“Thank you for having me. I can’t imagine working outside in these conditions. This storm…” I’m not sure what else to say. I imagine if the fence is out then all his cows could run away or something.
“And Cassidy is a good friend of the family.” Maggie gestures across the room to the gorgeous woman beside Jessamine.
“Nice to meet you.” I’m vague. A wave of exhaustion catches me by surprise. All I want is a shower, dry clothing, and a bed. I pull my ruined shirt away from my skin. “I’m afraid I’m something of a mess. Is there somewhere I can change?”
Maggie grimaces and meets her mother-in-law’s stare. Katherine’s brows rise as though challenging her. Maggie tosses a towel into the sink. “Of course. Right this way.”
Again, I’m trailing after a bristling James woman. I don’t care though. I’m out of the rain, out of the mud, and five minutes away from washing this grime off me.
I’ll tackle their animosity later.
She leads me through a comfortable looking living area with a huge stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings. I can’t help but imagine a giant Christmas tree in here. The leather couch and rustic furniture make it feel almost like a ski lodge. I’ve never taken to the sport itself, but there’s a lot to be said for hot toddies at the bottom of the mountain.
After climbing an open staircase, Maggie turns on the landing and points to the left. “Tuck’s room.” She opens the door and gestures me to enter. The hard glint in her eyes conveys blatant disapproval.
Ahh… some understanding dawns.
I could have asked her if it was an issue– volunteered to take a smaller room– alone– but at the same time I want nothing more than to sleep curled up in my future husband’s arms.
“Thank you.” I nod and smile. These women will get used to me. I’m not the enemy. If only they’d give me a chance.
I drag my carry-on into the spacious masculine room and face my future mother-in-law again.
She’s standing there as though she has something she wants to say.
“We’ll hold off on dinner ’til the boys return.”
I murmur something agreeable even though I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.
She nods and turns on her heels.
I want to collapse after closing the door but my clothing is filthy. No way can I give in to the urge to lie down on the homemade quilt covering Tucker’s giant king size bed.
I can’t think of it as mine yet.
Warmth spreads through me at the thought that I’m in Tucker’s room. Seeing cologne sitting on top of a dresser, I open it and inhale.
Essence de la Tucker.
Glancing up, I admire his bedroom’s tray ceiling. This is more than a place to lay your head, it’s a beautiful suite. I wander around, running my hand along the pine walls. The house is a huge log cabin; home to most of his family.
A luxuriously furnished bathroom greets me when I slip through an arched opening. Large tub, walk in shower.
Maybe I could just live in here. Hide away from Tucker’s family for the next few days.
I dismiss the notion.
If Tucker and I are going to work, I’m going to have to find my peace with that motley crew downstairs. And they– I remind myself– are going to have to make their peace with me.
Unwilling to wait a moment longer, I unpack my laptop, fresh panties and bra, and the T-shirt and yoga pants I always travel with. I turn on the shower and lose myself in the heavy stream of hot water.
The pounding spray washes away more than mud. It cleanses me of most of the doubt and misgivings stirred up by the lackluster welcome.
I don’t want to admit that Ashlee is right.
Twenty minutes later, I’m warm and dry and clean. I know I’m going to have to venture out again. Face the cavalry, so to speak, but I’m exhausted.
Just a few minutes.
