Chapter Seventeen
Aaron shut the door to the pickup. His dad climbed out, too. The shop was quiet and a nice break from working in the wind. They’d moved snow the weekend before to help Cash out, then he and his cousins worked on clearing their own property and road. The one that ran past all their places wasn’t an emergency route, and the county had gotten spoiled with how well the Walkers cared for it that they never rushed after a significant snowfall.
“I keep expecting Dalisay to open up, but she’s still so quiet.” Dad went around to the rear of the pickup and dropped the tailgate. He started unloading the supplies they’d picked up from town.
There’d been a sale on landscape rock. Once the snow melted, the sad state of the flower beds and decorative stone would be glaring. A few more bags of river rock would bring it to life. Fingers crossed that the long-neglected flowers returned.
“She’s shy around you guys, that’s all. She talks more around her own family, but overall, she has a calm personality.” Aaron hoped Dad didn’t notice that he was worried as well.
Daisy was quieter than usual. Most of the nights this past week, she’d said she was tired and going to sleep. He got no invite to her room and she hadn’t asked to visit his.
Last night, he’d taken the night off to plan their reception. The dance hall was booked, the DJ, the music picked out, but he wanted more of her input. Getting her opinions on any of it was like pulling a milk bottle away from a calf. She was fighting to keep it to herself.
Conversations were one-sided and her answers monosyllabic until it was like talking to his mom.
The thought stopped him in his tracks. The thump of bags of rock stacking on the pallet kept going without him. Damn, he had to help Dad before the man threw his back out. Though, he didn’t think anything would slow his dad down. He was the most active retiree in the tristate area.
Aaron hauled the bags of supplies out. He and Dad had inventoried tools and replaced all the ones that had broken or weakened over the winter. This weekend, they planned to tackle the machinery that’d be used heavily in the summer, like the lawn mower. The duties were pretty minor. Necessary, but not critical.
“Dad, do you mind if I take the rest of the day off? I’m getting married in a few weeks and I haven’t spent much time with my fiancée lately.”
“Date night?”
“Date weekend? We can pry Nicolas away from his girlfriend to help you out.”
Dad grunted. “Good luck with that. Jackson’s in town picking out his tux. Prom’s over a month away, but you know him. Always prepared.”
“Then I’ll finish up—”
“Aaron.” Dad rested an arm on the box of the pickup and propped his other hand on his hip. “I was changing oil in lawn mowers before I could drive. I can handle it. Go get Daisy out of the house. It’s finally above thirty degrees today. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be stricken with a serious case of cabin fever. Well, except your mother.”
“Right?” When had he last run to town with Daisy?
Was that what was going on, she was going stir crazy?
Aaron jogged to the house. It was early afternoon on a Saturday. What was there to do in Moore?
He trotted into the house and kicked off his boots and coat. Before spinning around the corner, he ducked back and lined his boots up and hung up his coat. His siblings had been making an effort after seeing Daisy taking some care in the mudroom.
Padding through the house, he heard nothing but the TV from downstairs. Once he cleared the kitchen and dining room, he spotted her. She was cross-legged on the couch, her head resting in one hand while she gazed out the window. His laptop was open in her lap, but the screen had blacked out.
Yeah, something was going on.
“Daisy?”
She jerked her head up. “I didn’t hear you come in.” Her hands were sucked into the sleeves of her sweater, leaving only her fingers out.
“If you’re cold, you can turn up the heat.”
“No, I’m fine.” She closed the computer and placed it on the floor. Then she stood and stretched. He tracked the movement of her lithe body. It’d been too long since he’d seen it. Her winter clothing swallowed her up. “Did you forget something?”
He grinned. “Nope. I’m taking the rest of the day off. Tomorrow, too.”
Her eyes brightened. “To do what?”
“Want to go to town and see a movie?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “I’ll go get ready.” And she was gone to her room.
He peeked out the window to where she had been staring. The driveway. Must be cabin fever bothering her.
