Page 15 of Do It Yourself
It’s not the responsibility that gives me the willies, I’ve worked at the Farm for ten years and I’m confident enough in my ability to get jobs done, but the fact that it feels wrong to have someone that’s not a Warren be in charge.
I’m just a regular guy.
The Warrens sometimes feel like they are above it all.
Reese stops the cart and lets out a harsh cough, pointing to the fence line. “Was told the box should be right up there, Boss.” I glance at him as I unfold myself from the cart. His face is red and he won’t make eye contact with me.
“Allllright. Let me go check ‘em out and see what we’re dealing with.” I tap the top of the cart once after Reese gives me a jerky nod. I make quick strides to the fence line, anxious to resolve this issue and get back to my regular schedule. Get back to shadowing Mabel.
Shadowing has been going slowly, I don’t want to push Mabel too much and I definitely don’t want to allow my personal feelings to get mixed up with learning her side of the business. She essentially does it all herself.
I see the box but there’s no movement or any fluffy heads poking out with curiosity.
Huh, maybe the pups are asleep?
I pick up the pace, my gut churning with slight worry, hoping the animals aren’t overheating or something.
What the hell?
The box is empty. I squat down to inspect for hints that the animals got free, it has happened before but typically the box would be knocked over or something, this box is perfectly placed and standing tall. “What the….” I reach out and pick up a slip of paper taped to the bottom of the box.
Have a good excursion, muscles?
Xoxoxo
Oh. Good. Hell.
This woman is going to make me go prematurely grey, I swear to god.
Though, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a smile trying to sneak out as I pocket the note and make my way back to Reese and the golf cart.
“False alarm.” I stare at Reese, his face is red and I wonder just how much he knew about the legitimacy of thisexcursion.
“Take me back to the office, would ya’?” He nods enthusiastically, probably relieved I’m not asking him too many questions.
No, I know who was behind this little prank.
Game on, Trouble.
Chapter Eleven
MABEL
Ichuckle to myself as I organize all my needed supplies that I’ve been using all morning to prepare my quick and quiet work day. I’m not dumb, I know the box of puppies prank won’t take up all of his day but, in preparation, I did get up extra early to start work. If I timed everything correctly, I’ll be just about to finish up when he storms into my workshop. I do feel slightly bad about wrangling the new guy, Reese, into my little scheme but it made the most sense in my head.
Jude wouldn’t be as trusting with one of the more established workers and the other new guy, Zeke, gives me the creeps.
Heh.
Zeke the Creep.
No, Reese was just innocent enough to make the plan work. Reese is a cutie and if it was a year or two ago, I would have rewarded him for his help with some quality time with ‘Maybe’, the wild and reckless alter ego I’d adopted for way too long. But that’s not who I am anymore.
I’m trying to be better.
I am doing better.
I’ve been working so hard to change since my loss. Fighting with my dad, moving out, everything that went down while I wasaway from family. It almost broke me and I’ve been able to keep it all locked up for years now. Now I just need to keep it up for the rest of my life.
