Getting himself a fresh cup of coffee, he went to return to his office when he saw his ‘ghost’s’ familiar form walking down the street.
Georgia turned to look out the window and sighed. It wasn’t like her not to comment on the people passing in front of the shop. Usually, he didn’t say anything and tried to avoid gossip, but he’d noticed how his employee never said much about Josie, or repeated any gossip for that matter.
“What?”
Georgia twisted and frowned at him, as if not understanding his question.
“Why did you sigh as she walked down the street?”
“At Josie? I sighed?”
Knox arched an eyebrow, incredulous that she thought she could avoid his question like that. His expression must have been enough because she shrugged, shuffling papers. “There’s not much to say about poor Josie. Nothing of interest, as a matter of fact.”
Even though she tried to dismiss him, his interest was picked as he looked at Josie’s form slowly disappearing from view. “Come on, Georgia. I’m not into gossip, and you know it. However, you are, and Josie is the only person in town you have nothing to say about. Why?”
“First of all, reporting news is not gossiping, and I know the difference very well. Second, I told you. The poor girl has enough on her shoulders as it is. She needs support, and that’s what we women do. We support each other.”
“And if we men want to help, we’re screwed?”
“Exactly. It’s because you men want to screw us over that we women bond together.”
Knox wanted to throw his arms in the air and lock himself in his office. Instead, he sighed. “Georgia, I’m not going to discuss this with you if you’re going to throw that sort of foolishness in my face. I’m genuinely concerned. When I ask questions, it’s because I’m new around here, for God’s sake, not because I want all the scandalous details of a person’s life.”
Knox had to admit he’d laid it on a bit thick and wasn’t as selfless in his intentions as he was making out. The elusive lady of the lake made him mighty curious.
Georgia seemed to consider his words carefully before responding. “There isn’t much you can do, Spencer. She’s deep in debt because of her ex-husband and she’s working as much as she can to pay it all back.”
It wasn’t much information, but it was enough for him to want more. And the bit about her ex made him clench his fists. It reminded him of his punching bag in his home gym.
“She covered his Why didn’t she let it all go to the bank and start over?”
“You don’t know Josie. She’s as straight as an arrow. Even if you offered her the money to pay back her debts, she wouldn’t accept it. Instead, she cut back every expense she could think of and took every job she could find. The woman is a harder worker than anyone I know, but Landston is a small town, with small salaries. She needs to pay off the debt before their divorce can be finalized. In the meantime, he got out of Dodge in less than a minute. Poor Josie had to sell everything. She lived in a room nearby at first, but someone offered her a little cabin near yours. Although I wouldn’t call it a cabin. It’s more like a shack, from what I remember. She walks to town every morning and walks back when she’s done. It’s a hellish life if you ask me.”
The older woman watched the street as if she could still see Josie walking past the shop.
“Where does she work?”
Blinking, Georgia shook her head and turned to him. “The better question is where doesn’t she work. I know she has a steady job at the inn as a maid, and at the bakery shop late at night. She was also a cashier at the grocery store for a bit and worked at the restaurant too. As I said, she’ll do any and every job. To be honest, I worry for her health, Spencer. No one is able to carry on at that rate for long. I see it on her face. She’s fading away and is too stubborn to accept help or even acknowledge she needs it.”
Knox nodded. It was a desperate situation, but he didn’t know what to do. Of course, he could play the good guy and arrive on her doorstep with a bag of food or something, but it would mean getting involved, and that was something he wasn’t ready to do. He couldn’t, and wouldn’t, care for someone and Josie’s case screamed of needing care. Maybe there were a couple of things he could ask her to do around the shop, but he would have to think about it.
That would be for another time though, as the day had started and the phone was ringing. Georgia took the call as Knox returned to his office to prepare for his day, with Josie’s image lingering in his brain.
Chapter 2
Knox wipedhis hands and rolled his shoulders trying to get rid of the stiffness in them. It was late, the shop had been closed for at least two hours now, but he was determined to finish what he’d started. That old truck had seen better days, and the thickness of the rust underneath it made replacing any of the parts challenging. Only sheer force and determination made it possible to complete the work. It would be drivable for a short time and the only guarantee was it would come back in for more repairs sooner rather than later.
Turning off the lights in the shop, he returned to his office to write up the invoice and put it in the system so Georgia wouldn’t chew his head off tomorrow morning.
It had been a busy day, with everyone making sure their gear was ready for this new bout of snow coming their way. Tom and Marvin had been hopping around too as two snowplows came in for a quick checkup. The town was small, but they were prepared.
That was the reason he’d stayed late. All the smaller jobs had been pushed aside for the emergencies and as he didn’t know if they would be able to open the shop tomorrow, he preferred to get ahead.
Closing his computer, he removed his coveralls and threw them in the corner bin before sitting down again. It wasn’t as if he was in a hurry to get home. On the contrary. Even if it was comfortable, the cabin was utilitarian, and he’d never been a homebody. All his life he’d scurried around the streets, navigating the dark alleys, and dealing with the dangerous night after night. He was one of those creatures after all, born from survival and duplicity. No man would set foot on that road if not for money or power.
His skin felt too tight, and he knew it was all those unwanted feelings surging within him. It was the reason he’d turned his back on his old life and had relocated far away.
The wind whistled all around, announcing the storm was already on its way. He should get in his truck and go, but still he lingered, trying to delay the moment he would be snowed in.
