Chapter 37 Beau
BEAU
This three-day shift feels like an eternity. The bright spot is Melissa called in sick, so I don’t have to avoid her. Not that I want her to be under the weather. I’m just grateful I don’t have to deal with her right now.
I’m not sure what’s gotten into her lately. We obviously need to have a conversation, but I’m thankful it’s not this week.
As much as I hate being apart from Honey, I’m grateful I have something to keep me busy and take my mind off that bullshit with her brother.
We get a ton of calls. A kid gets a marble stuck in her nose. A woman accidentally gets trapped in her pantry. And an elderly man collapses and needs to be rushed to the hospital.
Coop and I are on our way out of the ER when I catch a glimpse of someone familiar. I do a double-take. “Was that Melissa ducking down that back hall?”
“Where?” He glances around.
My common sense returns. “Never mind. Just someone who looked like her.” I don’t want to invade her privacy if that was her, because I have a feeling it was.
Now I feel like an asshole for being happy she didn’t make this shift. What if she’s really sick? I consider texting her, but I don’t want to give her the wrong idea.
By the time Coop and I get back to the truck, I realize that Melissa’s medical health is none of my business. If she’s really sick, I’m sure everyone will find out about it, and my co-workers and I can all be supportive. I’ll pitch in for a fruit basket or whatever she needs.
As soon as we’re back at the station, my mind wanders back to that standoff. Would Trig really have shot me? I didn’t think he was that off his rocker, but who knows?
By the time I finally have a break to call Honey, it’s late. “Hey, princess. Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“You’re never going to believe what happened today.
My father reneged on funding my club, which means the school can’t buy the Turner property.
And I’m also guessing my dad won’t let my students lease his calves now.
The whole reason I needed his help in the first place is because my kids can’t afford to do this without a sponsor. ”
“Damn. I’m sorry.” I sit on the twin bed in one of our sleep rooms. “Any chance he’ll change his mind in a few days when he’s calmed down?”
She blows out a breath. “I don’t know, but I don’t have a good feeling about it. The thing is, he’s never been this pissed at me. My brothers? Sure. They did a lot of dumb stuff growing up, and he’d yell at them. I’m not used to being on the receiving end of his temper.”
“This sucks, babe. I wish there was something I could do.” It’s a terrible feeling, knowing you’re the reason your girlfriend is losing something she cares so much about.
“It’s nice to hear your voice,” she says softly. “I wish I could talk longer, but I have a migraine, so I’m going to go to bed early.”
Everything in me wants to drive straight to her house to check on her. Except I have another day to go on this shift. I’ve never been so annoyed by this job before. I feel so fucking helpless. “Hope you feel better, babe.”
After a restless night interrupted by two calls, one of which involved a neighbor’s mule that tore up someone’s garden, I’m in a foul mood. I keep checking my phone for texts from Honey, which annoys me further.
I shove my phone in my back pocket, resolved to not pester her. She’s got her own life. School keeps her busy. She doesn’t need me hounding her ass. If she needs me, she’ll let me know. I’ll call her later when I can talk.
When my phone rings after dinner, I’m hoping it’s Honey. But it’s Rhett.
“Hey. What’s up?” I set down my cup of coffee.
“You okay?”
He asks if I’ve had any more run-ins with Trig. I duck out of the kitchen to find some privacy. “Yeah. I’m good.” I sit on a bench in the locker room, which is empty.
“Wish I could say the same.”
I frown. “What’s wrong?”
“I got a few calls this week.”
This can’t be good. “Tell me.” I brace myself for some bad news, and he doesn’t disappoint.
“Yesterday, the tractor supply store cancelled our order. This morning, our vet said he’s too busy to check out our calves and that we should find someone new moving forward. And this afternoon, the auction house said we can’t use their services this spring. No reason given.”
“Fuck.” I rub my face with my palm. “Let me guess. You think Vernon McAllister is behind this?”
“Who else? Him or Trig, though this smacks of Vernon.”
“Can the auction house turn people away like that?”
“They can refuse us for any reason they want.”
I shake my head. “Sometimes I have a hard time believing Honey is related to Vernon and Trig.”
“If I didn’t like her so much, I’d be more annoyed by this, but I know it’s not her fault. And given all the shit that’s gone down between our families over the years, I’m not surprised by her father’s retribution.”
“I’m here until tomorrow, but as soon as I get home, I’ll call around to find us another vet.” I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, bro. I know this is my fault. I’ll do whatever I can to make this right.”
“This ain’t your fault. Vernon McAllister is a grade-A asshole. I’ve always known this, so don’t beat yourself up. You and Honey have a good thing. If you can weather this storm, you two might have a great future together.”
His words give me pause. I’m a pretty steady person. I can handle a lot of bullshit. The question is how much Honey is willing to put up with. “Vernon withdrew the funding for the Harvester Club at the high school.” I explain how Honey was hoping to expand it.
“That’s what I don’t get. He hates us, fine. But getting back at his own flesh and blood? I’ll never understand that.”
Someone shouts my name from the other room. “I need to go. Text me if anything else happens.”
“Look, if this is as bad as it gets, I can live with it. There are other auction houses just like there are other vets and tractor supply stores. I’m just worried that Vernon has something else up his sleeve.”
I’m starting to wonder about that myself.