Page 95 of One Little Mistake
“Well …” I pinch the back of my neck. I kind of hoped I’d have backup for the bad news.
“Just spit it out already. I’m not gettin’ any younger here.”
My face smiles even as my gut clenches, knowing what I’m about to tell her. Lexi definitely comes by her sass honestly.
“You know how the town has to open the mountain up for a vote at Summerfest?”
“Sure do. Stupidest thing my Benny’s ever done if ya ask me.”
“I don’t disagree with you there, but he did put in a sneaky little safety clause for you. For it to work, though, we have to move fast.”
“Ya got my attention, Grumpy. What do we have to do?”
Reaching into the bag I’d brought with me, I pull out all of Halton’s maps and estimates. Once they are all laid out before her on the table, GG grins.
“Do you know what these are?”
“I’m guessin’ you’re building houses for all my kids.”
This woman is smarter than anyone gives her credit for. She may come across as a crazy, old lady, but her mind is all business.
“That’s right. We can’t get them all built before the vote, but Benny was very intentional in his verbiage. All that has to be completed are the foundations.”
GG furrows her brow again and glances out the window.
“Lexi already informed me of mud season,” I assure her. “It makes it harder to pour foundations for sure, but not impossible. I’ll have a team of engineers working on the drainage issue. In order to get them all done in time, we have to start tomorrow.”
“I’m proud of you, Grumpy.”
The sudden words of praise catch me off guard, and emotion I wasn’t prepared for smacks me in the face.
“Th-Thanks, GG.”
She places a bony hand on my cheek and gives it a pat. “She’s worth the fight, Easton. I hope you know that.”
“I do, GG. She’s not making it easy, but somewhere between calling me an asshole and naming me Beast, I fell in love with her. Maybe I’m the one who should be in therapy, huh?” I chuckle.
“Just keep bein’ her strength when her darkness comes. It will keep comin’, but hold her up, and you’ll get to where ya’ want to be.”
“I’m trying, GG. Really, I am—”
I’m interrupted by a pissed-off Halton entering the kitchen. “I’m not doing it, Colton, so fuck off.”
Colton enters right behind him with a carefree grin and a bounce in his step.
“You have to. This is how we’re going to win over Burke Hollow. I’ll even let you choose your station first.”
Halton points a menacing finger at our younger brother. “Fuck. Off.”
“Now, this should be good. Grumpy, grab me some cookies.” I stare between her and my brothers. “Yes, I want cookies for the show, so move it.” She shoos me away with both hands.
I hurry to the pantry, pull out the cookie jar shaped like a bear, and set it down in front of her.
“Halt, I’ve done the research. So, this is the route we’re going, and you can’t turn your back on family.”
“Colty, I swear to God …”
“What’s going on?” I finally interject.
