Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Derek
T he backyard is alive with laughter, music, and the smell of charcoal. Teddy and Sofia really know how to host a barbecue—string lights hang from the trees, and the whole place looks like something out of a magazine spread. As soon as the kids and I step on the patio, Teddy’s daughters, Hazel and Cassidy, tug Casey away.
“Come meet Jayla. She’s our favorite babysitter!” Cassidy exclaims.
“Derek!” Lena Marshall hollers as she waves at me. “It’s good to see you and the kids out!”
“It’s good to see you too, Mayor. Is this the husband everyone’s talking about?” I joke as I go to shake Gavin’s hand.
“Ahh, Hicks Creek and its gossip.” He chuckles. “Something that I didn’t miss.”
We introduce ourselves, and Lena grins at us.
“Derek owns the Organic Apple Farm just outside of town. He’s done amazing things with Livesay’s Orchard, and you wouldn’t even recognize it now.”
“That’s great!” Gavin says. “That place was always talked about, but it was like it was off-limits for the rest of the world.”
“Not anymore. It’s a family experience now. You guys should come out. I guess Jayla is a little old for it, but it’s still a lot of fun.”
“Nonsense, no one is too old for all the fun things you have going on out there,” Lena says.
“Did I hear Cassidy say that Jayla is babysitting now?”
“Yeah, she is between basketball camps, games, and practices.”
“I’ll keep that in mind if I ever decide to venture out into the world.”
“I feel that in my soul,” Lena replies. “If we could stay hidden away at the farm all the time, I would do so.”
Someone calls out for Lena, and she and Gavin excuse themselves. Teddy is standing by the grill, and I make my way over to him.
“Oh my goodness, Teddy, is that Jayla Marshall?” I hear Amber gasp. “Boy, do I feel old. I remember babysitting her when she was born.”
“You are old.” He laughs.
“You’re older,” she shoots back with a hand on her hip.
He throws his head back and laughs before handing her a plate of food. She floats off and back into the kitchen.
She’s dressed perfectly for the day—nothing over the top, just a red sundress that falls off one shoulder. Her hair is pulled back, and there’s an easy, natural beauty about her as if she’s not even trying. She laughs at something Sofia says as she walks by, her whole face lighting up. It’s like a gravitational pull, one I have no control over. I feel myself smiling as I watch her.
Dang, so much for keeping my guard up around her.
I have to keep her at arm’s length, even if my body tells me otherwise.
“Earth to Derek,” a voice teases, and I blink, realizing Teddy’s standing beside me, grinning. “Do you see something you like?” he asks, nodding in Amber’s direction.
He doesn’t even try to hide the smirk on his face. My stomach drops.
Dang, was I that obvious?
“I must have zoned out. I didn’t get much sleep last night,” I lie, though my gaze betrays me as I steal another look.
Amber is moving again, drifting effortlessly from person to person. She’s laughing with Hazel, then chatting with Tatum, and next, she’s listening to something Jayla’s saying with this intense focus that’s rare to find in anyone. It’s like she’s everywhere at once but also so present with everyone she speaks to.
“Yeah, sure.” Teddy gives my shoulder a little nudge. “I think you could use a drink,” he says, handing me a beer.
“Teddy,” Mr. Shafer interjects as he walks up behind us.
“You’re not doing any of the work today, Dad,” Teddy says without even turning around.
“Do you see the abuse I take?” Mr. Shafer teases as he shoots me a wink.
“Ungrateful kids, man.” I laugh.
“I tell ya, at least I have one kid that loves me.”
When he says that, Amber comes over, bringing him a plate of pie and looking around as she does.
“If you tell Mom that I did this, I will deny it and throw you under the bus,” she says.
“I’ll tell her so I can be the favorite again.” Teddy chuckles.
“And I’ll tell your wife that you dressed the girls in pajamas for school the other day,” Amber says with a grin.
“Low blow. How am I supposed to tell the difference?” Teddy asks.
I take a long pull from my beer as Amber catches me looking and flashes a bright, mischievous smile. The kind that’s almost like a challenge.
