Chapter Seven
Garrett felt steam coming out of his ears. Why did he attract nothing but money-grabbing women? The blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman beside him appeared innocent and helpless as he rushed to get them to shelter, but she seemed to perk up at the idea of cashing the check.
Pulling in front of his bank, he got out, slamming the door a bit hard. He stomped toward the entrance, trying to remain calm when he wanted to shout to the sky, “Why me?”
He walked up to the cashier and handed her the check and his ID. The woman smiled at him.
“How do you want the bills, Mr. Johnson?” she asked.
“Give me hundred-dollar bills,” he said as he waited for her to run it through the machine twice.
“Yes, sir,” she said as she placed his funds in a larger envelope. “Can I do anything else for you today?”
“No, thanks,” he said before turning and leaving. Riley sat in his truck, and when she saw him, she shot up in her seat and licked her lips. It disgusted him to no end.
He slid into his seat and handed her the envelope. “You can count it if you like,” he offered as he started the truck. “Where can I drop you off?”
“I’m down the street and take a right. Then, I’m four blocks down,” she said as she put the envelope on her lap and caressed it.
He followed her directions and pulled into the shabby apartment complex. He scanned the area, noticing the biker bar a short distance down.
“You live here?” he asked doubtfully.
“Not all of us have money,” she retorted as she yanked the handle and opened the door. “Thank you for everything. You’ve done more than most people.”
She shut her door and slowly climbed the steps. The railing bent as she hung onto it, making Garrett doubt its ability to hold her if she leaned heavily on it. He watched as she reached the top floor and entered her apartment.
He scanned the area again. A man lingered at the corner of the building and pulled out his phone, calling someone.
His gut churned, almost warning him of impending danger as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to the ranch.
The neighborhood appeared seedy and run down, and he didn’t like to think of two young women alone. What could he possibly do?
Keys fell from the seat onto the floor, and he recognized them as Riley’s.
He started to turn around to give them to her when the beaten-up piece of crap she said she borrowed from a friend appeared on the side of the road.
He parked behind it and grabbed the keys.
Unlocking it, Garrett climbed in and tried starting the vehicle.
It took six tries before it finally turned over.
He got out and lifted the hood, using his flashlight to inspect underneath.
He shook his head as he bent over and reattached the spark plug wire. Then, he returned to the vehicle and started it again. The car rumbled and sounded on its last legs, but it at least ran. Pulling out his phone and Matthew’s card, he dialed the number.
“Matthew speaking.”
“It’s Garrett. Riley was walking because her car died. I got it started again, but I need someone to drive my truck and follow me back to her apartment. It’s her friend’s vehicle, and she’s worried the asshole might get mad.”
“Send me your location. We’re finishing up with the horses, and I’ll come get you,” Matthew said, seeming unbothered by his request, considering they only recently hired him.
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” he said before hanging up and texting the directions.
Garret used his flashlight and inspected the interior.
Empty bottles and cans lay strewn on the floor.
It stank like pot. The backseat held a pair of women’s panties and a shit ton of fast-food wrappers.
“Some winner of a friend,” he muttered. He got out and sat in his truck, leaving the interior light on so Matthew could see him.
Half an hour later, Matthew made a U-turn and parked in front of the vehicle. He rolled his window down as Garrett approached. “I’ll follow you over, and then we’ll pick up your truck on the way back.”
“You got it, boss,” Garrett said, heading toward the rust bucket.
Pulling out onto the road, he headed back to Riley’s apartment.
He rolled the window down, wondering how she drove it without gagging from the marijuana scent.
The drive didn’t take long, and he finally turned into the parking lot, got out, locked the doors, and headed toward the apartment where he saw her enter.
Garrett knocked and waited. No one came to the door, making him worry. What if she passed out? Did her sister come home? He knocked again and swiped at his jaw when no one answered.
“Riley, it’s Garrett. I’m coming in,” he called as he took out his knife and easily picked the lock. Opening the door, he scanned the area and called louder, “Riley?”
Silence answered him, making him frown. The woman had a concussion and bruised ribs.
She needed rest. Where did she go in such a short time?
He walked toward the back of the apartment, noticing the spareness of the furniture, the absence of a television, and a stack of books in the corner.
