Traffic Control

by Cherime MacFarlane, The Graphics Shed

Genres: Short Stories

Synopsis

Should he take a chance on her again?
Please note each story of this series is a short story.
Contemporary second chance romance, Ace knew it was her at first glance. Dressed in jeans and a neon yellow safety vest, the woman holding the traffic control sign was the grown-up version of the girl who ran out on him years ago. The stop sign in her hand said it all; stop thinking about her and forget her name.
Adele wanted another chance with the man. Would he even listen to her? Every time he sat in the line of cars she held in place waiting to use the one lane, she wanted to walk up to his truck. But how could she? Adele ran out on him.

Release date: July 21, 2016

Publisher: Paper Gold Publishing

Print pages: 45

Content advisory: This is a short story.

Sample

 

It was beyond crazy. Not only did this cost a bundle in gas, but it also took far too much time out of his day. He was an adult, not some idiot kid.

The line of vehicles grew behind him. Everything from eighteen wheelers to expensive motor homes had to wait on the road construction crew.

Summer had come to Alaska, and it was time to sit and wait while someone worked on the road. As usual, the winter deep freeze had taken its toll. Now the contractors hired by the state were working day and night to fix the damage.

This section of highway would get a major upgrade since the repair was so extensive. An earthquake in the winter cracked the road. The quick fix then had meant removing the asphalt and returning the eight-mile section to gravel; a condition not popular with tourists.

As soon as the temperature rose above freezing during the day, the steamer came out to melt the ice in the culvert. He saw the mobile steam truck when on his way to the lumberyard.

Then came the barriers; hay and permeable fences to catch and debris. One day after the eco-hazard measures went into place; the heavy equipment moved in. Flaggers were in position come day two.

Standing on the side of the road sign in hand as he passed going the other direction was... Adele. He almost put the truck in the ditch staring back at the woman. He would know her anywhere.

Twenty frickin years later and she still caused his heart to flutter. Adele Jesse Maxin was in town. After picking up a case of deck screws for the job in Willow, he rushed back toward the construction zone.