Page 18 of True North

Well, that went well. I roll my eyes at myself. God, I am the stupidest woman alive. He’s never been a man of many words. But that was strained, even for him. It’s funny the way you can still know someone, to a certain extent, even after a decade apart. I push the diner door open, and the noise of busy and the scent of coffee reels me in.

My head is anywhere but at work.

This is not how I wanted to start my fresh start.

Consumed by an old flame. God, I’m pathetic.

Get a hold of yourself, Louisa.

The rest of my shift drags, and I occupy my mind with anything I can find. The last thing I need is to catch feelings for someone who can barely stand to be around me for less than five minutes. I wander home to the apartment straight after my shift. A small box of leftovers from one of the casseroles Cynthia whipped up sits in one hand as I unlock the front doors to the restaurant. Making sure to lock them behind me, I head upstairs.

I’m halfway through my meal when I remember the promise I made Rosie.

Dammit.

Maybe it will be fine? Harry will be outside with his work, right?

It’s just cooking lessons. Rosie is a friend. That’s all this is.

Besides, I have a date with Brad following the trip out to the Rawlinses’ farm. So, I’ll be keeping my distance from Harry. I finish the last of the delicious savory goodness and wash up the cutlery.

Tossing the container in the trash, I run myself a bath. Eager to wash away the sweat and grime from the day, I undress and slide into the hot water. Letting out a long, slow, and steady breath, I let my eyes fall shut.

It’ll be okay.

It’ll be fine.

“Moving on. Starting again. Fresh start... and all that,” I whisper to myself as I sink under the water.

I may as well stay down for all my willpower is worth around Harry Rawlins.

The sooner I go on that date with Brad, the better.

ChapterFive

HARRY

Ma is pacin’. Glancing at the damn clock every few laps of the kitchen. I know what she’s doin’, and it ain’t gonna work. Louisa Masters is about as available to me as a second moon landin’. I finish up my early lunch and wash up my plate. I have no intention of being here when she decides to grace us with her presence.

You think for a man who’s spent the last ten years pining for this girl, I’d be happy to see her. But coming face-to-face with her was anything but a good experience. It brought back the memory of her runnin’ from me as fast as she could. Not to mention the heartbreak that followed. It took me years to come back from that.

“Later, Ma. Enjoy your lesson.” I grab my hat and stalk for the back door.

“You’re not stayin’?” she calls out behind me.

Like hell.

I fly out the back screen door like the house is fire. I can feel Ma’s gaze burnin’ into my back. Guess I’ll be getting an ear chewing for that later. I’m not meanin’ to be rude. Just don’t need another round of Louisa in my life right now.

I have to focus. I’m so close to getting us off this tiny-ass farm and onto a ranch. In three months, give or take a few weeks, I’ll be in the position to make my move.

Hell will freeze over before I let Louisa glide into town and wreck my life again. I round the side of the house to where I parked the truck. Fences on the southern side need attending to. I’ll start on them first. That’ll take a few hours; she should be gone by then.

Here’s hoping.

I run the buckboard to the barn and load it up with the post hole shovel and crowbar, post rammer, toolbox, and three fresh coils of wire. Nothing like keepin’ your hands busy to clear your head. Ma’s sentiment. Works every damn time.

Tracking the vehicles across the fields, I hop out to work the few gates on the place as I go. Reaching the southern boundary fence, I let her idle at a stop as I sweep my gaze up and down the long run of sagging posts and wire. So much for a few hours.

---