He ignored my comment. Instead, he moved closer to lean against the table, too close for my comfort.
“I was actually thinking that we could go grab a drink at Ferg’s.”
I hesitated, surprised by his invitation. “That’s kind of you, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
He smiled as if he hadn’t heard me. “Just a beer. You’ve earned it with all of the work you do around here. It would be good for you to unwind.”
He stretched out a hand toward my face. I instinctively pulled back, and the smile vanished from his lips. Before I could say or do anything else, the screen door squeaked open.
“Anna?” Jordan’s voice called out.
A tide of relief swept over me.
“Right here,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady and light.
Marcus straightened and stepped back slightly, allowing Jordan to come into view. Jordan gave me a quick once-over, his expression uncertain.
I didn’t know what was up with people showing up on days they weren’t supposed to, but at least this time, it was someone I was glad to see.
Marcus moved to the door with heavy steps. “Another time maybe,” he muttered, then pushed past the teen and left.
I hurried over to give Jordan a quick squeeze around his shoulders, which were still too thin, but at least he didn’t appear as gaunt as when I first met him. “Everything all right?”
He gave me a quizzical look. “Kinda feels like I should ask you that. That guy’s creepy. I don’t like working with him.”
That stopped me. I’d assumed I was just hypersensitive. But if Jordan was also picking up on something, then… “What do you mean?”
Jordan shrugged. “I don’t know exactly. He’s just quiet. He barely explains anything about what I’m supposed to do. And not in the shy, keep-to-himself kind of way, the way you sometimes are.” His words made me smile as he looked in the direction Marcus had gone. “But like he’s hatching up some kind of plan.”
I tried to assure him, even though it was the same way Marcus made me feel. “He probably just doesn’t have a lot to say,” I suggested.
But in the meantime, I’d let Chase know Jordan preferred working with him or Bodie.
“So, what are you doing here on your day off?” I asked, shifting the subject. “I figured you’d be out having fun. Doing something with friends.”
I knew little about Jordan’s personal life, but I didn’t know many kids who’d choose to spend their free time working unless there was a reason.
Jordan shrugged again in that familiar way of his. “Nah. Nothing else to do. Didn’t realize there’d be nothing to do here, either.”
“Oh, I didn’t say that,” I joked.
Something told me Jordan didn’t like being home. Thequestion was, why? And if he saw Silver Creek Farm as a refuge, then I was going to make sure he felt welcome.
“The guys aren’t here today, but if you wouldn’t mind hanging out with me, I was about to head out to the garden,” I offered. “After that, I’m making dinner. You can join Chase and me if you want.”
His eyes lit up for just a second before he tried to play it cool. “Yeah. I guess that would be okay.”
“Should I call someone to let them know where you are?”
He shook his head. “No one will care,” he said simply.
I didn’t let it show, but my heart broke at hearing his words.
Something wasn’t right in his situation. It was more than just a disgruntled teen. Maybe Reid could follow up. Make sure Jordan was being well cared for.
But for now, I gave him a smile and nodded toward the door.
“Come on. Let’s go make sure Dolly and Martha haven’t broken through the fence again and eaten our dinner plans.”
