Home Sweet Home: a Novella (Coming Home Series Book 3)

by J. M. Adele

  Her stomach roiled as the pounding in her head intensified, while tears welled in her eyes. She crept to the edge of the tray and eased herself down, landing in the freshly harvested soil. Stray pieces of straw were strewn across the earth. Searching the horizon for a landmark, she tried to figure out which field they were in. After spotting a lone Autumn Blaze maple on a hill in the distance, she knew they were on Agrioli land. With one last look at Toni, she silently thanked him for being a gentleman. Something his brother was apparently incapable of.

  Whatever they’d gotten up to last night, he’d made sure she was warm and safe.

  She aimed for the blushing point of color, knowing that her home wasn’t too far to the west. Her sanctuary. Her escape for the next however long it took to stitch her heart back together.

  _____

  The old screen door on the back porch creaked as she tugged it open. Coffee and freshly baked bread added their aroma to the welcoming—yellow—country kitchen. Any other day, she would’ve grabbed at the offerings. Her stomach reminded her today was not an average day.

  “Lory? Is that you?” Her mother’s voice echoed down the stairwell.

  “Yeah.”

  “Oh, thank God.” Her pajama-clad mama rushed into the room; hair haphazardly pulled into a bun. “I haven’t slept a wink.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have called.”

  “No, no. Antonio let us know where you were. I could kill his brother for doing this to you.”

  “He told you?” Lory squeezed her eyes shut to hold back the tears as her mama drew her into an embrace.

  “Antonio knew we’d worry if you didn’t come home. Aw, honeypie. Grey didn’t deserve you.”

  Lorelei dragged in air. “That’s not true. He’s a good man. We all knew he had dreams to chase.”

  But why couldn’t he have taken her along for the ride?

  Mama huffed. “Well, he should’ve gone about it with a little more care.”

  Yes, he should have. Lory had been discarded along with everything else he’d left behind.

  Damn, it hurts.

  Her mother pressed her lips into Lory’s hair. “Oof. You smell like a brewery. Go on and get cleaned up. I’ll have some breakfast waitin’ for you.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think I can tolerate any food. I’m just gonna go to bed.”

  Her mother took her time before she released the hug. “Okay, baby.”

  Lorelei tried on a small smile and made her exit.

  She reached the top of the stairs when Clay’s door swung open. His face was a picture of fury if she’d ever seen one. The golden tones of his skin and hair didn’t match the condemnation cloaking his tensed body. He was poised for battle, but the enemy had already retreated.

  “I will hunt him down and cripple him.”

  She rolled her eyes. “For being true to himself?”

  “Stop being a goddamn martyr.” He pounded a fist on the wall.

  Her shoulders sagged. “What would you have me do?”

  “Get angry.” He tossed his hands up. “Throw some shit.”

  “What’s the point?”

  “It’ll make me feel better.” Gripping the top of the doorjamb, he leaned into a stretch.

  “Won’t help me none.”

  “So, you’re just gonna lie down and take it?”

  Lowering her head, she frowned. “No. Last night, I drank myself into oblivion. Now I’m gonna catch up on sleep. And later, I’ll probably cry some more.”

  Clay let his arms hang loose by his sides. “Sounds like you have it all figured out.”

  “I got the next twenty-four hours sorted.” She held up her left thumb and gave a mock smile.

  Shards of light glinted off her diamond ring, drawing forth a tide of emotions. Lory slammed her eyes shut and dropped her hand. Her thumb found its way to the metal band, twisting it around her finger. I can’t take it off. Not yet.

  “I’m still gonna hurt him. Enjoy your hangover.” He gave her a pat on the back as he headed for the stairs.

