Page 60 of Take My Heart
Getting out my phone, I look up Mr. Finkle’s number and give him a call.
‘Finkle here,’ he answers.
‘Mr. Finkle, it’s Brody.’
‘What are you doing calling me on this snowy day? Shouldn’t you be out with your plow?’
‘I’m having some problems with it. I’m working on getting it fixed.’
‘That’s a shame. You could make a lot of money in a storm like this. I can’t remember when we’ve had this much snow all at once.’
‘Yeah, I figure it’s no use plowing it now when it’s still coming down.’
‘Hasn’t stopped Santi. I hear he’s got all his trucks out. They’ve been out since this morning.’
‘In Haydon Falls?’ I ask, my jaw tightening. Santi better not be calling up my customers, stealing business from me. If he does, I’ll sue the bastard, or I would if I had the money to.
‘I saw one of his trucks go by about an hour ago, so unless they’re just passing through town, I’d say they’re doing some work here.’
Maybe it’s for Mr. Roberson. He said he was calling Santi to plow his driveway. I’m really angry he did that. He knows I’ll do the work. I just need time to get the plow fixed.
‘So what do you need?’ Mr. Finkle asks.
‘I was wondering if the store was open.’
‘Not today. No use opening it when nobody’s out.’
‘Any chance you’d let me stop by?’
‘For what?’
‘I’ve got someone staying with me who needs a few things.’
‘I suppose I could open the store. I’m just watching TV. What time are you coming over?’
‘Ten minutes? Does that work?’
‘Sure. I’ll go down there right now and get the lights on.’
‘Okay, thanks.’
I leave my room just as the door to the bathroom opens. Kate walks out wearing only a towel.
‘Hey,’ she says, looking startled when she sees me.
‘Hey, I’m gonna head out and get you some stuff.’
‘You’re leaving?’
‘Yeah, I just called Mr. Finkle and he’s gonna open the store for me. I’ll get a few things and then he’ll close up again.’
‘Can I come with?’
‘Wearing that?’ I point to her in the towel, trying not to look at her bare legs or the cleavage peeking out where she has the towel tied.
‘I’ll put some clothes on. It won’t take long.’
‘My clothes don’t fit you and it’s freezing out. If you go out there, you’ll just get cold again. I think it’s better if you stay here.’
