Page 28 of Hot Damn
“Sure. Whitney would have done it herself but her phone is dead.” He smiles at Whitney as she packs away her things. “And it’s been a pleasure talking with her. We’ve been discussing the history of the area and what things I think she and her father might enjoy exploring.”
“Mr. Dalton has lived here his whole life.” Whitney zips up her backpack and puts it over one shoulder. “He was telling me the house we live in was once owned by a man who had plantations further south and a shipping line that used to carry his cotton up and down the Mississippi River to the rest of the country and the world.”
“You should talk to Oakley about that if you’re interested. Her family owns one of the biggest shipping companies in the country.”
“Really? Cool.” Turning to the principal she says, “Thanks for letting me use your phone and for letting me sit in here out of the heat.”
“I’d say any time, but I don’t want you to have flat tires again.”
“Me either.” Grinning, she turns to me. “Can you take me home now? I’m going to leave the car here and wait for Dad to get back tomorrow.”
“No need to wait. I’ll have a tow company come get it tonight so my mechanic can get it fixed tomorrow. If we’re lucky, it’ll be done before your dad gets home and then he won’t have to worry about it.”
“Okay, that would be great. I’ve got a credit card to use for payment.”
“We’ll worry about that when we pick the car up tomorrow. I’ve been going to the same guy since I was a teenager. He’s trustworthy and trusts me to pay after he does the work.” Facing the principal again I hold out my hand. “Thanks again for taking care of her.”
“You’re welcome. When I saw her out there beside her car, I offered to help with changing the tire but then we realizedit wasn’t only the front one that was flat. And it was too hot to be out there for however long it took for someone to come.”
“Well, thanks. We’ll get out of your way now.” Putting a hand on Whitney’s back, I urge her out of the office. It isn’t until we get outside the building that I ask, “Why did you call me and how did you get my number?”
“Should I not have called you?”
“No. Yes, of course you should, I’m just wondering how I’m the one you thought of.”
“Ms. James gave me a list of Rogue people to call if Dad’s playing away or even here and I can’t get hold of him. The top four are the owners of the Rogues.”
“Huh. Makes sense, I guess. And everyone but me is out of town at the game.”
“Yep.”
“Okay, let me call my mechanic and get your car sorted. Then I’ll take you home—wait, are you staying on your own?”
“No, I’m staying with the lady next door. She’s ninety-two and about half my size but apparently Dad thinks I’m safer with her than on my own.”
The eye roll she does has me holding in a laugh. “Do you need to call her and tell her you’re running late?”
“No. I was supposed to go home and get ready for school tomorrow before heading next door. She’s not expecting me until dinner time.”
“All right. How about this? We get your car sorted, then we hit the grocery store, and I’ll cook for all three of us at your house, and if we can get hold of your dad, we’ll see if he’s okay with me staying with you overnight. That way you don’t have to drag all your stuff next door and you’re not putting your neighbor out.”
“I like that plan.”
I have no idea where the idea of staying with Whitney came from. I know Beckett isn’t my biggest fan and I’m not even sure he’ll agree to it, but I’ll cook for Whitney and their neighbor no matter what Beckett decides.
We have to wait thirty minutes for the tow truck to arrive and we spend that time sitting in my car with the engine and air running. There’s no shade in the school parking lot and the sun has spent all day baking the ground and parked cars to the point you can see heatwaves rising off the blacktop.
When the tow driver—Gary—looks at the car and scratches his head, I’m reminded of my own puzzlement on seeing the two flat tires. I want to question him about it but I don’t want to say anything in front of Whitney in case it’s just a coincidence and not something nefarious like I’m thinking.
After Oakley told me about the photographers hanging around, I pushed it and any concern I had for Whitney and Beckett aside. But now I have to wonder if I should have taken more notice.
I spent some time when we first came out here looking around to be sure no one was hanging around with a camera in hand. Seeing no one I relaxed and enjoyed getting to know Whitney better.
I already liked her after our first meeting and I told Beckett he should be proud of the woman he’s raised. What I didn’t tell him is I’m proud of him for raising her on his own. I don’t know their full story—no one does—but what I do know, and what I can speculate on, is that he’s a shining example of what a father should be. Single or otherwise, he’s one of the most dedicated, loving fathers I’ve ever met.
And I know I shouldn’t take things at face value, that anything could be happening behind closed doors, but I don’t think I’ll find anything scandalous about Beckett and Whitney Higgison.
Beckett
