Edward's pride wanted to protest wearing hand-me-downs, but since he had no other option, Edward followed Harv's instructions, changed clothes, then met Harv who led him to a tiny cabin in the woods a hundred yards from the barn. Inside, a single bed with a quilted cover consumed most of the floor space, leaving enough room to squeeze toward the closet-like bathroom.
"Here's your suite! There's no electricity but since you don't have any gadgets, I don't think you'll miss it. If you get cold, Star will bring another quilt. If hot, just open the door. There's no running water so you'll need to fill up the water tank," he pointed to a gray, metal box hanging above the toilet, "after each flush. Hose and bucket are by the barn. They're both bright green; can't miss it. Now, can you wake up early?"
Edward nodded.
"Good. Six in the morning sharp, meet me in the barn."
Edward wasn't sure what that was about, but he made sure he was at the appointed spot when the clock chimed six the next morning. He hadn't managed to sleep anyway. Thoughts of Elinor with that cowboy had plagued him all night.
"Hey, not bad," Harv called out as he hobbled from the cottage. "Most people are late their first day, but they're never late the second."
"Why not?" Edward asked.
"Cause late people get to shovel the manure."
Edward was so glad he was on time.
"I take it you're putting me to work?" Edward asked as they walked into the barn.
"My experience for people who just got out of jail: they either sit and fret all day or mope. You want to do either of those?"
"No."
"Then see those bales of hay? Put half of one in each stall. When you're done, find me in the east pasture. Star will help if you can't find it. She's always at the cottage." He clapped Edward on the shoulder, then limped out of the barn.
Edward stared at the bales of hay for a moment, wondering how he had ended up here. But, not wanting to end up shoveling manure, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. By the time evening fell, Edward had a headache, his muscles ached, and he'd never been so hungry in his life.
"Hard labor does that to a fellow," Star said as she plopped a plate heaped with food on it before him on the table in the cottage. The other workers, six counselors and two jack-of-trade workers, grunted their agreement to her statement, each busy gobbling up the stew prepared for them. Even the little boy, Star's child, busied himself with the stew, though his two-year-old motor functions made most of the food end up on him instead of in his mouth.
"Eat up," Star continued, "then go straight to bed. You'll be asleep in no time."
Edward wasn't so sure about that, fearing of losing Elinor would hound him again. However, Star was right. The second his head hit the pillow, he found himself blinking at the morning rays as if the night had never happened.
After the fourth day, his muscles no longer ached and he began to settle in his new routine of daily hard labor, glad to fulfill any task Harv gave him. While Harv definitely didn't tolerate shoddy work, he was kinder than Edward's mother, often praising when Edward did well and, if he hadn't, instructing him how to do better. Despite the hard work, Edward felt more relaxed here than he ever had in his life. It felt like a little oasis where he could believe his life wasn't in shambles.
A week later, however, the outside world decided to penetrate.
"You're going to have a visitor today," Harv announced at breakfast. Edward, not used to eating with a crowd, had learned to come earlier when only Star and Harv were up. Despite the early hour, Harv had a big smile on his face, bursting with excitement.
Edward immediately hoped it would be Elinor, but knew she would most likely come with Brandon and Edward didn't want to see the two of them acting like love birds together. Since he doubted any of his family would bother to make the long trip to the middle of Connecticut, the only other option would be his lawyer. He'd talked to her on the phone once, answering questions she had from the recording he had done with Rick and Brandon. He was sure she'd have papers for him to sign and since Harv seemed to lack a computer or scanner, his lawyer—or an assistant—would have to come in person for the papers to be signed.
"When will she arrive?"
Harv grinned. "You've been expecting her, eh?"
It apparently wasn't going to be the lawyer. But it was still a female. "Is it my sister?" He'd be impressed if Fanny had dared his mother's wrath to come see him, but she was the closest family member he had.
"Ha, she'd be angry if she was."
