He motioned to the flower boxes. “These need to be watered every morning. You’d be doing me a favor if you wanted to take it over. You can always tell me if things get too busy and you need me to go back to watering them myself.”
“I’ll see to it they’re taken care of.” Mandy looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She thought he would say something else before he hesitated and finally closed his mouth again.
Preston finally motioned behind him. “I’d better get back to work. I should have everything done by eleven, then I may spend a little time in the workshop if that’s okay.”
She released the trigger on the spray nozzle, stopping the flow of water, and turned to face him. “You never have to ask for permission to use the workshop, Preston. Papa loved it when you worked in there. I think—” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed. “I think you were the grandson he never had.” She ran a hand through her hair and pushed it away from her face. “Losing Granny doesn’t change that.”
“Thanks, Mandy.” He rested a warm, calloused hand on her arm. “Remember you’re not alone. I’m praying for you. My parents are, too.”
When she avoided his gaze, he leaned over to make eye contact until she nodded. “I appreciate that.”
Preston’s thumb brushed across her arm twice before he let his hand drop. With a last comforting smile, he turned and headed toward his truck in the driveway.
Mandy went back to watering flowers. She still felt his hand on her arm. How was it possible a simple touch from Preston made her heart pound in her chest like she’d just finished running a marathon? It was maddening.
Preston Yarrow had had a way of affecting her since the day she met him. She’d done her best not to let him know it, though. There’d been a time when she’d had a schoolgirl crush on him, a devastating prospect to a girl whose life and family had been ripped apart by her parents’ infidelity and inability to put their family first. Mandy had long ago decided she wouldn’t give her heart to a guy. It wasn’t worth it, not after all she’d seen.
She’d been able to push how she felt about Preston into the shadowed recesses of her mind. But every once in a while, at times like this when he reached her in ways no one else could, she wished things were different.
Chapter Two
Preston lifted the last of the concrete blocks into the back of the black pickup and closed the tailgate. He turned to the woman purchasing the heavy load of supplies. “They’ll ride fine until you get home. I hope you have someone to help you unload all of that.”
She smiled. “I’ll be waiting for my dad and brother to come over tonight.”
“Sounds like a plan. You have yourself a blessed day, ma’am.”
“You, too. Thanks again.”
She climbed into her truck, and Preston took the push cart back to the front of Clearwater Lumber and Supplies. He parked it with the others and entered the air-conditioned building. Sweat dripped down his back due to combining ninety-two-degree weather with heavy lifting. The day fall weather truly hit would be a welcome one. He stopped in the breakroom to get a long drink of cool water before wandering back to the checkout lines.
Preston had a variety of jobs at the lumber store where he’d worked for the last eight years. He could handle almost anything they needed him to do. Most of the time, though, he either carried things into the store, or hauled them back out for customers.
Thankfully, that meant he didn’t need to go to the gym, which was good, because between his full-time job and working for the Hudson B&B, he didn’t have much spare time.
Mandy came to his mind again, and he said a silent prayer for her. She’d seemed lost this morning, and it nearly broke his heart. She seemed to refuse to grieve, and while he knew it was never easy to lose someone so beloved, he worried that she wouldn’t be able to heal.
He hoped things went smoothly today and there weren’t any emergencies requiring him to return to the B&B when he got off work. At the same time, an excuse to check on her would be nice, especially since tomorrow was Saturday and he didn’t normally go to the B&B during the weekend unless an urgent situation came up. Maybe he’d call Mandy tonight or tomorrow and make sure she was doing okay.
He felt a little better with the decision and went to help a customer load up a large order of lumber—something that proved challenging given the size of the vehicle. But he got it all arranged, pulled his gloves off his sweaty hands and tucked them under his arm, then went back inside in search of more water.
The rest of the evening dragged. It wasn’t nearly as busy as a usual Friday thanks to the new big chain home improvement store that opened a block away almost a year ago. Ever since their grand opening, business at Clearwater Lumber steadily dropped. Preston, along with his coworkers, hoped to see things improve soon. After all, Clearwater was a small town of almost twenty-five thousand people who usually looked out for their own. But apparently, the cheaper prices and bigger selections of the larger store trumped even that loyalty.
Preston kept busy moving some of the new plants to their places in the garden center until Chet, one of his coworkers, approached him, a look of apprehension on his face. “Mr. Logan wants to see everyone up front as soon as the doors close.”
Preston’s brows rose. An all hands on deck meeting? Not good. He swallowed his concerns. “All right. I’ll be there.” He checked his watch. Fifteen minutes until the nine o’clock closing. He finished up his current task and made his way to the front of the store.
Team members, some in uniform and others in street clothes, leaned against check-out counters or visited with each other. Clearly, many employees had driven in specifically for this meeting. The second Mr. Logan approached, everyone became quiet.
Preston already suspected bad news, and the regret on Mr. Logan’s face confirmed his misgivings.
