by Kait Nolan
He’d learned that from his father.
Mitch burned a card of his own. “You’ve got the skillset. You like the work. And you’ve got the added bonus of war hero giving back to his community, which will push some of the more resistant over to her side.”
“I’m hardly a hero.”
“Pretty sure the Marines in your unit would disagree.” Reuben met the bet and waited as Mitch turned over the river.
Judd swore and folded. “You think it’s the kind of work you want to do?”
Liam had been mulling that since Norah left him. “I spent a lot of years destroying things in the military. The idea of bringing something back is pretty damned appealing.”
“Plus, running a crew would maybe give you some of that sense of working with a team again.” Reuben laid down his cards. “Queen high flush. You’re used to leading men and organizing things. You’d be good at it.”
Mitch grinned. “Full house, buddy boy.”
“Shit. Next hand, Campbell.”
“Keep dreaming. I’m hot tonight.” Mitch gathered up his chips. “Anyway, if I know Norah, she’s also thinking that since you’d be just starting out, you might cut everybody a break on pricing, while you build your reputation as a contractor. Nothing undercut, mind you, but she’ll capitalize on your sense of fairness.”
“I’d expect nothing less from her.” Liam had worked with Norah enough back in the spring that he’d learned she knew how to work people to get the best results.
“So you gonna do it?” Judd asked.
It was an option. A good one, with long-term viability and the kind of parameters that would allow him to build a business as he saw fit rather than fitting into somebody else’s box. And that would put him in a position to start thinking about other areas of his life. Like what he was going to do about Riley.
“Thinking about it. She’s not lookin’ for an answer until I’m done with repairs on the pharmacy.” He finished off his chicken and washed it down with some Shinerbock. “Meanwhile, my more immediate priority is lightening y’all’s wallets. Deal me in.”
Chapter 9
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to call your line of credit due, Mrs. Lazore.” Riley braced herself for the inevitable blow up from the third grade teacher, who’d made her elementary school life hell.
“Young lady, I have had this line of credit with the pharmacy for fifteen years. I’ve never been late with a payment, never had a single complaint from Molly Montgomery. What is the meaning of this?”
“Yes ma’am, I understand. But as you might have heard, the pharmacy flooded a couple of weeks ago. Repairs are going to be costly, so I’m sure you understand why I’m doing this.”
“That’s what insurance is for,” the woman insisted.
And thank God for it. As Molly owned the building, her property insurance was dealing with the physical damage from the flood. But Riley still had the headache of trying to get her stock covered on her business policy, which wasn’t going well. And even if they agreed to pay the claim, there was still the deductible, which was considerable. Plus the bi-monthly drug invoice was due next week, including the non-returnable chemo drugs she’d ordered for Karen Albert, who’d died Wednesday from the ovarian cancer she’d been fighting for a year. Her supplier didn’t care about the grief of losing a long-time customer. They just wanted their $6,000 on time.
“Mrs. Lazore, I apologize if you’re upset about this, but I’m running a business. Lines of credit are a courtesy, not a requirement, and at this time, that courtesy is not available. Consider this notice. I’ll be expecting your payment by the first of next week.”
Riley hung up the phone on the older woman’s sputtering complaints. Probably not the most professional response, but she just couldn’t take it anymore. In the wake of realizing she probably wouldn’t be able to make payroll, she’d made more than two dozen similar calls in the last week. Nobody had taken the news well. And almost all of them had made the same inference—what had she done in the year she’d owned the pharmacy to screw up everything Molly had built?
When her cell phone rang, she didn’t even lift her head from the desk as she picked up.
“It’s time for your weekend sanity check.”
Autumn’s voice came over the line and left Riley with such a yearning for a hug, she almost cried. No shock. She’d been fighting tears for a week and a half, as everything she’d worked for threatened to implode. As Autumn was away at a rare conference, she hadn’t been around to update.
“We’re sorry, that cuckoo has flown the coop. Please try again in another lifetime.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Walgreens opened last week. With half my stock ruined, people had no choice but to go there.”
“They’ll come back, Riley.”
“What if they don’t?” This was her fear. They were a national chain. By dint of sheer volume, they could offer greater discounts than she could. With the economy being so strained, she wouldn’t even blame people for trying to save a buck. She of all people understood the need for that.
“Molly will help.”
Riley knew she would, in a heartbeat. But Riley couldn’t ask. She couldn’t bear to admit how much she was struggling. Molly had sold her the business in good faith because she believed Riley could handle the responsibility of running it. Riley couldn’t tell her she was in over her head. There was simply no other option than to find some kind of miracle to fix this.
“Molly has her hands full dealing with the insurance company.”
Autumn was silent for so long, Riley knew she was biting her tongue.
“How are things going with your mom?”
Because that was a better topic? Riley sighed. “It’s going…okay, I guess. She’s stuck with the job at McSweeney’s for a little over three weeks.”
“You sound awfully skeptical about that.”
“I just…I hope she’s not taking advantage of Matthew McSweeney.”
“Why should she be taking advantage of him?
