Page 55 of Pick Your Spot

“Okay. I’ve got to bring a bunch of crap to the various worksites today. If I’m not too late, I’ll call you tonight. If not, in the next few days.”

Shit. Ford was working as a delivery man for the day. Not a bad job if you enjoyed it but Dodge was born to build and fix. He’d helped dozens and dozens of communities rebuild when they’d been overseas. Construction ran through his veins right along with the blood.

“I think you’d be happy here, Dodge. It’s a great place and it needs your particular brand of TLC.”

His friend sighed into the phone. “Apples, huh?”

He grinned. “Apples. It surprised the hell out of me, too.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it. Talk to you soon.”

When they disconnected, Knox sat back. He hated that his friend was discontent with the life he was living down in Florida. But it helped Knox’s own cause. It meant that he had a hook to lure him here.

He couldn’t wait to tell Thea about the call. Spreadsheets could wait.

Thea’s phone rang. With a shiver of trepidation, she pulled it from her pocket. Asshole Andy’s name flashed on the screen.

For a moment, she considered answering. Instead, she watched it ring. Would he leave a message, or would he hang up when she didn’t answer?

When was the last time she’d received a voicemail? It had been a while, and she hoped she remembered the password she’d set it up with. She didn’t want to talk to AA but she wanted to hear his message.

She wished Knox was near, but they’d decided to divide and conquer. For now, the compost only required her to tend it. She could also tend to the trees while he focused on the business side of things. Thea had decided to focus on the sections of trees that were in the best shape. They needed the least work, and it would be great to show his family the potential.

The ground cover required weeding. Some invasive species were always trying to worm their way in. She hoped Knox’s sister would know more about that. Over the last hour, she’d taken photos of the plants she didn’t recognize, hoping to get more direction from Jolie. It might be better to pull them. Or it could be just as easy to add more ground cover. It all depended on the root depth of the plants and their behavior. No creeping pests allowed.

Her phone buzzed, showing that this particular creepy pest had left a message. That was what she’d wanted but it still bothered her. Why was he calling her? Why would he think there was even a remote possibility that she would work with his sorry ass again?

Stupid didn’t even begin to cover it.

Deciding she wasn’t a coward, Thea accessed the voicemail program. It only took her two tries to get the right password.

AA’s voice made her sigh. Whatever he wanted, he was determined enough to leave a message.

Hello, Thea. You can start your job anytime. Next week would be best for all involved. It’s early enough in the season to get the farms under our charge on the right track.

The farmers are pleased to have you back on board. Of course you’ll have a twenty-percent increase in pay. Let me know when you’ll arrive.

Her mouth dropped open like a cartoon character. The man was delusional. He was acting like their last conversation had gone well and that she was dumb enough to work for him again. Even after he’d destroyed her reputation.

Asshole.

She shoved the phone back in her pocket and stomped off to another section of the farm. She needed to burn off some anger. In the back section, several plants had wound their way around the trees. Creeping vines.

She’d think of Asshole Andy with each vine she unwound and destroyed.

An hour later, she was drenched with sweat, but dozens of trees were free from the creepers. Her head was clearer, too.

There had to be a bigger agenda for Andy than she’d thought before. He’d projected confidence and self-assurance into his tone. Some of that was his natural arrogance, but there had to be more.

She opened the message and listened to it again. Was there desperation? Had he assumed she’d be onboard and told people she’d be working their farms without talking to her? Did he think the every increasing raise offers would convince her?

Maybe she should add an A. Arrogant Asshole Andy.

Thea had told Knox that she didn’t consider Andy dangerous, and she still couldn’t imagine him doing anything physically dangerous. He was a man who thought he could talk people into doing what he wanted.

If he’d told people she was returning and then she didn’t, he’d look like a fool. Not something he’d like but something he’d brought on himself. Something he’d done to her.

Not that he’d see it that way. His self-important worldview would skew reality.

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