Page 41 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Chase

Sunday mornings usually started early on the farm.

But after last night’s barn dance—and everything that came with it—this one was starting slowly.

I’d woken up several times during the night to reassure myself that Anna was okay.

The sun was already well up by the time I stirred.

Beside me, Anna shifted, her hair a tumble of dark gold across the pillow.

She looked peaceful, despite the bruising on her face that suggested otherwise.

For a few quiet seconds, I let myself just watch her breathe, grateful down to my bones she hadn’t been hurt more seriously.

I almost lost it last night, seeing her beneath Marcus’s boot.

That image was seared into my memory—his face twisted in anger and the sound of her whimper as she curled up and awaited the blow.

And even now, knowing that Marcus was in jail on assault and battery charges, I still felt unsettled.

I kept replaying the scene over and over in my head.

Anna had told me not to carry any guilt.

I knew it was a lesson she’d learned the hard way .

But knowing it and doing it were two different things.

Marcus had worked beside me for over two years.

I’d trusted him enough to make him a manager.

Especially compared to Bodie, he’d always been a little moody, but I figured that was just his nature.

He got his work done and seldom complained.

But I should have paid more attention to Jordan’s dislike.

Should have been the one to stick with Anna, so I would have known to fetch the lemonade myself.

I ran a hand over my face and let out a slow breath.

But work on the farm wasn’t going to wait forever.

The week ahead would be full. There was the usual work, but also the large custom order I’d driven out to scout just days ago.

It had come through faster than planned, which meant scrambling to get the right trees and shrubs tagged and staged for transport.

On top of that, the Christmas tree committee was scheduled to visit later in the week.

Now we were a man down. And not just any man, but the one who’d been managing those fields.

Today was cleanup day, as the dance had gone on too late into the night to do anything afterward.

From our bedroom, we could hear the music carry on until somewhere around midnight, then the noise of people cheerfully calling goodbyes as cars pulled away.

Later than planned, but that meant everyone had gone back to enjoying the dance.

I was glad for Anna’s sake. She’d worked too hard for it to fall apart because of fucking Marcus.

I eased out of bed, careful not to wake Anna, and pulled on jeans and a worn T-shirt. She barely stirred. She’d put in long hours getting ready for the dance, and she was tired. Add the trauma of last night, and I was determined she was going to rest today, just as the doctor ordered.

When I headed to the kitchen, Jordan was already at the table with Jack at his feet. He slowly stirred a full bowl of cereal that had given up any pretense of looking like breakfast. The milk was clotted with flakes that had turned to mush.

“Morning, buddy,” I said, ruffling his hair on my way to the coffeepot.

“Mornin’,” he mumbled.

“You okay?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t sleep much.”

“Yeah,” I said, sliding into the chair across from him. “Me either.”

There was a long stretch of quiet. Then Jordan said, “He really hurt her.”

“Yeah, he did.”

The spoon clinked in the bowl as he let it go and stared at his lap. “I thought it was bad when stuff happened to me. But somehow this feels worse. Like…I dunno. She makes everything better. And then someone does something shitty like that to her.”

I didn’t bother correcting his language. “Jordan, listen. Shitty things happen, even to good people. And Anna is the best there is. But I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you ever again.”

Large eyes narrowed at me. “You can’t promise that. You could get sick and…”

Die. Like his mom. I reached my hand across the table. “No, you’re right. But I can promise I’ll be here for you. Always. And that’s a promise I can make. In the meantime, the lesson is that we love and live the best we can now.”

“Amen to that,” a soft voice called behind him.

Anna stood leaning against the door frame, her hair still tousled and eyes a little sleepy, but smiling.

“What are you doing out of bed?” I scolded, immediately jumping up and at her side in two strides .

“You’re not supposed to get out of bed,” Jordan added, getting up, too.

“I’m fine,” she answered with a laugh as I guided her to a chair like she was a piece of fragile porcelain.

“You sure? Are you nauseous? Dizzy?”

“Do you want some coffee? Tea? Juice?” Jordan asked, already on his way to a cabinet.

“Do you want a pillow for your back?”

“What about your hand? Do you need ice? Let me get you some pain meds.”

“Can I make you breakfast? Toast? Eggs? Something soft might be best.”

Laughing, she held up both hands as Jordan and I talked over each other. “Guys. Please don’t fuss. I’ll be okay. It could be much worse.”

