Page 39 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

Cade takes a step toward me and holds my hand.

“Did someone mention dinner is ready?” he asks.

Mom laughs. “It sure is. Let’s take a seat at the table.”

“Great, I’m always starving.” Cade laughs too, but I can tell it’s forced.

Mom has set up the table beautifully. A server comes around to place the food on the center of the table. Dad takes over the conversation by talking about the farm and politics. Everyone around the table is chatting about their plans for the holidays. The Bancrofts are leaving for Hawaii tomorrow, which is good to know because it means they won’t be around town over break.

When dessert is all done, Cade excuses himself to the restroom. I wait a few seconds before excusing myself. I head in the direction of the kitchen. I need a moment to catch my breath. Tonight has been very overwhelming. Not only did I have to face Ford, after not seeing him for a good three and a half years, but Cade has been surprising too. The way he stood up for me to Mom was. . .I lean against the kitchen counter with my head down. No one has ever stood up for me like that before, not even Daddy when he knew Mom was being mean. It’s messing with my head.

“I thought I saw you come in here.” Ford’s voice pulls me from the tumult in my mind, but it also puts me on edge.

“What do you want, Ford?” My tone is clipped now that the adults aren’t around. I also don’t have Cade beside me as a protective barrier.

“Aw, come on, Annie. It’s good to see you after all this time. You’re looking good,” he says, moving closer to me.

“What are you doing, Ford? Whatever we had is in the past,” I remind him gently.

“I don’t think so. You’re still hot for me. I can tell,” he says.

My head rears back. “Have you lost your effing mind? I’m not interested in you,” I say as he stops a couple feet away from me.

“Are you sleeping with Cade, Annie? Does he get you as hot as I got you?” he asks, his voice all sultry. He reaches out and moves the hair off my shoulder.

“That isn’t any of your business. If you touch me again, I swear I’ll scream so loud I’ll wake the cows,” I warn.

Ford laughs and it’s so condescending. I don’t know how I didn’t see it from the start, but he views me as a simple farm girl and thinks of himself as better than me.

“Annie, can’t we have a fresh start? Our families are getting along. Daddy is helping with the farm,” he has to remind.

“Why is he helping with the farm, Ford? What’s in it for him?” I ask, knowing his family doesn’t do anything for free.

“Nice, Annie. Are you insinuating my father has ulterior motives?” he asks, seeming offended.

“Yes.” I nod.

“Look, it was me. I asked Daddy to take on the case because I wanted to see you. I want a second chance,” he says, just laying it out.

I hate to say that he looks sincere, which is just so messed up.

“Ford, you cheated on me multiple times,” I remind, crossing my arms in front of my chest, which is a mistake because it presses my breasts together, and his gaze drops there and his nostrils flare.

“I was a stupid kid, Annie. I’m a man now. I know what I want,” he says and looks like he wants to devour me, and somewhere deep inside me I want him to. I’ve been lonely and he’s familiar. But then a different part of me, the part that is no longer the broken girl who was willing to take the shit he was shoveling, rears her head and saysyou can definitely do better than him. I don’t know if I believe her, but I do have a fake boyfriend to rely on.

“You’re too late. I’m with Cade,” I state.

“I thought you said he was a friend,” he counters, cocking his right brow in challenge.

“Does this mean you aren’t going to help Daddy?” I ask him.

“Is that how low you think of me?” He rears back, clearly offended.

“I don’t think you want me answering that question.” I raise my brows.

He winces. “I deserve that. I’ll prove to you I’ve changed,” he says, pointing at me as he backs away.

He leaves the kitchen, and I take a deep breath. This isn’t good. If Mr. Bancroft doesn’t help Daddy, he’ll have a big fine to pay on top of making the proper changes to the farm. I take a few gulps of air, needing to get my bearings.

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