Page 31 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

When I come back down to earth, I realize what I’ve done. I’ve crossed a line I shouldn’t have crossed. I need to get control of my feelings. I’m clearly a mess and Annie doesn’t need that from me. She has enough on her plate with her mother and this Ford guy who wants her back. When I think of Ford, a green monster rears its head inside me. I can’t imagine Annie with an asshole.

Get a grip.

I wash my hair and body again and leave the shower. I want to say I’m relaxed after coming so hard, but it wasn’t enough. I’m still wound up tight. I head to the bedroom and grab a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. I brush my hair and put on a pair of joggers and deodorant. I don’t know what else Annie has planned for today. I leave the room barefoot in search of her. The house isquite large and I haven’t seen all of it yet. I hear her voice coming from a room to the back of the house. I follow the sound.

I find Annie speaking with her mother who is now thankfully dressed in actual clothes, since this morning she looked like she was in lingerie, and it felt freakin’ weird.

“Can we afford to do this?” Annie asks.

Her mother’s eyes narrow when she notices me.

“Hi, Cade, I heard you met some of our animals,” her mom says.

“I have. They’re amazing,” I tell her.

Her blue eyes widen. “You still think that after one of the goats shat on you?”

“Mom,” Annie chides.

“What, honey? Cade is a city guy,” she says.

“I love animals,” I assure.

“You do?” Annie asks, surprised. “I didn’t think you would still feel that way after what happened.”

“I can’t blame the little guy, he was probably very excited by the attention I was giving him,” I reason to Annie.

Annie giggles as she walks around a large dining table, setting up the plates and cutlery.

“Can I help?” I offer.

“You don’t have to, you’re probably not used to this kind of thing,” her mom says.

“I’m happy to help,” I volunteer. “Put me to work.”

“Okay, well, the caterers just dropped off all the food in boxes in front of the house. Would you mind taking them to the kitchen and placing the containers on the counters?” her mom asks.

“I’d be happy to,” I reply and leave the room.

“Mom, you can’t just ignore what’s happening. We’re in trouble. Acting like it doesn’t exist isn’t going to solve anything,”Annie scolds. I walk out of earshot so I don’t hear the rest. I feel bad for eavesdropping so it’s probably better this way.

I take the boxes filled with food to the kitchen and lay them out on the counter like she asked. My stomach grumbles.

“Someone sounds hungry,” Mr. Caufield says.

“Oh, hello, sir.”

“No need to call me sir. Name is Taron,” he says. “I was just about to make myself some lunch, you want to join me?”

“Ah, sure, thanks. If it isn’t too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” he says. He’s a tall guy with a brown beard and a wide gait. He looks strong, probably from working on the farm. He’s wearing a flannel shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

He takes a tray out of the fridge and pops it into the oven.

“I like my bread fresh,” he explains.

“Your bread is amazing. Annie made some at breakfast,” I tell him.

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