Page 76 of Silver Brewer

“You’ll make no calls,” Uncle Frank warns. “In fact, you’re staying put. I don’t know what’s up with you, but for the past two weeks, your head has been in the clouds. Just when I thought you were finally buckling down and getting serious about being a partner. This is the second attempt at a large land purchase you fucked up. Is this all that baby business? Are you hoping to get pregnant instead?”

My mouth gaps open to defend myself, but he continues. My uncle has never spoken to me like this before. He spits out the word pregnant like it’s acid in his mouth. Is he insinuating I’m sleeping around?

“We’re keeping you local, Olivet, where we can monitor your sales and assist you. I can’t afford to lose more deals because of you.”

My chest hurts, stabbed by his words. I didn’t do anything on purpose, and he’s making it sound as if I have.

“But he was there…” My voice drifts as I see my uncle wants no explanation, no excuses.

“Dayna’s going to speak with the grandson and try to smooth things over.”

“Dayna?” I shriek. Not only will she be the ultimate betrayal, especially if she does secure the property, but honestly, I think she’ll muck it up even more. It’s the second time in a month we’ve tried to obtain land with questionable means, and I’m relieved we haven’t gotten what we set out for. We don’t appreciate the history of these people or the land they love.

“Plant your feet back on the Earth,” my uncle demands, implying my head is in the clouds, but he doesn’t realize how much I want to do just that. Dig my toes in the dirt. Dip my hands in a river. And enjoy.

I stand to dismiss myself and walk out of his office.

+ + +

“He what?” Giant asks, and I ache for him. It’s been twenty-four hours, and I miss him already. I don’t know how I’ll last for the next two weeks. I want him to hold me. I want him to distract me. I want him here.

“He accused me of not being dedicated to becoming a partner.” I pause, letting the words swirl around me as they have from the moment my uncle spoke them. Was he really wrong, though? Do I want to be partner if these are our practices? Yes, think of the baby, the one I don’t have. Giant’s prolonged silence rouses me.

“Hello,” I call out, wondering if I’d lost the connection.

“Can I ask you something?” His tone is serious and quiet. I hear the hesitation, and my blood races through my veins.

“Sure.” I’m not confident in my answer, but I won’t deny him anything.

“Do you really want to be partner, Cricket? I mean, you told me you took the job because you didn’t find anything else.” He pauses again, and I recall telling him these things. How I fell into a rut and stayed. “You could always do something else.”

“If only,” I snort, but wasn’t I just thinking these same thoughts?

“Why not?” He’s silent for a moment as if he’s waiting for an answer. I’m waiting for an answer.

Why not?

“Because I’m forty, and this is the only work I’ve ever known.”

“You can learn something new.” He pauses. He thought he’d always be military and now runs the brewery. “Are you happy there? You don’t sound happy there.”

“No, but that’s not the point. I need this job.” This job is security for me. It’s what I need to prove I’ll be a sound provider for a baby. The agency assures me my employment status is imperative to receiving a child.

“What about writing?” I’ve been thinking a lot about Mr. Calder and his story. The hints of his love affair linger in my head. The way he spoke of his girl. The memories so vivid. The pickle jar love note.

“It’s not that easy.” I sigh in exasperation. However, curiosity haunts me about the old resort, Sam’s romance, and the mystery of the past town, but I can’t just drop my job and write a book, hoping it will make me the kind of money I need.

“I could provide for you.” The comment brings an awkward silence. I swallow the lump in my throat. It’s a generous offer, and I know he means it wholeheartedly, but I couldn’t accept.

“That’s sweet of you, but it’s not about me.” I wait a moment for the rest of the statement to sink in.

Are you trying to get pregnant? My uncle’s words still sting.

“Right. A baby.” He doesn’t ask about the progress of my application, and I’m wondering if he’s one more person on board the Letty-shouldn’t-do-this train. I’m too emotionally exhausted to argue with him and ask him what his tone means. Giant sighs.

“Will he fire you? Because of me?” I’ve told Giant about the misunderstanding and who Sam Calder thought we were. The genuine concern in his voice makes my heart ache for him again.

“He won’t fire me because I’m family.” Uncle Frank would never let his sister down by letting me go even though he’d love nothing more. He doesn’t have his own children, so his only hope of continuing the legacy of Mullen Realty is through his nieces, or at least Dayna especially since she has Hudson. I wouldn’t trust either of them, but that’s just me. The future of the company seems secure, at least from one niece.