Page 5 of Meant to Be

I glanced over at the man who’d spoken. “Thanks, John.” I turned back, glaring at Dennis. “And you didn’t know that because …”

“He probably called and left a message. I haven’t checked them yet seeing as how I was dealing with this issue with Ron as soon as I arrived.”

I ground my teeth, rolling over Dennis’ explanation in my head. I also knew Joseph had a six month old baby at home. I stored that information in the back of my mind for later. Pivoting, I turned and headed over to the tractor, observing it.

It laid on its side, obviously having tipped over. The only good news was that Ron hadn’t been inside of the damn thing when it did. He’d turned the tractor on but gotten out to check on something when the it lost control, causing him to jump out of its way. He’d hit his head on the landing and the tractor came to an abrupt stop as it fell on its side.

“What’re you looking for? Obviously Ron got sloppy,” a voice called out. This one was different than the one that’d spoken earlier about Joseph’s absence.

I looked over my shoulder before standing. I narrowed my gaze on the guy who now stared at me. He was average height, sandy blond hair, and dark eyes.James.

“You were here when it happened, James?”

His eyes widened slightly at the use of his name. He shook his head and shrugged. “No, but—”

“No, but …” I let that hang in the air for a moment. “So what you’re saying is, you weren’t here when the tractor tipped over and Ron was injured but you justhappento know thatobviously Ron got sloppy.Is that what I’m hearing?” Tension filled the air around us all as I quietly stared at the worker who was also new to Townsend Construction. From what I was seeing, he wouldn’t last too long with my company either.

“Ron has worked with Townsend Real Estate for the last six years. Not once, have I known him to get sloppy with a tractor. But, of course, if you know some information I don’t, I’d be happy to hear it.” I stopped, tilting my head to the side and raising an inquiring eyebrow.

Silence.

“Didn’t think so.” Turning back to the tractor, I let my eyes rove over the tractor’s underbelly, ensuring that everything was as it should’ve been. Within a few minutes of my observations, I could tell that everything wasn’t right.

“Dennis, what’d you say Ron got out of the tractor for?” I questioned without taking my eyes off the tractor.

“He said he got out to check something.”

“I bet he did. Look at this.” I stepped to the side and pointed at the loose screws and wiring I saw.

Dennis’ face pinched.

“When was the last time all of your equipment was inspected?”

“I’m not sure,” he answered hesitantly.

“Isn’t that one of ourfirstrules of safety? Equipment is to be checked weekly.”

“Nobody does that.” That same fucking voice.

I turned sharply, my eyes shooting over to James yet again.This fucking guy.

“Nobody?”

His lips pinched. “We check as often as possible, but—”

“Another fucking but,” I griped before gritting my teeth together. I rarely lost it in front of my employees but this guy was pushing my limits. “Well, this time around it almost cost your head foreman his fucking life, James.

“Now,” I turned to Dennis, “this needs to be marked. Nobody touches this tractor until I have my investigators out here to check it over. Your first order of business today will be to get a security team up here to install cameras in your trailer. I’m shutting this site down for the rest of the day. By tomorrow morning, every inch of this community needs to be visible on the security feed.

I turned about to walk away, leaving Dennis to follow me when I stopped. “James, you can come with us.” I turned swiftly, walking back to the construction trailer.

I paused, letting Dennis move into the trailer and stepping in front of James just as he was about to enter.

“You can hand over your hard hat and name badge.” It was difficult to keep the growl out of my voice.

James’ eyes widened considerably. “Seriously?”

“I don’t joke about firings.”