Page 6 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Chase

By most standards, it was still early—barely eight-thirty.

But already, I’d fed the goats and cleaned out their enclosure, checked for storm damage, chopped up a few downed branches, and hauled buckets of pea gravel to patch up new potholes where the rain had carved ruts along the paths we used to get into the fields.

My crew was busy sorting through our shrubs, preparing them for shipment to our usual customers, mostly landscape designers, along with a few commercial box stores.

Typically, I’d stick around to help, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me.

I wanted—no, needed— to know that Anna was okay.

And to get some answers , I reminded myself grimly.

Something about her return felt off, although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

Why the hell was she back in Sterling Mill and driving in last night’s hazardous conditions on the notoriously dark road?

More troubling, from where I’d found her car earlier, she hadn’t been headed toward her family’s farm; she’d been driving away from it.

What could have made her leave during such bad weather ?

Leaving them to keep working, I headed back to the farmhouse.

Everything was still quiet, so I assumed Anna was still asleep.

She used to be an early riser, accustomed to early morning chores.

So, if the dark circles under her eyes hadn’t already hinted at her exhaustion, the fact that she was still asleep confirmed my suspicion.

But why was she so tired? Was she unable to sleep without her husband by her side?

I hated the thought, especially considering what an asshole I thought he was.

I sat at my desk and opened my laptop to review the applications for the housekeeper position again.

Sadly, none of them looked any more promising this morning than they had earlier in the week.

Most were too young. I didn’t want anyone who might distract my crew—or me—with flirting.

Too many women thought being married to an Allen was their ticket to afford their champagne tastes.

Sure, I did well and was financially secure.

More than secure, in fact. But that prosperity hadn’t come easily.

It was the product of hard work and dedication that spanned several generations, as far back as the early nineteenth century when this farm was started.

Each family had worked tirelessly to maintain and grow Silver Creek Farm, passing it down with pride.

I didn’t plan to be an exception to this tradition, and anyone who was part of my life would have to accept that reality and be willing to contribute to it.

Unfortunately, few women around here were prepared to get their hands that dirty—literally.

My great-uncle James never married, and with no other heir, he left Silver Creek Farm to me.

I was deeply grateful; nowhere else had I felt more at peace.

Growing up surrounded by the constant noise of the car racing circuit—engines roaring, the announcers’ loud broadcasts, the shouts and cheers of spectators—there was little quiet time.

Asphalt and cement were the consistent scenery, with the scent of motor oil and burned rubber a constant irritation in my nose.

When my mom moved out and left us, my dad decided this wasn’t the best environment to raise his kids without someone to balance out a softer side, not that my mother was especially maternal.

He brought us back to live with his parents in Sterling Mill.

Although he dedicated all of his free time to us, his frequent absences inevitably led me to my grandmother’s brother’s farm.

As a child, I loved spending time among the gently blowing tree branches and the orderly rows of green plants.

I loved the contrast. Tractors instead of fast cars.

Birdsong for the roar of the crowds. Dirt for the track.

My grandmother often joked that Uncle James spent more time raising me than she had, which was likely true.

On many occasions when he was in town, my dad also came out to the farm.

But while my dad loved to get his hands dirty with the farm equipment, something Bristol loved to do with him, I loved to get my hands in real dirt.

Being able to take something so small and nourish it until it became a tree or a bush was its own kind of magic to me.

Anna used to love spending time here, too. And for a long while, I thought we’d work together on the farm. But life, like nature, was unpredictable. Sometimes even the most carefully tended plants become uprooted in a storm. And when the perfect storm struck, sure enough, it had blown Anna away.

I blamed myself. Like plants, relationships had to be nurtured. And I’d foolishly taken for granted that Anna would always be here.

Until she wasn’t .

Now she was back. But why?

Her husband’s death, a state representative with bigger ambitions, had shaken everyone. A car accident on a dark night. Rumors swirling that it hadn’t been an accident at all. Reports of a mystery woman.

My phone rang, cutting through my thoughts. As usual, my little sister Bristol skipped the pleasantries.

