Sam took the envelope and then opened it. Inside there was a check. The amount read $7500. Sam turned back to Mike. “Mike, what on earth?” she asked.
“Judge figured out what you’d lost because of all this. Our court costs are only $250, but he done doubled it. Then he added all the other stuff in and said this was to make up for all the hassle,” Mike said.
“But I can’t take this,” Sam protested.
“Judge said if you fuss, and he knew you would, he’d let those assholes go,” said Mike.
Sam uttered an exasperated sigh. “Fine. Tell the Judge thank you and I’ll see him at the B&B for breakfast on Sunday,” she said as she tucked the check into her pocket. She waved goodbye to Mike and got into the car with Luc and Patrick.
“What was that all about?” asked Patrick.
“The judge done fined those reporters and paid me for the trouble they caused. Let’s go to the bank before I get stupid,” said Sam.
*
Sam, Luc and Patrick walked back into the B&B with grocery and shopping bags. Angie, Ginny and Meg were sitting in the kitchen drinking iced tea. ‘Buster’ was laying across the door into the main part of the B&B.
“What took you so long?” asked Ginny.
“Well, we got an unexpected bonus,” said Sam.
“Oh?” asked Ginny.
“Yeah. The court fined the reporters and paid Sam for lost revenue,” said Patrick.
“They did?” asked Angie.
“Yes, to the tune of $7500,” said Luc. “So, we did some grocery shopping and Sam spent some money on herself.”
“Only after you two threatened to growl at me,” said Sam.
“Did you use sub-vocals on her?” asked Meg.
“Just a little,” teased Luc.
“Luc…” started Meg.
“Hold on Meg! They just talked me to death until I admitted that there were a few things I could use,” said Sam laughing.
That made everyone laugh.
“What did you buy?” asked Ginny.
“Well, enough steak to make George happy and lots of chocolate for Meg,” started Sam. “Then I went to Big R and got new jeans, a couple of shirts and a pair of boots,” she finished.
The women oohed and ahhed over the stuff and the guys put the food away. Sam hadn’t joked about the meat. Patrick stacked steaks in the fridge and roasts in the freezer. Luc handed Meg and Angie chocolate and gingersnaps to Ginny.
Sam went to put laundry in the washer and when she came back, they all sat and talked about the court case. George had shifted back so that he could be part of the conversation. When Sam got to the part where Mike had run over to give them the check, George stood up for a moment and then came back to where everyone was seated.
“Sam, I have a question to ask you,” he said.
“Go ahead George,” said Sam.
“These guys will be in jail for a month, and then what?” George asked.
“I hadn’t thought about that. Guess I figured they’d just move on,” said Sam.
“Well, Angie and I have been talking and I made a decision. I have an offer for you Sam,” George said.
Sam looked from Angie to George and couldn’t figure out where this was going. “Okay, what is this offer?” she asked.
“You’re going to need Buster around for a couple of months. Once those reporters get out, most are going to disappear. But a few are going to come back to see if Buster is still here and if there is a story,” he said.
“I can see that,” said Sam.
“So, Angie and I talked and if you’re willing, I’d like to stay on for a while. Angie too. I’m not ready to be separated from her for more than a few days to be honest. She can help around the kitchen and stuff. You can take it easy for a bit and I’ll work on being an old dog. Then in a few months, Buster can pass on too and you can be left in peace,” said George.
“I can’t ask that of you,” said Sam.
“No, but we can offer. George is between jobs and while the company can use a good receptionist, Ginny can cope and we figure it would probably be good if ‘Solda or Bitty learned a skill or two,” said Angie.
“I agree. We talked about this while you were gone Luc,” said Ginny.
Luc turned to Patrick. “I knew leaving them alone was dangerous,” he said to Patrick.
“Like you didn’t know they’d plot to rule the world. Steal someone else’s bone,” laughed Patrick.
“Geeze, I’m the CEO, and my receptionists rule the office,” said Luc.
“You bet your ass,” said Meg. “As it should be. I think it’s a great idea. Plus it will give Angie’s house a chance to sell so they aren’t packed into Ginny’s house.”
“I’d forgotten all about that,” said Sam. “I accept.” Sam held her hand out to George to shake on the deal. George wrapped her up in his arms and hugged her. Angie moved in and hugged Sam as well.
“Now, which one of us is cooking?” asked Patrick holding up a pile of steaks. “Not sure about anyone else, but I’m starving.”
Sam smiled and tossed her barbecue apron to Patrick. Patrick snagged it and turned back to the stove. Ginny started to make a salad and Luc and Meg went upstairs for a bit. Sam turned to George.
“You gonna be okay with this?” she asked quietly.
“Yes Sam. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t. At first I thought that I could just go home with the others at the end of the week. After the reporters showed up, I knew I couldn’t. So, Angie and I talked. The best solution was for us to stay,” he said.
“Alright, but if it ever gets to you, you just tell me,” Sam said.
“I will. Oh, and one other thing. No wages,” he said.
“But…” Sam started.
“No Sam, and that was my condition,” said Angie. “We figured that by being here we’re costing you a room. We won’t take from you twice. You won’t let us pay you now which isn’t fair either.”
“Well, you’re family. How could I?” said Sam.
“Exactly. So, if we don’t pay for our rooms, we don’t get paid wages,” argued Angie.