Today Harrington started his new job, officially. As I have said, he has been busy before this, but today was the first day that he was able to go into an office. It is a temporary space that he and Jared are renting for a few months, bland and without personality, but it is good to have a place where he can meet with clients and possible employees.
He arrived early, well aware of how long it takes him to maneuver with his canes. Arthur dropped him off and wished him luck, and he went into the office and switched on all the lights. He was going over some plans in his office—my office, he thought with some awe and disquiet—when Jared arrived.
“Good morning, eager beaver,” Jared teased him. “No, no, don’t get up.”
The slight jab at his infirmity startled Harrington, but he smiled, deciding that he preferred someone to joke about it than edge uneasily around it. “Morning,” he said. “There’s coffee if you want it.”
“Please.” Jared helped himself from the small coffeemaker in the corner behind Harrington’s desk, so positioned so Harrington could wheel himself to it in his chair. “So what are we up to this morning?”
“Well, I’ve got all the records from my employees at the shop,” Harrington said, fanning those files neatly out on the desk. “I’ve got the benefits packages written down for them, pending your approval. I also have a few candidates for a new mechanic to interview this afternoon. I’ll meet them at the shop.”
Jared nodded, already flipping through the files, but then he glanced up. “You got a ride?”
“I’ll take a cab over there, and Isabella’s going to come get me when she gets off work.”
Jared grunted. “We need to get you a PA who can drive you around.”
“I have interviews lined up for that tomorrow.”
That made Jared laugh. “You weren’t lying when you said you were the right man for this job. All right, take me through all your suppliers and your client list—I want to get your shop squared away before we look at purchasing any more in town.”
The morning passed quickly, for there was much to do. Jared remained in the office when Harrington went out for interviews.
“How’s it going?” Isabella asked when she picked Harrington up after the interviews.
Harrington shook his head. “It was strange to be in the shop in a button-down,” he said. And with the canes, he thought but didn’t say. “But I think it was all right. I like the second guy best—he’s not as experienced, but he seemed to get along well with the boys.”
“Do you need Jared’s approval to hire him?”
“No, I just need to let him know. He’s pretty easygoing, and he trusts me.”
“Well, don’t take that for granted, please.”
For a moment Harrington was irritated, but I reminded him that Isabella just wanted him to be careful in this new role. He sighed and reached for her hand. “I won’t.”
He still carries a great deal of anxiety about this job, this new way of working, but I think he is doing very well. I just need to make certain his pride does not lead him to fall back into old, bad habits.
I must go—Brid is waiting for me. She wants me to spend some time with her; she says my aura is diminished. I would not be surprised if it is, and I could use a Healer’s comfort, I think—or a friend’s. I will tell you more about Harrington another time.