Page 128 of Always Meant for You
He hands her the phone.
A blush creeps up her neck. “Yep, I sure did. I was up early. I wanted to get some posts going.”
“I saw them.” Her father slides his hands into his pockets.
I can’t read a damn thing in his face, but I swear, the corner of his mouth twitched.
“Just a day in the life of Elverna. That’s what people want,” she replies with a sunny smile.
She’s better at this than I am.
Elias nods. “Seems we’re all up early. And that’s good. Because I have something to say about asituation.”
“What situation, Dad?” she asks, her voice rising an octave.
Maybe I spoke too soon.
He narrows his gaze. “A situation that must be addressed right now. I’ll need an answer. An honest one—from both of you.”
The silence locks in.
I check the porch. No weapons in sight, but my pulse spikes like he’s holding one anyway.
Elias crosses his arms. And while Mabel is a grown woman, her father has always been protective of her when it comes to dating. And it’s not like Jamie and I helped. Hell, we might’ve been worse. If we noticed a guy even glance at her, we’d corner the poor bastard and, using language that left nothing open to interpretation, we’d tell him to be on his merry way and leave Mabel the hell alone.
Now I’m standing in that exact line of fire.
And today, I might very well be that poor bastard.
Chapter Twenty-Four
CAL
Elias might know about me and Mabel. And I need to find a way to explain if he presses.
But what exactly do I say?
I’ve cared about your daughter since we were kids.
That’s the truth. But it’s not enough.
I could tell him that over these last ten days, between farm visits and sleepless nights, we’ve become more. So much more, which is why we’re sleeping together.
No. That kind of truth ends with me in a shallow grave, one boot sticking out, and Elias shaking his head like I brought it on myself.
“Cal,” he says, pulling me back with a level look.
I can’t lie to the man.
“Listen, sir—” I stammer.
“Can you drive?” Mr. Muldowney asks, cutting me off.
I clear my throat. “Drive the tractor?”
His brow furrows, eyes narrowing. “The truck, Cal. Are you able to drive your pickup?”
“Yes, sir. I can do that.”
