by Heather Gray
“Mr. Clarion, it’s nice to meet you.” Skye rose and reached her hand across the mahogany desk.
His grip was warm but not that uncomfortable sweaty warm. An excellent start. “Jette asked me to help in any way I can, so here I am. And please, it’s Juan.”
The two settled back into their seats as Skye contemplated the man across from her. “Jette said you met in law school.”
He flashed a smile. “Study partners whenever we shared a class.”
“I expected you to be younger.”
Laughter sparked in his dark eyes. “Yeah, well, it took me a while to get my act together and figure out what I wanted to do with my life.”
“What kind of law do you practice?”
“I specialize in immigration law, but I also work with businesses that are unfairly discriminated against by the government because of ethnicity.”
“What I need you to do is different than you’re used to.”
Juan acknowledged her words with the dipping of his chin. “I wouldn’t have made it through law school without Jette. I owe her. She’d have done this herself if she was licensed to practice in Idaho.”
Silence fell between them as Skye continued to appraise the man Jette had sent to her. He wouldn’t have made it through law school without Jette… What was she supposed to make of that?
“If it helps, I’ve written up similar documents for two other businesses, both smaller than your enterprise, but still, I have some experience. Jette reviewed those cases and decided I was qualified.”
Skye gave a single nod. “I figured as much. Jette’s a lot of things, but a slouch isn’t one of them. So, is there any way we can keep this quiet? I’d like to announce plans at the company picnic, and I don’t want my people getting wind of it beforehand.”
“Generous and sneaky. I like it. We can meet at my office, or we can discuss details over dinner or coffee whenever you’d like. We’ll keep it away from the prying eyes and ears of your employees for as long as you like.”
This was going to work. She would pull it off. Then she’d be free of the noose left to her by her grandparents.
Her soul breathed easier.
Skye got home later that night, kicked her high-heeled shoes off, and padded through the den of the too-big house she’d inherited. When she reached her grandfather’s desk, she sat down, booted up the laptop she’d forgotten there that morning, and picked up the house phone to dial Jette’s number.
“What did you think of Juan?”
“Why, I’m fine Jette. Thanks for asking. And how are you?”
Her friend snorted. “If I weren’t fine, I’d say so.”
“Right. I’m not so sure I believe you.”
“Seriously. Stay on topic. Juan?”
Skye gave in. She liked to needle Jette, but only so far. That woman had some impenetrable walls. Skye still didn’t know what had put them there, but she knew from personal experience that walls were generally unbreachable until the person was ready. “Juan was great. I expected some young hottie when you told me you went to law school with him. He’s old enough to be my…”
“Don’t you dare say father. He’s not that old. I don’t think. Besides, what does that have to do with anything?”
Skye chuckled. “He said he’s done something similar before and that you inspected those documents already.”
“They were both smaller, but his work is solid. He’ll be able to help you, and he’ll keep it on the QT like you want.”
“I figured. I was actually calling about something else, though.”
“Such as?”
Skye drew in a deep breath of air, held it for a couple seconds then released it. “I’d like to hire you for a legal matter there in Rainbow Falls.”
Jette’s momentary silence was heavy on the line. When she spoke, her hesitation was clear. “What do you need?”
Skye moved the laptop out of her way, propped her elbows on the desk in direct defiance of everything her grandfather had ever drummed into her head, and closed her eyes. “You remember my mom’s house, right?”
“Sure.”
“My grandparents kept it after my mom died. I inherited it.”
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“Yeah.”
“So what’s my role?”
Skye forced the air in and out of her lungs. “Clear it out and put everything into storage. Then I need you to draw up paperwork. I’m going to lease the house to Samaritan’s Reach.”
“For storage or for people?”
“Both. Men from the leadership program will be in the house. The garage will be storage.”
“Is Samaritan’s Reach leasing it, or are the men?”
“Um…” Did she know the answer to that? “I’m not sure. Which is best for the shelter?”
“The men leasing directly from you would remove liability from the shelter, but having Samaritan’s Reach listed as the official tenant would give you more protection.”
Skye, phone clutched between ear and shoulder, and elbows still on the desk, started picking at a cuticle. “I can absorb the liability better at this point, but the shelter’s also going to use the garage to store items for the flea market. The last I knew, only one of them in the leadership program has a paying job.”
“You need to tell me what to do.”
Men might be moving in and out as they graduate through the program. Changing lessees every few months would be a pain. “Okay. Set it up so that there are four tenants listed on the lease with Samaritan’s Reach as one of the tenants since they’ll be using the garage. Give them the first three months free.”
The sound of pen scratching on paper came across the line. “Rental rate?”
“I have no idea. Find out whatever’s normal for Rainbow Falls and then cut it by ten percent.”
“Anything else?”
Skye was excited about this part. “I have a plan for helping the men reduce their rent. A trade for volunteer hours. I want these men, as they leave the shelter, to remember to give back. I also know Sam’s a little worried about them going out into the world and falling back into old ways.”
