Prologue
“No!” I shake my head so hard, I can feel my hair coming loose from the ponytail I had thrown it in at the start of this conversation. I always tied my hair back when I was stressed and Lola’s request was close to causing a panic attack. “Absolutely fucking not. Find somewhere else.” I know I was being stubborn but Iknewthat whoever this new employee was, they were going to piss me off if they moved into my space.
“Or better yet, postpone getting them started until the new office is built!” My voice was taking on a whine that I wasn’t proud of. I was already overly pissed off and they wouldn’t be arriving for a few more days.
Lola crossed her arms and smirked at me, the little brat. “You know we can’t do that. He needs the time to set up before the tours start in five weeks.”
The problem with Lola technically being my boss and my little sister was that she knew how to phrase any and all arguments in a way that would eventually have me giving in. I don’t know how she did it every time but I’m assuming it was some type of mind trick Dad taught her before he passed away.It might also have to do with the dumb fact that I loved her or something but I wouldn’t admit that until I was on my deathbed.
“You know how I am about sharing my space, just ask Mabel!” I gestured wildly to our older sister, who has suffered through the experience of sharing a living space with me. Lola rolls her eyes as Mabel chuckles.
“The demonstration on medical amputation that Mom turned that into taught me two things I’ll never forget.” She can’t stop the grimace as she remembers what happened to the doll she left on my side of our childhood room one too many times.
“Oh yeah, and what’s that?” Lola asks even though she had to suffer through Mom’s demonstration with the rest of us.
“I will never, ever work in the medical field and stay out of Elle’s personal space unless given written permission. Notarized.” Lola snorts and I offer a small bow as we remember how our mother tried to put a positive spin on my slightly over the top reaction to her doll in my space. To be fair, the amputation did its job, I got my own room.
“And that was just a doll! Imagine how much damage I could inflict on a real human person. I’m older now, too. Consider how much more twisted my imagination is! Why do you hate our new employee so much you want to subject them to all of this?” Another wild gesture but this time at myself.
My sisters burst out into twin laughs. “Listen Elle, I know it’s a big deal for you to let someone in your space, trust me, I really do but we were really lucky to snag this guy, he’s been all over and done so many things that make him the perfectadditionto our team. Think about how much paperwork you’re going to be able to do when people sign up for tours!” I bite the inside of my lip, I would love doing the paperwork but I wasn’t ready to give in just yet. Lola’s demeanor shifts, she can feel I’m about to give in.. “I will give you the loft this year if you do this.” Mabel gasps, knowing the loft is the most coveted bedroom at our family’scabin. Our parents got so tired of us fighting that the year Lola and Paul turned twelve they created a rotating chart where each sibling got the loft for a year. We still use it to this day to avoid any strife.
This year was Lola’s turn and I was next so that would give me two years in the loft. I was drooling at the thought. “Deal.” The words slipped out before I could think of the consequences. Lola’s face broke out into a dazzling smile and Mabel groaned, no doubt frustrated by my prize and knowing how much complaining would be coming from me in the weeks until the new office was completed.
“Seriously Elle, you won’t regret this.” Lola starts to back out of the room, smart girl, knowing if she sticks around, I will take it all back and force Mabel to host them in her work shed. Mabel stands up from the chair, clapping her hands together. “This was fun but I have to finish packing for the market.” She blows me an air kiss as she exits and I let out a giant sigh, feeling like this arrangement with The Intruder is going to take a lot more out of me than I was willing to give.
Chapter One
PATRICK
THREE DAYS LATER
Today’s the day!
The sun is shining, I’ve got my apartment keys, all of my worldly possessions are strategically placed so I can maneuver said apartment and I was pulling up to my new workplace, hopefully my last one for the foreseeable future.
A mixed sense of excitement and disbelief fills my chest. I’m still having a hard time believing I got this job and I finally get to put down some roots. I look down at my arm after putting my car in park, eyes roaming over my tattoos that paint a picture of all the places I’ve been.
All around the world, all types of jobs but never anywhere for longer than a few months but a tattoo to remember each of them. Postage stamps with a picture to commiserate every stop. I’d gotten questions about the ink all the time and why I choose to track my travels in the way I do.
It’s easier to keep track of my own arm than a photo album or t-shirt collection that could get lost along the way. My parentshated tattoos and I think in my younger angst filled days, it was a form of rebellion against them, even though they were dead.
I can’t focus on that today, or anytime soon if I can help it, I need to put on my best face for introductions to my new bosses and workplace.
Pulling into a free space and stepping out of my car, I see a curvy blonde waving at me. She stands in front of a Warren’s Farm and Apiary sign. Her smile is so wide, I’m sure her cheeks have to be aching. “Hi, Lola?” I offer my own wave as I make my way to her. “Yes! Hello, it’s so nice to finally meet you!” Lola swats my extended hand and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, sorry! I’m a hugger. I’m so excited to meet you! Come, come, let’s get introductions out of the way then I can show you to your temporary office.” She releases me but grabs onto my arm, pulling me forward, making quick strides to what I was assuming the guest welcome center. “I’ll introduce you to Mabel, the eldest, and have you fill out the basic new employee paperwork. Then we can take you to the temp office and introduce you to Elle, the middle child, and your ‘roommate’ while we put the finishing touches on the tour center. If you have any questions, feel free to interrupt me, I know I’m a chatterbug.”
I worry she’s going to run out of air as she tells me more about the history of the farm but she stops talking as we make our way in the front door. A brunette is crouching down towards the floor, rummaging through a wooden crate, what sounds like glass knocking against each other. “Mabel, get off the floor and say hello to the newest member of the team.” Lola’s voice causes Mabel to jump slightly, knocking her knees against the wooden crate. “Damnit LJ!” Mabel glares at Lola as she stands and I’m a little in shock before I remember that Mabel and Lola are sisters, not just employer and employee. If I didn’t know, though, it would be hard to tell these two were related,they looked completely different outside of their smiles, a small dimple popping out of the left side of both of their cheeks.
“Hello, I’m Patrick, you can call me that or Rick, whatever’s clever.” I stick my hand out but Mabel bats it away and engulfs me in a hug, just like her sister. I keep my hands away from her body, a little shell shocked by the affection. “We’re huggers, sorry about that! Let me get a look at you!” Mabel takes a step back with a giant smile on her face. She unabashedly looks me up and down, her hands wrapped around my biceps and I swear I feel her give them a quick squeeze.
“Oh my word, this is going to be a great few weeks!” Mabel releases me with a laugh. That earns a scowl from Lola and leaves me standing awkwardly, unsure of what is going on. I cough, “I’m hoping I’m around for more than a couple of weeks.”
“Oh, no! Of course, Rick, you’re going to be here for as long as we can keep you. Ignore Mabel, she’s the crazy sister.” Lola hip bumps her sister. Mabel, not one to back down, elbows Lola in retaliation “Sure, I’m thecrazyone.”
“I’ve gotta admit, I’m a little confused but I couldn’t believe anyone who has a part in running this place is crazy.” When in doubt, compliment it out.
Being an only child, I had no way of knowing if this is how siblings acted or if I should be worried by the slight violence exhibited by my new employers. I must not be hiding my confusion as well as I thought because both girls stop and smile widely at me. “No need for confusion, Rick. You’re going to love it here. Let’s get all these papers signed then I can take you to your temp office and I can introduce you to the middle sister and paperwork connoisseur.” Lola leads me to a desk with a stack of papers I’m very familiar with, filling them out was basically second nature at this point.
