Sweat leaks off him. He looks haggard today. That makes sense, after his late night.
He didn’t drag his ass in until one in the morning. Mom was pissed.
I was still awake, tossing in my bed when I heard themarguing.
“Don’t touch me,” Mom rasped at him.
“What? Sorry I’m late, but we need more accounts. Can’t make it on your oils alone.” There was a bite to his words.
Mom spewed out a bitter laugh.
“I found some good leads,” Pa added.
I twisted in my comforter, pulled my pillow on top of my head to block out their bickering.
I’ve long suspected Pa of fooling around on Mom. I mean, first of all, he’s crazy handsome; I see the way women look at him. How they take to him, throw themselves at him without even realizing or seeming to care that other people might notice. Hell, they might not even be aware of it themselves. He’ssocharming,sogood-looking, and it’s not that Mom is ugly or anything. She’s just fine in that department, but kind of plain. Kind of boring. And definitely uptight.
Pa’s in another class. By himself.
I wouldn’t exactly blame him if he were cheating.
“Have fun last night?” I ask him, teasing.
“I could ask you the same thing.” His face cracks into a grin.
“You got me.”
He swipes a stream of sweat off his forehead. “Hey, listen. You think you could cozy up to that Andersen girl? Make friends?”
Dread sweeps over me. I never turn Pa down for these types of requests, but dammit.Nellie? Really?
“How do you even know about her?”
“Her mom came out here yesterday. They seem like goodprospects—”
“She did?” My stomach grinds. “Mom didn’t say anything about it to me.”
“She probably didn’t think anything of it.”
“Yeah, well, theyarethe richest family in town. But she’s a real piece of work, Pa. A real bitch to me—”
“C’mon, Sunshine. Please? Just try?” His graham cracker–colored eyes are pleading.
“Pa, she’s the one who tried to run me off the road!”
“Sheis?”
“Yep, we talked about it last night and everything. She’s real screwed up in the head. She’ssoweird. Said she didn’t mean to, didn’t even realize she’d done it—”
He claps his hand on my shoulder, gives it a squeeze. “Baby, I’m sorry, but I’m sure itwasjust an accident. People who don’t know about horses, well…”
I sigh. I mean, he’s notwrong. But still.
“And you can sell ice water to the devil, remember?” He squeezes my shoulder again. Bends down to retrieve his gloves.
I turn away, heading inside.
I’m so fucking sick of being poor.
