Gift Wrapped for Christmas: A Contemporary Romance Read Free Page B

appearance one last time and headed downtown.
    * * *
    “Good morning, David.”
    The concierge smiled when he
spotted Maddie. “There you are, my girl. I heard about CCA.” He glanced up at
the clock above the elevators. It was well past her usual arrival time. “I take
it you were caught up in that.”
    Maddie was touched at his
concern. “I was, yes. But after the initial shock wore off, I realized that
accounting wasn’t really for me.” She stepped aside as someone asked him for
directions.
    “So tell me, what are you going
to do now?” The observant eyes didn’t miss much. She wore a flared cape over
slim slacks that were tucked into tall boots.
    “That’s partly why I’m here.” She
gestured to the corner of the lobby where the smoke shop used to be. “I’m
hoping to rent that little shop for a couple of months.” She raised an eyebrow
in question. “Do you think the powers that be would consider it?”
    The concierge frowned. “The smoke
shop? I don’t know. All I know is that the Drummonds didn’t want the tenant to
sell cigarettes, and when his lease was up, he refused to stop selling them, so
they countered by refusing to renew the lease.” He gave a wry smile. “It made
the papers.”
    “Huh. That was just before I
moved to Calgary.” She tapped her fingers on the desk and looked thoughtfully
in the direction of the former shop. “Who should I see about renting it?”
    “That would be Mr. Drummond.”
    Maddie couldn’t contain her
surprise. “Are you serious? Surely he doesn’t take care of the rentals. He must
have someone who does that.”
    David shrugged. “Those are my
instructions. Hey, didn’t I see you talking to him yesterday?”
    “Yes, but I didn’t know it was
him at the time. I was making some silly comment about liking the revolving
door.”
    David grinned. “He’ll have enjoyed
that. He fought to keep the door in place.”
    “Did he?” Maddie glanced at the
door and then back at the concierge. “Maybe he’ll remember me.”
    David wiggled his eyebrows. “Oh I
don’t think there’s any question about that.”
    Maddie laughed. “Thanks, David.
You know how to make a girl feel special.” She turned to walk away, then turned
back. “I’ll let you know how I make out, okay?”

Chapter Three
    As the elevator approached the
top floor, Maddie took in a long, steadying breath. By the time the doors
opened, she was smiling and composed.
    The reception area for Drummond
Enterprises was discreetly elegant. Brass letters mounted on the wall behind
the reception desk spelled out the company name.
    Maddie had taken the time to
Google Drummond Enterprises last night. The company had been started in the
1940s and ’50s by Chase Drummond’s grandfather. According to reports, the man
had a nose for oil, a skill which he passed on to his son, who had gone on to multiply
the family fortunes. The present CEO of Drummond Enterprises, Chase Drummond,
had continued his father’s practice of diversification. It seemed that the
company had a stake in virtually every facet of the oil business. As a result,
they were one of the most successful privately held companies in the province of
Alberta.
    An attractive receptionist
greeted her with a smile. “May I help you?”
    “I’d like to see Chase Drummond,
please.” Maddie knew that it was unlikely he would see her without an
appointment, but she had to try.
    “Is Mr. Drummond expecting you?”
The receptionist’s gaze darted to a young girl sitting in the reception area,
then came back to rest on Maddie.
    “No, he isn’t.” She watched the
receptionist key in something on her computer. “My name is Maddie LaRocque. I
understand that Mr. Drummond handles rentals in the building. We met
yesterday.”
    Was that a flicker of interest on
the receptionist’s face? Maddie wasn’t sure.
    “Mr. Drummond is in a meeting
right now, but you’re welcome to wait if you wish.”
    “Thank you, I think I will.”
Maddie walked over