AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What was Mr. Callahan doing out here this morning? I asked around. The wranglers say they don’t see him coming and going from his house. He just shows up.”
“Maybe he gets up early. You should know that better than anyone. Ranchers are up before light.”
“Exactly. I get up before anyone and I don’t see him until after breakfast.”
“Are you camped out in front of his house?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Then how would you know when he leaves?”
“Is he camped out here?” Thomas shot back at her.
She gave him a stern look, a warning for his tone, and his expression softened.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. No, he’s not camped out here. I would have noticed. He came out bright and early to check for animal tracks. It was really rather sweet of him. I’m certain he needed to get up early to do such a thing.” She scooped up a serving of the chicken and broccoli casserole and placed it on her plate. “He’s really got a strange reputation, you know.”
Thomas hadn’t moved since taking a seat. His eyes tracked her movements, which only unnerved her further.
“The folks in town say he’s harsh and rough. He doesn’t let anyone push him around. You said similar things when you got this job a few months ago.” She scooped out a serving for him as well, seeing as he didn’t get one himself. “Is everyone wrong? Or am I missing something?”
“You’re not wrong. Mr. Callahan is strict. He doesn’t accept poor behavior. I’ve seen him fire at least two guys since I started. But he’s fair. That’s why I like working for him.”
Her eyes flitted to meet Thomas’s. “So, you like him.”
“No, I said I like working for him. Is he a good boss? Sure. I’m learning a lot. But is he someone I would want to spend the day shopping with? No.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. It wasn’t like we were on a date or anything.” There, she’d said it. That was what she knew her son was getting at. This was how it always was when there was another man in her life. Even a man who didn’t mean anything but a roof over her head.
“Wasn’t it? Because it sure sounded like a date to me.”
Agatha rolled her eyes with a laugh and motioned toward the food on his plate. “Eat up. There’s nothing to be concerned about. In fact, I found out something you might be pleased with.”
Thomas picked up his fork and scooped up a bite of the casserole. His eyes locked with hers, but he didn’t say anything. He looked so much like his father—the parts of him that she’d loved dearly.
“Mr. Callahan has some connections in town. He said he can get a crew together to rebuild our home.”
Thomas’s fork stopped mid-air before it even reached his lips. His mouth hung open, and for a moment, time itself froze. Then he put the fork down. “What are you saying? Zeke Callahan is going to build our house back?”
“See? Everything you thought isn’t even an issue.”
“What do you mean? A guy doesn’t just do something like that. What happened between the two of you? Should I be worried?”
“Calm down, Thomas. He wants me out of his cabin. That’s what this is all about. The contractors are at least a year out, but there are no vacancies anywhere close. I moved out this way to spend time with you, so I’m not moving to Colorado Springs while we figure this out.”
“Have you talked to Shane?”
“No, I haven’t had a chance.”
“Mom! He’s your boss.”
“And I don’t have to be back to work until tomorrow. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, or have you forgotten?” Agatha could feel her temper rising. She didn’t have to explain herself to her son, and he was quickly forgetting his place.
“I’m sure if you talked to Shane, he’d be able to help you find something. He’s got all that housing—”
“Yes, housing for veterans and families with children who have disabilities. How would it look if he booted one of them out for his PR manager? I can tell you how that would go over with the press. Not very good at all. After that whole fiasco with his cousins, he needed me to come in here and make sure that people didn’t lose their trust in his businesses. I’m not about to be the cog that comes loose in this whole thing.”
