Page 2 of Assembling with the Mountain Man (Heroes of Apple Falls #2)
CHAPTER TWO
Lucian
“How’s the new job going, son?” My father clapped me on the back, a smile plastered across his face. It wasn’t genuine, though, not in the way he used to. A roll of heavy guilt pulled at every part of me, making my stomach and heart hurt.
“It’s good, Dad. Thanks for asking, but we don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”
“Don’t be silly, Luc. Of course, I want to know how my son is doing.”
I nodded, but none of my guilt eased. If anything, I felt worse. My father was such a nice guy, had been there for me through thick and thin, every growing pain there was, every shitty day or every girl who crushed my heart.
“I really like it. Putting things together and then taking a step back to realize it was you who made it. It’s a good feeling. But I miss it around here.”
“How so? You’re still here every day.” Dad teased.
“Hey, I’m bringing some business, right?”
“That you are kid, that you are. But listen, you can stop feeling bad about joining the construction crew and leaving your job here. Do I still want you here taking over the business when I can’t anymore?
Sure, I do, but I want you to be happy. I want to see my children happy.
That’s all that matters in the end. Besides, I’ve still got your sisters. ”
We exchanged the same look we always did when talking about the girls taking over. Yeah right, not gonna happen.
But maybe we’re not giving them enough credit. “I hope for your sake, Dad, they cooperate.”
“Eh, I’ve dealt with your mother for so long, it’s like a walk in the park.” He scratched at his beard as his eyes traveled to the sky. Dark clouds filled the sky, a storm ready to rage. “Better get going, Son. Looks like a storm is brewing.”
“Yeah, I gotta deliver the load of wood in my back truck to the new site we’re working at, then I’ll head home. If you need anything, you know the drill.” I hugged my dad, and before leaving, I found Mom in the back office, knee deep in paperwork.
“Luc! It’s always a pleasure to see your handsome face.”
“Just stopping in to say bye, Ma. I grabbed the wood order and need to drop it off before the storm comes in. Call me if you need anything.” I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.
“Love you, Luc.”
“Love you more, Ma.” With a quick goodbye to my sisters, Carina and Journey, I was back in my truck.
But before I could put the car in reverse, the heavens opened up and the rain poured down, soaking the bundles of wood in the truck’s bed. “Fuck,” I muttered.
There was no use stressing over it now. I needed to get them to the site before Thane called, looking for me.
He took me under his wing as his apprentice, giving me the opportunity I’d always wanted but was always too afraid to take the leap for.
I couldn’t let him down. I needed this to work, needed to show my parents I was capable of something other than the family business.
Rain poured down so hard I could barely see out of the windshield. But just up ahead, I spotted a small car stuck in the road, the hazard lights blinking on and off.
I pulled up beside the car and saw a woman behind the wheel, her head hanging low, her shoulders visibly shaking.
Without another thought, I threw my truck into park and jumped out, not caring that I was about to be soaked.
I knocked on the window, and when she turned to face me, a cloudy expression came over her face.
“Are you okay?”
She shook her head as she rolled her window down. Instantly, her beauty made me pause. Holy shit, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
I swallowed hard, unsure what to do with these emotions flooding my system.
Her face was red and blotchy, her eyes puffy, but her beauty wasn’t diminished. She was still so fucking beautiful.
“No,” she hiccuped as more tears streamed down her face.
“My car is stuck. I need to get back to work. It’s my first day and my boss is probably going to fire me now.
I have no clue on how to get unstuck, who to even call in this town, and I can’t get not even one bar of service!
” She pushed her blonde hair out from her eyes and sighed.
“Maybe I’m not meant to be here after all. ”
“Hey, it’s alright. You’re definitely not the first person to get stuck in the mud around here. The storms get bad quick and with a lot of unfinished roads, mud becomes a problem. I’ve got a tow on my truck. I’ll help pull you out.”
“Really? You would? Oh, thank you. Thank you so, so much.”
“Not a problem. Stay buckled and behind the wheel. When it’s go time, I’ll have you shift the car into neutral. Got it?”
“Yes.”
As I ran back to my truck and climbed inside, all I could think about was what it would be like to kiss her. Taste her. Touch her. I needed to stop before I had a noticeable bulge in my pants.
I pulled my truck in front of hers and backed up close. Then I got out my tow supplies and worked quick to get her hooked up as the rain pelted me sideways. I gave her a thumbs up. “Shift into neutral!” I yelled through the window before climbing back into my truck.
Once I shifted my truck into drive, I slammed on the gas, needing the extra boost, but her car didn’t budge. I tried again and again, finally getting her car moved a little, only to slip down into the mud farther.
After several minutes, we weren’t getting too far, but I wasn’t giving up. I floored the gas pedal to the metal, revving the engine as much as I could.
But nope, nothing.
No movement.
My own tires started spinning, mud flying up from behind me.
Shit!
Now we’re both stuck.