Page 6 of The Widower
“I haven’t finished checking, and—”
“It’s all there, miss. Help me help you, come on.”He shoved the pen toward me. Well, more like threw it at me.
My patience was already hanging by a thread, but I forced a polite smile, reminding myself of the paycheck waiting at the end of the month. I needed this job.
So, I signed.
The man climbed back into the truck and drove off, disappearing through the gates. I went back to the list, cross-checking each item against the copy he’d left me, and then…
I knew it.
I have this sixth sense about things, and even before signing, something had set off alarm bells in my head.And now I could see exactly what the mistake was. Yep—something was missing.
A refrigerator. I searched every corner of the house, inside and out, but the damn thing was nowhere to be found.
Now what?
I was going to have to face the beast himself and explain… assuming I could actually get a word out.
I was stuck in a dilemma: do I talk to Colin or not?
Even after two hours, I was still too nervous to go looking for him around the mansion. But I didn’t have to think about it much longer—because I spotted him walking near the garden, inspecting some of the furniture that had just been delivered.
“Good morning!” I said brightly… and immediately realized what a mistake that was. The man doesn’t smile—and from what I’ve seen, he’s probably incapable of saying good morning too.
“I hope everything’s here.”
“Well… I think something’s missing.” I gave a small, awkward smile.
“You think?” His tone was sharp, as usual.
“The fridge didn’t arrive,” I finally admitted, already bracing myself.
“And why didn’t you tell me the moment you noticed it was missing?”
“I… was still checking the items, but the driver was in a hurry, and I only realized afterward that it wasn’t here…”
“So you signed the papers confirming that everything was delivered, but somehow, the only thing missing is the refrigerator?” His mocking tone made it clear just how stupid he thought I was.
Yeah… I’d been dumb enough to fall for the driver’s pressure, I’ll admit it.
“Yes, I was very—”
“Incompetent!” he snapped, already turning away. “Instead of coming to me—”
“You told me only to talk to you if you spoke to me first,” I shot back, cutting him off this time. When Colin turned to face me again, I noticed a vein pulsing on his forehead.
He took a deep breath, studied me, lowered his head, and then closed his eyes. It looked like he was silently counting sheep—or maybe cursing under his breath. A moment later, he stepped closer, and the closer he got, the stronger his scent hit me.
God help me… the man’s built like a horse, but he smells good.
I thought he was about to yell at me—or at least say something—but instead, he walked over to the desk where he’d pinned that ridiculous “Ten Commandments” note addressed to me.
Yes, pinned. To the damn desk.
Kidding. I couldn’t resist.
Colin pulled a pen from his pocket and scribbled something on the paper. Moments later, he shot me a furious look before storming out of the room, his footsteps echoing through the floor.
