Page 54 of Hidden Fears
He probably sees my hesitation because I notice him slowly moving backward toward the door with his hands raised.
“Wait,” I call out, feeling like a piece of judgmental shit.
“That’s okay, Ms. Monroe,” he replies, not putting his hands down. “Let me know what you think.” But his tone suggests he already knows what.
“May I ask a few questions?” My tone is careful.
“Sure.” He nods toward the door. “Let’s do it out there.”
He’s out the door instantly, almost as if his ass is on fire, and I follow him. We stand next to the porch, about six feet away from each other. I watch him and his actions carefully, trying to read the man. Wisely choosing the words for my questions, I think of the best way to approach him. He doesn’tfeellike a dangerous man, but you never know. Plus, I don’t want to offend him by being insensitive.
“Fire away,” he finally says, tired of waiting. “Anything you want to know—you have to learn who you’ll be working with day in and day out. I’ve got no secrets, or I wouldn’t share my past with you.”
“True.” I smile. “What were you there for?”
“Aggravated assault.”
“Wow.” Not the answer I expected. I thought if he’s so free about sharing this information, maybe he’d say ‘for something I didn’t do.’ But he seems to be proud of whatever got him there, and that makes me a little nervous.
“Expected another answer?” he asks with an easy smile.
“Busted.” I smile back, feeling a bit lighter for some unimaginable reason.
“Will it help if I say that he deserved it?”
I watch him from under my lashes. “It actually does. Would you change anything if you had a chance?”
“Not a thing.” His reply is instant with zero hesitation.
I chew on my lips, thinking about what he just revealed.
“Did you ever harm a child or a woman?”
His lips thin. He looks totally offended but still tries to contain his anger and reply in a neutral voice. “No. And I never will.”
I nod, satisfied with his answer because quite honestly? I believe him. Yes, they say ex-cons lie all the time, but I’ve lived among enough liars to recognize one when I see him. And he is not it.
“What about your men?”
“I check them thoroughly before hiring. The guys I bring here are my friends who have been with me for many years. I vouch for them. But I am,” he spreads his arms, “not the most trustworthy person usually, due to my record. So it’s up to you to do your due diligence.”
I shift my attention to the woods around us. It’s a serious decision, and I don’t know what to do. I haven’t found any other contractors besides the ‘honey’ guy who wouldn’t agree to come here for a long time. Several local contractors do small repairs and are not qualified to work on this project. No matter how much I take on myself, I can’t teach them things they don’t know how to do. This guy is my only hope, to be honest.
But him moving his whole crew kills my plan to live here peacefully next to the house. I understand his concern for us sharing the space. He wants his men to have some decent rest after a day of hard work, and with me present, they wouldn’t be able to relax the way they could alone.
But if I can’t stay here, I have to drive from town while I don’t have a decent car to get through local roads when it’s raining, which seems to be happening nearly daily. Until we pave the road, that is. Which will happen toward the end of our time here. I’m not making that mistake again. Been there, done that.
“Can I think about it?”
He gives a short nod. “Take your time. I’m finishing a house about fifty miles away from here. Let me know if you decide to go with us. If not, don’t worry about calling me.” He waves goodbye in the air. “I’ll know.”
He walks to his truck and drives away. He doesn’t take off like a madman but slowly hits the accelerator and very carefully does a three-point turn, trying to avoid splashing mud everywhere.
The way he holds himself, the way he moves and acts, nothing screams danger. But you never know. I can ask around about him, hoping someone might have heard something, even though I doubt it. He is from Portland, and it’s pretty far from here.
ChapterSeventeen
JOSIE
