Page 9 of A Small Town Risk

She takes some steadying breaths and wipes the tears off her face. “I’m okay. It still hurts. I quit my job because my boss is a pig. No pun intended.”

She laughs, but it’s forced. I chuckle myself, trying to lighten the mood.

“Is everything good?” she asks, her voice sounding tired. “Can I go?”

I take a step back and nod. She pulls away and disappears down the road.

Making my way back to the car, I check the time. My shift is almost over, and I have a few things to finish before calling it a day. I shift the car into drive and head back to town.

Pulling in front of the station, I sweep the main drag with my eyes. Nothing seems out of place. I push open the door and give Peg a wave before entering my office and shutting the door.

I shuffle through papers before grabbing my phone and calling Carson. He’ll know what’s going on with Parker.

“What do you want?” he says, annoyed. “I’m busy.”

“Is Parker moving here?” I ask, getting straight to the point.

There’s a significant pause. “How do you know about Parker?”

“I picked her up for speeding,” I say, irritated.

There’s laughter on the other end. Jerk.

“She’s considering buying the antique store that belongs to Walter and Martha,” Carson says.

I knew they were moving south to be closer to their grandkids, but I thought that was months away. The store is only a block from the station. I don’t know why I’m excited about her being so close. She drives me crazy with her mouth and attitude.

“What’s going on with her?” I ask, keeping the annoyance out of my voice.

“She was up for a promotion, but she wasn’t willing to sleep with the boss, and he gave it to someone who was. She told the guy to shove it and walked out. She wants a fresh start away from Dallas and her parents.”

I want to ask what the deal is with her parents, but decide against it.

“I need to go,” Carson says, sounding irritated.

The phone goes dead.

I lean back in my chair and wipe my hand over my face. Parker Cole is moving to town. I hope we don’t kill each other.

CHAPTER FIVE

PARKER

I take another look at the picture. It’s an old charcoal drawing of downtown Manning Falls, and it would be perfect for my office. In fact, it would look good right here.

I look around; there’s a large table with comfortable chairs on one side where I can lay out blueprints or show samples to clients. My desk and computer are at the back, and a cozy sitting area is at the front. The room is spacious and charming, featuring a vast, decorative wooden mantle above the fireplace.

Two big bookshelves flank the fireplace. They hold my interior design samples and antique corbels I love incorporating into my projects. I keep the rest of my pieces stored in the back.

A grand staircase leads up to my apartment. It’s a two-bedroom space with a combined living room and kitchen, creating one large area. The Adams remodeled the upstairs a few years ago, making everything new and modern. It’s perfect for me.

I’ve been here two weeks and have already been hired to remodel three homes and start two new building projects. I was initially worried about getting enough business, but it turned out that I didn’t have to be.

My phone beeps as I work out a design scheme. It’s a text message from my dad. I decide to read it:Grow up and comehome. Mr. Clarke is willing to give you your old job back. Your mom misses you.

I sink back into my seat and close my eyes, reining in my temper. My father is an ass, and he’ll never change. He knows my boss propositioned me and doesn’t care. God!

Peering out the window, my eyes follow a patrol car as it passes, sparking the question: could that be Ryan? I haven’t seen him since the day he issued the ticket. It's understandable, considering my less-than-graceful reaction to his comments about my job. The memory alone is enough to make me want to bang my head against the wall. Despite everything, Ryan remains incessantly in my thoughts, his presence unsettling yet undeniably magnetic. His attractiveness doesn't help, setting him apart even in a family of handsome men. But it's the memory of our kiss at the wedding that haunts me the most—a kiss so intense, it eclipses any other.

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