Under the Midnight Stars (20 page)

Colt leaned forward. “We’ve thought about that too. But you have a lot of property back there.” He motioned with his thumb toward the back of the building. “We can get all those vehicles towed to a real junkyard. Then we can expand the place. Add at least three more bays, which would more than double the profits. Build a larger office with a front door that customers can actually use. Modernize and clean it up a bit. We should be able to snag back those customers that are tired of waiting in line who head out of town to get their vehicles worked on. Maybe draw them in with a free oil change for the first month. Plus, if we got ourselves a tow truck, customers would appreciate not having to use a tow strap and a tractor to haul their broken-down vehicles in anymore. And with a few more employees, you and I won’t have to work such long hours, or every day for that matter. We can spend more time tending to our farms … and the women we love.” Colt winked at Brielle.

She smiled bashfully and turned her attention back to Zeke.

Zeke rubbed his chin. He looked as if he were envisioning the improvement.

“Oh,” Brielle added, “and Colt and I would take care of the financial costs of the expansion.”

Zeke shook his head. “It’s a mighty fine gesture, but I couldn’t let you pay for it all.”

“You wouldn’t, Zeke,” Colt added. “You’d take a ten percent cut in your share each month until your portion of the expansion was paid off. Of course with the profits more than doubled, I figure your share won’t be any less than what you’re making now. If anything, it’ll be quite a bit more.”

Zeke grinned. “I think I can handle that. It’d sure be nice to turn this greasy pit into something more productive and modern. But we’d have to change the name. It’s only fair.”

Brielle grinned. “You already gave us a new name, Zeke — The Greasy Pit. Oh, and I don’t know a thing about cars, but I can help run the office.” Her green eyes sparked to life as she envisioned the changes. “Maybe we can get a few vending machines in here. Set up a coffee and doughnut station. Mount a flat screen TV up on the wall. Have a little play area in the corner for the kids to play.”

Zeke grinned.

“We could also plant some grass on the side there—” She pointed to the wall behind him. “—under the big oak. And plant some flowers and put in a couple of picnic tables. Maybe build one of those wooden playhouses — you know, the ones with the lookout, and slide, and swings. I was also thinking, once the construction was finished, about printing out fliers and handing them out. Maybe attaching refrigerator magnets to them so people don’t have to lug out the phone book and flip through it for the number each time. They’d just glance at the fridge.”

She smiled proudly before her enthusiasm faded. “And as a gesture toward Colt’s mom, and your wife, and others out there suffering with cancer, we could have a fundraiser one month out of the year, where part of the profits and any donations would go toward helping those in need around town affected by it — you know, like with medical bills and what not.”

Zeke’s eyes filled with tears. He swallowed hard to hold them back. “That’s a real good idea, Gabby.” He nodded his approval.

She smiled warmly.

Just then Billy walked in.

Brielle’s gut knotted, intensifying her nausea. She was so wrapped up in helping out a friend in need, and finally having some meaningful direction in her life other than the diner and her dismal ranch, that she had forgotten all about Billy being an employee. She took in a deep breath to calm the sick feeling.

Billy shot a scornful glance toward Colt and Brielle before turning his attention to Zeke. “I’m going to lunch now if that’s all right with you.”

“Sure, Billy,” Zeke replied. “But I’d like to introduce you to some people first.”

“Who?” Billy turned and glanced out the door into the bay.

Zeke motioned to Brielle and Colt. “Meet Colt Tayler and Gabby Sinclair, your new bosses.”

Billy’s jaw dropped. “Is this a joke?”

Though a surge of emotions, mostly fear, had engulfed her when he’d entered the office, Brielle decided to push past her fears and her nausea, and deal with her attacker face-to-face. “Oh, it’s no joke, I assure you,” she replied in a controlled voice. She stood confidently, smiling.

Billy clenched his jaw. “Then I quit!”

Zeke was shocked. “What? You can’t quit!”

“The hell I can’t!” He ripped his name tag off and threw it on the desk.

Colt stood and looked down at Billy. “Good, that’ll save me from having to fire your ass.”

Zeke stood, completely perplexed. “Colt? What in the hell is going on?”

“Enjoy your lunch.” Brielle smiled smugly and sat back down.

Billy stormed out of the office.

Colt sat back down.

Zeke threw his hands up. “He was my best mechanic. Someone mind filling me in?”

Colt looked at Brielle.

