“Hey, not in front of the boy! Nik would kill me if Henry started repeating any of the stuff that came out of your mouth.”
“Please, Anika wouldn’t even suspect me, not when I have your a-s-s around.”
“You wound me, sister.”
I feel like I’m watching a tennis match, my head bouncing back and forth between the two adults in the room. Elle is still crouched to the ground with Henry in her arms but there is a glint of something in her eyes. “Sister?” I can’t help the question, I thought there were only three Warren children, all girls. Did he mean sister-in-law? But then who was Anika? I’m so confused.
“Oh my hell. Paul, did you not tell him who you are? You think you can just bust into my office, you freak.” Elle is full on glaring now, standing up but keeping little Henry in her arms. “Patrick, this is my idiot brother Paul and his angel baby Henry.” Her gaze flicks to her desk, taking in her now crowded desk. “What the fu-heck is on my desk?” Elle’s glare flicks between me and Paul, searching for the guilty party.
Crap.
Paul raises his hands in a placating gesture. “Now Grandma, we just set it down for a minute, all those pamphlets are heavy.” He takes a caution step back, arms still in the air, reminding me of a dinosaur wrangler. “You better get it off my desk before Henry’s feet touch the ground.” Sweet giggles fill the air as Elle starts to slowly lower Henry to the ground, thankfully movingat a snail's pace. I quickly scoop up two of the boxes that had originally been placed on the corner of her desk, taking care to make sure I don’t accidentally touch any of hers before moving them to rest on the floor, next to my desk.
With my back still to the rest of the group, I hear a rustle of papers and know that things are going to hit the fan. I’m honestly afraid to turn around. I risk a glance over my shoulder. Elle’s cheeks are scarlet and Paul’s eyes are wider than should be possible on a person.
“Aunt EEEE?” Henry’s little voice pops the bubble of tension. “Daddy pick up, I help.” Paul and Henry are bent down, collecting papers and attempting to organize them into the original two folders. “You know what. That green folder is all of your permit paperwork. Save me having to see you again tomorrow and take it now.” Elle’s voice is dripping with disdain as she quickly collects a backpack, phone and keys that were resting on the other side of her desk. “I can do that, Elle. I’m sorry.” Paul tucks the folder under his armpit before quickly moving the other two boxes of pamphlets and places them extra gently on top of the two boxes I had put down.
She doesn’t spare either of us another glance as she heads toward the door. “Henry, I love you. See you later, big guy.”
With those parting words, she is gone. “Told you.” Paul mutters, slapping a hand on my shoulder as he and Henry follow Elle out the door.
For the second time today, I’m left alone in my shared office. Concerned about my employment.
Chapter Six
ELLE
Idon’t want to get up.
I don’t want to go to work.
I don’t want to run into the Intruder.
I don’t want to confront the feeling in my belly each time I hear him talk.
Lola assured me nothing would change with the temporary placement but it’s been three days since he moved in and his presence is too much of a distraction, frequently pulling my thoughts away from my work.
Of course, no one else can see how much of a goddamn problem he is.
Lola still can’t believe the Farm was able to get someone with so much experience in so many different types of touring and blah blah fucking blah. Mabel and Paul are even worse.
They have no real work interactions with him, all they talk about is how good looking he is. I know Mabel won’t do anything but Paul earned his nickname, he has worked his way through more than his fair share of our darling state.
Even if he has slowed down his escapades in the last three years, ever since he found out he was going to be a dad. We all know he’s head over heels for Henry’s mom Anika but they havesome weird co-parenting relationship that they both refuse to discuss.
You never know, though, I wouldn’t put it past Paul to try to ask him out just to piss me off.
Not that I would care who Patrick, the Intruder, goes out with.
Unfortunately, I know I can not hide away from the Intruder, I have to be in the office today. Our accountant is stopping by to pick up some tax documents and I need to make sure nothing else is needed to be taken care of before we close up shop early and prep for our family hike tomorrow.
It’s a tradition to hike up to Timpanogos cave at least a few times a year. Timpanogos is our family's home away from home. It was where my parents met and where my dad proposed to my mom. I love hiking and spending time with my family but I hate going into the cave itself but of course, going into the cave is required, as Dad proposed to Mom inside.
I let out a groan before dragging myself out of bed. I do a quick stretch to wake up my muscles before padding out of my room, forcing myself to prepare for the day. Thankfully, with our hike planned tomorrow, the Farm was only working a half day so anyone going on the hike could prepare and pack my supplies. I don’t need to pack lunch today, which shaves off about a half hour out of my get ready routine. I’m grateful for the extra time to wallow in my misery. I made quick work of my skin care, brushing my teeth, and emptying my bladder.
Walking back into my room, I stand in front of my closet, unsure of what I should wear. Even though I worked on a farm, I didn’t actually do any farm work. I worked on the business side, so I made sure to do my best to represent the business. I was always much more comfortable in skirts and like to make my life easier so my closet is full of coordinated tops and skirt combos that I know look good together and look good on my body.
I wondered if Patrick thought I looked good or if I was crazy for dressing up on a farm like my siblings did.
