Covered in Coal (Buried Secrets 1)

She shrills, as Colton lifts her up, and spins her around. She hugs his neck tight, but once her eyes lock onto mine, she jumps from his arms, and races to me.

“Carly Jo, you came to see me, just like you promised!”

“Well of course I did sweets! Made a promise to ya!”

“Come on, let’s get my girls inside. I’m starvin’, and it’s too damn cold out here.” Colton says. Heidi Jo stops dead in her tracks, crossing her chunky arms across her chest, while she shoots daggers at Colton.

“Daddy, don’t make me tell Mamaw that you’re talkin’ yucky again?”

“My apologies, princess. But don’t go gettin’ your old man in trouble now, ‘kay?” Colton says, holding up his pinky for her to promise on.

“Deal, but remember, Princesses don’t like yucky talk, Daddy. ‘Kay?” Heidi Jo says, hooking her tiny pinkie around Colton’s, binding their promise.

Stepping inside the Weston home, my senses are filled with southern goodness. Fried chicken, one of Emily Weston’s special recipes. I follow Colton into the kitchen, where he kisses his Momma on top of the head, before taking the plates from her hand, and setting the table. I give her a warm hug then help her set the food on the table. The back door slams open and Bill, Colton’s dad, comes storming through the house, spittin’ and sputterin’ obscenities to nobody in specific. He disappears into a room at the end of the hall, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Uh oh, Mamaw. Poppy ain’t a happy camper.” Heidi Jo says.

“Oh, just over-look the old coot, sugar. Poppy has probably had a bad day at work again. Come on, get washed up for supper.”

We all sit, and prepare our plates. It’s been so long since I’ve had a true home cooked meal, my taste buds are watering, in excitement. Heidi Jo reminds us all to say grace, then we dig in. Oh my god the first bite is sheer heaven. I could get fat eating like this every day.

Bill pulls a chair out at the head of the table and sits down, as Emily prepares his plate.

“Rough day, honey?”

“Not now Emily, don’t get me riled up again.” Bill says, shaking his head, as tension envelops the room.

“Fine dear, but please don’t be rude. We have company, or did you not notice Carly?” Looking up, Bill’s eyes meet mine, and he laughs a hearty chuckle.

“Well hell no, I didn’t notice. You’ll have to forgive me, sweetheart, it’s been a long ass day.” I smile and nod politely. Bill always intimidated me. He has a very blunt demeanor, and you can never tell whether he is being serious or if he is joking.

“Where the hell you been all these years, girl?” Choking back on the bite of food I just took in my mouth, I swallow quickly, so I can answer him.

“South Carolina.” Quick, short and to the point. Shoving another bite into my mouth, I look away from him, silently praying that he doesn’t ask any more questions.

“South Carolina, yeah? Nice beaches.”

“Old Man, what’s goin’ on at work that had ya all worked up when ya came in?” Colton asks, as he senses my tension. Bill clinks the silverware down on the plate, and leans back, letting out a huff of air.

“That damn jackass of a partner. Ah hell, I don’t know what I was thinkin’ getting mixed up with him. Damn son of a bitch, ain’t nothin’ but a cocky ass little prick.”

“Bill, language already! For Pete’s sake, mind your manners.” Emily cuts in.

“Sorry dear. I just get so worked up thinkin’ ‘bout it. Wish to God I’d never laid eyes on the bastard.” Emily raises her eye brow, warning him to keep his tongue in check.

“So what’s he doin’ to piss in your cheerios?”

“He wants to run Dalton Trucking his own way. Thinks because he has that Master’s Degree he knows more ‘bout the truckin’ business than I do. Prick don’t know shit. He may own a coal company, but that don’t mean he knows a damn thing ‘bout haulin’ the shit they mine, or the trucks that haul it,” Bill replies.

“Which coal company?” Colton asks?

“Huh?”

“You said he owns a coal company. Which one does he own?” Bill thinks for a second before answering.

“American Heritage Coal Company, I think is the name of it.” My eyes flick up at the mention of American Heritage Coal Company. Where do I know that name from? I chew on the inside of my lip, pressing my memory for American Heritage Coal Company. Bill and Colton continue to talk, and I continue to think. It isn’t until I hear the son of a bitch’s name do I put two and two together.

“Drew wants to buy five new trucks, instead of repairin’ the trucks we already own. Dumbass don’t realize them Peterbilts cost a shit load of money. Money the company just ain’t got.”