He carried me out of the water and laid down next to me on the dirty ground. I didn’t mind at all that we were both muddy and disgusting.
“Mike ...” I started.
“Yeah?”
I wanted to tell him that I was pregnant, but I couldn’t get it out. I chickened out again and just made something up quick.
“The horses are staring at us,” I said.
He looked up and started laughing like nothing else mattered.
4.
We didn’t bother with chores that day. I think Buck and Larry knew how to cover for us. We just spent the rest of the day in a loving embrace that just never seemed to end. I think we both had too many things in our minds we wanted to forget.
Mike was trapped in his own head once we got back, though. I could tell that his worries were taking over, and he wasn’t able or ready to let them go.
There wasn’t much I was able to do, so I figured it best just to get some sleep. I stumbled my way up the stairs, tired from riding a horse of a man, but mostly satisfied and fell into bed.
Only to be woken up a few hours later to the loudest clanging I had ever heard in my entire life. It sounded like a jackhammer smashing into a herd of elephants.
I wasn’t the only person awake because of it. When I got into the hallway, barely dressed, I could make out the shapes of Larry and Buck in the darkness. I took a moment to throw on some clothes before rushing down the stairs and out to the yard.
I couldn’t really see much except for a light waving back and forth off in the distance. When the light finally got close enough, I could make out the shape of a man. It looked like it might have been Mike, and I found out a little later that it was, but he was covered head to toe.
“OIL!” he shouted, “I STRUCK OIL IN THE YARD!”
I looked puzzled for a moment.
Mike took his handkerchief from his pocket and used it to rub some of the black tar from his face.
“It’s the craziest thing I’ve seen in my life. I started up the old drill, didn’t think much of it. Then all the sudden after about half hour of drilling I feel the ground start rumbling and up from the ground it shot like a black geyser.”
I laughed.
“We’re sitting on a gold mine, boys. Black gold!” he shouted.
Mike stripped off his blackened clothing and started running around the house in his boxers. I had never seen someone running like a madman before.
Larry ran back inside the house and came out with four glasses and one large bottle of bourbon. I didn’t even know there was any liquor still in the house.
“Mike, get your nekkid ass over here so we can make a toast!”
Mike did as he was told, and we circled up, glasses in hand.
“To the luckiest sumbitch in the state.”
We clinked glasses, and they downed it to the last drop, I expertly dashed mine behind my shoulder while they weren’t looking. If they’d had a barrel of bourbon, they still would’ve finished that and had room for another.
I was a little weary about the discovery, still. I had seen what money does to a person, especially when it’s a sudden windfall.
The night continued on, unabated by the wind that howled, nor by the howling of wolves in the distance. I still felt the urge to fall back to sleep and did so.
When I finally managed to wake up, I felt terrible, but the house was already busy with newcomers. I was surprised, as it was hardly nine in the morning and there were already six cars on the lawn that I hadn’t recognized.
They all had offers for the property, and he, of course, accepted the largest which was over a billion dollars. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; I didn’t imagine there was that much oil beneath his farm.
I started feeling guiltier after he accepted the offer. He didn’t even mind selling the old ranch house. The small house that I’d come to know and love.
If I didn’t tell him the truth soon, I had a feeling that I would never get the chance. With the deals all signed and done, I asked him if he had a chance for us to be alone.
We met in the barn a bit later.
“Mike, I don’t know why I waited this long, but I have something incredibly important I have to tell you.”
He nodded, there was a giant smile shot across his face that probably wouldn’t go anywhere anytime soon, or so I thought.
“Mike, I’m pregnant, only a couple months now,” I said after a long sigh.
Mike turned in place, started to pace around the doorway to the barn.
“Are you serious? You waited until now to tell me?”
I nodded.
“Do you know how bad this sounds?”
“What are you trying to say, Mike,” I asked.
“You had so long to tell me, how long have you known?”
I couldn’t look him in the eye.
“More than a month,” I squeaked out.
He smacked his hand against his face in annoyance.
“You know what, I doubt you were ever going to tell me. I know I’m not father material. I could tell you just wanted to sleep with me, and then you were just going to move on again just like you did before. You just can’t seem to stand and face your own problems.”
I held back the tears as best I could, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“That’s mean, Mike.”
“You’re damn right it’s mean,” he replied, “you’re having a baby, and now you’re lording it over me after I make a deal for the largest sum of money I’ll ever see in my life. I bet now you’re going to ask for half of it just because I happened to sleep with you.”
I couldn’t stand the scrutiny, so I ran from the barn and headed toward the ranch house.
I charged up the stairs and into my room where I had my bag already packed from before. I threw a few other things inside before running out the door.
Buck waited outside.
“You takin’ off, Jennie?” he said, simply.
“I won’t stay where I’m not wanted, Buck,” I replied.
“Me and Larry want you here,” he said.
“Well, the owner doesn’t want me anywhere near this place. And, I’m obliged to listen to him.”
I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. I liked Buck, the way he always knew how to state things just right, and the way he would always help out when you needed it.