Am I flirting with this woman?
My stomach drops, and there’s a moment of panic as I try to figure out what I got myself into. When she smiles, I feel a sense of peace wash over me.
I blow out a breath slowly. I can’t remember the last time I flirted with any woman. I’ve never been the type, really. It was pure luck that Sharon and I met. She was the one who did the flirting and pursuing.
“Hey, Derek. I’m glad to see you and the kids here. Teddy said you were leaving for the weekend,” Amber says.
I lean back against the railing. “Yeah, we were supposed to, but I got caught up at the farm, and the kids really wanted to come here instead.”
“They love my smash burgers. What can I say?” Teddy interjects with a grin.
“I think it’s more of Sofia’s cakes than your grill work, bro,” I joke.
“It’s good to see Casey out of her shell,” Amber mentions as she looks over at where my daughter is playing with the other kids. “You’re doing a great job.”
Her words land harder than I’d like, and I feel myself tense. I don’t handle compliments well—they feel too much like a weakness. I try not to let it show just how much her words mean.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Do you actually talk at barbecues?” she asks playfully.
Her lips curl into a teasing smile, and it’s like a magnet pulling me closer.
“Oh, I talk,” I reply, taking a step toward her. “Just usually to people who don’t grill me first thing.”
“Maybe I’ll tone it down, then.” She tilts her head. “Or maybe I won’t.”
“Now that sounds like a threat.” My voice comes out rougher than I intended, and I see her smirk widen, clearly enjoying every second of it.
She laughs, shaking her head. “Come on, let me grab you a burger or something. This whole brooding thing won’t hold up if you pass out from hunger.”
She doesn’t wait for my answer, already heading for the kitchen. I catch myself watching her again, every detail locking into my mind—the way she moves, the casual grace that’s completely unself-conscious. I can see how the kids cling to her, and a pang of unease hits me as I see her talking to Casey and Eric again.
I can’t let a woman get too close to the kids like this, especially when I know that I need to keep her at arm’s length.
I glance up at Teddy, who is grinning from ear to ear. He gestures for me to follow Amber into the kitchen. Sure enough, she’s in there making me a plate of food.
I’m not used to this. I…I’m not sure how I feel about this woman taking care of me.
Stop it. You’re reading way too much into things. She’s helping her brother and sister-in-law host, and she’s doing this for everyone.
“You didn’t have to make me a plate. I’m capable.”
“I’m aware. Sometimes I like to do nice things for people.” She shrugs nonchalantly as she turns around and makes a plate of food for someone else.
See, I’m overthinking.
I nod and grunt a reply, not sure if words would come out anyway. I take my food and go back to Teddy so I can start eating.
“She’s so much like Mom,” Teddy says as he glances at my plate. “Thinks people have three stomachs when they’re at parties.”
Teddy and I laugh and talk, and a bit later, I notice Amber crouched down beside Casey, Hazel, and Cassidy, explaining the rules of some game involving stones and sticks that I’m pretty sure she just made up on the spot. The girls are wholly captivated, hanging on her every word.
I make my way to the trash can to throw away my empty plate, then walk over to see their game.
“Alright, girls,” Amber says, tossing a playful look my way. “Let’s see if Casey’s dad knows how to play, too. Think he can handle it?”
Casey looks at me, her eyes wide. “Come on, Dad! You gotta play with us!”
“Do I?” I glance at Amber, raising an eyebrow. “I think this whole thing might be rigged.”
She shrugs, feigning innocence. “Rigged? You wound me. I’m just here for the fun.”
I feel my pulse quicken as her smile softens, and our eyes lock. But before either of us can say anything, Sofia calls Amber over, breaking the moment.
I exhale, watching as Amber slips away, her laughter blending into the background noise. I try to shake off the feeling. With Amber gone, the girls run off to the playset a few feet away, and I return to Teddy at the grill.
“I have more pies for the orchard,” Mrs. Shafer says as she comes up behind me.
“They get rave reviews.” I grin at her. “People stop in just for those.”
