Page 77 of Tempting Promises
She flops back on her mattress. “If you were, you’d come here for my birthday next month.”
“I can’t, Aurora. I can’t leave the farm.”
“Don’t you have workers?”
“No, I had to let a lot of them go,” I say, frustration building once again with her. Not once has she asked about the farm or me. She doesn’t care about anything other than telling me about her fabulous life.
“Oh, I get it. We had to do that at work too. I wasn’t really worried I’d be one of them since I’ve really worked to ensure I’m indispensable. Too bad your...people...didn’t do the same. It’s hard being on top, isn’t it?”
“Sure.”
“I have a new client that I was able to get away from our competitor, you’d be impressed with me . . .” my sister drones on and on about herself and her amazingness.
Was she always this self-centered?
I try to remember, but my whole life I idolized her. I dreamed of being her because she was beautiful, funny, smart, and knew what she wanted.
Aurora didn’t wait for things to happen, she made them happen.
I wanted that life. I wanted to command the world to bend to my will.
But now I see her as a spoiled brat who only wants to talk about herself.
She could’ve asked why I let the people go, but she didn’t. Surprise, surprise.
“Aurora,” I cut her off. “I have to go. Thank you for calling and I’m glad we could clear the air. Love you.”
“Oh. Love you too, byeeee!”
I disconnect the phone, tossing it over on the side table, and head out to the back patio.
On my way out, I grab a six-pack of beer and a blanket. The air is still unseasonably cool, but right now, I just want to sit under the stars and enjoy the land while I still have it.
Mr. Knight said he’ll have a decision in the next three weeks.
I need to hold on until then. Once I get the contract, I’ll get a portion upfront, which will allow me to hire people and start getting the production back to what it needs to be. With just me and Perry working on the farm, there’s not much we can do.
He’s also now an unpaid worker, so while he’s earning free rent, he’s not working as hard as before and spending much more time drinking at Peakness.
Which is where Faye is tonight and I refused to meet her, much to her irritation.
Tonight, I need fresh air, and complete and utter peace.
However, it’s really freaking cold so I toss a few logs in the pit and start a fire, listening to the crackling and enjoying the smell of smoke in the air. It reminds me of the fires in the cabin.
I mentally slap myself. I do not needthatto be the memory that comes with this smell. I have a million other memories withbonfires and camping that I can recall that do not include a damn Whitlock.
“Ugh!” I groan to the sky. “Why do I think about him all the time?” I ask the universe because surely it must know.
“Because I’m good in bed,” a deep male voice says, and I scream, jumping out of the chair.
My heart is pounding as I stare at the man I can’t seem to forget. “You asshole! You don’t just sneak up on a girl when she’s talking to the moon!”
He chuckles and makes his way out of the shadows. “You asked a question. I figured you wanted an answer.”
Of course this is my damn luck. “Why are you here?”
“To return the hat that isn’t mine.” Rowan lifts the object and grins.