  She shook her head, turning to face her door. Her breath caught as she entered the room. The four walls surrounded her in memories of him. Pictures, gifts they’d exchanged, words both spoken and unspoken bulldozing her thoughts. She wanted to stuff them all in a trash bag and toss it in the bottom of her closet. Discard him like he’d done to her. Or maybe she could bolt for the safety of… where? Every corner of their land held fragments of a time they’d had together. She’d have to leave town to have any chance of wiping him out altogether. And even then, he was still in her heart, damn it. She couldn’t rip it out of her chest and throw it in the back of his pickup yelling, ‘Hey! You forgot something.’ The only thing she could do was down some painkillers and collapse on the bed, letting the memory reel flatten her to nothing.

  This was her fault. She’d known it wasn’t solid from the start.

  Eight years ago. Way back in freshman year . . .

  “We spend so much time together; people think we’re dating.” Lory put the statement out there, half hoping he’d tell her she was his one and only.

  “Let ’em think what they want. If it keeps the assholes away from you, what would be the harm?”

  “Right. I guess.” It wasn’t exactly the answer she’d anticipated.

  “So, we are dating?”

  He hooked his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. “That okay with you?”

  It had been more than fine. A dream come true.

  Inside her chest, echoes of the euphoria she’d experienced at the time tried to flicker to life.

  But it had been just a fantasy.

  A chimera.

  A castle built on quicksand, destined to crumble.

  Why had he asked her to marry him?

  The answer struck with painful clarity. Because it was a natural progression. The payoff for all the years invested. But their engagement had been more about giving in to everyone’s expectations—including hers—and less about Grey seeing a life with her. Lorelei sensed Grey hadn’t been all in, even if she’d fallen.

  Hard.

  Was it his problem that somewhere along the way she’d developed real feelings, while he’d kept her in the friend zone?

  What an idiot I’ve been.

  Her nose curled. With the pain killers working their magic, she became acutely aware of the bar stench rising from her clothes and hair. She slowly sat up before tugging Toni’s shirt off.

  I should thank him.

  There was no way she could face him today, though. Or anytime soon. And she didn’t want to know what happened in the back of his truck.

  Grabbing her phone, she typed out a quick text.

  Hey. Thanks for getting me home safely. I’ll see you around sometime.

  Waaay down the track.

  She switched off her phone and tossed it on the nightstand.

  It was best to stay away from Agriolis altogether.

  Ready When You Are

  Antonio

  Three Weeks Later

  Anton tightened the last two bolts to fix the snorkel on the tractor, the final piece replaced after changing a broken fan belt. Giving it a jiggle, he made sure it was secure. With a nod to Papà, he took a step back as he wiped his hands on a rag. “Okay, turn her over.”

  The engine roared to life, the smell of diesel cloying the air in the equipment shed. The corrugated iron structure housed their two tractors, along with the various attachments they used for maintaining their crops. Three walls were lined with hooks and shelves that were loaded with parts, containers, hoses, ropes, and all sorts of essential tools of the trade. Whatever they needed for maintenance, it was either in this shed, or its neighbor that held the four-wheelers. Two roller doors opened to a view of the paddock, which was behind the farmhouse. In the distance, the sheets on the line flapped in the breeze like a flag on a hill. Anton’s stomach rumbled; it would be time for breakfast soon.

  “Bravo.” His papà clapped his hands before rubbi
ng them together. “Let’s see the chef do that.” He turned off the engine and hopped down.

  Anton shook his head. “Grey knows his way around an engine.”

  “I wasn’t referring to your brother.”

  “Uncle Matteo?”

  Papà ground his teeth together before mumbling an Italian curse that Anton had only heard once before. When an eight-year-old Sophia had taken his truck for an ill-fated joyride. Thankfully, the only casualty had been the chicken coop.

  Uncle Matteo hadn’t set foot on the family property for twenty-five years. Nonno had died without speaking to his eldest son again, and the rift between the brothers continued to this day.

  “What happened for you to hate him so much? Why did Nonno cast him out?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You can’t keep—”

  His papà sliced a hand through the air. “Basta! It’s nothing to do with you.”

  “Ah, that’s where you’re wrong. It has affected my entire life. And now it’s impacting others.”

  “Who?” Papà snapped.

  “The Carters. Lory.” Anton hadn’t seen her since the bar.

