Sage…

“I have never seen that boy act that way towards anyone. His mom taught him better,” Haddie tells me. She is pulling me through the house and I am taking it all in, but I keep wondering why Botie took such a disliking to me. I know if I’m going to set down roots here like I want to I need to get along with my neighbors. I won’t try to explain myself to Botie Hillhouse. He is condescending and small-minded. Sure, he’s gorgeous with deep chocolate-brown eyes that makes me lose my train of thought and I was tempted to see if his hair would curl around the tip of my finger the way it curls around the collar of his shirt. His jeans fit him like a tight glove showcasing his muscular backside and any woman would have to be an idiot not to at least think about touching that broad chest. He has a deep tan from working in the sun. Even with his panty-melting good looks the thing that attracted me the most to him was the confident way he carries himself and the sadness in his eyes. I trust him without a reason to and I feel a kinship to the sadness in his eyes. I don’t like his point of view on a woman working on a farm, but I won’t argue with him about it again. I also won’t ask him for help, but I will respect his wishes of keeping my distance. I’m not interested in any kind of relationship with Botie or any man. When you put your faith in anyone enough to build more than a friendly relationship, they always let you down either by using you or leaving you. I understand that more than I want to.

“It’s perfectly fine Haddie, at least Botie is honest on his opinion of what he thinks about a woman working on a farm. He’s not a sugarcoater when it comes to his opinion and I like that. Now I know where I stand with him.” I think about it for a minute. “If Nick sells me this place, I am going to work my hardest to make sure it works. I’m not blind to the little nudge that you and Nick were trying to pull today. Trask was friendly enough, but I don’t think Botie likes me much and that is alright. I want to make a home here if it becomes mine and I hope to add more friends here but Haddie, please, don’t do anymore nudging. I am too jaded to be anything more than a friend to any man.” My eyes have filled with tears. I don’t know if I will ever trust anyone enough to let them close to me again.

“I don’t know what crazy thoughts are going through your head, but we all need someone. I know you’re new here and have dreams you want to make happen but don’t miss out on the many possibilities of tomorrow by keeping your blinders on and concentrating on only today. You can miss out on a life you never knew was possible that way. Sometimes we are blessed with things we never even knew we wanted when we least expect them.” Haddie just doesn’t know my life. I change the subject.

“Show me the rest of the house and help me come up with a new plan of attack to convince Nick to sell me this place. I am loving it so far. Show me upstairs before Nick comes back.” Haddie grabs my arm and we walk up the stairs to the second floor. I feel at home here and just looking at the different rooms in the house has calmed an uneasiness I have had for four years.