“She’s gone back mentally to her early twenties when she and Clint thought it was funny to get trashed and run naked,” Blaze said with disgust. “I hope she passed out in the yard and y’all covered her with the towel and left her there.”
“Sadly, that didn’t happen.” Caleigh wiped at the sweat on her brow with one of her claws and blew out a heavy breath. “She caught a low-hanging branch in the tree by the patio and started swinging. When I tried to grab her, she kicked out her legs. They have powerful spotlights on the corners of the house, and I saw everything. By then, Rosie had gotten tired and it wasn’t funny anymore, so she started yelling at Ronnie. I’m sure that did draw attention. I panicked, thinking I probably work with some of their neighbors, and they would see me standing there dressed like a crab ogling a naked Ronnie swinging from a branch, so I left. I’m so ashamed because I left Rosie alone to deal with the insanity that was happening in that yard. That’s all I can say right now because the friction of the strap rubbing my butt crack while I chased Ronnie has set fire to my ass. I need to go soak it in the tub.”
“I’m so sorry.” Blaze watched Caleigh waddle away and whispered, “If I wasn’t so mad at my sister, I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing right now because Caleigh just walked like a real crab.”
“I don’t think I’ll hear any moaning or laughing coming from your room tonight.”
“Okay, do not make me laugh or cry,” Blaze said with a smile as she stood. “I need to go do whatever I can for her right now. Do you want me to help you up?”
“No, I’m going to rest right here until she fills her tub, then I’ll take a shower. Go take care of her. I’ll be fine.”
“I enjoyed our talk tonight.” Blaze leaned down and kissed Chantal on the cheek. “Goodnight, Mom.”
Chantal’s eyes watered as she gazed up at Blaze in amazement. “Goodnight…I love you.”
“You could’ve had the decency to scowl when you said that. Now I have to face Caleigh again with tears and snot. I love you too,” Blaze said as she hurried out of the room.
Chapter 23
“I can tell you didn’t have a good day by the look on your face.” Blaze said, as she followed Caleigh into the bedroom one mid-November evening.
“I didn’t.” Caleigh tore her jacket off and threw it at the closet door. “Paul Tibby is a prick! Part of my job is to sit in on the interview process with every supervisor. Upper management has me do that, so the supervisors won’t hire their buddies over more qualified candidates. I have a list of questions I’m required to ask during interviews that’re designed to determine the temperament of a person and their work ethics. The supervisor asks questions directly related to the job to ascertain if the candidate has the right qualifications.”
“I’m following.” Blaze sat on the bed and watched Caleigh tear off her clothes and throw them on the floor.
“I met up with Paul outside of the conference room where we’d be doing an interview. He pointed at the tablet I was carrying and said, ‘You don’t need that.’ I didn’t like his tone, but I kinda made a joke and said I did because I haven’t memorized all the questions I have to ask and thanked him for his confidence in me with a laugh. He towered over me trying to be intimidating and said my presence wasn’t necessary, and Gene never sat in on his interviews. I told him that was probably why I was hired to replace Gene, and I wasn’t gonna put my job in danger by not doing it.”
“Good for you,” Blaze said calmly, despite her blood boiling over Paul’s tactics.
“Paul is friends with the father of Evan, the candidate. That was obvious because for the first ten minutes of the interview, they talked about a fishing trip they all took together. When the interview actually began, Paul either talked over me or tried to answer the questions I posed to Evan. He would roll his eyes in front of Evan when I persisted. When the interview was over and Evan had left the room, I told Paul I was going upstairs to talk to Sam and suggested he come with me.” Caleigh snatched a sweatshirt out of a dresser drawer and slammed it. “He laughed and told me go ahead.”
“Please tell me this is the point you rammed that tablet down Paul’s throat.”
“No, Blaze, I handled it like an adult.”
“Ouch.” Blaze held up both hands. “But I shouldn’t be making jokes, sorry. Did you go see Sam?”
