Page 32 of Wildest Forever

“Did you not think to sort the room before I moved in?” I try and make a joke of the situation, but I also wanted to make a point.

“I've been busy,” she shrugs a shoulder as she steps into the room and rips the dust cover from the bed and I watch the dust particles floating through the air.

“Look,” I step in, placing my hand on hers then moving it towards the dust sheet as I tug it from her grasp—with a littlemore force than I intended—then ball it up in my hands. “This is not an ideal situation, and I can tell that you're clearly pissed about all of this, but let it be known, I'm not best pleased about it either, but it is what it is. We both agreed to make a dying man happy, so please, can we just drop the childish, bratty behavior and get along for the sake of your grandad?” my tone is curt and it has her staring at me all wide-eyed, lips popped open at my words.

“I don't want this anymore than you, trust me, but here we are. I've showed up, I'm willing to play the damn part but I can't play it alone, so have your five minutes of self-wallowing or throw yourself a pity party then get over it,” my eyes volley between hers and my heart is banging in my chest.

“Suck it up,Sunflower.”

She says nothing, just storms out of the room and it's not long before I hear the sound of the front door being slammed.

“Childish,” I shake my head, scoffing as I do then throw the sheet across the room in a slight temper.

She got under my skin, and I let her.

Would have been easier to just bite my tongue, but I will not live here if she is going to make it insufferable.

It's not just her life that has been turned upside down, mine has as well.

Walking across the room to the large window, I inspect it before furrowing my brows at the nails.

“Was a terrible draft in here,” I hear Gerry's voice float through the room, and I exhale sharply as I turn to look at him.“I had no way of fixing it, so just nailed it shut,” he leans against the door frame, his chest rising and falling a little faster, his eyes burning into mine. I can hear the crackle as he inhales sharply, his nostrils flaring slightly.

“Am I going to find a lot of this?” I thumb behind me and my shoulders vibrate in soft laughter.

“I could lie but...” he smirks at me then glances over his shoulder, “don't mind Morgan... she is hot headed, she'll come around and once she does, you'll be smitten.”

I drop my eyes and kick the toe of my boot into the hardwood floor.

“Sir, I'm just here to fulfil a promise, that's all,” and when I look back at him, he has this charming, boyish grin slipped on his lips.

“Few things to know around here...” he trails off as he pushes from the door frame and begins walking into the room I am standing in.“Supper is at dusk, breakfast is at dawn,”

I nod.

Six p.m. and six a.m. give or take, depending on winter and summer.

“Morgan likes to cook, but she will give out chore lists.”I keep my lips tight and let him talk.“Fridays, she likes to go to Randy's, Sunday is family day. Doesn't matter what we do, we spend it together.”

His eyes break from mine as he brings his hand to his mouth and rubs it across his face.“I would like to keep all of this the same whilst we can.”

I know what he is insinuating, but I don't say anything.

“She could do with a hand on the ranch even though she will point blank refuse help.”

“I can help where I can, but I also have days where I'll be gone with the work being Sheriff brings.”

He bobs his head in a knowing nod.

“I understand you're not going to be here all the time but just read the room. Morgan is pretty good in showing you when she needs someone, she will never ask but her emotions and body language will tell you everything you need to know.”

“Okay,” I mutter, placing my hands on my hips as I look around the room that is to be mine for the next however long.

“I know it's run down, but a bit of paint and some odd jobs and it'll be good as new,” and I scoff a laugh.

“It'll be fine, it's just a room to get my head down at night,” I glance at the bed and I really did want to get a new bed set, I have no idea how long this has been sitting here for and who has slept in it.

“If you're thinking of changing anything...” Gerry continues like he can read my mind, “that's fine by me, just don't chuck any of it away,” he steps back and I mutter in agreement.

---