Not Fanny, then. Edward didn't dare ask if it was Elinor. With Harv and Brandon the best of buds, he didn't think Harv would appreciate knowing that Edward held a torch for Brandon's girlfriend.
"I'm afraid I'm out of guesses," Edward decided to say. He'd learned real quick that Harv lost interest in his teasing if Edward gave in too easily.
"Ha, probably thought she'd already given up on you, hadn't you?"
Elation began to seep through Edward. It was Elinor!
Except Harv doused it with his next words. "Your girlfriend said she'd show up for lunch."
Girlfriend? "Jess Morton?"
"Yep. I told her we eat late. That way, it will be just you and your girl. And Star and me as chaperones," he added with a teasing grin.
Considering he only kissed Jess when she planned it—where others could witness it—he doubted he needed any chaperoning. But, he had a hunch Harv would stake out the place anyway. Might as well have the chaperones in plain sight.
Jess had her own plans, however.
"Let's go for a walk," she announced, dragging Edward outside once it was apparent neither Harv or Star were going to leave them alone. With Harv's bad limp, he doubted they'd be able to follow Jess' fast pace.
Edward led her down to a trail going through the west forest. Ironically, it was the same trail Elinor had taken him when they had ridden the horses. It seemed like ages ago, now.
"Are you here to ask if I did it or not?" Edward asked once he knew they were out of earshot from anyone. The counselors would be working with their guests and the two workers would be mending the fence on the east pasture.
Jess tossed her hair. "Psh, please. I know you're innocent."
He stopped in surprise. "Why?"
"Because you're so boring. You'd never do something like that."
He eyed her. "I'm very good with numbers and my mother gave me a lot of control. I could have rigged it just right."
She rolled her eyes. "You don't have a spontaneous bone in your body. I have to tell you how to properly fake date and everything. And what would you do with all that money? You'd be long gone from your mother if you really had the sum they claim you stole, but since you were still stuck under her thumb, it's plain as day the accusations are all fake. It's annoying that no one else seems to understand that."
For once, he was rather glad to have Jess as a fake girlfriend. "Thanks. That means a lot."
"And don't get me started on that Lucy girl. The stories she tells of how you two dated? Pshh. I could make up better ones. She should have asked me for ideas."
A laugh dribbled out. "I'm not sure I'd want better ones out."
"Oh, you should know," she flipped her hair again, eyes averted, "I had to dump you three days ago. Can't be seen dating a felon." She glanced at him. "It would hurt my book sales. You understand, right?"
Not only did he understand, he wasn't even surprised. "Did you make a grand speech, at least?"
"It was a beautiful speech. I even cried. You totally broke my heart." She wiped away an imaginary tear. "I'm sorry in advance if you get flak about that. My publisher insisted I had to do a public break up and your family was a beast trying to get your new address. I finally had to fake being your lawyer's assistant to get it. Though," she glanced around with a disdain sniff, "I can see why they wanted to hide it. A horse farm, really? Jail would be an improvement."
"I actually like it here."
She shook her head with a laugh. "You are so weird. I b
et this is why your family has joined that Lucy girl's side. Best way to get rid of their boring relative."
"Have my family said anything publicly?"
"Let's see, your mother held a press release to announce she was cutting you off from everything and giving it all to your brother, Robert."
"Everything?"
"Yep. He's now the trust holder and the CEO. Your mother officially retired yesterday and is no longer doing any more interviews."
Robert the CEO? It was the perfect ending—assuming Edward could find a way to not end up in jail. "What about Lucy?"
"Raking in the dough telling sordid tales about you. I had no idea you could be so naughty." She giggled but all Edward could think about was that Elinor had probably read those stories, too. No doubt another part of Lucy's plan.
Jess sighed. "The sad news is that I doubt you'll be able to get a job anywhere. Your scandal has gone national. Probably even international by now. Lucy may have dumb ideas, but she looks great on camera. She can do the perfect sad puppy look."
Edward knew that all too well.
