by Xyla Turner
Rebecca's face morphed into another ball of fire before she hissed back at me, “You just think you're better than me. I may not be the smartest but I know you Mills. I know your family and y’all think that because y’all made some money off a half-wit idea that y’all better than the folks of Libby. Well, y’all not. No matter where Knox moves and how much y’all are in the papers. Or you’re teaching at the college. Y’all still the boys that clogged up the creek and painted downtown red. You ain't no different than me. I know you.”
All I could see was red but her reference to my family and how we thought we were on airs burned me up.
“What's with your fixation on my family? Huh? They ever treat you different. They didn't invite you in or act like they didn't like you.” I asked.
“Yes!” She shot back.
“They've never,” I fired back to her with anger was embedded in my tone.
“Oh yes! JD yelled at me and so did Knox.” This was her retort.
“Because you were rude to our guest.”
“I was a guest too!”
“No, Rebecca. You were family.” I answered.
“Were?” Her eyes grew to the size of saucers.
My head shook because I had enough of these arguments. There was no getting through to her about anything and I was tapped out.
“Rebecca, bye. I am in essence at my place of business and as I told you before. I'm tired.” Turning my back, I hopped back over the half door and went into the barn.
“Miller,” she snapped. “Miller. Come back here and you talk to me. You owe me that.”
“I owe you nothing,” I yelled back. “Nothing at all.”
She was yelling and saying something else but I checked our inventory until I heard the bell. I don't think I could count jars of strawberry reserves anymore. It was nobody but Ms. Ida with her daily visit to see Pops. She bought something every single time and found an excuse to go to the house or the farm; wherever he was. We laughed and teased Pops about it and he'd just cuss us out.
This time Ms. Edna started telling me about the local gossip, including one of those grad students who had moved over the hill and probably needed a friend. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought the woman was trying to hook me up.
“I have friends,” I replied with a lift of my brow.
“Well, yeah. I know ya got friends, but maybe a companion?” Her bushy eyebrows rose in wonder.
“A companion?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she turned and murmured, “That thing ya father won't budge on.”
“Ur,” I wasn't sure what to say.
Then the older woman waved me away and said, “I know ya got that Becca girl but…” she leaned towards the window and whispered, “I ain't never liked that one no way. Too needy. Not right for you. She wants someone like her daddy. Just lovesick with no spine. That mama of hers will run that man into a heart attack. Take it from me. That ain't you.”
I couldn't help but chuckle at the older woman’s words.
Wise ones, for sure.
“Ms. Ida, come over for dinner tonight.”
She turned her head towards the house before she lowered her voice. “Ya father going to be there?”
This woman had the largest, most public crush on Pops. He acted like he couldn't stand her attention. Ever since our mother left, he was on this women ain't worth the headache sort of mantra.
“Yeah, he’ll be there.” I informed her.
“Sure, I'll bring my famous string beans casserole.” She offered.
“No need, we’ll have everything provided. Just bring yourself.” I smiled.
She patted my face and said, “You were always the handsome one.”
The truth was we all looked very much alike, depending on the state of our facial hair.
“Okay, see you there.”
That was payback for Pop slapping me upside the back of the head. He'd only do it again but I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when Ms. Ida came by.
*****
On a normal day, I would take a shower at night and handle all of my facial grooming in the morning. I deviated from my normal schedule and took an additional shower. When I walked downstairs as it was close to when folks started to cook dinner, Pop snorted and said, “Dinner, huh?”
There was no use in arguing with him about the what's and whys of my relationships.
Around six-fifteen, a knock on the door came and since I was parked on the couch, I jumped up to open the screen door. Well, right after watching some stupid ass cartoon with a baby dragon who caused havoc in the forest and spoke no English. The subtitle scrolled across the screen and somehow, I became sucked in.
“Hello,” the small voice called.
The woman from over the hill was clothed in a sundress with a lab coat covering her figure. In her hand were several brown bags of Rogers Produce.
Holy shit.
Nabbing her elbow, I tried to push her back out the house but was interrupted.
“Is that fucking Rogers in my house?” Dad screeched.
“Shit,” I muttered. “We don't bring Rogers in the house.”
Nadine’s wide, brown eyes met me and utter confusion was mixed in with a little shock.
“What?” She asked.
“He said we don't bring Rogers in this house.” Pops reiterated. “You didn't tell her?”
His attention turned towards me but I shrugged and pulled her closer to my side. Her little head turned up and she snatched her arm away from me.
“Well, sir. I don't support you or your son’s business. So, I can't shop here. Therefore, I need to purchase my produce elsewhere.” She looked at me again. “So, yeah. Are you all ready to eat or am I released from this asinine deal?”
All eyes turned to look at one another then they fell on me.
“Yoo-hoo,” Ms. Ida called from behind Nadine. “I'm here for dinner.”
Pops rolled his eyes in the air and murmured, “Mother of God.”