“Listen, Jennie, you get lost out in the world, you know you always got a home here. We aren’t goin’ anywhere, ya hear?”
I nodded and started hiking down the road. It was probably a two-hour walk into town, but that wasn’t anything to worry about. At least, I wouldn’t have to listen to Mike judge my every move and accuse me of wanting his money.
The time passed slowly, and I took the time to gather my thoughts. I didn’t want to return home, there was nothing for me there, and I had no interest in going back to that situation.
I wanted so badly for things to work out with Mike. But, the more I thought about it, the harder it was for me to keep my thoughts straight.
I took the first bus that left town, which led me further west. I felt like I was just running away from my problems, but I couldn’t think of anything else to do. There was nothing left for me here, nor was there anything left in the city.
I wondered where I would end up.
5.
Three months passed, and I found myself a place to work. I started a waitress job at a diner at the other side of the state. The work was simple and kept me busy, so I never had time to think about much else. I didn’t mind that at all.
I’d sometimes catch a man in a hat that looked similar, but looking closer would prove it wasn’t. I just kept smiling through the pain and trying my best to let it all pass.
Then I worked one Sunday morning, and a well-dressed man sat at the end of the bar reading his newspaper. I sidled up.
“What can I get you,” I asked.
“Cup of coffee, if you don’t mind,” he replied.
I rec
ognized the voice. It was gruff but still sounded young.
“Mike?” I asked.
He lowered the newspaper and had a big smile shooting across his face again.
“You’re a hard woman to track down,” he said.
“I don’t like being found,” I replied.
I started walking away, but he held out a hand to stop me.
“I just want to talk,” he said.
“That depends on which one of you is doing the talking, is it the kind man I fell in love with, or the rich man that brushed me off.”
He leaned forward in his seat.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about a lot of things while you were gone,” he started, “watching my family home get demolished opened my eyes. I started to wonder what was going to leave me next, and sure enough, Buck and Larry found better jobs elsewhere.”
I nodded and leaned over the counter.
“I got nothing left that I recognize, Jennie. And, I miss those simple days. Waking up with the sunset to feed the pigs, and milk the cows. Going for a long ride on my family farm in the afternoon, stopping off for a swim at the old pond, these were reasons for living.”
His tone was becoming a lot more somber as he continued.
“Money… changes people. I started seeing things that weren’t there and pushing away everyone I cared about.”
It was surprisingly dead in the diner for a Sunday morning.
“Then I found this.”
He slapped a newspaper down on the table in front of him. My photo was plastered all over it; it was something I tried my hardest to forget.
“You’re a riddle, Jennie. I can’t figure you out. I wanted to think that I did and that I might be able to get things back to the way they were. Why didn’t you tell me where you came from, I wouldn’t have treated you any differently.”
I sighed.
“Listen, Mike, I wanted to tell you every day, but I also didn’t want that life. They were forcing me into a marriage, and I won’t marry someone I barely know.”
“Jennie, you’re a character. You have all this money and opportunity, and you decide that it would be better to walk away and live on a farm?”
I giggled at the thought.
“Jennie, I love you. You mean the world to me. I can’t think of what my life would be like without you and the baby in it. If you don’t want me in your life then that’s your choice, I’m not your family, I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to. But, if there’s a slight possibility that you’d be interested in spending your life with me, you’d make me the happiest man alive.”
I looked at him, tears starting to well up behind my eyes again; he still was the best man that I knew.
“When you marry for money, you marry for the wrong reasons. I don’t want a dime of your fortune, Mike. I never did. You just wouldn’t listen to me when I was talking.”
Mike lowered his head, a bit defeated. Then two large hands patted him on the back; Larry and Buck were regulars on Sunday morning, I just didn’t want to tell Mike.
“Guys,” he said, “I can’t believe you two are here right now.”
They all embraced each other in a hug.
“We both knew that you and Jennie were shacking up whenever you went into town. It’s not that hard to figure out, and neither of you did a good job of hiding it,” Buck said.
“We weren’t looking for a bunch of money, we just wanted to work with you again, Mike. I am not looking for a free meal, I’m lookin’ for a good job,” Larry added.
I walked around the diner countertop and joined the group. Mike pulled me in for a warm embrace in the odd group and let out a laugh.
“So, does this mean we’re all getting’ back together?” he asked.
“Only under one condition,” I said.
I whispered in Mike’s ear, and I think he got it because he pulled out his phone and started making calls right away.
It was maybe a week later when we all met up again. This time, Mike picked me up in the same old truck we had driven into town before. I sat in the same seat I always had, with the same tears covered in tape.
I could see the small house off in the horizon. The white dot in the middle of a vast landscape, with a barn sitting off to the side, invited me closer.
The house looked identical to the old ranch house we’d spent so much time in. Except everything was newer. The walls were finally repainted, the leaks in the roof were covered, and I couldn’t have been happier.
I was finally home.
