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Chapter 105: Losing Faith
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The Rutherford Series Chapter 106: Roll the Dice
The hot spray of the shower jet beat down on her upturned face and stretched neck as she stood with her hands on the blue tile wall in front of her. Steam billowed up around her, the water massaging her into wakefulness. Four-thirty came early, but Jacqui Karston had been waking that early for the past two years, losing herself in the projects of The Karston Foundation ever since her family died in a plane crash without her. She was up late every night, as well. She had to be. There was still so much to do to rebuild Biloxi after Katrina devastated the coast ten years ago. The city had already did quite a bit, of course, but it was not enough. It would never be enough in Jacqui's eyes, not as long as there were vacant lots and partially demolished buildings scattered everywhere, and, if she were honest with herself, she needed the distraction.After blow drying her hair, she brushed it into long, blond walls, framing her narrow face, keeping her closed off and uninviting. It also added
The Rutherford Series Chapter 107: Roll the Dice
Lily handed her a manila folder as she set a cup of steaming coffee on Jacqui's desk, the travel mug replaced with a ceramic one with a skyline of Biloxi wrapped around it. "This is the information you wanted on Rutherford Construction," the small brunette said. Lily was another one they pulled from the wreckage of Katrina. She had been attending the local college when the hurricane barreled through and reduced her apartment to rubble. Marc found her sitting on the curb, just staring at what was once her home. The college would keep going, but even at nineteen, Lily was ready to call it quits. He put the young woman in his car and took her home where they were already housing several refugees. Marc wasn't giving anyone a chance to give up, and Jacqui loved him all the more for his compassion and generosity. She was determined to carry on his legacy."Anything in the file you should warn me about?" Opening the folder, Jacqui leaned back in her chair. "Any reason I should go with these g
The Rutherford Series Chapter 108: Roll the Dice
Morgan Brewer finished tying the laces of his work boots and patted the bare ass of—What was her name again?—before pushing himself off the hotel bed and reaching for his sports coat. He knew Neal would already be waiting down in the lobby for him. Neal Rutherford never arrived on time to meetings. He was early. "Being punctual is your first opportunity to prove you're honest and respect the other person," the founder and owner of Rutherford Construction always said. "If you can't be on time to a meeting, how will they believe you can finish a project on time?" Neal Rutherford always met his deadlines. It was one of the reasons his company was so sought after throughout Florida.After slipping his coat on, Morgan popped three Tylenol into his mouth and drank half a bottle of water to wash them down. His head throbbed as he ran a brush through his hair, trying to bring order to the almond-colored mess. He needed a shower, but he had needed sleep more. While Neal made sure they arrived t
The Rutherford Series Chapter 109: Roll the Dice
Morgan found himself nodding as Neal pulled out into the late-morning traffic. He wasn't too worried. He never had a problem swaying a woman to see his side of things or persuading them to do what he wanted. Charm was one of the tools in his personal toolbox he used with skill, in business as well as the bedroom. Jacqui Karston would see he was the man for the job. He had no doubt. He could appreciate someone having zeal for a cause. It made them eager to see progress. Yet, something usually sparked that fire. Furthermore, it was probably something deeper than just naming something after her daughter. If he could discover that spark, he would have a way past her defenses."Are you staying to help set up the new office?" Morgan took in the buildings as they passed casinos, hotels, and small businesses. While it was true there were quite a few vacant lots where buildings once stood and several abandoned buildings that needed demolished, the Biloxi/Gulfport area was still an extremely act
The Rutherford Series Chapter 110: Roll the Dice
Jacqui tore off another piece of the mutilated napkin in her hands and wadded it up into a tiny ball. When she compressed it as she could get it, she plopped it down into the small pile of wadded up balls in front of her. She instantly ripped off another piece. Reaching across the table, Brent Wellington placed his hand on top of the napkin and gently pushed it and her hands to the table. "Relax. It's just lunch. You eat lunch all the time.""And it's usually at my desk or in situations where I have control. This feels like an ambush." She wadded the rest of the napkin up, tossing it to the center of the table. She reached for her water glass, needing something to do with her hands."This is far from an ambush," her financial consultant said. "It's just a business meeting to introduce you to someone who might be able to help you with your next project. You're the boss. You can say yes or no."She shook her head. "They want me to hire them and so do you. That's three against one. It's
The Rutherford Series Chapter 111: Roll the Dice
The waitress approached, refilling Jacqui's water, which had a lemon floating in it, and asked Neal and Morgan for their drink orders. "Water with lemon, please," Neal said. The waitress turned to Morgan and Jacqui watched as the woman's eyes twinkled when he smiled up at her. Her hip popped out, and she leaned a little lower down, the creamy top of her breasts pushing at her blouse. Morgan, typical male that he seemed to be, smiled even more as he raked her with his eyes. "Shock Top with an orange slice, please." The girl gave him a seductive smile and bounced off to fill the drink order. Jacqui would almost bet he would get his beer before Neal received his water."A day drinker?" She glanced over at Morgan as he watched the waitress walk away. Neal cleared his throat, and Morgan finally turned around. He showed no sign of being embarrassed at his ogling. Brazen. Jacqui didn't particularly care for brazen."Glenlivet. Grey Goose. Jameson. That would be day drinking. A Shock Top with
The Rutherford Series Chapter 112: Roll the Dice
"You'll be doing this with people you don't know. You don't know their history, if they're good, dependable, anything. You know nothing about this town or its people. What the hell were you thinking telling her you'd be the only outsider coming here?" Neal didn't even wait until the car had started before launching into his rant. Morgan thought the veins at his boss's temples would explode. "This is our first job in Biloxi, and we need it to go smoothly. We need people we know can deliver. Now is not the time to wing it."Morgan tried not to smile, knowing it would only infuriate Neal more. "We got the job, didn't we?""Yes, but will we be able to keep it?""If you didn't think I could run this project, Neal, why did you bring me up here?""I brought you up here to organize one of our crews, get them on their feet until you picked your replacement, not to create a crew from scratch. What the hell were you thinking?""I was thinking we'd get the contract we came out here to get," Morgan
The Rutherford Series Chapter 113: Roll the Dice
The drive didn't take long, and Stacey Rogers stood outside a cream-colored building with faded paint and dirty windows. There was nothing faded and dirty about Stacey, however. She was a short woman, barely over five-feet tall, with short dark hair, a slender frame, and hips Morgan would love to grip. She smiled, watching them as they exited their car, her eyes twinkling and her blouse buttoned low enough to tempt a man's gaze. Morgan quickly put on his Sunday-Go-To-Meeting smile and allowed his eyes to roam over her curves. Neal would be all business, so Morgan was free to be all male. Cedar Lake was a busy road full of small businesses, churches, and easy access to I-10. The building Stacey showed them was a small fenced in office with a warehouse and parking in the rear for larger trucks, which would keep Neal happy with the way he preferred to stock up on supplies and tools.Introductions were made, Morgan holding her warm hand longer than necessary as he smiled into her emerald
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