He jerked his head towards the kitchen, signaling for me to follow him.
Shit.
He marched towards the east side of the room and after welcoming Ms. Ida, I followed him.
The old man had a mostly salty beard and less pepper mix. He still looked younger than most. In shape, muscular and every woman, single or connected wanted a piece of Pop. He would have none of it.
“You invited her over here as some part of a deal?” He hissed. “Thought you said you fixed this. I'm almost scared to eat the food as piping mad as she looks.”
“Pops, its fine.” I laughed. “She's fine. Just got her panties in a twist.”
Damn, that was the wrong metaphor to use by the lifting of Pops eyebrows.
“Come on, it'll be fine.” I turned to leave.
“Son, you better make this shit right. Figuring she’ll be over here more often than not, so if she brings Rogers in here again, I'll be the one needing to make it right.”
Explain the hosts of Rogers
The older man pushed passed me and went back into the living room. I followed only to see Ms. Ida and Nadine whispering and nodding their heads.
Shit, nothing good can come from two women agreeing in a house of men where there is already contention.
Chapter 3
Nadine
That man, Mills, I could smother him in his sleep. No, maybe, while he's awake. Who knew I would move to Libby and run across a crazy man. I'd had my share of lunatics but I came to study, not make dinner for two cranky Iowans.
The man he called Pops and the terrorist went into the kitchen right after a cute older woman walked into the enormous house.
“Was it something I said?” She gave a nervous chuckled but the downcast of her lips said she might have been hurt.
“No, no.” I held up my bag. “Apparently, Rogers isn't allowed in this house.”
Her eyes her wide, then she said, “Oh no, honey. Timms Senior doesn't allow it. Absolutely not.” Her head was shaking emphatically.
“Well, his son is a rude tool, so, I don't care.” My shoulders went up because I really didn't.
“Mills?” The woman's head jerked back.
“Yup, the very one.” I nodded.
“Oh, no.” She said. “You must be mistaken. Now, JD or Knox. Even their father. They can be true assholes. Mills is the sweetest one of all. Troy is quiet but he can be rude.” She giggled. “Believe me, I know. Those boys get it honest. Timms Senior is the biggest one. Why I love that man the way I do, I don't know. Ever since his wife left, he's been alone. Think he prefers it that way. He keeps pushing me away and I keep pushing back.”
She smiled in a dreamy way.
“But why?” I said ignoring the first part of what she said.
“Why what, dear?” She asked.
“Why do you chase someone who isn't interested in you or even dating?” I elaborated.
“Oh,” she laughed and shrugged. “He's a wounded ole grizzly bear. He needs love too.”
“Well, what about you? What do you need, because these two…”? I shook my head and didn't finish the sentence.
She seemed to be fond of the family and I most definitely wasn't.
“I don't need much. I've lived my life. Ya know.” Then she raised an eyebrow and asked, “if you were me. What would you do?”
That threw me off but I knew the answer right away.
“Make him jealous,” I said outright.
She leaned in and whispered, “What? I couldn't.”
“Listen, people are territorial creatures. If he's interested in you, you'll be able to tell by acting like he's your option and. Or your only choice. If he thinks you're moving on, you'll see his reaction. Men seem to take for granted what was available to them until it's gone. So, I would make him jealous.”
The woman's eyebrows went up in interest, but then the guy they refer to as Pops, came barreling through the door with his son in tow.
“Ida you here again?” Pops snarled. “They not cooking dinner over in your part of town?”
They were both rhetorical questions but the older woman looked at me and said, “Why yes. Of course, silly. I'm having dinner here but having. Um...Dessert elsewhere.” She looked at me. “Yes.”
I discreetly nodded my head as I figured out what she was trying to do. Awkward, but I got it.
Not to my surprise, Pop raised his head and asked, “Going out with Sheryl or Rose?”
Ms. Ida’s eyes moved to me again before she said, “N-no. An old friend.”
This had Pop’s full attention as he straightened and turned his body to face hers.
“Anyone I know?” His voice seemed deeper and stern.
Mills must have picked up on the tension and said, “Don't matter. You're here to eat dinner.”
Then he looked towards me and waved me to the kitchen. As if to say, I could go ahead and get set up.
I went inside and began to set everything up. The kitchen was structured like any other. Large in size, mostly wood and stainless steel with a ceramic floor that was fairly new.
Ten minutes later, I came outside with plates of food and put them down on the table.
Mills was over in the living room playing interference with Pops and Ida but when I came out, his head turned and those eyes pinned me to the spot.
He was up and in the dining room before I could blink.
“What do you think you're doing?” He asked with confusion.
“Serving dinner,” I replied then I went back into the kitchen to get the last plate.
Mills followed me and said,” You were supposed to cook, not heat up food. Did you even make this?”
He was pointing to the spaghetti-like it was alive.