"She's been on a show," Jess continued, "every night since the story broke. Oh, and the stock of your company has tanked. Your mother is threatening to sue the networks now but I doubt that's going to fix the problem. They need to get rid of Lucy but since she's the sole witness, there isn't much your family can do."
He pressed a hand to his face. Lucy was going to bring down his whole family just like he thought. Maybe he should plead guilty just. Then the trial would be over and the scandal could be quietly swept out of sight while he rotted in jail.
And yet, Lucy would still be free to inflict damage—she'd probably go after Jess and Elinor just to spite Edward.
Jess poked his arm. "Hey, I didn't come all the way out here just to see you mope."
He eyed her. "Why did you come then?"
"Well, you're broke, jobless, and being attacked by an evil corporation that's trying to put you in jail. So," she threw up her hands like she was displaying fireworks, "I'm the rich girlfriend here to save you!"
He wished she could, but there was nothing she could do. She'd only go down with him. "Is this practice for the Boston boy?" he asked instead.
"Maybe?" She dropped her hands. "Does it not work? Too pushy? Too desperate?"
"To be honest, if you were my real girlfriend," and if he only had to deal with the evil corporation instead of Lucy, "I would have loved the help."
She squealed. "Then I just might do it. Here," she rifled through her purse and pulled a stick drive. "You'll want this."
"I don't have a computer here."
She stared at him. "Please tell me you're kidding."
"It's part of the horse therapy farm. No electronics like computers and games. Just the outdoors, the horses—"
"And their smell." She held her nose for dramatic effect.
He laughed. "You wouldn't believe it, but you do get used to it." Saying the phrase reminded him of Elinor telling him the same thing. He sighed and glared at the ground.
"There you go, getting all moody."
He straightened in surprise. "I did?"
"Yeah. And you still haven't taken the stick." She wagged it in front of his eyes. "You may not have a computer now, but you will eventually. I'll have to go make some copies since you can't sign contracts without a decent computer."
"Sign contracts?"
"Remember those businesses you wanted me to buy from Frank? Well, I did. And now," she held out the stick, "They're yours."
"But, they were for Frank—"
"He told me to give them to you. Said you needed them more than him."
Edward couldn't believe it. He actually had good friends. And he had Norland. He could give it to Elinor!
"Actually, could you give those—"
"No, I'm not giving them to anyone but you. But, you know what?" She tucked the stick back into her purse. "I think I'll hold on to them until your name is cleared. No use giving the feds something to seize while this trial takes forever."
"That's a good point."
"What are you going to do now? Do you need a lawyer? Or maybe some help getting off this smelly farm? Why are you here, anyway?"
"It's actually not bad. I enjoy the work. It gets my mind off of...everything. And no one here cares about the charges brought against me. It's a good place."
Jess wrinkled her nose. "If that's how you think, it's all yours then. But you're ruining my plan to rescue you."
He laughed. "I'm afraid someone else beat you to it." His dream girl, Elinor. Too bad she was with Brandon, living the kind of life Edward had once dreamed of giving her.
"You're getting moody again," Jess accused.
He rubbed his face. "Sorry. I just wish...things had turned out differently."
"For us?"
"For someone else."
Jess folded her arms. "So, there is another girl out there, isn't there? No, don't try to deny it. I can see it on your face. Come on, who is she?"
He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. She has someone else in her life."
"Perfect. I'll weasel in and steal this other guy." She flipped her hair. "I've got beauty, fame, and wealth. Should be easy."
"I'm pretty sure he's richer than you. He posted my bail."
She took a step back. "The guy that is stealing your girl bailed you out? Why?"
He shrugged. "Most likely because she asked him."
"Wait, she asked her current boyfriend to bail out her ex?"
He shook his head. "We never dated. We were just coworkers. Nothing special."
"Ed, Ed, Ed," she grabbed his shoulders, "A girl does not ask a rich boyfriend to bail out someone who isn't special."
"Elinor would."
"Ah ha! You said her name!"
Edward grimaced.
