“Yeah, that was pretty much my thought, too. I howled until my aunt came running over, and Biffy’s standing there laughing—his mom shook the snake off me, but then she started freaking out—what her idiot son thought was just a harmless snake was actually a copperhead.”
“No fucking way.” My mouth dropped open. “And itbityou?”
“It did. And it hurt like a motherfucker, let me tell you. Lucky for me, if you can call any part of that lucky, it was a baby one, and it hadn’t fully gotten me—I didn’t get the whole dose of the venom. They rushed me to the hospital—coming from a family of doctors came in handy that day.” Emma’s eyes widened slightly, as if she realized she’d said something she hadn’t intended, but I didn’t react. I wanted to hear the rest of the story.
“So you were okay?” I wagged my head. “I totally get your snake phobia now. I’d be terrified, too, if I were you.”
“Thank you. Yeah, I was fine. They gave me the anti-venom, and lots of other shots, and Biffy was grounded for the rest of the summer.” She climbed back onto the deck, peering around. “Do you think that guy had buddies?”
I bit back a smile. “As a rule, snakes don’t travel in packs, so I think you’re okay. But you might want to check out your trailer and make sure all the holes are plugged. Get some steel wool and stuff it in any gaps—or you can use foam that will expand to fill the holes. Just to make sure nothing crawls in and surprises you.”
She sighed. “I never thought about snakes. I guess maybe I didn’t want to. I have a skink who hangs out in my bedroom, but he’s kind of a pet now.”
“If it makes you feel any better, the snake that I just moved for you eats things like mice and rats, so having it around isn’t a bad idea.”
“Maybe.” She sounded doubtful, and after the story she’d related, I couldn’t blame her.
I took a step closer and bent to peer into one of the windows. It was too dark to see anything, but I had a pretty good sense that what Emma had was basic at best. “Listen, tell me to mind my own business, but how did you end up here?” When she cocked an eyebrow at me, I added, “I get what you said—you want to build your house and live on the land. But couldn’t you have gotten something a little, uh, less primitive while you’re building? Did you bring this down with you, or did you buy it here?”
Emma’s shoulders sagged. “I bought it from a dealership down here without seeing it, while I was still up north.” She held up both hands as if to stave off my response. “I know, I know. Stupid. But it sounded like a great idea in Philadelphia. And then once I got here and saw I’d been taken, it was too late. I spent all of my available tr—uh, my savings, that is, on the land and the trailer.”
“Who sold this to you?” I folded my arms over my chest.
She closed her eyes. “Bobby Lucas.”
“Of course.” I scowled. “He’s kind of notorious for that kind of thing.” I heaved a sigh. “I can’t promise anything, but if you want, I can have a word with him. Maybe get at least part of your money back.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that, but I’m okay.” She patted the door. “I know it’s not much, and it probably looks like a hovel to you, but it’s mine, and I’ve gotten used to it now.” She paused for a beat. “Now, if I wake up to a nest of snakes in my bed, that might be a different story. But for the time being, I’m okay.”
I had to give her props—I’d never have expected a city girl like Emma Carson to be tough enough to live on the primitive side. It only made me admire her more—grudgingly, but still.
“All right.” I knew I should just leave, but I found myself wanting to find an excuse to linger. “If anything comes up that you need help, my grandparents’ place is a straight line that way.” I pointed toward the farm. “They’re good people.”
“Thanks. Not sure what would come up, but I guess it’s nice to know.”
A litany of reasons that Emma might need help ran through my head, but I wasn’t going to scare her to death and then drive back to my nice, safe house in town. So I only shrugged. “Storms come through sometimes, and there could be tornado warnings. If that happens, their house would be a hell of a lot safer than this trailer. I’m just saying—don’t hesitate to go if you need something.”
“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
I nodded. Silence stretched between us. It wasn’t awkward, but it was definitely . . . charged, as if we were both waiting for the other to make the next move.
“Well, I guess I should get home.”
“Do you want something to drink?”
We both spoke at the same time and laughed in unison. I grinned. “I appreciate the offer, but I have some paperwork to catch up on tonight. I better get to it.”
“Ah, yes. I get that.” Emma curled her toes and dragged one foot along the smooth wood of the deck. “I’m going to get to bed early so I don’t oversleep again tomorrow.”
“Okay, sounds good. See you tomorrow, Emma.” I turned and began walking toward my truck. After a few seconds, Emma called out my name.
“Deacon. Thank you—for driving out here to apologize. That means a lot. Oh, and for saving me from the snake, too.”
I smiled into the growing darkness, but I didn’t turn around.
“’Night, Emma.”
“Good night, Deacon.”