Mr. Logan hooked a thumb through one of the belt loops of his pants. “Hey, everyone. I called and invited as many employees to come for this meeting as could make it. The rest I’ll call tomorrow.” He paused and frowned. “As you all know, my daddy opened this store back in the 1940s. I grew up working here, and it’s been a privilege to follow in his footsteps and keep this place running for the good people of Clearwater.” He swallowed. “Despite my every attempt to do so, we can’t keep up with our newest competitor.”
He didn’t need to specify which business he referred to. Everyone else nodded as murmurs of agreement and even a few unkind words filled the air.
Mr. Logan held up a hand to stop the chatter. “I have no choice but to sell this place and move forward. It’s the last thing I want to do, but I’ve been offered a price that’s more than fair for the property and the building. Over the next two weeks, we’ll be placing everything on sale to liquidate the inventory.”
Everyone suddenly seemed to talk at once. Chet turned to Preston. “I knew this was coming.”
Preston sighed. “Yeah. Seems like it was inevitable.” He turned his attention back to Mr. Logan.
“Unfortunately, it also means I’ll have to let y’all go. Consider today your two-week’s notice. Clearwater Lumber will close its doors the Saturday after next.” Mr. Logan looked like he was firing family members. In a sense he was, as he’d known a lot of these people, Preston included, for most of their lives. He folded his arms over his chest. “I’m sorry, y’all. If there was anything I could do, you know I’d do it.”
Several people asked questions which Mr. Logan did his best to answer. The fact no that one took their anger or disappointment out on their employer spoke to the fairness with which he’d always treated those who worked for him.
They were all assured their normal schedule would remain for the last two weeks.
“What are you going to do, Mr. Logan?”
The question came from Cindy. Everyone stopped talking, all gazes trained on the man whose eyes had widened.
“Well, my wife insists it may be time for retirement.” He barked that husky laugh everyone associated with him. �
�I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that. Maybe I’ll finally get around to writing the great American novel I’ve always wanted to write.” He winked at them.
Preston chuckled. Truthfully, though, he worried about Mr. Logan. The guy had worked non-stop since he was a kid helping his dad. He deserved to retire in comfort, but with the economy the way it was anymore, it was getting harder and harder for people to do that.
His thoughts shifted to his own father who struggled every day to bring enough money in. Preston had seen his parents fight for everything they had and still not come out on top. Preston had spent his life caught in the same struggle.
And now one of the two jobs he relied on for everything was coming to an end. No, neither job was what he’d envisioned himself doing when he was a kid, but they paid the bills, and he didn’t hate them.
Especially working for Mr. Hudson at the B&B. Except now he worked for Mandy.
It’d be nearly impossible to find another job with an employer who would understand his time commitments to the B&B. The thought that he might have to give that job up made him feel sick.
He’d cross that bridge when he came to it. The time would go by fast, but for now, he had a two-week reprieve. One thing was certain, he had no intention of breathing a word of this to Mandy. The last thing she needed was yet more stress on top of everything else she was dealing with right now.
~
“Thank you, Preston.” Mandy watched as he finished installing the new doorknob on one of the guest rooms. “I couldn’t believe it when Mr. Palo had to call me and tell me they were stuck in here.” She might have found the whole thing amusing if she weren’t so exhausted. It was only Monday, but it seemed much later in the week.
“Did you move them to a different room once you got the door opened?” Preston tested the knob and then turned to face her.
“I did. They’re staying through today and going home tomorrow. Thankfully, they had a great attitude about the whole thing. I gave them a gift card to Terry’s Diner for lunch. That’s where they are now.” She had to admit she preferred the quiet when her guests were gone. That was not always the case, but right now, she’d rather not have to fake a smile or chit chat.
“Are you pretty booked?”
Mandy frowned. “We don’t have nearly as many reservations as I’d like.” Having guests at the house constantly could be exhausting, but it was good for business, and it helped keep her too busy to think about much else. The lack of reservations meant that not as much money was coming in and she had way too much time on her hands. “Everything going okay for you so far this week?”
Preston hesitated before moving to place the screwdriver back into his tool kit. “Same old thing. Work and more work.” He gave her one of the winks that always had other ladies in town swooning.
Mandy refused to let those winks, or anything else Preston might throw at her, affect her in the same way. Ever since the day he’d kissed her under the tree, she’d made sure he knew she was not going to get involved with him or anyone else.
But there was something in his gray eyes suggesting he wasn’t being entirely truthful. Things weren’t always easy at home, especially since his dad’s kidney transplant six years ago. Last she’d heard, Mr. Yarrow’s health was stable. “How’re your parents doing?”
“They’re good, thanks.”
She still thought he was avoiding something. “I’m here if you need to talk.”
One corner of his mouth hitched upward. “I appreciate it, Mandy.”
The sound of the bell at the front door echoed upstairs. Mandy threw Preston an apologetic look and hurried down the narrow stairs. She’d expected to see a delivery of something, or a new customer inquiring about a room. The man in a smart business suit carrying a briefcase made her pause. “Can I help you?”
“Are you Mandy Hudson?”
“I am.” She stuck a hand out. “And you are?”
He took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “Brock Walters from the Walters Brothers Law Firm. We’re located on Rosewood Street. Perhaps your grandmother spoke of us?”
