Page 69 of Perfect Pact

Chapter 14

Beth

It’sfinallytheweekend.My supplies are being delivered today.And. I. Can’t. Wait!

A large truck pulling a flatbed stops in the driveway. The driver climbs out to get my signature, and a quick scan of the list tells me this is all wrong.

“I’m sorry, sir. There seems to be some mistake.” I flip through the pages, trying to see how in the world this could have happened. “This isn’t my order.

“Let me look.” The driver takes the clipboard from me and scans the shipping ticket. “This is the order. Placed by a Ms. Beth Michaels to be delivered to Jacob’s Farm. Today’s date.”

“No. No-no-no. I’m telling you, I didn’t order this.” I begin to panic.

Everything has been riding on this delivery, and now…

I can’t even think about it.

“Are you sure?”

“I think I would remember ordering this beautiful white oak or those black picture windows…and brand-new solid walnut barn doors with black iron hardware.” I sigh.

I do remember it. It’s all what I wanted to order, but plans changed.

“Well…um, sounds to me like you know exactly what’s on the back of this truck—because you’re the one who ordered it.” His patience is wearing thin. Well, that makes two of us, buddy.

“I’m not arguing with you.” I throw my hands up. What is it with these stubborn Mason Creek men?

“Who said anything about arguing?” He looks at me. “I don’t deal with orders. I just deal with deliveries. An order was placed for these supplies. I’m just trying to do my job.”

“I understand that—” I look at his nametag, then back to his flustered face, “—Joe. I really do. But I can’t sign off on it. Because I can’t pay for all this. I just don’t have that kind of money.”

“It’s paid for.” He shakes his head, confused.

“That’s impossible.” Could this day get any worse?

“I don’t know, ma’am.” He looks at the yellow paper in his hand. “Says right here on the ticket it’s been taken care of.”

“Bywho?”

Dustywalksup with that shit-eating grin he wears so well. “Hey, darlin’, is there a problem here?”

“Yeah—none of my supplies are here and I have a truckload of stuff that was mysteriously paid for that doesn’t belong to me.”

“Well…technically, it does belong to you. Isn’t that what you wanted?” He takes the order form from Joe and signs it before handing it back. “Go ahead and unload it out by the barn please. Right on the east side.”

“You got it.” Joe scratches his head, looks back and forth between us, and chuckles to himself as he climbs into the cab of the truck.

“Dusty, of course it’s what I wanted, but it’s not what I can afford, and it’s not what I ordered.” I motion over to the guy unloading the flatbed. “I’ve already explained it to him. Why am I explaining it to you?” I scan the yard to see if there are cameras around. This has to be a joke. “Am I getting pranked?”

Dusty tries not to smile.

“Oh my God. Tell me what’s going on!” I stop my foot. The madder I get, the bigger Dusty’s smile gets.

And that’s when I know, without a doubt, my bearded charmer had something to do with this.

“It was you!” I don’t know whether to kick him or kiss him.

“Guilty.” He throws his hands up. “Now, listen, don’t go getting your panties in a bunch.”

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