“Yes, and I lost all respect for him. I told him what happened, and he began to minimize it all after saying he had my back when I started working there. He claimed Paul wasn’t trying to intimidate me. ‘He’s just an imposing figure because he’s so tall.’ Oh, and my favorite is ‘Paul’s been working on the docks for years, and his hearing isn’t all that good. He probably didn’t realize you were talking.’” Caleigh was gesturing wildly and trying to pull her sweatshirt on at the same time. She became so angry that she couldn’t put it on, she wrapped the shirt around her neck. “When I told him I wouldn’t sign off on Evan as a hire because he was woefully underqualified for the job, Sam just shrugged and said the VP over dock operations always sides with the supervisor’s decision. So I asked him why I’m even wasting my time doing interviews. I’ve got my hands full comparing corporate insurance plans because I’m supposed to find a cheaper one with more benefits as if that creature existed. What the fuck?” she yelled and yanked the shirt from around her neck. “Sam’s answer was the Darvons want me in on the interviews.”
“Maybe you should go talk to one of them then.”
“That was my thinking too. Hamon Darvon told me himself the day I started working there that he wanted to get turnover under control, and the only way he felt we could do that was to hire the right people. I don’t want him thinking I’m just as bad at my job as Gene was because Paul Tibby is hiring people like Evan.” Caleigh pulled the sweatshirt over her head and scowled. “I asked him what would be his first step in resolving conflict, and his answer was ‘backup’? I don’t mean to be a bitch, but I don’t think Evan is qualified to rake leaves. Where are my sweatpants?”
Blaze pointed to a pair on the floor.
“At MVP, we had a chain of command, and if we were gonna go above someone’s head, we had to tell them of our intentions. I calmly told Sam, even though I was shaking with rage, that I was going to talk to Hamon. Cooper walked into the office at that moment, and I know you think he’s a dick. I’m sure he is, but at least he was willing to do his job as VP of admin operations. He told me the dock ops VP called him because Paul had filed a complaint about me and asked me to recount everything that happened. After I did, he was as pissed off as I was. So he’s gonna file a complaint on Paul and warned me to prepare myself for a meeting with him, Paul, and the dock ops VP tomorrow.”
“Caleigh, Paul and Cooper are best friends. He’s setting you up. You can’t go into that meeting, they will gang up and eat you alive.”
“Midway through the interview, I switched on the camera on my tablet. I have video of Paul being an asshole and Evan telling us there’s no such thing as a steel-toed boot because he’d never seen one. Paul had to explain to him the steel is beneath the outer layer of the boot. They can gang up, but they ain’t gonna be eating on me. Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” Caleigh said cockily.
“You may walk into that meeting with evidence, but you won’t have it when you leave. I guarantee you, Cooper will have an excuse to take your tablet. The video will disappear, and he will make you look like you’re insane if you claim it existed.”
“You make him sound like a CIA operative,” Caleigh said as she pulled on her sweatpants.
“Cooper is a sneaky fucking weasel, and he gets off on this kind of thing. Don’t play into his scaly hands and go into that meeting. Just go see one of the Darvons.”
Caleigh set her hands on her hips. “Maybe you didn’t listen to me when I told you about my former job. I’ve dealt with all sorts of people and all kinds of situations. I don’t run away from a fight. If Cooper and company want to test me, I’ll play. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll handle
this.”
“I listen to everything you say,” Blaze retorted. “You just got here, but I’ve lived with these dickheads all my life. I’m trying to protect you, so maybe you should listen to me now.”
“Okay, so I’ve never knocked anyone down with one punch, but I can hold my own!”
“Did you really just bring the bunny into this?” Blaze asked with fire in her eyes.
“You’re missing the point. I’m telling you I’m not some doe-eyed hayseed that just fell off the turnip wagon in the big city of Falcon, so stop treating me like one! I get it. You think Cooper is the devil because of stuff that happened when y’all were kids. I’m not gonna go run and tattletale on him unless I find out he’s still a dickhead, so cool your bunny jets.”
Blaze narrowed her eyes. “Another bunny remark. Your turnip cart would’ve never made it here if it’d had a flat tire.”
“Now you’re really pissing me off, so I’m gonna go to my house and give us both time to cool down.”
