I nod. “Makes sense. You can follow me inside, and I’ll show you where you’re staying.”
He nods, then opens the back door of the car before pulling out a suitcase. Shit. “Here, let me take that.” I grimace when I look at my hands. They’re dirty from the rounds I just finished, and I probably shouldn’t be handling a guest’s luggage after feeding Lila. “Actually, it’s probably best if I don’t. We’ve got a baby goat I’ve been bottle-feeding, and… Well, thisisa farm.”
What looks like the ghost of a smile touches his lips. “It’s fine.”
“Alright, follow me.”
Leading the way up the steps, I kick my boots off outside the front door, then push it open, and he follows me inside. “Guest ishere, Mom. I’m just gonna show him to his room.” Turning back to Theodore, I glance up the stairs. “Just up here.”
I push open the door to the room Mom set aside for him, and when he walks inside, I watch him take it all in. He trails his fingers over the bedspread, then looks at me. “Closet there,” I say, pointing to the door on the right. “And the bathroom is there.”
I have no idea why I’m telling him that. He obviously knows what a bathroom looks like.
“We don’t have anyone else scheduled to stay,” I ramble on, “so if you don’t like this room, we’ve got three others—well, two actually—you can choose from.”
Raising his gaze to mine, he quirks an eyebrow. “Two or three?”
My face flushes. “I actually forgot I live here now. So it’s just two others, I’m afraid. But you’re more than welcome to take your pick.”
He sinks onto the mattress, his gaze falling to the floor in front of him. “This is fine.”
I hover awkwardly, then rap my fingers against the frame of the door. I can’t be sure, but it seems like he flinches at the sound. “Anyway, Mom’s making dinner. You can get settled, and I’ll holler at you when it’s done.”
“No, thank you. I’m not hungry.”
“Oh. Did you eat on the road?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
I frown. “Well, surely you gotta be a little hungry. A snack, then?”
He inhales a deep breath. “Maybe.”
“Alright.” I take a step back. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.” I pull the door shut softly behind me, then make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Chapter 3
Theo
Whenthedoorcloseswith a soft click, my body slumps. Fuck, I’m exhausted.
Bracing my elbows on my knees, I bury my face in my hands, forcing deep breaths into my lungs.
The drive here almost took it out of me. I’m alone a lot. I don’t make friends easily. Not anymore, anyway, but all humans needsomeform of social interaction. I usually get that at work. But hey, I don’t even have a job anymore.
I still can’t believe I quit to come here. But they didn’t really give me a choice. It was either quit or not come, since they wouldn’t approve my time off. If I weren’t so tired, I think I’d be panicking about that. As it stands, I don’t really know that I care.
Shifting to the side, I pull my phone out of my pocket.
Me
I made it, but the drive was long. Is it okay if I come by tomorrow instead of tonight?
Luca’s response comes in almost instantly.
Luca
Of course. I’m glad you made it safely. Millie and Hunter will take good care of you in the meantime.
