“Okay,” he nods, “What do you want to do?”
“I’m not sure what I can do,” I admit. “I have little experience. But I want to start afresh somewhere. Just me and a world of possibilities. I had it all taken from me by Cal, so I don’t know what that might look like now, but I want to try.”
“I can help you find work.” He lifts his glass and takes a sip. “Probably on this ranch if you’re up for it. I can also speak to Niamh; she owns a bar in townand summer is pretty busy so she might have something available. You plan on leaving Sunstone?”
“Montana,” Even just saying it out loud has nerves rattling through me. I’ve never left the state, never traveled further than the little town where I lived with Cal. It’s how I was so easily trapped with him. No experience. No broader look at the world. I can see that for what it is and being away now, even if it’s only been a couple of days, has shown me a snippet of what life could be like.
Silas’s brows lift, “Where?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug, “Maybe travel a bit, see something more than fields and mountains.”
He nods as he runs a finger along his bottom lip, cogs in his brain working. “You’re good with horses.” It isn’t a question, just a statement based on observation.
“Not as good as you are, but I do okay.”
“You can work with me. I’ll pay a salary plus benefits.”
“So, you’ll be my boss?”
“I guess,” he shifts in his chair.
“Okay,” I agree, “Do you know of any places I can rent in town?”
“Rent? Why?” His head snaps back.
“Well, I can’t stay here forever,” I feel my mouth tip up into a small smile, amused by the look on his face.
“I told you, you could,” He blinks at me.
“But if I’m working for you—”
“Benefits,” He cuts me off.
“A work benefit is me living with my boss?”
“Sure,” He pushes up from the table but doesn’t go far, as if sitting still was physically paining him and he needed to move, “Why not?”
“Rent then,” I say, watching him fidget.
“No.”
“Silas.”
“No.” He places his glass in the sink. “That room is yours. Rent free. I will put together a contract regarding work and speak to Niamh for you.”
I watch him start from the room, his shoulders sitting high as tension vibrates through him.
“Silas?” I call after him.
“Good night, Juni.” Is the last thing I hear from him before his bedroom door clicks shut, and the house falls silent.
Chapter Fourteen
I need to get a fucking grip.
I knew Juni was never going to stick around, not long-term anyway, and I shouldn’t be bothered by the idea that in a few months or however long it takes, she’ll be gone. And I would have helped her to do so.
That’s the right thing to do, help her get back on her feet now she’s escaped her abusive husband, so why the fuck is it messing me up so bad?
