It Had to Be Him(78)
Eric grinned. “Thanks. This is a big school for a small town, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. We’re one of the few towns around with a high school. Kids from all the surrounding areas get bussed in. My dad fought hard to have it built here.”
It hadn’t been an easy battle. Her father had donated the land on the edge of town and spent many hours lobbying the state school board on behalf of Anderson Butte. Her dad wasn’t all bad.
“I was in the first class to ever go through all four years.” She detoured them down a wide side hallway to the front of a big glass case that held various awards. Pointing to some in the back, she said, “I still hold two school records no one has been able to break. In track and field, and swimming.” She pointed out her picture, smiling and sopping wet, holding up a medal. “See, Haley? That’s Mommy when I was younger.”
Haley nodded but couldn’t have cared less.
Eric’s face scrunched as he studied the engraved plaques. “Wow. After all these years, no one has ever broken your records? That’s awesome!”
“Hey. It’s only been ten. I’m not that old!”
Eric surprised her when he smiled shyly and said, “Just teasing. It’s really cool.”
Her sports records were the only thing she could be proud of from her high school days. She wouldn’t tell Eric, but she probably still held the record for most hours in detention too.
Josh stood behind them, his fingers still flying over his phone, just like he used to. Was the phone-obsessed Josh surfacing again?
She’d had enough.
“Who’ve you been texting all day?”
His head whipped up and he sent her a weak smile. “People from my old work. There’s a problem with something I used to be in charge of. Just helping out.” He quickly slid his phone in his back pocket again. “So, how’s this whole deal work? Will it last long?”
Was he on some sort of time schedule all of the sudden? “Normally, it’s outside on the football field. Everyone eats and plays games while my dad carries on over the stadium’s PA system. Afterward, we watch a fireworks show my brothers take great pride in putting on.
“But since it’s dumping rain it’ll all be inside. We’ll get our food from the cafeteria and then everyone goes to the gym to sit on the bleachers and eat while my dad bores everyone to tears. Haley and I will have to sit up front on the raised dais with the rest of my family.”
Josh nodded. “So . . . what? A couple of hours, then?”
“Got big plans after or something? There’s no set time, we just eat and visit until we’re done. Small town, remember?”
“Sure.” He turned and punched Eric lightly on the shoulder. “Want to try and set a new school record of our own for the most plates of food consumed?”
So Josh had been listening earlier. And he’d put his phone away and was interested in the plans. Maybe she was just being paranoid about the whole thing.
Eric sent an elbow to Josh’s ribs. “Bet I can beat a lightweight like you.”
“You’re on.” He held his knuckles out for a bump.
When Eric tapped his fist against Josh’s, Meg smiled. That was probably Josh’s sneaky way of getting some meat on Eric’s bones.
The kid was going to fit in with them just fine for the summer.
Hopefully the paperwork would get settled so Eric wouldn’t have to go back to that ranch.
Keeping an eye on the mayor to be sure he stayed put while Evans planted the tracking software, Josh held back a wince when Eric suggested just one more brownie. He was going to hurl if he had another bite of anything. Where did the kid put it all?
“No can do.” He held up his palm for a high five. “You win.”
“Yes!” Eric slapped Josh’s hand and grinned from ear to ear. “Be right back.”
As soon as Eric left, Zeke took the vacated seat next to Josh on the wooden bleachers.
“Granger. How’s it going?”
“Great. The food was fantastic.” He’d have to run five extra miles to make up for all he’d eaten.
Zeke slowly nodded. “I’ve been thinking about something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
Zeke cleared his throat and sat up straighter. “I don’t have any children to pass my business on to, and I’ve worked too hard to let one of my numbskull nephews run it into the ground, so I’ve been putting off my retirement. But, now that you’re here, and have taken to the work like a duck to water, I was wondering if you’d consider letting me help you get certified to work on helicopters so I can finally retire? Then after that, I’d like to hand over my business to you. You’d keep all you earn.”