“Good, I love to hear that. There’s something special about being able to share your heart with people through food.”
“There definitely is.”
“Have you seen your father, Teddy? I’m certain he’s getting the girls to sneak him treats.”
“I guarantee he is.” He chuckles in response. “You won’t yell at the kids.”
“I won’t yell at him either.” She giggles airily. “He’s ridiculous.”
We both laugh as she flits off toward where the kids are playing.
“Your parents are so great.”
“They really are. We’re incredibly lucky.”
“They treat my kids like their own,” I say as I watch Casey hug Mrs. Shafer tightly.
The older woman sits down in a chair and starts having an in-depth conversation with my daughter. It’s a sweet moment and one I cherish. My parents don’t live close, and Sharon’s parents don’t have anything to do with my kids. Watching Mrs. Shafer interact this way with any child near her is heartwarming.
I glance around the party, looking for Eric. He’s hanging out near the makeshift volleyball court, leaning against a tree and talking to some of the older girls. I chuckle and roll my eyes before involuntarily scanning the party for Amber. I find her laughing with her friends.
“You’re staring again,” Teddy points out, and I turn, realizing he’s been watching the entire exchange.
My eyes widen in surprise. I’m shocked that he caught me looking again. I clear my throat before I turn to look at him.
“Not staring,” I mutter, though we both know that’s a lie.
He chuckles. “Sure, whatever you say. I won’t be mad if you ask her out, by the way.”
Ask her out? Is he kidding me?
“I’m not interested in asking your sister out,” I reply. “I don’t need to be dating at all. I have too much going on to add anyone else into the mix.”
Teddy shakes his head and goes back to the grill.
Am I interested in asking her out? I can’t stop thinking about her.
There’s an age gap, but it was the same with Sharon, so it doesn’t bother me. Would it bother her?
Amber returns a few minutes later, holding two plates of peach pie. She hands one to her brother and one to me with a smirk. “Figured you’d need this.”
“Thanks,” I say, meeting her gaze.
She immediately turns around and walks off. The instant she does, I feel lonely, like I want to call her back to me.
Something about her is so special. She’s constantly smiling and laughing, the same thing everyone else is doing the second they see her. There’s something about her that’s so easy, so…light. I don’t know what it is, but it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s like…like she is just this bright ball of light and laughter.
What am I spewing now? I need another beer.
“Did you ever figure out how the horses got out?” Teddy asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“It looks like someone rammed into the fencing, but none of us heard anything. The only thing suspicious was that my father-in-law showed up at the house the other night after ten o’clock, though. He was gone by morning.”
“Sounds like something that drunk bastard would do.”
My thoughts exactly.
I don’t even have to share my accusations with Teddy. He has the same ones, and it’s somewhat vindicating that he does.
“It doesn’t make sense why he would, though. They get a monthly check from the farm revenue. Why would they risk that?”
“Nothing they’ve ever done has made any sense. You know that.”
“That I do.” I sigh.
The Livesays have been a problem since I met them. They’ve always looked down on me. From what I’ve learned, they’re not well-liked in town, either. Teddy tells me that they’ve bullied half the town for as long as he can remember.
“Have you got cameras up?”
“No, but I’ve been looking into some.”
“You can make them look like trail cams out around the property, so they don’t know they’re there. They also have high-quality ones that can be hidden well if you need them. I had to use them for a few developments we’ve worked on.”
“I’ll look into that. Nothing has been messed with since the horses, but I can never be too careful.”
Teddy nods. I casually look around the backyard. Casey is still playing with Hazel and Cassidy. Eric has joined a game of volleyball with some of the other older kids, and Amber is right in the middle of that game.
“Your sister is going to break something out there,” Sofia interjects with a giggle as she walks up to us.
“Don’t tell her that. She’ll do some crazy thing just to prove you wrong.”
“I’m aware. Man, I’m thrilled she’s back home for good.”
I barely pay attention to their conversation as I watch Amber giggling and teasing the kids. I can’t take my eyes off her.
Keeping my distance from her will be harder than I thought, especially when my gaze is intuitively drawn to her.