Page 75 of Fortune's Control
“Please. You know the best part of working for my parents?”
“The job guarantee?”
“No. I mean, yes. Also, plenty of time off. Tell Shane tonight, or I’m driving back down there to tell him myself, and you know how much I hate driving.”
Aiden drove up in his old truck with his father in the passenger seat.
“Aiden is here. Do you want to say hello?” Perfect distraction and perfectly timed.
“First, absolutely not. Second, my threat is real. I will drive down there.”
“I’ll tell him. Tonight.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.” Aiden approached and stood over my laptop. I snapped it shut. “He’s here. Do you want me to pass along a message?”
“To the town’s oldest twelve-year-old?” Emma asked.
“Who are you talking to?” Aiden asked.
“Emma. My friend. Do you want me to pass along a message?”
She shrieked over the phone.
Aiden’s eyes shone at hearing it. “Tell her I’m flattered. Also, tell her I’m free this weekend and want to buy her a drink.”
“Tell him to grow up and take responsibility. Life isn’t a joke. It’s work,” Emma said.
My eyes bulged. “I can’t tell him that.”
“Tell me what?” Aiden asked.
Panic set in. “She has a boyfriend.”
“Oh.” Aiden tipped an imaginary hat towards me. “Then tell her I’ll be waiting when she dumps him. See you inside.”
“I owe you,” Emma said after I let her know he was gone.
“It was the best way to get him to leave you alone.”
“See. Trust your instincts and stay safe down there. Listen to them. Also, don’t go anywhere alone.”
“I won’t. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Our call ended, and I stared at the phone, willing myself to call Sarah Jane. Call and tell her what? I replaced unemployment with volunteer work? My repeated efforts to obtain an annulment were unsuccessful, and my mysterious grandmother lived in Fortune’s Creek, and I was too big a coward to find her.
The woodshop’s door opened, and Sam Taggert exited. He walked past with a polite nod. “See you inside. Is Sophie still here?”
“Sophie doesn’t leave until tomorrow. She was in the kitchen the last time I checked.” I rose and set my laptop on the chair.
*****
Frozen air blasted me. “How do you manage this? You need a winter coat and gloves in here.”
Shane chuckled. “I don’t have those.”
