Page 29 of Stuff My Turkey
Buck Jessup approached from the registration table. He nodded to Honey before turning to me.
"Got a second? Business matter."
I glanced at Honey, who raised her eyebrows slightly.
"I'll go find the others," she said, clearly reading the situation. As she walked away, the turkey drumsticks on her head bobbed with each step like they were mocking me.
Once she was out of earshot, Buck's friendly demeanor vanished.
"Heard the Vickerys are impressed with your operation," he said, voice low. "That's quite a deal you're about to land."
"Word travels fast," I replied, keeping my face blank.
"Small town." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Funny thing about small towns. People overhear things they shouldn't. Like couples arguing."
My stomach dropped to my boots. "What's your point, Buck?"
He leaned closer, the scent of tobacco from his morning chew clinging to his breath. "My point is, I know your little secret, McGraw. That pretty lawyer isn't really your girlfriend, is she? It's all a show for the rich investors."
The blood in my veins turned to ice.
"Not sure what you think you heard—" I started.
"Save it," Buck cut me off. "I was outside your window last night. Heard enough. 'Transaction' was the word she used, wasn't it? A business arrangement." His grin spread like an oil slick. "Wonder what the Vickerys would think about being deceived. Family values and all that."
I kept my face expressionless despite the panic rising in my chest. "What do you want, Buck?"
"Simple. Back out of the deal." He adjusted his running gloves. "Tell them you're not ready for expansion. Recommend they talk to me instead."
"And if I don't?"
His smile widened. "Then I have a nice chat with Earl and Dottie. About how you're lying to them with this little charade you’ve got going."
Before I could respond, the race organizer's voice boomed through a megaphone, calling all participants to the starting line.
"Think about it," Buck said, already backing away. "You've got until the end of this race to decide."
I stood frozen, watching him disappear into the crowd. The entire deal—everything I'd worked for—balanced on a knife's edge. If the Vickerys found out about our arrangement, they'd pull their investment faster than a rattler strikes. Conservative investors like them valued honesty above all, and we'd been lying from the start.
"Heath? You coming?" Honey called from the starting area.
I forced my legs to move, joining her and the others at the line. My mind was racing faster than any of the participants would today.
"You okay?" Honey asked quietly. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Fine," I managed, though I was anything but.
The starting horn blared, and the crowd surged forward. I moved on autopilot, barely registering the cheering spectators or the festive decorations. Buck's threat pounded in my head with each footfall.
Beside me, Honey jogged at an easy pace while Knox and Bitsy had sprinted ahead, making a show of their athletic prowess. The Vickerys maintained a steady, power-walking rhythm several yards behind us.
"So are you going to tell me what Buck said, or do I have to guess?" Honey asked after we'd cleared the first quarter mile.
"Not now," I muttered, scanning the crowd for Jessup’s face.
She frowned but didn't press further. We continued in silence for another half mile before disaster struck. Honey's foot caught on an uneven section of pavement, sending her sprawling forward. I reached for her instinctively, but too late. She hit the ground with a startled cry, the turkey hat rolling into the gutter.
"Honey!" I knelt beside her, heart lurching. "Are you okay?"
