The man stuttered. “I’m unable to accept any returns. You’ll have to call customer service and arrange it.”
“May I speak with your manager, please?” she asked, firmly.
“He’s not in today,” he hastily replied.
“I see your office and warehouse are located in Seattle. I’ll have my employees load it up and bring it to you. Then, I’ll stop by and speak with customer service myself. I checked the order form and there isn’t an auto shipment option. We’re not about to take on your problems. Either you send someone here today to pick up your little mishap or my men will drop them off at customer service with your name on every single box, do I make myself clear?”
“Ugh, yes, ma’am,” he said with panic in his voice.
“I’ll expect someone here no later than 2:00 PM,” she ordered before hanging up.
She shut down the screen and slid it back to an astonished Leo. “They’re trying to unload their unwanted merchandise on you. The first order’s on you. When you accepted the last batch, they took advantage of you. Plus, you’re paying too much. For the amount you ordered, you should be paying a quarter of the price.”
“What do you want?” Leo asked.
“Nothing. It felt good to take out my aggression on something,” she said, smiling.
“Nope, you saved me a bundle. Name your price,” Leo demanded.
“A simple thanks will do,” she assured him.
Leo narrowed his eyes. “I’m serious, Hannah. I employ veterans from this hospital. Patch can vouch for me. Wait a minute, he’s probably not a good example because he’s anasshole. Kassie can tell you when she stops laughing,” he grumbled.
Kassie’s laughter filled the room. “I take back what I said about him being desperate.”
“I can’t work for you. Yesterday, I came because the ladies went with me. You can’t provide me with a personal escort every morning,” she reasoned.
“Done. Can Sparky and Cole bring you over?” he asked seriously.
“No. I can’t work there. I’ll need an office and right now, staying closed up in a room doesn’t appeal to me,” Hannah said, avoiding his gaze.
“Bear sometimes works remotely. What about something like that?” he insisted.
“Calm down, Leo. I’m speaking with Claire about moving Hannah to one of the cabins while she continues therapy. Why don’t you give her time to settle in? She has experienced a wild couple of days,” Kassie advocated.
Leo sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I need you, Hannah. I’ll work with you on accommodations.”
“May I think about it?” she asked. “I don’t even know what I want.”
“Don’t push her,” Kassie warned. “Take your time, Hannah. You have no obligation to Leo. He may be desperate, but he knows the rules.”
“Shit, Kassie, I’m past desperate. She knows what she’s doing. Between the babies, extra staff, and the team in Texas, I’m drowning.”
“Leo,” Kassie growled.
He held his hands up in surrender. “All right. All right. If you change your mind, let me know. I appreciate your help, Hannah.” He gathered his items and winked before leaving.
“Wow, he’s intense,” she whispered.
“He’s under a lot of stress. A friend of ours has disappeared, and the team’s trying to locate her,” Kassie informed her. “With the addition of the new employees, setting up the other team and a new baby, he’s stretched too thin. Don’t take it personally. Let me talk to Claire and I’ll call you when she’s available to tour the cabins with us.”
“Thanks, Kassie,” she murmured as Kassie left the room.
Her body hummed as she recalled working the familiar task. It felt like home. She may not have enjoyed the military, but she did love her job. Organization, paperwork, and supplies called her name. She glanced out the window and at the clock. Usually, Cole visited her by now. Since she came out of her stupor, did he deem her healed and didn’t want to see her?
CHAPTER 21
Cole acceptedthe shipment of the new dogs. His anger rose when he noticed one of the animals cut his leg on the crate. The delivery person didn’t care as he plopped the cages on the ground, asked for his signature, and held out his clipboard.
