The kitchen has a table with a lacy tablecloth thrown over it and six chairs. The appliances are old and well-used but taken care of. It’s the complete opposite of my parents’ house, which is modern and sleek and barely looks like anyone lives there.
I don’t miss it. But I don’t feel at home here either.
When we go back outside, I notice Millie and Jasper leaning against the barn, just hanging out. They look pretty comfortablewith each other, and I wonder briefly if they’re a thing. Not that it matters to me. It’s not like I know my cousin at all—there’s no protective streak here from me—even though I already know Jasper isn’t good enough for her. The way he’s eyeing me right now with an angry glint in his eyes tells me how right I am.Prick.
“Millie, get going to your class. Jasper, show Emerson around the property.” Her eyes meet mine, silently telling me to behave and mind her orders. Something tells me she’s not used to anyone arguing with her. “Emerson, go with Jasper, and when you’re done, you can unpack before helping him this afternoon.”
“Wait, I have to start today?” I ask, dumbfounded. I thought she’d let me settle in first.
“Of course,” she says, her brow furrowing as if she’s the one confused. Seriously?
“Whatever,” I grumble, walking over to Jasper, who looks just as happy as I do.
Millie smacks him on the shoulder, her gaze a little mischievous. “Have fun.”
“Yeah, go work on that brain,” Jasper says to her, pointing to his head, and she just cackles before giving her mom a kiss on the cheek and hopping into one of the many trucks parked on the property.
Kelly heads inside, and I’m left with Jasper, both of us just staring the other down.
His eyes slide down over my body, making me itch. I’m not sure why, but I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. I don’t like him. My hackles are raised, and I’m already sick of his shit. “Get ready to dirty up those ridiculous shoes.”
I look down at my feet. “These shoes cost more than your car.”
“Truck,” he corrects, and my eyes lift to meet his in a glare. “And you’re probably right, which means I’m right. They’re fucking ridiculous, especially for farm work.”
“They’ll be fine. Good quality.”
His eyes roll. “Let’s go. We have work to do.”
I hate taking orders, but when I glance back up at the house, I see Kelly standing at the door, watching carefully. Goddamnit. I really hate my mother right now. What was she thinking, tossing me out here? Feeding me to the wolves.
She can say she didn’t want to get rid of me all she wants, but her sending me out here was setting me up to fail. She has to know that.
FOUR
I can’t believe I have to babysit this city boy. But there’s no way I’m going to let Kelly down. She’s been an amazing boss and family friend, and let me tell you, my family has really needed a friend. Especially the past couple of years.
“Come on, city boy.”
“I have a name,” he says, looking a lot like one of my favorite barn kittens when I tell him he’s had enough food and to let his brothers and sisters eat some of it too. Spoiled little fucker, but I like him. Emerson? Not so much.
“Yeah, I know. But I think city boy fits you better.”
He huffs but follows me anyway as I walk him around to the main barn, pulling the door open. Most of the animals are out exploring the land right now, but I show him anyway. “This is where the horses sleep. We have six on property at the moment. More coming in the spring.”
“So, there are pregnant horses?” he asks, and I point to my temple in a totally mocking gesture.
“Oh good, not as dumb as you look.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” His face is scrunched up now, his body in a tense stance, ready for a fightI guarantee he wouldn’t win. Farm boys may seem nice, but we can take and throw a punch when needed. Besides, looking at his scrawny ass, I’d say I have at least thirty pounds of muscle on him.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say and then walk him around the barn, going over the various chores that need to be done around here. Feeding. Cleaning. Replacing the hay. “They raise corn, cattle and other livestock to sell at auctions and products at the farmers’ market. I help the most with the livestock, and I seriously doubt they’ll put you out on field work. So, you’ll mostly deal with this barn and close to it. Don’t get lost. It’s a hundred acres, and I’m not dredging all over it to find your city ass.”
“Don’t worry about my ass,” he snaps but then says, “Shit!”
I turn to see his perfectly white tennis shoe in a fresh pile of cow shit. “Huh. Literally,” I quip, and he glares at me.
“What the hell? I thought your job was to clean out this barn.”
