Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 779(@200wpm)___ 623(@250wpm)___ 519(@300wpm)
Cluck! Cluck! Cluuuuuuuuuck.
“See? Miss Sylvia Rivera agrees with me.” She gave me a nod. “Go on. Take the cups in and get to work. Thank you for starting the day with me.”
9
BILLIE
I’d not gotten to Lo before she finished work. I made the mistake of checking my email first. An emergency project had come up for an ad campaign that was scheduled to come out in a week. There’d been enough problems with the previous designer that they’d scrapped everything at the last minute and prayed for a Hail Mary.
Those were their actual words.
I’d spent the day doing mock-ups for them, and now, with the afternoon almost gone, the third option had just been approved by their team.
“Thank you so much for this help, Melanie. I don’t know what we would’ve done, and your designs are just brilliant,” my client gushed. “You have no idea how you’ve helped us. Our other option was Ronald’s cousin, and I know Ronald’s cousin. He lives in Ronald’s basement for a reason.”
I chuckled, but didn’t say a word since I was living in Vicky and Howard’s guesthouse. “It’s not a problem. I’m glad to help. I’ll be sending my invoice, and then I’ll send the final files once that’s paid.”
“Of course, of course. Thank you again. Have a great week, Melanie.”
We hung up.
I was Melanie Morning to them. There were no pictures of me on my website. I allowed my designs to represent my brand. Word of mouth drove business to me, and I did good work to keep it. I worked fast, professionally, and I always finished on time. That was vital, and after the first few projects, I made sure to receive payment before I sent the final files. Some balked, but that was my policy stated on my website.
When I looked up after finishing that transaction, it was nearing dinner time. I’d not made my call to Lo. So, thirty minutes later, I wasn’t surprised when their car came down the two-mile driveway.
I hadn’t even had time to check messages today, but Lo had sent a couple texts. I’d thought I might hear from Brett. But I hadn’t. He’d said he was going to call, so maybe it would be this evening?
I ignored the little trickle of fear in my stomach.
Lo and Roger parked, and as soon as their SUV stopped, the passenger door swung open and Lo was coming in fast.
That wasn’t good.
I’d learned over the years to stall when Lo got in these moods. It meant she had an opinion, a strong one, and she was going to share it whether I wanted it or not. She’d do a lecture that would somehow end on a motivational quote.
I didn’t think I had the energy for any of that, so I did what any mature, responsible, courageous adult would do.
I ran.
Though, to give myself credit, as she knocked briefly on the front door, I was slipping out the back. Because, you know, the trail that cut through the woods and went around to the side of the main house, it needed to be checked. Weeds or trees might’ve fallen over it and would need to be cleaned up. Plus, it was good to check for any signs of a fox, or coyotes, or hogs, or bobcats, or snakes, you know. Just in case.
Totally being responsible here. I needed to protect the hens.
“Where’d she go?” Lo asked, the screen door slamming behind her.
“I don’t know. She’s not there?” Roger said.
I picked up my pace. They’d check the chickens next.
“Maybe she’s in the coop.”
I broke out of the treeline right as they ducked inside, a flurry of clucks filling the air. I went into the main house through the side door.
“Give me a job. I’ve been here this whole time,” I said in a rush, grabbing an apron and tying it on as I went into the kitchen.
Vicky was at the counter, and she didn’t break stride. “They called thirty minutes ago, asked if you were here. The girls are at gymnastics, so I invited them for dinner.” She picked up the pot of potatoes and met my gaze. Her eyes were blank, but I sensed the dark humor swirling behind that wall.
“Uh-huh. Sure you did.” My tone was dry, but we both knew I was teasing.
Vicky broke first, a slight grin showing. “You didn’t call her in time, huh?”
I sighed, pulling out the silverware. “I got busy with work. Had a last-minute emergency, that type of thing.”
“Anything you need to talk about?” She stopped at the screen door, her back to it, still holding the potatoes.
I shook my head. “Nope. It’s all good.”
“Grab the paper plates and plastic cups. We’ll eat out here tonight.”
That meant my whole sneak-around was for nothing. When we had dinner outside, no one moved. It was too comfortable and sitting around the patio table meant drinks and loose tongues. The lecture I thought I’d escaped would still happen. I’d just have an audience.