Page 23 of Dandelion Sighs

“I told him.” She loomed over my desk like she thought I was hiding size-twelve mud-laden shoes on my feet. “I told him that he needs to clean it up.”

Crap. Landon needed to learn some common sense, and it was fair to assume he could clean it all. He’d be on the clock and getting paid. But I doubted that was the crux of the actual issue. “And what did he say?”

“He laughed.” Her snarl was harsh. “Laughed and clocked out.”

I’d have to deal with that—and also hear about his side of the story. “How did you tell him?”

She reared back. “Excuse me?”

“Were you like this?” I nodded toward her fists planted on her hips and her domineering stance.

“Sherry, don’t be dense.”

Nope. She wasn’t getting away with that. “Connie, don’t be obtuse.”

She went stiff. “This is not my fault.”

“No, it didn’t start as your fault.” But now it was my issue. She couldn’t handle a new, young employee, and while yes, he’d done something wrong, she would drive him away with her rage. The other high schooler who helped with part-time housekeeping was about to quit too. She hadn’t told me, but I caught her crying in the bathroom.

I was tempted to stuff my irritation away, but I’d had such a good weekend. Jasper grilled some of the best burgers. We’d had cold beer and sat on the deck. He’d wowed me with his ranching stories and his carving kit, and I’d gone home and slept better than I had all year.

Landon was a good kid. I didn’t believe he laughed and left.

“What do you mean it didn’t start as my fault?” she screeched. “It didn’t end as my fault either.” Her eyes were wide, and this was probably the temper that had been aimed at the teen. Mom had talked about how she valued Constance because she was a dependable worker, but the thing was, she wasn’t dependable for me. She created extra work.

As long as my decision was justified, I was good with making it. “Constance, I’m going to have to let you go.”

Her shocked gasp nearly choked her. “You can’t.”

A calmness settled over me that was similar to a peace I’d only known around Jasper. “I am.”

“Your mom⁠—”

“Is not here,” I snapped. “She’ll never be here again, and I’m in charge. You’ve done nothing but disrespect me and make this job harder than you ever would’ve for my mom. And you’ve done it when I needed the most understanding and kindness because I lost her. So yes, Constance”—I purposely stressed her correct name to show that I could respect her when she hadn’t respected me—“I am firing you.”

Her face flushed, and normally, I’d be scared of the potential conflict. I’d want to assuage her, but at the moment, I was done. Done with trying to work around her and staying professional when she couldn’t be bothered to do the same. I went back to typing on my computer.

Constance huffed and stomped out. Her voice carried to my office as she ranted to Maria. I should show her out, but a weariness set in. Maria was nicer these days than when I first arrived, but she could weather the Constance storm. I rose and shut my office door instead and continued to upload the new pictures I took of the firepit to the website.

A few minutes later, just as I was finishing, there was a light knock on the door.

“Come in.” I tapped the save key and switched tabs to study my work. If it was Constance, she would’ve barged in to yell at me some more. If it was Maria, I’d discuss what happened.

The door creaked open and Jasper entered, a rugged breath of fresh air. He slipped in and closed it again. “I heard the commotion.”

I winced. I should’ve bitten the bullet and followed her as she collected her things. Being resolute in my decisions had made it easier, but I had buckled before the whole action was complete. If I said that to Jasper, he’d tell me not to be hard on myself. So maybe I wouldn’t be. “Yes. Did Landon really go home?”

A regretful look passed over Jasper’s face as he dropped into the chair across from me. “I talked him out of quitting and told him to take the rest of the day. We’d talk tomorrow. He should’ve known better.”

“But he didn’t.”

Jasper dipped his head. “And it made more work for others. I’ll talk to him.”

I could too. Would I be chickening out if I let Jasper do it? They had a rapport. Like the rest of us, Landon admired Jasper. But I was still in charge. “Can you send him in here after you’re done?”

“Yes.”

I blew out a breath. “I’m so damn relieved. Is that bad?”