A Wife by Accident Read Online Free PDF

she would have seen some trace of that in all the papers that floated across her desk. But it was obvious Kathy at least knew who Gary was.
    Hayely shut down her Internet browser and a few seconds later an e-mail notice popped up on her screen. Kathy had written, “You need to tell me your work schedule. I believe you are to start at eight AM., but it was well past that when you arrived today. Please advise .”
    Hayely’s blood ran cold. She knew what this was. She’d seen Kathy use the same method on a marketing assistant who had resigned in tears just the week before. The woman was creating a false documentation trail to build a case for firing her. Of course, Kathy’s preferred outcome was to frustrate Hayely into quitting. Less legal hassle that way. What had she done to raise her boss’ ire so soon? She could only begin to imagine.
    With a dry lump in her throat, Hayely typed, “My schedule is still eight to five. When we greeted each other this morning at 7:45 AM, I assumed this was acceptable. Please let me know if you would like me to arrive earlier and I can adjust my schedule.”
    Even as she hit the send button, she knew her reply wouldn’t find its way into her personnel file the way Kathy’s initial accusatory e-mail would.
    With her bills stacking up on the kitchen table, Hayely had to survive at K. L. Mark Enterprises just five and a half more months. Smoothing the front of her skirt, she stood and began down the hall toward Kathy’s office to sort things out. If she’d learned anything, it was that her boss preened under flattery like none other and maybe she could buy her job a little more time that way even though it turned her stomach.
    As she walked to the end of the hall, hushed voices just around the corner stopped her in her tracks. Someone was talking about her, and not even the tone of voice was flattering.
    “And did you see what that Hayely idiot had on today?” Kathy’s voice hissed. “She looks like she dresses straight out of a thrift store. I’d die before being seen that way.”
    Hayely recognized the other female voice as that of the chief financial officer, one of a couple piranhas Kathy kept near her for support.
    “I know. That shirt looks like a man’s. Good thing she’s not sitting up at the front where people can see her—not that the new receptionist looks any better. I don’t think she’s going to work out any better than the last two.”
    Hayely had heard enough. She wished she could sail around the corner with her head held high, tell the two catty women what she thought of them and quit on the spot. But she couldn’t.
    She’d summoned a large dose of rebellious energy a month ago when she’d told her father she was moving out of the house and not entering medical school as he wished. She hated to get involved in another conflict, have another confrontation so soon after that fiasco. Besides, when she’d talked to her father, she’d at least known what she wanted. But what did she want now? A little basic on-the-job respect would be a good place to start.
    Her cheeks flushed heated crimson under the insults she’d just overheard. In spite of Gary’s etiquette shortcomings, he had been impressed enough with her taste to hire her. Now she wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or not. But she could at least bet Gary never doubted what he wanted. He seemed to know exactly how to get from point A to point B. Better yet, he knew what his point B was. Hayely thought she might take a page from his book when her six months were up.
    Even if she didn’t have to work for Kathy to pay the bills, where would she work? Life with her bottom in a chair behind a word processor didn’t suit her. The complete lack of creativity bored her to tears.
    She didn’t quite think she was built to be a construction worker, either. She smiled to herself. Not like Gary was built. She breathed in and out, letting the urge to confront Kathy pass.
    The hours limped by in agony before