Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot Read Free Book Online Page A

for Christ’s sake!” Brad blasted. He slammed his
beer glass down onto the bar top.
    “Sorry, I just…you can’t blame Grant for what Jason
did and…” Sarah began.
    “I don’t blame Grant,” Robyn piped up.
    She let out a breath to try and compose herself.
She’d said the words, but she didn’t know if they were true. She
wanted them to be, but perhaps she was fooling herself.
    “I just don’t think he’s the best person to manage
the team, that’s all,” she finished.
    “Well, I think you’re exhausted and jetlagged. I
don’t think you should be worrying about the hockey team right now.
You should concentrate on spending some time with Eddie,” Brad
said, changing the subject.
    “Did that already, right after the Old Country
Buffet. He’s still the same arrogant, pigheaded, stubborn ass he
always was. No, I need something else to focus on—the roadhouse and
the hockey team. Tomorrow night, at seven, can you do that? Can you
get everyone there?” Robyn asked Brad and Mickey.
    “Sure,” Mickey agreed with a nod.
    “Good. So, who’s the best person to get in to
redecorate this place? Does Old Man Harrison still do painting and
stuff?” Robyn asked.
    “Oh Robyn, Old Man Harrison died,” Sarah informed
her.
    “He did?”
    “Yes, it was about what? Five years ago?” Sarah asked
the two men.
    “Something like that,” Mickey agreed.
    “But who has the annual town barn dance now? Pam
always made pumpkin pie, and I could never remember the steps to
any of the dances and…why didn’t she tell me? I always rode his
pony and…” Robyn started, her eyes welling up with tears.
    “Okay, I think it’s time you went home. The veil of
jetlag is finally descending,” Brad said, taking the beer glass
from her hand and helping her down from the stool.
    “Why didn’t anyone tell me about Old Man Harrison? I
mean, I was only in England, we have phones there and the internet
and…what happened to Bessie the tractor?” Robyn questioned.
    “She’s still going. Come on, I’ll give you a ride,”
Brad said, coaxing her toward the door.
    “But I need to lock up. Shit, I don’t have keys! I
don’t have keys to my own roadhouse!” Robyn screeched.
    “Don’t worry about it. We can get the locks changed
in the morning. Night guys,” Brad called as he pushed open the
door.
    “I’m not tired. Sarah, I’ll call you tomorrow and
we’ll maybe go for lunch or go and see if we can find a decorating
firm. Or maybe I could do it myself. Do they still do paint in
Wal-Mart?” Robyn called as Brad hurried her out of the
roadhouse.
    “Night Robyn,” Sarah called with a giggle.
    “She hasn’t changed,” Mickey remarked with a
smile.
     
     
    “Nice ride,” Robyn said as Brad drove his
expensive-looking station wagon up the street toward Pam and Bob’s
home.
    “Thank you.”
    “So, you’ve gone all lawman on us,” Robyn
continued.
    “Yep. It’s been six years next month.”
    “Well good for you. Never would have thought it,
but…”
    “What did you think I’d be doing?” Brad asked,
glancing at her as he drove.
    “I don’t know, captaining an NHL team or playing for
the Yankees or something.”
    “I wish.”
    “Do you?”
    “Maybe, I don’t know. Your expectations change when
you grow up, don’t they?” Brad replied.
    “Yep, didn’t think I’d be back here helping out Dad.
Didn’t think I’d ever be back here to be honest,” Robyn said.
    “So, what’s England like? What do you do there?” Brad
asked her.
    “This and that,” she replied.
    “That’s evasive.”
    “It’s different. It isn’t like here. I’m an office
manager for a motor company,” Robyn informed him.
    “You’re shitting me! A manager!” Brad exclaimed with
a laugh.
    “Why are you laughing? I’ve always been good at
organizing and I’ve always been good with cars. It’s the perfect
job for me.”
    “There is no way you would prefer sitting in an
office to having your head underneath a hood,”