  Papà scoffed. “The moment you lose your heart to a woman, you are ruined. And you will hurt everyone around you, to have her for yourself. But perhaps it is too late for you?”

  Anton scowled to cover the sick feeling rising in his gut. Had his secret been exposed? “What?”

  “Non fare lo stupido. I see it all over your face.”

  ‘Don’t be stupid.’ Papà’s words echoed in his head. Anton reared back as he threw the greasy rag in a bucket. “You’re wrong.”

  Papà laughed. “Am I?”

  “Yes.” Anton clenched his jaw. It took a lot to get him riled up, but his father had found his weak spot.

  “A father knows his son. One day you will understand.”

  “Is that right? Then why were you so surprised when Grey told you he was leavin’?” Anton cocked a brow, half disbelieving that he was confronting the old man, and half revved for a fight.

  His father bared his teeth, spitting out a string of curses. “Sei una tale merda. You dare to challenge me? I know what’s best for my children. He will be back.”

  Is calling your child a shit what’s best, Papà?

  “I thought he wasn’t welcome,” Anton spat.

  His father’s mouth snapped shut, rage twisting his features into gnarled lines. “Pack up the trailer with the gear for the State Fair. Tomorrow, you’ll prepare the stalls for our arrival next week.”

  Anton nodded.

  “You will go in place of your brother. It’s Sophia’s last year showing the cattle. Don’t ruin it for her.”

  “Sì.”

  Papà climbed on the tractor, leaving Anton behind without another word. They’d probably ignore each other for a week.

  Turning away, he hung his head. “Fuck.” He raised his arms, ready to dive his hands through his hair before remembering they were filthy. “Fuuuuuck.” The word roared from his mouth. His body was strung so tight he could’ve crushed rocks in his palms. Damn. He needed to let off steam. He’d been so busy with the last few newborn calves of the season that he’d barely slept in weeks. Three, to be exact. Not since he’d drifted off under the stars with Lory’s body curled against his.

  Goddamn it.

  “Toni?”

  Oh, great. Now I’m hearing her voice. He released a groan of frustration as he scrubbed his greasy fingers over his cropped hair. Fuck it. It’ll wash out.

  “Are you growlin’ at me?”

  Spinning around, he found Lory standing in the doorway.

  Jesus! Of all the times to show up.

  “Hey.” Anton grabbed his hat in the hopes it would shield her eyes from the red rising in his cheeks.

  “Hi. Your mama said I’d find you here.” She hooked her thumbs in the pockets of her jeans and came closer.

  Seeing her again was like the first ice-cold drink after a day of working in the field.

  “I didn’t mean to overhear.”

  Oh, shit. Which part had she heard? “Uh—”

  “You’re setting up the stalls tomorrow?”

  Thank Christ. “Yeah.”

  “I didn’t realize it was Sophia’s last year, but I guess she’s eighteen now. I think Mama wishes I was still showing the cattle. She wants me out of the house. I’ve scrubbed every surface twice and cleaned out every cupboard. I might’ve thrown out some things I shouldn’t have.”

  “Is that right?” Lord, she was beautiful, even when she babbled.

  “I didn’t know the tin of cocoa wasn’t what it advertised on the label. It was twenty years out of date.”

  He raised a brow. “What was in it?”

  “Some old love letters Daddy wrote her when they started datin’.”

  “Did you get them out of the trash in time?”

  “Yeah. But I’ve been banned from unsupervised cleaning.”

  She was fucking adorable. Anton couldn’t stop the grin even if he wanted to.

  “Are you busy?” she asked.

  I wish I wasn’t. “I’ve gotta go check on the weanlings in the northeast paddock.”

  She nodded, then dropped her gaze to the ground. “Okay.”

  Damn, she sounded so sad. Lonely, maybe. And lord knew he didn’t want to leave her behind. “Wanna come?”

  Her chin lifted as her grin spread. “Okay.”

