6. Annabelle
Annabelle
A s I walk down the street, I wonder what Fridays feel like for people who can spend the weekend doing whatever they please.
There are a few people out and about, having finished work for the week and heading into the diner or Whiteman’s Bar for an end-of-week reprieve.
Something I never do. It’s straight back to the farm for me, as there are animals to feed, vegetables to pick, and dinner to make before a long night ahead of making soaps.
“Hi there, Annabelle.” Tina pops out of the toy store she owns with her husband as I walk by. The kids and I always stop and look at their window displays, with me feeling guilty I can never really buy them new toys, and them no doubt wishing that I could.
“Hi, Tina. How’s things?”
“You know, same old, same old. How are you doing out on the farm? We haven’t seen you in town lately.
” She has a look of concern on her face.
I know what she thinks. I know what all the town thinks.
The poor young woman who lives so far out of town, all on her own.
The single mom who struggles to manage life since her husband's passing. Steve always used to tell me not to gossip, to not tell anyone anything, and I’ve kept to myself for years, following his advice.
“It’s busy. You know how it is…” I trail off, thinking now’s a good time to ask her what’s been on my mind for the last few days. “Um, Tina, have you or Tim seen anything strange around your place lately?” I’ve been anxious and a little on edge after the barn door incident.
“What do you mean?” Her smile slips a bit. “Have you had some trouble?”
“No, no…” I laugh awkwardly, not wanting to worry her.
“It’s just, I wondered if you've seen any people around or anything like that?” I never wish ill on anyone, but at this moment, I really hope she says yes.
At least then I could stop thinking I’m going crazy, thinking I’m hearing or seeing things.
If it’s just kids hanging around, then at least it would put my mind at ease.
“People? Out on our land? No. Why? What’s happened? Have you had a break-in?”
I internally cringe at her questioning, so I laugh again, feeling uneasy.
“Oh, no. But you know, they say to be vigilant. Always new people in town.” I’m grinning stupidly now, acting like I’m the head of the neighborhood watch committee or something. God, Steve was right; I shouldn’t be talking to outsiders. I should keep things to myself.
“Hmmm… I’ll talk to Tim. We’ll keep our eyes open.” She gives me a nod, and I appreciate it. “Have you heard about the new lawyer in town? I saw him this morning as he got to work. Looks very professional…” She raises her eyebrows, like she’s giving me the intel into a man I’ve already met.
“Yes, we’ve met… I’m actually on my way to see him now about Gertie’s Soaps, so I gotta run.
” I don’t like the fact that the rumor mill in Whispers is already in overdrive about Sawyer's arrival. Although, I should’ve realized it would be.
A new, young, handsome man in town, I can practically see the line of women who’ll accidentally run into him.
I want no part in that. Sure, he’s attractive, and I’d be a liar if I said that I hadn’t been thinking of him, regardless of how he looked at me and my property like we were contagious.
“Of course. See you around, Annabelle.”
With a smile, I wave goodbye and step away, walking down the street a little farther to the small storefront that is our legal office, feeling Tina’s eyes on my back the entire way.
I push through the doors to the law office and pause. Things already look different than when I was here last. Jerry’s business name has been scraped off the front window, replaced with Silvers Law Firm in a thick all-black font.
“Hey, Annabelle,” Jerry greets me, stepping away from a box he is packing at reception.
“Oh, hi, Jerry. Getting things sorted?” Jerry helped me a lot when Steve died. The legal side of things when a spouse passes was too much for me to really understand by myself. He did it all free of charge too, so I have a soft spot for him.
“A few more boxes, and then I’ll be done.” He sounds a little melancholy, but I know he and his wife are both looking forward to a slower pace of life.
“You’ll be missed. Although I hope to still see you around town?”
“I’ll be helping out the baseball league this year a little more. Might referee a few games. I heard your young fella is playing this season. It’s good to see.” His smile is laced with sympathy that I try to brush off.
“He’s really looking forward to it.”
“Annabelle?” Sawyer comes out from the back, stopping abruptly at seeing me, obviously surprised.
As he looks me over, I feel a small flush coloring my cheeks and my breath catches a little.
I’d conveniently forgotten exactly how handsome he is.
Checking out men is not something I do. For a long time, it was the last thing on my mind.
But it’s been over three years now since I’ve been on my own, and when a handsome stranger comes to town, it’s a little hard to ignore.
Although, he’s very clearly out of my league.
I’m glad that even though it’s been a long day, I look much better than the last time he saw me.
My hair is pulled back properly, and with my work clothes on instead of my farming attire, I feel somewhat more put together.
“Hi, Sawyer, I just wanted to drop the paperwork back to you. Save you coming all the way back out to the farm. I know it’s a bit of a drive.” I can’t say I really understood it all, but I did read through most of the papers, albeit close to midnight, my eyes continually closing on me.
“Sure, come on through to my office.” He sweeps his arm open, showcasing the hallway, which has been painted stark white. It’s refreshed, and although I always liked Jerry’s soft blues, this stark white and black branding Sawyer has is nice and contemporary.
“See you on the field soon, Jerry,” I whisper to him as I walk past.
“Hopefully a few home runs for Kevin.” He gives me a wink, and I smile. I’m wishing for that more than anyone.
As I walk into Sawyer’s office, the whole place looks bigger and newer than when I was here last. The blinds have been replaced with something a little more modern.
