“Oh, yes,” he answered. “Hi, Stella,” he said, his voice changing slightly. “We’ve met, but if we hadn’t, anyone who watches television news would recognize you. You’re still doing a great job for Royal,” he said, and she smiled.
One of the administrative assistants at town hall, Stella had stepped in, taking charge after the storm and trying to help wherever she could. It hadn’t taken long for reporters to notice her and start getting her on camera.
Aaron shed his leather jacket and sat across from Cole, aware of Stella to his left. He caught a whiff of the rose-scented perfume she wore, something old-fashioned, but it was uniquely Stella and made him remember holding her close, catching that same scent then.
“I’m glad to have you back in Royal,” Cole said. He looked thinner, more solemn, and Aaron was saddened by Cole’s loss as well as the losses of so many others in town. He knew from experience how badly it could hurt.
“I know help is needed here, so I’m glad to be back.”
“Thanks,” Cole said. “I mean it when I say I appreciate that. When you can, drop by the Texas Cattleman’s Club. They’re rebuilding now and moving along. They’ll be glad to have you here, too.”
“Our club friends in Dallas said to tell you and the others hello.”
Cole nodded as he glanced at Stella. “Getting to the business at hand, Stella and I were talking about areas where more lumber is needed—all over the west side of town, it seems.”
“Each time I see Royal, I can’t believe the destruction. It still looks incredible. I’ve made arrangements to get another couple of our work crews here.”
“R&N Builders have helped tremendously,” Stella said.
“I’m sure everyone in town thanks you for doing such a great job right from the start, Stella—acquiring generators, getting help to people and directing some of the rescue efforts. When disaster happens unexpectedly like that, usually all hell breaks loose and it takes a calm head to help the recovery,” Aaron stated.
“Thanks. I just did what I could. So many people pitched in and we appreciate what R&N Builders, plus you and Cole individually, have donated and done to aid Royal.”
“We’re glad to. Everyone in the company wanted to help,” Cole replied. “So we’re adding two more work crews. Stella, you can help coordinate where they should go. I asked men to volunteer for the assignment. They’ll be paid by us the same as if they were working on a job at home, but R&N is donating their services to help Royal rebuild.”
“That would be a tremendous help,” Stella said. “Local companies are booked solid for the next few months. There’s so much to be done that it’s overwhelming.”
“Also, we might be able to get one of the wrecking companies we work with to come in here and pick up debris. I doubt you have enough help now when there’s so much to clean up,” Aaron said.
“We need that desperately. We have some companies from nearby towns, but we can use more help. There is an incredible amount of debris and it keeps growing as they get the downed trees cut up.”
Cole made a note on a legal pad in front of him.
“Right now I wonder if we’ll ever get all the debris cleared. It would be great to have more trucks here to help haul things away.”
Stella made notes as they discussed possibilities for the next hour. Even as he concentrated on the conversation, Aaron could not keep from having a sharp awareness of Stella so nearby. He wished she had not asked him to back off and forget their night of passion.