Chapter 2
“Thorton Construction and Restoration. This is Jennice, how can I help you?”
I tilt my head to the side in an effort to listen in. Jennice Graham is new to me, and today is the first day she’s on the phone alone. My mom was my last receptionist, and I don’t blame her for wanting to fully retire. Dad quit a few years ago, although he’ll still help me on jobs from time to time.
It’s not that I don’t trust Jennice, I do. She’s just very young. I debated if I should even hire a high school student which leaves me without anyone to answer calls during the weekdays. The plan is to forward to my cell until she shows up after school, but I may end up hiring another part-timer.
“Umm, he’s here. Did you want me to get him for you, Mrs. Danielson?”
Closing my eyes, I inwardly sigh. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to Ruth, but I don’t have time to do whatever it is I know she’s going to ask of me.
Jennice laughs into the phone before whispering, “I’ll do my best. Hold on a second.” Peering down at my desk set, I watch the line as she flips it to hold. A moment later, she’s knocking on my door. “Hey, uhh, Jaxon? Ruth Danielson is on line one and she told me that she knows you probably don’t wanna talk to her right now, but she’d be ever so grateful if you took her call, anyway.”
The corner of my lip turns up a bit as she fights to hold back her laughter over my predicament. Jennice really does seem like a nice kid. I was also hesitant to hire a Graham, considering her father and his brother make up the trio with Clayborn Hughes, but Clayborn’s sins don’t fall on this girl’s shoulders. I’m not so close-minded that I can’t draw a line of separation, as long as she does her job and does it well.
Waving her off, I pick up the phone before connecting the call. “I’ll take it. I’ve got some receipts that need to be scanned and attached to files. Do you remember how to do that?” She nods, so I hand her a file stuffed full. I connect the call once she disappears to the front. “Morning, Ruth. What can I do for you?”
“Ahh, Jaxon Thorton. I’ll thank you for taking my call, but I’m not sure you had much of a choice. Lovely girl, that Jennice. Now, I know you’re a very busy man, but I’m in desperate need of your assistance for the next few weeks if you aren’t too backed up with jobs. It’s a good cause, my dear.”
Eyeing my calendar, I wince. I do have quite a few jobs lined up, but I could probably spare some time for her, depending on the task. “What is it you’re looking for? Can’t make any promises, but I’ll hear you out.”
“Well, the church is sponsoring just a little ol’ barn raising. Nothing complicated and shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. But, by law, we ought to have a contractor on site. If you stop over tomorrow after service, I could give you all the details.”
My knee started bouncing the moment she started speaking, and by the time she’s done, I’m shoving my palm into my eye to ease some of the tension building. “Ruth… Mrs. Danielson. I can’t promise anything more than stopping by to hear you out. I’ve got all my guys assigned to jobs for the next three months as it is, so if I could help you, it’d have to be me. I’ll check my schedule before I see you, but that’s going to have to be enough for now.”
“It’s more than enough for you to even consider it. I’ll save you some cookies. You’re welcome to come to the service if you want to sneak over a bit early.” The hopeful lilt of her voice at the end is what does me in. There’s no way I’ll be able to tell her no.
“I’ll be there. I don’t know if I’ll make church, but I’ll find you after.”
She sighs, relieved. “Thank you, Jaxon. You’re a good man. I’m sure your daddy is real proud of you. I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t let me forget to give you cookies.” With that, she hangs up the phone.
My fingers tap in a rolling pattern across the top of my desk, and I eye the only personal photo I’ve set out on its surface. Julia’s smiling face haunts me every day. I’ve always thought you can tell when someone is deceased if you look at a photo of them. You don’t see it right away, but there’s just this thing about their eyes.
Pushing away from my desk, I roll my chair back and stand, dragging my eyes from her face. I pick up my wallet and shove it into my jeans, then grab my keys. “Jennice,” I call out. “I’m gonna head out for the day. I’ll swing by some of the jobs first, so I’ll have my cell on me if you need anything. Feel free to forward calls once you head out. Three sound good?”
“Awesome! ‘Cuz there’s this party I really wanted to go to tonight.” She bounces in her chair and claps her hands together. “This way, I’ll have some time to get ready. But I promise I’ll get everything entered in before I go. Thanks again for givin’ me a chance, Jax. I really appreciate it.”
I fight the urge to lecture her on the dangers of high school parties. They’re dangerous and not worth the risk, instead I just say, “Make sure you’re careful tonight. Make smart choices and be safe.”
Her assurance she will doesn’t do much to ease my concern and I debate giving her dad a call to let him know she plans on partying, but I know I’m overreacting. Julia’s story isn’t always how it’ll end for everyone else, and Jennice seems like she’s got a good head on her shoulders.
My sister was wild. Boys and alcohol were always tempting to her, and had I been more aware of what she was getting mixed up into, maybe things would have turned out differently for her.
Leaving my office, I head out to the jobs my guys are working to ensure everything is running smoothly, then make it to bed at a decent hour for an early start tomorrow. Telling the pastor’s wife no is going to be difficult, and I’m almost certain I’ll end up agreeing just to make her happy.
Ruth walks with her hands stretched out to grab hold of mine. “Jaxon! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you here. Did you come early enough to listen to Josiah’s sermon?”
Leaning down, I press a kiss to her cheek. “Sorry, I didn’t. Just got here. Seems like you all let out a bit early today.”
“We did. It’s too beautiful out not to enjoy the sunshine. Would you sit with me for a moment? These knees are aching and need a rest.”
Chuckling, I release her and follow as she leads us to the last pew. “So, we plan on doing a barn raising for the Murray family. That old one collapsed a few months ago, and it’s hitting them hard not being able to house the animals. That family has been a part of the congregation for decades and it just hurts our hearts to see them struggle. We’ve been raising funds and think we’ve got enough.”
