An Unlikely Place for Love

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “You are unusually perceptive,” Chad noted.

  “It’s a gift and a curse.”

  “Anyway, we can take your suitcase up to the loft. There is a river down in that direction.” He pointed north. “It is about a mile from here and that will be where you will bathe.”

  She cringed. She had hoped for an actual bathtub.

  “Of course, you can always use the metal tub in that corner,” he continued. “All you need to do is drag the water from the well and dump it in there. The water will be cooler than the river water but it’s manageable.”

  Neither option appealed to her. She missed the life she was accustomed to but realized a bath in unfavorable conditions was better than death. She simply nodded. She would make the best of the situation.

  “Congratulations,” Travis told her. “No offense, Chad, but I honestly didn’t think you’d hire him.”

  “Why not? He can’t be worse than who I already got working for me.”

  “True.” Travis nodded to them and left.

  She walked back to her suitcase.

  “So, what do I call you?” Chad asked her.

  “Bob Ingram is my name. My friends call me Billy.”

  “Alright, Bob. I’ll take your suitcase for you and take it up to the loft. I have to finish up with the repairs but it’ll be ready by tonight.”

  She noticed that he intentionally used her formal fake name. He’s not a friendly fellow. “What should I do now, Chad?”

  He glared at her. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m your employer. You are my subordinate. You will address me as Mr. Walker or sir. You will not call me by my first name.”

  “Are you this delightful with everyone?” She said it jokingly but he wasn’t amused.

  “I don’t need a comedian. I need a farmhand. Should I send you back to town?”

  “Why do I have the feeling you don’t talk to the other farmhands this way?” She frowned at him.

  “I don’t have to explain anything to you.” He turned away from her and took her suitcase up the ladder.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your deceased wife,” she said.

  He ignored her and continued climbing the steps.

  He’s a real joy to be with, she sarcastically thought. She shook her head. The poor woman is probably better off. She waited for him to come back down so he could tell her what to do next, but he peered over the ledge at her.

  “Do you want to check out the loft or not?” he asked.

  “Alright, sir,” she said and climbed the ladder. As soon as she was at the top, she inspected her temporary quarters. She considered that it was the perfect hiding place, should she need it.

  “I’ll get some blankets and a pillow to put out here, and this trunk can hold your things in it.” He set the suitcase next to the trunk. “I can put some hay up here so it’ll be more comfortable. I realize the wood isn’t very comfortable to lay on.”

  She was surprised he seemed concerned about her comfort. His formal manner and previous words to her gave her the impression that he didn’t care about anyone. “Sounds great, sir,” she said. “Where’s the outhouse?”

  He pointed down the field to the wooden outhouse several feet from the horses’ fence. “It’s a little further from the house and barn than is typical but Georgia was very particular about certain things.”

  She raised her eyebrow. “I reckon you’re not too upset that she’s gone.”

  He scowled at her. “My personal life is my business. Don’t go snooping into it.”

  “Fine. As long as you don’t go snooping into mine.”

  “You got yourself a deal. Now let’s get to work.”

  She followed him down the ladder and waited for his instructions.

  “I have to get lunch ready. Can you ride a horse?” he asked.

  “Sure can. I got great horsemanship.” Thanks to my hours of showing off my horse in competitions. She did miss her mare, Flash.

  “Good. You can ride Reliable over here to the fields and check on the cattle. If any of the cattle are outside the fence or stuck in a ditch, can you get it back to safety?”

  “No.”

  He sighed. “I’ll tell you what. Check the cattle and let me know if there are any that are in trouble. I’ll take care of them at that time.”

  She nodded.

  “Can you saddle up the horse?” he wondered.

  “Yes, I can do that. I’m not completely incompetent.”

  “When you’re done, come into the house and get a sandwich.”

  “You got it, boss.” She hid her grin as he stopped himself from rolling his eyes. You really need to lighten up, pal. She went over to Reliable and got him ready for the ride into the fields while Chad went to the house.

  ***

  By the time she was done checking on the cattle, nearly an hour had passed. She was surprised that Chad owned so much land. She enjoyed riding Reliable. The horse was probably the easiest one to ride out of Chad’s other two horses, which was why he told her to ride it, but she could handle more difficult horses. When she went into the house, she noticed that the other two farmhands, Tim and Jeff, sat at the round kitchen table while Chad was nowhere in sight.

  So much for introductions. Apparently, Chad wasn’t interested in making sure his farmhands got along. Little did he realize that she easily made friends.

  “Good afternoon, men,” she greeted the two men who were eating some sandwiches and drinking some milk. “I see I scared the boss off,” she joked.

  They chuckled.

  The brunette shook her extended hand. “I’m Jeff. This is Tim,” he motioned to the black haired man who wore a mustache.

  She shook Tim’s hand as well. She wasn’t overly impressed with either of them. They had a certain look about them that made her weary of them. She put on a smile and pretended that she was happy to meet them.

  “Chad doesn’t hang around during lunch,” Jeff informed her. “Your sandwich and milk are on the counter.”

