Free The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

we’re growing,” John said. “As long as we don’t eat it this quarter. We’re growing with our organic lines. People are all over that stuff now. Maybe you’ll have something to offer in that area, coming from perfume. We’re anxious to learn.” He turned toward the older gentleman. “Aren’t we, Willard?”
    Willard grunted.
    â€œThat’s thrilled for Willard,” John explained.
    â€œIf you cared about the girl, you’d tell her the truth—that this division is one bad quarter away from being brought down,” Willard said.
    Daphne flinched. “That wasn’t the impression I got from Jesse. He’s planning for new equipment.” She was the means to his end, she supposed, as he was for her—she wanted to get back to Paris and fragrance.
    â€œHe’s also planning for the Easter Bunny to visit this year, but it’s not going to happen.”
    Daphne’s stomach tightened. “It’s that bad?”
    â€œDon’t listen to Willard,” John said. “He’s a sky-is-falling type. Jesse will get the equipment, and with your creativity, I imagine that equipment will be put to good use.”
    â€œI just don’t want to see another good man go down. If your expertise can’t save Jesse with new products, you should quit now, young lady. He’s got mouths to feed at home. Not just a new pair of shoes for you women to stumble about in.”
    â€œWillard, that is a sexist comment,” Kensie said. “Daphne’s not responsible for Jesse making his numbers. That’s his problem.”
    â€œKensie,” John said, “you may not care if Jesse loses his job, knowing yours is safe, but we’ve been here long enough to know that nothing good comes from starting over with new leadership. Not in this place. It’s time the board of directors looked at the real problem.”
    â€œAw, leave her be, John,” Willard said. “Kensie knows which side her bread is buttered on. She’s not going to see the truth even if you draw her a picture.”
    â€œThat’s fine, but she can keep her wagging tongue out of my lab. If I need marketing to know something, I’ll be sure and get out the memo.”
    â€œIt’s not just your lab. I was asked to come up here, if you must know. I don’t like being here any more than you like having me.” Kensie slipped out of her lab coat, tossed it at John, and stormed out of the lab, grabbing her shoes on the way.
    Daphne didn’t know if she should follow or not, but her feet stayed planted because the lab was where she felt most at home. The tension with Kensie present was positively explosive by lab standards, and she wanted to get a feel for the room without the other woman’s presence. She also wanted to flee to Europe and beg Arnaud to take her back. How could she possibly be responsible for Jesse’s success or failure when she couldn’t smell a thing?
    â€œThat’s an angry young woman,” Willard said, but the comment seemed out of his character. “What right does she have to be bitter in her short years?”
    John turned toward him. “Willard, I never thought you noticed Kensie.”
    â€œHow could I not notice, the way she slithers in here with Dave and her foul marketing reports that stink of nothing good. Young people think they know everything, and they’re too proud to learn what they don’t know. That girl doesn’t know a lot, but boy, can she stir up trouble. And I’ll go a step further: I think this division’s downturn is the result of her flawed reports.”
    Daphne had never seen office politics so violently displayed. And while she hadn’t known anyone long enough to make an assessment, it seemed to her that no one had much faith in Jesse Lightner. And she’d just made a promise to the man. For someone who noticed every detail around her, she didn’t