Page 16 of Rival
Ruth snorts. “You know exactly who I’m speaking of. I may be old, but I’m not senile. Edith is walking home.”
That brings me up short and I stare at her. “She’s walking home? Does she live close by? It’s getting late.”
Shrugging, she holds her hand out for me to help her up. “Not so far. Walk me to my car, would you?”
I look toward the road, wanting to find her and offer a ride, but remind myself that Edith is perfectly capable of getting herself home. “Of course. Is Mr. Danielson going to join us tomorrow?”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be here. He had a meeting this morning, but normally he likes to begin a day like this with prayers and motivating words for everyone who shows up.” The two of us walk slowly toward her car, Ruth hanging heavily on my arm. I’ve seen her get around, and I’m convinced she’s giving me more of her weight than necessary. I bite my cheek to not laugh at her antics. “If you don’t mind me saying, I think you’ll see that Edith is a hard worker and someone you may find enjoyable to spend time getting to know.”
“I’m sure she’s a lovely girl.” What else can I say? Edith does seem like a nice girl, but that doesn’t change the fact I’m twice her age.
As she opens her door, she gives me a knowing look. “Sheisa lovely woman, but there’s so much more to her. She struggles with her faith but continues to show up every Sunday. Never saying no to those who ask things of her. There’s more to her than her kindness, and I think you might find yourself smitten if you search for those little secrets she holds close. Her life hasn’t been easy, but her outlook on life is bright. I won’t push. I just thought you should know.”
Unsure of what to say, I simply smile with understanding and shut the door once she’s settled. Waving her off, I hurry to my truck and throw my bag inside. Without thought, I head down the road and keep an eye out for Edith’s figure walking alongside the road. If I see her, I’ll pull to the side and offer her a ride, but the longer I drive, I realize she must not be walking in this direction.
I debate for only a moment before whipping my truck around to drive in the opposite direction. It’s only a few minutes and half a mile in the other direction before her silhouette pops up in the distance. As I get closer, I notice another vehicle pulling up just in front of her and a head pop out as soon as it’s parked. Pressing on my brake, I watch as Edith hurries to the truck and hops into the passenger seat, then they peel out and speed away from my now stopped truck.
At least I know she’s not stuck walking the rest of her way home, but I’m annoyed I drove this way only to watch her speed away. I suppose I could have offered her a ride earlier, but maybe this is for the best.
As intriguing as I find Edith, I really do need to keep myself in check and pull myself back from my interest. I’ve dated a few women in my time and the one thing I’ve learned is they canget attached quickly. It’s not always a bad thing, but it makes matters more difficult if feelings aren’t reciprocated.
I’d never want to lead her on until I knew I could deal with the age difference. I barely know the woman. Thereisa lightness to her. A free spirit that reminds me a bit of my younger sister, but Edith has an underlining sadness, which makes me want to know more before I consider my options.
Maybe we’ll play our question game tomorrow, and I can find out more. Until then, I’m going to pocket the idea of pursuing her and work toward building a friendship. She’ll probably agree because the first thing I’m going to make sure she knows is how much older I am.
After getting home and making myself something quick to eat, I fall into bed, ready to sleep today’s exhaustion away. Instead, it takes me hours before I fall asleep, thinking of a dark-haired woman with sad eyes and a friendly smile. Eventually, sleep finds me when I tell myself it won’t hurt to get a little closer tomorrow.
Chapter Eight
Edith
Shoot, my back is sore.
Rolling my shoulders, I attempt to ease the ache buried deep in my muscles from a long day of labor. I can’t help but smile since the ache is from quality work, not just chores around the house.I have a real, honest to God job!
There are tiny pebbles lining the sides of the road I’m walking along, but when I spy a larger one, there’s a tiny part of me that gets joy from kicking it ahead. I don’t want someone to see me acting like a child, so I try to get the most distance I can without looking like I’m literally kicking rocks.
One particular stone I’ve managed to keep in front of me after quite a few kicks, so I’m surprised when a cloud of dust hits my face from the truck pulling over in front of me. A tiny part of me gets excited thinking it could be Jaxon. I didn’t stay to say goodbye since he seemed busy, and if I stood around waiting, he might think it was odd. Spying the driver, I only feel a brief moment of disappointment before my stomach somersaults as Griffin sticks his head out the window with a broad smile.
“You headed home?” he calls out to me.
Holding my hand over my eyes to keep the sun from them, I’m able to see him a bit better. Instead of yelling back, I nod once, and he waves me over.
“Hope in, then. I’m goin’ to grab Corb’s wallet he left at your place the other day.”
Not wanting to dawdle, I pick up my pace and quickly slip into the passenger side. “Thank you for the ride.” Tugging the seatbelt across my chest, I barely have it buckled when he shifts into drive and kicks up gravel as we pull back onto the road. It’s only a five-minute drive but walking would have taken me closer to twenty minutes.
Music is playing on the radio and Griffin is tapping his thumb on the steering wheel to the beat. Then he glances over at me. “Where you comin’ from?”
“I’m volunteering at the barn raising with the church. We just got done for the night.”
He flashes me another smile and butterflies swirl in my stomach. Griffin Graham really does have a beautiful smile, and I’m sure every girl he’s flirted with has melted over it. “How’s it going so far?”
I hum in thought. “Good, I suppose. I’m not really sure all it entails, but I guess it’s going alright. We’ve got a few walls framed up.”
“Who’s handlin’ the build?”
I chew on my lip, embarrassed when my voice comes out breathy. “Jaxon Thorton. Mrs. Danielson says he’s got a construction company and asked him Sunday if he’d help.”
