Lost and Found by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online

mind.
    Why should he care if Darcy and
Christian hooked up? He didn’t date women in the office. Christian
was a good guy. But the thought gnawed at him until he finally
threw the last three pieces of the crappy sushi in the trash and
headed out of his office and to the break room to find a bottle of
water—of which he wasn’t so sure wouldn’t be better used just being
poured on his head.
    Later that afternoon when Darcy
returned, Ed found himself in a foul mood. The moment he heard her
desk drawer, he was snapping at her to come into his
office.
    When she walked through the door, she
had a quirky smile on her face. What could that be
about?
    “ Did you get Davenport in
line then?”
    She nodded. “He’s a mess of a man, but
he knew his stuff. I think he had coffee stains on every purchase
order and a chocolate donut stain on every blue print, but he’s set
to go now.”
    Ed pursed his lips. “I guess you’ll be
heading home now.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “I have an hour
left. Besides the bus I ride doesn’t pick up until five-thirty. Did
you have a project you needed me to start?”
    No, and he wasn’t sure why it had even
been mentioned. He was too protective of this woman. Damn, he
should have let her suffer with the ruined blouse and just hired a
temp.
    “ No. I think I just ate
some bad sushi for lunch, and now I’m irritable. Or maybe I’m
hungry since I threw it away.”
    Darcy nodded. “Would you like me to go
down to the deli and get you something decent to eat?”
    He shook his head. “No, but would you
mind me giving you a ride home and maybe we could stop for dinner
along the way?”
    Darcy crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’ve worked for you almost a week, and you’ve fed me multiple
times, found me a house, filled it with furniture, asked me to a
fundraiser, and now want to take me to dinner again. Did I fall
into the best job, or are you one of those lonely men who only keep
company with people they employ?”
    Well, that made him sound horrible. “I
just thought…”
    “ I know. I’m a little testy
when it comes to being taken care of. Sorry. I was raised to fend
for yourself and make things happen. This has been a bit too easy,
I suppose.”
    “ It’s your first week. I’ll
be an ass on Monday.”
    She laughed. “Maybe I should keep my
mouth shut then.”
    “ So dinner?”
    “ I think that would be very
nice. And thank you.” She turned to leave as her cell phone chimed
with a text message. She looked at it and laughed.
    “ Tell me someone sent you a
funny joke. I could use a laugh.”
    She shifted her eyes to him under a
hood of dark lashes and smiled. “It was your brother. He said I got
a package, and he’d have it at his place. And this time he promises
to have clothes on while I’m there.”
    Darcy walked out of the office
smiling. Ed, on the other hand, felt the heat, which had flustered
him before, now creep around his collar.
    He loosened his tie and unfastened the
top buttons of his shirt.
    It was a good thing he was taking her
home. He had a few words for his little brother.
     
    At five o’clock, Darcy opened his
office door. “I didn’t know if you were ready to go or
not.”
    Ed shook his head. “I just got news of
a delay. I’m on the phone with Valerie.”
    “ Her company has another
delay?’
    “ No. She’s pulling us out
of a pinch. One day you’re the guy with your head on the chopping
block. The next you’re the savior.”
    He sat back in his chair with the
phone to his ear.
    Darcy checked her watch. “Unless you
need me, and I’m happy to stay, why don’t I get downstairs and
catch that bus.”
    “ Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I’ll
be a bit, so that would be good. Valerie is headed over to help me
out with this, so you’re good. Have a nice night.”
    Darcy nodded and let herself out of
the office.
    Ed replaced the phone receiver and
buried his face in his hands. He’d had the last hour to evaluate
his earlier thoughts, and he’d