Page 96 of Caught in the Axe
He swallowed audibly. “I need to dip into the cash reserves.”
My stomach sank. “There’s nothing left.”
“Dammit.” He shook his head, but he looked unsurprised. “Even so, I need to hire a weekend crew. Maybe some of the guys I know who work for the Gagnons and the LeBlancs. We’ve got a couple million dollars’ worth of trees in two separate log dumps up in the mountains. We need to get them down the roads and to the mill in the next couple of weeks.”
I nodded. He was right. The contractual penalties for late deliveries were steep. And we couldn’t fuck over the few loyal clients who’d stayed with us through all the rough years.
“Everything has to be wrapped up before the closing on July first.”
He grunted. “Exactly. Which is why we’ve got to get on this now. And I’ll need you too.”
Dammit. I’d promised to help, but I wasn’t much use outside the office. “I can’t operate a crane or drive a commercial truck.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He slid to the edge of his seat. “We need people to do inventory, make counts, track gas mileage, and direct traffic. Make sure things run smoothly.”
I wasn’t sure how much help I could be, but I nodded. “I’ll do whatever you need.”
“I’m gonna need Finn and Cole too.”
“I’ll rally the troops.”
“Thank you.” He shifted in his seat and grimaced. “I mean that. You’ve given up a lot for us. We’d be fucked without you. I hope you know how much we appreciate it. I’m sure Dad does too.”
“Fuck, Dad.” Anger flared hot in my veins. “I did this for you, and Finn, Jude, and Noah. Even Cole. We’re brothers, Gus. No matter how far apart we’ve drifted, I love you guys. And I’m not going to screw you over. I hate this deal. I’d love to spend a year searching for a better one, but we can’t make it that long. All I can do is get things wrapped up as quickly as possible so you can take your share and live your life.”
He hung his head for a minute, and when he looked up at me again, his expression was pained. “About that.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“After the sale closes, I’ll stay for a couple of weeks to make the transition if you need me.”
I wasn’t surprised by the offer, but I nodded graciously. “That’s generous of you.”
“But then I’m leaving.”
That had my breath stuttering in my lungs. Gus was Lovewell and Lovewell was Gus. This forest and this land were part of his DNA.
“I’m heading out west,” he said. “I got an offer. In Oregon. To run operations for a big corporate outfit.”
I blinked, at an absolute loss for words. He was going to move across the country? This man who’d spent his life taking care of the people he loved was going to leave them all?
“I’ve spent forty years in this town. There’s nothing left for me. She’s never coming back.” The sigh he let out wasfull of resignation. “I need to push myself a little, get out into the world.”
I was speechless. On the one hand, I was proud of him for putting himself first, on the other, I was still flabbergasted at the idea of him leaving behind the only place he’d ever called home. Also, who was the “she” he referred to?
“It’s a great job,” he said. “I’ll run several crews, and I’ll be closer to Noah. It’s time I experience something different.”
“Different?” I couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know Oregon is Maine, but with a different ocean, right?”
He shot me a glare. “Thanks for your support, asshole.”
I held my hands up. “I support you. If anyone deserves to leave all this drama behind, it’s you.”
He did. Gus had borne all the responsibility for the company since Dad’s arrest. He’d dealt with the police and the lawyers, and he’d fought like hell to save as many jobs for his employees as possible. Years of working seven days a week and trying to salvage the family legacy had taken a toll.
I cracked a grin. “Is it weird to say I’ll miss you?”
“Yes. Especially since you haven’t visited in years.”
