Chapter Twenty
Bear had finished fixing the latch to the gate and decided he’d look at the old tractor abandoned alongside the barn too. Aasia said it stopped working and he’d been hunkered over the motor when he heard...
“I like this view. I didn’t know what I’m missing out on.”
He straightened and squinted against the sunlight. At first, he thought the woman was Aasia, but once he guarded his eyes, he realized this wasn’t her. The woman wore a short, frayed skirt, cropped top, and tall black boots. She was leaning against the ancient farm equipment wearing a smile.
“Excuse me?” He lifted a brow.
“Don’t bother with this thing. It’s as old as the hills. Older, I’m sure.” The brunette pushed off the tractor, swiped the dust off her hands and winked. That smile did seem very familiar. “I’m Phoebe.”
That explained it. She was Aasia’s sister.
He held out his hand. “Bear.”
She shook his hand, looking at him through a veil of thick lashes. “Just Bear?”
“Just Bear. I think you were at Oscar’s a few weeks ago…”
A sharp laugh behind them made both Bear and Phoebe swivel. Aasia had her thumbs hooked into her front pockets and one hip tilted. “Well, well…look what the cat dragged in.”
Phoebe let out a short, sharp snort. “Is that anyway to welcome your little sister?”
Aasia crossed her arms over her waist and her eyes turned the color of the stormy sky. “I think it’s the perfect welcome for the sister I haven’t seen in…how long has it been? A year? Or is it closer to two?”
Phoebe took a step forward. “I’m not surprised you’re still here, sis.” There was an underbite to the statement. “You always did have a thing for cowboys.” Phoebe’s bright gaze flicked onto Bear. “Is he yours?”
Aasia ignored the questions and shifted in her boots. “Why are you here?”
“Last I knew, this was my home too. Oh, wait. I guess not since your Auntie’s favorite. Is your name on the deed yet?”
Bear snapped his gaze to Aasia. She looked like an annoyed rooster. He reached for the rag and cleaned his hands. “I think I should leave you two alone…”
“And miss this delightful conversation?” Aasia said with a dramatic saucy tone. “You wouldn’t want to miss the encore when Miss Texas here tells us why she disappeared like a midsummer breeze in the middle of the night.”
“Oh, stop being so theatrical, Aasia,” Phoebe droned. “You can’t expect me to have stayed in this godforsaken town. But I do see it paid off for you. You inherited the farm. That’s amazing.”
“Now who’s being dramatic? I haven’t inherited anything. After all, I stayed here and helped Pedora. You went off to check out brighter pastures.”
Bear could feel the tension radiate off both women. There was something different about Aasia as she interacted with her sister.
“Looked after her? What did you sacrifice to stay and help?” Phoebe muttered, kicking up a pebble with the toe of her boot. “Or is it possible you’re jealous that I got out and you stayed?”
Bear swallowed hard. He saw the irritation building in Aasia.
“Oh please, Phoebe. Your life is about as exciting as dry toast. Pedora kept me updated about all your…travels,” Aasia laughed.
“Sorry about the divorce. There must be some world record for the shortest marriage. One month? Wow.” A bird squawked from a nearby tree as if in warning that things were almost at a nuclear level.
Phoebe’s eyes widened only slightly before a wide smile crossed her expression. “We were married three,” she said in a tartness that reminded Bear of nails down a chalkboard. “Secondly, we’re not quite divorced although the papers are signed, sealed and delivered.”
“I’m sure it’s only a matter of time,” Aasia said.
“I can’t believe you’re still angry with me. I made a mistake. You should thank me. If I hadn’t stolen Jerrod from you, you could have ended up marrying him, having three and a half kids, and living here. At some rundown farm.”
Something crossed Aasia’s features that Bear couldn’t decipher. Who the hell is Jerrod?
“Do you think this is about Jerrod? I went on one date with him so long ago I can’t remember what he looks like.
” Aasia dropped her arms to her sides. “You’re delusional.
” She started to walk past Phoebe and stopped when she was eye-to-eye with her sister.
“I’m pissed because you left. No goodbye.
No explanation. You disappeared. In your delusional world you might think that’s what family does.
In my book, that’s a mother move.” Then Aasia continued toward Bear’s truck as if she’d had enough.
“Thanks for the welcome, honey,” Phoebe said to Aasia’s back then said to Bear with less sass in her expression, “Welcome to the Powers’ sister dramatics. Sorry you had to be privy to that, but something tells me you already know all about our shenanigans.”