Bounty

13. Jude

Chapter Thirteen

JUDE

They arrive five minutes late. Cain’s turtleneck does a bad job of hiding the teeth marks on his neck. Colin has too much of a pep in his step for such a somber occasion, and Wisteria has the look of a dejected puppy who wasn’t given a treat.

Her face is red from the cold and snow flakes cling to her hair and coat. She opens it, revealing a blue dress that makes her violet eyes glow. It clings to her figure, fitting like a glove. My mind runs wild thinking of what happened while I was gone. Part of me is jealous that they touched her, and another part of me wants to play along.

As soon as the doors clang shut behind them, the room falls into silence. Every single eye is glued to her as I motion for them to come forward. Hushed whispers and gasps ripple through the room as she moves. The further she gets down the center aisle, the louder the crowd’s voices become.

When she gets to the altar, I offer her a hand to help her up. Cain and Colin follow, standing on my other side. Wisteria may look calm, but I can see her fear in her mannerisms. The way she shifts her weight from foot to foot. Her lack of smile.

“I’ve called everyone here today to share some news,” I announce. We gather in an old, converted barn, so the acoustics let my voice carry. “Wisteria Jean is returning to us after six long years away.”

There’s no clapping or cheers. Everyone looks to Wisteria, some with confused expressions, and others with suspicion or hateful stares. I take a moment to gauge their reactions before continuing.

“After we’ve done extensive research, we found out that Wisteria was wrongly accused of treason. I’m lifting her exile, and welcoming her back to Harvest Farms with open arms, and encourage you to all follow my example.”

Mason Judd, Mandy’s father, raises his hand to address me. He has audacity interrupting my sermon, but I let him. His inflated sense of importance from being one of my father’s friends will serve me in this instance.

“With respect, Father Jude, how do we know she’s truly trustworthy? Your father is a wise, fair man, and I doubt he would make such a decision without having all the evidence in hand.”

“He had ironclad evidence against her aunt and mother, but none against Wisteria Jean. She was unaware of their true intent. Despite her innocence, her life is in danger from their crimes.”

Judd sits down, and I sweep my gaze across the room, ensuring that I have everyone’s attention.

“Norma was asked to leave because she and her sister were secret operatives for a dangerous group of people who want to harm us, who don’t approve of our community’s peaceful ways. That group attacked us last night, on our territory. They shot me while I protected Wisteria Jean. I’m here to let everyone know that myself, Colin, and Cain are working with our soldiers to secure the farm, neutralize the threat, and make sure that they know exactly who they are messing with.”

Whispers break out again, and one man’s sullen face stands out amongst the crowd. My father’s advisor, Thorn, raises his hand to speak and I oblige. Grievances, when whispered, can turn into unrest. It’s best to quell any negative feelings before they grow.

“One could argue that they came to the compound to target Wisteria Jean. Is it in everyone’s best interest to keep her here?” A few other men, all previous advisors of my father who most likely know the real reasons behind their exile, nod in agreement.

The carefully constructed neutral mask I wear barely hides my rage. Thorn is lucky he asked that in public, because if he asked privately, I would have murdered him. My father’s inner circle needs to be put in their place, sooner rather than later. They can pose a threat to Wisteria’s safety if they decide to rise against me.

“I’m sure you didn’t mean to suggest that we outcast my future wife and leave her to the wolves? Wisteria is just as impacted by The Skulls as we are, and the safest place for her is among family.” Their hushed tone grows louder as shock breaks any sense of propriety they had before.

“Wasn’t she his stepsister?”

“They were childhood friends for years before that…”

“She works fast…”

‘I heard she slept her way through the three of them.’

“I’d like to remind everyone here that my word is law. We are all brothers and sisters, united in our love of life’s bounty and each other. Wisteria is one of us–a six year break won’t change that.” The cryptic expression on Wisteria’s face and her tense body language don’t bode well for me, so I take her hand, so she can feel the truth in my words. “I fell in love with Wisteria Jean Flowers when I was a child. Our parents’ brief marriage never changed how I felt—it just forced me to be patient. But as soon as I could, I made her mine. I hope you’re all so lucky to find someone you feel the same about.”

Marnie, an older widow who watched me often after my mom died, claps for us. Others join in, and I feel the tide of the room changing. I’m sure having Wisteria back on the farm will be an adjustment, and we may get some pushback, but seeing people support us openly is a good sign.

“Unfortunately, I do have to put some rules into effect. Due to the increased level of safety on the farm, no one is allowed to come and go unless it’s for work-related purposes. Children will be escorted to and from school by members of our security team. We will also ask that the security team take extra shifts, and that anyone thinking of joining please speak to Colin Garcia. This adjourns our meeting. Goodnight everyone.”

I weave our fingers together, and she squeezes my hand, digging her nails into the back. With every well wish we receive, it grows limper—her face gets paler. I’m not sure whether to be relieved her fight is leaving her or concerned that she’s unwell. The four of us make the quickest exit we can through the crowd, barely dodging a furious Mandy before hopping into the car. Cain takes the driver seat, and Wisteria Jean pushes her way into the passenger seat, leaving Colin and I in the back.

She’s quiet the whole way home, shellshocked, as if she’s seen a ghost. My Wisteria Jean would be spitting mad right now. She’d rage at me for making such a huge decision for her, even though it was for her own safety.

“Wisteria?” I ask.

Colin catches my gaze and shakes his head, as if to say, give her space . Not knowing where her mind is—and not having complete control of the situation—is driving me insane. The minute we’re all in the house, I pull her to the couch in the living room. She sits, staring off into the distance, her face impassive.

“Well?” I ask her.

She doesn’t move or respond. Tears roll down her face, and when I move to sit next to her, she turns away from me.

“Baby girl?” Cain hedges. “Are you okay?”

Wisteria’s breathing becomes heavier, with each breath more labored than the one before it. Her chest heaves, and her pale skin sheens with sweat. Her body tenses, and Colin feels her pulse.

“Her heart rate is abnormally fast and I think she’s having a panic attack. Wisteria, I’m going to take you to your bed so you can lay down, okay?” She gives him a stilted nod, and he carries her up the stairs, to her room.

“I know why you did it, and it was the right move,” Cain starts, “Something isn’t right about your father’s advisors. Your proposal gives her protection and she’ll come to understand that. But please, give her some room to process it. She’s fragile right now.”

I nod. After six years apart, giving her space seems impossible, irrational, but I can try.