“Who you know already loves it at the farm. His long legs need the space.”
I swallowed hard, torn. Itwasperfect in theory. But it wasChase. We had a past. A history I wasn’t sure we’d fully moved on from. At least, not me. And after what Bristol said, was this a good idea?
“People will talk, Chase,” I answered quietly. “They already resent me. And that will transfer to you, especially with our…history. Bristol already warned me to stay away from you.”
His expression darkened. “Shewhat?”
I held up a hand as if I could prevent the storm I saw building in his eyes. “She just meant she doesn’t want me to hurt you again. And believe me, that’s the last thing I want to do, but it’s exactly what might happen if you hire me. My presence might hurt your reputation.”
“That’s not going to happen.” His voice was firm. “And I’ll be sure to let Bristol know she can mind her own damn business. She knows better than most what it’s like to come back home where people have stubborn memories.”
“It’s different for her.”
“It’s not. But this isn’t about Bristol. This is about you. You need a job. I have one. End of discussion.”
“No, it’snot. This ismylife.Iget the final word, not you,” I snapped.
He smirked.
“What’s so funny?” I asked, feeling irritated.
“Nothing. It’s just the first time I’ve seen a glimpse of the girl I used to know. The one who didn’t back down from an argument.”
His amusement hit me hard.
The girl he used to know.
But that girl had learned what happened when she pushed back too hard. Memories surfaced of Mason’s cold, cutting words, chipping away at my confidence. The way I learned to yield rather than to fight.
Intuitively, I retreated. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my pulse pounding. “You offered something nice, and I took my frustration out on you.”
Now it was his turn to tense. I could almost see the thought forming in his head, an unspoken question, wondering what happened that made me back down so quickly.
Instead of pressing, his voice softened. “I wasn’t complaining, Blossom.”
The use of his old nickname caught me off guard. I hadn’t heard it in years. He called me that because I loved plants, especially the herbs I used to make soaps and lotions. I hadn’t done that in years, either.
I didn’t know how to respond. Instead, I focused on Chase as he leaned in slightly. “Come on, Anna. At least take it on a trial basis. Nothing is stopping you from making other plans. If either of us feels uncomfortable, we agree to part, no hard feelings.”
My mind whirled in thought. It was logical. Practical. At the very least, I wouldn’t be homeless and could stop hemorrhaging money at a hotel. It would give me the peace of mind to figure out my life.
“Okay,” I breathed. “I’ll give it a try.”
His lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Good. Problem solved for both of us.”
Right. I just hoped it didn’t create new ones.
Chapter 7
Chase
Anna and Jackfollowed me back to Silver Creek Farm. I was relieved with the solution that hit me like a rock on the head. It was more than needing her for the cooking and the help she would provide. Deep down, I needed to know that she was going to be okay. She’d been through enough with Mason. Then her parents. I wasn’t going to be the third fool who pushed her away. I’d let her go if that’s what she wanted, but not because I turned my back on her.
I also decided not to look too deeply into my feelings of protectiveness for her after all this time.
I looked around the cabin that had once been Marta’s. The building had been around as long as I could remember, but the construction was sturdy. Other than a new roof, it didn’t really need anything. Or so I thought. Now, looking around, it seemed so bare. Basic.
Anna moved through the space, taking in the large room that fitted a modest living area on one side and a small kitchen on the other. A short hallway with a bathroom and a linen closet led to a decent-sized bedroom. The plastic wrapwas still on the mattress, waiting for someone to breathe life back into the modest dwelling.
