Page 39 of Needing More
"I'm getting ready for college next week so I'm pretty busy. Did you need something?" That wasn't a complete lie. Sapphire really was starting college next week in Stardust though she wasn't technically busy especially now that she wasn't working at the café.
"Oh, I bet you're busy, especially since my genius daughter bagged herself not one but two guys from what I hear. And hell, if the rumors circulating on Facebook are any indication you might be getting a third, is that right?"
Sapphire went cold.
"I…" Her words faded on her tongue. She didn't know what to say.
She never thought about talking to her mom about her relationship. Frankly, Sapphire was surprised to be hearing from the woman so soon. Her whole life her mom acted as if she was such a burden, a terrible responsibility dragging her down, keeping her from living the life she wanted. The moment her mother stepped into that cab that day back in Houston, Sapphire truly thought that would be the last she would ever see of the woman. She certainly had no plans to tell her about her personal life.
"Don't bother trying to hide it from me, honey," her mother's voice oozed like syrup on the other end. "I know, and I cannot tell you how proud I am. Took only a day of lurking through people's comments and digging through a few jealous bitches' posts, but I found out what my beautiful Sapphire has been up to since you failed to tell me yourself."
Anger flared inside of her and she shifted on her feet, finding her voice again. "I really didn't think it was worth mentioning. And aren’t you supposed to be living it up in newlywed bliss with whatshisname?"
Her mother made a sound of disgust. "That didn't work out. The bastard lied to me. He lied about where he lived and what he did for a living. Practically everything out that man's mouth was a goddamn lie."
Sapphire held her breath. "So what does that mean? What are you going to do now?"
"Mmm, maybe I should come and stay with you for a little while? Five might be a crowd, but I'm sure no one would mind," she purred humorously.
"I mind and the answer is no."
She could practically see her mother's eyes in her mind, the crackling anger, and the purse of her lips at being denied, so Sapphire was surprised when her mother answered. "Fine. I'm not ready to leave here anyway. It's gorgeous and has tons of rich men coming in and out of the hotels. Tell you what. Since you’re flush in men at the moment, how about you send me a few bucks to tide me over until I land back on my feet."
More like your back, Sapphire thought with a frown.
Money. That's what it always was with this woman. Everything, absolutely everything, even her daughter's own birth involved money.
"Fine," Sapphire groaned. At this point, she would say just about anything to get her off the phone.
Hanging up, she let out a held breath. Just the thought of her mother threatening to come to Holter made Sapphire's head pound.
It was just a threat, Sapphire assured herself once again. There was no way her mother could survive one day in this town much less come to stay.
Shaking her head at the horrific prospect, Sapphire quickly folded the rest of the clothes and set them to the side before staring out the window once more. She watched as Joel came out of the big barn carrying a heavy box in his hands. She could see the strain in his muscular arms and the sweat soaking into his shirt. They were working so hard.
Her nails tapped against the metal of the dryer as she let her thoughts turn and a slow smile played at the edge of her mouth.
With her mind made up, she leaned fully on the machine and dialed the number to Booker's gas station.
It rang twice before the man answered with a friendly hello.
"Hey Booker, it's me, Sapphire. I was wondering if you could do me an odd favor?"
As soon as they had finished cleaning up after lunch and filed out the back door Vic had expected Hayden to turn on him like a rabid dog. The way he had inserted himself into caring for and even hand feeding Sapphire after she burned herself at the stove would without a doubt not go unchecked by Hayden—or at least that's what Vic had thought. But Hayden didn't say anything. No scorching looks promising death and no threats through clenched teeth once they were outside. Nothing at all.
As if sensing his shock Joel looked at Vic with a grin that said he knew exactly what he was thinking.
Well, not exactly, thankfully. Because even if Joel knew what he had done to Sapphire at the café he was sure the man wouldn't be so forgiving.
Tilting his head to one side, Vic let the stiff muscles in his neck stretch and crack as he closed his eyes. Every day since that day he hadn't stopped thinking of her. The tremor of her voice still rang in his ears like the chime of delicate crystal. The feel of her soft skin against him was forever etched into his skin like a brand. But worst of all, it was the sweet taste of her that kept his nights restless.
Scornfully, Vic looked at Hayden and Joel who were working on putting together another work table to go with the others, and hated them for getting to wake up each morning to Sapphire's beautiful face.
Turning away, Vic pushed away the immediate guilt at his thoughts, burying the emotion deep.
A few hours later Vic was walking in from the fields, bagging up the last soil sample he took from the east field. Walking in through the barn, he couldn't stop the sense of satisfaction at the now cleared and organized space. When Bailey and his crew came back tomorrow the place would be ready for any processing that needed to get done.
Hayden was walking out of the barn's bathroom wiping his hands on a towel when they heard the sudden blare of noise over the speakers. Vic looked up in surprise at the old dusty speakers mounted in the barn's rafters. He forgot the damn things were there.
