Chapter 85

Leland came through the door to Wes’ office like he was being chased. He had folders tucked under his arm and others in his hand.

“Teegan left me a list.” He scowled. “I don’t know where half of these people are or which thing I’m supposed to give them.”

Wes motioned to the table by his sofa. “I have my chores.” He set down the file he’d been trying to read and went over and picked up the top folder and waved it at him. “These are the rejected ads that Ann needs to be redone, but I can’t get them redone because I have to contact the companies first—which I think is what Liset used to do, and now no one does.” He dropped it and put his hands on his hips. “What are you supposed to be doing?”

Leland snorted and grabbed the folders from under his arm. “Everything it seems.” He scowled at him. “Do they always do this much?”

Wes sighed. “Apparently.”

Leland went over and sat on the sofa and set the folders beside him. “I think they need a raise.”

Wes grinned. “Or their own assistants.”

Leland shook his head. “We tried that with Celia and Ann, remember?”

“Right.” Wes sighed and then sat on the table and picked up the folder again. “Until today, I thought I ran this place.”

“I believe the girls have been letting you think that.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me.”

Mitch walked in and gave them both an odd look. “So, what does Kat do when she doesn’t have anything to take pictures of?”

“Why?” Wes took the folder Leland held out and opened it. “This one goes down to the print room.”

Leland grabbed it, took a pen out of his pocket, and wrote on the folder.

Mitch went over and sat in the chair. “She’s so far ahead on the ad shoots that there’s nothing to do.” He leaned back and put his hands on top of his head. “How are you two doing with the women’s jobs? Pretty easy stuff, right?”

Leland dropped the folder. “You have nothing to do?”

Dropping his hands to his lap, Mitch shrugged. “I cleaned all her gear and the studio, but there’s nothing scheduled for today.”

Wes looked at Leland, whose expression wasn’t pleasant. “What would she do if she were here?”

Mitch shrugged again. “Probably do more shoots that aren’t due for a few weeks.”

Leland picked up half the folder pile and held them out. “You can help figure out where or who these are supposed to be going to.”

Mitch leaned forward and took them. He opened the top one and then looked at the folders on the table and beside Leland. “You guys have to do all that?”

Wes nodded. “And my job as well.” His grin was wide.

Mitch looked at the papers inside the file again. “Well, all right then, I guess I’ll help you guys get this done.”

“Yes.” Leland sat back and blew out a breath. “How do you think they’re doing?”

Wes got up and went back over to his desk. “You haven’t messaged Teegan?”

Leland shook his head. “No. I didn’t want her to think I was checking up on her. Have you messaged Ann?”

Wes snorted. “No.”

They both looked at Mitch. He glanced between them. “They went to the lake and had a picnic breakfast, and now they’re combing through books and tossing some ideas around.”

“Kat told you this?”

Mitch nodded. “Yeah. Shouldn’t she have?”

Leland grabbed the files and stood up. “No. That’s good. Give us an update if she tells you more.”

“Will do.” Mitch stood up. “Now, does anyone know where I can find the final editor?” He tapped the top folder. “The note on this one says needs final edit approval.”

Leland frowned. “There’s a note?”

Mitch grinned. “Yes, on the progress page stapled to the inside of the file at the back.”

Leland opened one of the files and flipped the pages. “Goes to print room.” He groaned. “Knowing where she writes the details would have been nice.” He turned and left the room with long strides.

“He seems stressed.” Mitch looked from the door to Wes.

Wes hissed out a breath between his teeth, biding time so he wouldn’t tell Mitch his real thoughts. “It’s going to be a tense weekend.”

“I can’t wait to see them put the others in their place.” He smiled and shoved up his glasses. “I’ll just wander slowly until I find the final editor.”

Wes motioned toward the door. Mitch saluted him and left. Dropping down into his chair, he slid the folder over and opened it. Flipping the pages up, he saw a sheet of paper with Ann’s writing on it. It listed the changes that needed to happen. Under that, ‘send to Willow’ was written. Slapping it closed, he leaned back, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. He should have known they’d have some system to keep track.

A knock on the door had him open his eyes. One of the copy assistants stood at the door. “Yes?” He couldn’t remember her name right now. Coming to the office this distracted had been a bad idea.

“The printer keeps stopping.”

He wanted to groan but kept it together. “Who do we usually call for that?”

“Ann.” She clasped her hands in front of her. “She comes out, swears at it, gives it a slap, and then it works again.”

Wes snorted. This day needed to end. “Okay, well, let’s give IT a call and see if they have any suggestions.”

She nodded and then turned around and left.

Wes looked at the time on his phone. “Only five more hours of this to go.” Sighing, he went over to the table to figure out where all those folders should go. “Next time they go away, it’s not on a Friday.” Surely, Monday’s to-do list was shorter.