“Oh, you noticed that did you?” She’d tried to hide her feelings from the others. The last thing she wanted was for them to feel guilty about leaving her out of things. I’d rather be alone than sitting in the middle of all those lovebirds.
“It was hard to miss. They coupled up and you were left standing.”
With you. “Yes. It’s not how I expected this trip to go. I could go back home.”
“And go back to work? What kind of vacation is that?” Chris asked.
“The only kind I’m used to.” It was sad, but the truth.
Chris leaned over and met her gaze. “Melissa, this might be exactly what Sirveo needs. I can handle the repairs, and you talk to him alone. Get a better feel of what the farm means to him. What direction he wants to take it. If he says he would like to stop making cheese, which I doubt, I’ll help you in any way I can to get whatever up and running. What do you say? Are you interested?”
That really wasn’t playing fair. Her choices all sucked. Stay in Rome and look at four walls? Go home and look at four walls? Or she could take him up on his offer and possibly make a difference in one person’s life. I wanted adventure. Who says this isn’t the one for me?
“I’ll go but under one condition.”
Chris asked, “What is that?”
“We go back to the hotel after I finish this wine. I have packing to do, and I believe you said you’re leaving at dawn.”
With a grin Chris said, “Deal. But we’re taking the dessert to go.”
“If it has chocolate in it, I’m sold.” A smile crossed his face she hadn’t seen before. And she was glad for that. Whether it was the setting, the vibe, the food, she wasn’t sure, but when his smile reached his eyes, he was far too good-looking to feel safe around. It has been too long since I’ve been intimate with a man. Maybe that’s my problem here.
The rest of the evening was spent talking about the farm. It seemed a safe topic for them. And when they returned to the hotel, she declined Chris’s offer to walk her to her room. They were both going to be staying with Sirveo. She didn’t want to risk starting anything that would make their stay awkward. And a goodnight kiss would definitely do that.
It wasn’t as though Chris had tried, but since the thought crossed her mind, she fully suspected it did his as well. This is not a romantic getaway. Going with Chris was for one purpose only. This is to help Sirveo. Nothing more.
Chapter Eight
It was a bit cramped in the cab of the truck, the driver on one side and Chris on the other. If Chris was looking for an excuse for her to get closer to him, he’d just found it. The driver was a large grizzly bear of a man who might have forgotten to shower that morning. Since she wasn’t going to back out of seeing Sirveo, this seemed to be her only mode of transportation at the moment. She didn’t doubt for a minute that she couldn’t talk Chris into changing it up a bit. But then again, it wasn’t about comfort or smell. Melissa needed to remember that.
Which isn’t easy with his body continuously brushing up against mine with every bump.
Chris didn’t mention a thing, but with one of the jolts, Melissa grabbed his upper thigh and held on. The only indication that he had noticed was how his muscles tensed beneath her touch. This is going to be a long, frustrating ride. And it wasn’t the rough roads that were going to be the issue either.
They had left long before anyone would’ve been awake, but David, like all her brothers, didn’t require much sleep. She’d forgotten David usually went for an early morning run. It was poor planning on her part not to have remembered that. It was inevitable someone would stop and check on her. Since she was receiving a text message so bright and early, Melissa knew he must’ve stopped by her hotel room and found her gone.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Even in a text Melissa could tell David wasn’t pleased about her disappearing. She had every intention of informing them of her little excursion but at a more reasonable hour. Since there were a few dead zones on the network, she easily could’ve pretended not to receive his message. But that would only cause panic; her brothers would send out the hounds searching for her. When they returned to the States, she was going to call a family meeting and explain this had to stop. She loved them all for caring so much, but there was such a thing as too much.
ON MY WAY BACK TO THE FARM.
Keeping it short and honest was always the best way to respond. They would see right through a lie anyway.
But David mustn’t have liked her answer as her phone rang instead of another text.
“What the hell do you mean back to the farm? It’s not safe traveling alone. This isn’t Rhode Island, you know. Things happen. Or have you forgotten?” It was something none of them ever would forget. It was unlike David to mention it though. Something else was going on. She’d ask him later. Or better yet, Jada. Still in a sharp tone, David continued, “You should’ve talked to me before taking off.”
Melissa had to pull the phone away from her ear as David was so loud. It was unlike him to be so . . . angry. Maybe he and Jada had an argument, and David was taking it out on her. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it needed to stop. He might be her older brother, but she wasn’t a child, and at no point was she required to ask permission.
“David, I’m not sure what has you so riled up, but I can assure you, I’m very capable of taking care of myself. However, before you start yelling all over again, you might want to know I’m not alone.” Since all family members had either left or were accounted for besides her, she was sure that wasn’t what David wanted to hear either.
“Who’s with you?” David asked in a fatherly tone.
She didn’t need to tell him and was about to remind him of that when Chris waved for her to hand the phone to him. Although she appreciated Chris was willing to intervene on her behalf, it wasn’t wise nor needed. Gripping the phone tightly she responded to David in a firm tone. “I’m traveling with Chris Stratton. You were in the room yesterday when I went over the entire plan for the farm. Chris brought it to my attention that I may not have considered a few factors. I’m returning to obtain that information.” The way she was explaining this, didn’t sound like her at all. She was trying too hard to be clear and concise so David didn’t need to ask any more questions. Instead she sounded . . . dry.
