Page 94 of Sweet Escape
The truck doors slam in tandem as we step onto the sidewalk, both removing our hats as we enter the building. The auction house is in a large converted pole barn lined with chairs, a center aisle separating two sides leading up to a small stage. There’s a projection screen at the front of the room with a podium for the auctioneer. A stout man with a handlebar mustache is there, speaking in hushed tones with a younger man who bears a striking resemblance, though slightly taller and less grey.
“Paul and Ethan Asher,” Dad says. “They’re runnin’ this shindig.”
I scan the crowd, recognizing most of the people here with a few new faces scattered about. My stomach plummets. “Don’t look now. Nick Bennett… twelve o’clock.”
“Ah, hell. This ain’t gonna be good.”
“Go find a seat. I’ll see if I can smooth things over.”
Dad walks off to the bank of seats near the front, and I stride in the opposite direction, staring straight into the eyes of Olivia’s father. He’s standing next to Nathaniel, Liv’s uncle and the owner of Oak Ridge Nursery.
Nick’s jaw tics when he sees me coming toward him. “I’ll meet you over there in a second, Nate.” Nathaniel waves and walks off toward the seating area, leaving me in a standoff with Nick.
“Mr. Bennett,” I say. “Nice to see you.”
“Wilder. I trust you’re treatin’ my girl well?”
I keep a tight leash on my anger for Olivia’s sake, but if he thinks he has any right to ask me that after the way he shut her out, he’s sorely mistaken.
“You’d know the answer to that if you bothered to reach out.”
He shoves his hands in his pockets, his eyes trained on the floor as he rocks back on his feet. “You’re right. I haven’t been a very good father.”
“Or grandfather.”
He huffs out an indignant breath. “That too. Is she… are they okay?”
I don’t know what I was expecting from this interaction, but it wasn’t remorse or even concern. I’m pleasantly surprised, but it’s not my forgiveness he needs to earn, and he’ll havea lot more groveling to do if he wants to make it up to Olivia.
“They are, but I’m not going to talk about them with you. Not after what you put her through. If you want to know how they’re doing, ask her yourself. Be a man and find a way to make amends.”
He nods tersely. It’s not a promise, but it’s something. “Russell after Garrett Farm?”
“You surprised?” I ask, brow furrowed.
“Nah. But it ain’t gonna come easy.”
It’s not the only item up on the auction block today, but it’s the only thing we’re after. Buying Garrett Farm would allow us to expand our operation into the next pasture over. Griffin’s always wanted to start a horse rescue and sanctuary, and having that extra land could help bring his vision to life.
I cock my head and bite down on the inside of my cheek. “We’re prepared. Are you?”
“Look… I don’t know how much you know about this feud of ours, but you should stay out of it. I won’t come between you and Liv, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna let bygones be bygones. Russell has some things to answer for and it ain’t got nothin’ to do with you.”
“All due respect, sir, it has everything to do with me if it involves my family.”
He stabs a finger at my chest in warning, his posture growing rigid. “You keep my daughter out of this.”
“Liv’s my family now, whether you get on board or not,” I say defensively, not backing down despite his threatening tone. “You have no right to demand anything from me. Six months, Nick. I’ve been with her every goddamn day, watching her stare at her phone, hoping you’ll call.”
He takes a small step back, narrowing his eyes at me. “You love her.”
It’s not a question, so I don’t respond. I wouldn’t know what to sayif I did. I care about her, but I don’t think I’m capable of love. Not anymore.
A silent question hangs in the air, one tense moment before he shakes his head. “You’re a dumb son-of-a-bitch if you can’t see it. Don’t string her along, Hayes. She deserves better.”
With those parting words, he strides off to his seat, leaving me with no hope for resolution between our families and one big question I need to ask myself. Can I love Olivia Sullivan, and if I can’t, am I willing to let her go?
“Up next on the auction block is a plot of 200 acres formerly known as Garrett Farm. Included in the sale are several outbuildings, a pole barn, and a distillery. We’ll start the bidding off at half a million.”