Brielle could tell by the way Colt was looking at her that he was silently asking her permission to fill Zeke in on the humiliating details. She was hesitant, but she knew Zeke deserved an honest explanation. She reluctantly nodded.

“Billy tried to force himself on Brielle,” Colt said. “I broke his nose. That’s it.”

She ashamedly averted her eyes, focusing in on the swirling stamped leather of Colt’s boot peeking from under the hem of his jeans.

Zeke’s jaw dropped open.“He
what?
I wish I would’ve known sooner! I would’ve fired him days ago!”

Colt placed a hand on Brielle’s thigh. The simple gesture was comforting.

“As soon as his nose heals I’ll break it again!” Zeke said angrily.

From the tone in his voice, she believed he would. “Thank you, Zeke. But I’m okay. Colt got there before anything…” She became uncomfortable. “I’m okay,” she finally managed before forcing a confident smile.

“I’m glad to hear that, Gabby,” Zeke replied wholeheartedly. He looked at the both of them before he spoke again. “Your plan — I think it’ll work. I’m on board. And I’m grateful to y’all for your help. Eleanor will surely appreciate it too. We’ll have to have you over for dinner sometime when she’s better. And tell Jack I said thanks for opening his big mouth. No pun intended. A real genuine thanks.”

“Will do, Zeke,” Colt assured. “I’ll set up an appointment for a business lawyer to draw up a contract, let’s say … sometime in the next couple of days?”

“Sounds just fine,” he agreed.

“All right then.” Colt stood and extended his hand to Zeke. “I guess that makes us partners?”

Zeke grinned. He stood and shook Colt’s hand eagerly. “Partners.”

Brielle stood and shook Zeke’s hand as well. “Partners.” She giggled.

Just then the nausea became too overwhelming. She had no time to run to the privacy of the bathroom. Spotting a black plastic garbage can next to the desk, she yanked her hand out of Zeke’s grasp, fell to her knees, and heaved into it, over and over again.

“Son of a bitch,” Colt said incredulously. He gathered her hair and held it back for her.

Brielle finished heaving and sat back shakily.

Zeke drew a paper cup of water from the five-gallon dispenser behind him and handed it to her, along with a couple of tissues from the blue box on his desk. “I think you should get her home to bed. A couple of guys here came down with the same bug last week. It’s been going around.”

“Thanks, Zeke,” she replied shakily, clutching her queasy stomach. She grabbed the tissues first and wiped her mouth clean. Then she eagerly took the water from him and gulped it down. And as quickly as the fury of nausea had hit, it dissipated. “Huh.” She tossed the tissues and cup into the garbage. “I feel better now.”

Colt helped her to her feet.

“Are you sure?” Zeke asked. “You still look like you’re here to haunt the place rather than buy it.”

“He’s right, Brielle,” Colt agreed worriedly. “We should get you home. You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine. Really. I just got a little carsick on the way over. I’m sure after I eat I’ll be good as new,” she said assuredly.

Colt still looked worried. “All right, let’s get you something to eat. How does the diner sound?”

She thought she’d be repulsed by the thought, but it actually sounded delicious. Especially the country-fried chicken smothered in homemade gravy with mashed potatoes. She smiled at the thought.

“I guess you hit it on the nail, Colt.” Zeke chuckled slightly.

“Yes, the diner. It sounds delicious. Let’s go.” She bent down to fetch the tainted plastic bag from the garbage can.

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll take care of it,” Zeke insisted. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I have to go out back to the dumpster anyhow to see how much junk I have to get rid of.”

“Good, the faster we get food in her belly the better,” Colt said with satisfaction.

Brielle didn’t feel comfortable just leaving her mess of bodily fluids for someone else to dispose of. “No, Zeke, it’ll just take a minute.”

She reached for the bag, but Colt grabbed her hand and led her toward the door before she had a chance to touch it. “But…” She pointed to the can as she hurried her pace to keep up with Colt.

“Thanks, Zeke,” Colt said over his shoulder. “We’ll see you in a couple of days.”

“Colt.” Brielle tried to pull her hand from his, but he wouldn’t release his grip.

“I’ll carry you out of here if I have to,” he warned as he led the way out of the garage. “You need to eat before you get sick again.”

Zeke chuckled as he exited the office behind them, garbage can in tow. “Don’t you worry, Gabby. It’s taken care of. Just eat and get better.”

