One Heart to Give (Heart's Intent Book 1) by Dawn Brower

until they had a conversation.
    She picked up the phone and clicked the button for line one. With the receiver nestled between her shoulder and ear she said, “This is Ms. Brosen.”
    “It’s about damn time. What kind of shady business are you running over there? You should’ve gotten back to me days ago.”
    Dani gritted her teeth. Mr. Nettles had always been an ass, but this was an all new level of assery, even for him. She silently reminded herself he was one of their most important clients. His business helped keep the firm afloat. She couldn’t afford to piss him off.
    “I apologize for not handling your concerns sooner. It’s been crazy here for a few days. I’m not sure you’re aware that Mr. Price was in an accident and was hospitalized.” She didn’t think for one moment Mr. Nettles would care, but had to give him something. “I’m going to take over your case until he’s well enough to do so. Could you fill me in on what’s happening?” Matt usually handled Mr. Nettles. He was a misogynistic pig and didn’t think females had enough brains to take care of anything important.
    “That’s unacceptable,” he shouted through the receiver. “When is he going to be out of the hospital? I don’t have time for you to mess up while he’s laid up.”
    Someone needed to punch the man in the face. Why someone hadn’t already done so was a mystery to her. She took a deep breath and reminded herself they needed his business. Especially with Matt’s medical bills to consider—they’d never be able to afford them if they lost the Nettles account.
    “Again, I’m sorry,” she said firmly. “Mr. Price will be unavailable for the unforeseeable future. I assure you I’m more than qualified to handle your account. So, please, tell me what the issue is exactly so I can begin working on it.”
    She prayed he’d quit being difficult. His stubbornness might be his undoing. How Matt was able to deal with him on a regular basis, she didn’t know. She’d have to get him an extra big Christmas present for this alone.
    “ Hmmph .” A sound filled her ears. “We’ll see how much you think you can do. If you fail, I’m going to have to seek out another attorney.”
    Thank heavens. He was going to see reason. “Thank you for the opportunity,” she said sweetly, swallowing back a gag. Prick . “Now, if you’ll explain what the issue is?”
    “It’s that damn Sullivan Brady,” he cursed. “He can’t mind his own fucking business. The bastard has too much time on his hands if he can snoop into my life as much as he does. You have to put an injunction or something on him. He’s the one blocking my permits.”
    Sullivan Brady? Who the hell was that? She’d never heard of him. “Why do you believe that?”
    The more information she had, the more she’d have to work with. Since Mr. Nettles had no problems complaining about the man he believed responsible, she’d let him ramble on.
    “He hates me. Always has. I don’t know why.”
    She almost snorted. Did he not realize what a cantankerous dick he was? When she was bitchy, she was all too aware of it. The problem was she was unable to stop herself from spilling the poisonous babble from her mouth. Mr. Nettles must not be in tune with his own inner demons not to realize it. Dani was grateful she didn’t work under similar illusions. She had plenty of demons as it was.
    “There must be something you can think of.” Did you offend him by opening your mouth and speaking? “How long have you known him?”
    “None of that matters. Do what I asked and get him to stop blocking the damn permits. Do the job I hired you to do.”
    Money. Need money, she reminded herself. She took a deep breath. “Without more information, I don’t have much to go on. I’ll do my best and handle it.”
    She sure hoped she’d be able to do as she told him. They needed his account. How she was going to obtain the information needed she didn’t know, but she had faith she’d