swallowed. For Kramer’s Island, I’ll give it a shot. “Make it three, and we have a deal.”
Lyza sounded hopeful. “Then you’re coming back to work?”
“My schedule is a little fuzzy right now. I’m sure you know about my community service.”
“Come in when you can. I’m looking forward to seeing you and working together again.”
Leesa rubbed her back again. “During the next few weeks I’ll be coming up with ideas on how to turn Kramer’s Island around.”
Chapter Six
After three weeks of community service–mandated filing, Leesa strode into L. L. Lane Unlimited headquarters as if she’d never left. She passed reception without saying a word and went directly to her old office. She set her laptop on the desk and surveyed her familiar surroundings. I feel like I’m finally home. She rubbed her back.
Suddenly Lyza stood in the doorway. “Hello, Leesa. Good to have you back.”
I hope this wasn’t a mistake. Leesa looked at her for a long moment. “It’s been a rough run, Lyza. Do you think it will ever be the same?”
Lyza smiled. “Sometimes different can be good.”
Leesa sat in her familiar chair. “At least my community service time is over. That was horrible.”
Lyza nodded at a folder on Leesa’s desk. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. But you’re here now. I left the Kramer’s Island files for you. If you need anything, let me know.”
Leesa took a deep breath. “Now how does this work? You’re my boss, right?”
Lyza folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “It’s not going to be that much different from when we worked together before Father passed.”
Leesa looked away. “Except you’re doing the job I was doing the last few months, running the business.”
Lyza walked around to the front of Leesa’s desk. “Yes, Leesa, but it’s not for me. It’s for Levi.”
Leesa looked her in the eye. “Did you take Father’s office?”
“Yes.”
“I thought you would.” Something ugly rose up in Leesa, and she pushed it back down. I hate her. She thinks different is good. I hope so, because nothing will ever be the same. She pursed her lips. “I guess I’ll review the files on Kramer’s Island.”
Lyza disappeared down the hall.
All of this should have been mine. Everyone looked up to me. I was the boss. I didn’t ask anybody anything. I did as I pleased and answered to no one. Now, everyone in this building knows I’m out and Lyza’s in. Her back twinged with pain. She dug a red capsule out of her purse and washed it down with her bottled water. Why doesn’t she let Levi take Father’s office? Oh, that’s right—he’s just a little baby. This is ridiculous!
She opened the file folder. A picture of damaged roller coaster cars crashed onto the pavement jumped out at her. Why would Lyza put this picture here? She knows a little girl died in this accident. How cruel can she be? Leesa thumbed through the rest of the pictures of the accident scene where Karen Kaplan’s daughter died.
Leesa pushed the intercom button. “Bill, can you make reservations for a flight to Seattle?”
“Hello, Leesa, good to have you back. Sure. I’ll get the request in and get back to you. How soon do you want to leave?”
Bill’s pleasant voice irritated her. “Now. Alert the jet pool. I want to leave right away.”
Bill cleared his throat. “All Lane jets are grounded. I’ll check commercial and let you know when there’s a flight available.”
Really, Lyza? Grounding the Lane jets? We can’t be in that much trouble. Talk about overreacting. She leaned back in her chair. “Fine.”
Twenty minutes later, Bill reported, “There’s a flight out in the morning.”
She didn’t even ask what time. “I’ll take it. Send the tickets to my office.”
“You got it.”
Leesa wanted tickets to Seattle, but to visit her friend, Karen Kaplan. Karen’s little girl had died in the roller coast accident on Kramer’s Island, but she and her husband refused to sue L. L. Lane Unlimited. They refused any monetary remuneration for the loss of their daughter. She’d even gone to church with Todd and Karen Kaplan because they said it was the one thing their daughter would have wanted.
Leesa hated Lyza for turning Christian. She felt the same way her father did, that it dishonored their grandparents who died in the Holocaust. But she loved Todd and Karen Kaplan because they were people of integrity who had nothing to apologize for. They were honest, and they treated her like they cared about her.
She looked forward to seeing Karen, whom she hadn’t seen since before her father passed away. The Kaplans sent flowers for both Mother and Father.
Pain shot up her back as she got up to go to the restroom. She fished out another red capsule. I can’t travel like this. My last one. I’m going to have to see Kayla again. I hate seeing her, but nothing else works as well.
***
David rocked Levi on the front porch as Lyza pulled into their driveway. Holding Levi, he made his way to Lyza’s side of the car and opened her door for her.
She stepped out of the car. “Thank you, sweetheart.”
He gave her a little peck on the cheek. “My pleasure. How was your day at the office?”
Lyza handed him her attaché case and took the baby. “Leesa came in today. She’s back in her old office. I think it’s going to work out.”
David shut the car door. “I imagine it’s hard for her, after running the business and all.”
They headed to the house.
“There’s still some tension, but I’m staying out of her way. Bill told me she scheduled a flight to Seattle in the morning. I suppose she’s going to Kramer’s Island. That’ll be good for her.”
David opened the screen door. “I know she loves it there. Sometime we’ll have to take Levi.”
Lyza rubbed noses with Levi as she carried him into the house. “I think I know a grown man using a baby as an excuse to go to an amusement park. Really, David. All you have to do is ask.”
He laughed. “You got me. I admit I’m curious about Kramer’s Island. All the reviews have been very good.”
Lyza teased. “Do you want to go with Leesa tomorrow?”
David stammered. “Uh—no, thanks, that’s not what I had in mind. I was thinking just the family—just us—would go one day.”
Lyza sat on the sofa and cradled Levi. “All right. When
