Chapter 8 – Jude
Chapter Eight
JUDE
Dammit.
I really need to talk to Mabel. I need to get her schedule for crafting and markets so I can finalize a plan for this shadowing business that Lola’s so insistent on.
I really don’t want to wait here for her to come out of her meeting with Elle.
Especially with Patrick looking at me with that smug look on his face.
One time, one damn time, I made a comment to him about my feelings.
As a warning, not an invitation to meddle in a situation that was just about as different from his as the day is to the night.
Patrick leans against the wall, fully content to stay and watch this train wreck for what it is. I try my best to scare him with my ‘boss stare-down’ but that only makes him chuckle. Finally, I wave my hands and shoo him away.
“Alright, alright. I’m going.” He leaves with another chuckle and I do my best to ignore the fact that I’m kicking him out of what is essentially his domain.
I could get away with finding her schedule out for next week’s markets from someone else but that doesn’t feel right. Not after her reaction to this whole situation. I’m determined to make this as painless for her as possible.
I also want to make sure that she’s okay after last night. I’m worried that she’s genuinely upset about the idea of working together.
It’s definitely not my area of expertise but I’ve never heard a whisper that the markets, and associated ventures were anything but profitable. For the last ten years, nothing negative. That’s insane and I would assume that success like that would give Mabel a free pass from this shadowing project.
Lola had explained in our meeting that she doesn’t want non-family member employees thinking she thought her family could do no wrong. I understood her need to take a second look at all departments after the success of our tours, wanting to see about optimizing every department.
You know what they say about assuming.
“Alright, goodbye, Bubs. I love you.” Her voice sends a spark of awareness through my veins. Elle calls out her goodbye and I do my best to act casual as I watch her walk out of Elle’s office.
God, she’s so beautiful.
I can feel the change in the air as soon as she realizes I’m still here, a small sound of surprise escapes her before I see the mask of indifference slam into place, wiping her features of any feelings.
“Hey. Can we talk?” I manage to choke out when she’s close enough.
When did my throat get so dry? I swallow against the lump that’s formed.
“I know that you don’t want to have me following you around but the sooner we do this, the sooner it’s over.” The words grumble out of me and I cross my arms across my chest, trying to protect myself from whatever verbal knife she’s going to throw at me.
Despite knowing she’s more than likely to snark at me, I can feel my dick twitch with Mabel’s eyes on me.
She sucks in a sharp breath and her cheeks pinken ever so slightly in anger. I scratch my jaw, feeling the rasp of the scruff on my face, doing everything I can to keep myself from pulling her into my arms again.
“God. Fine.” Am I imagining things or is her voice breathier than usual? No. Nope, nope, nope. I can’t let myself go there. I’d be cursed with spending the rest of the day with another hard-on or I’d have to take an early morning break and go jerk off.
I really don’t want to deal with either of those things today.
“Meet me at my workshop tomorrow morning, 7:00 AM.”
She’s mad—understandable—but I had honestly expected more of a fight. I’m so surprised, all I can do is offer a quick nod before she turns and leaves me standing somewhat stupified, like always when I’m around Mabel. Even more so now that I know what she feels like pressed against me..
It’s 7:15 and Mabel is nowhere to be found.
I’m leaning against a wall of her workshop, my arms crossed and my pulse racing. I know it’s not unusual for her to run late but that doesn’t settle my nerves.
Where is she?
Is she okay?
My leg shakes with anxiety.
Should I call her?
I check my watch, 7:17 now.
I curse and pull out my phone, preparing to call Lola or Elle or someone who can help her.
Is she hurt?
Scratching my jaw, I take in a deep breath, a failed attempt to calm down.
My phone buzzes with a text message and it scares the ever-loving shit out of me. I almost drop the damn thing.
Mabel W
I don’t know where you are but I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to be late.
What the hell?
Me
What do you mean you can’t wait? I’m at the workshop like you told me to be. 7 AM
Mabel W
I have to leave at 7. Not get started at 7. Have you never been to a market before?
My jaw creaks with how hard I’m grinding it.
This woman. She knows I’ve never worked in a market before. I’ve done everything but work the freaking markets
I should have known she gave in too easily yesterday.
Should have known she would have something up her sleeve.
Dammit.
I really didn’t want to do this but Mabel was leaving me no choice.
I swipe out of the messages without replying and pull up Lola’s contact information, hitting the call button with a little more force than necessary.
Each ring is like a knife in my ear, I can feel the start of a tension headache and I’m tempted to say ‘fuck it’ and find some other job that needs my attention for the day.
Lola finally answers on the fourth ring,
“Hey Jude. How goes it?”
I grind my jaw again, sure that I was going to crack a tooth here soon, working up the nerve to force the words out.
“Can you send me the information for the market Mabel’s going to today?”
Lola doesn’t sound surprised when I fill her in on Mabel’s actions. She just sighs and lets me know she’ll text me all the information she has. I’m quick to end the call, not in the mood for discussing anything else.
I all but stomp across the farm to get to my truck, thinking if I can take heavy enough steps, my irritation will get knocked down and out before I get to wherever Mabel is working for the day.