“I checked out the car you had my guys come tow. The wheel was bent, but I was able to find a new one nearby and sent one of my guys to get it. It’s got a little dent in the front fender, which I buffed out.

Nothing that prohibits its drivability. Pretty nice ride to be driving along mountain roads, especially in areas that aren’t exactly on the tourist map. Do you know who the owner is?”

I heard the suspicion in her voice and braced for the interrogation that was coming. I sighed heavily.

“And don’t bother lying, big brother. I had Reid run the license plate.”

“Then why are you bothering to ask?” I shot back. “Seems you already know the answers.”

“What the hell are you thinking?”

Her shout made me wince. Half the mountain probably heard her.

“Is she still there?”

“I don’t see what business of yours it is.”

“So, she is.” Her voice had quieted, but was no less judgmental. “Chase, what are you doing? She hurt you once before. Hell, she hurt all of us. I just don’t want that to happen again.”

The concern in her voice softened my response. “I’m a big boy, Bri. I appreciate you looking out for me. I really do. But everything that happened was a long time ago. She’s not cruel. She’s not here to stir up drama. ”

“Guess that depends on your definition of cruel,” Bristol muttered. “And I don’t care if he’s dead. Her husband was an ass. The fact that she married him after being with you? Clearly, she should have her head examined. And now she’s back. One rich husband down, and on the prowl for another.”

“Bristol.” My voice sharpened. “You don’t have any idea why she’s here.”

“And you do?”

“What was I supposed to do? Turn her back out to walk to town in the storm?”

She was quiet.

“Look,” I said, dialing back my frustration. “This conversation is going nowhere. Thanks for getting her car. I’ll see that she’s able to pick it up today. And I expect you to be decent to her. Got it?”

Silence.

“Bristol?” I hated what I was about to say, but sometimes Bristol needed a reminder. “You, of all people, should understand what it’s like to be judged based on perception rather than reality. Especially when those perceptions are based on the past.”

I let my words settle.

I respected the hell out of my little sister and knew she had a good heart.

She would give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it.

I knew Anna leaving Sterling Mill without a goodbye had hurt both of my sisters.

But they’d never even tried to talk to her when she visited.

Their loyalty to me superseded everything. For a while, I took comfort in that.

But now, seeing Anna so different from the vibrant girl we once knew, I couldn’t bring myself to add to it.

“History has a lot to teach,” Bristol finally said, but there was no fire behind her words.

This time, it was me who remained quiet.

“Fine,” she finally said, drawing out the word like I heard her stepdaughter do when she knew she’d lost a fight. “I’ll be polite. But don’t expect more than that.”

“Good enough.”

She snorted.

“What do I owe you for the tow?”

“You? Nothing. Her? I’ll think about it.”

“Bristol.”

Her sigh was long. “Just the standard towing fee.”

“Put it on my tab, please.”

“Chase, that woman has deep pockets.”

“Just do it.”

“Ugh. Whatever.”

“Bristol?”

“What.”

“I love you.”

“You can’t see me, but I’m rolling my eyes.” Her voice turned a tad lighter. “Love you, too. I just don’t like that she’s staying with you. She can afford to stay anywhere else. I don’t want to see you getting sucked in again.”

I rubbed a hand over my face. “I’m not sure what’s going on with her, to be honest. But I promise I’m not getting sucked into anything. Just two old friends who have a lot to catch up on. That’s all.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”

I ended the call and closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. I understood why Bristol reacted the way she did.

So why did I feel so damn defensive of Anna?

I must have been on my third cup of coffee when I heard the soft click of toenails on the floor. I looked up from the living room couch where I’d settled with my laptop. I didn’t want to take a chance that I’d miss Anna when she woke up.

Jack entered first, beelining a path toward me with his long tail wagging. Anna shuffled in after him, her hair tousled and her eyes still half-shuttered.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” I called out, doing my best to keep my eyes above the neckline of the T-shirt she wore, which did nothing to hide nipples that puckered beneath the soft fabric.

Even tired, mussed, and looking more like a waif than the Barbie-like version Mason dressed her as, she was still beautiful.

