Page 3 of Call It Home

“I told him that, but…”

I held up my hand. “It’s not the end of the world. We probably shouldn’t turn down any work we don’t need to.”

She nodded. “Should I take it that your other meeting didn’t go as planned?”

Sue was also the only other person who currently knew aboutRenovation Station. I squared my shoulders and lifted determined eyes to my office manager. “Not quite. But it was only round one.”

Chapter2

Mac

I poundedmy fist on the steering wheel of my truck, my frustration boiling over. “Son of a bitch.”

I turned the key one more time, just in case miracles really happened.

Clickclickclick.

Miracles never happened to me.

The weight of exhaustion and responsibility settled heavily on my shoulders. I rubbed a hand tiredly across my face, momentarily shutting everything out while I sucked in some deep breaths.

I knew the truck was on its last legs, but I’d coaxed it along as best I could, hoping it would go just a little longer. Still, I’d known this was going to happen.

At best, it was a battery. But I had a feeling it was more serious. I should have traded in the truck years ago. The extra miles I’d put on it over the past eighteen months had pushed it too hard. It was just the crap icing on a shitty day.

Worse, it made Miss Fancy Boss Lady right about needing a new truck.

“Fifty thousand dollars…opportunity for you…”

I hated that Cam’s words came back to me and momentarily made me consider her crazy idea.

Growling to myself, I snatched my phone from the center console, where I’d tossed it after the meeting with Cameron. When I’d been summoned, I’d hoped it would be good news for a change, something like getting the promotion I’d been hoping for.

Instead, it was about some crazy scheme to be part of a television show. Like I needed to be on some reality TV contest. Reality, my ass. I knew firsthand how stories could and would be spun by people behind the scenes. People who thought they were gods or puppet masters pulling strings to create better drama—or the “truth” as they wanted it to be told.

Yeah. Hard pass.

Now frustrated by both the meeting and my truck, I tapped on one of the few numbers programmed into my phone.

“Bristol’s busy. Leave a message.Squawk!”

As tired and irritated as I was, a smile tugged at my lips at hearing the voice of the town’s honorary mayor, a snarky African Gray parrot who loved Bristol, much to the chagrin of the human mayor, Richard Bowen. He was a damned smart bird, that was for sure. One night, while hanging out with Bristol, her fiancé, Reid, and her brother, she told us how she’d taught Sterling those words while she birdsat him a few months back.

“Hey, Bristol, it’s Mac. Look, I know it’s late Friday afternoon, but I was wondering if you could take a look at my truck soon. It crapped out on me. Let me know when you can get to it. I guess it needs a tow, too. It’s out on Thurmont Road where we’re building that huge house. Thanks.”

A tap on my window startled me. It was Will Shepherd, my supervisor. I cranked down the window. At least that was one good thing about an old vehicle; I didn’t have any automatic perks that froze when the engine was dead.

“Problems, son? Need a jump or a ride?”

Will was a good guy and boss. He didn’t take any crap from anyone and rode those who didn’t pull their weight, but he was fair. He treated the crew with respect instead of bossing them around. Better than a lot of other bosses I’d had.

I hesitated. I hated asking for favors. Maybe I should walk so I didn’t have to bother him. It was only four and a half miles to my house. I was tired, but I wasn’t afraid of a little exercise. Of course, it was growing dark. And colder. Why did this truck have to do this now?

Sighing with frustration, I asked, “My truck’s dead. Could you give me a lift back to town?”

Maybe from there, Zach or Reid could take me home. That was at least a little better than asking my boss.

Will started to nod, then appeared to change his mind. “Tell you what. Why don’t you take one of the company trucks instead? Just until you can get your own fixed.” He cast a glance at my old vehicle, his lips twisting with the same doubt that was already in my mind. “Although… you ever thought about just getting a new one?”

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