Be My Neat-Heart by Judy Baer Read Free Book Online Page A

and jaw drop. “You’d fire your own sister? ” Okay, so the woman had a problem with organization, but she was likely talented in ways that compensated for her to have come this far in business. And if she wasn’t totally up to her current job couldn’t he just tailor the job more to her skills? I hadn’t liked this man yesterday, and he certainly hadn’t improved overnight. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen anyone quite so resolute as Hamilton appeared at thatmoment. His eyes were dark and flat as river stones as he looked at me.
    â€œI would. And I will do it soon. I may have no choice. Think of it this way, Ms. Smith. You are the only thing standing between my sister Molly and unemployment. If you turn this down, you have a heart of stone.”
    Me? How did I become responsible all of a sudden? A heart of stone, huh? Well, it takes one to know one!
    I looked at Jared Hamilton with new eyes. Physically luscious, perhaps, but cold as ice in the family relationship department. Disappointment tumbled through me. Where have all the good men gone?
    After a thankfully brief session over the contract, I left them in my office while I made some copies. Unbeknown to them, the acoustics in my office are such that whatever is said in my office is funneled directly back to where my copy machine sits.
    â€œCalm down, Jared. This will work out,” Ethan said.
    â€œThat’s exactly what Molly said to me when she came to me with her ‘brilliant’ idea that we should be in business together because her degree in finance and banking background would enhance my financial planning business and bring in new clients.”
    â€œIn theory, it wasn’t a bad idea.”
    â€œNo? You don’t know her like I do. But she wore me down, just like she has a million times since our childhood. She’s always been able to twist me around her little finger and this wasn’t any different.
    â€œAnd,” Jared continued morosely, “that’s when I put my finger on the trigger of the gun that eventually shot me in the foot. I’m just as much to blame as Molly for this fiasco. I, at least, should have known better.”
    I heard him shifting in his chair. “I just can’t quit thinkingof Molly as a little girl. She depended on me to get her out of every jam she was in—and there were many.”
    â€œBut you aren’t going to bail her out this time,” Ethan said softly.
    â€œNot out of this. It’s too big. Too important.”
    â€œThen it’s a good thing we came here, Jared. Sammi can help.”
    â€œIt says ‘Clutter Busters’ on the door, Ethan. Not ‘Miracle Worker.’ I’ve never felt so foolish in my life,” Jared growled. “This isn’t going to work, and you know it.”
    â€œI know nothing of the kind. She helped me enormously. I plan to use her again. She gives seminars. I’m bringing her in to speak to every department.” Ethan paused before adding, “Besides, she’s great-looking. That alone should be of interest to you.”
    â€œI don’t have time for looking. I’ve got my plate full and you know it.”
    Ethan whistled under his breath. “You? With no time to notice women? This is even more serious than I thought.”
    I cleared my throat as a warning and reentered the room.
    When we were done, Jared bolted out the door of Clutter Busters and into the street. I watched him go. He looked to the right and to the left almost as if he were afraid to be caught coming out of such a questionable establishment as my office. You’d have thought he was leaving a bordello or bank heist.
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    â€œSo you’re really going to do it?” Theresa sat on the edge of my desk swinging one leg and looking avidly curious. “You’re going to allow yourself to be hired by this guy to help his sister?”
    â€œOf course not. I left the contract empty for