Page 16 of Ajax

I grab a glass and start pouring the beer. “Do you ever have any work on the farm?”

He looks at me, unblinking, the scrutiny continuing. “You after a job?”

I swallow hard. I’ve never worked on a farm, but there’s got to be something out there, right? Some light at the end of the tunnel.

Without it, I’m trapped.

“Yeah.”

“Leaving the pub?”

I shake my head. “No, I can’t afford to do that. But it’s part-time, and I need to earn more.”

He takes a long sip of his beer. “You want to leave home.”

My heart sinks. I hate that he knows, but at the same time, it’s almost a relief that I’m not alone. “Well, yeah.”

He nods. “I get that. I’ll talk to the others. There are always a ton of things that need doing.”

“Really?”

A flicker of a smile crosses his handsome face. “Shane’s extra cautious with Jessie. Makes it hard to find people.”

For a moment, I hold my breath. Would he let me onto the farm in the first place?

“But he knows you too. It’ll work in your favour.”

And then he winks at me.

My heart thuds.

It’s not that I haven’t had boyfriends—even though the pickings are slim here. But Ajax is just such a … man. Tall, and solid. There’s a height difference, but if I’m honest with myself, I think it’s hot.

He makes me feel safe.

“Thanks, Ajax.”

“Everything will work out, Ivy. You’ll see.”

And on that cryptic note, he turns and walks over to the corner where Digby and Cookie sit. Mitchell must have served them.

Huh.

Ajax waited for me.

A smile tugs at my lips, and I give into it. Maybe there’s hope.

Maybe he does like me back.

At the end of the night, the others have gone, but Ajax waits. He’s the last to leave, and he keeps on waiting until I’ve started my car and left the carpark.

His thoughtfulness leaves me warm inside.

The house is quiet when I get home—Dad and Tyler must be asleep. I sink into my bed and drift off, dreaming of the big man who cares enough to take care of me.

In the morning,I feel good for the first time in forever.

I snuggle under my covers when my alarm goes off and allow myself to snooze.

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