He has a new desk that I’m sure he must polish daily, because it has a high shine to it that my kids would just love to get fingerprints all over.
He’s gotten rid of the large dark timber bookcases and books that Jerry had here and instead has a dark-brown Chesterfield sofa and armchair, making a small sitting area. It looks very clean. Very him.
“Redecorating?” I try making conversation as I look around his office.
“Victoria’s doing it. It was in dire need of an update.”
Gee, if he thought Jerry’s office needed an upgrade, what the hell does he think of my place?
“I want to apologize for the other day. You caught us at a bad time… With the cow fiasco, and the kids were a little crazy after a big day at school…” I want to at least explain so he thinks my life isn’t a total shit show, even though it obviously is.
“No need to apologize. I turned up unannounced, and I didn’t want to intrude.” He stands near his desk, his eyes piercing and his stance firm. I push down the desire to step forward and ruffle his hair or scrunch his tie, anything to make him look a little more human.
“But your suit?” I cringe, because I’ve been thinking about it all week.
I should’ve offered to dry clean it or something.
But I didn’t. I was too frantic after the cow escaped and then hearing him swear in front of the boys…
my stress levels peaked. Then he scrambled away so quickly after falling in the cow manure that I didn’t get a chance to offer.
Not that I could afford to, since dry cleaning a suit like that would cost a pretty penny, I’m sure.
“It’s fine, I bought another one,” he says so casually it almost stuns me.
I’m pretty certain I saw the label on his jacket when he threw it in his truck.
I might live in the country, but I know designer labels, and I know that suit probably cost a small fortune.
As does the large watch that’s on his wrist today.
A completely different one from last week yet still blinding in the light.
Spotting a few boxes near his feet, filled with books and files, I ask, “So you’re staying, then? For good? Here in Whispers?” He didn’t seem to want to when he mentioned it at my place the other day, but by the looks of the redecorating, he certainly is.
“Not if I can help it. I’m not made for country living. Whispers is nice, but I prefer the city.”
“It must be nice to have a choice.” I wonder what my life would’ve been like had I left for college instead of marrying my childhood sweetheart. If I’d gotten a proper education while seeing the world instead of falling pregnant as a teen, doing night school, and struggling to pay my bills.
“So you have the paperwork?” He quickly masks his slight look of vulnerability, and I open my tote bag to pull out the file.
“Yes, everything looked fine. I signed them all.” I pass the folder over, feeling a little intimidated as he leans on the side of his desk and opens it, flicking through the papers, checking that they’re signed.
I’m well equipped for most things. I can cook a three-course meal out of basic ingredients, I’ve taught myself how to sew, I tend to the farm, make soaps, teach kids their reading, writing, and arithmetic, and I’m an expert in making twenty dollars stretch farther than most. But when it comes to legal letters and in-depth details around business and finances, that isn’t my forte.
While he looks through the paperwork, I take the time to look at him thoroughly.
He’s in another suit, and this time, I notice how well he fills it out.
Broad shoulders, tall, he still has some stubble, but it’s well maintained, as is his hair.
He probably gets it cut every week to ensure it’s always one hundred percent perfect.
I imagine him being the kind of guy who has his own hairdresser, someone who comes to him, while he’s taking an important online meeting.
“Ahhh, I think we are missing a page?”
I move my eyes from his body to the folder he has open, and I feel my cheeks flush when I spot my electricity bill front and center.
“Oh, sorry, no idea how that got in there.” I quickly swipe the bill from the folder, knowing he couldn't miss the bright-red overdue stamp, so big it’s made for the entire world to see.
I had misplaced that one and have been looking for it all week.
He keeps looking through the papers, not mentioning it, yet I notice his jaw clench, and my cheeks remain heated.
Yep, this is me. Hot mess, borderline broke, single mom.
“The last page is missing from the legacy agreement. Did you sign that one?” He looks up at me, his eyes piercing mine, and I freeze like a deer in the headlights.
I should know what he’s talking about, but I can’t find the connection.
I play with my hair, an annoying trait I have when I feel nervous or unsure.
“Um, yes, is it not there?” I squint in confusion, my confidence now dissipating.
I was sure I had included everything. I trust Victoria and Tanner, so I just signed everything.
It may be incredibly stupid of me, but I had no other option.
The one time I try to keep things orderly and I fail miserably.
“No, doesn’t appear to be,” he confirms, and I grit my teeth.
“I can try to get it to you next week?” I offer, mentally calculating what I need to do. I could ask Kevin to cycle down to deliver it, but that boy does too much already. Plus, his first game is tomorrow, and I want him to sit in his excitement and not worry about chores for the weekend.
“I need to get it submitted in a few days… Tell you what, Tanner has talked me into staying here for the weekend. I’ll come by your place and grab it.”
I was hoping to avoid him being in my space again, given how it turned out last time. But he’s offering, and it’s only business. He’s just collecting a piece of paper. It’s not like anyone will see him and the whole town will talk; he’ll be at my place no longer than five minutes.
“If you don’t mind…”
“Sure, just no more runaway cows…”
Did he just make a joke?
His lips quirk a little, his eyes sparkling a touch, and it looks good on him.
“I can’t promise anything,” I tell him honestly, one eyebrow raised and a small smile on my lips. He huffs a laugh and nods.
It appears the city lawyer does have a relaxed side, after all. And I like it.