Chapter Five
Flint
I immediately decided that I wasn’t going to tell Lawrence the truth. The whole family would insist that I call the police and have Eliza arrested. After spending even just this morning with her, I didn’t want to let that happen. Desperate situations could make normal people do crazy things, after all.
Besides, if I did tell him, that would only convince them more that I didn’t deserve to own the ranch.
“Uh—” I searched for an answer in my head. “I hired her to help me around here. Remember? You told me to go into town and get someone.”
Lawrence studied Eliza up and down, and I was sure that he was making her uncomfortable.
“So you got this little slip of a girl?” He tutted his tongue and laughed dryly. “You know, I never saw you driving. Where’d you get the time to find her?”
“I was referred,” Eliza answered with her chin up in the air. I was relieved that she went along with my lie so easily. “By Allan.”
“Allan, huh?” Lawrence nodded slowly, but it didn’t really look as if he believed either of us. “Well, none of my business edgeways.”
“That’s right,” I said, hopeful that he was going to drop the subject right there. “Now can I help you?”
“Really just came down for the commotion.” Lawrence shrugged, his eyes still tied to Eliza’s body. “But since you’ve brought someone new ‘round, why don’t you join us all for dinner?”
I was about to shoot that idea right down, but then I thought about it. Lawrence was clearly already suspicious, and I didn’t want to give him any more reasons to be. Maybe Eliza could help me salvage some kind of relationship with my family, too, although I doubted she’d want to.
“Yeah, all right,” I eventually agreed, even though I did it reluctantly. “We’ll see you tonight, then. You can get back to whatever it is you’ve been doing around here.”
Lawrence walked away, but he paused for a moment to leave one last comment. “Ah, I remember now. Nothing’s been taken from the barn or the coop this morning. Looks like you’ve gotten rid of that animal.”
The way that he said the word ‘animal’ convinced me that he probably already knew what had truly happened. I wouldn’t acknowledge that, however. Brett and the others weren’t really as bright as Lawrence was, though Lawrence didn’t have the power of the mind, either.
As long as he kept his mouth shut about his suspicions, everything would be fine. Perhaps he would blackmail me or threaten me, but I would deal with that when it happened.
“What a lovely guy,” Eliza said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Sorry, I guess he’s family, right?”
“No, I agree entirely with you,” I answered as I got a pick from the bed of the truck. “None of the rest of them are any better, though. Just a fair warning.”
“Ah, I’ll be fine as long as you’re there.” She picked up one end of the fallen sign and dragged it out of my way with a few grunts. “I mean, unless you turn into a monster at dinner parties.”
I had to laugh at that as I began to swing the pick to loosen the rocks. “Trust me, I couldn’t hold a candle to my family in that department. But if you want to leave at any point, we can do that. I don’t think we owe them pleasantries.”
“We’re only going so they don’t figure out the whole barn situation, right?” Eliza asked curiously, rummaging in the bed of the truck for the other pick. “Because I guess that’s fair enough. I only want to make sure.”
“You’re clever.” I smiled, even knowing that my statement might have sounded sarcastic. “I don’t want them to be too deep into your business. The less people know, the better for you, isn’t it?”
Eliza paused mid-swing before she nodded and continued. I was slightly worried that she’d injure herself again, especially since this was a much more dangerous activity. Luckily, it seemed like it was going to go well.
She stood with her legs shoulder-width apart to balance herself, lifting the pick over her head and bringing it down accurately onto the seams between stones. For several moments, I found that I was staring at her, the way that her body moved each time, and I had to drag my eyes away.
“Anyway,” I finally mumbled, clearing my throat, “let’s get this done, then go and got some lunch, huh?”
“Yes, please. I’m starving!” Eliza answered enthusiastically. “I think I deserve it.”
#
At the end of the day, Eliza and I returned to the main house, both pretty exhausted. Still, she seemed to be in slightly worse shape than I was.
“Ugh, I’m so tired!” she announced as we entered, heading right for the couch to sink into it. “My hands feel like they’re made of splinters!”
“You’ll get used to it pretty soon,” I called after her from the hallway. “Day’s not done yet, though. Time to get ready for dinner.”
“Ah, darn, I forgot about that.” I heard a massive sigh and creaking in the sofa when Eliza got back up. “I’ll take a bath.”
That left the bathroom that only had a shower for me. I didn’t mind, since I far preferred that option. As I stood under the water, I couldn’t help but daydream about Eliza. I imagined her hair dancing in curls down to her shoulders when she released it from that ponytail. Her deep, dark brown eyes staring into mine if I held her close to me. Her body, so much smaller and yet expertly woven into curves, draped in one of my shirts. All of it made me grit my teeth at myself. I knew next to nothing about this woman, and I wasn’t about to develop feelings for her.
When I came out, she was already standing on the porch waiting for me. The clothes she was wearing were different from the ones she’d had on that morning, but I knew that my family wouldn’t accept them.
For me, however, she looked absolutely gorgeous in those jeans. With them, she wore a red checkered shirt that flowed loosely over her upper body, and red sneakers completed the image.
