“That will keep us busy. Oh, that reminds me. I need to have Jasper come and replace a headlight for me. He’s going to be so annoyed. He’s been on me lately about getting a new car, but mine still runs,” she says, shrugging her shoulder. Jasper is the spitting image of his father based on the pictures Ruthie has shown me. His dad worked the oil field when Jasper was a toddler. He had an accident and they couldn’t save him. Now, here Jasper is at the age of thirty-five, his mom is fifty-five, and still, to this day and all these years later, Ruthie is content living her life on her own. The woman has more grit and determination than I will ever have.
“You better watch out, or Jasper will just buy you one. I’ve heard him cuss about that car on more than one occasion. Hell, he asked me to check on you this week to make sure your car hadn’t broken down yet.” I try to hide my laugh. On our last FaceTime call, he was lying in bed, his phone propped up on the pillow, his eyes so tired from work I could see the heavy bags underneath them. Jasper was smiling though. That man sunk my heart like a boat that needs an anchor. Dark chocolate hair framing light brown eyes, a few days’ old beard slowly growing in. The muscles he inadvertently flexed when he would move around. The deep olive complexion, the light dusting of chest hair, and the necklace I know from Ruthie he wears to bed every single night he’s on the rig, and he definitely has it on non-stop when he’s home for his days off. It’s something his mother gave his father and was handed down to him, the gold necklace with a cross hanging from it, showing off even more of his body. And let’s just say the whole package of Jasper Knight had me hot and bothered most nights we were able to FaceTime.
“I know. He acts like I can’t afford a new car or that he’ll just up and buy me one. He knows that’s not how I am and not how he was raised. I live well within my means, I have money in the bank, and I’m able to toot around on vacations when I want. No offense, honey, but I only work to keep me from getting as round as a house.” She’s on a tangent now. I clearly opened up a can of worms.
“I’m just saying if I were Jasper, I would probably be worried too. It’s not like he can come home and fix your car. Hell, my soon-to-be brother-in-law is a mechanic, and you should see what he did to my sister, Rowen’s, car. He practically replaced the whole thing, and I’m sure she won’t even drive it anymore.” The one thing I made sure of when my business was in the black was make sure my Tahoe was brand new. It didn’t need all the bells and whistles, but it dang sure needed a warranty. It’s not like I can ask my dad to hop on a plane and come take a look at my car. I definitely wouldn’t have three weeks ago, and even with Mom doing great, there’s no way she wouldn’t want to come down here with Dad.
“Oh, I know, it’s why when he does get home, I’ll pick his brain on what he thinks would be best for me. I don’t want anything like that monstrosity of a vehicle you have, or even what Jasper drives, though his truck does come in handy when it comes to repairing things around the house. Ugh, anyway, let’s get to work so when this new shipment comes in, we’re ready to roll.” Ruthie is full of piss and vinegar, and I absolutely love it.
“Ready when you are. We’ll order lunch in today since we’ll probably be here late. Unless you have plans?” She deserves the time off. I think I’ll probably tell Ruthie she doesn’t have to come in every single day the rest of the week. We have a high schooler who likes to help out a few hours, four times a week. It’s extra cash, but I’m sure she’s mainly here for the discount we offer employees.
“I’ve got nothing going on, except a date with a box of wine.” I laugh at that. Not that I can blame her. Hell, I’m twenty-four years old and love a cold beer every now and then.
“If you need a break, please take this week off. I promise I’m not one to take advantage of you. And you better have kept a log with all the hours you worked. Not just the part-time crap you like to pull,” I admonish.