MOST OF THE FOLLOWING WEEK passed uneventfully. Allison worked on three different projects and tried to process her talk with Richard. Thankfully her interaction with the rest of the staff was minimal, till Derrek appeared in the doorway of her office just before three o’clock on Wednesday afternoon. He knocked twice on the frame with a soft touch and gave her a funny smile.
“Hi, Derrek.”
“Hello, Allison.” He stepped inside. “Do you have a moment?”
“Sure.”
Derrek pushed the door closed. “Do you recall the other day when I told you God was in control and we would find you other accounts?”
“Yes.”
“Thomas handed in his resignation letter yesterday. He’s going to work full-time at his church as an associate pastor, which will be an excellent position for him. Consequently, we’re going to disperse a portion of his accounts to you and Sam.”
“What?”
Derrek smiled. “Thus, starting with your next paycheck you will have an increase in pay.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The commission won’t be as high as if you’d acquired the account yourself, but you will get a portion of the commission Thomas was receiving.”
“I . . .”
“Would you like to know how much these additional accounts will raise your pay?”
Allison blinked and resisted the urge to pinch herself. “Sure.”
“This is only an approximation—I haven’t finished checking the numbers, so potentially the end result could be up or down half a percentage point—but you’ll immediately start receiving an approximately fifteen percent increase in your overall pay.”
Allison stared at him, not comprehending his words. This was it. It still wasn’t enough, but it would be a big step toward making the increased payments to her dad’s creditors. And even more, it was an infusion of hope that things would eventually work out at Wright Architecture.
“I don’t know what to say, Derrek. I . . . I . . . Thank you.”
“Thank you is more than enough.”
He spun to go, opened the door, then turned back, a twinkle in his eye. “Also, I have an unrelated question for you. Do you have a few more minutes?”
“Sure.”
“How long have you been working here?”
“Two months.”
“Yes, that’s what I thought.” He closed the door again and leaned against it. “During that time, how often have you not shown up for work? Or taken time off?”
What now? He was going to accuse her of taking too much time off? What kind of story had Linda concocted about her being gone when he’d been on his trips?
“I’ve been here every day.”
“Yes, that’s what Linda told me.” He rubbed the tip of his nose. “And I’ve monitored the shared computer drives. You’ve worked long hours every week. As well as from your home.”
Allison only nodded.
“I’ve heard you say in the past that you enjoy the ocean, the Oregon coast in particular. If that sentiment hasn’t changed, what would you think about heading down there for an extra-long weekend at the end of this week?”
What? Was he actually suggesting she take a break?
“We did some work a few years back on a hotel down in Cannon Beach, and they paid us partially in trade certificates. Certificates that expire at the end of this year. You’re welcome to take enough for a four-night stay. And you can have Monday and Tuesday off without it counting against your vacation-day total.”
Wait. He wasn’t going to accuse her of not working hard enough? Derrek was suggesting she take a long weekend? Four emotions filled her at the same time. First emotion, warmth. He cared about her wellbeing? Wanted her to get rest and relaxation and play? Why?
Second, anger. If she was a partner in the company, she should be able to take as many days off as she wanted. Exactly like Derrek did. Exactly like she did for two and a half years with Kayla. She was supposed to feel good because he was encouraging her to take a few days off?
Third, relief, which swept the other two thoughts away like Seattle rain. That was exactly what she needed. A break. A chance to clear her head, take long walks on the beach. Go for even longer runs. Hike, mountain bike, explore the art galleries in Newport and Cannon Beach.
Fourth, suspicion. What was the angle behind his suggestion? Things were never free with Derrek. Yet, at the same time, he’d just given her a huge pay increase.
“It’s simply an idea, Allison. You’ve been working hard. It would do your spirit good, I think, to get some time away. But of course you don’t have to use the certificates.”
“Oh, thanks . . . Um, I’ll think about it.”
Her spin-doctor alarm went off inside. Was he working her? There had to be something else behind the compliment, didn’t there? There always was.
“If you do head down there, be sure to let me know.”
“Sure.”
“Oh, one more thing. Have you ever flown a stunt kite?”
“No, I’ve always wanted to but haven’t had the chance yet.”
“Well, the chance has arrived.” Derrek chuckled. “I have a number of stunt kites that are a tremendous amount of fun to fly, and there’s no place better to fly them than at the beach.”
Allison stared at him as she sorted through another flurry of thoughts. Offering his kites? A free place to stay? Acknowledgment of her hard work? She stared at him, hoping the surprise in her mind hadn’t made its way to her face.
“Thank you, Derrek. I’ll give that serious thought. I would like to get back down there. It’s been a long time.”
“And I’m not telling you when to go. It doesn’t have to be this weekend. The next couple of weeks are a good time for the company. Nothing major coming up that I need you for. And even though a couple of things haven’t gone your way lately, I have no doubt they will, and I’m hoping you see the new accounts from Thomas as an indication of my confidence in you. And the start of many new accounts. However, to be in the best position to land new accounts, you need to be refreshed.”
He straightened up and tapped the wall of her office. “Just let me know if you decide to head down there.”
“Will do. Thanks again, Derrek.”
She’d gone to the Oregon coast with her family as a kid, and she had spent an anniversary with her ex at a spot about halfway down one year, but that had been ages ago. She missed the waves, the briny air, the solitude. It was a place like few others where she connected with God. It was far past time to go back. Just before Derrek shut the door behind him, she called out, “I don’t need to think about it, Derrek. I’d love to go.”
“Excellent. I’ll get the certificates ready as well as the kites.”
Derrek smiled, a genuine smile that gave her hope, that spurred her to ask the question he’d been deflecting.
“Derrek, since we’re on the subject of new accounts and company growth, can we talk about our partnership? I know you’ve been busy. So have I, but we need to get it done.”
Derrek shifted to his left and nodded. “I’m glad you brought that up. Yes. Certainly we can talk. Here’s a thought: why don’t you take a few hours during your time down in Cannon Beach to determine exactly what you think the details of the partnership should look like now that we’ve had some time to work together, and I’ll do the same. Then, as soon as you get back, we can nail things down and finalize it. It has been far too long, and we need to reach a conclusion.”
Another smile and an authoritative nod.
She looked at him, stunned. He meant it. They would finally get their partnership finished. She could get her mom taken care of in months, not years. In less than five minutes her world had changed, and for the first time in ages, she let hope fully bloom inside.