It’s hard to believe he’s standing right in front of me. He finishes making his own sandwich and comes to sit next to me. “Eat, sweetheart.”
I have to force myself to pick up the sandwich slowly and take a normal-sized bite. I’m so hungry I want to scarf it all down. It would probably make me sick.
“So, it’s just you and your dad living on your homestead?”
I nod as I swallow, grateful my mouth is full.
“What does your dad do? Does he work in town?”
I take another bite and shake my head. I’m too embarrassed to tell him that, as far as I can tell, all my dad does is drink and yell at me.
“What about you? Do you work somewhere?”
I shake my head again. There’s no way my dad would let me work anywhere. He thinks a woman’s place is in the home. I’m lucky I have shoes, and only because my sister left a pair and I kept some of Mama’s. At the thought, I tuck my feet under me farther.
Adam has expensive clothes. I’m sure he bought them at a store in a big city. I’ve never had my own clothes. As far as I know, I’ve never worn anything new in my life. All my things were hand-me-downs, which my mother got at a resale shop for Hannah. I’ve never even had my own pair of shoes. I’m not sure what size I wear, but both my sister and my mom were about a half size smaller than I am. So all my shoes hurt a bit, and the sneakers are stretched out and have holes in the toes.
Suddenly, I wish I were wearing something pretty. As if I own something like that. There are a few dresses in the back of my mom’s closet from her younger days, but I wouldn’t dare touch them. If I came out wearing one, my father would probably backhand me. He doesn’t notice things like underwear or sneakers.
Adam doesn’t say anything else while we eat, probably because I have only responded with nods and shakes of my head. I’m so stuffed by the time I finish, but I don’t leave a crumb. I wouldn’t dare waste food, plus I don’t know when I might get another meal.
“How long have you been sneaking around, watching us rebuild, firecracker?” he asks, winking at me.
My face heats.
He stands and stacks our plates. “Hey, I’m just teasing you, sweetheart. You’re welcome here anytime you want. You don’t have to hide from us. Like you said, you’re not a kid anymore. Walk up to the front door and come in.”
“Asher might mind,” I point out.
He chuckles. “Asher is a curmudgeon. Don’t worry about him.”
“He did throw me over his shoulder, carry me in here, and tie me to a chair.”
Adam winces. “I’ll talk to him about that. He’s a worrier and very protective of all of us. You’re better off walking straight into the house, sweetheart.”
Adam lifts my hands.
I’m confused for a moment as his giant warm hands engulf mine. He flips my palms up and down, stroking my wrists with his thumbs. “Did the ropes hurt you, Rebekah?”
Oh, that. “No. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. He should apologize.”
“I was sneaking around. Can’t say that I blame him.” My face heats further.
“Why didn’t you just show yourself, sweetheart?”
I shrug. I wasn’t sure I would be welcome here, but I was curious. When I first noticed someone on the property six months ago, I snuck up to see who it might be. For a few months, I only ever saw workers. Then one day, I spotted a few of the older brothers.
My heart was so happy that day. I prayed they were back. My life is pitiful and boring, so any distraction is entertaining.
“Rebekah?” He releases my hands and lifts my chin.
I swallow. “I wasn’t sure you would want to see me,” I whisper.
“Why wouldn’t we want to see you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug again. I keep doing that. “It’s been so long.”