Mandy nodded. “Yes, of course. She mentioned you a time or two.” Preston came downstairs and paused. He gave her a pointed look, and she returned it with a little shrug.
Brock introduced himself to Preston, who returned the gesture, as they shook hands.
Mandy cleared her throat. “What can I do for you, Mr. Walters?”
Brock approached the oak table and set his briefcase on it, popping open the lid and reaching inside for the papers.
Preston moved to stand next to Mandy, a gesture she appreciated. Did Granny have debts Mandy didn’t know about? She doubted it. Then again, she hadn’t anticipated a lawyer walking into the B&B, either.
Brock held two pieces of paper at an angle making it impossible for Mandy to catch a glimpse of what they might contain. “We’ve managed the assets of both Barry and Samantha Hudson for years. They’ve been specific about their will and what they wanted to happen to their assets once they passed on.”
Mandy bit the inside of her cheek. The way he said it sounded cold and rehearsed. Her grandparents—the only real family she had—were dead. She didn’t care about assets. They wouldn’t bring her grandparents back to her.
Preston must’ve sensed the rabbit trail her thoughts had taken. He took a side step, allowing his arm to brush hers, and stayed there. Normally, Mandy would have moved to put distance between them, but right now, she needed the reassurance his touch was providing her.
Brock continued. “There are some things related to Mrs. Hudson’s will I’d like to discuss with you. Would a meeting tomorrow morning at nine work for you?”
Mandy blinked at him. What did he have to tell her that he couldn’t say right now? Her curiosity was piqued as was her anxiety. “I think so. I’ll need to speak with someone to cover for me, but it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Perfect.” Brock turned his attention to Preston. “How about you, Mr. Yarrow?”
That seemed to surprise Preston, and he looked at Mandy before responding. “I’m sorry?”
“There is business with you regarding the will. Unless you’d rather come to the office separately. That can certainly be arranged.” Brock pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened the calendar application.
Preston spoke hurriedly. “No, tomorrow morning at nine will be fine for me as well.”
Brock smiled for the first time since he’d introduced himself. “Wonderful.” He handed each of them a sheet of paper along with a business card. “I’ll need you both to bring at least two forms of ID listed on this paper to the address provided.”
Mandy’s eyes flitted over the information. “Any idea how long this meeting will take? I’ll need to let someone know.”
“An hour for this first one should suffice.” Brock closed his briefcase with a snap, shook both of their hands, and headed for the door. “Thank you for your time. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
Mandy continued to watch the door for several seconds after it closed, obscuring her view of the lawyer. “This first meeting?” she mumbled. “What on earth?” Her attention shifted to Preston.
He was studying the business card before he folded the paper and stuffed both into his back pocket. “I have no idea. You sure this guy’s legit?”
“Yeah, they went to see him once a year, usually in January or so. I can’t remember if Granny did this year, though.” After Papa died last year, Granny changed a lot of the things she normally did. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Do you want to go over together? I don’t mind driving. I’ll be here, anyway.”
Mandy thought about arguing but quickly acquiesced. “That’d be great, thank you.” She had no idea what the lawyer was going to want to talk about, but there was no ignoring the ball of nerves in her stomach that seemed to be growing by the minute. What if there were debts she didn’t know about? The whole place barely stayed afloat as it was. What if her mother deci
ded to stick her nose into the whole affair? Ugh, why hadn’t she at least asked the lawyer if her mother was going to be at the meeting as well? She hadn’t seen her—or her father—in more than three years. It’d take a lot more notice than this to face either of them again. They hadn’t even bothered to show up for Granny’s funeral. She’d been angry for her grandparents, but relieved otherwise.
The touch of Preston’s hand on her arm drew her out of the avalanche of emotions.
“Hey. It’s probably procedure to get Mrs. Hudson’s bank accounts transferred to your name and things like that.”
“Then why do they want you to be there?” No matter which options Mandy entertained, none of them made real sense.
“I don’t know. We’ll go there tomorrow, hear the guy out, and move forward from there. No sense in borrowing trouble we don’t need, right?”
He was still touching her arm, and Mandy resisted the urge to lean into him. “Right.”
Was it ironic that the guy she’d managed to avoid getting too close to was the only person she felt she could rely on right now?
Chapter Three
Preston opened the door to the Walters Brothers Law Firm and held it for Mandy. Frigid air immediately blasted them. Air conditioning was a must in Texas for a good part of the year, but this was ridiculous. He noticed the goose bumps that immediately peppered Mandy’s skin. “I have a jacket in the back of my truck if you’d like it.”
Mandy rubbed her arms. “Please.”
“Sure. Be right back.” He retrieved it and then held it while Mandy threaded her arms through the sleeves. She pulled it closed in front of her and slipped her hands into the pockets. Preston hadn’t worn the jacket in months. Hopefully, he’d left no tissues in the pockets. When she didn’t react, he assumed everything was fine.
Brock Walters walked into the waiting area and motioned for them to follow him. “I’m glad you could both make it. A beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1) Page 2