Jette’s pen fell silent. “By giving them a reason to stay connected to Samaritan’s Reach, you’re putting them back into Sam’s sphere of influence so he can keep an unobtrusive eye on them.”
“Something like that.”
“You’re a good person, Skye.”
“Eh. Don’t go getting all mushy on me.”
“When pigs fly and donkeys learn how to roast marshmallows while dancing the waltz.”
Skye still had a few more things she hoped to get to that evening, so she let Jette go. “I’ll mail the key first thing in the morning.”
“I’m allowed to hire people to pack things up for storage, right? You’re not expecting me to do it all myself?”
“As long as they’re strangers. Don’t ask me why. I just don’t want people I know going through our things…”
“I can handle that. I’ll let you know if I have any questions.”
They hung up, and Skye pulled her laptop close again.
After searching for over an hour, she settled on a fitted, open-backed table cover on which she could get the shelter’s name and logo imprinted. She could have gone her whole life without needing to know how expensive personalized table covers were. Samaritan’s Reach, though… It had wormed its way into her heart and had her stepping out of her comfort zone more than she ever thought possible.
Not that ordering a table cover online was terribly far outside her comfort zone. Thinking about other people — and wanting desperately for them to succeed — on the other hand, kind of was.
Skye tapped the submit button before wandering toward the kitchen. She was hungry. And she wanted to celebrate.
In one day, she’d managed to put the sale of Treasure Valley Chux into motion while also starting the process of renting out her mom’s house. Those were big steps, both of them.
But she had no one in
Boise with whom she could share her excitement.
The big city had never felt so lonely.
CHAPTER 36
“Boss! You in here?”
Sam pulled himself out from under the sink and sat up. “Over here. What’s up?”
“Some guy here to see you. Miss Fern just drove up, too.”
Saved from working on the plumbing. He could live with that.
Sam got up and wiped his hands on a nearby rag before heading into the courtyard. He waved to Fern as she headed toward the picnic table to cut through to where the van was parked.
She waved back. “We’re cleaning the carburetor today.”
Sam’s steps stalled out. “Is that a one-day job?”
She laughed at him. “Have a little faith. It’s early still.”
Sam moved in the direction of the office. Fern looked out of place every time he saw her with a tool in her hand, but the second she started talking about what she was doing, even he was hooked, and he had zero desire to work on an engine. She wasn’t just a skilled mechanic. She was gifted in sharing her passion with others. She should open her own garage. Maybe start an apprentice program. He’d mention it to her one of these days.
“Sam Madison?”
The man standing outside the office wore khakis and a short-sleeved button-up shirt. At least he hadn’t thrown a tie on with it. So, not an attorney. Not a process-server, either, if he had any say in it.
“That’s me. Can I help you?” Sam held out his hand.
The man shook his hand then tipped his head toward the foyer. “Think we can go inside?”
Sam glanced around. He couldn’t see anybody, but that didn’t mean residents weren’t peering out from their windows. “Sure.”
He unlocked the door and ushered the overdressed man back to the office, but the guy didn’t sit. He stood at the counter and eyed the space that used to be tidy.
Sam looked around. Yep. His office was a disaster area. Without Skye around to keep things organized, it looked like a tornado had come through. Followed by a hurricane, an earthquake, and a tsunami.
He trained his eyes back on the man invading his territory. “You know my name, but I’m afraid I don’t know yours.”
“Can I depend on confidentiality?”
Seriously? He didn’t have time today for strange men and cryptic questions. “You must have me confused with your doctor.”
The guy rolled his eyes before nodding. “Max Wizkonzky.”
Max… Oh. “What can I do for you?”
“You’ve sent people my way occasionally, but we’ve never officially met. I thought it was time.”
“Why now?”
Max shifted on his feet and studied his fingernails before answering. “I’m going to lay my cards on the table. Or, the counter I guess.”
Sam crossed his arms. “Be my guest.”
Max shifted again. “I got competitive when you came to Rainbow Falls and opened another homeless shelter. I’ve been running one here for almost a decade, and I’ve been doing a competent job of it. We’ve helped a lot of people.”
“I wasn’t competing.”
“I know, but everyone kept fawning over the new veteran’s shelter, and I let it get to me. Which is why I never came by to welcome you to the community. It was childish, and I can admit it.”
The timing was too coincidental with everything the City Council was doing. “So why now?”
“I know the city’s gunning for you. I mean, I had an idea. It wasn’t until my cousin Luke started yelling at me that I got it.”
“Lucky Luke?”
Max gave a half-smile. “One and the same. He heard about it from our distant cousin Wyatt. We had a family reunion last weekend, and Luke let me have the what-for, told me I had my head in the sand.”
“So, why does it matter now?”
Max looked at Sam, really made eye contact, for the first time since Sam had greeted him. “If the City Council succeeds in taking you down, they’ll come after us next. Nothing else makes sense. This has to be part of a bigger plan. All those anti-vagrancy laws they put into place. Last week they passed a new ordinance about loitering. Enforced to the letter of the law, it makes it impossible for us to go around town and reach out to people on the street. They claim that’s not the intent, but… The whole thing is out of hand.”