  She nodded and grabbed the food. She was famished but forced herself not to wolf her meal down. Instead, she sat down and watched the way they ate the food and imitated their mannerisms. Her upbringing was to act like a proper lady, but she knew it wouldn’t be appropriate to eat that way if they were to believe she was a man. “Where does the boss hang out while you eat?” She took a bite of the sandwich and had to admit that it was good.

  “Chad is making you call him ‘boss’?” Tim asked.

  “No. He wants me to call him Mr. Walker or sir. He made it clear that I am not to refer to him by his first name.”

  He shook his head. “Well, we’re family with him. I am Georgia’s younger brother, and Jeff is our cousin.”

  “Chad usually eats before we do,” Jeff said. “He works all the time. But ever since Georgia died, he’s stuck mostly to himself. I suppose he still hasn’t gotten over her death.”

  “Georgia was a good woman. She was the center of his world. He didn’t go anywhere without her.”

  She glanced around the kitchen. It was free of clutter but there was no indication a woman had ever lived there. “How long was he married?”

  “Almost ten years.”

  “Why aren’t there any pictures of her hanging on the wall or any other indication that she lived here? She did live here, didn’t she?”

  “Of course, she did. They were inseparable. He took her death hard. He said he couldn’t bear to be reminded of her death so he put all her things away after the funeral.”

  That’s odd. If Kate had been married for ten years, she would want to remember her husband.

  “So what’s your name?” Jeff asked her.

  “Bob, but my friends call me Billy,” she replied.

  “Good to meet you, Billy.”

  “You’ll fit in just fine,” Tim agreed.

  “I just got hired this morning,” she told them. “I am out seeking adventure all across America. My goal is to see every state and spend at least a month worki
ng there. I started out in Kentucky and worked my way over twenty-two states until I got here. So, what is there to do in this town?” She figured the sooner she told them a little about herself, the sooner she could ward off any awkward questions. People seemed to be content when a stranger offered up some information about himself before they had to ask about him. She finished her lunch while they talked.

  “You landed in a small town, so if you’re looking for big city fun, you came to the wrong place,” Jeff said. “However, we do manage to have some entertainment. The church potlucks are a big hit, but we prefer going to the bar. Lots of beer and women.”

  “Alright!” she cheered, realizing she would fit in easier if she showed them they shared a common interest. It was typical that a man would like women and beer.

  “We also have horse races,” Tim spoke up. “Are you any good on a horse?”

  “I’m the best there is.” She knew bragging would be another popular characteristic since it would show them that she wasn’t afraid of a challenge. “Got a race coming up?”

  “Actually, we do. You should come out to the fairgrounds this Saturday.”

  “Do you think the boss will let me borrow a horse?”

  “Sure. Chad’s easy. He does anything we want.”

  She wondered about the comment. Perhaps that’s why they can work whenever and however they want to. “He made it clear to me that he’s the one in charge and I am to take his orders.”

  “Oh, he’s so funny, acting all tough with you. It must be because you’re a newcomer. Seriously, he’s like a big old dog, harmless and faithful. Don’t mind him. He may act rough, but he’s not.”

  “If he gives you any problems, come to us and we’ll help you out,” Jeff offered.

  “Thanks, man, but I got it covered,” she replied. “I can handle myself just fine.”

  “You’re probably right. So, are you coming to the horse races? We’d love to see how good you are with a horse.” Jeff finished his milk.

  “I’ll be there. But if I can’t borrow a horse from Chad, then can I borrow one of yours?”

  “Sure.”

  She was looking forward to riding a horse in a race. She was competitive by nature and combining her love of horse riding with her desire to win was just the thing she enjoyed.

  “We’d better get back to the shed,” Jeff remarked.

  Just as Tim and Jeff stood up, Chad entered the house and walked into the kitchen.

  “Speak of the devil,” Tim said. “Why didn’t you tell us you hired Billy here?”

  “I figured that you would meet him soon enough,” he replied as he placed the pail of milk on the counter.

  “He’s going to borrow one of your horses for the horse race on Saturday.”

  Her jaw dropped.

  Chad loudly sighed. “I don’t recall being asked if he could do that.”

  “Oh come on, Chad. Billy’s new and it would fun to see what he’s like on a horse.”

  “Besides, what else have you got going on this Saturday that is so important you can’t spare your new hired hand?” Jeff added.

  “Give him one of your horses since you like him so much.” Chad didn’t look at them during any part of the conversation.

  “We know you miss Georgia, but do you really have to make everyone around you suffer?”

  “If he needs me here to work during that time, then I should work,” she quickly inserted. She could tell that Chad didn’t care much for either Jeff or Tim. The last thing she needed was to get fired because he was having trouble with them because of her.

  Chad poured the milk from the pail into a couple of glass containers. “Alright. Bob can borrow Reliable or Buck, but Star is off-limits.”

  “Star was Georgia’s horse,” Tim commented. “She loved that animal.”

  Chad finished filling the glass bottles and took them to the basement.

  “He can’t bear to see Georgia’s horse with anyone,” Tim continued. “I guess it’s too painful for him yet.”

