Chapter 40
FORTY
Keigan
Charlottetown isn’t that far from you. You could find a girl there.
Jade
Seriously, get on the dating apps. A 26 year old tech professional who just moved back to the island after living in Toronto? You won’t have a problem at all.
I roll my eyes as I watch the texts come in from my brother and sister, who have recently made it their mission to find me a girlfriend.
They say it’s to keep me from going crazy living with Mom and Dad, but I know that’s not it.
I know they’re worried I’ll be bored and restless and leave PEI again.
And if I’m in a relationship with someone from here, that won’t be so easy.
Little do they know…
I’m not getting on any dating apps.
Jade
Why? It’s the best way to find someone. People don’t meet organically anymore.
Keigan
Truth. You need to go looking for it, dude. Especially in Linton…
Jade
Yeah, you’re not finding anyone in Linton unless you grew up with them. Come on, you’re telling me you haven’t been on any apps while in Toronto? I find that hard to believe.
Jesus Christ.
Well… she’s not wrong. I did grow up with the person I’m… dating? I wince at the sound of that. Sucking off? God, no, that’s even worse.
I blow out a breath as I tap out my reply and hit send.
I’m already taken.
Jade
What? Who! Tell me!
Keigan
Who??
I lift my phone and snap a picture of my computer screen full of charts and numbers, and hit send.
Keigan
Hahahaha
Jade
Fucking hilarious.
I smile because it is pretty fucking hilarious.
But as I look over the data on my screen, I let out a little laugh.
It’s the hollow heart field data, with irrigation numbers streaming in while Silas is out there working it right now.
So… technically, I told them the truth.
Keigan
You’re boring.
Yup. Now let me be boring in peace. *Salute emoji*
I set my phone down and push to my feet, choosing to ignore any other messages from them about this. Because they’re right. This is boring.
It’s time for a field trip.
I head out of the office and across the lot, right for the hollow heart field.
As I walk over the packed red dirt between the fields, I push my sleeves up to let the sun warm my skin and glance towards the tree line, which is now full and green.
The breeze rustles gently in the leaves, and the sound of birds chirping carries through the air.
There’s nothing quite like summer in PEI.
The centre pivot irrigation system comes into view, stretching across the field in a long metal line with each tower set on wide wheels to let it move over the rows.
Water sprays from the hanging lines beneath it, fanning out in overlapping arcs that sweep across rows, the mist catching the sunlight as it drifts and settles into the soil below.
The entire system moves so slowly it almost looks still.
Silas is at one of the towers, standing beside the wheels with his head down, focused on the soil at his feet. He glances back when he hears me coming, and I step up next to him, tipping my head back to take in the length of the system with a smile.
“I never got to see any of this actually run when I was in Toronto. I just wrote the programs and watched the data roll in.” My gaze drops back to him, my smile widening as I take in the dirt on his skin and clothes. “This is pretty fucking cool.”
He huffs out a quiet laugh. “You can set it up next time, then.”
I let my eyes track along the structure again, following it out across the field as tower after tower disappears into the distance, and shake my head. “No, I’m good.”
He smirks and steps over a row of soil, continuing towards the next tower.
I follow, looking down at the wet, red dirt shifting under me, and curse at myself for not wearing boots to come out here.
Goodbye sneakers…
“Everything is looking good on the data so far,” I say as he stops at the next tower.
“Yeah?” he asks, looking at me with a hopeful expression.
I nod. “Moisture’s holding where it should across all zones.”
Silas smiles, and my eyes immediately drop to his lips.
Fuck. Maybe it was a mistake coming out here.
My gaze drifts over him, taking in the way his dark grey T-shirt clings to his shoulders and chest from the light spray, the dirt streaked across his forearms, the way his jeans sit perfectly on his hips…
And that smile.
I force my eyes away, tipping my head back to stare at the pivot like I have any idea what I’m looking at beyond what it feeds me on a screen.
But I can still feel his eyes on me.
I slowly slide my gaze back to him, and one of his brows lifts ever so slightly.
Fucker. He knows me too well.
So… fuck it.
I look down at his dirty shirt again and his forearms that I apparently can’t get enough of.
Who would have thought it would be forearms that helped me realize I’m bi?
“So…” I say slowly, my gaze lingering on the vein in his arm that sends blood rushing to my dick. “This thing runs automatically.”
I meet his eyes again, and the corner of his lips twitches.
“It does,” he says simply.
I nod. “And it’s going to travel pretty slow in this zone as it gets a heavier pass.”
He nods slowly as well. “It will.”
A slow smile spreads over my lips as I tilt my head towards his cabin through the trees. “Looks like you could use a shower.”
Silas chuckles, breaking eye contact to look towards his cabin through the small opening in the trees across the field. When he looks back at me, there’s a playful look in his eyes that used to make my heart race with anticipation of what would come next.
And now it’s beating so hard I feel it through my entire body.
“I think you’re right.”