Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
O ne Month Later
It had been a while since he’d set foot in the big house. It was different attending a board meeting wearing a casual button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The last month brought him back to his roots. Now he had time to be on his horse and herd cattle. No more stress to wake up to.
He enjoyed being with the ranch hands. They were a good bunch, and they kept him laughing. He still read his paper, but at home instead of going to Ruby Lou’s. The first thing he did was scan the paper for anything pertaining to Aurora or her stepfather. He’d done a couple of searches on the internet, but there hadn’t been anything new.
In one way, he was glad she hadn’t been found. Hopefully, she was doing well. A piece of him yearned for her and worried about her well-being. What if you found out everything, you’d been told was a lie? How would he have reacted to finding out such a thing?
Did McKenna finally understand that his seemingly comfortable job, with its promise of high pay, was filled with long shifts, tedious meetings, and frequent business trips? He’d received plenty of calls and texts. He instructed everyone to contact McKenna instead.
He took a seat next to Katie.
“Look, you actually have some color. Working outside suits you. I’m sorry for the way it happened. We didn’t?—”
“I know, but he would have come by every day to make my and Flora’s life unbearable. He claimed I took the money that was supposed to be used for pay raises. He never read the statements I sent out. For some reason, he thought I was paid much more than the rest of you.”
“Oh, my. Flora went with you?”
“I pay her salary myself. In other news, has anyone offered us coffee? I didn’t see anyone when I came in.”
Katie opened her mouth to speak, but McKenna walked into the room. His wrinkled suit, unshaven face, and circles under his eyes showed he was exhausted.
If things had been different, Stewart would have offered to help. But they hadn’t been different; they had been nasty.
“Here we are. The monthly board meeting. I’m still learning the ropes,” McKenna said before he sat at the head of the table.
Every person stared at him, waiting.
“Is there any coffee? Where’s Flora?” Hamilton asked.
“No coffee. Stewart took her along with any files, information, or passwords I need,” he said, glaring at Stewart.
“You’re not able to lay the blame on me. I personally pay Flora. I have since Mother left. I’ve left you a list of the necessary passwords and all immediate priorities. Such as paying everyone.”
“Did you really accuse Stewart of skimming money? Shame on you, McKenna.” Katie scolded.
“We had a brief skirmish, but I have everything in hand. There are no passwords and as for a list, that’s a bald-faced lie!”
“I didn’t interrupt my day to hear accusations, McKenna,” Dolan said as he shook his head.
“I just want to say one thing,” Buchanan interrupted. “We all know the passwords. They change quarterly and we are given a list of the links and passwords. I look through stuff all the time. I need to know the price we’re paying for feed, for example. I don’t call here; I look it up.”
“I bet you put them up to this,” McKenna shouted at Stewart.
Hamilton laughed. “Stewart has been so busy riding out with the hands, he hasn’t had time for his family, yet.”
“Whatever. Everyone’s salary is going up by twenty thousand this year. You’ll be receiving a lump sum this quarter.”
“McKenna, that’s over two hundred thousand dollars. I’m not sure that’s wise this year,” Stewart said.
“So you say. Don’t think I won’t find out where you’ve been stealing our money from. Was your girlfriend involved?” McKenna smirked.
Taking a few deep breaths, Stewart balled his fists.
“Wait a minute,” Montgomery said. “I came here to see why we haven’t been paid. I called the house, and no one answered. I called Stewart who gave me your cell number. I called, I texted, I left voice messages. I don’t care if you two hate each other, I need to be paid now,” he finished firmly.
McKenna turned pale. “I could do that I suppose. I still need the passwords.”
Katie stared at McKenna. “It’s been a month, and you are just now revealing you don’t have the passwords? I can rearrange my schedule and get everyone paid. If you’d like I can drop off a check or if you use direct deposit, it’ll be there tomorrow. What else Stewart?”
“The community center. They get paid weekly. Katie, our accountant can let you know if money was transferred into the account. He does have the authority to transfer funds to ensure there is enough for their paychecks. Most of the hands are on direct-deposit too. I haven’t heard any complaints, but I bet money needs to be transferred into that account. Just call the accountant he’s more than capable to take it all on. If you’ll excuse me.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just walked right out the front door before he said something harsh to McKenna.
Swallowing hard, Aurora wiped a lone tear trailing down her face. She’d been asked to leave. She glanced around the room she’d rented from a young couple with two kids. It hadn’t been ideal but was clean.
She didn’t realize that the rent meant sharing a bathroom with the two boys and babysitting as well. They’d asked her to watch the kids her first night. What did she know about kids? The parents finally came home after midnight. She fully expected to be paid or given a reduction in rent, but that didn’t happen. She paid for the room weekly and was shocked she had to pay the full amount the second week. She’d watched the kids four nights.
The last two times they’d asked, she told them she had a headache. Not pleased was far too mild to describe their glares.
Now there were reporters outside, and her landlords wanted her gone. It was time to leave. She grabbed her suitcases and with her head held high she stepped out into the fray. She didn’t say a word as she kept pushing through the mob and walked down the sidewalk to the bus station.
When she got there she asked for a ticket for the bus that was leaving the soonest. Looking at her ticket she smiled. She’d never been to Great Falls. The reporters would probably be there before her. Luckily, the bus pulled out before any of them could buy a ticket so she at least wouldn’t have to share a ride with a reporter.
She’d memorized the quote her mother had given the press. My daughter is at the root of this whole situation. Nothing was ever enough for her. We gave her everything and believe me her tastes were very expensive. The car she drives is worth millions. When trouble came she bolted and I haven’t heard from her.
The whole ride, she prayed.