Convincing Landon by Serena Yates Read Free Book Online Page B

less certain that he was good at his job, he’d suspect the woman wanted to get rid of him.
    “That’s hopefully going to be long enough to convince you to move back here.” Greg frowned. “Unless Ray’s little display of arrogance has managed to chase you away permanently?”
    “Hardly.” Landon snorted.
    “No?” Greg tilted his head and raised his eyebrows.
    “On the contrary.” Landon leant back in his seat, beginning to relax. “It’s made me think that maybe it’s time I stop running.”
    “Yay!” Greg’s smile could have lit up an entire city.

    * * * *

    Riverside, Texas
    Wednesday, November 26, 2008

    Thanksgiving preparations were in full swing, with Landon in charge of making salads while Greg was dealing with preparing the stuffing and stowing all the extra food they had inexplicably felt compelled to buy. Even though there was only going to be the two of them, the kitchen looked as if they were preparing to feed an army.
    Landon frowned when his cell phone rang and the name of his boss appeared on the display. He hadn’t expected her to call at all while he was off on personal time. What could she possibly want?
    “Elaine? What can I do for you?” Best to go on the offensive.
    “Hi, Landon.” She cleared her throat. “I hope you’re okay?”
    “Getting there.” Landon shook his head. This was very odd.
    “I’m sorry to bother you during your time off. But an opportunity has come up, and I need to talk to you about it before you return to Houston. Seeing as it’s the long holiday weekend, unfortunately, that means today.” Elaine sighed. “This is pretty important, so I really hope you’re going to say yes.”
    “I’ll need to hear what it is first.” He wasn’t into making unsubstantiated promises.
    “Sure, sure…I get that.” Elaine laughed. “You’re nothing if not conscientious, which is why I’d like you to accept this project.”
      “Project?” Now she had his full attention. He’d been mostly focusing on counselling for so long that he’d almost forgotten the excitement of other aspects of his work.
    “It’s a great opportunity, which has come up quite unexpectedly. We’ve talked about expanding our programme, and now we have a real option to do it. I just found out there’s a major city renewal project going on in Riverside, in an area just south of the city centre.” She rustled with some papers. “Ah, here it is. The city council, or at least some of its members, would like to improve the facilities for the homeless as part of an effort to clean up the inner city streets. They’re hoping to improve property values and attract more businesses. They have looked at several charities and have made up their minds that Promises Kept is the most suited to what they’re looking for. Apparently, the commercial side of the plans is quite advanced, but so far there has been a lack of proposals from charities or other organisations which could help with the social aspects of the project.”
    “Interesting.” He was beginning to see where this was going. “Do you know why the focus has been more on the business side of it? Other than the obvious reason of the interest in making money being higher than the interest in bringing about social change? Is there something we need to know?”
    “I’m not sure. It’s always possible there are some behind-the-scenes interests or struggles for power.” Elaine sighed. “You know what it’s like. Cleaning up the streets sounds good but making it happen—at the cost of city income—is much harder.”
    “That’s what I was afraid of. Not that it’s new and surprising.” He hated that improving lives was so low on most decision-makers’ agendas.
    “This brings me to the reason for my call.” Elaine took a deep breath. “I’ve spoken to the other board members and we’d like you to be our front man in Riverside. You know the town, possibly even some of the people involved.”
    “It’s been a long time,