Page 29 of The Rescue

“Tennessee ma’am.”

“And do you still live there?” My nan fires another question.

“No, Ma’am. I live in Boston.”

“And what about your family?”

“They still live in Tennessee, I have three older brothers. They help my Mama and Dad run the ranch I grew up on.”

“And do you have a boyfriend? Girlfriend?”

“Nan. Jesus, you can’t ask questions about people’s sexuality. Sorry, Crystal,” I shake my head.

“It’s okay, nope neither. I like men, to clarify,” Crystal fires back.

I thought I caught Crystal’s eyes darting to me as she said that, but it was so quick I could’ve imagined it. My nan’s eyes widened at Crystal’s forthrightness. Crystal seems to be holding her own, and my head whips back and forth between them like I’m watching a tennis match.

“And how long do you plan on staying here?” She finally asks.

I find myself leaning into this question. I want to know the answer because surely the website won’t take much longer to complete, but the thought of her returning to Boston so soon makes my stomach dip. I was starting to unfurl those layers and really find out who she is.

“Until I get the website done, I’m not sure how long it will take to complete. There’s still quite a lot to do,” Crystal looks at me as she answers this.

A swirl of excitement swooshes through me, and I have to contain the sheer joy I’m feeling right now. I’m starting to enjoy getting to know her, even though I told myself I was going to keep this a platonic relationship.

For the rest of the meal, we make light conversation of things going on in Crossmackie, and my nan’s favourite topic, gossiping about the locals.

11

Crystal

Rabbie wasn’t kiddingwhen he said his nan is a nosy old woman,the round of questions she was firing at me had me sweating. After receiving the third degree from her, we finish the rest of our meals, listening to her complaining about one of her neighbours. I just nod along, and keep my mouth shut. Rabbie starts to clear our empty plates, and I try to help him, but he waves me away.

“A guest never clears plates,” he smiles at me.

Great, now I’m stuck with the old bag.

As soon as Rabbie disappears into the kitchen, I look back at Mrs. MacNee who cranes her ear towards the kitchen, and as soon as the faucet turns on and a sound of whooshing water and clattering plates come from the kitchen, she sprays me with more questions.

“How are you liking it here in Crossmackie?” She eyes me.

“It’s okay, I don’t really like small towns, being from one myself. I prefer the hustle and bustle of a big city.”

“Good, a girl like you doesn’t need to be in a small town like Crossmackie.”

A girl like me? What does that mean?

Fuck this, I know she doesn’t approve of me being around her precious Rabbie. I don’t like her snooty tone, so I decide I’m going to have a little fun, and stir the pot. I try not to stoop low to this type of pettiness, but she’s been nothing but rude to me as soon as I walked in here. I saw the judgemental look she gave me when I took off my jacket. It reminds me of my mama, and I’m sick of it.

“Although, Crossmackie does have its charm. I can see why Dylan wanted to stay. So many braw lads here,” I wink at her.

Mrs. MacNee gasps at me and grabs her pearl necklace. Yep, she is that kind of old woman who wears a pearl necklace. Satisfaction starts to warm in my belly that I’m getting under the wrinkly skin of this old bag.

“What are your intentions with my grandson?” She hisses quietly.

“I don’t know what you mean, I just work for him.”

“Hmm, I’m sure you do. But I noticed the way you look at him. I don’t think he’d be interested in a girl like you.”

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