Page 6 of Sloth
“Matthew’s dead. It’s over,” she tells me in that same blank tone.
“But what if it’s not? What if that person who killed Matthew comes after you…or my parents?” I don’t want her to live in fear, but it’s important she knows the severity of this situation.
“He’s gone.” She disregards what I’m telling her again, her lips trembling and the hand that's holding the glass, shaking as she takes another sip.
“Hey, come here.” I lean over the table so I can hold her in my arms, and it’s impossible not to inhale her hair and appreciate how good it smells. “He’s really gone,” she repeats, breaking into loud, heavy sobs.
“I’m so sorry, Erin.” I close my eyes, wishing I’da chased after that damn steer so she didn’t have to feel this agony. “I’m sorry,” I tell her again as I keep her tight in my arms. Holding her way beyond the point that her crying stops…It feels too good to let her go.
CHAPTER FOUR
ERIN
ONE WEEK LATER
“You sure you're okay?” My best friend, Liza, doesn’t look at all convinced as she sits at the table and stares at all the containers of food I’ve been brought.
“I’m as fine as I’m expected to be, considering I’m a widow now,” I assure her, topping up her mug with coffee before I try and find some more space in the refrigerator to store it all. The people in Fork River have been so kind since the news of Matthew's death spread. I just don’t know how the hell I’m gonna get through all this. We both look in the direction of the bathroom when the door clicks open, and Luke looks a little overwhelmed when he steps out and sees us both staring at him. He smiles politely, gripping the towel around his waist self-consciously as he heads straight through to the spare room where he’s been sleeping this past week.
“And how long will the little brother be staying?” Liza follows him with her eyes, and I can tell from the glisten in them that she likes what she sees. It's understandable, Luke is a handsome guy. A handsome guy who just so happens to be blessed with an incredible body, too. I know he doesn't get it from workingaround his family ranch. Bryce is always complaining about how lazy he is. So I’m curious to know how he stays in shape.
“Earth to Erin.” Liza clicks me back to the conversation.
“Ummm…I don’t know.” I shrug, thinking back to her question. “I guess he’ll be here until everyone decides that I’m safe to be alone.” I can’t say I’m mad about the fact that Luke’s still here. I like his company; he always seems to sense when I need him close and when I want to be alone. Mary has been incredible these past few days, but she can be overbearing, and Luke has mastered the way to keep her in check without upsetting her.
“Police still have no leads, huh?” Liza stuffs her face with one of Mary’s blueberry muffins.
“Nothing,” I tell her, blowing out a frustrated breath. I’ve racked my brains trying to think about who might have done this, but there's no one I can imagine who would want to hurt Matthew. He was perfect, an outstanding guy to everyone who met him. Just not to the person who was married to him.
“Ladies…” The front door bursts open, and Koben marches through it like a hurricane, heading straight for me and smacking a kiss on my cheek.
“Oh…Mary’s cupcakes, you wanna be careful,” he warns Liza. “You gain three pounds just from looking at one of these.” He takes a fresh one from the plate and shovels it into his mouth. Everyone deals with grief in their own way, and Koben’s been taking the ‘act like nothing’s happened’ approach since the murder of his best friend. At first, I thought he was doing it for my benefit, but I’m learning that it’s more than likely for his own. If you look close enough, you can see his pain.
“Koben.” Luke tips his chin at him as he steps out from his room, fixing his belt, and I notice the suspicious frown he makes when Koben wraps his arm around my waist.
“How ya doin’, kid?” He winks back at him, pissing Luke off. Luke may be a few years younger than Matthew was, but he’s not a kid. He’s the same age as I am.
“Good to see ya again.” Luke makes his way toward the coffee pot, not putting any effort into making his words sound genuine.
“I just came to check that everything around here was running okay. Jake and Issac are good workers, but they still need keeping in check,” he points out, and I smile to myself when I see how Liza is watching every move Luke makes. I look back to him and feel something strange stir in my stomach when he catches me looking and offers me a private smile.
“Speaking of keeping things in check. I wanted to put something to ya.” Koben clears his throat like he’s building up to something, and I pull my eyes away from Luke’s so I can focus on what it is.
“I’ve been thinking?—”
“Did you alert NASA?” Liza interrupts him sarcastically.
“Have another muffin…” Koben picks another one up and shoves it in her mouth to silence her. “This place needs someone to manage it, and I know Luke here’s been doing a good job of keeping you company, but since we still have no idea who hurt Matty, and folks out on the yard need to be paid, I think I should move in here. Take the spare room and help keep the ranch going…at least until you’ve decided what to do.”
“What do ya mean, decided what to do? This place is Erin's home.” Luke interrupts before I can say anything. “The same home my brother built for her. And we’re managing just fine how we are.” I can hear the anger in his tone; he’s clearly taken offense at what Koben is suggesting.
“Oh, come on, Luke, we all know you ain’t a rancher. You can barely help your folks out on theirs, let alone run your own. You got a herd out there that Matty busted his ass to build on, and two men who are gonna wanna pick up a paycheck at the end ofthe month. Do you really expect Erin to put her faith in you?” He scoffs a laugh, and although I hate to admit it, what he’s saying is kinda true. Jake and Issac have been incredible since Matthew died, but their kindness can only stretch so far when they have bills of their own to pay. And Luke does have a reputation for being lazy. He’s spent most of this week in the house, keeping me company instead of working outside, but I’ve been grateful for that.
In all honesty, I haven’t even thought about this place and what the future will hold for me. Now I have no ties, I could even leave Fork River and start afresh. I’d be lying if I said that thought wasn’t appealing.
Luke shocks us all when he comes closer to Koben and gets in his face. “I’m sure Erin appreciates your offer, but this is an Edwards ranch, and it will continue to be run by an Edwards,” he tells him firmly.
“And is this your idea of stepping up?” Koben laughs at him, and when I feel things getting heated, I look to Liza for some support, but she’s far too busy enjoying the show to notice.