She smiled and waved, and let Colt lead her across the parking lot.

“One country-fried chicken and one Cowboy Burger.” Mimi smiled as she set the plates of food down on the table. “Anything else?”

“Mmm.” Brielle’s eyes lit up. “No, thank you, Mimi.”

“You’re welcome, honey.” Mimi smiled warmly. “You’ve had such a rough time of it lately. Glad to see you’re feeling better. Holler if you need anything.”

“Thank you.” Colt gave a quick nod and a tip of the brim of his hat before Mimi headed back to the counter.

Brielle wasted no time digging into her hearty meal smothered in extra gravy. She even rolled her corn on the cob into the rich mixture and savored every last kernel.

Colt ate slowly, eyeing her every move.“Are you sure you’re feeling up to such a greasy meal?”

“Sure.” She beamed. “Why not? I was just carsick is all. I promise I’m fine.”

He smiled uneasily. “It’s just … are you sure you were carsick?”

“It’s either that or the flu.” She continued to eat.

“Hello there,” said a woman standing at the edge of their booth.

Brielle recognized the shoulder-length hair, crystal-blue eyes, and charismatic smile of the woman who stood before her. She’d seen the petite woman in the diner off and on throughout the years, but she had never become acquainted with her. She didn’t even know her name. All she knew was that this woman was a little older than her, strikingly beautiful, and blessed with an ample bosom. Brielle wondered how she kept her breasts tucked into such a tight tank top.

Colt’s jaw dropped when he recognized the woman. A genuine ear-to-ear smile crossed his face. “I’ll be damned!” He stood and embraced her.

Brielle exhaled nervously, watching the woman beam merrily as she hugged him back.

He took a step back and looked at Brielle. “Brielle, this is Miranda Briggs. Miranda, Brielle Sinclair.”

Brielle immediately remembered the name on Colt’s to-do list. Gulping warily, she forced a polite smile and extended her hand. “Hello. It’s nice to officially meet you.”

“Likewise.” Miranda shook her hand and quickly turned her attention back to Colt. “I heard you were in town. How have you been?”

“Good. Just got the farm back into shape. What about you? How have you been? Life’s treated you good, I hope?”

Brielle saw a twinkle in Colt’s eyes. She had a gut feeling that they had been more than just friends. She sat quietly, smiling pleasantly, trying to ignore the jealousy heating her blood.

Miranda’s smile faded. “Life’s been interesting. But I’m hanging in there.” She smiled again.

“Mom, can we go now?” A boy with brown hair and hazel eyes walked up and stood next to Miranda.

“Yes, we can.” Miranda smiled. She put her arm around the boy’s shoulder. “Junior, I’d like you to meet someone. This is Colt Tayler.” She motioned toward Colt.

Colt smiled at the boy and extended his hand.

“Really? Cool!” Junior shook Colt’s hand. “That’s my name too. My
real
name. Everyone just calls me Junior though.”

Colt’s smile instantly fell.

Brielle tensed. Her eyes widened in shock. She looked at the boy, placing his age at around ten.

Colt retracted his hand slowly and tipped his hat back. “Colt?” He eyed Miranda questioningly. “Are you ten?” he asked the boy.

Junior grinned. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

Miranda nodded and bit the corner of her lip. “Junior honey, why don’t you go wait for me in the car? I’ll be right there.”

“All right, but hurry. I’m gonna be late for practice.” Junior turned and walked away.

Miranda placed her hands in the back pocket of her jeans.

Colt and Brielle stared at her blankly. Both were in utter shock.

“I named him after his daddy,” Miranda announced nervously. “He’s your son.”

The blood drained from Colt’s face. He carefully sat on the edge of the booth, bracing himself with his hands as he sat, as if he were dipping his body into a piping-hot whirlpool bath.

Brielle closed her eyes as pain filled her heart. A sudden wave of nausea engulfed her. She jumped up from the booth, nudged past Miranda with her hands over her mouth, and headed straight for the restroom. She bolted into the first stall and expelled her lunch in the toilet.

The bathroom door creaked open.

Brielle quickly slammed the stall door shut and locked it. Another wave of nausea hit. She leaned forward and heaved repeatedly until her stomach was empty. Her throat burned. Uncontrolled tears stained her cheeks.

“Brielle?” Colt’s called softly from the other side of the stall door.“Are you all right, baby?”