Page 28 of One Sultry Summer

He waves towards a dinner table with seating for six. I place my bag down on the ground and pull out a chair. We sat across from each other, and I explained to him my employers’ ideas. He listened intently and never interrupted me. He just nods as I let him know that we’re in the business of building and not tearing down.

I then asked him questions about what kind of changes he would like to see. Most of the residents I’ve spoken to complain about how far it is to the nearest hospital. His response is nodifferent. However, there seems to be something the residents are holding back, and I can’t put my finger on it.

“Thank you for your time and honesty, Mr. Welch. I’ll be going now.” I stand and gather my things, then he walks us to the door.

“Ms. Masterson.”

I turned back to see his face. “Yes?”

“It was a pleasure to meet you.” He holds out his hand, this time waiting for me to reply. I shift my bag to my left side and shake his hand. “The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Welch.”

Abby and I make one more stop at the deli for a sandwich. We sat in the park and had lunch together. A cedar elm gives us shade from the sun as clouds hover out in the distance.

“You did well.” Abby says before she bites into her sandwich.

“How so?”

“I think you may have wonover old man Welch.”

“I hope so. You know, he reminds me of a science teacher I had back in high school.”

“Did he act like an old mule?” I laughed out loud at her description.

“He sure did. However, I wouldn’t call Mr. Welch an old mule. I think he was more open to change than my teacher was.”

“I think Howard thought you spoke eloquently about your company and so do I.” She winked at me, and it spurred me to continue on the path I was headed.

Chapter 10

Wyatt Woods

Days have passed since I’ve seen or spoken to Valerie. I regret acting like such a fool. All morning, I’ve had this feeling in the pit of my stomach. Maybe it’s just gas, but then again it could be hunger. Yeah, that’s it. I picked up my order from the deli and saw my mother with Valerie.

Should I avoid her like the plague or man up and apologize like the man my mother raised me to be? I take a deep breath as my feet carry me to the park bench where they sit.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

“Hello, son.”

“Afternoon, " she says, keeping it brief.She looks everywhere but at me. Her knitted eyebrows tell me she wasn’t happy to see me, and I don’t blame her. My mother looks between me and Valerie.

“Oh goodness, look at the time. I need to check on something back at the inn. Wyatt, can you please give Valerie a ride back?” Before I can answer, she leaves me standing with my mouth hanging open. I cleared my throat because I was about to eat crow.

“You know, I heard you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” She crumbled up the wrapping from her lunch and gathered the bag at her feet. She turned swiftly, hitting me with her bag.

“Oof!” I held my stomach. “Valerie, I wanted to apologize for my poor attitude the other day. I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with.”

She turned back and faced me, raising her eyebrow as if she didn’t believe me. There wasa fire in her eyes that was terrifying, yet sexy as hell. “I’ll accept your apology because your mother is a sweet person.”

“I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

“You need to have a genuine heart to truly mean it.” She was turning up the sass meter, letting me know how pissed she was and wasn’t going to let me off easily.

“Can’t you just cut me some slack?”

“Why? So you can turn on a dime and act like an ass the next minute?”

“Hey, I don’t do that.”

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