#supportlocal #saveourseasconservation #tasteofmagnolia #magnoliapoint
Unknown: what would you know about being local?
14
TALON
“Talon?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s Aspen.”
“I know who it is,” I say with a sigh as I throw my pencil across my desk, the shop phone pressed to my ear. I don’t mean to be a dick, but I know what’s coming, and I’m pissed because it’s late and I should have been home hours ago.
“Nice to talk to you too,” she deadpans. “And while I’d love to catch up, I need your help.”
“Cora know you’re calling?”
“She would if she answered, but listen, if she asks, I called the other place but no one answered.”
My lips twitch. “Noted.”
“That guy is a creep, and you trying to interrupt my beach and queso day aside,”—I chuckle but she just keeps talking—“I’ll pick you any day.”
“I’m flattered.”
“I bet. Will you come get me? I’ve been here for an hour already and I just?—”
“I’m on my way. Text me your location. You’re safe, right?” I ask, my voice a little gruffer than normal as I rattle off my cell number. The thought of either one of them being hurt because some douchebag hasn’t fixed the Goddamn problem along with Cora being too hardheaded to listen is something I can’t handle.
Not today, and not ever.
“Yeah, just would rather be home, in the tub with a glass of wine.”
“Where’s Cora?”
“She had plans and had to leave early.”
My grip on the phone tightens, and images of some asshole’s hands on my girl cloud my vision as my cell vibrates on the desk. I barely see it because all I can focus on is those two words rattling around my brain.
My girl.
She’s not my girl, but I think that’s the problem.
Maybe that’s always been the problem.
“I’m on my way,” I tell her.
She sighs. “I’ll be here.”
Grabbing my keys, I climb into the tow truck and plug the address into the GPS. I know how to get most places in and around Magnolia Point, but I’m not taking any chances right now.
Letting out a low whistle, I park behind the Taste of Magnolia and stare up at the historic home with its white pillars and pristine landscape. It’s beautiful, and I can’t help the twitch of my lips thinking that Cora and Aspen had landed an event like this.
But my smile fades as Aspen comes around the back of the truck to stand at my door.
“Come sit in here, and I’ll just tow it back to the garage and give you a ride home.”
