Page 1 of Yearning for the Lumbersnack
CHAPTER ONE
Percy
“Another day,another job well done. You’ve really come along in building your skills, Percy. I’m proud of you, man.” Clay, my boss and owner of the logging crew I’m on, tapped me on the back and shook my hand at the end of our weekly meeting.
“Thanks.” I smiled proudly. “I wouldn’t be this far along without your help. And yours too, Matt.” I turned to Clay’s sidekick, my assistant boss, and the best trainer around for the new guys who come aboard and held out my hand. Matt got to his feet and shook my hand firmly, a happy gleam in his eye.
“Anytime, bro. That’s what I’m here for.” Matt said before he sat back down, Clay following suit.
“Before you go, I wanted to ask you a question.” Clay said as he leaned back in his chair and ran a hand down the side of his face.
“Sure, what’s up?” I looked between Matt and Clay, who gave each other a look, with eyebrows raised and nodding of heads. What are these two up to?
“You’re great at decision making and acting in a leadership role. I’d like to offer you that position. You can lead the seasoned crew, while Matt focuses on the new guys. How does that sound? Of course, there’ll be a raise along with it.”
My mouth fell open as Clay’s words registered in my brain.He’s asking me to be in a leadership role? Seriously?
“Wow, I don’t know what to say, except yes, I’d love to. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. It’s well deserved. Now go celebrate or something,” Clay joked as I shook his hand once more along with Matt’s. They had wives to go home to. Me not so much. But I did have an adorable dog named Peanut.
I chuckled. “A cold beer, a roaring fire, and my feet kicked up on the couch is good enough for me. Maybe one day I’ll find a pretty lady to share it with.”
“Oh, you will. Look at Matt and I here. Recently, we were as single as a Pringle. Now we’re madly in love.”
“You better be in love. That’s my sister, man.” Matt said, loving to give Clay shit about being with his younger sister.
“Take it easy there, big fella.” Clay said with fake sternness. “Have a good night, Percy. Don’t get into too much trouble.”
I said my goodbyes, grabbed my shit, and hightailed it out of there. There was nothing like the feeling of leaving work on a Friday. The weekend stretched out before you, yours for the taking.
My plans were simple as they usually were. Relaxing, playing with my dog in the backyard and going for walks, and more relaxing. Add in the usual errands and housework, not to mention laundry, and soon the weekend was over, and it was back to work.
Not that I was complaining. But any extra time to relax was always a win in my book. Occasionally, my younger brother Jaywould stop by for a bite to eat or to shoot the shit. Peanut went nuts for the treats he always brought as a gift.
I waved to a few guys, including Deke and Banks, on my way out and headed to my truck. I wanted to grab an oil change before the garage in town closed for the weekend, so I steered my truck in that direction and prayed the garage wasn’t busy. It was hit or miss on Friday nights and tonight, I didn’t feel like waiting around for one. I was tired and hungry and there was a beer in my fridge with my name on it.
When I pulled up to the gas station, both stalls were bright but empty, exactly what I liked to see. I pulled my truck in front of the closest stall, left the engine running, and hopped out.
Usually, a guy would come out and greet me, but this place looked like a ghost town aside from the bright lights. I headed inside and the gas attendant walked through the door at the same time. “Looking for an oil change or inspection?” He asked as he nodded his head towards my truck.
“An oil change. Is there availability?”
“Yeah, head on in. Celeste will take care of you.” He said before walking off towards the gas pumps, a car pulling in front of one.
Celeste?
Isn’t that…
A female stepped out from behind the desk, and I rocked backwards, not expecting the sight of her and how damnhotshe was. Her Converse high tops were bright red and stuck out beneath the flare of her tight jeans covered in grease. She wore a tight white tank top hugging all of her curves, voluptuous ones at that, and a thin gold necklace hung down to her cleavage.
Her blond hair was piled high on top of her head in a messy bun, several loose pierces framing her face, one free from much makeup. Each ear had several hoops along the sides, her nosehad a small hoop, and there, resting on the swell of her breast, was a tiny tattoo of a car.
Blue eyes look at me with curiosity, and her pouty pink lips made me think of sweet cotton candy.
“Uh hi, can I help you?” She asked a little breathlessly as tucked her hands into her back pocket. A small giggle escaped her throat.Is she seriously the mechanic who worked here?
“I’d like an oil change for my truck. Is that something you can handle?”
