I hate leaving her there, but the house is secure. Our large fence has sensors on it if someone gets close to it from the outside. I drive around to the shop and pull into the lot.
“About time, sleeping beauty,” Flex says as I come through the open garage door.
“So is that fucker going to be a problem?”
“I hope not. He’s been transferred out of town to be held on multiple charges.”
“Damn, I guess most of those charges have nothing to do with yesterday and all to do with Mac.”
“Do you know her too?”
“Most of the town does. I thought you knew her because I saw your mother talking to her last week.”
“Nope. Now I’ve rectified that. She’s mine.”
“Whoa that’s fast as fuck. Are you sure? She’s a sweet girl.”
“I’m sure. The second I saw her I felt my world just tilt. For eight months she’s been avoiding me and that pisses me off. We could be married and on our way to having our first kid by now.”
“You know most people date for a while before popping the question, right?”
“I don’t care. I’m twenty-eight. I’ve been around the damn block before. I know she’s the one and that’s all there is to it. Granted, I’d hoped she’d be older, but still, I’m never letting her go. Enough of ruining my morning. What’s on the block?”
“Well, Mr. Santini came in and picked up his car. I already processed him. The fucker was standing outside the gates when I pulled up.”
“Yeah, and what did he think?”
“He wants to send another project next month. He said he has to wait, or his wife will rip his balls off.”
“I’m betting. The bill was sixty thousand.”
“Yep. The guy’s a millionaire, but his wife thinks cars have no value unless they’re hers.”
“I get it. Okay. Well, how many do we have ready to go out today?”
“Every car that’s due for pickup for today and tomorrow is ready. We have been killing it.”
“That’s fucking good. I’ve got to handle the books before I get too busy.” I hustle up the stairs to my office, waving to the guys on the main floor. Once in my office I take a seat and sigh. Is everyone going to think I’m rushing it with Mackenzie? Does she feel I’m rushing us?
Damn, I hadn’t given her any chance to stop me as I steamrolled her into living with me. What if she resents me later? She’s only nineteen now. Fuck. I can’t give her up, but I need to talk to her about our relationship.
I spend the next two hours working in the office and finish all the data entry. Standing I stretch out and then grab my tablet to check on the orders. When I get downstairs, Mr. Medford is waiting there with his daughter. She has to be about sixteen now but has a serious crush on Flex. They live in Paxton, but they use our shop because of the quality or maybe it’s because Ms. Medford has a crush on my right hand man and daddy does whatever she wants.
“Ah there’s the man I wanted to see.” Of course he does. “Are you still partial to that WWII Indian?”
“Of course I am. That beauty is not for sale, but I know a couple of people selling a pre-war Indian. They are not in as pristine condition as mine. I can give you their info if you’d like.”
“That sounds great. I’d really love to own one.”
“Hi, Flex,” she coos, inching closer to him.
“Hello, Bethany,” he grumbles, moving further behind the vehicle he’s working on.
“Beth, dear. Leave the man alone.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Thanks. We’re going to take our leave.” We shake hands with him and Bethany, but Flex practically growls when I take her hand. Wow, so he isn’t as unaffected.
The second they leave I begin to tease the fucker. “Shut it. At least Mac is legal. Beth is jailbait and a real fucking tease. I really need to move out of Paxton, maybe Texas all together.”
“Nah, brother, there are too many cowboys out there ready to scoop her up the second she’s legal.” He growls and I laugh, sauntering away to check on the other guys.
I’m nearly finished up with the guys when I hear my name softly spoken. A low rumble shakes my chest before the sound breaks free. “Hey, boss man, your woman’s looking for you.”
“If you value your life, you’ll take an early and long lunch today. All of you.” I hear tools drop and boots moving, but I don’t take my eyes off of Mackenzie. She’s standing there in a pair of cut off shorts and a tank top with her tiny bra barely hiding her nipples and her black strap showing.
“Go to Dallas. Come back at two.” I look at the clock and it’s only ten-thirty, but fuck if I care.”