Page 10 of Truck

“Okay, I’ll contact Xero and tell him there is work for the three of them, and somewhere to stay. If the Ambles place is leased now, we can find somewhere else or get a fucking trailer on here if need be.” With that Cap turns, giving me a chin lift as he walks out of the building.

I jump slightly when a voice speaks directly behind me, “Well, that’s good. Another three pairs of hands that will take a load off you, Robert and Spencer.”

“We need people to work when we open, too. You notice not a single person has applied for the jobs we put out. Lazy fuckers, and they complain they got no money, and no chance of having any,” I snarl the last because you’d think a job is a job and when you don’t have one, you’d jump at anything that came along.

“I’ll take down the vacancy advertisements. As you say, Truck, if they don’t want to work, they can struggle. With three new men, the prospects, and ourselves we can manage. Ears to the ground may find some more employees, but let’s get ourselves worked into shifts once the three arrive.” Rum rubs his hands together, and I know he’s committed to the gas station, and to doing a damn good job.

Before I can say more Bull storms towards us. “I’m fed up with this shit, Truck. How is your place coming along? I can’t get that damn office here for three fucking weeks which means we are stuck where we are for now.”

“I’m just going from day-to-day, Bull. The pumps need to be replaced and then the tanks need filling, so I’m not that close to opening either. We are stocking the store and waiting for the point Keys can set up the computer system. He has the station wired to the clubhouse, so anyone breaking in or vandalizing we’ll catch them on the cameras. He covered the back, so your area is part of the system, Bull.” I slap his shoulder, then continue. “If you need help, it may pay to find more drivers, so the brothers are able to give you a hand. It’s worth considering, isn’t it?”

“For some fuckin’ reason, the recovery has been flat out on calls. I’ve stopped taking any breakdowns that are not registered with us, unless it’s a woman on her own at night, or a person with a child. I can’t sleep at night knowing they are stranded,” Bull lifts his ball cap, turns it back to front and places it back on his head, all done without him being aware he’s doing it.

“That is the right thing to do, Bull,” Rum joins the conversation. “I’m going into town to take down our vacancy ads. Do you want me to place one asking for drivers?”

Bull quickly replies, “No thanks, Rum. I’ll have the brothers ask around. We know a few men who might be interested.”

Rum and I watch Bull amble away, and I can’t help but think he has a hell of an enormous task on his shoulders. We have made a lot of changes since Tracker decided we were going legit and leaving the contracts we had with the government. Cleaning house was hard, but it had to be done, or the rot would have got us all, either locked up or dead.

“Come on, prospects, let’s move it!” I shout, and both Robert and Spencer appear from around the building.

“Ready, Truck,” they both shout as they jump into the truck. I wave to Rum as he pulls out of the gas station, and thankfully it’s the end of the day.

Chapter 6

RORY

Iam wearing a t-shirt with the diner’s logo, black pants, and a white apron around my waist. It’s not going to stay clean long, which is my first thought on the apron. I am not clumsy, but I’m not little Miss Perfect either. Shelby just said to get a clean one if it gets too grubby, so I’m not going to worry about it.

“We have some of the local MC frequent and we do everything we can to make sure they get the food they want, even if it’s not on the menu. They bring the diner a lot of business, and don’t be scared of them. They may look intimidating, but they are harmless…to us at least,” Shelby rubs my lower back I’m sure to ease what she’s saying.

“MC…motorcycle club? You mean like Sons of Anarchy on the TV?” I stutter.

Shelby laughs, “Well, yeah, but not really…hmm, okay, they are a bike club, but they are not bad guys. They own businesses in town and have helped many people get on their feet. They also funded Maybell’s treatment, or she probably would have died. They cleaned the streets of thugs and drug dealers. So, no, they are not like the TV. They are bikers who love to ride, and a brotherhood. I’m babbling, aren’t I?”

The giggle pops out before I can stop it, so I nod that yes, she is, which has her laughing too.

The evening menu seems to go down well with the customers who come into the diner. They order and eat without a word of complaint. Sitting and having conversations with others at their own table and tables nearby. It’s very sociable, and it is heartwarming to see a community like this.

“Young lady…” I quickly walk over to a gentleman who has his hand in the air to gain my attention.

“What can I get for you?” I asked with a bright smile, because honestly, he smirked then winked at me as I approached his table.

“Stop messing with the girl,” the other man at the table says while rolling his eyes.

“I would like another coffee and a piece of banana cream pie, please.”

He says all this with a grin, and I giggle a little because honestly, I think this is his way of flirting with me. “You sure can. I’ll be right back.”

Once settled with his pie and coffee, I quickly make my way around the tables. Picking up used dishes, asking if anyone wants anything else, and wishing them a good evening as they leave.

Once the diner has quietened, Shelby gives my forearm a squeeze, “Rory, you are a natural. Your first week, and you’ve done well. Your tip jar is growing too.”

I laugh because if I told her that the tips are nice, but I could turn them into serious dollars in a short amount of time she’d look at me differently. Most people think because I can juggle money and do some investing with success, I’d make them millionaires out of nothing.

“It has been a good week, Shelby. I’m enjoying the job, too. The people are so friendly, and nobody has made me feel like an outsider. Small towns often do that, but here I’ve not felt that at all,” I state this with some surprise as I realize what I’ve said is true. Everyone has been more than welcoming, whether it be at the grocery store or the park where I’ve taken to walking each morning.

“We’re closing up soon, so let’s get the tables cleared and wiped down.” Shelby picks up the nearest chair and upends it onto the table.