Page 9 of Her Summer Hope

“True, but get to the point Wyatt.”

Kyle was anticipating all kinds of issues, things that could derail the entire project.

“The cook changed his schedule.”

“Why the hell did we hire an old swabbie to be our cook?” Murdock asked.

“Because he’s damned good at it,” Kyle said.

“And he was the only one who answered the ad and had experience,” Evans said.

The room was silent as John came in with a mixing bowl full of popcorn. He looked between them while Murdock scowled at the back window, looking out into the dim evening forest.

“Swabbie left us high and dry? Shit,” he commented, tossing a handful of overly-buttered popcorn kernels into his mouth.

Kyle leaned his head back, sighing heavily. “That’s the very last thing we needed right now. What did he say?”

“You know his wife is pregnant?” Evans began.

“Yeah, he said it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Well, she’s having twins and she’ll be on bedrest indefinitely.”

“Damn. I can’t fault the guy for wanting more time off for that,” he said, rubbing his temples. The headache that had begun that morning was back and worse than ever. “Do they have everything they need?”

“He said they’d be fine, but he needs to be home more. He can only work the breakfast and lunch shift, Monday through Friday.”

“What are you going to do?” John asked, cramming more popcorn in his mouth while watching the drama unfold. It made Kyle want to punch him.

“Sling some MREs on the table and call it good,” Murdock rumbled.

Evans raised his eyebrows consideringly, but Kyle was already shaking his head. “You’ve got to be joking.”

Murdock stared at him, frowning glacially. “I never joke.”

“So…looks like we’re having chili every night,” John said.

“Gross. Why?” Evans asked, brow wrinkling in confusion.

John laughed. “Because that’s all Kyle knows how to make.”

Unfortunately, it was almost true.

“I’ve had a busy life,” Kyle grumbled.

Chapter Three

Madison

“This is almost two thousand dollars!” Madison said, shock making her voice shake.

The new life she had begun to build for the children started to collapse under the weight of the new debt. She felt her vision begin to darken and she sat down suddenly on Helen’s sofa while the children played nearby.

“You didn’t get a notice, dear?” Helen asked, placing an unsteady hand over her collarbones.

“No. I got nothing,” Madison said faintly. “There was nothing. I didn’t even think about property taxes.”

She looked up at the old woman in despair. “How could I be so stupid?”

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