Page 19 of Blue Norther
Stone nodded, his eyes still focused on papers in front of him.
“Okay, well, I’m going to work up a package for you. We’ll need to come out and survey the property. It would be helpful if Colt was there.” I opened my mouth to argue, but Stone lifted his hand, effectively silencing me. “I know you probably think that’s overstepping, but we normally work very closely with the Clarence County Sheriff’s Department. And since Colt is a close friend of mine, who’s already aware of your concerns and is wanting to make sure you’re safe, I think it’s for the best that we loop him in.”
I swear the damn cursor was mocking me. While ghost writing during my marriage is what got my foot in the door, I’d been writing for myself since my divorce. Probably because there were so many things I couldn’t figure out how to say out loud before leaving, that were then easier to pour into my stories once I had some distance. What was once a dream of publishing even a single novel has turned into an entire career for me. But since the day I heard back from the fertility clinic about my positive pregnancy test, I have had toforcethe words out.
In the last few weeks with my anxiety growing about giving birth on my own, and all the unwanted attention from my—God, it felt terrible to say stalker, but maybe that’s exactly how I needed to start addressing the situation as—safety issue, the words would not come. I was questioning everything, and sitting in front of my laptop just made me want to pull my hair out.
The baby gave me a kick at the same time my phone rang. The picture I had saved in my phone for Ryan’s number popped up. I smiled, loving the way we both were laughing in the picture.
“Hey, Ry.”
“Wow, Callie. You remember who I am?”He knew my legal name, but always chose to use my pen name.“For a second there, I thought I was going to have to come all the way down to Arkansas to see for myself that you were still alive. I thought we agreed you would keep me in the loop?”
I cringed. “I’m in Texas, and yes, I’m alive.”
“No sign of trouble?”
“No, thank God.”
“And the words? How are they coming along?”
For all the ways I loved Ryan as my manager, sometimes he was a little too focused on the goal line and not enough on me as a human.
“They’re…”
“Cal, we talked about this. I know you were wanting to get ahead of schedule before the baby comes, but—” A loud honk interrupted him. “Hey! I’m trying to walk here! Maybe don’t almost run me over? Yeah, up yours, asshole. Shit, Callie, you still there?”
“Yeah,” I laughed, “I’m still here.”
“Well, as much as I’m sure living the small town life is excruciatingly boring, at least you don’t have people trying to run you over all the goddamn time.”
“That is true. The citizens around here are very good about not jaywalking.”
“Oh, is that how we’re going to play this?” he laughed.“Fine, you caught me.”
“Look, I’m working my ass off. I know they want the draft done in a few weeks, but with everything going on, my mind is just…”
“Blank?”
“Yeah.”
“We’re already on extension. They’re going to throw a fit if I try to get your agent to ask for another,” he reminds me.
“I know. I know. I promise, I’m prioritizing it. I’ve unpacked. I’ve settled in. And now I’m going to get down to business.”
“That’s my girl. Love hearing that. Alright, don’t forget to call me if you need my help, okay? That’s what I’m here for.”
“No help needed. I promise not to let you down.”
“You never could, Callie.”
“Bye, Ryan.”
I stared at the cursor still taunting me before my eyes drifted towards the clock. I needed to get ready for my dinner with Jessie and her family. At my old house. Where Colt would be.
Colt
“Look, all I’m saying is that I almost got into an accident there today, and I really think you guys need to station someone there to slow down traffic and make sure people aren’t crossing when they shouldn’t be.”
