Page 10 of Evergreen Desires
Beau smiled and set a plate with four pieces of French toast in front of me. He leaned against the cabinets, taking a sip of his coffee while I took my first bite. It was delicious, and I couldn’t help but appreciate his cooking skills. However, my skepticism lingered, and I found myself struggling to fully let my guard down.
"I need to head over to the greenhouse to start the day," Beau said, breaking the silence. "After you went to bed last night, Will said he was going to look at your car early this afternoon. He parked it by the barn." He pointed out the kitchen window towards a red barn off in the distance. "Once he figures out what parts are needed, I figured you and I can run over to Alder Falls, the next major town over, for parts and anything else you might need."
His words triggered a wave of anxiety within me. "I appreciate the offer, but I have to be honest. I don't have any money. My ex drained my account, and I'm not sure how I'm going to pay for any of that. I’m going to have to figure something out on my own."
Beau's expression softened, and he leaned forward, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Jake, you’re my guest, and you’re in need. I'm happy to get you whatever you need for your car or anything else. You're not alone in this."
I couldn’t help but feel conflicted. Was he being genuine, or was there an ulterior motive? I wanted to trust him, but I couldn’t deny that his seemingly boundless generosity raised some red flags for me. "Why would you help me? I'm grateful, but I'm running from a controlling ex, and it feels like you're just being nice to get something from me," I voiced my concerns, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment and tears welling up in my eyes.
Beau straightened up, a determined look in his eyes. "I'm not sure of the whole story with your ex, but just from what I've gathered, I want nothing more than to kick his ass for what he's done to you. I promise, I’m nothing like that. I just want to help. I’m not expecting anything in return. You can take my word for it.”
I was taken aback by his response. His words held a conviction and genuine concern that I found hard to resist. "Why?" I whispered.
"The way I see it, you’re in need. I have the means to help you, so why shouldn’t I? You seem like a decent guy that just fell on hard times. I guess I can't explain it beyondthat. Everything in my instincts is telling me to. You need help. So please, will you let me take care of you? No strings attached," he pleaded, his voice just as quiet as mine.
I was torn, caught between the desire to accept his offer and the fear of getting hurt again. "I appreciate your honesty, Beau. Honesty is something I haven't had in a long time. But I'm not sure... I need some time to think."
Beau nodded, understanding written across his face. "You can decide later. I'm going over to the office and greenhouse now. Please make yourself at home here, feel free to watch television or do whatever you'd like. In fact, you have permission to snoop around about me, if it will make you feel better or safer. And remember, if you need anything, just walk over and grab either of us."
"Thank you for understanding and for the honesty," I said, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension.
With that, Beau headed towards the door, leaving me alone in the kitchen. As he walked away, my mind raced with doubts and uncertainties. Could I trust him? Did he really mean what he said, or was he just like Declan? Was it possible for someone to genuinely care about me after everything I'd been through? Only time would tell, and I would need to navigate this new path cautiously, protecting my heart while being open to the possibility of healing and finding happiness.
CHAPTER 10
BEAU
Good—I managed to beat Will to the nursery this morning. I needed a moment of peace before the barrage of questions began. As I took up my usual mindless task of watering the new plants, a surge of unexpected sensations washed over me. The water droplets splashing against the leaves sent shivers down my spine, and the rhythmic sound of the water hitting the soil created a sensual symphony.
My mind inevitably drifted to Jake, his casually tousled brown hair and those captivating brown eyes framed by his glasses. I imagined his gaze fixed upon me, his lips slightly parted with anticipation. The simple act of watering suddenly took on a whole new meaning, igniting a fire within me. The sensation of the hose in my hand became an extension of my desire, and as I tightened my grip on it, I felt a surge of anticipation building within me.
But my reverie was abruptly shattered by Will's arrival, his smile betraying the fact that he’d caught me in a compromising moment. Damn it, Will, you've ruined my little daydream. I quickly released my grip on the hose, myface flushing with embarrassment as I attempted to regain my composure.
"Morning," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant, despite the lingering tingling in my fingertips.
"So, how was your night?" Will asked, his tone filled with amusement as he walked around the nursery, inspecting the plants.
I cleared my throat, still feeling the remnants of my arousal lingering in the air. "Fine…just had some trouble falling asleep, that's all."
Will raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Trouble falling asleep, huh?
Well, I slept better than the night before, but I was on high alert all night. Every little sound woke me up, and I found myself coming downstairs just to check if everything was calm.I averted my gaze, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "It was nothing, just some restless thoughts keeping me awake. You know how it is."
Will chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Ah, yes, restless thoughts. Happens to the best of us. You know… I can't remember the last time you had a man sleeping at your house, if ever. You like him, don’t you?Even though you just met? It was pretty obvious yesterday and during dinner that you have it bad for him. I've never seen you like this with anyone. You're not exactly a socializing type."
"No, that hasn't changed.” I've never been one for socializing, preferring solitude over crowded gatherings. “Yet, with Jake, it's different.” The connection I feel withhim transcends the limitations of being a 'people person.' There's a magnetic pull drawing me to him, a yearning to unravel the layers of his being and bask in the warmth of his presence.
Will looked at me innocently and asked, " So what's stopping you from going after him?"
I let out a sigh, feeling a mix of frustration and apprehension. "I don't know the whole story. He was recently hurt and has trust issues. He told me that his ex had drained his bank account. Chief Mateo even asked him about it, making sure I'm not the ex."
"Oh, you saw Mateo? Did you get the queer vibe off him?," Will said with a mischievous grin.
"Maybe? But back to Jake. He mentioned at breakfast that honesty is crucial to him, so I'm guessing there were lies, cheating, or something along those lines. I want to be truthful with him, but I also know that I need to take it slow, to let him be ready. Or at least try to go slow, as frustrating as it may be."
"Good luck, dude," Will said, his tone filled with both humor and genuine support.
"Are you still planning to look at his car after we finish our work?" I asked, shifting the conversation to a more practical matter.