  When she smiled, really smiled, there was the faintest hint of a dimple in her left cheek. The fact that he’d made it appear after all she’d been through made him feel ten feet tall. If he had one mission in life, it was to make her do that every day.

  Anton led her to the shed where they kept the four-wheelers and took the driver’s seat, cranking the motor. In the distance, he saw Dodger bounding towards them. The sound of the engine was like a dinner bell for their Border Collie. He came running every time.

  Lory settled in place behind Anton just as Dodger jumped on his lap, licking his face.

  “Ugh, Dodge!”

  He wiped the slobber on his shoulder, pausing as Lory’s chest pressed against his back, her giggles vibrating through his ribcage. Her hands were clutched at his sides, her thighs pressed against the back of his. Anton’s body clenched for an entirely different reason than before.

  He pressed his lips together, exhaling slowly before swallowing. Twisting his head, he caught her in his peripheral, noting that her beautiful smile was still in place. “You ready?”

  “When you are,” she replied.

  If only that were true, sweetheart.

  Confined Spaces

  Lorelei

  Antonio pulled the vehicle to a stop just inside the gate. She released her grip around his waist and hopped off to open the way. Dodger jumped down, black and white fur bouncing as he ran around the cattle.

  Anton drove a short way up the hill to park on level ground, the group of newly weaned spring calves dispersing around him. Some bellowed at the intrusion before sniffing at the fence to find their mothers grazing on the other side. Others ignored him altogether, going back to their tasty patch of pasture.

  Lory secured the latch before making her way on shaky legs to meet him on the crest of the rise. He struck an imposing figure, standing tall at the top, overlooking the land. Yeah, he was a lot like Grey. And that was where things got a little blurred. She’d liked the feel of his body against hers a little too much. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. Stop it. But was it only because she was lonely and missing his brother?

  No.

  She was both of those things, but deep down, she’d spent years keeping Toni at arm’s length because she wasn’t entirely unaffected by his presence. But she loved Grey. She’d always wanted Greyson. Hadn’t she?

  “I never properly thanked you.” Her voice croaked as she broached the reason why she’d come to find him.

  “For what?”

  “For takin’ care of me at the bar. You know… that night.”

>   “No need. I’m here for you anytime.”

  “You don’t have to be polite. I was a hothouse mess. I just don’t want things to be weird between us.”

  “I’m sure we’ll manage. It’s not the first time I’ve seen another side of you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Remember when I found you hangin’ by your shoe from a tree with your dress around your neck?”

  Shoulders dropping, she tilted her head and stared at him, unimpressed. “I was eight.”

  “I was nine. I’ll never forget it.” One cheek pulled up in a lopsided grin as his gaze focused on her neck. Probably watching the flush of heat taking over.

  She retaliated with a cringeworthy moment from the Antonio vault. “I remember the first time you got drunk. I found you under the bleachers, hurlin’ your dinner.” Oh, yeah. He’d been smashed.

  He shrugged like it had been nothing. “A senior’s rite of passage. And besides, you did the same thing the next year.”

  God, she’d forgotten about that. “True. We have way too much dirt on each other.”

  “Your secrets are safe with me.”

  A small smile graced her lips because she knew he spoke the truth.

  His gaze darted away, but not before she noted the shadows under his eyes. “How are you doing? I lost a fiancé, but you lost a brother.”

  He grabbed a handful of dirt, rubbing it through his fingers. “I didn’t lose him. He’s just elsewhere, tryna find his purpose. I’m lucky I’ve always known my calling. Not a lot of people can say that at twenty-four.”

  “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

  “Do you think he’ll ever come back?” Her throat squeezed around the question.

  “In time, maybe. Papà needs to find it in his heart to forgive him before he’ll let Grey set foot on the property again.”

  Dodger sniffed around his heels before sitting on Anton’s feet. He leaned down to scratch his faithful companion behind the ears.

  Lory crouched to give the dog a pat, and he rolled over, pawing the air as if asking for a belly rub. She obliged.

  “What about you? Have you found your purpose yet?”