The Time of Her Life Read Online Free

“Concerns?”
    “Just want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ve been
dealing with the suits and attorneys. They’re all quick to promise they can take
The Arbors to the next level. I want that, but not at the expense of my
residents or staff. The quality of care is what makes us unique. You’ll be in
charge of making sure everyone’s taken care of. Thought I should put that up
front so you know what I expect.”
    Hmm. Demanding, bossy even, but Susanna appreciated the
honesty. Her own boss, Gerald Mayne, had warned her she’d have a tough job
reassuring Jay that Northstar would continue the quality of service his family
had established as a private facility. Jay took seriously his responsibility to
those who relied upon him, which made her wonder why he was selling The Arbors
at all. Gerald hadn’t shared that information.
    “That’s what I want, too, Jay.” Susanna meant it. “We’ve got
six months together, and I intend to make this transition smooth and positive.
That starts with understanding what you do around here. Then we can figure out
how to implement policies and procedures to get The Arbors on board as a
Northstar property. How does that sound?”
    “Like we’re on the same page.”
    Susanna certainly hoped so, because absolutely everything
important in her life rode on these next six months.
    On her success.

CHAPTER TWO
    J AY HEADED TOWARD the maintenance and
engineering building to retrieve another radio—he’d given his to
Susanna—pondering their first meeting. Unfortunately, leaving the administrative
offices forced him into the front lobby, where Amber lay in wait.
    “Thank you so much, Mr. C.” Her tone bore up her sour
expression. “I guess you needed an engraved invitation to meet the new
administrator. She must think I’m a total idiot.”
    “What are you talking about? You made her feel right at home.
That’s what I pay you to do.”
    “I was covering for you, and you left me hanging.”
    “Why didn’t you page me, then?”
    “You were standing twenty feet away in the bushes. Did you
really want the radio to go off where she could—”
    “Since when do you use the radio?”
    “Oh, right. Like I’m supposed to send a text message in front
of my new boss. ”
    Jay chuckled. Amber had practically been reared at The Arbors
because her mother had worked here for years. She was comfortable in a way even
the longest hires weren’t. She’d volunteered for school service hours, had been
a part-time transportation aide during high school. Understandably, she was
worried about all the changes.
    He tried to soothe her ruffled feathers. “You bought me a few
minutes to get the lay of the land. I thank you for that.”
    She gave an exasperated huff and spun around in her chair,
dismissing him. He smiled and continued on his way, hoping the new administrator
had come prepared to deal with this crew.
    Circling the building, he headed toward the north end of the
property and the maintenance buildings tucked away there, concealed by the trees
and the slope.
    Jay found Chester in the garage. A middle-aged African-American
man with more and more gray in his hair each passing year, the maintenance and
engineering supervisor was the calm in the middle of any storm. Jay couldn’t
remember the man so much as raise his voice in his twelve years on the
payroll.
    “Need another radio, Chester.”
    “You got it, Mr. C.” He disappeared through a doorway, where
all electronics were locked in the climate-controlled office.
    When he returned, Jay asked, “Everything okay? You get an ETA
on the mower yet?”
    Chester nodded. “The repair shop promised I can pick it up by
Friday. Don’t fret. Worst case is it rains, and I get the crew out with push
mowers.”
    “The crew won’t like that.”
    A slow smile spread over Chester’s face. “You know it.”
    And that was that. Jay appreciated a supervisor who was a man
of few words.
    Arriving at the main building, he bypassed the front