I don’t know how I made it back to my original spot next to Mabel before the lights came on. I should have tripped and knocked my head against the stones. Mabel elbows me as we make our way to the next exhibit in the cave.
“Smooth moves, lover boy.”
After the photo, I mostly keep to myself for the rest of the hike down the mountain. Going down was just as beautiful as going up and I could see myself making the climb frequently. Jude’s in front of me, also walking alone, and the sisters were basically huddled together as they led the pack.
I needed some time to clear my mind.
Elle had been taking the front seat in my brain for the last 24 hours and I wasn’t sure what to think or do.
For all intents and purposes, Elle still disliked me.
I’d done nothing to earn her favor and was responsible for a secret she didn’t want to share being revealed. A part of me knew that her sisters had withheld the fact that I was coming along for the hike from Elle but still, it seemed like I couldn’t do anything right when it came to her.
When I met her, it was like a bolt of lightning, sparking a wild fire of interest that I thought had been friendly but if yesterday showed me anything, my body was getting a different idea.
I need to do some serious thinking on this. No matter how strong the pull I was feeling, I refused to make her uncomfortable if she truly wanted nothing to do with me.
I stop for a moment, we are also at the bottom and I want to take in the view. I take a deep breath of the mountain air and close my eyes in an attempt to center my thoughts. I needed to focus on my new job and creating a permanent space for myself. All of this was too new for me to be trying anything besides making it day by day. No matter any feelings that could be or would develop between Elle and me.
Once I open my eyes, resolve settles over me.
I continue my walk and reconnect with the group. By the time I’ve caught up they are standing around a picnic table, starting to pull out the food from Donna's cooler.
I needed to leave Elle be. She was a co-worker and that’s all that she could be to me. I was out of line with comforting her in the cave and if she brought it up, I would never stop apologizing but I wouldn’t be saying anything if she didn’t.
The decision to pull back settled like a stone in my stomach but I knew this was the way it needed to be.
“Come on, Rick!”
Lola beckons me over and my stomach responds with a loud rumble.
Patting my stomach, I take the spot farthest away from Elle and keep my focus on the food spread out along the table.
It all looks delicious and I have no doubt Mama Donna put her everything into this meal as well.
Chapter Twenty-One
ELLE
Eating lunch and returning home passed in a blur. I barely registered any of the conversations going on around me, too stuck in my head replaying that moment over and over again.
I’m here, I got you.
Once we arrive home, I give a quick good-bye to my sisters and make the trek to my house. Mabel and I both have houses on the Farm. Lola lives in the Big House with Mama and Paul lives in a duplex kind of home with Anika in town, they try to keep Henry’s life as easy as possible while not actually being together.
Our parents were way too nice to us and allowed all the kids to build on the property after we turned 22. With the weather in Utah, it typically took around a year to get it all built up, by 23 we had our own little homes. My house is a simple three bed one and a half bath.
I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips as I make my way to my front door, painted a deep green. The rest of my house is pretty standard but I stepped out of the box and demanded a colorful door.
It’s quiet on this part of the Farm and it almost feels like I’m in a world of my own when I’m home. The quiet is peaceful as Ikick off my shoes at the door and make quick work of unpacking my hiking bag. I’m still working on autopilot, if I open myself up to any real thought I don’t know how I would react to everything that happened today.
Breathe with me.
“No. Stop it right now.”
Fucking great, now I was talking to myself because of him. I suck in a lungful of air, hold for 5 seconds and release. I needed to block out everything about my time in the cave today.
That, and I needed to shower. It had been hotter than anticipated in more than one way today and I couldn’t stand the feeling of all the sweat on my skin and in my hair. I peel my leggings and panties off at the same time, kicking them into my hamper. I leave my shirt and bra on as I grab clean clothes, Donald Ducking it to my en suite.
