Chapter 1

A new batch of workers from Ohio came onto the construction site, so when I placed the boxed lunch order I told the owner to bring six extra bottles of vinegar.

But once I'd paid, his face went sour and he snapped at me.

"That's not how the math works, is it? You still haven't paid me for the six bottles of vinegar. Even if I skip the delivery charge, you've at least got to cover my cost!"

My eyes went wide. I stared at Hudson Chavez, not quite able to believe it.

"I order two thousand dollars of boxed lunches from you every single day, and I settle up the same day. Now you want to charge me extra for six bottles of vinegar?"

Hudson planted his hands on his hips, glaring at me, whiskers practically bristling.

Like he wasn't going to let it go until he got his money.

I didn't keep arguing with him. I paid the difference for the six bottles.

"We're square now. Starting tomorrow, don't bother bringing food out here anymore!"

1.

"Barbara Henson, still two hundred lunches today?"

Right at lunchtime, the restaurant owner I'd worked with for ages called on schedule.

"Add fifty. We've got a new batch of workers on site."

"You got it!"

On the other end, Hudson's voice was as warm as ever.

"Oh, and besides the extra fifty a day from now on, bring six bottles of vinegar too. This new batch is from Ohio, they're big on that sour kick."

Hudson agreed right away.

"Sure thing. I've got real Ohio aged vinegar in the shop. If you're asking, Barbara, then I've got to set you up with the best, so they eat happy."

Half an hour later, Hudson's van pulled up at the site gate right on time.

The second he saw me, he broke into a grin.

"Barbara, today's dish is braised pork. I put in an extra half-ladle of oil special, so the guys have some energy in them."

That's what he said, but the quality of Hudson's food had dropped noticeably over the past six months.

Every time I thought about bringing it up, I'd see that warm, chummy look on his face and never quite know how to start.

I glanced at the boxed lunches stacked neatly in the back of the van and nodded.

"All right, I'll transfer you the money."

He hollered for the workers to come grab their lunches.

"The vinegar's in the plastic bag off to the side, six bottles total."

Maybe I was reading into it, but the way Hudson bit down on those two words, "six bottles," felt especially heavy.

I pulled out my phone and sent him two thousand five hundred dollars.

The instant the payment notice came through, he looked down at the amount, and the smile froze right off his face.

I didn't pay it any mind. I was already thinking about going back to check the materials list, but the second I took a step, Hudson called out to stop me.

"Barbara, that transfer's not right, is it?"

In two years of working together, Hudson's boxed lunches had gone from eight dollars to ten.

I'd double-checked the total on purpose. Two thousand five hundred. That was right, wasn't it?

"Ten dollars a lunch. Don't tell me you've raised the price again?"