Page 16 of All Inn Thyme
“Ugh.” I cover my face in embarrassment. “If you must know, I didn’t want to get my one nice outfit dirty, and I didn’t think anyone else would be out here.”
He nods as if what I just said makes complete sense. “What do you have against me and Nova?”
“I don’t have anything against you. You just confuse me.”
And his dog makes me miss Sassy so much it hurts, but how can I explain that to him? It hurts too much to even remember, let alone talk about it out loud to someone who can’t know our past.
One night, Bradley took off with Sassy in his truck and came back without her. I asked him where he took her, and he said that next time it would be me that he’d take somewhere and not bring home. He ended up bringing her back a week later, and I never found out where he’d taken her. All I know is that when she came back, she was scared. I still miss her, and it makes me sick to my stomach to think about what Bradley is capable of with her left there by herself. I wonder if he even still has her.
“Nova seems to really like you,” he offers, I guess trying to lighten the mood.
I cast my eyes down, not sure what to say. I’m embarrassed, and I feel like I can’t go back and make it right.
“I need to go. I’m sorry. I’ll stay out of your way.”
“What about dinner?” he calls.
“I can’t. I’m too busy, I’m sorry.”
I jump onto my ATV before he can say anything more to me.
We’ve got a lot at stake here with this life I’ve worked hard to build for us at the inn. This guy could be trouble, something I don’t need any more of.I need to be more careful. I let my guard down, and I can’t afford to do that again.
6. ty
Could I build something with her around all these secrets?
As I watchMellie drive off, Nova whimpers at my feet. “I know, baby. She’s wild, isn’t she?” I pick up a stick and throw it for her. She runs to retrieve it, then drops it back at my feet.
This girl is simple, wild, beautiful, and real, but she completely baffles me. I want to get to know her better, but she’s making it feel next to impossible. I thought we had something going, but she seems to really dislike me now.
“Maybe you stand a chance, Nova. Maybe you’re the way to this wild lady’s heart.” She leans into my leg. I guess it doesn’t really matter anyway. I can’t commit to anyone here since I’ll be leaving when the job is up.
“I don’t know how anyone could not like you, Nova,” I say to my dog as she tilts her head. “You are the best girl, you know that?”
She yips in response and then darts off to chase a rabbit.
I walk over to see what Mellie was putting together and realize it’s supposed to be a greenhouse. The way she has it set up, I can tell right away that it’s not safe and it’s not going to hold up. I examine the haphazard structure more closely and realize she has some of the top pieces on the sides and the side pieces on the top. It’s an easy fix, it’ll just take a little time to get it set up correctly and safely.
I begin to sort the pieces and put them in piles, like giant glass Legos with sharp edges. I’m used to fixing things daily, but this was probably overwhelming for her. She’s tiny, and some of these parts probably weigh as much as she does. Not that she’s not tough—I’m sure she could handle it if she had more time and the right clothes on. Or any clothes on, for that matter.
It is hot out here putting this together, so I strip off my hoodie and t-shirt, but unlike Mellie, I keep my jeans on. I smirk. It was funny seeing her building this in her underwear. I thought she was beautiful before, but now that I’ve seen her practically in nothing? Smokin’ hot. I have a suspicion that life with Mellie is never dull. She seems funny, and surprises me with something new about her every time I see her. But still, there’s pain and fear sometimes behind her eyes, and that’s what gets to me. Who put that there? That’s what I intend to find out.
I finish sorting the piles and get to work on the building. It’s just before dark when Nova lets me know it’s well past her dinner time and she’s ready to go home. The greenhouse is finally finished, but I’ll come back and check it over in the morning when the light is better. At least now she won’t get hurt when she comes back to it, and this will hopefully make her not as mad at me anymore.
I like her, what’s confusing about that?
“Come on, girl. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Nova happily trots with me back to the bunkhouse. This is the worst part of my day: coming home to an empty house. I want a family to come home to. The smell of food cooking, the sound of kids playing, a wife excited to tell me about her day. I want a kiss hello, a bear hug goodbye. Snuggles at night when it’s cold. A hand to hold onto. I’d give anything for all of that. For me, it’s the little things. Always has been.
Instead, I pour a can of soup into a pot and heat it up on the stove, then pour myself a big glass of sweet tea. I feed Nova and freshen up her water, thinking about Mellie again. I’ll leave her alone if that is what she really wants, but something tells me it’s not.
I do feel bad about taking the bunkhouse. Honestly, it’s too big for just me. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. I wonder if it could work for us to live here together. I work nights and she works days, so we’d probably not even see each other that much, although I wouldn’t mind seeing them.
I sit down at the table to eat my soup while I scroll through my phone. The soup tastes disgusting, and I can’t help but wonder who decided, hey, let’s put tasteless slop in a can and sell it? Gross. I toss it and rinse out my bowl, deciding to grab something on the way to work.
I hit the shower, then put on my coveralls. When I sit to put on my boots, Nova jumps in my lap, realizing I’m leaving. I know she hates being alone here, and I hate it for her.
“I know, girl, just go to sleep when I’m gone. I’ll be back in the morning.” I kiss her on her snout and she whines, leaning into me.