*****
THE END
CLEAN REGENCY Romance Collection – Dashing Dukes
Saved From a Scoundrel – A Clean Regency Romance
Chapter One
Lady Isabeau Camm collapsed in a cushioned chair in the row along the wall, waving her fan in front of her face. It was entirely too hot in the ballroom, and there were entirely too many people there. She continued fanning herself until she saw Anne coming toward her. She lifted her fan high in the air and called out loudly, “Anne! Anne! Over here!”
Anne saw her and made a beeline toward Isabeau, dropping herself into a chair next to her.
“Oh, Izzie!” Anne looked as exhausted as Isabeau felt. “It feels like this ball will never be over. We should just start walking home.”
“It’s much too cold to walk, Anne.” Anne had lived next door to Isabeau and her family since they were very small children. They had played together from the very early ages, sharing dolls and secrets throughout the years. This was their first time on the season and were both trying very hard to keep up with the Ton and present the best appearances possible.
“Do I look terrible, Anne?” Isabeau raised the hand she wasn’t using to hold the fan and patted down her auburn hair, feeling just a few strands that had come loose from the barrettes and pins. She instantly flushed, picturing her hair fluffed out all over her head. Anne shook her head.
“No, you look beautiful, Isabeau,” Anne said, using her handkerchief to dab at her forehead and face. “My, it is quite hot in here. Someone should open some windows and doors.”
“Let’s take a walk on the veranda, Anne. Come on.” She stood up and held out one hand to her friend. Anne took it and stood up. They made their way through the pressing bodies to the massive double glass doors that looked out over the veranda and the vast field beyond. Anne pressed the door handle down and swung the window doors out wide. The two women instantly felt a breeze flow past them, and they both sighed, enjoying it immensely.
“This was a wonderful idea, Isabeau.” Anne stepped out into the evening, taking a small fan similar to Isabeau’s out of her handbag and opening it. I thought I might die in there!”
“Me too.” Isabeau nodded. “I don’t want to be on the verge of fainting when I have my next dance.”
“Who do you have next?” Anne took her card from her bag and put the fan back in it. “I have…” She scanned the card. “It looks like Lord Rupert is next in line.”
Isabeau laughed softly. “Lord Rupert. I have already danced with him. Watch his hands and be careful of his feet. He is quite a talker, as well. My goodness, his business is doing so well, you would think he would be the richest Lord on earth, richer than God!”
The girls laughed. Isabeau glanced at her card. “I have Jonathan Barnaby. He’s an Earl, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is extremely wealthy!” Anne raised her eyebrows. “He would be a good husband, I would think. But he’s very young. I’ve danced with him, too. He’s very agreeable.”
“I don’t want to marry anyone unless I love him,” Isabeau said. “I don’t care if he is a rich man or a pauper.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to imply anything otherwise, Izzie. I know you. I wonder, though, if you would really feel the same passion for a pauper as you would for a Lord. Having money does make a difference.”
“Money also changes the way people are inside,” Isabeau said. “I know several wealthy men who had delightful personalities until t
hey became wealthy.”
“I think it’s different when they already have a fortune they have inherited through their family name. I think men with old money are a little more judgmental than the others who have had to work their way to wealth.”
“I would agree with that.” Isabeau nodded her head. “It is because they were once paupers themselves…or close to it. When you are poor, and you grow up to be rich, you can see things from both perspectives.”
“Who else do you have on your card? There are four more dances. After Lord Rupert, I have good old hairy Lord Henry.”
“Oh no!” They both laughed. Lord Henry had not cut his hair from the time he was about ten years old. He was another local, and both girls knew him well. They were all friends and had a good time together, so her dance with him was more for fun than anything
The doors the girls had come out of burst open and two young men came through in a hurry, their eyes in search of something. When they spotted the girls, they both called out to them.
“Anne! Isabeau! We’ve been looking for both of you!”
The women turned to see Lord Rupert and Earl Barnaby heading toward them.
“Oh!” Anne flushed. “Have we lost track of time? Oh dear! Has the next dance started?”
Lord Rupert held out his hand to her, flashing a brilliant smile that made his eyes flash. “If we hurry, we won’t miss more than a few moments!”
Anne matched Lord Rupert’s smile, took his hand, and the two of them jogged across the veranda to the door, slipping in swiftly.
“Well, they are very much in a hurry to dance, aren’t they?” Earl Barnaby turned a smile to Isabeau. “I, however, am less motivated to find a spot on the floor. I am feeling…a bit overheated in there.”
“That’s why we came out here.” Isabeau nodded. “It is extremely hot in there. And with that many people crowded in there…I’m actually quite surprised by how many people came tonight. It’s as if everyone from all around the country came here for this one ball.”
The Earl laughed. He held out his hand, and she took it, letting him take her back across the veranda to the doors. “I think that would be quite a lot more people,” he said when they got to the doors. He stopped her when she put her hand on the door handle.
Romance: Young Adult Romance: The Perfect Game (A Highschool Football Romance) (Bad Boy Nerd New Adult Romance) Page 33
