of crazy drivers out there this time of year.”
Dan Williams pushed his glasses up on his head. “Yeah, take care,” he said. “See you after New Year’s.”
In the lobby, Erin waved goodbye. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
“Yeah, sure. You too.” Leta clutched the envelope and made her way to Jane’s office. She poked her head inside the open door. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, come on in.” Jane waved her inside. “Sit down.”
Leta took a deep breath. “Look, I just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed working here.” She held up the envelope. “And you certainly didn’t have to do this.”
Jane smiled. “Like I said in the meeting, your work is stellar, and I wanted to reward you.”
Leta felt her hands shake. Nothing noticeable, but her nerves began playing a mournful blues tune in every fiber of her being. Even after hearing the firm had a lot of work on the horizon, she couldn’t help believing Jane was about to inform her this was the end of her good run.
Jane looked past her. “Isn’t that right, Bernard?”
Only then did Leta notice Bernard Geisler sitting in a chair at the side of the room. Those tiny, dark eyes stared at her from behind wire-rimmed glasses. He said nothing, instead he simply nodded in agreement.
“Sit,” Jane offered, pointing to her guest chair. She leaned back at the corner of her desk and grabbed a file, slid a sheet of paper from inside, and held it out. “We’d like to offer you a full-time position here at the Ladd Agency, beginning after the holidays.”
“Full-time?”
Jane grinned.
Flushed with relief, Leta quickly glanced down at the offer written on the paper. Her breath caught. She looked back up at Jane with raised eyebrows. “You’re kidding, right?”
Jane shook her head, still smiling. “I think that’s a fair offer, and there will be opportunities for financial advancement as we help you grow your career.”
“But—but this is six figures!”
Jane moved to the chair behind her desk. “We maintain a small staff. My employees are handpicked and highly rewarded for their dedication, drive, and loyalty.” She leaned back against the plush leather, the stacked gold bracelets at her wrist reflecting light from the window. “I believe you have all those qualities and more. And I’m an astute judge of character. So what do you say, Leta—you in?”
A flush of adrenaline rushed through her body, lifting her onto a cloud of possibility. Nothing in her wildest dreams had stretched this far.
Her car was barely holding together, and her mother’s care and rent gobbled up what little income she could cobble together with multiple jobs, leaving little left over for much else. Her clothes closet held none of the kinds of wardrobe items she saw in store windows or online. She never dared to go out and have fun like other girls her age—like Katie so often enjoyed.
Her mother’s health situation had usurped her ability to afford anything extra. Now here in her hands rested the keys to changing all of that. All she had to do was unlock the door and step through.
In her excitement, she could barely respond without her voice shaking. “Yes! Of course I’m in.” Her hand involuntarily moved to cover her mouth as her mind still tried to take in what was happening.
Her heart fluttered in excitement. A six-figure salary!
Jane glanced over at Bernard. She slapped her hands together and stood. “Excellent! Welcome aboard.”
Leta grinned and even ventured a glance in Bernard’s direction. “Thank you. This is a tremendous opportunity. I’m extremely grateful.”
Jane guided her to the door. “You go home. Enjoy the holiday break. Then come back ready to work. All right?”
Leta nodded. “Yes—all right. Sure.” Before turning down the hall to leave, she paused and looked back. “Merry Christmas!”
Moments later, she passed through the now empty lobby, past the professionally decorated tree filled with bright white lights and glittery ornaments. She made her way to the elevator doors, clutching the bonus check and the offer letter to her chest, thinking of her pitiful tree at home with its string of barely working lights and chipped ornaments.
“Yes,” she whispered to herself as the elevator doors opened.
This year, it was indeed going to be a very merry Christmas.