Page 107 of Five Mountain Daddies

At least I feel a little normal sitting here with Callie. I steer her away from my relationship with Samuel, or my lack of one, and I get her talking about her Mike. They have such a simple, uncomplicated relationship where they go to movies and kiss on the porch. She doesn’t have to run a huge company, and she’s not falling for the guy that’s the head of her unionizedworkers.

Callie and I finish up after another hour, and we part ways. It’s a nice afternoon, so I go for a little walk around downtown. I try not to think about the whole town talking about my business, and instead just enjoy the sunshine, at least while itlasts.

Although as I drive back to my place, I can’t help but think about the mine. It was pitch black down there, dirty and dark and dangerous, and these miners are only fighting for the chance to go back in there. They want more money, more safety, more longterm guarantees. I don’t know how anyone can begrudge them that… except for a man likeIngram.

I pull up to my big house, but right away I notice something’s off. It takes me a second to recognize Samuel’s truck parked in my driveway. I pull up behind him and getout.

“Samuel?” I call out. He climbs out of his truck and faces me, a little frown on his face. “What are you doinghere?”

He doesn’t answer right away. He glances back toward my house, toward the too-big house with its many windows and fancy door. “You’re alone here?” he asksme.

I sigh and nod. “Yeah. I’m alonehere.

“Must behard.”

“It is.” I cross my arms. “Are you just here to criticize my livingconditions?”

He winces and I feel bad about that. “No. I’m here to talkbusiness.”

“Well, come inside. The town’s already talking about usenough.”

He follows me in through the front door. “I should probably apologize for that,” he says as I lead him into thekitchen.

“Probably.”

He laughs softly. “I’m not going to, though. I’m not ashamed ofit.”

I sigh. “Of course not. You’re such an asssometimes.”

He just grins at me as we come into the kitchen. I offer him a drink and he accepts, taking the glass of whiskey from my hand. I don’t pour myself one, and he doesn’t comment on it or seem to notice that I never drink around him, or atall.

“What can I do for you?” I askhim.

“Two more of my guys got jumped yesterday,” hesays.

I raise an eyebrow. “Are theyokay?”

“They’re okay. Miners are tough bastards. But we can’t keep havingthis.”

“Ingram’s getting desperate.” I lean up against the counters. “That big order isn’t going to get filled ontime.”

“No, it’s not. Has he talked about scabsyet?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t heard anything. The company has no plans to bring oncontractors.”

He nods at that. “Good. Scabs would ruinthis.”

“What?” I cock myhead.

“All of it. Amelia, my guys are close to breaking. You have to dosomething.”

“Me?” I laugh a little. “You’re the one that won’t take the old contract anymore. If you gave me your okay, I could get it pushedthrough.”

“You know I can’t anymore. My guys don’t trust that shit. I gave too much up in that. I… I don’t know if I trustmyself.”

I stare at him for a second. “What do youmean?”

“You know what I mean.” His gaze is level and steady, but I see it again. Thatpain.

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