Into the Nothing (Broken Outlaw Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Xander,” Paige says over her shoulder. “Don’t you worry about Rowdy here. He’s in good hands.” The three of them head through the front door, closing it behind them and leaving me with the quiet countryside to figure out what exactly just happened. Two minutes in and I’ve already managed to get my dog stolen. It’s not surprising he’s the star of the show, that’s usually how it works out, but I figured I’d get a little more attention at least.
    I head back to the truck and unload it. I lug my baggage up to to the guesthouse and drop them off inside. I’m taken back by the size of the place, which looks like a mansion compared to the motel room I stayed in. There’s a kitchen and bathroom all the way in the back, a bed and vanity just before it, and living room with two loveseats and a TV when you first walk in the door. I could definitely get comfortable here.
    When I’m done exploring the new place a little bit I head to a large maroon barn with paint chipping at the corners, set back a bit in the middle of the vineyard. Jack is huddled under the hood of a tractor, a grease rag tucked into the side of his overalls. His arms are buried in the engine.
    “Jack, it’s Xander,” I call out. I hear a thud from Jack’s head meeting the hard steel hood. He lets out a groan and then a quiet laugh.
    “Shit, I’m so sorry,” I tell him. “I thought you heard me coming.”
    “No problem at all. You’d think I would have, as quiet as it is. I think I’m still in a daze from last night.” He shakes his head and smiles. “Or maybe I’m just getting old.”
    “Yeah, to be honest, I woke up and thought maybe your offer was a dream.”
    “Nossir. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t drunk as all hell by the time my head hit the pillow last night. I definitely need some help out here,” he says, then hesitates for a second before continuing, “and I like you.”
    Flattered, but not knowing what to say, I mumble, “I like you all too, sir.”
    “Good. Well then, we should get along just fine. It won’t be terribly hard work, but they’ll be long days. I’ll pay you handsomely for your assistance, and I hope you’ll at least stay with us until mid-summer. And remember, just call me Jack.”
    “That sounds great, Jack. I’m happy to help in any way I can. What kind of help do you need? I’ve done a lot in my life, but not much in the way of winery work.”
    “Not a problem. I’ll always be around to direct you, and it won’t take long to get the hang of it. Some of what I’ll need from you goes beyond the winery. Did my wife discuss her business last night? I can’t for the life of me remember.”
    I scan my brain but come up short. “I know she mentioned owning a business at the bonfire last night and that Paige works with her. I don’t think she gave specifics though. That, or my drunken memory fails me.”
    “Okay, well she and Paige run Watson Metalworks down on Main Street. You see it down there yesterday?” Jack leans back against the tractor, wiping an arm across his sweat-beaded forehead.
    “I remember seeing the sign for it…big metal sign welded together, right? Looks badass, like it belongs outside a heavy metal venue or something.”
    “That’s the one… My wife is a sculptor. Only I guess it’s sculpting with a twist. She hits junkyards, recycling facilities, pretty much wherever she can find scrap metal. We’re talking anything from screws to forks to bike rims. Whatever she finds that strikes her fancy, and she welds them together into sculptures using those parts. Started it years and years ago as a hobby, but things have really taken off over the last few years. Got so busy that Paige even started working for her when she finished college.”
    He stands a bit taller now, pride pouring from his words. It’s the kind of pride a man should have for his wife and daughter. It’s endearing, but the only thing I can think of is how in the hell he can be so