Page 15 of Brandt's Rule

“I see that,” Bailey said.

Remi picked up the bags of food and grinned at Bailey again. “Thanks for everything, Bailey. Appreciate you always taking care of us when we come in.”

“You’re welcome. Anything else I can get you?”

Remi took a deep breath and opened his mouth as though to speak, but no words came out. Finally, he just shook his head. “No. Got to get to work, I guess.”

“Have a good day, Remi.”

“Thanks, Bailey, you too.” He walked away, his gait slower than normal, his mind doing double time as he went. He pushed the door opened with his shoulder and turned to smile at Bailey, then Tempest. “Nice to meet you, Tempest. Officially,” he added.

“Thank you, and you as well,” Tempest said.

“If you need anything while you’re in town, look me up,” Remi said.

“Actually!” Bailey said, grinning as she held up a finger, “she’s interested in a job. Y’all have a construction company; are you looking for anybody to fill any positions?”

“Possibly,” Remi said, moving back toward them a few steps. “What are your skills?”

“Just about anything that’s not sitting behind a desk,” Tempest said. “I can do that, too, but would rather not.”

“You know how to build?” Remi asked, surprised.

“Helped my Papa build all the time. He was always first to volunteer his time to help anyone building or repairing their homes in our community.”

“Really? Okay, well, why don’t you come by the site again today. We’ll see if we can use another set of hands somewhere,” Remi said.

“I’d appreciate that,” Tempest said.

“I’ll see you a little later, then,” Remi said, grinning.

“You will,” Tempest said. “Thanks for the opportunity.”

“No promises, but if we need somebody, why not you?” he said. He turned back to Bailey. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Maybe,” Bailey said, suddenly that same awkward girl she’d been when he first walked in, but now wearing a smile.

Remi grinned at both women, smiled again, then walked out, leaving them to discuss him without fear of being overheard.

“I’m looking for a job now?” Tempest asked.

“You now have a reason to visit the site again without looking like a threat. You’re welcome,” Bailey said.

Tempest laughed. “So, you’ve got no problem managing my issues, you just can’t manage your own.”

“Not when it comes to Remi GreyStorm.”

“Interesting name.”

Bailey nodded. “I think it sounds noble and strong.”

“Have you had a crush on him for very long?” Tempest asked.

Bailey looked mournfully out of the front windows as Remi drove away. “Only ever since I knew he breathed. He just never saw me. I was always the gangly kid that never fit in in school. Everybody ignored me no matter what I did. Even the few that pretended to be my friends never included me in anything they planned.”

“Then they weren’t your friends,” Tempest said.

Bailey nodded.

---