“No problem, Matty. Are you here to fix the picnic table?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The Southern drawl that accompanied the “ma’am” made Reese’s knees weak. It startled her. When was the last time she had a physical reaction to someone? She usually ignored attraction, pushing it back as far as she could get it.
“Thank you for getting to it so fast. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Good seeing you, Matty,” said Tyler.
“You too, sir.”
The dark-haired woman nodded at the group, then slid by them to go to the back of the building.
“Well, if that’s all, I think I’ll go back inside. It was nice meeting you, Reese.”
“You too, Kerrie.”
Tyler motioned for her to walk with him back to the Main building. As they passed the woman named Matty, their eyes locked once more before Matty tore away, focusing on the table where a board on the bench seat appeared to be lifting up from the base.
“So, not to pressure you, but what do you think? Would you like to join The Church?”
She cast a glance back over her shoulder, lingering on the white building and just briefly on the maintenance woman. She was surprised to find herself nodding. “Yeah, yeah, I think I’ll take the position.”
Chapter four
Chapter Four
Matty let out a grunt as she lifted the door to the refrigerated unit that was outside Main. It was a large walk-in positioned next to the cafeteria. A car had backed into it, causing one of the hinges to need to be replaced.
She had managed to get the old bolt out and was replacing it with a new one when her pocket buzzed.
She was irritated by how long it had taken to get the bolt out. A kitchen worker had already come out twice asking when he would be able to get in the freezer. Her frustration only increased when she fished the phone out of her pocket and saw the screen.
“Grammy. Dammit.”
Her grandmother calling during the workday only meant one thing: she needed something. Matty didn’t have time today for this.
She ignored the call, hoping she would get the hint and call someone else, but a minute later the buzzing resumed. More and more, calls and visits with Grammy were getting harder, which she hated, but she couldn’t shake how it made her feel.
Laden with guilt as the buzzing stopped and then repeated once again, she sighed heavily and then answered it. “Hey, Grams.”
“Matty? Why aren’t you answering me?”
“I’m at work, Grams.”
“I need you here now.”
“I’m at work.” Annoyance began replacing the guilt.
“It’s just pouring out water. I need you here.”
She stood straight up. “Water? From where?”
“I don’t know. I’m just an old woman, Matty. Why are you not helping me?”
Closing her eyes, Matty went to pinch the bridge of her nose but only managed to poke herself in the eye because she forgot she was wearing heavy work gloves. That furthered her annoyance. “I’m trying to help you. I need to know where the water is coming from.”
“It’s all in the laundry room. Water is everywhere. I need you.”
