Pursued (Completed) ✔️

Chapter 15

"They want to see you, talk to you. Adrien's mum said they should let you stay. I have no reason to but I kinda trust her. And Mr. McKellar has always been great to us, I trust him. Maybe you should talk to them."

"If you think it's alright." Ben replied uncertainly, he seemed to make up his mind and told me more firmly. "You stay here with the dogs."

"Like hell! I'll be right there with you, David's dad acts like a psycho. Adrien's dad is just as arrogant as his son, I'm not sure what to think of him and those women actually, I don't know, it's like they are very controlled but I think they might be more dangerous than the men. They think before they talk, like Mr McKellar. We'll take the dogs for protection and I have the gun too. I don't care that they rule the damned town, they are still trespassing. You belong here, they don't and you've done nothing wrong!."

Ben looked at the door and smiled like I was funny. A big happy smile, gleaming teeth and all.

"Right, you can be my body guard with those doggies of yours." He told me as he opened the door for me.

They were waiting for us outside, I hadn't even heard the gravel crunch yet all five of them stood there like they owned the place and only three of them looked, much to my surprise, highly amused. Adrien's dad stepped forward, thankfully they weren't too close.

"Listen,...Ben" His voice sounded sour as he said Bens name. "It has been decided that you can stay. You will have to come and...have dinner with us next week. So we can introduce you to...everyone. If you wish to stay on the farm."

Before Ben could reply I answered. "That doesn't sound like a pleasant invitation. He can stay on our farm even if he doesn't go to dinner with you."

"Juliette. It's alright."

"No! It's not alright. Why would you even need to be introduced to anyone. You obviously met them before and If David hadn't wrecked my car there wouldn't have been any problems."

"She's turning eighteen tomorrow Ben." Crystal said, like it meant more than just my birthday.

"I'm aware." He replied blandly.

"He told me it was the right thing to do when he stood up for her when she was cornered the first time. That was a couple of years ago Ben. But my son, and even my daughter, is becoming more and more protective about her welfare."

"I'm aware of that too. I don't wish to be in the way, her welfa_"

"My welfare is my concern and maybe my family. Adrien has no reason to worry about me."

Crystal looked at me speculatively. "You are strong, intelligent and currently way out of your depth. He has always cared about you and tries to protect you to the best of his abilities, at least acknowledge this to be true and give him some credit."

I felt thoroughly chastised and she hadn't even raised her voice.

"He stood up for me when no one else did and he has been the reason I haven't been bullied as much since...since the...since my mother left. But he has suddenly overstepped the lines. I never asked them to. I never wanted them to. I have always appreciated what they did for me when they are there and I never asked anything but now I'm suddenly... I... They.."

"I know. We know what happened. You won't be alone anymore. You will be protected. And if you are that worried about your friend here why don't we compromise? You come with him when he has dinner with us, meet everyone too. Good idea?"

She had me, something in me told me this is exactly what she had wanted in the first place but nothing stood out to prove it. It was my turn to look at her in speculation. Ben had no qualms about it. "That would be lovely." He told her. "We could come tonight."