Free Operation Christmas by Barbara Weitz Page B

poking around at her computer.
    Along with Derek who sat slouched in a chair with his feet propped on her desk.
    “You’re late,” Kurt said and kept typing.
    “I left a message on your voicemail. My car broke down.”
    “Your car broke down three times in November. Get the thing fixed.” Kurt still didn’t look at her nor did he make any effort to move away from her computer.
    “I did get it fixed. All three times.” She had the bills to prove it. “The mechanic can’t figure out what’s wrong.” She dumped her things on the floor and folded her arms across her chest. “Can I help you find something?”
    He leaned back in her chair. “Where’s the last spreadsheet for expense accounts?”
    “If you’ll move, I’ll email it to you. It’s not closed out for the month, but if you need it early, sure.”
    Kurt stood. Derek followed suit and trailed after him out of the office. She knew what this meant. Kurt intended to alter something he didn’t want her to see. Well, she might look naive but she knew her stuff and would spot the altered entry once the file came back to her for a merge. She knew the figures inside and out.
    Not that it mattered. Kurt owned the company and could change what he wanted. These two dot com wannabes were driving her nuts. And the way Derek undressed her with his x-ray eyes disgusted her. Then the jerk had the audacity to blow her a kiss over his shoulder as he strutted from her office. Unlike the sincere forgiveness kiss she’d blown to her mom, Derek’s said “kiss my butt.”
    Somehow, she thought Derek’s new girlfriend would end their personal war. Guess not.
    She made an exaggerated jab at the Send key.
    Should she quit on the spot? Today, more than any other, Madeleine hated the job. Keeping the books and playing receptionist proved difficult, but coping with this made her angry and bad tempered. No, she wouldn’t walk out. She’d stew all day and make herself sick thinking about it. That’s what she’d do, her and her wishy-washy backbone.
    If only Danny were here to talk her through the mess. Of course, she had her parents, who would tell her to quit. They’d also throw in a reminder that the family bakery always needed another pair of hands. And then there was Grams. She would gladly storm Computers That Work and smack Kurt and Derek about the ears with a fly swatter. Amused, Madeleine quirked up an eyebrow and blew out a soft sigh as she picked up her things off the floor and put them away.
    Settled at her desk, she pulled her cell from her purse to key in a message to Jess: Any news on the Mini?
    Her work phone rang almost immediately.
    “It’s Jess. The Mini’s in the warehouse. I’ll free up a mechanic sometime this morning to take a look at it.”
    “No! I’m calling a tow truck.” She closed her eyes. “Oh, man. You didn’t deserve that. It’s been a rough morning, sorry, but I’m calling a tow truck. It’s not your problem. Thanks for trying to help.” She punched the End key.
    Great! The backbone she needed for her boss stood up right when Jess called. How unfortunate he caught the brunt of her bad mood. She pulled out a telephone book giving the first tow service she found in the area her business.
    One more shock came that morning when Madeleine found Derek’s new girlfriend in the break room. “Hi, Katie. I didn’t know you were here.”
    “Oh, hi, Madeleine. I stopped by to see Derek.”
    “You don’t work?”
    “Not right now. But I’ll still do income tax returns for a private accounting firm I help out every year.”
    “You’re an accountant?”
    Derek stuck his head in the coffee room. “Katie, we’re ready.”
    Katie avoided her eyes as she followed Derek to his office. The only repair tech with the luxury. He closed the door.
    Unease crawled across Madeleine’s skin.
    They intended to fire her.
    When the phone started to ring, she ran to perform her receptionist duties. While Madeleine worked the phone, Katie left with a