Damsel in the Dust

12

We pile back into the truck and head back out of town, rattling our way down the dusty road toward the Abernathy's. Relief floods through my body at returning home. I know that Chris or Shawn will hear about this eventually, and I know I will have to deal with the consequences, but I have time to prepare.

"So, Cody's friends, huh?" Jake asks.

I sigh. "I didn't think you wanted to share personal details just yet, so I gave you a story. Hope you don't mind."

I make a mental note to reach out to Cody and ask him to cover for me. I'm certain he'll have questions, but I also know he won't mind.

"Once again, I don't know how to thank you, Leah," Jake says.

We're all silent the rest of the way. I pull into the Abernathy's driveway and take a deep breath. I don't know why I'm so nervous; it's not my job interview. Jake and Maive hop out of my truck and I rush to follow, knowing I need to be careful with the introduction. I cross to the porch and give a gentle knock on the door. I smile as Mrs. Abernathy opens the door.

"Leah! Oh what a lovely surprise!" She says, enveloping me in a hug. "And who might this be?" She asks, releasing me and turning her attention to Jake.

"Jacob Coakley, pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Abernathy," Jake says, holding out his hand, "and this is my sister Maive."

"Lynette, but you can call me Linnie," Mrs. Abernathy responds, taking his hand before ushering us all inside.

"Leah dear, what brings you over? We haven't seen you in ages," she says, leading us to the sitting room.

The Abernathy's home looks like it's been staged for a Sears & Roebuck catalogue circa the 1940s. An overstuffed mauve armchair flanks a couch covered in a pink floral pattern, and the wood furniture shows details of craftsmanship that you just don't see anymore. It's cozy. I feel at ease taking a seat on the couch, Jake and Maive joining on either side.

I decide that the best approach is with Mrs. Abernathy's aid. Going straight to Johan might make him defensive and suspicious, while a suggestion from his wife might be more palatable.

"Jake and Maive are thinking of staying in town for a while - they're from the city - so we're trying to find Jake a job. Do you know of anyone looking for an extra set of hands?"

Mrs. Abernathy looks between the three of us for a moment as if trying to understand something that hasn't been said. Her eyes pass between Jake and I before she finally settles back in her armchair with a crinkled smile.

"I see. Well, I don't know about anyone else, but Johan and I were just talking about how it would be nice to have someone to help manage the business end of things. Johan has always been the master of the grapes while I've been the face of the business, but I'm old and quite frankly I just don't want to do it anymore."

I can't believe how easy that was. Too easy, a part of me worries.

"Linnie, I don't know how I could ever live up to your beautiful face, but I managed my father's farm for years. I would be honored if you would consider me for the job," Jake says.

Damn, where did Mr. Charming come from?

Mrs. Abernathy gives a girlish giggle before chiding, "Save your charm for your sales pitches. You start on Monday. I'll give you a week to get the hang of things; if it works out, I'll keep you. If not, well, maybe I'll still keep you."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Abernathy," I say, rising from the couch.

"Yes, thank you," Jake says.

"Johan is out today, but I'll fill him in and you can meet him on Monday," she says as we reach the door.

Jake flashes a smile, saying "I look forward to it."

We pile back in the truck and make our way home. Maive keeps up a steady stream of chatter about her new job, wondering what kind of tips she'll make, and when she'll be able to enroll in school. I make another mental note to look into that tomorrow.

By the time we reach the house, Maive is buzzing, her elation and optimism contagious. I look over, catching a grin from Jake that makes my stomach flip again. My imagination kicks into overdrive, conjuring wishful fantasies where he reaches for my hand, twirls me around as he helps me out of the truck, brushes my hair back in the dying light of the sun, amber eyes boring into mine...

Guilt burns across my skin as I remember that I have no business entertaining any thoughts towards this man. I yank my gaze back to the road as I turn into the driveway.

I can't ignore the feeling of relief at seeing it empty. I can't shake the idea that something horrible is going to happen, like I'm doing something I shouldn't and I'm about to be caught.