Page 81 of The One I Stood Beside

Jude

It’s been a few weeks since the wedding, and we got the loan, so we’ve been concentrating on getting the land ready before winter comes in full force. My dad and some of our employees harvested the soybeans since I have to do the corn maze and some other things around the ranch. Emmett was supposed to be in charge of harvesting, and from what some of the employees said, he did a good job. Hopefully, he’ll take a little of the load off me.

I’m dreading tonight, though. Melody Klein from high school is coming to my house—not only for dinner, but Sadie invited her to stay here. She’s cleaned our house from top to bottom, scrubbing floors and sweeping off the porch. Melody’s parents moved to Los Angeles once she became a big deal and had kids so they could be closer to her, which means Melody doesn’t really know anyone in town anymore.

“I’m running out of time to get this meal cooked.” Sadie cuts up the chicken to bread and fry. “Can you sit down and check the graphics I did?” She points toward her computer and the few marketing sheets next to where she was working today.

I wrap my arms around her stomach, sliding her hair over and kissing her neck. “Calm down. It’s going to be great.”

“I’m nervous now that she’s going to be staying here. I feel like I don’t really know her anymore, you know? It’s been years since I’ve seen her. I was different then.”

I continue to trail kisses up her shoulder and neck, my hands weaving under her apron, unbuttoning her blouse.

“Jude,” she says, but doesn’t stop me.

“Let me relax you,” I whisper, sliding my hand through an opening and cupping her tit. I love how responsive she is when I touch her.

“I’m not sure when she’s coming, and I have chicken hands.” She raises her gloved hands.

“Then allow me.” My hands go down to her pants, and I unbutton them, dragging the zipper down. Snaking my hand under the waistband of her underwear, I find her wet and ready. “Someone’s primed.”

Her head falls to my shoulder, and I nip at her neck. She says my name, and my dick grows in my jeans. I love when she says my name like that. When I slide my finger over her clit, she moans, her mouth casting kisses to my jaw. I capture her lips in a searing kiss that only spurs the want inside me.

“Sadie?” A knock sounds on the screen door.

She whips her head around so fast, pulling her lips off mine, that her head hits me in the jaw.

“Fuck.” My hand slides out from her pants, and I cup my jaw, opening and moving it around.

“I’m sorry,” she says, going to touch me, but I hold her wrists before she touches me with chicken hands. Her cheeks are pink. I love that look on her.

“It’s fine. I’ll let her in.” I kiss Sadie’s forehead and walk around the island.

Melody stands outside the screen door in what I’m pretty sure is an expensive pantsuit. Her dark hair is styled as though she had it professionally done, and it’s clear she doesn’t fit in Willowbrook anymore.

“Jude Noughton.” She giggles, though I’m not sure what’s so funny.

I open the door. “Hi, Melody.”

“Hi, Melody.” She imitates me in a voice that doesn’t sound anything like me.

I’m already irritated.

She walks into my house, wheeling her suitcase behind her and placing it by the front door. It’s a reminder that she’ll be here when I wake up. The only saving grace is that she was supposed to stay for longer, but some big case took longer than she expected or some shit. She’s here for two nights. Tonight and tomorrow, the night of the reunion.

“This place is so cute. Farmhouse modern is what they call it, I think.”

I inwardly groan and turn on a fake smile because her impression of me means something to Sadie.

“Jude built it himself.” Sadie comes from behind me and joins us. She’s all put back together. Her blouse is buttoned up, her pants secure, and I stuff my hands into my pockets.

“Oh, you always were so handy.” Melody laughs, but it doesn’t come near to reaching her eyes. “Sadie, you look fabulous. Small town life looks good on you.”

She opens her arms and swarms Sadie in a hug while the words small town life looks good on you raise my blood pressure.

“You look like you stepped out of a magazine.” Sadie steps back and holds Melody’s hands out to look at her. “You’re a mother of three? I’d never guess.”

Melody waves. “Well, Dave gifted me a tummy tuck after the third. It was my push gift.”

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