His brothers were in town. Mom was downstairs. Otherwise the house was the quietest he’d heard it. When he was home, he was always banging around and doing stuff. Daisy had nothing to do.
He’d have to ask her about that. All his efforts to relieve pressure for her might have left her bereft.
She reappeared just as quietly as she left. Her hair was pulled back and she looked refreshed.
***
They’d been in town for hours. Daisy had opened up more, but she still wasn’t as talkative as she had been when they’d been able to escape alone together.
Aaron pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. It was full, but then, it was Saturday night. He hadn’t been out for a real Saturday night date in years. This place didn’t have a band or dancing, it was for eating only. He was being both selfish and cautious—they needed to talk.
The hostess seated them in a booth. Aaron nodded to a few people he knew, but none were close friends. They may have heard he was engaged, but it wouldn’t have spared Daisy any attention.
Of course, her being new to town would garner plenty of attention. He hoped she wasn’t offended. The truth was, if they hadn’t met, he’d have ogled with each step she took. She was striking, sexy, and her mellow attitude made her seem attainable.
Daisy cruised the menu and asked for recommendations. She settled on a simple sirloin despite him pushing the filet mignon. The price difference scared her off. He ordered sirloin tips and settled back.
“So, want to tell me what’s going on?” He kept any lightness out of his voice. His question was serious.
“I’m sorry?” She fiddled with her napkin, stretching it out, folding it, straightening it again, and rolling it around her finger.
“I feel like the longer you’re here, the more miserable you are.”
“I’m not miserable.”
Where was the passion?
“Yes, you are.”
She shook her head, her eyes full of determination. “I’m not. You have a wonderful house and your family is pleasant.”
Not exactly resounding compliments. He switched tactics. “What about college? What have you found out?”
Her expression shut down. It wasn’t blank, but it was guarded. “Nothing really. I’ve been researching the programs offered by MCC.”
She was calling Moore Community College by its acronym. That had to be a good sign. Like a form of acceptance, right?
“What program are you interested in?”
“Um… Probably accounting, or something.”
Aaron clenched his jaw. Could her tone have been any deader? She wasn’t being honest with him. He asked as much as he could think of about MCC and she answered. No enthusiasm sparked in her eyes.
Their meal arrived, and Daisy’s eyes widened. “That’s a lot of food.”
“The dog likes leftovers. Or you can get a to-go box and have the rest tomorrow.”
He waited for her reaction over the food. Because of the weather and getting wrapped up in work, this was her first night out. She’d been in Moore for over a month and he hadn’t taken her on a proper date.
“We’ll go out again, tomorrow,” he blurted. “And get dessert tonight.”
She raised her brows at his sudden demands. “Okay?”
He grinned. “Okay.”
She giggled. The tension drained between them and the discussion transitioned to the major decision of cheesecake or fudge brownie with ice cream.
They finished dinner and strolled out into the chilly night air.
Daisy stuffed her hands in her coat pocket. “I can tell it’s warming up.”
“Spring is one of my favorite seasons.” He wrapped an arm around her. “The air is fresh and doesn’t give you a brain freeze. The snow melts and we can drive normally again. Plants grow. The landscape turns green. The days are warmer, and I don’t have to wear so many layers.” He chuckled. “Like I said, it’s my favorite.”
“I look forward to it.”
He helped her into the cab. As he was climbing in the driver’s side, his phone rang.
“Hey, Justin,” he answered.
“Aaron, can you work the sheep tomorrow—and for the next few days? I have to tie up some loose ends in Denver. My old boss is losing her shit that I left an account hanging when I quit.”
“No problem. Text me a list of what needs to be done.”
He stuffed his phone back in his pocket. “Justin needs to leave town. I’m gonna be a sheep guy for a few days.”
“So you’ll be working tomorrow?”
He looked at her. She wasn’t facing him, but her profile spoke volumes. Pursed lips, tight jaw, rampant disappointment in her expression.