“He’s an old Air Force buddy of my dad’s, and he made the egregious mistake of telling her at some point that if she ever needed anything, she should just let him know.”
“Most people don’t make that kind of offer if they don’t mean it, Ri. Besides, asking for a job isn’t the same as expecting some kind of handout.”
“I know. It just worries me. She’s barely been out of her last relationship a month. I don’t think she should be moving on to somebody else.”
“Do you think there’s something else going on?”
“She likes him. And why shouldn’t she? He’s a super nice guy. But she has a history of continuing to ask for things—especially from nice guys. And since she’s got that damsel in distress thing going on, they’re usually all too happy to give them to her.”
Autumn was quiet for a long moment “Which part of this bothers you more? That she doesn’t have a problem asking or that she has no problem accepting?”
“What?”
“I love you, but you’re terminally allergic to asking anybody for anything, and I know how much you despise anything you perceive as charity. Not everyone is like you, sweetie, and that doesn’t make them bad people.”
“I don’t think she’s a bad person. I just think she should take some more personal responsibility instead of always expecting someone else to bail her out and take care of everything.”
“And it sounds like she’s finally doing that. She came home, got a job right off. Has she asked you for anything since then? Other than to stay with you?”
Riley frowned. “Well, no, actually. Besides the fact that she just can’t seem to not talk to me in the mornings, she’s mostly been staying out of my way since the flood. I guess she realizes I’m about two inches from snapping.”
“Then maybe give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she really is turning over a new leaf. All that aside, you’ll feel better once the repairs are finished. Liam will make it right,” A
utumn assured her
“He’s certainly trying. He’s already replaced the water heater upstairs, and ripped open the walls and ceiling, but it’s still not dry enough to fix yet without danger of mold.” The chaos was getting to her. She could hear the drone of fans and dehumidifiers outside the office door.
“He feels really bad about what happened.”
Riley sat up. “You’ve talked to him?” Had he told Autumn about the kiss? Of course not. If Autumn knew about that, she’d have been on Riley’s doorstep as soon as he hung up the phone demanding to know why Riley hadn’t spilled the beans herself.
“Yeah. He’s kicking himself pretty hard.”
“It wasn’t his fault. He keeps saying it is, but it’s not like he’s psychic. He couldn’t have known the water heater would blow up.”
“Yeah, but since since when does Liam ever admit he isn’t all knowing, all seeing, and in control all the time?”
That would be the last time the Devil wore ice skates. So, never. They had that in common.
“Point taken. It’s going to be a big job when he gets to it, and I’ll probably have to close for a little while.” Riley couldn’t think about that. “The wood floors are ruined and have to come up. The bottom of the sheetrock has to be replaced. And the ceiling. There’s damage in the store room too, though, obviously, that’s lower priority. It’s…a mess.”
And that didn’t seem to phase him in the least. As her world had imploded, Liam had risen to the challenge and taken control. Which was exactly what he did, what he needed. A mission. Since things had gone all to hell for her, he seemed to have found a rhythm. Which was great for him. She just wished it hadn’t happened at her expense. Remembering what he’d said about not being sure if he was cut out for civilian life, she wondered if having a crisis to deal with would make him miss the Marines all the more or if he felt more settled.
Regardless, once he got started, he was going to be all up in her space. As if she needed more opportunity to feel awkward. In the wake of the flood, he hadn’t tried to talk to her about the kiss again, which was just as well. She didn’t need the added mortification of him trying to gently explain why he wasn’t interested. He hadn’t kissed her back. That was all the explanation she needed. Message received, loud and clear.
“I know it’s awful, and I know you’re stressed. But you will get through this.”
“I know. I know. This, too, shall pass. I just hope it passes before it bankrupts me.”
Jessie stuck her head into the office, bringing with her the perpetual wind tunnel the pharmacy had turned into. “Molly’s here.”
“Hey, I need to go. Molly’s here. I’m due to go work on the playground assembly at Waldrop Park.”
“Oh good. You need to do something away from work and home. Get your mind off stuff.”
“I don’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Liam railroaded me.” And since he was taking on all of the repair work, it wasn’t in her to deny him much.
“Good for him. Back porch margaritas soon,” Autumn promised.
“You’re on.”
The man himself was standing at the counter.
“Are you here to escort me to make sure I actually make it to the job site?”
“It’s the only way I can be sure you won’t go disappear somewhere to brood.”
“I’m not brooding.”
Liam’s brows jacked up.
“I’m not. I’m dealing with obnoxious things, like insurance and bills and taxes and all the crap nobody tells us about when we’re kids in an all-fired hurry to grow-up. That’s not brooding.”
“Then what is it?”
“Adulting.”
Molly laughed and put an arm around her. “I believe that should officially be a word. Now why don’t you let me take over the adulting for the day and go with Liam to work on the playground. And when it’s finished, do something really radical and play on it.”
Riley’s instinct was to list all the things she should be doing instead, but the fact was, she’d made all the calls, filled out all the reports, done inventory. There was absolutely nothing else she could do now but wait. If she didn’t do something to keep busy, she would fall into a brood. Her mood was bleak enough without going there.