The apartment itself appeared run-down and practically in shambles, yet Riley and her sister kept everything neat and tidy.
He entered the bedroom to find two blown-up mattresses and a blanket neatly folded at each end.
They didn’t contain sheets, and he imagined how uncomfortable they must’ve felt in the heat.
Living three stories up in an apartment that barely contained railings for the staircase, he doubted the air conditioning worked.
Returning to the kitchen, he found a piece of paper and a pencil. Garrett wrote a note.
Riley,
Your keys fell out of your pocket. One of the spark plug wires popped off, and I got it started. It’s in the parking lot. Hope you feel better. Here’s my number if you need anything.
Garrett
He scribbled his number and glanced around one more time. Something bothered him about the entire setup. Walking to the fridge, he opened it to stare at a couple of condiments, a pack of lunch meat, cheese, milk, and a candy bar with a note attached. He picked it up and read it.
Keep your head up, kiddo! As soon as I get paid, we’ll order a pizza with everything on it. Until then, you deserve some chocolate. Great job on your test! Love you.
--Riley
Garrett placed it back in the fridge and opened the cabinets. Two boxes of mac and cheese, a can of tuna, a loaf of bread, and two boxes of cereal filled them. No wonder she jumped at the cash.
Exiting the apartment, he saw Matthew frowning at him as he descended the stairs. He got into the passenger seat and turned toward his new boss.
“Riley didn’t answer. I worried she might be lying on the floor,” he explained.
“It’s still called breaking and entering, no matter how you spin it, when you enter a single woman’s apartment without her permission,” Matthew said, pulling out of the parking lot and driving toward Garrett’s truck.
“Don’t make me regret my decision. For the record, I might’ve brought you on, but Julio will have the final say.
He and Rebecca went out of town. You’ll meet them soon,” he explained.
“Are you saying my job may not be my job for long because you watched me check on a woman, who I hit with my truck, and grew concerned when she didn’t answer the door?” he complained.
“I’m saying mind your P’s & Q’s,” Matthew warned.
“You won’t regret hiring me. I don’t know exactly what you do, but I’m not an idiot. I do appreciate you coming through. I didn’t know if she needed the car to get to work or to return it to her friend. I caused the problem and wanted to fix it,” Garrett said, determined.
“You did the right thing,” Matthew assured him as they neared his truck. “Follow me home, and we’ll take a different route to the property. You’ll stay in one of the cabins. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to the hands and you’ll shadow Mac.”
“Will my horse stay nearby?” he asked.
“There’s a small barn on the property with two stalls. The previous owner used it as a hunting cabin when he visited. It has two bedrooms. Don’t get used to having it to yourself. We’re still hiring a few people.”
“Boy, you’re full of ominous joy.”
“Hey, I hired you, but it might be temporary, and don’t get used to the place because we’re sticking someone else in here,” he joked.
Matthew cracked a grin. “I might be required to spin out shortly. When I do, you’ll report to Mac. Sometimes my fiancée will request a few jobs. Make sure it gets done.”
“Got it,” he said, giving him a nod, and listened to the radio. When his truck came into view, Matthew pulled over and let him out. Once Garrett got situated, Matthew pulled onto the road to lead him to his quarters.
A few minutes later, Matthew pulled in front of a cabin, and Garrett parked beside him, gazing up at the homey abode.
“You’ll be staying here,” Matthew said, unlocking the cabin.
Garrett followed him inside, noticing the updated kitchen, a good-sized living room with a comfortable couch and two chairs. To the right of the kitchen, a hallway led to the remaining rooms he’d explore later.
“This makes up for the months of waiting before you called me,” Garrett said with a wink. “Damn sure beats a bunkhouse.”
“As I said, don’t get used to it. As we hire more hands, you’ll end up with a roommate at some point,” Matthew reminded him.
He handed Garrett a packet to fill out and a duty roster.
“Fill these out and give them to me in the morning. I’m heading home.
Rachel’s waiting for me. There are a few staples in the cabinet and fridge.
After Mac shows you around the property, take some time to settle in and get your things in order. ”
“Thanks for the opportunity and for helping me out today,” Garrett said, shaking his hand.
“No problem,” Matthew replied. “If you need anything else, you got my number.”