Page 23 of Possessive Trucker

Mack.

I call him Mack because it was him, all those years ago who got me up and running in my first truck. A Mack.

He gave me a chance driving one of his rigs and later sold the same one to me at a giveaway price. It was my shoe in to an industry I had no idea about, but one he was prepared to help me learn about, as well as give me a hand up along the way.

He’s past retirement age now, and works harder than he ever has, but he’s made me promise to never let him retire.

Trucks, lumber, they’re his life and although comfortable enough in his own finances, he likes the security of knowing there’s something to do every day.

He’s my right hand when I’m not there and I figure it’s only fair to update him anyway, regardless whatever else has happened.

“Mack?” I ask once he picks up, his hard breath in reply instead of words.

A silent Mack is a concerned Mack.

“What is it, what’s happened?” I ask him firmly.

“Who’s Sophie?” is all he wants to know in a gruff voice.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say Mack sounded a little hurt.

Maybe even jealous.

“You can do what you want on your own time, Thorn, but it’s nothing too hard keeping me up to date is it?” he asks, and I feel stunned he could know about Sophie so soon.

“Mack,” I say again, trying to sound calm. “What’s going on?”

I hear Sophie shifting in the bed behind me, sitting up. I suddenly feel like the only person who doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Kip said you picked up a ‘hiker yesterday… gave him the trailer you had on.”

“She’s a friend,” I growl, narrowing my eyes and clenching my teeth as I fight the urge to tell Mack, Kip and the world exactly where they can stick their interference.

“Well… whatever she is to you Thorn. Her dad’s on the warpath. Tracked her through some lost property from a bus company, then found out she went with you in one of our trucks from Rick at the diner. He did the math and fronted up here first thing, mad as hell demanding his daughter back after he drove cross country looking for you both.”

“I see,” I murmur, nodding as it clicks why Sophie’s tense when it comes to the idea of her father, the farm. Going home instead of staying with me.

“Is he there now?” I ask. “Put him on.”

Mack’s dry throaty laugh is loud enough for me to pull the phone off my ear until he simmers down.

“He wasn’t one to hang around, Thorn. I’m giving you a heads up so you can either be on the lookout for him yourself, or…” he trails off.

“Or what?” I ask sharply.

“Or, you can have his daughter call him up so she can go home and you can maybe come down here and do some work!” he says bluntly. “I got five rigs when I need six here and one’s in your driveway.”

I open my mouth to say something I’ll regret, but Mack’s calm voice cuts me short. “I’m sorry, Thorn. It’s just been one of those mornings. I didn’t know where you were and then this mad farmer comes at me accusing you of who knows what. It’s your business, Thorn, just giving ya fair word of warning,” he says soberly, and without giving me time to say anything stupid, he ends the call.

That’s Mack all over, and for once, I’m glad he’s let it go without a harsh word between us.

“It’s my dad, isn’t it?” Sophie sighs, her voice trembling a little as I spin around to face her on the bed.

“Just tell me he’s never hurt you,” I ask her, and feel relief when she scoffs gently.

“Oh, Thorn! Really! It’s nothing like that… dads just… set in his ways. Once mom left, I was all he had and the only help he has around the farm,” she says, taking my clenched hand in hers and pressing her hot flushed cheek against it.

“I told him I had a job with a logging company once the other one fell through, but either way, he’s not ready to let go, that’s all.”

I feel myself frowning, not liking the man even though I’ve never met him. Anything that wants to take Sophie, my Sophie from me can go to hell. Even if it is her own father.

“How did he…?” she asks suddenly.

“Lost property through the bus company,” I murmur. “You must’ve had something with your name or number on it.”

She looks relieved. “At least I can get my phone back, my purse… everything I had was in that bag.”

“And then what?” I ask her, not meaning to, but hearing my voice go hard again.

Defensive.

“Then? Then once I get my stuff back you can take me home and fuck me like a rabid animal that’s what!” she exclaims, and I grab hold of her with both hands, pulling her over to me, kissing her everywhere and anywhere that gets in the way of my lips.

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