  She watched as Tim and Jeff walked out of the house. She frowned. Why would he keep Georgia’s horse but nothing else that would remind him of his departed wife? Something was wrong. She wasn’t sure if it was a wise idea to pursue her questions regarding Chad and Georgia or not. The last time she investigated a strange situation, she got involved in a dangerous predicament that led to her running from Dave and Derek. Let sleeping dogs lie. Whatever happened in Chad’s past and how he’s reacting to it now is not my concern. I’m here to work until Dave and Derek are safely behind bars.

  She stood up and collected her plate and glass, along with the ones that Tim and Jeff left, and put them in the kitchen sink. She didn’t need too much discernment to recognize that Tim and Jeff walked all over Chad, and even if her employer was aloof, he still deserved some amount of respect. After all, he did hire her without knowing anything about her, except that she came from Kentucky and wanted to check out the country. Those were lies of course. She knew she had to keep her secrets to herself until it was safe to return to Virginia. The less anyone knew about her situation, the better. She wasn’t going to drag anyone else into the web she was caught in.

  Chad walked up the basement steps that led into the kitchen. He blinked in surprise when he saw her. “You don’t have to wash the dishes. I can do those.”

  “I was bored,” she said, shrugging. “Do you mind that I’m doing them?”

  “No, I guess not.”

  But he’s surprised. She didn’t wish to get off on the wrong foot with him since she would be working under him for at least a month, so she decided to clear the air. “I don’t have to go to the horse race. It wasn’t my idea to insist on taking one of your horses.”

  “I’ve known Tim and Jeff for a long time. I understand what happened.” He grabbed a toolbox from under the kitchen sink.

  She shouldn’t have been startled that he was right next to her, but she worried if he got too close he might discover her true identity.

  “I’m alright with your taking Reliable or Buck on Saturday, but I recommend Reliable if you’re looking for speed.” He closed the cabinet door and stood up. “Just remember to stay away from Star.”

  Of course, she had to wonder why, but he left the house before she could ask. She knew he wasn’t going to answer that question so she remained quiet. Chad was a secretive person, and he wasn’t one to open up to anyone. However, she wasn’t exactly an open book either. She had her own secrets to hide. So, as long as he could respect her secrets, she could respect his. She finished washing the dishes and went back outside.

  She found Chad finishing his work on the loft roof. “What do you want me to do now?” she yelled up at him.

  He glanced down at her. “I could use someone to paint the sheep fence. A can of white paint is in the shed which is in that direction. You can find the can on the top shelf. You’re tall enough to reach it without any problems.”

  “I’ll get right on it.” She noted that he looked shocked as she left the barn. Didn’t he expect me to actually work? She shrugged. It wasn’t any of her business. Her job was to do whatever he told her to do.

  Chapter Two

  Chad wasn’t sure what to think of his new farmhand. When Bob actually washed the dishes, he couldn’t believe it. None of his employees ever showed initiative. Then again, Bob wasn’t related to him, even if it was through marriage. He dragged a pile of hay to the loft and spread it out. Living in a small town was a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it was nice to know who people were, but on the other hand, since everyone did know him, it made it that much more difficult to forget parts of his past that he wanted to forget.

  Bob had just arrived and he already knew that Chad had a wife who died last year. It was irritating to be reminded of Georgia. He wanted to forget all about her. The woman had made his life a living nightmare. Her family wasn’t any better but at least they left at four in the afternoon and he had the rest of the day to enjoy his life. Her brothers, Sam and
Tim, and cousin, Jeff, were horrible employees, so he was relieved whenever they decided not to show up for the day. He didn’t care to have them around but knew he had to in order to keep peace with the people in town. This was his only home and he couldn’t afford to upset anyone. It’s not like I can go back to California. His parents disowned him when he married Georgia, and they made it clear that he was not welcome back.

  He still recalled the day of Georgia’s funeral:

  He stood in the cemetery surrounded by her family and friends, which made up a third of the town. She had many friends, so no one would ever guess what she was really like. He wore a dark suit to follow in line with everyone else. He learned long ago that it was easier to do what they wanted him to do than to fight them. They were too many in number to resist.

  The late March afternoon was bleak. Some rain had fallen the night before, and the sky was dark gray. He didn’t listen to the preacher who discussed Georgia’s virtues. He just stared down at the hole in the ground which would house the ebony casket. Her family spared no expense in saying good-bye to her. They hadn’t spared any expense in taking care of her while she was alive either. While her mother and younger sister cried noisily into their handkerchiefs, her two younger brothers and father silently stood together. Chad was off to the side. He was never officially a part of their family. He was regarded as an outsider but that was fine with him. He cared as much for them as he had for her.

  “She looked so lovely during the service in her gown,” her mother whispered to her sister. “What a shame for such a lovely woman to die on her thirty-fourth birthday. The world is a bleaker place without her.”

  Chad closed his eyes so he wouldn’t roll them.

  “Poor Chad,” her sister whispered to her mother. “He was so devoted to her.”

  He forced himself to not look at his pocket watch. When was the service going to be over?

  “And so we ask the Father to welcome Georgia Walker into His Kingdom,” the preacher concluded as he closed his Bible. “Through Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

  Finally. Chad breathed a sigh of relief. How could she fool so many people? He was glad his ten year prison term was over.