I let her ramble for the next ten minutes as she explains that they’ve got all the volunteers ready to go, materials being delivered over the next week, and all they need left is someone to supervise.
Just as I’m about to tell her I’ll help, because there’s no way I’m saying no to this little woman, a crash jolts us out of our conversation.
“Oh, shoot.” The embarrassed voice comes from a woman hunkered down at the end of the entrance table where the pamphlets and snacks are waiting for members to snag on their way out. She’s on her knees, reaching for the papers spread out all over the floor.
Ruth’s wiry hand grips my knee, jolting my attention back to her. “Help her, would you? I don’t think I can get myself down to the floor right now.” She keeps her voice low so the young woman won’t overhear.
“Right. Sure thing.” Standing, I hurry to the dark-haired woman and squat down to start picking up the papers. Gathering them up, I tap the stack into a neat pile and glance to my side when a few more are shoved in front of me. “Thanks…” My voice trails off when our eyes lock together.
Fuck.
Blue-green hazel eyes, freckles across her nose, and fine features hold me captive. MyGod, this woman is absolutely stunning. She’s obviously significantly younger than me, but she has to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in this town.
“Jaxon, this is Edith. Edith, Jaxon is the foreman who’s going to help us with the barn build next week.” Ruth’s interruption jerks my eyes from Edith’s face, just before she drops hers back to the ground. “Edith is one of our volunteers.”
Thank God. If I hadn’t said yes already, I would absolutely agree now. I’ve always been too busy to seriously consider dating, but I’m certainly inspired now.
“You’re helping to build the barn?” I ask her with a quiet voice as we continue to pick up the mess she’s made.
Edith flicks her eyes at me briefly before using the table to pull herself to her feet. “I am. Thank you for helping me pick this all up.” She turns to Ruth once she sets the remaining papers on the table, folding her hands in front of her. “Sorry about knocking this stuff over. I was going to take the cookies back to the kitchen so they’d keep in the fridge. Did you want to take some home for Pastor Josiah?”
Patting her purse, she smiles softly. “I’ve already got a few baggies stowed away. Jaxon, you ought to take some with you. Our Edith is a wonderful baker!”
“I’d love to,” I blurt out without thinking. Edith seems embarrassed by Ruth’s praise, and I find that I’m eager to try the cookies she’s trying to stand in front of. Reaching around her to grab a bag, I fight off a grin when she stiffens and attempts to move out of my way, whispering apologies. “They all the same? Or do we have a variety here?” I ask, holding up the cookies.
“Oh! Uhh, they’re all the same. Nothing special. Just chocolate chip.” Spinning around, she picks up the bowl containing the rest and holds the bowl up to me. “If you’d like more, though, you can have them. I’m sure they’ll end up going bad by next week.”
Her pink cheeks are adorable, and Ruth watches on with approval when I snag a few more. There’s a bit of an awkward pause as Edith and I stand facing each other while Ruth looks between the two of us. “Well, I don’t suppose one of you could walk me out to my car? I’m sure Josiah is anxious for his lunch.”
Before I have the chance to offer an arm, Edith is already setting the bowl down and moving to her side. “Of course, Mrs. Danielson.” She cups her elbow and I swear, this older woman is more observant than she lets on.
“Jaxon, why don’t you help as well? Not that I don’t think Edith here isn’t strong enough, but she’s just a bit of a thing. We need to get these muscles toughened up in her.” Her joint-swollen fingers grip Edith’s bicep and she clucks her tongue. “Definitely need some meat on you, girl. Building a barn will help with that!”
I try not to laugh at Ruth’s statement because it’s obvious Edith is once again embarrassed at being called out when she drops her head to look at the ground. “I think she’s perfectly fine, but I’ll be happy to walk out with the two of you. Is someone closing up the church?” I ask as we stop outside, and I notice only my truck and Ruth’s car are in the lot. Glancing around, I don’t see a third vehicle and my eyes find the side of Edith’s face.
She must feel my gaze, looking at me briefly before looking back toward our destination. “I’ve got keys.”
“Do you live close by? I don’t see another car.” Not that it’s bad weather to be walking, but most things are a few miles away no matter where you’re headed.
Edith waves toward the east side of town. “Not far.”
“Why don’t you give her a ride home, Jaxon?” Ruth suggests as we guide her to the driver’s side door of the Cadillac which looks older than Edith. Before I have a chance to agree, Edith responds quickly with a hint of panic.
“Oh, no. No, please don’t. I’m truly not far, and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.” Ruth raises a brow and presses her lips together, obviously wanting to argue, but there’s something in Edith’s tone that lets us both know not to try.
“Dear.” Ruth hesitates, then simply shrugs. “Well, I very much appreciate you lockin’ up for me. Jaxon, thank you for stopping by. I’ll assume you’ve agreed to help since you didn’t correct me earlier.” She follows that with a wink, and I know she’s been playing me from the start.
Grinning, I bend down to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “I’ll be sure to shuffle my schedule around.”
Cupping my cheek, she winks. “Make sure you do. We start Wednesday!” With that, she turns and fumbles her way into her seat stiffly, then uses the cane I’m convinced she doesn’t need to yank her door shut.
Edith and I watch her drive off with a wave. I drop my chin to smile down at her but am surprised to find her gone. Twisting around, I’m floored by how quickly she’s already jogging back to the building. She’s shy, that much is clear.
I shove my hands in my pockets and call out, “It was nice meeting you, Edith!”
Without slowing, she glances back with her lip tucked between her teeth and a simple wave. Once she disappears inside, I make my way slowly back to my truck and head home. I’m definitely looking forward to Wednesday.