Welcome to Valley View (Valley View Book 1)

Chapter 17

MIDDLE OF JANUARY

My parents stayed for a couple of days after Christmas and then headed east to go visit a few places in the Northeast that were on their bucket list for a winter trip. They said they’d stop back again as they drove back through on their way back to Lake Tahoe, but it probably wouldn’t be until mid-February. I still don’t understand how they can live so uprooted and with no clear plan of what they’re doing, but it is what it is.

Wes and Jimmy spent many long days and nights hashing out a new contract for their partnership that would benefit them both, but also keep the garage running the way Jimmy had always wanted it to. Wes didn’t want to be too involved in the day to day process, but he did have some experience with the business side of things and they had a few arguments about things before it was all settled.

We ran into George one day in the city while we were doing a large grocery trip and it was awkward as hell. They both attempted to keep it professional and friendly though. At the end of the day, George got the money that he was hassling Jimmy about and it shouldn’t matter that it came from Wes and not Jimmy. Jimmy is happier now, it was a huge weight lifted off his shoulder, even if he had to make changes to appease his new business partner.

I worked the early shift at the preschool today so I am off a little earlier than I normally would be. Jimmy had a couple of oil changes to do this afternoon so when I got home I changed out of my work clothes and into leggings and a hoodie then curled up on the couch with a book to read. I was only a few pages in when my phone dinged with a text message from Candy.

Candy: Holy shit, you need to get over to the diner.

Me: What’s going on?

Candy: Something with Wes. Everybody is okay. I don’t want to tell you over the phone. Please come.

Me: Should I bring Jimmy?

Candy: That would be a good idea. I’m sure Wes would appreciate it.

I don’t even change out of my leggings and hoodie, I just slide into my boots and rush down to the garage to find Jimmy.

“Jimmy!”

Jimmy rolls out from underneath one of the cars that he is working on and jumps up right away, “What’s wrong?”

“Candy just sent me a text message, she said something is going down at the diner with Wes.”

“Is he okay?”

“She didn’t say much, just to get over there.”

“Shit, okay let’s go. Can you drive? I’m hooked up to a car?”

I nod and head into Jimmy’s office to grab my extra set of keys. We go in the back alley and get in my car and drive over to the diner. When we enter, there is a group of people gathered in the back corner so we head over there. The group moves when we approach and they reveal Wes sitting in a booth holding a small baby in his arms.

I stop in my tracks and try to process Wes and the baby, “What the?”

Jimmy steps up next to me and puts his arm around my waist, “Wes? What is going on?’

“Shit, Jimmy, I don’t know what is going on.”

Candy places her hand on Wes’s shoulder, “Hey Wes, why don’t you go back into the break room for some privacy?”

“Yeah, that’s a really good idea. Thanks, Candy.” 

He looks around confused as to what to do, so I step forward and put my hands out. “Here, let me take...her?” I questioned him. She was wearing a purple outfit that looked like a pair of pajamas, but with a hood that came up over her ears, I assume to protect her from the chill.