Page 2 of Assembling with the Mountain Man

“That’s awesome! I can’t wait to hear how it goes. Want another mimosa before the kids get back and you need to go?” Leighton stood up and walked over to the fridge, grabbing the champagne and orange juice.

“You know it, girl. Fill me up!”

My shitty oldcar protested as I drove to the garden center in town. Some roads weren’t paved well, more dirt than anything, and my car looked like it was one bolt loose from falling apart.

I pulled into the parking lot and parked my car just as a loud crack of thunder exploded in the sky. “Oh shit, a storm is coming.” I said as I took in the dark clouds forming in the sky. It was getting darker by the second. I needed to hurry and get back to the shop before the ran started.

Amara was very nice and so happy and grateful for my help. I showed her some of the custom arrangements I’ve done in my portfolio binder, and she sent me on my first assignment, which was hitting up the garden center for the flowers needed for the afternoon’s orders.

She explained she’s been looking for a wholesale retailer for flowers but hadn’t found one that was affordable yet. So, for now, we used the garden center in town. She also told me again and again how thankful she was I answered her job ad, as it had been only crickets for months.

I killed the engine, grabbed my list, and hurried inside. The flower selection was in the back, a greenhouse set up with lots of lush plants and vegetation. Filling up my cart, I got everything on the list, plus a small basil plant for me to bring home. I needed to start an herb garden, having gifted my last one to my mom before leaving the city. She couldn’t believe I was taking the leap, a city girl with no concept of small-town mountain life, but she loved my herbs. I promised to visit her and check in on the herbs. But they would be fine, as my mother’s green thumb was passed down to me.

Back at my car, I loaded my back seat with the flowers and scrambled inside just as a streak of lightning flashed through the sky. “Ah!” I jumped as loud thunder pierced the sky. Seconds later, the sky opened up and rain poured down.

“Great. My car’s gonna love the mud.” I muttered. I waited several minutes, in hopes of the rain slowing down, but it was only getting heavier.

With a deep breath, I backed out of my parking space and turned onto the road.

As I drove, I noticed the dirt was already turning into mud, the street growing thicker by the second.

My car began sputtering and slowing down until I came to a complete stop. I tried pushing the gas, but my tires spun, mud flying up from behind me.

Shit, shit, shit!

The first storm on this mountain and my shitty car couldn’t handle it.

What do I do? I can’t call Leighton, she’s busy with her children. Maybe Cash can help me.

I texted Amara, letting her know what happened, and she immediately called and said she’d find a tow truck for me.

Once again, I tried pushing the gas, but it was no use. My car wasn’t going anywhere.

With a defeated sigh, I rested my head on the steering wheel and did what I did best- I cried.

CHAPTER TWO

Lucian

“How’s thenew job going, son?” My father clapped me on the back, a smile plastered across his face. It wasn’t genuine, though, not in the way he used to. A roll of heavy guilt pulled at every part of me, making my stomach and heart hurt.

“It’s good, Dad. Thanks for asking, but we don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”

“Don’t be silly, Luc. Of course, I want to know how my son is doing.”

I nodded, but none of my guilt eased. If anything, I felt worse. My father was such a nice guy, had been there for me through thick and thin, every growing pain there was, every shitty day or every girl who crushed my heart.

“I really like it. Putting things together and then taking a step back to realize it was you who made it. It’s a good feeling. But I miss it around here.”

“How so? You’re still here every day.” Dad teased.

“Hey, I’m bringing some business, right?”

“That you are kid, that you are. But listen, you can stop feeling bad about joining the construction crew and leaving your job here. Do I still want you here taking over the business when I can’t anymore? Sure, I do, but I want you to be happy. I want to see my children happy. That’s all that matters in the end. Besides, I’ve still got your sisters.”

We exchanged the same look we always did when talking about the girls taking over.Yeah right, not gonna happen.

But maybe we’re not giving them enough credit. “I hope for your sake, Dad, they cooperate.”

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