Another beat, it’s as if he is going to say more, or at least I hope he will. Suddenly I want us putting up Christmas decorations together. To see him relax and smile.
But the moment passes and he turns and leaves. Fists curled at his sides as his long legs take him upstairs once again.
There is a tension in the house that evening. Two people avoiding each other but ever, so aware of every creak of the floor board, every crackle of wood in the fire.
By the next morning I’m over the tense silence. And so I’m waiting for him when he comes up from the stables. “We need to go into town. It looks like snow and we need some supplies.”
He gives me a hard look, like he is debating this idea in his head. But eventually he nods and we get into his truck to head into town.
Chapter 6
Health
It’s nice and warm in the truck, both of us in t-shirts with our jackets on the back seat. I’m hyper aware of how close Zoey is. Her denim clad thighs, the hint of cleavage in the V of her t-shirt. She drives me crazy. Holding her in my arms, even for just a brief moment, it is like it has opened a door and I had a fitful night with her in my dreams. I’m a man who usually goes after what he wants. But with Zoey I have to hold myself back. For starters she is my employee. Also, she’s younger than me. But mostly, an intelligent girl like her deserves someone far less fucked up than I am.
I have no idea what my future holds. I can’t even decide if I’m selling my grandfather's land. It wouldn’t be fair to get involved with Zoey when I don’t even know where I’ll be in two weeks.
“Is there a feed store in town?” She asks. Interrupting my brooding thoughts.
“I don’t know. Mrs. Foot does all the shopping.”
“You’ve not been into town?” She looks at me with shock. Once again this girl knows how to make me feel bad. Of course I should have gone into town. I know my grandfather donated some money at different times. But as far as I know he mostly kept to himself and so that is what I have been doing.
“I haven’t had the chance yet.” I say with a shrug. But I make a mental note to reach out to the town in the future. I should at least talk to the mayor but I’ll probably wait till I know if I’m selling or not.
Whatever future plans I had about reaching out, none were needed with the way Zoey got to work. She’s a small town girl and just seemed to fit in with the locals. A mention to the lady in the general store, introducing me in the feed store, soon people were appearing on the street to say hello and shake my hand.
“Been wondering when you might come into town.”
“We just love Mrs. Foot and she has such good things to say about you.”
“Knew your grandfather of course, very sorry for your loss, son.”
A glance at Zoey showed she was feeling rather proud of her work at getting me introduced to the locals. She also greeted people with a happy smile and wishing people a merry Christmas.
Taking a moment to sit down on a park bench, Zoey gives me a serious look. “I live in a small town like this and people are doing it hard and yet look how happy they are. There is going to be a dance on Christmas eve. The school can’t afford a music programme, some of the crops are failing and yet on Christmas they will all come together to celebrate what they do have. To celebrate family and community.”
I nod. “I get the hint. You think because I have money I should help these people.”
She shakes her head. “No, you missed the point. Despite their struggles they find joy in their community. You could do with alittle bit of community in your life. Like it or not, you are a part of this small town. Your grandfather was part of it. This is a part of your family. You have history here.”
Zoey’s words strike a cord in my heart. Up until now I had been thinking of my grandfather’s land as just that. Property. But Zoey is opening my eyes to so much more. It is a part of me. A huge part of my childhood. It wasn’t just boarding schools that shaped me. My summers spent here are in my heart. The part of me that I have been missing.
It’s a quiet drive back to the house. My mind whirls with memories and thoughts and feelings. But as we set to unloading the truck, there is one thing that has become clear to me.
I want Zoey.
I want her body pressed against mine. I want her bright smiles in the mornings. I want her keeping me on track and I want her happy chatter and laughter every single day.
I’m parked up by the stables and watching Zoey take in some feed, the sun shining off her hair just like the day we met. I feel motivated to move. Going after her, I follow her into the stables. As she comes out of the feed room I step towards her.
She blinks up at me. She can likely see the serious note in my eyes. The hunger. The excitement. Her lips parted. She stands there as I step closer. A gentle hand on her cheek, then into her hair. Our bodies close. Our lips a breath apart. I look into her eyes for a beat. Giving her time to pull away.
And then our lips touch. Softly. Searching. Savoring. But then, like a dam breaking, my hunger takes over. Pulling her hard up against me. Kissing her deeply. Tongue against tongue. Sucking on her bottom lip as my thigh moves between her legs.Her hands gripping at my shirt. My hands roaming over her back, down to her ass. Dragging her up towards me.
I love how she feels against me. Her soft curves melting into my body. Her kiss as passionate and hungry as mine. God, she tastes sweet. Like summer days. Like freedom, laughter and joy.
“YouHooo, Mr. Beaumont, are you here?”
