I glance down at my hands resting on the table. No calluses today, which is a rare thing. I trimmed my nails, even cleaned the dirt out from under them—made sure I didn’t show up looking like a guy who just climbed out of a crawl space.
Before I can overthink it anymore, the bell on the door chimes and Austin looks up, standing almost immediately. “That’s him.”
I turn and spot a tall man walking in. Mid-fifties maybe, lean build, salt-and-pepper hair combed neatly back, and a calm confidence in the way he moves. He’s dressed like Austin—sport coat, slacks, no tie—but somehow still manages to make it feel more laid-back than formal.
There’s something easy about his presence. Pleasant. Like the kind of guy who’s probably walked through a thousand meetings and knows how to read a room before he even speaks.
He spots our table and walks toward us with a quick but unhurried stride.
Austin steps forward to shake his hand. “Hunter, gladyou made it. Let me introduce you to the guys I told you about.”
“Looking forward to this,” Mr. McNeal says with a smile. His voice is smooth, just the right amount of Southern in it. “Heard nothing but good things.”
Austin turns. “This is Noah Ross, and Esteban Báez. Ross & Báez Construction.”
We both stand to shake his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you,” I say, grateful my voice sounds steady and confident.
Mr. McNeal’s handshake is firm, and his eyes lock onto mine with that kind of focus that makes you feel like he’s already assessing everything about you.
“I appreciate you boys taking the time,” he says, taking a seat. “Heard you’re some of the best in the business.”
Noah nods, sitting beside me again. “Appreciate that. We try to do right by our people and our work.”
“And that’s exactly the kind of crew I want on my sites,” Mr. McNeal replies as he settles in.
Austin flags down a server and motions for coffee for the table. I reach for the water in front of me, taking a sip while trying to keep my knee from bouncing under the table again.
“So,” Mr. McNeal starts, folding his hands on the table. “Let me tell you a little about what we’re working on”
Chapter Four
Esteban
Mr. McNeal leans back in his chair after the server refills his coffee, cradling the cup in both hands like a man about to drop a major play.
“My company—McNeal & Co.—specializes in high-end, full-experience developments,” he begins. “We build destinations, not just buildings. Resorts, boutique hotels, luxury dining… places people remember. Places they want to come back to.”
He glances at all three of us before continuing, “This project near Honey Springs has been in the pipeline for a while. We finally secured the land, and the concept phase is locked. I need a crew that can handle the complexity of this build, someone local, with a reputation for solid work and strong leadership. That’s why I’m here.”
I nod slowly, absorbing every word. Noah sits like a statue beside me, arms folded, his face calm but alert. Austin’s got that barely-there smirk he always wears when something’s going exactly as he planned.
McNeal continues, “Construction starts this fall. We’vegot a six-month prep window, and then it’s full steam ahead. You’d start with the main lodge. If that goes well, we roll into the cottages, the restaurants, the spa, the activity center—whole shebang.”
This is big. Bigger than anything Noah and I have ever done. I can already feel my brain starting to race through project timelines and staffing needs.
“I wanted to meet you personally,” McNeal adds, his gaze shifting between Noah and me. “I like to know who I’m working with. Austin spoke very highly of you two—said you’re trustworthy, hardworking, and invested in your community.”
Noah offers a small nod. “We appreciate that. We’ve been building up to something like this.”
McNeal smiles. “Well, Austin’s word carries weight. So I figured, before contracts and legal get involved, we’d have a sit-down. Man to man. See if we vibe.”
And we are vibing, until he sets his cup down and cocks his head.
“So, tell me a little about yourselves. Married? Kids?”
The second the words leave his mouth, I wonder,Does he need us to have that? A family, to prove we’re serious about our work?
