“Mind your own business, Tristan,” Caleb growled.
“I’d like to, but since I’m stuck here when I’d rather be anywhere else, I think I get a say. At least this time.”
Morgan briefly wished for Dr. Phil to help figure things out.
“Playing the blame game again? You win, Tristan. I failed you, like you consistently remind me. Can we move on?”
“I have, you egomaniac!” Tristan hissed.
Caught between horrified laughter and sympathy for the brothers, who were definitely not a unit, Morgan took a deep breath, ready to stop the brawl threatening to explode right in the fancy conference room. Until a booming voice that brooked no argument cut through the air.
“May I have everyone’s attention?”
Everyone turned toward the curvy redhead framed in the doorway. Sydney pushed the no-nonsense gold glasses up the bridge of her nose and glared with the fierceness of a pissed-off mama bear ready to corral her naughty cubs. She jabbed a finger at them in time to her words. “I. Am. Sick. Of. This. Behavior. I told you before, if you want to take potshots at each other, do it at home, not in my office. It’s my safe haven. Got it?”
Morgan watched the four strapping men meekly nod.
Sydney relaxed and gave her a dazzling smile. “Good. Now, let’s apologize to Ms. Raines for the interruption and move onward. Caleb, can you please meet us outside in ten minutes to escort Ms. Raines—”
“Please, everyone, call me Morgan.”
Sydney nodded. “—escort Morgan to the property. Dalton, you have an appointment in half an hour to talk to Ms. Ferguson about new cabinetry. Brady, let’s get these revised plans finalized. Tristan, you have a ton of phone messages you refuse to return, and I’m running out of excuses. Let’s get to work, gentlemen.”
Morgan noticed how her voice seemed to trip over Tristan’s name. She also averted her gaze slightly, as if looking full into his face was a problem. Interesting. Tristan shifted his feet and didn’t look at her directly, either.
Unfortunately, she had no further time to delve deeper because Sydney motioned her out, and Morgan trailed behind her. She was led back down the hall and into a full kitchen that held all the standard appliances, a high black granite bar with red stools, and an array of foodie toys: a soda machine, an espresso maker, a juicer, and an old-fashioned popcorn maker. She grabbed a tall glass from the counter and poured from a pitcher of water infused with cucumbers and mint, then handed her the glass.
“Drink. You probably need it after that display. I apologize.”
Morgan drank, smiling gratefully at the cool, clean flavors as the liquid slid down her throat. “Delicious. Thanks. Do they always act like that?”
Sydney wrinkled her pert nose and sighed. “Sometimes. They haven’t worked together in a long time, so there’s some growing pains. But don’t worry, their bickering will never interfere with their work or effort. Pierce Brothers is the best you can get.”
“Have you worked for them a long time?”
Sydney laughed. “You mean because I feel comfortable yelling at them? Guilty as charged. I lived right down the road, so I grew up with their family. Started working for them when I was eighteen and never stopped.” A faint shadow darkened her face, and Morgan wondered at her obvious secrets. “They had a falling-out years ago, but after Christian passed, they decided to run the company together again. This project will be good for them, especially after meeting you.”
“Why?”
Sydney laughed. “You won’t take their crap. You also know exactly what you want, but you’re willing to listen to other ideas.”
Morgan cocked her head. “How do you know all this? Come to think of it, how did you hear everything in the conference room when it’s all the way down the hall?”
The mischief lurking behind those amber eyes glinted to life. “My office is over there.” She pointed to the other side of the hallway. “I bugged the conference room.”
Morgan choked on the next sip of water. “Excuse me?”
Sydney winked. “Trust me, it’s better this way. They have huge hearts but can use a little looking after. They’re also pretty brilliant, which you’ll find out. I hope we get to spend some time together while you’re here. Where are you staying?”
“The Hilton.” Morgan smiled. “And yes, I’d really like that. Something tells me it’ll be a huge advantage to have you in my corner.”
They were both laughing when Caleb poked his head in, a fierce frown marking his brow. “Are we ready? Or do you want me to get you both a Disney teapot for tea time?”
Sydney rolled her eyes. “Only if you play Prince Charming.”
The joke hit Morgan right in the funny bone. She burst into laughter at Caleb’s astonished face, as if he suspected Morgan had confided in her assistant about his secret nickname. Without waiting for Sydney’s questions, Caleb grumbled something under his breath and practically stomped out the door. Morgan followed, cramming her fist against her mouth to stifle her mirth.
Oh, yeah. She was going to like having a friend around here.
So, the little hellcat was amused, was she?
He’d need to make sure Sydney and Morgan didn’t get buddy-buddy. God help them all if they hooked up, because they both had a bit of spitfire brewing beneath the polished surface. Together, they’d be worse than Thelma and Louise.
Still, her outbreak of giggles had done a funny thing to his chest. He usually hated that sound, but on her it was kind of charming. He never would have pegged the woman even able to giggle, she was so serious. She’d held herself like an expert at the meeting, pushing his respect for her knowledge even higher. It was rare to meet a woman who could talk wood, design, and property features without falling asleep. Sure, they all thought they were experts because they liked the HGTV channel, or those two brothers they all sighed over, but most couldn’t handle the reality of the day-to-day. Soon he’d find out if she held the stamina.