Lockwood Creek Book Two - This can be read as a stand-a-lone.
A Why Choose Story.
Maddy Lockwood was the Perfect Daughter and to save the Lockwood family she agreed to a marriage she did not want, but now she will learn the hard way that no matter...
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~ ~ Jackson ~ ~
Damn, the humidity was bustin' my ass today. Sweat trickled down my back as I looked at my hands covered in grease, dirt and oil.
I blew out an irritated sigh. I was trying to get my truck back on the road. She was old, but faithful, and I wasn't ready to give up on her yet. But if the transmission was shot, then it might not be worth the cash I'd need to fix her up.
"Don't do this to me, girl." I found another leaking seal. "Goddamn it!" I leaned in. "That wasn't the answer I was looking for darlin'."
Shit. My phone vibrated, and I dropped the wrench and hit my head on the hood of my truck. I plucked it from my back jeans pocket.
Unknown number. The screen flashed, and I almost dropped the damn thing.
"Reilly," I answered.
"Mr Reilly. Mr Jackson Reilly?"
"That's me. The one and only."
"Hi, Mr Reilly. My name is Shirley, I work with Dr Monroe from the Centre for BrainHealth."
My mood dropped and I suddenly felt a whole lot cooler.
"We received your referral, and Dr Moody has read over your patient file and would like you to come in for an appointment this coming Monday."
I turned around and leaned against my truck. "Yeah, I can be there." My stomach churned. "If you could text me the details, I'd sure appreciate it, Shirley."
"I can do that Mr Reilly, and we look forward to meeting you."
I wished I could say the same.
Ending the call, I stared down at my phone, smeared in grease. But that was the least of my problems.
I stared out into the distance. Well, shit. I couldn't keep pretending this wasn't real.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I sighed.
"Damn, it's hotter than blue blazes out here. Whatcha doin' working on that old thing outside in this heat?"
A smile curled my lip as I turned to watch my Aunt Jody, walking toward me with a glass of something... water, I guessed."
Jody called in every day and on most days she brought with her some home made cooking or stuff she'd baked. And then she'd stay and clean the house and throw in some washing. She'd been doing it since our Ma left us and Aunt Jody here took it upon herself to be the mother figure in our lives.
She had no kids of her own and hadn't married again since losing her husband, John, in a farming accident not long after their second wedding anniversary.
"That for me?" I tipped my head.
"I wouldn't be fetchin' to bring my own drink out here, now would I?" Handing me the tall glass of water.
