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“Well, Joe, I have to say that I like your numbers here. And everyone has been talking about how your beef is top quality.”
“So, what’s holding you back from making this deal?” I ask.
“Let’s just say that I’m getting pulled on both ends,” Jim says while taking off his large cowboy hat and setting it on the table.
“Who’s shaking you down, Jim?” I ask as the pieces are starting to fit together.
“Avery Cattle has been our distributor for some time now, and they knew you were coming here today. Let’s just say that they aren’t happy about it. They’re doing everything they can to keep my business.”
I wonder how the hell Avery found out I was coming here today. Only my guys were aware of it, which means one might be telling people things they shouldn’t. I make a mental note to keep my plans a bit more under wraps for the foreseeable future before turning my attention back to convincing Jim of this deal.
“Well, let’s talk it out, Jim. Let’s figure out how you and I can make this deal.”
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Two hours later, and I am back in my truck on the way back to Grady, a new signed deal in my hand. Jim Stroghoff is the owner of Lipton Markets, which are scattered along some of Tennessee's central counties. They are mostly in small towns, but it’s a chain of about 60 stores, which is a massive deal for a small-time operation like myself. I had to sweeten the price a little, so my profit margins won’t be quite as high, but sticking it to that asshole Avery sure as hell makes it worth it.
I’m convinced Avery isn’t going to be happy until I’m out of business, but I’ve got news for him. I’m not going down without a fight. He can send as many goons as he wants to try to buy me out, and he can try to crap on all the deals that he wants. It’s not going to detour me in the least.
The warm air blows on me from the rolled-down windows. Country music plays faintly enough that I can barely hear it, but I don’t turn it up. Sometimes, I like being stuck in my thoughts for a bit without all the extra noise around, especially when I have something as sweet as Andi Nicholson to think about.
Maybe I’m just a sucker for a pretty girl who needs some help. I’m sure some men would be worried about her taking advantage of them, but to be honest, I’m not worried in the least. It’s not like I have a lot worth stealing, and in a small town like ours, you can’t get away with much, especially when you’re the newbie in town with all eyes on you.
I wonder if maybe I should have had her wait to go into town for that very reason. People in Grady aren’t too keen on outsiders, and I’m sure she will get the third degree from at least one of them, along with some pretty harsh stares. Everyone thinks that small towns down here are the example of Southern hospitality, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Grady has many really good, friendly people, but a lot of those people have been taken advantage of before and don’t intend to let it happen again.
I’ll have to make sure that Andi manages to meet some of the good ones, and they actually give her a chance. Thankfully, almost everyone in town trusts me and my judgment, so let’s hope that is enough to get them to not act like a pack of jackals toward her.
My phone begins to ring through the speakers. A few years ago, I upgraded to this fancy pick-up truck from my old beat-up one, and it’s still sometimes hard to get used to all the bells and whistles.
Looking at the console screen, I see that it’s my mother calling. I click the button on the steering wheel to answer.
“Hey, Momma.”
“Don’t youhey Mommame. When were you going to tell me that you now have some girl living with you?”
“Good grief, word spreads fast!”
“Jonas, you can fit this whole town in a shoebox. Of course, the news spread quickly. Now, tell me what’s going on.” Her Southern accent blares through the speakers.
“It’s not what you think. Her name is Andi, and she’s my new tenant. I’m finally renting out the old house.”
“So, why did I hear she stayed the night at your house last night?”
I explain the whole situation to her, hoping that she will stop her line of inquisition. When I’m finally finished, the line is quiet for a moment, and I’m wondering if I am about to get one of her classic Annie Mitchell lectures.
I brace myself for her long-winded speech, but instead, she says, “Oh Jonas, you’re such a good boy. I knew I was doing something right with you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I say. “I’m just trying to be nice.”
“I swear out of all of your siblings, you are, by far, the nicest.”
“Momma, I’ve been telling you for years that you got it perfect on the first try when you had me. I don’t know why you went and messed with that and had three more brats. You were testing fate,” I joke.
“Oh, hush. Speaking of which, I talked to Jessie a couple of days ago.”
The sound of my youngest brother’s name makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up on end. He’s been in trouble for years now, and to be honest, I don’t give a shit where he is or what he’s doing.
My silence tells my mother that it is probably a good idea to change the subject. Jessie is a hot-button topic for me, and she knows I’m quick to end the conversation when it’s about him.