Sam eyed the man who looked like he played more video games than basketball. “So what do we do about it?”
Max shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t have any answers. After Luke tore me a new one, though, I realized my silence on the matter might seem like… Might be misunderstood. I want you to know I had nothing to do with any of this. And now that I grasp how serious it is, I want to help, but I’m afraid it might be too late.”
“Prayer’s always appreciated.”
The man from the other shelter nodded. “Of course. The thing is…who’s next, you know? Once they knock you out, they’ll come after me. Then they’ll go after the food bank. Pretty soon, they’ll be shutting down any of the churches that offer a soup kitchen or help to shut-ins. All because they want our city to appear clean and well cared for. Sure, we get tourists here, but it’s not like we’re a tourism hotspot. I don’t get it.”
“But we’re on our way, and I think that’s exactly what the City Council wants. People are starting to come from all over the country to enjoy our hiking trails, river rafting, and waterfalls. We get skiers in the winter and campers in the summer. There’s even talk about a hot air balloon business coming to town to cater to tourists. I’ll bet they’re trying to spit-polish Rainbow Falls so they can take it international. Start bringing in tourists from other countries. Discover the unblemished wilds of Montana. That sort of thing.”
Max’s lips thinned. “Our city doesn’t need those kinds of tourists. We need people who fall in love with Rainbow Falls the way it is.”
Sam didn’t argue. In the relatively short time he’d been in Rainbow Falls, he’d come to consider it not just his home, but his community also. That didn’t make tourism evil, though. Money-hungry councilmembers, on the other hand…
Max must have been a nervous sort; he shifted on his feet again. “Anyway. I wanted you to know I’m not behind any of this and that I’m sorry for the way I’ve behaved up till now. I hope you’ll be around long enough so I can make it up to you. Maybe we can have a joint fundraiser someday. A way to show solidarity within the community.”
Skye’s words from long ago came back to Sam. She’d told him he was scary. Maybe that was Max’s problem. Sam purposely relaxed his post, uncrossed his arms, and slipped his hands into his pockets. “I’d like that. We can do even more good if we work together. We can learn from each other, too. You have experience I lack.”
Max offered his first genuine smile. “And you have ingenuity and enthusiasm that I may have lost somewhere along the way.”
Sam situated himself back under the sink.
He missed Skye. More than he would have thought possible. It’d been six weeks since she’d left, and life wasn’t the same without her.
No time to dwell, though. The sink trap — or u-joint, according to Matt — under their kitchen sink needed his attention. No matter how much pressure he applied with the wrench, the coupling simply would not come loose.
Sam shifted to the side and put his weight on his left shoulder. This freed up his right arm to force the wrench and hopefully free up the coupling.
Right as he pushed the wrench with all he had, the door opened. The clickety-clack of high heels registered as the wrench finally moved. The wrench spun so hard that the coupling came lose, the sink trap fell away from the other pipe, and black sludge slid out of the hanging now-open-ended pipe and splattered all over his chest.
That was close. Had he still been lying flat on his back, the sludge would have oozed straight into his mouth. He shuddered.
At least now he knew why the sink hadn’t been draining well.
Sam shoved his way out fr
om under the sink. Skye wasn’t a high-heeled kind of gal anymore. She’d gotten comfortable wearing her lace-up sneakers.
“Mr. Madison.” Jette Black stood there looking at him in all his sludge-covered glory.
He had to give her credit. She didn’t shudder. Of course, she didn’t offer to shake his hand, either.
“What can I do for you, Jette? And it’s Sam.”
The corner of her mouth moved up the tiniest bit. “Yes, well, I’m here representing somebody else, so formality seemed in order.”
Sam reached for the rag again. After wiping his hands clean, he tried to get the worst of the gunk off his shirt. “If not me, then who do you represent?”
“Skye.”
Sam’s eyes snapped to Jette’s. She couldn’t have captured his attention any faster if she’d claimed the City Council had backed down and was going to let him live in peace. “Skye?”
Jette nodded, and something close to sympathy passed through her eyes. “She wanted me to draw up papers allowing Samaritan’s Reach to lease a home from her.”
“She should wait till our case against the City Council is resolved. Everyone else is.”
The smile touched her mouth again, a little more this time. “Skye’s not like everyone else.”
“You can say that again. How’s she doing?” He’d told himself not to ask. He was hungry for news of her, though. Too hungry to keep quiet, it seemed. She’d gone away and cut him out of her life. Not a single call or text returned. He’d even stooped to looking for her on social media, all to no avail.
Jette lifted a shoulder. “I’m here on business.”
Sam admired her discretion, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. “Very well. I’m afraid I can’t sign a lease with Skye. I can’t make any long-term commitments.”
Jette stepped forward and handed him some papers. “She’s leasing a three-bedroom house to Samaritan’s Reach. The home can house up to four tenants, three from your leadership program and then Samaritan’s Reach itself.”
Sam lifted an eyebrow.
Jette waved away his question. “The garage. For the flea market.”