"I didn't," I assured her.
Violet chuckled. "I did. Well, I stretched the truth so far it may as well be a lie." She waved the girl closer. "And I did it to protect my friend. Mr. Simmons is looking to make trouble, and I'm well aware that things could get awkward for your dad. I don't work for that man, though, so if he wants to pick on someone, he needs to make sure it's someone his own size."
"His own size?" Faith asked, the crease in her brow proving she wasn't keeping up.
"Metaphorically," Violet clarified. "See, not a real good idea to pick a fight with your boss. Considering that Mr. Simmons and I are equals? We both own land. We both have people working for us. We both have interests we want to protect. That means we're the same 'size' and it means that it's my duty to do what I have to, to protect those I can. In this case, it's your father."
Faith giggled. "You're gonna let a girl protect you, Dad?"
But Violet didn't give me the chance to answer. "He can't stop me. Faith, I have no interest in being some weak floozy. That means I have to be just as much of a gentleman as Luke does."
"But you're not a man."
"So?" Violet smiled but didn't look away, showing that she expected an answer.
Slowly, Faith nodded. "But you're saying you're just as good, right?"
"Exactly. If I want to be as good as your father, then I need to work as hard as he does to take care of people. If I want to get the rewards, I need to take on all of the responsibilities, and taking care of my friends is one I actually enjoy."
"Cool." Faith looked quickly at me, then back. "So, does that mean you'll help him out again and let me go swimming while he feeds the cows tonight?"
Violet's calm facade broke and she chuckled. "No," she said, gently placing her hand on Faith's shoulder. "But I'm in serious need of some girl time. Wanna hang out with me when your dad goes to work later?"
"Definitely!"
"Then go get the horses," I told her. "Tie 'em in the alley and brush them down. I'll be there in a second." She ran off to obey and I stepped closer to Violet, dropping my voice so it wouldn't carry. "Thanks."
"Didn't do it for you." But she bobbed her head. "Ok, the first part I did. And I hope you brought something to swim in."
"Last time I was in the pool with you, it didn't go so well."
"Oh, it went real well, until I got stupid." She rubbed my bicep. "And I have a funny feeling that Faith's dad is a lot less likely to do anything like that."
"Yeah." I glanced back at the barn. "I, uh, was kinda hoping to ease her into the idea of me dating."
"Is that what we're doing?"
When I looked back, she just stood there, calmly waiting for an answer. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was daring me. "We will be," I promised. "And I'll check the fences while we're out."
Without giving her a chance to deny it, I just walked away. The smile on my face was starting to become a permanent thing.
Chapter Sixteen
While Luke and Faith got some father-daughter time in, I went back to work. Paul Simmons was starting to make my life a living hell. If that man didn't learn how to mind his own business - and soon - I was going to end up putting up a gate with a key code. As it stood, I just wanted to figure out what made him hate me so much. Good thing I had a friend who could help. As soon as the mountain of paperwork had been corralled, I grabbed my phone and kicked my heels up on Gran's desk.
"Hello?" a man answered.
"Cyan." I didn't need to say anything else.
The guy chuckled. "Starting to get worried with you calling me this much, Violet. I'm gonna assume this isn't just some excuse to check in on me?"
"Exactly. I need a favor. Trying to get Southwind back on its feet and the neighbor is being a real annoyance."
"Mm." He sounded almost distracted, but it didn't last long. "Ok, Vi. Teal started digging after your last call. Your dad's got two more years before his next parole hearing. Your mom's still off the grid. Her mental records are sealed up as tight as can be. Nothing out there worth getting wrinkles over with either of them. Already cleared that Luke guy, so what else?"
"Paul Simmons," I told him. "Remember the cows on the south side? The ones that always broke the fence?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. Helped Bea herd them back a few times. Was scared shitless, too. Had no idea steaks were so big in their wild form."
