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“Since someone has to keep an eye on you, I guess I have no choice. Where are we going?” Clark asked.
“Errol, New Hampshire. Thought we could bring the ladies hiking at Dixville Notch and maybe do some fishing,” I said.
Clark laughed. “I can’t wait to meet this woman.”
“Why?” I asked.
“She owns a tow truck business, likes camping and fishing?”
I nodded and he continued. “Wouldn’t surprise me if you said she likes hunting, too. But you’re right, she definitely sounds…. different. Can’t wait until Mother hears about her.”
“You’ll keep your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you. You know how she is.” Somehow mother would get Joyelle’s number and invite her over for tea. If that happens, Joyelle would run, and our time together would be over before it really even started.
Clark got up and said, “You know, it’s been a long time since any of my brothers were indebted to me. I think I like this.”
Ass.
Clark made a satisfied grunt at my eyeroll and said, “I’ll have my gear ready.”
“Good. I’ll text the details and we can take the chopper there.”
Clark chuckled. “Shocking. For a minute I thought you were going to make us do the five-hour drive, too. At least you haven’t totally lost your mind.” He threw a twenty on the table and before leaving he asked, “What’s her friend’s name?”
“Lizzy.”
“Don’t think I’ve dated her yet. Then again, I can’t be sure.”
He left me sitting at the table alone. I just hope you haven’t dated Joyelle.
I had no idea what time she got off work. The first time we met, it was quite late. I could text her, but I didn’t want to distract her – a lot of her time was spent driving, after all. Instead, I ordered myself another beer, then dialed her number. She answered on the first ring.
“Hi, Richard.”
I could hear the truck’s engine in the background. “Still working, I see.”
“Yes. Going to be a very late night. But at least it’s productive. I snagged five of the eight cars so far.”
I wouldn’t be happy with myself unless I had repossessed all eight, but my standards were high. And she sounded extremely pleased with her results.
“That’s good.”
“Yes, it is,” she replied. “Usually when they hear the truck someone hops into the vehicle and takes off. I’m tempted to go back and see if any of them returned and parked in the same place.”
“It’s already dark. Are you sure you want to do that?” I had no sway here, but I couldn’t forget why I’d pulled over to help her in the first place. If I hadn’t intervened, that guy would’ve made sure she didn’t leave with his car one way or another. I didn’t want to think about what could have happened. Even now, I felt my body tense in anger.
“Welcome to owning your own business. If I want the time off, I need to do my work now.”
“You’re doing this just to go camping?” I asked. That meant if something happened to her, it was my fault. Fuck no! “Because we can make this work another time. It doesn’t have to be this weekend.” Or ever.
“I’m looking forward to it. Besides, I already told Lizzy all about it.”
Her excitement was evident in her tone, and that gave me the go-ahead for sharing more about the plan. “My brother Clark will be joining us as well.” Not saying he’s excited, but he’s coming, at least.
“When I get off work, I’ll grab my stuff from storage.”
“What stuff do you need?” I asked.
“Tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, survival kit. And with any luck, fishing pole,” she responded. “Guess it would help to know where we are going so I can pack the right clothes, too.”
