“Nothing, boss,” Sam says, looking guilty.
I shake my head. “That’s not the answer I’m looking for.” I glance at Donner, but he’s giving Sam an expectant look. “Somebody better fill me in.”
“It’s my fault,” Sam says, his chin dipping lower. “Donner told me to get the dolly. I said I didn’t want to because I’d get soaked.” His eyes seem to take in my drenched state, and he winces. “I said we’d walk the oven out and wait until the rain let up to move it out of the garage.”
I nod, getting what he’s saying, but I’m not happy about it. I look at Donner.
“Explain to me why that decision goes against the way we do things?”
Donner blinks at me before opening and closing his mouth. “Um…”
I press my lips together but manage not to scowl. This is a teachable moment. I look back at Sam.
“Put the customer’s comfort first. Waltzing a stove across the room not only sounds like the world’s coming to an end, you risk scratching the floors.” I hold up a hand again before either of them can interject. “I know the Delacroixes will be refinishing the floors. But good practice is good practice. Sam, if you don’t want to get wet, bring a slicker to work.”
“Yes, sir,” he says with a ready nod.
I shift my focus to Donner. “Don’t forget. If I’m not here, you’re in charge. So anything that goes on while I’m gone lands on you. If anyone on your crew forgets that, you remind them.”
Donner goes red in the face, but he squares his shoulders and nods, accepting both the responsibility and the dressing down. “Got it, boss.”
I see he does have it. At least for now. But he needs more grooming, which means I need to make sure I’m here as much as possible for the next couple of weeks. Especially since I’m not about to let another temp get anywhere near Millie.
“I’ll get that dolly,” Sam says, and then wastes no time scuttling out the door.
The Delacroixes have been in the garage this whole time, and when they come through the door right after Sam heads out, I see why. Mattie leads the way, but Emmett still has his arm hooked around Millie’s waist, and he’s rubbing tear-reddened eyes with a fist.
And then the situation goes from bad to worse as the kid looks at the job we’ve done.
“Oh, no...”His wail goes straight through my gut. Emmett’s eyes fill with horror and fresh tears as he takes in the ugly emptiness that has replaced the comfort of his family’s kitchen. He flings himself back into Millie’s embrace and yells at the top of his small voice.“I WANT MOM!”
If the sound of his cry punched me in the gut, the pain in Millie’s face nearly takes out my knees. Grief, helplessness, and, worst of all, guilt, are all there in her eyes.
I jerk my gaze away from her to Donner and mouth one word.Out.
He doesn’t hesitate, and I follow him past the three of them, now tangled together. I’m on the top step when Emmett’s agonized question freezes me mid-stride.
“Why? They both knew how to swim? Why did they have to drown?”
Oh, fuck.
“We should probably get inside before we drown.”
I’m a fucking idiot.
I grip the doorframe, debating if I should walk away or turn back and apologize. Walking away would give them privacy. Who am I to intrude on their pain? I’m about to descend the steps, when I take one look over my shoulder at Millie.
She’s clinging to her brother and sister, like she’s trying to hold them up. Hell, sheistrying to hold them up. All of them. Even the older brother who’s nowhere in sight. And she’s barely getting by.
I can’t let her clean up my mess.
I turn, step back inside, and drop to one knee. “Emmett,” I say softly.
With his face still pressed into Millie’s shirt, he opens one scowling eye. “Go away.”
Ouch.Who knew an eight-year-old could make you feel sick to your stomach?
“I will once I apologize.” I meet Millie’s eyes with a quick upward glance, and she’s frowning down at me in red-eyed confusion. Then I look back at her little brother. “I am so sorry. I had no idea what I said would hurt you.”
