After Carson rolled off of Sadie, she sat up, tall enough to see over the long grass. He’d delivered on his threat, half dragging, half carrying her to the field. Of course, she didn’t fight too hard to get away. There was something sexy about the spontaneity between them. “We still didn’t make it to a bed,” she commented as she straightened her bra and T-shirt.
Carson stood up, zipping his jeans. “We’ll finish this in my bed tonight.” He offered his hand, and Sadie took it, getting pulled to her feet. “Let me help you clean off that perfect ass.”
She chuckled and turned around, plucking grass from her hair. “I know you haven’t had much time to think about it, but please let me feature the farm. It’s the best option for you.”
He slapped her ass and chuckled. “You win, sweetheart. But we need to establish a few ground rules, okay? And I don’t want to forget our Big Brothers Big Sisters discussion.”
Facing him, she chewed on her bottom lip as she admired his blue eyes in the sunlight. “Absolutely, anything for the kids. In fact, my manager is flying in next Friday. He’s the perfect addition to the team, and he’s organized some world-class charity events, Carson.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I’ve been kinda busy with something else.”
He smiled. “I made you forget?”
“Almost.”
“Only almost? I’m losing my touch!”
“Never,” she said, hugging him. “Now about the farm…”
“I don’t want the name of the farm revealed or the exact location. I know it could be found eventually, but we need to be careful, okay?”
“I understand.”
“Just tag it as somewhere in Alabama.”
“You do know a simple title search on the property…”
“I don’t really want to think about it, Sadie. I like my privacy—more than you know.”
“I’m accustomed to dealing with high-profile people. I promise to utilize the protection mechanisms I’ve regularly used for past clients.”
“OK, but Rex doesn’t spend much time around people. He makes a trip to town every couple of weeks for supplies, maybe stops at a bar for a beer. I don’t want him to feel cornered. It can trigger an episode.”
“Is he on medication, seeing a psychologist?”
“Negative.”
“Why not?”
“Drugs can’t fix everything, Sadie. He doesn’t like the side effects—the numbness.”
“I can’t imagine what he’s been through.”
Carson kicked at something in the dirt, sighing. “He watched my dad die.”
The sad news wrenched her heart. “I’m sorry, Carson. Maybe we should forget about it.” Christ, she was an insensitive idiot. Sadie blinked several times, unsure what to say. She’d grown up around Carson’s family, loving his father—everyone did. His sense of humor and ability to make anyone feel important made him an unforgettable character.
“No,” Carson said. “Rex expressed interest in something outside of the farm. That’s real progress for his recovery. Interacting with the public is a big challenge for him. I’m good with it, really.”
Sadie wanted to believe it. “I’m going to watch out for you, Carson. I’ve already told the front office you don’t belong in my class. But for some reason Jack and your coach insist on you being a part of the process.”
Carson shoved a hand through his hair. “Apollo never catches a break, believe me.”
Sadie crinkled her nose. “I never liked that nickname.”
For the first time since they’d started spending time together, Carson seemed unsettled. “Do what you need to do, okay?”
She touched his arm. “Does the offer still stand for picking blackberries?”
His eyes lit up. “If we can find the baskets in this grass.”
Sadie bent over and started searching through the high grass. A few minutes later she squeaked with disappointment. “Oh no!”
“What?”
“Look.” She held up the crushed basket so Carson could see it.
He waggled his eyebrows. “Collateral damage.”
“The other one should be here.”
Carson joined the effort and finally found the second basket, in perfect condition. “We have dozens of these in the barn,” he said. “We get a steady stream of customers visiting this time of year.”
“How long have you owned the farm?”
“A little over a year.”
“It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing here. Offering Rex a second chance, giving your mom the perfect home.”
“If she’ll accept it. Silly woman doesn’t like taking my money.”
“Independence is a great quality.”
Carson clicked his tongue. “She’s just stubborn.”
