Page 53 of Candygrams

Whoever the hell the farmhand is, he just lost his job since I’m not about to let some stranger get close to this girl. The only man she’s gonna go to for help will be me!

Chapter Three

Lolly

I still have the knife held firmly in my hand. I’m not quite sure if I should put it down yet. It doesn’t help that he’s acting weird as shit.

“I wasn’t expecting you tonight. Dad said you would be coming tomorrow.”

“I’m a little early. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get here.”

That makes sense. “It’s alright. I’m sorry I, um,” I put the knife down but not far from me, “threatened you with a… knife.”

“It’s a perfect response to having a stranger in your house. I would honestly worry if you didn’t try to protect yourself.”

I give him a half smile. Bet my sister wouldn’t threaten a hot guy like him with a knife if she found him in the same vicinity as her. I’m not going to look into why his words make something in my belly turn all hot and molten, like his praise affects me in ways it shouldn’t.

“I’m not sure what condition the bunk house is in but it’s, um, out…”

“Actually your mom and dad said it would be alright to stay here. In the house.”

“With me?” It’s like they don’t care at all. Hurt and anger hit me hard as I fight to not let the emotions take over. If they did I would just sink to the floor and start crying and I might never stop if I start.

He’s rocking a frown on his face now, his eyebrows draw together and his beautiful blue eyes turn stormy. “You know what? I can stay out there or if it’s not great I can find somewhere in the city to spend the night or…”

“No.” I interrupt him. It’s not his fault. “It’s…you shouldn’t have to wake up super early just so you can work all day. The nearest town is an hour away.” Believe me, the drive is murder.

“I don’t mind.”

I do.

“Um, where did they tell you to sleep?”

“I think they said it was the first door on the right once you get up the stairs?”

No. They wouldn’t.

“First door on the right?” He nods and I turn to the counter and away from him so he doesn’t spot the tears in my eyes. I yell and take the dough in my hands and slam it down a few times like I want to take my sister's head. Or my mom. Or my dad. “You okay?” His voice is closer now.

I probably shouldn’t be wishing he was a serial killer so I could actually maim someone right now and have a damned good reason to. I am so trying to hang on to my manners but those… parents of mine are making it so hard.

“Yes. That’s just… let me call my parents.”

I waste no time putting a cover over my bread and setting it in the cold oven to let it do its thing. I wash my hands and go over scenario after scenario about what I can say when I find out they did what he says they did.

And I am not pleasantly surprised. They confirm they did tell this cutie he could sleep in the first room on the right… my fucking room.

“Where am I supposed to sleep, Mom?

” “There’s a very comfortable couch in the living room, dear. Oh, and the one in the den.”

“Why can’t he stay in Cammie’s room?”

“Because that’s her room. Besides you’re hardly ever there anyway. You decided to move out. If you want a bed of your own… go back to your apartment.”

“But… I’m here now.”

“I don’t mind taking the couch…”

---