“You look real nice,” I said, immediately feeling flustered as I did so. It was strange, this sensation of warmth in my chest and fluttering butterflies in my stomach. I’d been in love before, sure, but it had never happened this quickly.
Of course, I wasn’t going to share that with Eliza just yet. I was afraid that she’d run away from me or tell me I was a creep.
“Thanks.” Eliza’s cheeks turned the same color as her shirt, and she looked away from me. “Are we taking the truck or walking?”
“A good brisk walk will do us good.” In reality, my statement was only half true. Walking would mean that I could spend more time with her and less with my family. That would always be a better deal.
“Sure.” Eliza rubbed at her arms as if she was cold. I hurried back inside to get a jacket for her without an explanation. When I returned, she was surprised, but she smiled at me nonetheless.
“Thank you,” she said, pulling it on. Wearing my clothes, she seemed even more beautiful than before.
We walked with the sun setting in the sky, joking and teasing one another as we went. The whole time, I was certain that I could sense feelings from her toward me as well. I was in such a good mood that I couldn’t imagine it being ruined.
Of course, my family was always going to try their best.
“You know, I understand what it’s like to want to run away,” I said, glancing down at her.
“How?” She paused, almost frowning. “You have everything here. A grandfather who loved you enough to leave you this whole ranch and enough money to be comfortable. What else could you want?”
“I didn’t expect the ranch, I’ll tell you that,” I sighed. “I left this place because I wanted to escape my family. They hated me because my grandfather doted on me so much. I lost my parents, and he essentially raised me. Everyone else looked down on me, told me I should never have been born, that I was a disappointment, that they hated me for being the favorite. A lot of other stuff in that direction. But he still gave me the whole thing, even if I left him behind. I’m not really sure why.”
“I’m sure he knew that you deserved it.” Eliza shrugged sympathetically. “But yeah, I know how that feels. My family aren’t really big fans of me, either. Unfortunately, my parents are still here, but they want more from me than I can give to them, and they hate me for it, too.”
It was quiet between us for a moment. Perhaps she was more like me than I’d thought. It was possible that she’d tell me eventually why she was running like I had been years earlier. At least she would understand why my family and I didn’t often agree once she met them.
“Don’t you think the sunset is incredible here?” I asked at one point, getting Eliza to pause and watch it with me by taking her hand. The motion was almost automatic, but I was still surprised that she didn’t pull away.
Instead, she turned toward me, her eyes glowing in the early evening light. “It’s beautiful.”
There was no way that I could resist her now. She stood so close to me that her hair brushed over my arm in the breeze. Her face was barely a few inches away.
I gave in to desire and leaned down to kiss her. This was the perfect moment, in the perfect place. The chemistry between us was electric, as if we were in a movie. She wasn’t going to deny it, either. I could see that she would lean into it as much as I was going to.
“Why didn’t you take the truck?” Brett’s voice came from behind me, making Eliza and me jump apart and let go of each other’s hands. “You’re late, you know.”
“Brett,” I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “This is Eliza. She’s working with me on fixing up the farm.”
“So I’ve been told,” Brett said, reaching out a hand for her to shake. “Nice to meet you. Don’t seem the physical labor type.”
This was the second family member to make that kind of comment. Eliza only smiled and shrugged in response. Still, I could tell by the tension in her limbs that she was already annoyed. It was not going to be a fantastic evening if they couldn’t filter their words.
“You’ll be surprised what she can do,” I interrupted before things got ugly. “I’m sure they’re waiting for us inside, right?”
“Mm, yeah,” Brett answered and led us up to the house. It was about half of the size of our grandfather’s, a bit cramped for Lawrence’s family. Even so, it would have been cozy enough, if it wasn’t for the inhabitants.
Most of the family who lived and worked around the ranch were crammed into the dining room, food already stacked high on the groaning table. I fought the urge to heave a giant sigh. They never had anything interesting to do, and so the chance to gossip was one they would take each time.
Eliza and I were squeezed in together between Brett and Lawrence near the head of the table. Kate and Janice sat opposite us. An assortment of other cousins and second cousins lined the rest, with the kids being shoved into the living room.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your girlfriend?” Kate asked of me, without ever looking at Eliza or even bothering to greet her.
“Not his girlfriend,” Eliza answered without hesitation. “I am helping him fix up the farm. He hired me.”
“Never saw him go into town,” Brett said, adding on to what Lawrence had said earlier that day. “You must have arrived here all sneakily.”
“Are you accusing her of something?” I stared him down. “Because I’d be careful if I were you.”
“A bit touchy, especially since you insist you aren’t dating,” Janice noted with a shrug.
One of the other cousins, Lily, a rather more pleasant person, cleared her throat farther down the table.
“We can chat when we’ve dished up,” she insisted, peering at Brett and Lawrence with a warning in her eyes. “And maybe we’ll be a little less hostile when we’re not as hungry.”
Lawrence immediately reached for the roasted potatoes, but he wasn’t quite done yet. “Hostile? I don’t think we’re hostile at all.”
