Page 17 of Love Off-Limits
“Oh, right,” Perry said. “I was just there. Calista has things under control.”
I pursed my lips. Calista was more than capable. But I’d spent enough summers on the farm working events to know how quickly things could go awry. I didn’t like the idea of there not being a single Hawthorne around in case she needed help. And generally, Perry wouldn’t like that idea either. In fact, he was even more likely than I was to hover and micromanage.
So why was hereallyhere?
I thought back over the last few times I’d dropped in for lunch with Mom and Dad. They lived on the edge of Stonebrook’s property, less than a half-mile away from the main farmhouse, so it wasn’t hard to stop by in the middle of the work day.
The last three times I’d come over, Perry had shown up.
I narrowed my gaze. What was he up to?
I finished my sandwich while Perry and Mom talked about the newest goats born on the farm. It was the season for it. We’d likely still have a dozen more kids born before we were through the last of them.
“Did Olivia tell you she met a man last month?”
My head shot up at Mom’s words. I’d only been half-listening to their conversation, but how had we jumped from goats to my love life so quickly? “Wait, what?” I said. “Why are we talking about this?”
“I was only asking Perry if he’d met anyone,” Mom said breezily. “And wondered if you’d told him about your little...rendezvous.”
I suddenly regretted tellinganyoneabout my rendezvous with Tyler. I’d only mentioned it to Mom in passing when she’d asked about my weekend. She’d latched onto the detail like a new baby goat finding its first meal. Still, I was glad Mom was talking to Perry about dating again. His divorce had only been final a couple of months—it had happened around the same time Dad had had his stroke—so I didn’t exactly want to see him settling down with someone new. But it might do him some good to date a little.
“Do tell,” Perry said, shooting me a look. “Anyone I know?”
I resisted the urge to indulge in my memories of the hours I’d spent in Tyler’s arms. I’d done plenty of that already. But my family didn’t need to see me staring off into space, my eyes glazed over, as I remembered the feel of Tyler’s lips against mine. I gave my head a little shake. “It was at Rosie’s wedding, so no. And it was nothing. He lives in Charleston. We spent some time together and texted a little, but”—I glanced at Dad—“I’m not exactly in a position to pursue a long-distance relationship right now if I’m going to assume—”
Perry leaned forward and cut me off. “Why not? Charleston’s an easy drive. What’s he like? Tell me about him.”
Why did he seem so...eager all of a sudden? Except, I didn’t think he was eager. He was just trying to keep me from finishing my sentence.
“I’m not interested in the guy,” I lied. “My focus right now is on the farm.” At least that part was true. “As it should be,” I added through gritted teeth.
“Sure, but we could handle things for a while if you wanted to take some time off, go spend some time in Charleston.”
I only stared. “What the hell, Perry?”
“Y’all, don’t do this here,” Mom said, her voice firm, her eyes fixed on Dad.
I picked up my plate and carried it into the kitchen, positive Perry would follow me. I leaned against the white farmhouse sink that sat below the enormous picture window in Mom’s kitchen and folded my arms across my chest. “So that’s what you want?” I asked as Perry entered the kitchen. “You just want me to leave now? Go find a job somewhere else?”
“That isn’t what I said.” He ran a hand across his face. “I just want you to be happy. If this guy makes you happy—”
“Perry, Stonebrook is what makes me happy.” Okay, Tyler also made meveryhappy, but that wasn’t relevant to this particular conversation.
Perry’s shoulders dropped. “I know it is, Liv.”
“Then what is happening here? Why are you trying to get rid of me?”
“That’s not—” His words dropped off sharply, and he sighed in frustration.
Mom appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Perry, just tell her,” Mom said. “I know you’re trying to protect her feelings, but this is worse.”
I tensed. “Tell me what?”
Perry’s expression softened, his dark blue eyes full of compassion.
Which only made me want to freak out more. Because why didIneed his compassion?
“I didn’t just come here to fill in while you finished school,” Perry said slowly. He took a steadying breath. “I’m here because Dad asked me to be here. Right after he came home from the hospital.”