“You do run from a fight,” Blaze spat out as she followed Caleigh to the door. She tripped over a pair of pants and fell to her knees. “Did you plan to walk out on me and laid booby traps in advance?”
Caleigh was already in the hallway but stuck her head around the doorjamb. “Those are yours. I’m not the only one who leaves things on the floor.” When she walked into the kitchen, it was apparent Chantal had heard the argument by the look on her face. “Goodnight, Chantal.”
“I made cornbread.” Chantal said lamely as Caleigh walked out the back door and slammed it behind her. “Carey and TJ are bringing red beans.”
*******
“So you and Caleigh have experienced your first frost as a couple, and it ain’t got nothing to do with the weather.” Carey grabbed a piece of cornbread from the plate in the middle of the table. “Stop looking like a wounded puppy, Blaze. You’ve been through some arctic storms with women, you’ll survive this cool front.” She bumped TJ with her elbow. “Sweetie, did you notice I had a good weather theme going there?”
“I love it when you get creative,” TJ said with a smile that only showed on one side of her face.
Blaze watched them with a slight frown. “You two constantly bicker, and I was kinda looking forward to that tonight. What’s with the gooey sweet stuff?”
“I had a root canal today, that’s why I’m not on the road,” TJ explained. “The gas they gave me to relax and whatever they used to numb my mouth made me happy high.”
“I told Dr. Clay he’s gonna have to gas and juice her every time she comes off the road.” Carey opened her eyes wide. “I’m dead serious. We haven’t been this happy since we met.”
Chantal gazed at TJ with sympathy and asked Carey, “Why did you pick this evening to socialize after a procedure like that?”
“It was her idea,” Carey said with a shrug.
“Dr. Clay had to fit me into the schedule, so I had the last appointment of the day.” TJ flashed her lopsided smile again. “I thought woohoo, I’m gonna be high all night, so I wanted to do something fun. That’s why I put the beans in the slow cooker.”
“I gave her a pain pill before we left the house,” Carey added. “It’s starting to kick in.”
“I shouldn’t have taken that, I don’t need it.” TJ returned her attention to Blaze. “You’re really falling in love with Caleigh, that’s why you look so miserable, huh?”
“Yeah,” Blaze said simply and took a bite of her beans.
TJ patted the table. “Well, girl, call her and work this out.”
“No, don’t,” Carey interjected. “From what you told me, you were giving Caleigh good advice, and she flared up on you. She should be the one to call you and make things right, and she’ll probably do that when she chills out. I don’t like hearing TJ’s advice when I tell her about something going on at work that pisses me off, but after I’ve had time to think I realize she’s right.”
“I keep going back over the things I said, and I can see how I made her feel as though I thought she couldn’t handle herself against Cooper. She was already mad, and I should’ve just listened until she calmed down,” Blaze conceded. “That’s where I went wrong.”
“And you were exactly right to warn her about that shit bag Cooper and his sidekick punk ass Paul. Falcon is a great place to work, but it’d be a whole lot better without those two shit-stirring bastards. I’ve told you this a million times, the only reason the Darvons keep Cooper is because of who his daddy is. I bet his sorry ass can’t wait to get to the office tomorrow and screw over Caleigh because he lives for that shit.” Carey stabbed a finger at Blaze. “The icing on his cake is she’s your girlfriend.”
“Could you go to that meeting with Caleigh tomorrow and be her backup?” TJ asked Carey.
Blaze shook her head. “No, if she thought I asked Carey to go with her she’d really think I don’t have faith in her.”
Chantal laid a hand on Blaze’s arm. “Couples argue, it’s a fact of life. Give her time to cool down, and talk this out.”
“I had this stupid idea that since we understood each other so well, we’d never fight. That’s why I’m so disappointed, my fantasy was destroyed,” Blaze admitted with a sigh.
“Yeah, we thought that too. Our first fight was a doozy.” TJ smiled at Carey. “What was it about?”
Carey laughed. “You can’t expect me to remember—you said I drive like a grandma.”
“Aha!” TJ held up her fork. “You can’t remember how long we’ve been together, but you can remember that.”
Chantal smiled as TJ and Carey playfully bickered. “What other unrealistic fantasies do you have?” she asked Blaze.
