Broken Vows (Domestic Discipline Romance) Read Free

opinions?" Gene asked.
    "That's the problem, they don't tell you anything. They want to set up these long drawn out sessions with no goal in sight. The last one said it was involuntary muteness probably brought on by some kind of trauma. When she found out Jenny and I had separated, she thought it might be the cause. We don't argue in front of the children."
    "You don't have to, kids know when something is wrong," Gene said. "When my wife and I split for a while, the kids were in worse shape than us."
    "We are separated, but living in the same house," Josh admitted. "Everything is as normal as we can make it. Emmie spends most of her evenings sitting on my lap while I work at home."
    Gene shook his head. "I'm telling you, man. Kids don't miss a thing. I hope you two get back together. I like your little family. Have you tried marriage counseling?"
    "We can't afford it," Josh answered honestly. "You are in the same boat as me, Gene. We are not official employees here anymore. We are contract workers who don't qualify for benefits. The only health insurance I can afford is crap and we go deeper into debt every time we take Emmie to another specialist. Marriage counseling is way down on our list of priorities."
    "It shouldn't be," Gene said. "Let me talk to my minister. He offers marriage counseling and it won't matter to him if you don't attend our church."
    * * *
    Josh logged onto his computer and searched the Pugh and Barkley Designs' server again, but the missing reports still were not there. He had done much of the preliminary work at home but did not have time to complete both his and Tristen's jobs. They were prepared to make a formal presentation to Tuner and Whiting. They would not make the deadline. It was that simple. He called and made an appointment to see David Pugh, the president of Pugh and Barkley. The Barkley part of the partnership had died the previous spring, after which Pugh sold the business to the billion-dollar international corporation of DQ&H.
    When Josh entered Mr. Pugh's office, Tristen Connors was already there. Josh had not bothered talking to Tristen earlier in the day. It was too late.
    "Come in, Josh," Mr. Pugh said. His tone was businesslike, but not overly friendly. "I assume you want to discuss the Tuner and Whiting presentation."
    "Yes sir, I do. We are not ready for the presentation, you need to postpone it," Josh said bluntly.
    Mr. Pugh looked over to Tristen. "I was under the impression from our meetings and progress reports that the Richfield Towers Project was on schedule."
    "We were until about three weeks ago. I have been unable to get the assistance I needed in procuring the necessary reports. Let's not quibble here, Mr. Pugh. I have repeatedly asked for a change of personnel on this project and you have refused my requests."
    "Those reports are not required for the second phase meeting," Tristen said.
    "Tuner and Whiting Contracting won't even consider our proposal or designs unless they know the construction is feasible," Josh retorted. "They will have already hired a geologic engineering firm and will want to compare those results with ours. They will not view our lack of those reports favorably. I have explained this to you countless times. It is sloppy work to go in unprepared. Mr. Pugh, I have completed the designs, the costs, and the man-hour estimates. I have completed the presentation except for the missing reports. However, without those reports, we are wasting our time."
    "I realize you are an excellent architect, Josh, but I disagree," Mr. Pugh said. "I have also noticed in the last couple of weeks that you have been missing time, as a result of a family problem, I believe. I am turning this project over to Tristen. Your work here is valued, Josh, but I think Tristen will be less distracted and in a better position to follow through with it."
    "I have done ninety percent of this work by myself! Any time I missed, I have come back and made up the hours. Look at your