Blackhawk's Betrayal. Barbara McCauley

it open. “Mornin’, Boss.”

      â€œYou can be boss today, Prescott. In fact, I think I’ll just give you the Four Winds and crawl back to my bed.”

      Sam frowned. “What’s wrong?”

      â€œI think the bug my nephews had last week decided to visit me, too,” she said weakly. “Will you ask Suz to reschedule my appointments?”

      â€œSure.” He noticed the woman was still standing outside Human Resources, though it seemed a bit odd she had put her hand on the doorknob and not moved. “You need soup or something sent over?”

      â€œPlease,” she groaned, “don’t mention food. And Jacob’s home today, so if I—oh, God, not again. Bye.”

      The line clicked dead. Poor kid, Sam sympathized, slipping his phone back into his pocket. He could think of much better ways to spend a day in bed.

      That thought drew his glance back down the hall. The woman was gone. He could still smell her, though. A soft, pretty fragrance that seemed to whisper in his ear.

      Damn.

      He’d never even seen her face.

      Heaving a sigh, he glanced at his watch and headed for his office, hesitated briefly outside of Human Resources, then kept going. Since Clair had cancelled their morning meeting, this would be a good time to get a jump on the end-of-the-month reports. At the rate the Four Winds was growing, he could barely keep up with the paperwork. He didn’t have time to traipse after beautiful, mysterious women.

      Halfway down the hall, he stopped.

      Oh, hell, why not?

      Even if she was applying for a job, she wasn’t an employee yet, he figured. He turned back around and headed back for Human Resources. He might as well satisfy his curiosity while he had the chance. No harm in putting a face to that sexy body.

      He stepped into the office and glanced around. Janet’s secretary was not at her desk, and the door to the inner office was closed. The waiting room was empty.

      Damn. He’d already missed her.

      Slipping his hands into his pockets, Sam wandered closer to the closed door.

      â€œI see you’ve had some restaurant experience, Miss Daniels,” Sam heard Janet say. “Anything in particular?”

      â€œHostess, waitress, bussing,” the woman replied. “Some kitchen training.”

      â€œAre you available nights, weekends and on call?”

      Sam waited for the woman to mention a husband or children, but she didn’t, simply answered that she was available whenever she was needed.

      â€œMiss Daniels—”

      â€œPlease, call me Kiera.”

      â€œKiera, you haven’t listed any references on your application. Could you give me your last place of employment?”

      â€œNo, Mrs. Lamott. I—I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

      No references? Sam lowered his brow. Janet couldn’t possibly hire the woman without references.

      â€œKiera.” Janet’s voice softened. “My sister explained your situation to me, which is why I’m meeting with you so quickly.”

      Situation? Sam leaned closer to the door. What situation?

      â€œI appreciate it, and I assure you, I’m a hard worker and learn quickly.” Desperation edged the woman’s voice. “I’ll work any hours you ask, do whatever you need me to do, but please just give me a chance.”

      Sam narrowed his eyes and frowned. He didn’t care what the woman looked like, or what her “situation” was. The Four Winds was not a charity. It was a business. They hired people based on qualifications, not because they said please.

      Rule Number Two: Hotel policies applied equally to the entire staff.

      Sam wished like hell he could see what was going on inside the office. He could hear both women speaking, but they’d lowered their voices and he couldn’t make out their words. His ear was all but touching the door when he heard Janet speak again.

      â€œCan you start tomorrow?”

      What? Sam raised his head, then stared at the door and frowned. Janet had actually hired this woman without any references at all?

      â€œYes, of course I can start tomorrow. Thank you.” The woman’s voice trembled. “Thank you so much. You won’t be sorry, I promise you.”

      â€œGo downstairs to the lower lobby employee entrance and ask for Francine. She’ll fit you for a uniform.”

      He rarely interfered with the head of a department, but there were times it was necessary. Anything that took place here at the Four Winds was ultimately his responsibility, and that included hiring and firing. He straightened, set his jaw and prepared himself to face both women. Janet might not like it, but if he had to supersede a decision, then she’d just have to—

      The door opened, and his mind simply went blank.

      Her face was everything he’d imagined and quite a bit more. A sensuous, delicate sculpture of high cheekbones, straight nose and wide, full mouth. Smooth, sun-bronzed skin against deep, smoky-blue eyes. Eyes that considerably widened when they met his.

      The faint tinge of black and blue next to one of those bewitching eyes was like a sucker punch in his gut.

      â€œSam, I didn’t know you were here.” Smiling, Janet moved to the door. “This is Kiera Daniels. Kiera, Sam Prescott, general manager of the Four Winds.”

      â€œMr. Prescott.” Kiera’s smile never made her eyes. “How do you do.”

      He took the hand she offered; it was as soft as it was warm. “We’re not formal here, Kiera. Just Sam.”

      â€œI hired Kiera for the lunch shift at Adagio’s,” Janet said. “She’s on her way downstairs to see Francine.”

      â€œWelcome to the FourWinds.” He realized he was still holding the woman’s hand and reluctantly let go. “I’m headed in that direction. Why don’t I show you the way?”

      â€œI wouldn’t want to trouble you.” Kiera hitched her purse a little higher on her shoulder. “I can find my way.”

      â€œI’m sure you can.” He kept his gaze steady with hers. “But it’s no trouble at all.”

      He saw the resistance in her eyes, knew she wanted to refuse his offer but, under the circumstances, couldn’t. He’d cornered her, and she countered with a lift of her chin and a nod.

      Janet looked at Sam. “Was there something you needed?”

      Something he needed? Oh, right. He had been lurking outside her office, hadn’t he? “I want to take some stats into my lunch meeting with the Cattlemen’s Association. I’d like to reassure them we have the staff to handle a convention their size.”

      â€œNo problem.” Janet’s gaze shifted to Kiera and softened. “If you have any questions, or if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

      Sam set his back teeth. Obviously, Janet had let her heart rule her decision, not her head.

      Rule Number Three: Do not get emotionally attached.

      Which he wouldn’t. But what he would do, at least for the moment, was trust Janet’s decision.

      And