Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
A nnie
Hell to the no. I find the flowy lace lavender dress Mom bought me lying on my bed with a pair of heels on the floor. The dress is long and flowy, but it’s also a strapless with sleeves and a plunging neckline that is going to have my breasts majorly on display.
I don’t know what she is thinking. Not a moment later Mom is at my bedroom door.
“I kind of anticipated you having a fit over the dress so before you can complain, let me give you some perspective. You’re a young, very attractive woman. Do you really see yourself settling down with a guy like Cade? Your father told me he’s planning on going to the NHL. Those guys are always cheating on their wives with their side pieces. Is that the kind of life you want?” she asks. Before I can protest, she continues, “Ford is a good man with a good future in front of him. It wouldn’t hurt you to put on that beautiful dress and dazzle him.”
My blood bubbles in my veins. I want to remain calm but I am a hothead. “I’m nothing like you. I’m sorry you regret having me and marrying my father. You’re the one who made those choices. I can’t go through my life regretting my existence because of it. I also won’t put myself in a position to be with a man who constantly cheats on me. I don’t want Ford, and everything with Cade is very new. I don’t plan on rushing into anything,” I declare, my whole body vibrating with anger.
Mom’s lips quiver. “You’re so ungrateful. Everything I’ve done was for you. So you could have a good life,” she says and tears prick her eyes.
I exhale, feeling defeated. “Mom, you aren’t happy here with Daddy. You show it every chance you get. Why would you push me to be with a guy who didn’t treat me right when we were together?”
“Ford is good for you. He was young and maybe he made some stupid mistakes he regrets. At least you should hear him out,” she counters. “And as for me, I’ve done my best and nothing seems good enough for you.” I don’t want to call her out on the fact she is never home. That she has a separate life in the city that doesn’t include me and Daddy. “We’re at risk of losing this place, Annie. As much as I wanted to get away from here, I also don’t want to lose it. My parents worked hard to build this farm. I was a rebellious, difficult child and now we might lose it because of my mistakes,” she shares, as tears streak her cheeks.
“I’m the mistake again.” My resolve hardens at her harsh words. She got knocked up by Daddy and here we go again with her poor choices.
“That isn’t what I meant,” she snaps.
“No, what did you mean then?” I call her out, standing with my hands on each side of my waist, waiting. This isn’t our first rodeo.
“I. . .uh. . .” she sulks. “Why can’t I get anything right?” She starts to cry and buries her face in her hands. It’s a move to make me pity her.
“I’m not consoling you after what you’ve said. But what I can tell you is, I don’t want to lose this place either. I know the attorney fees are expensive so I’m willing to play nice tonight with Ford’s family, but let me make one thing clear. I will not spread my legs open for him. I’m not you.” I stare into her eyes; my resolve hardens because I no longer feel bad for her. I’m angry she’s putting me in a position I don’t want to be in.
Her mouth drops. She stands and smacks me across the face. I don’t flinch but the sting has knocked the breath out of my lungs.
“Don’t act like you don’t cheat on Daddy. I’ve seen the messages on your phone,” I tell her.
“Annie, I can explain. . .”
“Get out of my room, Mother. We have nothing else to say to each other,” I reply without looking her in the eyes. I’ve never called my mother out for her transgressions before. I’ve known for years about her friends in the city. I always kept my mouth shut.
She huffs and leaves my room. I walk over to my bed and fall back on my pillows and cry.
A light touch on my shoulder pulls me from despair. “Annie girl.” It’s Daddy’s gentle voice. “Your mom told me about your little talk.”
I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. He sits on the bed so he can hold me as I cry. He rubs my back and consoles me. He’s always been there for me. It was Daddy who took care of me and cooked for me. “I’m sorry you’ve been feeling this way. Your mom and I thought about divorcing, but it just didn’t seem right. I know about those other men, Annie,” he says like a sad confession.
My head rears back. “You do?”
He nods. “I found out a while back and still decided to stay. I love the farm. I love you, and that’s been enough in my life. The only thing I regret is not running things properly because we could end up losing this place, and I know how much you love it.”
