Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 217

CHAPTER 126

PAIGE POV

By eight o’clock on Monday morning, the parking lot at Lawson Customs was already full, and I was standing behind the counter with a coffee in one hand while staring at a calendar that looked like someone had attacked it with a red marker.

Every available appointment was filled and the next opening was nearly four weeks away.

I stared at the calendar again, because I still couldn’t quite believe it.

“Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Mia asked and I looked up.

“Unless you’ve started writing appointments in invisible ink, I think I am.” I said and she laughed.

“We’re booked until the middle of next month.” She said as I leaned back in my chair.

“That’s insane.” I said.

“It’s also a good problem.” She said.

“I know.” I said.

I looked through the office window toward the workshop, where Ben was already moving between two motorcycles.

A year ago, I would have been thrilled to have this much work. Now I was wondering how we were going to keep up with it.

The business had changed faster than I ever expected, and Lawson Customs wasn’t just surviving

anymore.

It was growing.

Customers were coming from neighboring towns, collectors were recommending us to other collectors, and people who had never heard of the garage were now calling because they’d seen our work online and Mia placed another folder on my desk.

“Three more calls came in this morning.” She said and I groaned.

“Of course they did.” I said.

“One wants a full restoration, one needs an engine rebuild, and one wants a basic service.” She said.

“Can we fit the service in?” I asked and Mia shook her head.

“Not unless you want to work until Christmas.” She said and I laughed.

“We’ve got enough people for that?” I asked.

“No, and that’s the problem.” She said and I looked toward the workshop again.

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194APTER 120+

“We need help.” I said making Mia smile.

I’ve been waiting for you to say that.” She said.

“You already have people in mind.” I said.-

“I might.” She said and she pulled two resumes from a folder.

“I spoke to them last week, and both have experience with basic motorcycle servicing and general mechanical work.” She added as I picked up the first resume.

“Casual?” I asked.

“That’s what I was thinking.” She said and I nodded.

Cham

“We don’t need to throw them into full restorations, but they could handle oil changes, brake checks, tire work, basic servicing, and some of the routine jobs.” I said.

“Exactly.” She said as I looked at the second resume.

“Can they start soon?” I asked.

“Both said they could start this week.” She said and I smiled.

“Then let’s meet them.” I said.

By ten, the first mechanic arrived. His name was Ryan, and he had spent several years working at a dealership before deciding he wanted something smaller.

The second mechanic, Tyler, arrived twenty minutes later, and he had worked at a general repair shop while rebuilding motorcycles on the weekends.

They both understood immediately that Lawson Customs wasn’t looking for people who would rush through jobs.

Quality mattered. Reputation mattered and trust mattered most of all.

Ben joined us after their interviews, and I watched him ask questions that were more detailed than anything I would have expected from him a few months ago.

When the interviews ended, he looked at me.

“I’d hire both.” He said and I raised an eyebrow.

“You’ve become picky.” I said.

“I’m serious.” He said.

“So am I.” I said and he nodded toward the workshop.

“We’re drowning out there.” He said and I laughed.

“That’s exactly what Mia said.” He said and Ben smiled.

“I can take over scheduling the basic jobs, and Ryan and Tyler can handle the routine work.” He added and

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