She heard David half growl. It was obvious what she said didn’t ease his concerns. He asked, “And if something happens, you’re not next door.”
“What’s going to happen? It’s a goat farm. And Chris is with me. Besides, I was just there with your wife. I don’t believe you gave her such a difficult time.”
“I would if she was . . . in your condition,” David said.
Condition? Oh shit! Melissa had let the little tidbit of information lapse in her mind. This was not good. If David knew, then it was possible her other brothers did as well. If not, it won’t be long.
“David, no one should be making assumptions about my so called . . . condition. And I’d appreciate it very much if you don’t talk about things you aren’t sure of.”
“Are you telling me that Jada—”
“Is wonderful. But I’m telling you, David, please let this drop. I’d tell you if there was anything you needed to be concerned about.” She knew David loved her and was trying to keep her safe, but it needed to stop.
“I hope so, Melissa. You know how to reach me if you need me,” David said.
“Same here. Now go enjoy that alone time you wanted with Jada.”
When she ended the call Chris was still looking at her. “I would’ve set him straight for you.”
That only intensified her frustration even more. “At any point during that conversation did it appear as though I wasn’t able to handle it myself?” Chris shook his head. “I didn’t think so. What I told David goes for you as well. I’m not someone who needs protecting. Heck, I grew up with five older brothers. That should prove how tough I am.”
Chris responded. “When I was about to join the team, I
asked why they created Turchetta’s Promise. Rafe explained what happened to your younger sister. I’m sure every time they look at you, they’re reminded of her.”
Oh God. Phoebe.
“It wasn’t their fault.”
“I know that. Hell, they even know it. But it doesn’t change a damn thing. She’s gone, and they don’t want to lose you too.” Chris reached out and placed his hand over hers.
Melissa was a bit surprised that the story of Phoebe’s passing had been shared. Yes, it was public knowledge, but not the true story. Her brothers really must trust Chris to have opened up. Or he’d been around when things went down with rescuing Deanna, and they had no choice but to explain. Chris had mentioned he’d been with the team for years. Was he that good at keeping in the shadows or had there not been an opportunity for her to notice him until now? There’s no way I wouldn’t have noticed him. He . . . would stand out in any crowd. People like her brothers, like Chris, made it impossible to guess what was behind their statements. And I think they like it that way.
No matter what, Melissa knew Chris was right. Yet this was her family, and she knew exactly what she needed to do. Her jitters weren’t as much from Chris’s hand as from guilt for chewing David’s butt out. Normally she would call and apologize, but that would only start the conversation all over. She couldn’t leave it as it was. She was the fixer in the family.
Melissa pulled her hand out from beneath Chris’s and sent David a quick text.
THANKS FOR CHECKING ON ME. LOVE YOU.
David replied: ALWAYS GOT YOUR BACK.
She knew that too. Slipping her phone into her pocket, she turned her attention back to Chris. They weren’t alone in the truck and the driver had already heard more than she wanted. They still had at least an hour on the road. Conversation wasn’t a bad thing. As long as it was the right one.
Refusing to talk about what had transpired, she brought the focus back onto Chris. “How often do you go out there?”
“Whenever I can.”
“That’s not much to go on,” Melissa teased.
Chris grinned. “Whenever I have time between . . . work. Things have been really busy these last two years. I’m sure you noticed that as well.” Melissa nodded. “Usually when they’re gone, so am I.”
“Then you must not have had a chance to see Sirveo for a while.”
“Unfortunately, no. That’s why I have a large list.”
“He has no one else to help him?” Melissa wanted to learn what she could without needing to ask Sirveo.
“No family. Not living at least.”
“So he had one?”
Chris nodded. “He was married before we were born. They lived on the farm that had been his father’s. He wanted to give her something better than the farm and would go into the city to look for work and a place for them to live. I guess he found a job as a typesetter at a newspaper. He said he wanted to work there long enough to get everything they needed for their apartment before bringing his wife to the city.
When he went home to tell her the news, Sirveo found his wife had fallen and cut her leg. She told him it was nothing and the bleeding had stopped. Sirveo hadn’t questioned it and returned to the city again to work another week. When he returned it was too late. An infection had set in and she was delusional with a fever. By the time the doctor arrived, she had slipped into a coma and passed a few hours later.
Melissa sniffed. “That’s . . . so sad. And he’s stayed alone on that farm all this time?”
Chris nodded. “He said he’d never go into the city again. And from what I know, he hasn’t.”
