Page 246 of Mountain Boss

Chapter 189

Sterling

Hearingthe man ask for me by name sends a jolt of unease through me.

No one should be showing up at the house.

And I hate that it’s happening with Courtney there alone.

Her words are muffled, but then she must shift her grip on the phone because the audio suddenly comes through clearer.

“He’s busy at the moment, can I help you?” Courtney sounds polite, but I can hear her hesitancy.

There’s a pause before I hear the stranger speak.

“I’m Dale Norton.” My brows scrunch at the name. Why does that sound… “I’m a few days early, but I’m the new maintenance guy.”

No.

Fuck.

No. No. No.

My pulse jolts to a sprint.

And I start to run.

“Sorry, what?” Courtney’s voice cracks, and I don’t know if it’s from the connection or if…

“Courtney!” I shout into the phone.

I need her to hear me.

Need her to lift the fucking phone to her ear.

Snow crunches under my boots and branches slap at my body, but I keep running.

This can’t be happening.

This cannot be fucking happening.

I’m missing words.

The connection between us is breaking up as I race toward my truck.

“He’s the new maintenance person,” I hear Courtney say, and I assume Simpson is there.

There’s more that I miss.

My truck is in sight.

“Sterling?” Courtney whispers into the phone.

“Courtney, please listen.” I can hear the line cutting out.

“Did you know?” Her question is hard to understand. But I hear it.

And it breaks my fucking heart.

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