Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Vaughn

" W e're putting everyone on-call for the coming weekend. Be sure and have your bags packed to be ready to go." My supervisor is saying at a mandatory meeting that's been called for everyone on-shift. "If this storm front comes through, it's going to be potent, lots of wind, which means downed lines."

One of the most dangerous times for our area is when summer is transitioning into fall, and that's exactly what's going to happen this weekend. Taking my phone out, I scroll to the seven day forecast. Within the next five days the temperature is going to go from almost ninety to highs in the fifties. I'm ready, because fuck working out in the sun, but there's a part of me that doesn't want to be putting all these hours. Not when I could be spending my time getting to know Val better. Teaching her about kisses, and learning what makes her tick is becoming one of my favorite past times.

We're excused, and I get up from my seat. My boss walks over to me. "Hey Vaughn."

I nod, not saying anything, because I'm worried about what he's going to ask me. It's normal for him to see if I'll cover for another member of the team, and typically I'm willing to do that, but not this time.

"Do you want to head north with us? You've done more than your share. If you want or need the money, then I'm happy for you to join us. However, I'm going to do something I don't normally do, I'm going to offer you the choice. If you want to come with us or not. You've really taken this team on your back when everyone else has had things to do. You haven't complained, and I appreciate that more than you know. So if you'd like to stay home, you can." He puts his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

I'm surprised. Completely and totally. As far as I know this isn't something that normally happens, but I've worked a lot of overtime. When others couldn't, and they needed someone to take the shifts, I've always been the person who has volunteered. Right now, I have a reason to stay in Broken Falls, where I haven't had previously. "I do, I'd like to stay. If y'all run into a situation, where you absolutely need me, then please let me know. I've got some stuff happening here though, and I'd like to stay."

He scoffs. "Heard that about you. Some of the guys saw you out with friends the other night. Said you were dancing with a lady. I've known you for a few years, Vaughn, and never known you to spend time with a woman outside of the bedroom."

Shame creeps up my neck, no doubt turning red, if the warmth is anything to go by. He's right. I've never taken a relationship seriously. To be fair though, I've not necessarily been in a relationship. I don't know how I would react, but I'm beginning to learn with Val. "I mean I don't want to put parameters around what's happening with her and I, but I am exploring something with her. She's got some shit going on, and I'd like to stay with her while she's dealing with it."

I don't want to come right out and say what she's dealing with is the growing attraction between the two of us.

"That's good with me. I'll let you know if we'll need you."

Sighing, I turn back toward the room, and head over to where my supervisor is standing. "Where do you want me today?" I tend to be a floater. There are a few different things I know how to do, which is nice because most of my days aren't the same every day. It keeps me from getting burnt out on the mundane.

He massages the back of his neck. "Do you wanna be downtown, or out in the county?"

There's always a choice, and I've typically chosen the county. Today though? I want downtown. "Keep me in the city."

He raises his eyebrows. "Color me surprised. You've never volunteered to go down there."

I shrug. "There's always a first time for everything. What do I need to do down there?"

Pulling a stack of paper toward him, he flips through a few pages. "We're looking to see where we may need to cut back limbs. You'll be checking everything here." He shoves a pile toward me. "Whatever you don't get done, bring back, be sure and mark where you think we need to start cutting back. Don't expect you'll get done with this today. There's a lot of streets in this report. Highlight where you want to send the crew cutting next week." He instructs, handing the packet and a couple of highlighters over.

"Got it." I flip through, making sure this goes by Get Baked. It does. A smile spread across my face. "I'll head out and get started."

I'm more excited than I should be to begin my work day, but the truth is, I can't wait to see Val.

I park in the shade of a huge oak tree, thankful I'll be able to stay under these canopies for most of the day. I should definitely get work done before I decide to check out the bakery, but the need to put eyes on Val is worse than normal. I'm not sure why, but I want to look into those eyes of hers and make sure she's okay. There's a line going out the door of Get Baked. I know what I'm supposed to do, but instead I get at the back of the group, and wait patiently for my turn.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I look down, and scroll through social media, just so that I don't have to talk to anyone. As I'm checking the group chat with the guys, there's a tap on my shoulder. I'd love to ignore whoever this is, but it may be someone who knows I work for the power company and they need to let me in on something that's important. However, when I turn around, I'm surprised to see my Dad.

"Hey Vaughn." He says by way of greeting.

"What are you doing here?" I can't hide the surprise in my tone. He doesn't normally go out, hasn't since my mom cheated on him, and ruined his self-esteem. He's lost most of his friends, and when I do see him, it's typically when I've swung by his house on a whim.

He sticks his hands in his jeans, hunching his shoulders. "I was on my phone, and everyone was talking about how amazing this place is. I've been trying to get out lately. I know that's surprising, but I wanted to give it a shot."

I can't quite believe what I'm hearing, but I need to encourage it. "Good for you. Anything else that's been happening that you haven't told me about?"

"I've been going to an over-fifty-five singles night at the community center."

Holy. Fuck. The shock must be written across my face.

"I know. I know." He holds his hands up. "I never thought I'd be here either, but some things have changed in the past year, and I've been keeping it to myself as I work on me."

I've never heard him talk like this, especially about himself. "I'm glad. I really am, Dad. You have a lot to offer someone." I've worried off and on if he's going to end by himself, a miserable shell of the man he was before he found out my mom was cheating on him.

"I know." He smiles. "I'm learning that. It's not been easy, but I'm learning my worth. I appreciate you going to bat for me a few times over the past few years when I've mentioned that I thought I would be alone. If it hadn't been you gently pushing me toward things out of my comfort zone, I'm not sure I would've done this."

"Love you, big guy."

It's finally our turn to head into the bakery, and the line moves quickly. When Val notices me over the top of the case, she gives me a smile and winks.

"Is she winking at you?" Dad asks, looking back and forth between the two of us.

"Yeah, she is. I'll introduce you when we get up there."

"You've never introduced me to someone you're interested in before."

I retort with a smile on my face. "And I never thought you'd spend a night outside the house. We're learning a couple of different things about one another today."

He laughs, and as I get closer, my heart picks up the space, because seeing her is now a physical reaction, and if that doesn't prove how deep I'm in, I'm not sure anything else ever will.