Chapter 91
“Okay, make sure all the small generators are gassed up.” There were any number of older people living in their neighborhood, and once the power went out, they stood a good chance of losing everything in their freezers. He’d make it a point to stop by the various homes and leave the generators to run for a couple of hours, guaranteeing hot showers and a chance to cook.
“Got it.”
Jack pushed his worries about his lover out of his mind and went out to take care of business
After all, that was what he did best.
* * * *
It was getting dark, the winds were increasing, and the rain was starting. It wasn’t much right now, but the forecast was for heavy downpours. He’d closed down all the job sites and sent his men home, then had stopped by Miss Abby’s with Ragg Mopp to see if she and Charlie might want to ride out the storm at the ranch, but she’d insisted they were all right.
“We’ve got that generator you and Tom gave us. Where is he? I’m surprised he didn’t come with you.”
“He would have, Miss Abby, but he had some errands he had to run.” Jack hoped his answer was vague enough, but she gave him a sharp glance.
“Well, if you have everything you need, we’d better be going,” Mopp said briskly. Thank God. Mopp to the rescue.
“Oh, yes. Get along home before the skies open up.”
Jack sent Mopp a grateful look, and bent and kissed Miss Abby’s cheek. “Call us if you need anything.”
“We will. Drive carefully, now.”
Mopp followed him out to their pickups.
“How’s your daddy doing, Mopp? Do you want to stop there to check on him?”
“He should be okay. And no, we don’t have to go out there. Thank you, though.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Mmm hmm. I don’t want you to think I’m leaving Daddy high and dry. He’s got Jim Bob to help him.”
“Isn’t Jim Bob married?”
“Yeah, but he spends more time at home than with Carrie Ann. I don’t think she’s happy, but—I mean, she’s a good Christian girl, and she understands sometimes Jim Bob needs to go help out Daddy and Momma—” He shifted uncomfortably and changed the subject. “It was really nice of you to invite that poor guy to stay at the ranch.”
“Bread on the water.” Jack shrugged it off. He’d come across the young widower and his three toddlers while at Home Depot. They’d raced up the coast ahead of the storm, and the poor kid had run out of gas in Savannah. “I don’t want to think what he’d have had to go through. All the hotels and motels are full up, and the shelters are having to turn people away.”
“I’ll bet you anything it turns out to be a tempest in a teapot.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised, but after the last three storms that played havoc with Florida and the coast, I’m not taking chances.”
“Oh, no, Mr. Jack. I didn’t mean anything.”
“I know.” Jack glanced up at the sky, blinking as rain hit his face. “We’d better get a move on. It’s starting to come down harder.”
“Yes, sir. I sure do hope Miss Becca and January have dinner ready. I’m starved.”
Jack gave him a friendly slap on the back, went to his own truck, and got in. But at the back of his mind he worried about Tom. Dammit, where was he?
* * * *
Jack had spent most of the day fretting. Now, here it was, almost nine, and he was still fretting, and not just because they’d lost power once already. Fortunately, it had come back on after only a few minutes, but if they lost it again, he’d power up the big generator. No, the reason for his worry was his lover had been gone all day.
The rain was coming down in sheets, and he hated the thought of Tommy being out there in it.
Everyone else was at the ranch. Becca, Tad and Rush, and January, along with Miz Babe and her little boy, were in the family room watching videos, while Mopp, who was shaping up to be an excellent Jack of all trades, was on the computer, looking into sources of supplies, since those they generally relied on were running short due to all the rain they’d been having. Cooper sat beside him, watching with interest. From time to time, Mopp would glance up, smile at him, and bring something to his attention.
Well, if Cooper is with Mopp, at least he isn’t with Tom, Jack thought with sour satisfaction, but Tom still wasn’t home. When he gets back, he’ll have a lot to fucking answer for, Jack promised himself.