Chapter 14 – Jude
Chapter Fourteen
JUDE
I’m feeling rather positive today. Mabel gave me the correct time to head out and I was able to get her truck loaded beforehand.
I want to help Mabel out any way I can. Besides, I learn better by doing, and loading up all the supplies is part of the business.
I just hope she isn’t too annoyed, or maybe I hope she is.
There’s a change in the air, like an electric charge has suddenly appeared. I don’t have to turn and look to know it’s because Mabel’s making her way to me. Well, not really me. She’s heading toward her truck, which I just so happen to be leaning against.
She’s so pretty. The sun shines behind her like a halo, showing off all my fantasies in physical form. I can’t stop myself from taking in her body, dropping to her shoes and unbidden, as a smirk appears.
Sneakers.
“You’re such a freak, you know that?” There’s no venom in her voice, she’s stopped about a foot across from me.
“A safety freak, maybe.” I scoff and push off her truck, walking over to the passenger side. We both hop in and Mabel’s looking at me, her stare is so intense I consider fidgeting. I’ve never fidgeted in my life.
“Thank you for loading up my truck.” Mabel’s voice is so soft I could almost convince myself I didn’t hear anything and before I can respond, she’s turning her radio up as loud as possible, not even looking my way as she pulls out of the Farm.
Working the market today has been another lesson in not popping an inappropriate boner.
This is the smallest booth I’ve ever seen.
The whole morning has been filled with bumps and awkward touches.
My hands are tingling from how often I’ve had to place my hand on Mabel’s lower back or her body has brushed against me. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind.
Jude Jr. gets a little excited momentarily but arousal was quickly doused when I saw how red Mabel’s cheeks were and realized she was doing her damndest to look anywhere but me. I did my best to keep my distance. It was difficult because of the lack of space but I think we made it work.
Before I knew it, we were sold out and preparing to break down the booth and head home.
Lost in my thoughts as we drive back to the farm, I think about how Mabel is usually doing this all by herself and wonder if an assistant or additional team can help get everything done and, maybe, even hit multiple markets at the same time.
Back at the Farm, we are able to get everything unloaded with the help of Resse. I can’t help shooting him my best grumpy face, remembering his compliance in the puppy box excursion.
Yeah, he’s quick to rush off to another job once we finish up.
“Thanks for your help today. See you at family dinner tomorrow?” Excitement quickly crashes into dread at Mabel’s words. My neck heats and I want nothing more to tell her that, yes I would definitely be at family dinner with bells on, but I can’t.
“Oh…uh, no. I’m taking my brother and sister out for a sibling day.” I continue to rub at the hot skin and offer her an awkward grimace.
“Oh.” Am I hallucinating or is that disappointment I see pulling her features down? “Well, next time I guess.” Mabel offers a shrug, any sign of being affected by my absence already gone. Before anything else can be said, Mabel turns and hurries away.
I tug my ball cap off my head and fold it in frustration. She’s gone before I can even wish her a happy birthday. I don’t know how she’d react to that.
Of-fucking-course the one time Mabel seems like she’d actually be interested in spending time with me, I have to have plans to keep Leeson from blowing a gasket about my not coming to his Fourth of July party.
I was, no, I am excited to spend time with Mark and Everly.
They were finally out of school and I was driving to Farmington and taking them out for a day at Lagoon, Utah’s own amusement park.
I was too big for most of the rides but I was happy to take the two of them out and hunker down in the shade with snacks as they made themselves sick on different roller coasters.
I decided to take a walk through the apple orchard. I need to clear my mind of the thoughts of Mabel that are swirling in my head.
My teenage infatuation is growing into something more, and no matter how interested I might be in seeing where these feelings may go, Mabel still seems to hate me.
My gut twists at the thought that I could have done something to cause such a negative feeling in any of the family that had literally saved my life.
Paul hates me too and I don’t know why.
I need to get more information on what has bothered them so much for so long. I thought it hasn’t impacted our working relationship too much, but maybe it has.
Christ.
I know what I need to do but it’s going to be such a hassle, was it really worth it? Should I really be thinking about rocking the boat when things are technically fine as is? Do I really need to be thinking about this right now?
No, I could give myself a day or two to think about this.
I need to really sit and think about finding out what I did, and then do whatever I can to fix it before attempting to move forward with these feelings.
I need to decide if it would be worth it to risk my standing in one of the only places I’ve ever felt like I could be myself.
Was the possibility of Mabel worth it ?