“A little of that, too,” Sadie agreed. “Guess that’s where you get it from.”
For the next hour they picked berries, enjoying the sunshine. Just as they arrived back to the house walking hand-in-hand, a car pulled up. A couple with two children climbed out of the sedan. Sadie froze, eyeing the man.
“Sadie?” Carson whispered. “Something wrong, sweetheart? You’re crushing my fingers.”
“I…I’m sorry.” She released his hand, unable to look away from the visitors.
“Stay here,” Carson said, handing her the basket and then stepping forward to greet the family. “Can I help you folks?”
“Mommy,” the little boy said. “Is he Carson Savage?”
The young mother looked at Carson, then back at her son. “The quarterback?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe you should ask the man yourself.”
The little boy couldn’t be more than six years old. But Sadie lost interest in him as soon as the boy’s father stared her way, studying her closely. Jason Millar. It had to be. An asshole who’d always taunted her in school after she refused to date him. Sadie’s hackles went up, that fight-or-flight instinct kicking in.
Jason took a few steps in her direction, and Sadie wished she could just disappear. This is why she didn’t like Alabama. Everyone knew each other. And though they weren’t in Fairhope, Point Clear was only a few miles away. The chance of running into someone she grew up with were ridiculously high. The proof was standing in front of her, all six-foot-plus, with dark hair and black eyes.
“Sadie Reynolds?” he asked.
Run! That’s what the little voice inside her head suggested—demanded. But she couldn’t. “Hello, Jason,” she said, fighting to keep her composure.
“I can’t believe it,” he said. “How many years has it been? Six or seven?”
“Seven,” she confirmed, grateful her sunglasses were dark enough to hide her eyes. “Is that your family?” She gestured at the kids.
Jason looked over his shoulder. “My niece and nephew. They live in Denver. Janice brought them down for a visit. You remember my sister, don’t you?”
How could Sadie forget Janice Millar—the leader of the bitch clique that often targeted Sadie because she didn’t wear the right clothes or hang out with the right people, even after she started dating Carson. “I remember her.”
“I can’t believe you and Carson are back together.”
Sadie started to say something, but it was too late—Carson was on his way over, smiling. He stood beside her, draping his arm over her shoulders, holding her close. “Been a long time, Jason. Thought you moved to Reno.”
“I did,” Jason said. “Moved back home four years ago.”
“Small world,” Carson continued. “We were just leaving. And the farm is closing soon. There’s other places to go.”
“So no berries?” Jason pressed.
Carson gazed at Sadie, and she forced a smile. He nodded at her as if he understood, then took the basket from her hands, thrusting it into Jason’s arms. “Take these.”
Jason didn’t get a chance to respond. Carson steered Sadie to his car. Once she was inside, he told her to wait for him. He closed the door and jogged toward the barn. Sadie sank down in the comfortable leather seat, her gaze focused on Jason, who was busy talking to his sister.
Lord, talk about bad timing. Or was this fate trying to tell her something? Giving her every reason to stick to her plan of leaving Alabama as soon as her job was done? She didn’t care if it had been seven years since Jason and Janice had made her life a living hell. But if she was going to be with Carson, she’d have to get used to all the drama again. She wasn’t sure how their relationship would work but if they continued to see each other she’d have to spend at least some time in Alabama. And life in a small town came with a hefty price. But she appreciated the way Carson had dismissed the asshole and his sister. It gave her hope for the future.
Turning the key in the ignition so the radio would turn on, Sadie forced herself to focus on the music. Jimi Hendrix blared through the expensive sound system, drowning out her thoughts.
Maybe Barbi was right to reschedule that trust-building workshop. Sadie needed to let go of a lot of deep-rooted negativity. If she wanted to stay with Carson and build a successful relationship, she’d have to learn how to deal with her emotions and get rid of the fears that often kept her on edge, even when she was in South Carolina.
She deserved better, and so did Carson. It just wasn’t going to be easy.