Chapter Eighty-Four
Ruby
Two Hours Later
By the time I reach the office, Bella and Emily have already texted Xavier twice to confirm they delivered me safely.
Apparently I’m a package now.
Mr. Cole looks up when I drop my purse behind the desk. “Statement go okay?”
“As well as telling a police officer someone is stalking you can go.”
His mouth tightens, but thankfully, he leaves it there. I settle behind the computer and bury myself in work.
Before lunch, I reach the next reminder on the schedule. Lindsey — deck repair.
Her materials are already onsite, and with the upcoming job, she needs an update. I pick up the phone. Lindsey answers on the third ring.
“Hi Lindsey, this is Ruby from Cole Construction.”
“Hi, Ruby.”
“I’m just calling with an update on your deck. Everything’s here, and we should be ready to get started soon.”
“Good.” Her voice is pleasant. Easy.
I glance at the schedule. “Xavier will be there Thursday to get the final measurements and make sure everything’s ready.”
Beside me, Xavier shakes his head. I pause. He points toward the schedule. “Travis.”
“Sorry,” I correct. “Travis will be there Thursday.”
Silence. Just a beat. “Oh.”
Something in that single word makes my fingers still over the keyboard. “Does Thursday not work?”
“No. Thursday’s fine.” Her tone brightens again. “I just thought Xavier was handling it.”
I glance at him. He’s already gone back to the paperwork in his hand. “Either Xavier or Travis oversees the projects,” I explain. “Travis will take care of the final measurements, and then we’ll get you on the schedule.”
Another pause. “Okay.”
We settle the time, and I hang up.
“Thursday at three,” I tell Xavier.
“I’ll let Travis know.”
I study him. “You were supposed to do that one.”
He shrugs. “Travis can handle a deck.”
“I know he can.”
Xavier looks up. “What?”
“Nothing.”
I turn back to my computer. It probably is nothing. But Lindsey’s disappointment sticks with me longer than it should.