“That we’ll never get bored in bed, and I’ll always say the right thing.”
“Oh, honey, you’re in for a lot of disappointment,” Chantal said with a chuckle. “I suggest you text Caleigh and assure her your feelings for her haven’t changed. Let her know you understand y’all need time to cool down and that you look forward to talking tomorrow.”
“I was actually contemplating that a few minutes ago.” Blaze grinned. “I just heard you say ‘y’all’ for the first time. The incomparable Chantal Champlain has gone Southern.”
Chantal pretended to look stricken. “I’ve also learned how to make cornbread. What will happen to me next?”
“I’m not sure, but you can count on me not to let you wear overalls or anything made of straw,” Blaze said with a laugh. “I’ve got your back, Mom.”
*******
Later that evening, Blaze sent a text to Caleigh basically saying everything Chantal had suggested. Caleigh’s reply was prompt. I still feel the same way about you too. I definitely want to talk after the dust settles from my kaboom.
The next evening, Caleigh strode into Blaze’s kitchen after work and smiled at Chantal, who was seated next to Blaze at the table, before she started talking rapidly. “You called it perfectly, Blaze. I went into that meeting intent on showing them I can’t be pushed around and I won’t be intimidated. Just as you said, all three of them turned it around and made me sound like I went into the interview with a chip on my shoulder. Paul claimed I talked over him, and I was the one who rolled my eyes during his questions. He even said Evan was willing to testify to that. Sam didn’t say a word in my defense, he just sat there listening. After they all had their say, I started the video, and it played less than a minute before Paul starting yelling that I should’ve told him I was recording the interview. Cooper snatched my tablet, told everyone we needed time to calm down, and the meeting would resume after he reviewed the video. As you said it would happen, the recording was somehow damaged and wouldn’t play past what we all heard. I just needed to witness their tactics for myself, and I learned a lesson.”
Blaze got up from the table and hugged Caleigh. “I’m so sorry. Was the part of the video that y’all did see enough to prove Paul was lying?”
“No, but the copy I made was. While everyone was calming down, I went to Hamo
n Darvon’s office and showed it to him after I told him about what happened in the meeting.” Caleigh smiled. “I did listen to you, and you saved my ass. I’m so sorry for what I said to you—Chantal, please don’t leave. I’m sure you heard our argument, and I want you to hear my apology.”
Chantal was about to get onto her scooter and froze. “Oh,” she said and glanced at Blaze before she sat back down.
“Your daughter was being supportive and gave me great advice last night, and she didn’t deserve what she got from me,” Caleigh said and held Blaze’s gaze. “I’m so sorry, please forgive me.”
“I’m sorry too, I should’ve just listened. I know you’re not naïve.” Blaze grinned. “You’re a smart little badass, my love.”
Caleigh was about to kiss Blaze and stopped. “Did you mean that as a figure of speech?”
“No, you really are a badass, and I love you.”
“You’ve got tears, you mean that,” Caleigh said, looking amazed and thrilled at the same time. “I love you too, I really do. I wanted to come over last night and apologize and tell you that, but I didn’t want to say those words after a fight. I didn’t want you to think—”
“Why is this happening now?” Chantal said lowly but angrily as she tried to pull free the handlebar of her scooter that had wedged under the edge of the table. She looked disgusted when she noticed Blaze and Caleigh staring at her. “I was trying to leave and give y’all privacy, and now I’m stuck.” She breathed out a sigh of relief and got onto her scooter. “Carry on, I’m out.”
“Have you noticed how buff her good leg has gotten?” Blaze asked as she watched Chantal roll away.
“Yeah, and she just said ‘y’all.’ I think your mom is really settling in.”
Blaze returned her attention to Caleigh. “She is, and I want you to settle in here too. I want to live with your desiccated turtle full time.”
“That makes me so happy because I was talking to him last night, and he wants to be with you. My feelings were hurt because he didn’t say anything about wanting to be with me. Maybe I was being oversensitive, he probably assumed we’d be a package deal. He asked if you have a place for him in a sunny—”
Blissfully Blindsided Page 23