That shut us both up for half a second as that thought sank in. Then we both jumped in again.

“I still can’t believe he did that.”

“I want to kill him.”

“I hope he rots in jail.”

“I’m never leaving your side again.”

“Me, either.”

Anna groaned affectionately. “Guess I’ve got two bodyguards now. Not sure how you’ll ever get work done following me around all day.”

“Watch us,” I challenged, but I finally relaxed and sat back down. Jordan followed suit.

“Seriously,” she said, looking between us. “I appreciate you both wanting to take care of me.” Jack whined beside her and placed a paw on her lap. She leaned down and nuzzled him. “And you, too, of course.” She looked back up. “I love you both.”

Her words were simple, but they still hit me square in the chest every time. She’d said them before, but always in quiet moments between us. Here, in the middle of the kitchen with Jordan, it was different. It was bigger. It felt like family. My family.

I’d told Anna that legacy was about the people, not the land.

But until now, I’d still been measuring it against the farm.

Now I knew the truth. The farm could burn to the ground, and I’d still have everything that mattered.

They were sitting right here. Anna was my future.

And maybe, if he let us, Jordan was as well.

I glanced at him just in time to see her words land with him.

He blinked hard, then sniffed, like he was trying to cover it.

Then he gave up all pretense as a tear slid down his cheek.

He stood without a word, crossed the small space between them, and wrapped his arms carefully around her.

He buried his face in her shoulder. She didn’t hesitate.

She held him like it was the easiest thing in the world.

“I love you, too,” he whispered.

Her eyes welled, and I wasn’t doing much better. Two people who had been made to feel they were either too much or not enough had found each other. And I got to love them both.

Jordan pulled back with a quick sniff and wiped his face with the back of his hand. “So,” he said, clearing his throat. “Is cereal okay for people with concussions? Cause I don’t know how to cook.”

Anna laughed, her eyes still shining. “It’s perfect.”

So that’s what we ate. Nothing fancy, but it tasted like everything I ever wanted.

By midmorning, the barn was a flurry of activity.

Tables and chairs were folded and hauled away by the rental company. Lights were taken down and boxed, and Cam’s crew broke down the temporary sheds and the stage. What had taken weeks to put together was disassembled in a matter of hours.

I stopped to watch as the shed frame where Anna had been attacked came apart. With every board they removed, my tension eased. Funny how something so temporary could leave such a permanent mark.

From the porch, I could hear faint laughter.

Anna’s, along with the familiar sound of my sisters’ and Emalee’s.

They’d all shown up with their arms loaded with casseroles, snacks, and desserts to keep my entire crew—and us—fed for days.

All so Anna could rest. She seemed distressed at first that they’d gone to so much trouble, but she was learning what I already knew.

This is what family did. And it was my family’s way of saying she was one of us now.

By early afternoon, Silver Creek Farm looked like itself again. Everyone had returned home, and Jordan has disappeared into his room.

I joined Anna on the porch, where she was gently rocking on the swing with one leg tucked beneath her. She beamed up at me.

“The girls helped me tally up the grand total we raised.”

“Oh? How’d it go?”

She rattled off a number that made my eyes widen. “Seriously?”

“I know! I couldn’t believe it. Even after paying for the rentals and a few other things, we far exceeded our goal.”

I leaned in and kissed her, then settled my arm around her. “You did it. I don’t know for sure, but I’d guess that far beats any number that’s been raised in the past. Helluva lot better than a pancake breakfast. You may have even started a new tradition in Sterling Mill.”

She beamed. “I’m glad.”

“You know this means Beverly Seymour is going to be on our doorstep every month with a new activity she’ll want you to head up.”

She tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, it’s something I love doing. Planning and organizing things, especially if it’s for a good cause. It’s the one good thing that came out of the past few years.”

She never referred to that time as a marriage, nor did she speak the name of her former husband. That was fine by me. I was glad to see she’d put that in the past where it firmly belonged.

“Maybe one day I’ll grow tired of it, but I’d help again. If it’s wanted.”

“It’ll be wanted. And whatever you do next will be amazing, too.”

She rested her head on my shoulder. The swing creaked gently beneath us as the sun stretched across the porch, enjoying the quiet before we geared back up tomorrow to get ready for the Christmas tree committee’s visit.