Page 66 of Finding Lexie
“Yes. Anyway, I didn’t want it to be a surprise when I showed up. Wouldn’t want you to keel over in shock when you saw me. After all, Dagmar and I are…were…twins.”
“I appreciate the head’s up. Do I need to tell Natalie that you’re coming?”
“Natalie?” Magnus asked.
“Oh, I guess you haven’t gotten a list of all the employees yet. She’s the manager of Food For All here.”
“The board is supposed to notify her,” Magnus said. “They will send out a memo, but you know how sometimes those things fall through the cracks. Then again, it is my understanding that Dagmar sometimes did surprise inspections, so maybe it would be better if you didn’t say anything. I wouldn’t want my first assignment for Food For All to be compromised, and if the board knew we were talking, it might be considered bad form.”
“I understand.” She didn’t want to do or say anything that might get Magnus in trouble. She’d never met or talked to the people on the board of Food For All. The organization was based out of the United Kingdom, and the men and women in charge had a reputation for being very strict and by the book. Still, she was grateful that she’d been hired all those years ago, and that they were letting a grieving man step into his brother’s shoes.
“Thank you,” Magnus said. “You are busy, so I will let you get back to work. You’ve been there since early this morning, yes?”
“Yeah,” Lexie confirmed. She’d shared her general schedule in an email a while ago. He’d been curious as to how she spent her time and what it was she did, and she’d been happy to tell him. Because she lived near the facility, she had no problem going in early to get the coffee started, and to do whatever else needed to be done before they opened the doors for breakfast.
“I hope you aren’t working too hard,” Magnus said.
Lexie chuckled. “I’m not. I love what I do and helping others isn’t a hardship. And this weekend, Midas is taking me to the Dole Pineapple Plantation. They have a maze, which I’m super excited to try out.”
“Midas is the man who knew Dagmar?”
“Yes.”
“I hope he treats you well.”
“He does,” Lexie reassured Magnus. The more they talked, the more comfortable she became. What happened to Dagmar was tragic and horrific. If she gained a friend in his brother as a result, it would make her feel a little better.
“It sounds as if you are happy,” Magnus said.
“I am.”
“Good. I will let you go now. Do you mind if I call again?”
“Not at all. Call anytime.”
“Thank you. I will be in touch soon and will update you on the progress as to when I will arrive.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“As am I,” Magnus said. “Goodbye.”
“Bye.”
Lexie clicked off the phone and stuck it back in her pocket.
Seconds later, Ashlyn, one of the other full-time employees, entered the pantry and asked, “You okay? I thought I heard you talking.”
“I’m fine,” Lexie said, happy the other woman had bothered to check on her. “I was on the phone.”
“Your man?” Ashlyn asked with a smile.
“No.” Lexie grinned. “A friend,” she said, remembering that she was supposed to keep Magnus’s arrival on the down low.
“Cool. Anyway, Natalie sent me in to see if you could come out and help walk the room with Pika. It’s crazy crowded, as it is on most Friday afternoons, and people seem restless. You’re so good with everyone that she thought it might be best for you to mingle.”
“Oh, of course. I’m happy to. I’m not done here though,” Lexie said.
“No worries. Jack and I will finish packing up the lunches after you leave. You’re leaving early today, right?”