“You said to make a meal. I made a meal.” My hands found my hips. “Now are you going to eat it or not?”
His eyes bore into me before he finally said, “There are only three plates.”
“Yes.” I nodded my head.
“There are four of us.” He folded his muscular arms over his broad chest housed under a tight black t-shirt.
Focus.
“And?”
“Nadine,” he sang in a warning tone. “Don’t have a lot of time for your mouth. I asked you to do something and you said you would.”
Why the man felt the need to pick on me of all people, I did not know. However, I’d had enough of his shit and that put me in his vicinity of the large man’s personal space.
“First of all,” I started. “You didn’t ask me to do anything. You blackmailed me to cook for you and your pops. You said that would stop you from harassing me and I want to be clear. That is the only reason why I am here. I didn’t move to Libby to be harassed or forced to cook dinner for two surly men. No. I did not. I came here to do a job and I want to do that without your interference.”
“You done?” Mills answered with a bored tone.
My head nodded once.
“Good, now let's go and eat.” His arm looped around mine and he led me into the dining room, where he sat me right next to him. Pops and Ms. Ida were already seated but there was a weird vibe going on between the two.
Mills placed the plate in between the two of us, grabbed two forks and slid one to me.
“I’m not hungry.” I commented.
“You ain’t planning to eat?” Pops chimed in.
“Maybe she has another dinner date,” Ms. Ida chimed in with a smile.
All heads turned towards the older woman who seemed to enjoy this whole making people jealous thing. However, that was lost on me because I had no intentions of getting involved with a class A jerk. I can do bad, by my own self.
“No,” Mills said with utter confidence. “She’s going to eat.”
This had me turning all the way around to face him in my chair.
“Excuse me?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Son,” His father warned.
Mills simply turned around towards me and said under his breath.
“You think I’m annoying now. I invite you to my house to eat with my family and you come here to insult us after I try to make peace with you.” He shook his head. “You haven’t seen nothing yet.”
My eyebrows had to be resting with the moon at that point. I stood up because my hand ached to slap him right across his face. Mills stood up with me and met me head on.
“You have the dirty nerve to say I insulted you or your family. When you blackmailed me.” I tried to let that sink in. “Blackmailed me to come and cook y’all dinner!”
At that point, I was yelling and it wasn’t until I finished that the room was upside down and moving all at the same time. Mills had me over his shoulder and was moving me some stairs. By that point, I was pounding on his tight ass with my fist.
“Put me down!” I kept hitting him. “You, barbaric beast.”
When I finally was able to see upright again, all I saw was his back and then heard the deafening click of a lock.
“I insulted you!” I screeched.
More words of anger were about to come out of my mouth but the speed of which the man crossed the room and his lips landed on mine was almost around the speed of light. The tightness in my chest increased as my fall from wherever I thought I was ended with soft lips moving against mine and the man's slippery tongue moving around in my mouth.
My hands didn't mean to slide around his shoulders and my legs weren't supposed to wrap around his waist just because his hands lifted my ass towards him. None of that was supposed to happen.
Shit.
I gasped after I pulled back and pushed him away. This forced him to let me go and I took several steps back.
“This wasn't supposed to happen,” I said as I touched my lips.
A quick look of regret crossed his face and that was all I needed to make my exit. Quickly and I'm almost positive I ran down those steps. Pops and Ms. Ida called but I snagged my purse and left for home.
None of that was supposed to happen. It damn sure wouldn't happen again.
****
The next few days, I immersed myself in work. There would be no thoughts of things that shouldn't have happened or why I probably needed to move after getting such a great deal with my landlord. Maybe he had other properties.
The weekend went by, which was good since it was distraction free. I cooked and froze some of my meals in an effort to save money.
I was also trying to stay busy so my mind wouldn't wander to what could have been.
His hands on me, everywhere. Mine on him, ripping his tight shirt so I could caress each bulging muscle.
Dammit.
It was Monday and I had my agriculture science lab. This was exciting because we planned to cross-breed some vegetables to see what we would get.
When I walked into the room, the professor who led the course was standing with his back turned with two other tall and bulky men. If I didn't know any better I would have thought one was Mills.
I should have known with my luck.
Once the professor turned around, Mills and a guy who looked just like him stood with those million-dollar smiles and God they both looked good. A groan left my mouth as I stared so hard until Mills' eyes rose to connect with mine. I took that time to turn my head and find a seat in the back of the class.
Once everyone in our cohort was in the class, the professor announced, “Folks, I have excellent news. The Timms, local and quite successful business owners around here, specifically in the agricultural department finally agreed to teach the hybrid course. Not only do they have first-hand experience with this technique, many organizations including Can-It, owned by J.D., use it and the specialist…” the professor waved his hand. Mr. Mills himself is here to teach the course for the next three weeks.”
The man was beaming and I nearly fainted. What had I done to God in order to deserve that sort of treatment. It was my luck and my life that this sort of thing happened!