High-Powered, Hot-Blooded

She walked around her car. Sure enough, the right front tire was flat. She had a spare and a jack. She even knew how to change the tire. Assuming she could get the lug nuts unfastened.

She glanced at her watch, groaned at the time, then reached for her cell phone. No way she was going to be ready by five.

Seconds later the call was picked up. “Mr. Patrick’s line.”

“Annie McCoy for Duncan.”

“Of course, Ms. McCoy. I’ll put you right through.”

“Another crisis?” Duncan asked when he took the call.

“Yes. I have a flat tire. I’ll be a little late. Do you want me to meet you there?”

“You need new tires.”

She stared at the worn treads and rolled her eyes. “Obviously. I’ll get them. I’ve been saving. In another two months I’ll have enough.”

“It’s nearly the rainy season. You need them before then.”

Probably, but no amount of needing brought in more money each month. She rubbed her temple, feeling the exhaustion creep into her bones. She’d been out late every night this week and still had to get up early for school. Fifteen five-year-olds kept her running all day. The last thing she needed was Duncan stating the obvious.

“I appreciate the heads-up,” she said, trying not to sound as annoyed as she felt. “Look, it’s hot, I’m tired. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“Let me buy you the tires.”

“No.” She drew in a breath. “No, thank you.”

“You’re supposed to be where I say, when I say. If new tires are required to get you there, then you’ll get new tires.”

“That is not a part of our deal,” she told him, angry and sad at the same time. “You’re not buying me tires. You’re not buying me anything else. The freezer was too much, and I’ve already accepted that.”

“Why are you mad?”

“I just am.” She wanted to get out of the sun and heat. She wanted to curl up somewhere and sleep for two days. But mostly she didn’t want to be Duncan Patrick’s charity case.

“Annie? Talk to me.”

“I don’t have anything to say. I’ll meet you there. I know how to change a tire. It won’t take long.”

He was silent. Worry replaced annoyance.

“Duncan, I’m sorry I snapped. I know this is part of our deal. I’m not backing out of it.”

“Is that what you think? That after all this time, I would pull your brother out of rehab and toss him in jail?”

“No, but…”

“Which means yes.”

“It means I owe you. I’m just crabby. It’s hot, I’m tired. Let me get home and dressed and I’ll be better.”

“No,” he said. “Just go home. You’ve got the Christmas play at school tomorrow night. You have to be rested for that.”

“Winter festival,” she corrected.

“Right. Because everyone is fooled.”

“Exactly.” Her bad mood faded a little. “I want to come to the party.”

“No, you don’t. Go home. Rest. It’s okay.”

She could take a bath, she thought wistfully. Sip some wine from the box. “Really?”

“Yes. About the tires…”

She groaned. “Don’t make me have to hit you the next time I see you. I have a great jab.”

“You have a sad excuse for a jab. It would be like being attacked by a butterfly.”

Probably true, she thought. “You’re not buying me tires.”

“What if I set up an employee discount? I buy a lot of tires for my trucks. I have a service bay here. If it was available to everyone who worked here, would you use it?”

She would guess a lot of Patrick Industries employees would appreciate the discount as much as she would. For the greater good, she told herself. “After I see the announcement in writing.”

“You’re a tough negotiator.”

“I spend my day dealing with five-year-olds. I have skills.”

“I can see that. Are you okay changing the tire? I could send someone.”

“By the time he got here, I’d be finished. I’ve done this before.”

“Call me when you get home so I know you’re okay.”