Page 11 of Country Contract

“Got lost in the sketch pad for a while and needed to get out for a minute.” I tap my fingers against the bar.

“Not a broken heart, at least.”

I shoot him a look, but he just shrugs me off. He opens an unlabeled bottle from his personal brews and slides it over to me. A long pull reveals a rich flavor with a hint of spice. I take a second drink.

“Damn, this is good,” I offer.

“Thinking of a few changes I need to make, but I’ll likely make it the fall special.”

Having Silas as my best friend since grade school has had its perks. I’ve always had an ally in my corner, and he has always been the realist to my, what he calls, overzealous imagination. He is also a better judge of character. If I liked someone and thought she wasthe one, he was quick to point out how she wasn’t. I live for the day he’s finally wrong. I’ll find my dream girl and shove it in hisrealistface.

My night feels as though it’s grown less lonely, and I decide to have dinner with my brother and his family this weekend.

Chapter 5

Harlow

He’s not ugly, which sounds so superficial. I’m almost embarrassed for having such shallow thoughts. But they are my thoughts, and I’m allowed to have them. A marriage has to have some sense of attraction to work out. If my parents get their way, I’ll need to be able to at least stand him.

Heath, for me, is an average man in all aspects. His height is average at five foot nine, and his body seems healthy but not muscular. I strategically wore flats to not come off as intimidating or rude.

He has short, well-kempt brown hair, brown eyes, and an almost reddish beard that’s kept tight at his jaw. A little more distinct are his thick, fierce brows. They’re not unruly, but they could be if he didn’t maintain them. What is particularly distinct about them is how they stay in a deep furrow as his face remains glued to his phone.

Heath’s parents, Gloria and Richard House are sitting next to him on a long couch in our sitting room. On Heath’s other side is his PA, Ryan, who apparently needed to attend this family dinner.

As promised, Maria made risotto, and the smell is intoxicating. Dinner is not ready quite yet, so we’re having before-dinner drinks. My parents and I are seated together, across from the Houses. They chat away, going on and on about retirement. My mother is glowing at the idea of having more time with my father. I know they wished I aspired to run our family business, but I love my job.

My sister, Helen, and her girlfriend sit to my left, and I wish my father could see what I see. She would love to head the company. Helen would be a total ballbuster as CEO. She is the CFO for a partnered company that works closely with West Inc.

Lydia is wound so tight tonight as this is her first dinner in our family home. Everyone but my father has gotten close to her, which is unfortunate since she’s a complete gem. She is an auditor for a large trading company, but she originally worked at Helen’s office as an accountant. Once they started dating, she immediately looked for a new position so as not to compromise either of their jobs. They are maturity personified.

I look around at everyone and lock eyes with Helen, who turned from Lydia to look at me. I give her a bored look and shrug, not knowing what to say.

“You have a call with Germany in fifteen,” Ryan says to Heath.

“A work call?” his mother says, a little astonished.

“Yes, it will only take maybe ten minutes of our time,” he states without looking up.

“What business do you have with Germany?” I ask, to make conversation.

It is maybe the third time Heath has looked up at me, and his eyes drop to my lips.

“Not Germany per se; a manager in my financedepartment is there at this time. His brother is stationed there for the military, and he has gone there for family affairs. I understand the need to be flexible for family, so I touch base with him daily, usually taking no longer than an hour, but he has a quick additional update for me.”

“Have you been?”

“To Germany?” He furrows those brows, and I nod in response.

“Yes, I have, it was lovely. Do you enjoy travel?”

I’m a little shocked. We’ve been sitting here for almost an hour, and this is his first attempt at a conversation.

Leave it to my mother to cut in. “Actually, Harlow is heading to St. Thomas next week.” She beams.

Heath only tilts his head as if prompting more information.

“I’m taking a trip with my friend; she has the need for a getaway, and I can bring my work with me anywhere.”

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