Dusted to Death Read Online Free Page B

“You can store your stuff in that closet over there.” He pointed to the pantry. Tapping his foot, he waited impatiently until Charlotte had dutifully placed her supply carrier and purse in the bottom of the pantry and closed the door.
    “Okay, I need you to sign the forms in this folder. Sign your full name wherever you see a red check mark.” He rummaged through the briefcase again, then placed another form on top of the folder. “Fill this one out for tax purposes,” he said, handing her a pen.
    The stack of forms inside the folder was a bit daunting. She was tempted just to sign them and get it over with, but she’d learned a long time ago to never, but never, sign anything before reading it. She slid the forms over and pulled out a chair. Once seated, she began reading the top form.
    “You’re going to read them?”
    The man’s incredulous tone hit a nerve. Charlotte slowly raised her head. “That’s right.”
    “Except for the tax forms, the rest are just release forms, lady.”
    Charlotte gave the rude man a saccharine smile, and in a voice that belied the smile she said, “I never sign anything without reading it first.”
    Jake rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and muttered several expletives that made Charlotte want to slap his face. “Watch your language, mister.”
    “My—my language? You’ve got to be kidding?”
    “Nope. I’m as serious as a heart attack.”
    “Oh, sh—”
    Charlotte threw up her hand, palm out, and shook her head. “Uh-uh—not that one either.” From the confused look on Jake’s face, it was more than evident that no one had ever attempted to correct his foul language.
    “What are you?” he demanded. “Some kind of Puritan or something?”
    An amused smile pulled at Charlotte’s lips. “‘Or something.’ Now—if you don’t mind, I’ll just get these read and signed.”
    “Knock yourself out, lady, but I’ve got better things to do with my time than stand here and watch you read. When you’re finished, put the forms back into the file folder and leave them on top of my briefcase.”
    This time Charlotte was the one who rolled her eyes. “Too bad that your mama never taught you any manners.”
    Jake’s face suddenly flushed crimson. Whether from anger or embarrassment, Charlotte couldn’t tell, but she suspected the former, especially when he suddenly pivoted and stalked out of the kitchen.
    Once Charlotte had finished with the forms and placed the folder on top of Jake’s briefcase, she went in search for someone who could tell her exactly what her job involved. She also wanted to find out where Bitsy’s belongings were stored.
    The minute she stepped out of the kitchen, she heard a deep, male voice calling her name.
    “LaRue—Charlotte LaRue. Anyone seen Charlotte LaRue?”
    With a frown, Charlotte headed toward the sound of the voice. “I’m Charlotte,” she called out, searching for the person she’d heard calling her.
    “Charlotte?”
    The voice came from just behind her, and she whirled around. Standing within touching distance was one of the most gorgeous young men that she’d ever met. His hair was coal black, though just a bit long for her personal taste; yet, it seemed to fit him to a tee. But it was his eyes that held her gaze, eyes so darkly blue they were almost purple, and framed with long, thick lashes that most women would die for.
    “Ah—I—I’m Charlotte,” she finally blurted out once she could breathe again.
    “Hey, there, Charlotte.” He shot her a dazzling smile full of perfect white teeth. “I’m Dalton, the prop manager. Nice to finally meet you.”
    “Same here,” she said.
    “Let’s get you introduced around, and then we can both get to work. But first, why don’t I tell you just a little about the movie?”
    Charlotte grinned. “That would be great!”
    “It’s basically a story of an overbearing man whose wife died in childbirth, and he’s left to raise his headstrong daughter alone. The story takes