But that didn’t mean she wanted to be trapped in Liam’s truck even for the short drive to the park.
“I can drive myself.”
Jessie piped up, “Actually, no you can’t. Your mom came to borrow the car. She said you’d said it was okay, so I gave her the key while you were on the phone earlier.”
She’d said no such thing.
I will not lose my shit. I will not lose my shit. Riley mentally counted to ten and reminded herself she didn’t look good in orange.
“Then I guess I am riding with you. Let me get my purse.”
~*~
“Just a little bit higher.”
In tandem with Judd, Liam shifted the slide on his shoulder.
“That’s it,” Mitch said. “Hold what you’ve got, while I bolt this bad boy in.”
The work day was drawing to a close and the new Waldrop Park playground was almost assembled. Across the way, Liam could see Riley laughing with Miranda as they threaded the blocks of the tic tac toe game onto pipes. Her cheeks were flushed with heat and maybe a little sunburn. It was the first time he’d seen her smile since the flood, and the sight of it hit him straight in the gut.
“You want me to dump the water cooler over your head?” Judd asked.
“What?”
“You keep looking over there like that and the new playground’s gonna catch on fire.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Judd chuckled and stepped out from beneath the finished slide.
Jesus, he had to get himself under control. What he really needed was a chance to corner Riley to talk to her. Although Liam was starting to wonder if that was the best approach. His last attempt to do that had been a disaster, and she was so stressed out and defensive these days, he wasn’t entirely sure she’d listen.
“That’s it. It’s officially done,” Norah announced.
Tools were set aside, and they all crowded around to look over the finished product.
Mitch had outdone himself with the design. In place of the old, boring playground, they’d built a veritable wooden Camelot, with turrets and bridges, climbing walls, slides, monkey bars, and two banks of swings. It almost made Liam wish he was a kid again.
“Well, the equipment is done, anyway,” Cam said. “It’ll take me another weekend to get all the landscaping done.”
“And Tyler’s still got to finish with the pickets for the fence,” Mitch added.
“I’m on duty to help put that together when it’s ready,” Liam said.
“Oh shush,” Norah scolded. “I’m enjoying the moment of having something finished.”
“Somebody’s got to test it out,” Liam remarked, eying the swings.
“What do you mean? It’s safe. Mitch went over all the specs.”
“As in make sure it will hold up to a proper swing long jump competition.”
Norah cocked her head. “A what?”
“You know, that thing we did when we were kids, where you swing as high as you possibly can and then jump out. Surely kids still do this.” Liam couldn’t imagine sedately using the swings only as intended. Where was the fun in that?
“I get someone at the clinic at least once or twice a year with a broken limb from that,” Miranda confirmed. “As adults, you’re all supposed to know better.”
“Psh. Knowing better is over-rated.” Liam pegged Riley with a look. “Weren’t you, like, reigning long jump champion in fourth grade?”
Brows up, she nodded. “I was. And how did you, from your vaunted position in the far off seventh grade, know that?”
“Because Wynne was always mad you beat her. She couldn’t figure out how you won since she was taller and should’ve had the longer reach
.”
“Reach isn’t everything. It’s all in the technique.”
“You up for a little friendly competition?”
Riley narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Liam upped the stakes. “Loser buys pizza.”
“You’re on, Boy Scout.”
Of course, that led to bets being taken. Being a Marine, he was the clear favorite, but that didn’t seem to put Riley off one whit.
Liam slid into a swing, feeling the sides dig into his hips. “Hope you like pineapple.”
Riley sat down beside him, shoving back until she was straight-legged. “Pineapple doesn’t belong on a pizza. Not that it matters because you’re buying me chicken and bacon.”
“Cocky.”
“Confident,” she corrected. “On three. One. Two. Three!” She jumped back and swung forward.
Liam followed suit but was, as it turned out, at something of a disadvantage with his much longer legs. Riley laughed as his feet dragged, kicking hers until she rose higher and higher. Then he got the rhythm and figured out how to tuck his feet on the back swing and began to catch up. Liam swung higher, his stomach doing that altitude lurch as he neared the zenith of the arc. Beside him, he could see Riley preparing to jump, shifting her grip on the chains so her arms were free.
“Geronimo!” she shouted.
Riley went first, her sneakers leaving deep furrows in the rubber mulch as she skidded to a stop, arms pinwheeling. Liam readied for his own jump, eyes on Riley and the finish line. The moment he left the swing, he knew he’d miscalculated something. His body over-rotated, and he tried to twist in the air, to tuck and roll. His landing was an awkward, sideways crash of limbs. The impact radiated through his hip, his elbow, jarring loose a completely un-manly Ooph.
“Liam!” Riley dropped to her knees beside him. “Don’t move. Are you hurt?” Her hands were racing over him faster than he could answer, and as he rather enjoyed the process, he wasn’t in any hurry to stop her.
“Nothin’s broken.” Except possibly his pride. And maybe his ass
Miranda rolled her eyes at him. “Your head’s too thick for any serious damage.”