“Just going over bills. Checking the totals before I pay the subcontractors.”
He turned his laptop around, showing her an invoice for repairs. The total was less than two-hundred dollars, but he had his calculator app up and she could see the total in the box.
It made sense a rich guy like him would be the type to double check every cent that left his care.
He went back to punching in numbers, and she tried in vain to get through one of her dad’s mystery novels. She was glad she’d left her romance novel in the back. She could only imagine what Will might think of it, though it wasn’t one of those trashy bodice rippers that Charlotte liked to read.
She looked over at her dad, but he was still deep in conversation with Mrs. Lucas.
“How many invoices do you have to get through?”
He glanced up. “About forty.”
“So, you’ll be doing this all day. How often do you find something that doesn’t add up?”
“It’s not just about making sure they add correctly. I want to know what they spent my money on. If you don’t question at least some of these charges, they assume you’ll rubber stamp anything and start cheating you blind.”
She leaned forward, finally feeling like he was showing his true colors, the paint only Jeff brushed him with. “Do you really think everyone will cheat you blind when given the opportunity?”
“Not purposefully. But if they know they might be questioned on it, they’ll make sure the expense is justified. Everyone needs accountability in their work, Elsie. Think of it like teenagers working at an ice cream parlor. If the boss is never there, they start sitting on the counters eating ice cream and giving out free scoops to their friends. They’re not robbing the place, but they aren’t working very hard either.”
“And if you’re the boss? What keeps you or me accountable?”
He stared into her eyes. “The gnawing fear that you could lose everything if you royally screw up. Don’t tell me you don’t feel that occasionally with your business.”
She couldn’t say she’d never felt it. That fear had led her to repackage every box Collin touched.
Who was Will Darcy, really? He could have belittled her or dismissed her, but here they were discussing business together as if her small pile was just as important as his massive pile of money.
Chapter 11♥Creepy Collin
As Elsie walked her dad up to his door, they were met by a smiling Collin, and her beaming mother.
“Elsie, dear. Collin here has graciously offered to take you to lunch so you two can spend some time getting to know one another.” Her mom’s head tilted toward Collin, her smile becoming more of a threat than an expression of joy as she saw Elsie’s reaction.
Elsie did not want to go anywhere with Collin. His endless talking gave her a stress headache. She looked to her dad, hoping for an ally.
“She likes Mexican food,” he said, patting Collin on the shoulder. “Have fun.”
Turning to Elsie, he whispered. “I could use a little peace and quiet in my garden. Just for an hour or so, if you don’t mind.”
What was the last few hours then? She dropped his library books in an unceremonious heap on the carpet and followed Collin to the garage. The goon had been afraid to leave his Mercedes Benz on the street, and so had forced her parents to park their Buick outside during his visit. Collin swept past her and opened his passenger car door. “Your carriage awaits, my lady.”
It was a nice gesture with a cheesy delivery, made worse when he shut the door on her ankle. She growled in pain and pulled out her phone, quickly texting Jeff.
Help! Save me from a bad date w/ Collin
Collin got in and turned the engine, letting the beast roar to life. He looked over to see if she appreciated the power of a luxury car. She’d appreciate it more if he’d check his mirrors. He backed out with barely a glance and then sped down the street towards town, all the while explaining how he’d purchased his baby from a car collector, and the type of car wax he liked on it, and many other details she didn’t care about.
Her phone vibrated with a response.
Wish I could. Just enjoy it. I’ll want details...
Very helpful of him.
She interrupted Collin’s rambling. “Um, Collin, I have a lot of work to get done at home. I appreciate lunch, but I need to get back as soon as possible. Jane will be waiting on me. In fact, I should call her and check in.”
Collin reached over and covered her phone with his hand. “Elsie, I’m a man of details. I already called Jane, and she assured me she could spare you for a few hours.”
