“Cold. Distant. Harsh. Demanding.”
“I don’t see it,” Mason said as he took a sip of his fresh beer.
“Take it back, McInroy. I’m a cruel, cruel mistress.”
“Sure thing, love.”
Suddenly the music stopped and Silas cleared his throat, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Okay, get off my property. We have a farm to run tomorrow.”
It wasn’t that late, but Silas wasn’t wrong. Mason had the lunch rush covered, but he still had to be up at dawn to open the cafe for breakfast.
“Let us help with cleanup,” Xeni stood and chugged the rest of her beer, then started going around to the tables, grabbing the paper plates and plastic cups that were strewn around. The small party had made a bit of a mess.
“We got it,” Silas replied. Mason knew that tone. His cousin had hit his peopling limit for the day and he just wanted to recharge in bed with his wife.
“At least let us help with the stuff raccoons will find of interest. More hands. It’ll go much faster,” Xeni insisted.
Silas shrugged in agreement and pulled the forty-gallon trash can he’d set out earlier closer to the tables. In no time, they had the whole yard cleaned up, with all the decorations, tables and chairs stashed neatly on the porch.
After they gathered up their stuff and said their thank yous and good nights, Mason walked Xeni to her car. They both seemed to have something they wanted to say. They waited by the Mercedes until they were finally alone, after the rest of the guests had walked or driven off into the night. Xeni pulled her keys out of her bag.
“Do you want a lift back?” she asked.
“I think I might walk. Take in the fresh air. Let the fact that I’m a married man really sink in.”
“Hmm,” Xeni said, looking in the direction of the farm. “Not a bad idea. Maybe I should walk with you.”
Mason was about to ask what she planned to do with her car, when he realized what she was really saying.
“I’d love the company, but I have to warn you, my place isn’t really set up for guests.”
“Good thing I’m no regular guest then. I’m your wife.”
“That you are.”
“I’m going to be completely honest with you. I’m lonely,” Xeni said.
“Another thing we have in common.”
It was dark, but the lights from the porch were still shining and he could see from the look in her eyes that she was trying to figure him out.
“We’re adults, right?” he asked, like he wasn’t entirely sure.
“We are. I’m not saying I think we should engage in adult activities, I just—”
“Don’t want to be alone.”
“Bingo.”
Mason didn’t say a word and just held out his hand. As soon as her fingers intertwined with his, he led her across the apple orchards back to his one-room apartment above the cafe.
* * *
There was nothing wrong with what they were doing, Xeni told herself. Technically they were married, so it made sense for them to spend the night together. And she’d been completely honest with him when she said she was lonely. She was drained and, if she dug down to the next level self-awareness she’d been trying to hide from, there was still a sadness she couldn’t really describe that was eating at her.
She knew if she went back to her aunt’s house, she would finally cry. The night had taken such an unexpected turn. It had only been a day, but she immediately recognized the energy in Liz and that they were destined to be friends. Ginny and Maya were hilarious, and it was nice to have Bess and Mrs. Pummel there. Their auntie energy helped with the fact that her own parents had no idea the wedding had taken place. Sydney was great, sweet, funny and just happy to be involved.