Melissa treated a lot of people who suffered from loss. It was the most challenging part of her job when trying to help someone recover physically as well. Mostly because that pain wasn’t visible and could be buried for years. Even Melissa learned to hide hers well, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have it. She smiled, laughed, and worked hard, but not a day went by where she didn’t think about her kid sister at least once. Simple things like what it would be like to be able to call Phoebe one more time and ask her advice on things as small as what shoes go with that dress or does that recipe need more spice. Phoebe was gone and would always be missed. Not just missed really . . . when she died, Melissa lost a vital part of herself. They had always been the two little sisters against the overbearing, alpha big brothers. And when Phoebe died, she didn’t only lose that partner, she lost the one person who could relate in a way no one else could. Life had moved forward, as it invariably does, but she’d always felt as though something was missing. You never feel whole again.
Learning this about Sirveo’s past changed everything. Melissa had spent the last night planning what to ask and say to Sirveo. She had mapped out where it would take the farm in the future. But that was no longer going to work. Sirveo kept the farm as is because it’s what kept his late wife with him. Changing it would be like ripping the memories from him. She could never do that. Not to him or anyone else.
She realized joining Chris on this visit was more important than ever. She had misread the entire situation when she was there before. Now her eyes were opened, and she knew what to look for. Melissa wasn’t there to change the farm, to make it a money-making business. She was going to do as Chris was. Make a difference while leaving Sirveo to enjoy it as it is.
* * *
Chris unloaded all the supplies, and as he suspected, the driver pretty much stood there and watched. What pissed Chris off was the driver wasn’t taking in the view of the rolling hills as much as he was checking out Melissa as she walked toward the house. He was tempted to accidently hit the guy in the back of the head with one of the pieces of plywood. With his luck, the guy would be injured and need to stay on the farm to heal. The last thing Chris wanted was him lingering around any longer than necessary.
Making double time Chris unloaded the truck, leaving it all on the ground, and said, “You’re free to go. I’ve got it from here.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting until you have it all by the barn.”
You’re a piece of work. “I’m sure your boss has other deliveries where he needs you to stand around and be useless.”
The driver shot Chris a look as though appalled at the audacity of being called lazy. Chris crossed his arms and stared at the guy. No apology was coming and he finally got it. In a huff, the driver walked back around the truck, got inside, and drove away.
“Now I can get shit done.”
The truck could’ve driven all the way down that bumpy driveway, but that would’ve taken effort and care on his part. Chris didn’t mind the workout; he’d spent too much time on his ass lately. He was looking forward to working on the farm. That wasn’t anything new. What Chris wasn’t sure about: would having Melissa around interfere with him actually getting anything done?
He caught sight of Melissa giving Sirveo a hug outside of the house. Was it his imagination or was Sirveo laughing? It wasn’t as though Chris had never seen Sirveo happy, but usually the greeting wasn’t quite as warm. Then again, Chris wasn’t a sexy woman. At six one with one hundred eighty pounds of mostly muscle, sexy woman would never cross the thoughts or lips of anyone. Unlike Melissa . . . her curves, her beautiful lips . . . long dark hair . . . now that is sexy. Melissa might be the distraction he needed so Sirveo wasn’t underfoot while he worked. Then again, she might be the one who adds a complication he couldn’t afford.
I hope not. Sirveo needs help, and I have no idea when I’ll have a chance to come back.
Sirveo gave Melissa his arm and escorted her the same direction Chris was heading. Nothing was going to get accomplished if they were both in the barn supervising his work. Today was going to be a total loss, but he was prepared for that. Tomorrow he’d get up before anyone else and start. The goats wouldn’t complain and Melissa looked tired as well. All he needed to do was put away the supplies, then he could join them for a relaxing afternoon.
He loaded another stack of wood on his should
er and headed toward the barn for his second trip. But Sirveo and Melissa headed back to the farmhouse. It was a better place for them both to be. Out of my way. That meant Chris might actually get a bit of work done.
Chris had a tool box he kept in the back of Sirveo’s barn. Every time he showed up, he added a new tool to the box. This time he brought a couple new ones. Because my chore list is long. He opened the box to add them to the collection. Everything was exactly as he’d left it almost a year ago. Unfortunately that confirmed his suspicions. No one has done a thing here.
His shirt was already soaked with sweat from the heat of the day. Pulling it over his head he tossed it onto the fence outside the door and headed to the back of the barn. If he hauled ass, he might actually do some of the immediate repairs that hadn’t been on Sirveo’s list.
The barn door no longer closed all the way. The wood where the hinges made contact had rotted. That meant the goats could come and go as they pleased, but if there was a huge storm and the main fence gave way, they could take off for good.
He had one of the doors completely taken off before he realized that was something he probably should’ve taken care of the last time he’d come. Now he was going to need to rebuild the frame. Mapping it out in his mind, he thought how he could stretch the supplies he’d brought to accomplish it all. There was only so much he could do alone. Sirveo definitely couldn’t get up on a ladder to hold the door in place. Melissa could hold the ladder, but he wasn’t sure if that would be a help or a hindrance. At least she was distracting someone other than him right now.
Chris spent the next two hours lining everything up. He needed only one thing. Someone to hold the bottom steady while he nailed the top back in. Waiting until the next day didn’t make sense. If he went down to the house, there would be no making it back up here till morning. So he pulled out his phone and sent a text.
For Love Page 8