She clapped her hands in glee. "Elinor it is. You know, I just met an Elinor." She eyed him. "Her last name wouldn't be Dashwood, would it? Because if it is, then I can't get involved."
"Why?"
"Because she's my new cover artist and she's amazing! And I'm not jeopardizing losing her. No offense, but you're not worth that."
He shrugged. "Then you should be rushing back to your Boston guy."
"I can't do that. I have to help you first."
"You already have by believing in me. Besides, I already have a top-notch lawyer, a place to stay, and," he tapped her shoulder, "a good friend with a business I can run once I get out of jail."
She eyed him. "You really don't think you'll be proven innocent?"
"You've seen Lucy. What jury is going to think she's lying?"
"Wow, I didn't even think about that. You are doomed." She paused for a moment, then abruptly wrapped her arms around him in a sudden hug. "For what it's worth," she said as she pulled away, "you were a great fake boyfriend. I'm sorry it had to end this way."
"Me, too." He returned the hug, glad to have such a good friend.
Chapter 25
Jess didn't stay long. She couldn't stand the smell of the manure and horses. But the gleam in Harv's eyes told Edward her presence wasn't going to be forgotten as quickly. So Edward wasn't surprised when Harv's big van pulled up beside him as Edward worked on mending the eastern fence. It was the only fence line that followed the road for two miles, allowing Harv to skip limping out to see him.
However, Edward wasn't expecting the sign that Harv dragged out of the van.
"Trespassers will be shot?" Edward read off the sign. "Survivors will be shot again?"
"Yep." Harv indicated for Edward to pick it up. "We'll put it on this post." He waved at the new log of wood Edward had installed.
Edward obeyed and began tying it to the post. "Do you have a big problem with trespassers?"
"On occasion. Sometimes, we have clients that are running from bad situations and their past might come over to hunt them down. If this sign doesn't give enough warning," Harv reached behind his back, then pulled out a revolver. "Then this usually d
oes the trick."
Edward immediately stiffened. Harv just laughed.
"Not used to guns, are you? Relax, it won't hurt you." He tucked it into the back of his pants again. "I've grown up with guns my whole life so they're like second nature to me. Star was a bit squeamish at first, but you should see her with a rifle. No one's going to mess with her when she's got one of those."
"Star? I thought she had been a nurse in the army?"
"Doesn't mean she can't use a gun. But guns are just tools. They don't have a mind of their own. Not like a horse." He motioned to the five horses grazing in the pasture. "People are afraid of them, too, if they're not used to them." He gave Edward a meaningful stare. Harv had tried to get him to ride a horse but Edward had refused, more because it brought back memories of Elinor than a fear of horses, but Edward hadn't bothered to explain the real reason.
"What about your girlfriend?" Harv continued. "Is she afraid of horses?"
"I didn't ask," was Edward's way of discouraging the new topic and resumed his work on the fence.
Harv didn't take the hint. "Did you agree to forgive her?"
Edward looked up in surprise "Forgive her for what?"
"For dumping you because of the charges. Star showed me the segment where she talked about it on TV."
"You have a TV?" was the more pressing question in Edward's mind. He had never caught sight of anything electronic save for the ancient flip phone Harv used.
Harv grinned. "Noticed the lack of it, I see. No TV, but Star likes to keep on top of the news with her laptop. She says your story is everywhere."
He sighed. "So I've heard."
"So, did you forgive her? Take her back? She seemed quite happy when she left."
Edward shook his head. "We were never really dating. It was more to please our families and get them off our backs."
"People still do that trick these days?"
"It was Jess' idea."
"What was your idea then? Have it be a real relationship?"
"I have no interest in dating," was his curt response.
"Why not?" Harv pressed.
Edward focused on mending the fence, refusing to answer, but Harv just leaned against the mended part as if content to stay all day for the answer. Then again, he did run a farm with a lot of people working through serious issues. He probably was used to those who clammed up.
Smitten With Sense: A Modern Sense And Sensibility Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 4) Page 19