Page 32 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
Dahlia was on a call, and he could hear the printer whirring in the background as she spoke, a hint of pleading in her voice that he didn’t care for.
“It’s not a huge investment,” she said. “And it’ll save so much time.”
“It’s outside of the admin budget,” the woman on the other end replied, her voice cool yet emphatic even through the tinny sound of the phone’s speaker.
“But it takes me twice as long using the current system—” Dahlia started.
A loud, exasperated sigh cut her off. “We’ve been over this,” a male voice clipped. “We know the current software works, and it’s not like you’re pressed for time right now. You’re stuck in Nowheresville, so get to it.”
Dahlia was quiet for a moment, and JJ had to fight the urge to go to her. To step in and press End Call.Let’s see how they like being cut off midsentence.
The woman spoke up again. “We’re being lenient in letting you work remotelyagain. But if you can’t handle your current responsibilities…” She let the words hang, like she was somehow daring Dahlia to have a problem with it.
“I can handle them just fine.” Dahlia’s words were tight, no doubt gritted out between clenched teeth.
JJ felt a surge of pride. He far preferred Dahlia’s tough city-slicker tone to that pleading note she was using before.
A strong woman like her shouldn’t be kowtowing to anyone. Least of all these jerks.
“If that’s the case, then stop bringing up this software and do the work yourself,” the woman snapped.
Dahlia’s exasperated huff was soft enough that he suspected the people on the other end didn’t hear it. But he did, and he felt a wave of exhaustion on her behalf.
“Fine.” Her tone was polite but stiff. “You do realize this means I’ll be tied to my computer all week. Taking a day off to fly back will put me behind the deadline. I may as well stay here and return after the weekend.”
The man’s sigh was sharp and churlish. JJ’s jaw clenched, and he eyed the partially open door. How much would Dahlia hate him if he stormed in there and gave those people a piece of his mind?
She’d probably never forgive him. He gripped his coffee mug and glared at the door instead.
“Fine, stay until next week,” he said. “But don’t think this means you can slack off and take another vacation.”
“I never slacked—”
“We still expect you to complete your workload.”
“Of course,” Dahlia said quickly.
“We need the financial department’s reports organized and distributed by the end of the day,” the woman said.
“Unless you take on my new software proposal, that is an unrealistic expectation. I can have that done by Friday afternoon.”
JJ was impressed at the way she was standing up for herself, but the silence that followed her statement was thick with foreboding.
“Fine, but we also need you to proof Darian’s analysis report. The client would like it by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.”
There was the slightest of pauses before Dahlia spoke. “That’s not usually my job. Is Kelly unable to do that?”
“We have her working on another task. She’s having to pick up extra duties in your absence. We figure you can return the favor.”
“Yes, but—”
“You will be able to get all that done, won’t you?” the woman asked. “We really need you to step up, Dahlia.”
There was a challenge in her voice that set JJ on edge.
“Of… of course.” Dahlia cleared her throat. “Who needs sleep, right?” she muttered the words under her breath, but the woman didn’t seem to notice.
“Wonderful. See you next week, then.” Her boss ended the call before Dahlia could reply.
