“Matthew speaking.”
“It’s Garrett. Riley was walking because her car died. I got it started again, but I need someone to drive my truck and follow me back to her apartment. It’s her friend’s vehicle, and she’s worried the asshole might get mad.”
“Send me your location. We’re finishing up with the horses, and I’ll come get you,” Matthew said, seeming unbothered by his request, considering they only recently hired him.
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” he said before hanging up and texting the directions. Garret used his flashlight and inspected the interior. Empty bottles and cans lay strewn on the floor. It stank like pot. The backseat held a pair of women’s panties and a shit ton of fast-food wrappers. “Some winner of a friend,” he muttered. He got out and sat in his truck, leaving the interior light on so Matthew could see him.
Half an hour later, Matthew made a U-turn and parked in front of the vehicle. He rolled his window down as Garrett approached. “I’ll follow you over, and then we’ll pick up your truck on the way back.”
“You got it, boss,” Garrett said, heading toward the rust bucket.
Pulling out onto the road, he headed back to Riley’s apartment. He rolled the window down, wondering how she drove it without gagging from the marijuana scent. The drive didn’t take long, and he finally turned into the parking lot, got out, locked the doors, and headed toward the apartment where he saw her enter.
Garrett knocked and waited. No one came to the door, making him worry. What if she passed out? Did her sister come home? He knocked again and swiped at his jaw when no one answered.
“Riley, it’s Garrett. I’m coming in,” he called as he took out his knife and easily picked the lock. Opening the door, he scanned the area and called louder, “Riley?”
Silence answered him, making him frown. The woman had a concussion and bruised ribs. She needed rest. Where did she go in such a short time? He walked toward the back of the apartment, noticing the spareness of the furniture, the absence of a television, and a stack of books in the corner. The apartment itself appeared run-down and practically in shambles, yet Riley and her sister kept everything neat and tidy.
He entered the bedroom to find two blown-up mattresses and a blanket neatly folded at each end. They didn’t contain sheets, and he imagined how uncomfortable they must’ve felt in the heat. Living three stories up in an apartment that barely contained railings for the staircase, he doubted the air conditioning worked.
Returning to the kitchen, he found a piece of paper and a pencil. Garrett wrote a note.
Riley,
Your keys fell out of your pocket. One of the spark plug wires popped off, and I got it started. It’s in the parking lot. Hope you feel better. Here’s my number if you need anything.
Garrett
He scribbledhis number and glanced around one more time. Something bothered him about the entire setup. Walking to the fridge, he opened it to stare at a couple of condiments, a pack of lunch meat, cheese, milk, and a candy bar with a note attached. He picked it up and read it.
Keep your head up, kiddo! As soon as I get paid, we’ll order a pizza with everything on it. Until then, you deserve some chocolate. Great job on your test! Love you.
--Riley
Garrett placedit back in the fridge and opened the cabinets. Two boxes of mac and cheese, a can of tuna, a loaf of bread, and two boxes of cereal filled them. No wonder she jumped at the cash.
Exiting the apartment, he saw Matthew frowning at him as he descended the stairs. He got into the passenger seat and turned toward his new boss.
“Riley didn’t answer. I worried she might be lying on the floor,” he explained.
“It’s still called breaking and entering, no matter how you spin it, when you enter a single woman’s apartment without her permission,” Matthew said, pulling out of the parking lot and driving toward Garrett’s truck. “Don’t make me regret my decision. For the record, I might’ve brought you on, but Julio will have the final say. He and Rebecca went out of town. You’ll meet them soon,” he explained.
“Are you saying my job may not be my job for long because you watched me check on awoman, who I hit with my truck, and grew concerned when she didn’t answer the door?” he complained.
“I’m saying mind your P’s & Q’s,” Matthew warned.
“You won’t regret hiring me. I don’t know exactly what you do, but I’m not an idiot. I do appreciate you coming through. I didn’t know if she needed the car to get to work or to return it to her friend. I caused the problem and wanted to fix it,” Garrett said, determined.
“You did the right thing,” Matthew assured him as they neared his truck. “Follow me home, and we’ll take a different route to the property. You’ll stay in one of the cabins. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to the hands and you’ll shadow Mac.”
“Will my horse stay nearby?” he asked.
“There’s a small barn on the property with two stalls. The previous owner used it as a hunting cabin when he visited. It has two bedrooms. Don’t get used to having it to yourself. We’re still hiring a few people.”
“Boy, you’re full of ominous joy.”
“Hey, I hired you, but it might be temporary, and don’t get used to the place because we’re sticking someone else in here,” he joked.
