Chapter One
“Shit, no lights. Really?”
Boone hadn’t even gotten the front door shut before he’d reached to flip the light switch on the wall. Nothing. After trying several times before accepting defeat, he slammed the new door hard enough it made the glass rattle. He was tired and sore and the last thing he wanted to do after sitting in a bullshit meeting for hours about a fire he’d been working for the last two days.
“Whoever said doing your own home remodeling was easy, was off their rocker.” He felt his way to the kitchen for some matches.
“I know I put the damn candles in one of these drawers.” Figures it would be the very last one in the room. After he got one lit, he set out for the basement to check the breaker just in case he’d get lucky and it was a quick fix. There was barely enough illumination to light his way as he carried the candle out in front of him while he felt his way with the other hand. Why didn’t he buy flashlights instead of candles? “Because the nice old lady at the general store insisted candles lasted longer than batteries.” He sure hoped she was right.
A pounding on his front door kept him from descending the stairs for the moment.
“Damn, who the hell is knocking this late?” Boone didn’t exactly live in a populated area, so it was a little unusual to have visitors just happen to be in the area and stop by. Because it was habit, he flipped the same switch in the foyer at the front door before remembering it wasn’t working. “Shit.”
Another harder knock sounded. “Hold your horses, I’m coming.”
“What the hell took you so long? Hey why’s your house dark, didn’t you install the lights yourself? Some electrician you are.” His younger brother laughed as he walked in without being invited.
“Pearson, what could you possibly need from me now, this late at night, isn’t it past your bedtime?”
“Ha, very funny asshole, I’m only two years younger than you. Anyway, mom sent me.”
Shit, that didn’t sound good. He couldn’t say no to anything that his mom might need.
“Is she okay?” Boone wracked his brain trying to remember the last time he stopped by to see her. He’d been busy with the house and work lately.
“Oh yeah, mom’s fine. She just hasn’t heard from you in a while. She called earlier today, and you never called her back.”
“Dang, I thought something was really wrong.”
“Well she thinks there is when you don’t call her back.”
“I’ve been working a fire for a few days and I wasn’t really able to answer my phone. I just got home to find out I have no power.”
“Was it something you hooked up wrong?” His brother smirked; he was such an asshole.
“I have no idea. It worked when I left so I doubt it. Can we get back to why you’re here? I’m tired and I’d like to go to bed.”
“Oh yeah, mom wants you to come over tomorrow.”
“Why, is she okay?” Call him a momma’s boy but Boone would pretty much jump through hoops for that woman. He wouldn’t have missed her call on purpose, but he didn’t remember seeing a voicemail either. Unfortunately, his brother could be an idiot about the details.
“Pearson, come on, spill it.”
“She didn’t tell me, just that she wants you to stop over tomorrow.”
“Is she okay?”
“I think so. Hey, do you mind if I crash on your couch tonight? My girlfriend kicked me out.”
“Again? Why do you keep going back to her?”
“The sex is amazing.”
“Jesus, I don’t wanna hear it, you know where the blankets are, I’m going to check the breaker then I’m going to bed.”That boy will never learn.
“Need any help?”
“No!”Any help from Pearson isn’t really help.