“It won’t take long to feed the sheep. I’ll have to check on whether any are lambing. We’ve only had sheep for a little over a year and we’re still learning what to expect.”
“Okay.”
He jabbered about their flock of sheep. Daisy murmured bland responses.
He’d announced that he planned to spend the weekend with her and as soon as Justin called, he’d shifted his priorities.
Pulling into his yard, he asked, “Are you upset that I’m helping Justin out tomorrow?”
“No. You need to be there for him. I understand.”
There was the lack of conviction again. Not so much lack of conviction, but like he’d let her down, and she understood, but she was tired of understanding.
If his work hours were too much after a month, how was she going to handle years? Long days of planting, full nights of harvest, then winter hauls, not to mention covering cattle and sheep duties.
Had he been mistaken? Was there no woman willing to deal with both him and his chosen career?
The pickup door opened, and Daisy slipped out.
He scrambled out and jogged after her. “Talk to me.”
“We’ve been talking all night, Aaron.”
He stopped, and she kept going. Her slight weight making little sound on the snow packed gravel. Instead of calling for her, he crossed to the edge of the driveway and grabbed a handful of snow. Packing it into a light snowball, he squinted after Daisy. She hadn’t looked back.
He took aim. His throw was gentle, and his target was the middle of her back.
The toss was off. It thumped her ass and disintegrated into a shower of icy flakes.
She gasped, her hands flying to the snow imprinted on her butt cheek.
He laughed and snatched another handful of snow. His gloves were stuffed in his pockets, but he had a few snowballs to make before he lost feeling in his fingers.
“Did you just…” She narrowed her eyes on him.
He threw the next one as gently as he could. She sidestepped and rushed to her own pile of snow. Like him, she wasn’t wearing gloves, but she didn’t let it stop her.
He let her throw her snowball before he formed another and tossed it. Hers landed at his boots. His hit her shoulder and it sprayed across her face. Her mouth dropped open in an indignant hiss.
“I’ve had more practice.” He was mid laugh when she scooped a heap of snow in both hands and sprinted toward him. She chucked it in his face.
It clogged his mouth and plastered against his eyes. He coughed and spit snow chunks to the ground.
“Oh no!” She giggled, but there was concern. “Are you okay?”
“Not yet.” He charged her.
She shrieked and spun, but she only got a few steps. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and dove into a snow drift.
They landed with an oomph. He rolled so she was on top and out of the worst of the cold.
She was laughing and trying to catch her breath.
He loved seeing her have fun and come alive after the last couple weeks of melancholy.
“You gonna talk to me yet?” She stilled, her wet hair draped across his chest. “It’s me working. That’s the problem, isn’t it?”
She shook her head and raised her gaze. “I’m frustrated because…” She looked away. “Because…I’m bored. You take care of everybody and that leaves nothing for anybody to do.”
Her brows were still furrowed. Shouldn’t she look relieved?
“And?” he pressed.
“And I’m not used to being so confined.” Now her expression relaxed.
So that was it. She was like a prisoner in his house. And while she said there was nothing for her to do, she certainly didn’t mean she wanted more housework. She could demand to do it all, but each one of them had to pull their own weight. Going outside was even hard for her.
“It won’t be like this forever.” She dragged her gaze back to his and he kept going. “We’ll work on getting your license and as soon as you get one, I’ll have a car waiting for you.” He hugged her close, willing to tolerate the cold seeping into his back and melting through his clothing a few moments longer. “Just bear with me. I know this part sucks for you.”
She patted his chest. Under the yard lights, the redness in her hands was apparent. “This part doesn’t suck. I’m sorry I was…” She exhaled.
“Pensive? Solemn? A grumpy Gus?”
“A what?”
“What we call a grump person. And I’m sorry it took me so long to catch on.” He hugged her tight and jumped up. “I need to get you inside and warm you up. I have the perfect way to do it.”
Her grin turned sultry. “Race you.” She sprung away from him and he grinned, counting to five before sprinting after her.