Minnie stares at him in shock. “Sterling!”
“Perhaps there’s more to me than you think?” he grins.
A blush covers her cheeks and she nods, “I look forward to finding out more about you.” Sterling returns to his office and realizes for the first time in months that he has a reason to smile.
“Time to get to back to work rebuilding our Mill.” He’s already got the builders willing to work through winter. Money talks and he’s determined to bring Burton’s dream of a bigger, better mill to fruition. His son deserves no less and perhaps he’ll have a son of his own, God willing.
Sterling sits and prays quietly, asking God to watch over Abbilene and Mason and bring them home soon.
A few minutes after Marcus leaves, Millie knocks on his door.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Sterling, but these gentlemen are here to talk to you about a job,” she frowns as she glances at them.
It’s understandable considering how rough they look right now. Lack of sleep and not shaving will do that to a man.
“A job? Thank you, Millie,” he frowns at the two men but decides to hear them out.
“We are friends of Tucker Manning. He told us that you are rebuilding the Mill,” Coop says after they are seated.
“That’s right, but I’m nowhere near ready to start hiring for millworkers.”
“Understandable, but we aren’t here in that capacity. You might want to think about security,” Wyatt says softly. “We have twenty years of police background between the two of us, that you could put to use.”
“I see,” he sits back and thinks about the man who just left. Sterling grins and says, “Tell me more.”
Chapter 48
Marcus Hayden glares at the letter from his son. “He took five of my men to go after the damn nurse!” He roars and balls up the paper tossing it into the fire. “I needed them here!”
“It’s been a week Sir; how do you know they are coming back?” Don, his hired man asks.
“Because she will want to be with her family for the holidays. We wait and we watch. I’m sure that she will be back soon.”
“I have two men at the station, one man watching the general store and well, now that your son…” his voice fades as he looks at the fury still rumbling through his boss.
“You go blend in with the locals, Donald. Visit the bakery and ask some questions,” he hisses. “I will watch the family house.”
“Yes, Sir.” Don leaves and stops to talk to one of his people watching the livery.
“How much longer is this job gonna last?” he demands. “I ain’t got paid in two weeks!”
“I’ll talk to the boss when I get back. Just do your damn job,” Don hisses. This situation is becoming stickier. They are volatile and he has his own family to get back to for the holidays.
Work is hard to come by and he is desperate to get his family out of the city. He is wondering how much this Mill owner would pay for information to keep her family safe.
Chapter 49
“Good morning,” Stephanie says as she adds a tray of hot biscuits to the display.
“It smells like heaven in here,” Don glances at the biscuits. “I’d like two of those fresh biscuits and a coffee, please.”
“Yes, Sir. If you choose a table, I’ll have those brought to you in one moment.”
“Excellent,” Don walks away to sit. Stephanie plates it and pours the coffee while watching the way his eyes dart around the bakery.
Don notes the two men sitting in the corner, laughing and eating two hot rolls. Other customers come and go, the place is busy.
“Here you go,” Ozwald delivers the plate with a slab of butter and fresh coffee. “Are you new in town?” he asks.
Grabbing a biscuit, he quickly butters it and bites it. His eyes close in bliss and Ozwald grins.
“Yep, but after tasting her cooking, I’m considering relocating. Anyone hiring?”
“I’ll be sure to tell my wife you like the biscuits, but you haven’t eaten till you’ve had one of these pecan rolls,” he grins, holding out a tray.
The cinnamon scent floats around him and his mouth waters. “I’ll take one.”
Oz laughs and lets him choose one from the tray.
“I think I heard that the mill will be hiring in a few months. You could check back.”
“The same mill that blew up? It’s all over the town. Is the new owner back yet?” he asks while sipping his coffee and biting the roll.
“No, but construction has already begun. If you need anything else, let me know.” Oz hurries to help a new customer.
The bakery slows for a minute and Oz smiles and walks over to Coop and Wyatt’s table and refills their coffee cups.
“How’s business this morning?”
“Hopping as usual. You boys need to try these pecan swirls rolls. They melt in your mouth and Stephanie only makes one tray a day.”
Don listens with a smile as he finishes his roll. He groans as he licks his fingers. “Amazing,” he murmurs.
“Maybe tomorrow morning, Oz. We have to get to work,” Cooper stands up and Oz nods before walking quickly to the back of the store to talk to Stephanie.
Wyatt leaves a tip in the jar on the counter for Stephanie, distracting Don as Cooper turns the closed sign on the door and locks it.
Wyatt drops into a chair across from Don and grins. “Let’s talk about your boss.”
Don sighs and sits back. “I’m listening,” he sips his coffee not showing any outward signs of fear.
“The way we see it, your boss is up to no good and