Startled, dark blue eyes met mine. “Good morning,” she said softly.

“I was just going to take Jack outside. Is there a place that’s better for him to go?

I’ll clean up everything, of course. I don’t want him to be a bother.

I know you weren’t anticipating company, and I swear, I don’t want us to get in the way. In fact?—”

“Anna, stop. It’s fine. Bristol and Em bring their dogs over all the time. It’s not a problem.”

“Oh. O…okay.” She paused and took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself.

“Tell you what. I’ll take Jack out while you get dressed. I brought your suitcase in for you, figuring you might need some things in there.”

Surprise flashed across her face. “You found my car?”

“I knew it couldn’t be far. Thought I’d see what the damage was. It was unlocked, so I brought back anything I thought you might need.”

“I—um. Thank you. That was really thoughtful. ”

“No problem. Anything I should know about Jack? Like, is he likely to take off or chase a squirrel?”

She nodded, a little uncertainly. “I…I’m not sure. He hasn’t had that kind of freedom before. I always take him out on a leash. But he’s well-trained, and he always comes when called. Seriously, I don’t want to impose…”

She stopped her rambling when I held up my hand. “I got him. Running will be good for him.” My gaze fell to her shirt again before I caught myself. I cleared my throat. “You should put some clothes on.”

She squeaked out another “okay” and scurried back to the guest room.

“Guess it’s up to you and me,” I said to Jack, who took a few steps, then turned his head back to stare at me as if to say, “ What’s taking you so long? ”

I led Jack through the kitchen and out into a fenced-in part of the yard, just in case he saw one of the bunnies I’d seen the past few days. This wasn’t the time to test if he’d choose to chase them.

At first, Jack appeared uncertain about the situation and stuck by my side. That caused me more questions. Who had a dog this size and didn’t let him run? Something told me that was more about her asshole of a husband than Anna.

I picked up a ball and lobbed it across the grassy area. Jack hesitated, glancing at me as if for permission.

“Go on,” I encouraged.

The moment the words left my mouth, he took off, his long legs eating up the distance in a short time.

I didn’t know how much training he’d had, but the second he snatched up the ball, he turned and bounded back and sat in front of me with expectant eyes.

“Oh, you like this game, do you?” I pried the ball from his mouth and threw it again. This time, he took off without encouragement. Seconds later, he was back again, his tail wagging for more. I let out a breath of laughter. We kept at it for several minutes, long enough for Anna to get ready.

I wiped a hand over my face, feeling the sun’s growing heat. “I think that’s enough, don’t you?”

Apparently, Jack didn’t agree. He lowered himself into a play bow and let out a sharp bark, his entire backside wiggling with anticipation. Clearly, he was not ready to quit our game of fetch.

“One more. But then we go inside, okay?”

Woof.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” I threw the ball as far as I could, wondering how Anna kept up with his energy level when they were at their city house. Or did she even try? Was there some dubious reason both dog and mistress appeared so hesitant?

Jack trotted back with the ball and dropped it at my feet.

“Uh-uh. Playtime is over. Time to go find your mistress. I’ve got questions. Hopefully, she’s got some answers.”

He whined but fell into step at my side like he’d been doing it all his life. I reached down to ruffle his fur. “You’re a smart boy, aren’t you?”

As if he understood, he nudged my thigh with his snout, the affectionate gesture making me smile.

A movement behind the kitchen window caught my attention.

Anna.

My steps slowed. The urge to march inside and demand answers to the questions swirling in my head battled with the need to approach her with caution. I wanted to know, but I wasn’t sure I was prepared to hear her answers.

Jack, however, had no such reservations.

He barked and bolted ahead, prancing at the door until it opened.

I heard her laugh as the enormous dog flung himself at her.

She staggered slightly under his weight, but somehow kept her balance.

Then she met my gaze, and her expression shifted, growing more guarded.

I hated seeing it, but I understood it. In the ten years since she’d left Sterling Mill, we had barely spoken.

She’d made her choices.

And I’d had to live with them.