I gritted my teeth and said nothing. Instead, I simply dished up for myself, and Eliza followed. When everyone had their food, Brett offered to say grace, and the table remained quiet. Unfortunately, that peace didn’t last particularly long.
“Why would a pretty young thing like you want to do such hard work, anyway?” Lawrence asked, pointing at Eliza with his knife. “Are you uneducated? Couldn’t find work as a cashier in town?”
Eliza stared at him, and I was already furious. I glanced at her, wondering if I should step in, or if she was going to answer that on her own. One look told me that it would be better if I simply kept my mouth shut.
“I think she’s just after Flint’s money,” Kate said before Eliza could speak, cutting into her potatoes. “Probably heard in town that he inherited the ranch and lied about her experience to get him to hire her. Pretty soon she’ll have her claws in him.”
“Excuse me.” Eliza cleared her throat, placing her cutlery beside her plate. “I’m right here, and you know nothing about me. These assumptions are not only inaccurate, they’re unbelievably rude.”
“Darn, calm down, little lady,” Lawrence laughed from his gut. “Reel in your mare, Flint, before she bites someone’s head off.”
Eliza immediately got up from the table. “Listen, I don’t care who you are. I’ve had enough of this nonsense. I will not stand here and be insulted by a bunch of common rural hicks!”
She shoved her chair back into place and stormed out of the room, making sure to slam the front door behind her once she left the house. I sighed and put my head in my palm, knowing that this drama was going to last for weeks.
“Well, isn’t she a hot-headed one?” Another cousin, Henry, chuckled and shook his head. “Better be careful she doesn’t aim that at you, Flint.”
“Would you shut up?” I said as I lifted my head and pushed my chair back. “I hope you all know that you absolutely deserved to be called out for everything you’ve just said to her. I only regret that I didn’t do it myself.”
“So you’re saying you’re just as sensitive as a woman, then?” Brett seemed intent on provoking me even further. If I stayed there, the whole thing would have devolved into a fist fight.
“You’re all unbelievable.” I breathed to try and keep myself calm. “I hope you don’t expect either of us to spend any time with you again. That is, unless you figure out why you’re awful people, and you apologize to Eliza.”
“I don’t see anything to apologize for,” Lawrence snapped back. “If you two can’t take a joke, then it’s better if you stay on your side of the ranch.”
“I’d be happy to,” I growled, already heading for the door. “Goodbye.”
Behind me, I could already hear the whispers as the gossip started. It was only going to get worse from here, but I didn’t care. If they wanted a fight, then I would give them one. This whole night was only an excuse for them to humiliate Eliza.
In all honesty, it felt to me as if Eliza had held herself in quite a bit. At the same time, I was glad that she had told them off when she’d had enough. Even though this was going to make things even more strained, I couldn’t stand that they’d treated her that way.
As I stomped toward my own house in the chilly evening, I spotted Eliza ahead of me, mumbling angrily under her breath. I caught a few curses, but most of it flitted past me on the wind inaudibly.
“Hey, wait up!” I shouted at her, but I was ignored. She didn’t turn around until we stood on my porch, at which point her eyes were burning with furious fire and her cheeks had turned red from anger.
“Look, Eliza, I’m sorry about all of that.” With an awkward smile, I walked past her to open the door. “I should’ve warned you how bad they could get. I mean, still, I shouldn’t have taken you over there. I knew they were going to be like that.”
“It’s not just them,” Eliza growled as she followed me into the foyer. “I’m angry at you, too.”
That answer surprised me, and I paused on my way to the kitchen. When I turned, I was frowning at her. Her expression seemed to be directed at me now, and I didn’t know why.
“What possible reason could you have for being angry at me?” I asked, trying to sound sincere. “I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s the point!” She threw her hands in the air as if exasperated. “Sure, you interrupted them once, but you didn’t even try to support me after that.”
“Did you want me to talk over you and make everything worse?”
“No, but it would have been nice if you’d agreed with me, or even said anything at all!” Eliza stormed down the hallway as if she was headed up to her room.
I grabbed her arm to stop her but released it immediately when she swung around. “Okay, fine, I’m sorry that I didn’t do more to shut it down. I grew up with these people, I know they’re not going to listen to reason or just going to end the conversation.”
“So what you wanted was for me to shut up and take it?” Eliza’s face told me that I was simply making this whole argument even worse. “Be a good little country girl and know my place in the household? Are you insane?”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” I stepped back, unsure of where to go with this. In the end, I thought that the best move would be to apologize. In the morning, I would make the rest of them do the same, even if it was fake.
“Then what did you mean?” Eliza tapped her foot impatiently on the floor.
“I don’t know,” I admitted with a heavy sigh. “Look, I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have stood up for you, I should have shut them down. I should not have thought that you’d let them get away with it. I’m trying to be on your side, but I’ll show it more from now on.”
“That’s not necessary.” Eliza turned away decisively this time. “I’ll be leaving in the morning.”
THE END OF BOOK ONE
The series continues with TRUE BELONGING BOOK TWO.
Turn the page for a preview.