Accidental Love by BL Miller Read Free Book Online

came in." She set the bag and box on the table. A note held to the refrigerator with a magnet told her Maria had left for the day along with instructions on how long to microwave the dinner she had prepared.

    Exhaustion begged her to stop and rest but there were just too many things that had to be done. She quickly set up the litter box and put it in the mud room, leaving the door ajar so Tabitha could come and go freely. That task done, Veronica strode out to the living room, picking up the cordless phone and dialing the familiar number on the way.

    "Cartwright Insurance, how can I help you?" The crisp feminine voice on the other end of the phone asked.

    "Susan Cartwright, please."

    "She's busy right now, may I ask who's calling?"

    "Veronica Cartwright. Interrupt her, this is important."

    "One moment." She heard a click followed by the most boring hold music she had ever heard. Flopping down on her soft brown leather couch and kicking her shoes off, she tucking her feet beneath her. Tabitha bounded out of the kitchen and climbed up next to her.

    "Mrrow?"

    "What do you want?" she asked, reaching out with her free hand to scratch the cat behind the ears. "Let's get something straight right from the start, okay? I bought a scratching post for you. The ten thousand dollar couch is off limits to your claws, got it?"

    "Mrrow." The orange and white feline laid her upper body across Veronica's thigh and began purring.

    "Ronnie, how are you?"

    "Fine Sis, listen, I need you to add an employee to the insurance rolls."

    "Usually Human Resources sends over their paperwork once they've reached the appropriate service mark." Veronica heard the clacking of the keyboard. "What's their social?"

    "She's not in the computer yet, Susan. I need you to add her and push the paperwork through."

    "She has to be in the system. All employees are added once they've filled out their I-9's and W4's."

    "She hasn't filled them out yet. She's a new hire." Veronica heard the clacking stop and the squeak of her sister's chair moving.

    "What department does she work for?"

    "Um…she's a clerk in the accounting office downtown."

    "An entry level? Ronnie, don't you know they have to have six months service before we give them benefits?"

    "I didn't realize that." She rubbed her forehead, drawing a protest from the purring pile of fluff on her leg.

    "What's that?"

    "I'm watching a friend's cat for a few days. Look, I hired her personally and promised her full benefits. Can't you push it through?"

    "It's so rare that my only sister asks me for a favor. Of course I can. Fax me her forms and I'll add her to the rolls."

    "Actually Susan, I need you to fax me the forms for her to sign. I also need you to give her the best medical plan we have and backdate it to the first of the month. Can you do that?"

    "It'll cost you," the younger sister said in a sing song voice. "Dinner with Mom next Friday?"

    "Can't I just buy you a new car or something?" the executive groaned.

    "Veronica Louise, you never spend any time with Mom. Jack and I are there every Friday night for dinner and Tommy is there on Sundays. She always asks about you."

    "She knows my phone number, Susan. I talk to her."

    "I know. We heard for two weeks about how you called her on her birthday. Funny, that was a month ago."

    "All right, all right. Fax me all the forms and I'll get them back to you later tonight."

    "So we'll see you next week at Mom's?"

    "Fine. I'll be there, but don't expect me to stick around after dinner while she goes through the scrapbook and tries to relive our childhood."

    "At least you'll be there. That'll make her happy."

    "Whatever. Fax those forms over, will ya?"

    "They'll be there in a few minutes. Wish you'd let me in on why you personally hired someone for an entry level job."

    "Sis, if I thought you needed to know, I'd tell you. Nice talking with you too, bye." Veronica pressed the off button on the cordless phone and set it down on the coffee