Chapter 19
J osie crossed her legs to attempt a comfortable position, but it was a lost cause. Sitting on Brock’s lap would be the ideal spot, but since they were visiting Jesse, not a good idea. She and Brock sat side by side, but she’d scooted close enough to nestle into his side.
A month had passed since the stolen Shelby debacle. Things were finally settling into a new normal, although Brock had been warning her about the upcoming harvest, when he would be out in the fields, manning the combines, and not around much.
She updated Jesse and marveled over how his face had softened, his shoulders had relaxed, and he listened without interrupting—as much.
His constant anger at the world had simmered with all the time he could do nothing but think.
She’d expected him to rage about what Bill had done, how he’d chosen Gage over the boy he’d raised, but instead he shook his head.
“So, that’s it. Gage gets the garage and pays off the old man’s debt, and Bill goes back to work for him?” He slanted his gaze at Brock, who sat next to her. “Thanks for dropping the charges against Bill.”
“You’re welcome.” It was Brock’s automated response, but it was an honest one. She’d left it up to him about what to do. All he’d cared about was getting his car back, then he’d asked Max to break down how it’d affect Josie if he pressed charges.
Josie hadn’t been sure what she wanted. Bill thought he’d been protecting her; his heart may have been in the right, stupid place, but his head careened into the pathological.
The final decision was to drop the charges. Josie had officially quit her job and moved out. Brock had helped her haul her stuff and store her brother’s things and what little was left of her mom’s.
“So where are my belongings now?” Jesse popped a brow.
“In my long garage,” Brock answered. “You didn’t have much. We put in it a corner and tossed a tarp over it.”
Jesse snorted, but it lacked heat. “I appreciate it.” He leveled his attention on Josie. “And you officially moved to Moore?”
She grasped Brock’s hand. “I moved in with Brock. Bill gave me the Mustang and I’m trying to build my online business.
Bill has been…accommodating.” He knew he’d fucked up hard and was almost relieved Josie had left town.
I’m here if you need anything, Jo. She squeezed Brock’s hand.
Like her, Bill needed to learn to live on his own.
“I’m also doing Brock’s bookkeeping and helping him restore the Mustangs.
He offered to have me do the farm’s books, but… ”
“They don’t trust you,” Jesse said flatly.
They nodded. She cringed, waiting for the explosion.
“Fuck ’em.” Jesse crossed his arms, the only sign he was irritated. “They’ll figure out for themselves that you’re not like the rest of your family.”
“You’re not like them, either.” Her voice sounded weak to her own ears.
He scanned his orange jumper. “Kinda proved I am.”
She changed the subject. “I was going to find my own place, but Brock and I agreed that it makes sense to live together.”
She felt like she should live alone, but she loved Brock and wanted to be with him.
The decision had been made after a ton of soul-searching.
She refused to be dependent on Brock, even though he was nothing but supportive.
For the first time, she was keeping her own accounts.
She and Brock discussed finances and problems openly and he listened to her as much as she listened to him.
Her business was slowly growing and she still had a lot to learn, but she earned her keep as a mechanic, changing oil, rotating tires, and mastering the ins and outs of tractor maintenance.
She felt safe and loved, no longer sheltered. Brock’s family was cordial, and that was all she could ask for. Dillon was actually more amiable to her than anyone. Travis was a close second, but only because he loved the work she’d done for him.
And Brock’s parents… Nancy called her every day to check in and they hung out together when Brock and his dad were bonding over the Shelby.
Speaking of which… “I guess we’d better get going.
” The familiar tug of remorse around her heart was never easy when she left her brother behind in jail.
She just tried to be grateful that the prison he was scheduled to do time in had no opening yet.
Soon enough, he’d be incarcerated in St. Paul and she’d have much less access to him.
They rose and said their good-byes and walked out into the blistering September sun.
She shaded her eyes. “At least the humidity isn’t as bad as July.”
“Good thing we can drive with the windows down.”
Josie stopped him before they reached their car. She squeezed his hand and rose to her tiptoes to kiss him. “I love you, Brock.”
He didn’t smile, his expression nothing but serious. “I love you, too, Josie.”
Her mouth curved in a self-satisfied smile. A guy like Brock didn’t say those words if he didn’t mean them.
He towed her to their ride. The Shelby’s fresh black paint job gleamed in the sunshine. Brock and his dad had gotten it running and this was her and Brock’s maiden voyage in the car. Maybe visiting her brother wasn’t the most fun reason to go cruising, but it had felt right.
Brock settled her in and jogged around to climb in behind the wheel. The engine roared before it settled into a purr. Brock’s mouth tilted into a smile until his dimple showed. She grinned as he pulled away.
They were going to drive around town, enjoy a car that was a work of art, and treasure each other’s company. Just like Mr. Blackwell had wanted.
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Cash has swagger. But why’s his hookup sneaking out in the early dawn hours? And why does she track him down at his home the same day, looking not nearly as pleased as he is? Get the answers in Long Hard Fall .
Thank you for reading. I’d love to know what you thought.
~Marie