Daddy’s eyes fill with tears. He’s a big burly guy, but he’s all heart. “Oh, Daddy.” I go back to hugging him.
“We’ll figure something out.”
“Daddy, I can help. We can make a plan for you to show the state how we can implement environmentally friendly waste management,” I say.
“Honey, the damage is done and upgrading costs a lot of money. I need to pay the penalty for contaminating the waterways. If we don’t lose the farm then yes, we should definitely implement your ideas. I’m so proud of you, Annie. I’m sorry I’ve let you down.”
“You haven’t let me down. You had a lot on your plate with Tom and Bill quitting. Maybe I won’t do a master’s. I’ll move back here in the fall,” I suggest. They could use my help around here.
“Uh uh, the master’s degree is something you spoke about doing for a long time. You can give me your plans. I’ll figure out a way. I do not want you giving up on your dreams. Do you hear me?” He looks me dead in the eyes.
“Okay, Daddy.”
I pick up the dress Mom wanted me to wear. “She wants me to wear this thing.”
Daddy laughs. “It’s a nice dress but you wear whatever makes you comfortable. I sure as hell don’t need you making nice with Ford. He isn’t a good guy. I need you to be civil to him. Treat him like you would any other guest.”
“I plan on being civil,” I assure.
“Good. Now go and get yourself dressed and go easy on your mom. Her life hasn’t been easy.”
I don’t know how he can make excuses for her after the way she treats him.
He kisses the top of my head and leaves my room. I head into the shower to wash my hair and shave. When I get out, I dry my hair a bit with a towel before I use a blow-dryer to blow it out with soft curls. When I go to my closet, I can’t choose what to wear. I have some well-worn dresses. I choose a dark-navy, floral, mini baby doll dress. I pair it with a pair of white leather cowboy boots. I head to the bathroom and apply some mascara and pink lip gloss. Not too bad. I’m a country girl through and through. Mom wants to make me into a city girl like she’s made herself, but that isn’t me.
I head downstairs and walk over to the guest room. The door is open but I give it a little knock to announce myself. Cade is wearing a pair of black chinos and a white-and-gray checkered dress shirt. His hair is slicked back and his shirtsleeves are rolled up, revealing sinful forearms.
“You’re gorgeous,” he tells me. He leans in to peck my cheek and my breath hitches and my body buzzes. I take in the scent of sandalwood and something sweet. “I got ready early. Rocky’s been keeping me busy,” he explains as he throws a pair of socks across the room and Rocky happily runs to catch it and bring it back.
“You clean up nicely too,” I tell him. No point in inflating his ego. He must know how hot he is.
I hear the doorbell ring.
“Showtime,” I tell him.
“Hey, Annie,” Cade says quietly.
“Your dad mentioned something about needing the help of Ford’s family for some legal problems,” he says and my stomach sinks.
“He told you that?” I ask shocked.
Cade nods.
“Is it a good idea for you to introduce me as your boyfriend? I don’t want to cause any trouble. Your dad has been super nice.”
I sulk. “I don’t want to be left alone with Ford, Cade. He thinks he should get everything he wants. I’m terrified that I am too weak to say no to his advances.” I’d always been attracted to Ford. He’s hot as hell, but what’s on the inside is no good in his case. I need to remember that.
Cade sighs. “I get it. Scarlett was a pretty package. She had lots of issues and I kept falling for her tricks.”
“Aren’t we a pair,” I say to him.
“Yes, well, I’ve got your back. I won’t leave you alone with him,” he assures. He places his hand on my lower back. The small touch does something to my insides. I don’t know what is happening with Cade. We met because of our friends, but we got closer because of the stunt I pulled to help him save face where Scarlett is concerned. But this attraction I feel for him has nothing to do with saving face or a fake relationship. It feels real and overpowering.
I hear Mom and Dad welcoming the Bancrofts to our home. I head toward the front door with Cade. Daddy is in a black suit, which I don’t see often. Mom is wearing a knee-length red dress and black heels. She’s taking their coats.
I blow out a breath because it’s never fun coming face-to-face with my ex. At least Cade is here to be my buffer. Besides, having a simple Christmas dinner can’t be that catastrophic, can it?