Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

JESS

S late held true to his word. Early the next morning, as soon as I was done with my chores, he came over to the house for breakfast and then took me back to the site with him once we were done eating.

The crew had arrived at daybreak. The whirring of their machinery started practically at sunrise. I'd been impressed with their work ethic, surprised to find that they'd started their day so soon after I had.

Slate's finger hooked around my own on the gear shift as we bumped and bounced our way over to the site in Austin's old truck, which was mine now. When we arrived, it appeared the workers were having a break for breakfast too.

They sat scattered around in the shade along the edge of the trees, brown paper bags or lunch boxes in front of them as they munched on sandwiches or sipped coffee out of thermoses. Slate had refrained from touching me since we'd climbed out of the truck, which I appreciated.

The last thing I wanted was for these guys to think he was only trying to be nice to the girl he was screwing, but I missed the heat of his hand on mine. Trying my best to focus on something other than that, I glanced up at him as we crossed the site toward where they were sitting.

"It didn't occur to me to ask before, but are these teams of yours staying in the motel in town? They got here so early that they couldn't possibly have come all the way from the city, right?"

Slate shook his head, freshly showered and not looking any worse for wear after our late night and early start. Those honey-colored eyes even seemed to have some kind of sparkle in them today. While I liked to think it was because of the amazing time we'd had together last night, I knew it probably wasn't that.

He was probably just happy that the work had started in earnest now. His gaze met mine, his eyes completely unobscured since he'd pushed his hair back, but it wasn't styled at all. It looked more like he'd just brushed it back while it'd still been wet.

There was also a little more scruff on his jaw today. He hadn't shaved this morning either, and he had a very nice, rugged shadow going at the moment.

With every step I took, I was reminded of having his face between my legs last night. If it wasn't for the dozens of people watching us as we approached, I might've grabbed him for a quickie in the forest. Eyes lighting up with humor like he'd heard the thought, he sent a pointed look at the oil guys.

"They're staying at a contractors' village nearby," he said. "It's mostly for migrant farm hands and that kind of thing, but they're open to any workers who are only in the area for a short period of time."

I frowned. "Are they okay there?"

He chuckled. "Do you care?"

I scoffed. "Of course, I do. They won't work well if they're staying in a hovel."

He shrugged, but there was still a grin on his lips. "They're fine. They're used to less than five-star accommodation, but moreover, the place really isn't bad. It's got clean beds and hot water. A central kitchen and an outdoor mess area. It's actually nicer than a lot of the places I've stayed over the years."

Since we'd now reached the men, I fell silent and waited for Slate to do his thing. He grinned at the guys and cleared his throat, at ease. He spoke to them all, simply making sure he spoke loudly enough for them to hear.

"Guys, this is Jess Merrick," he said, inclining his head to me. "She's our boss on this project together with her family, Doug and Jeanie, which you'll probably see hanging around a little later. Jess here farms this property just about alone these days and she's the one who found the oil originally. None of us would be here if not for her."

As he said it, eyebrows swept up and some guys nodded. Others gave me curious glances. Slate nodded at them. "She's not some delicate princess, gentlemen. And her old man isn't some hands-off property owner who just got lucky. They've been on this land for generations and they work hard, so let's treat ‘em as such, shall we?"

One by one, chins dipped in nods and Slate grinned at me, lowering his voice so we wouldn't be overheard. "If they give you any more trouble, let me know."

As I nodded, he took off to speak to the foreman about the plan for the day and I hung back, surprised when one of the older men waved me over. His face was ruddy. His cheeks were red and his gray beard and hair were wiry and unkempt, but his blue eyes were kind as he patted the open spot on the grass next to him.

"So you're a farmer, huh?"

I nodded. "Born and bred."

"My brother's a farmer too," he said. "It's a tough life. I admire you people."

"Thanks." I tipped my head at him. "I admire you guys too. It's not like you've got it any easier."

He chuckled.

As we fell into easy small talk, a few of the other guys joined us. I seemed to be in with them all of a sudden. When I asked questions, I got answers and eye contact, which was a nice change.

After their break was over, I stuck around and watched them work. My dad finally came out to watch the action too.

"How're they doing?" he asked, smoothing his hand over his white beard as his eyes darted from one side of the site to the other. "They seem okay, don't they? At least they didn't arrive late or leave early yesterday. It makes me think we can trust them."

"I was just thinking about their work ethic myself a little earlier," I admitted. "I think we're in good hands, Dad. I was worried about it before, but I got to know them a little bit while they were on a break this morning and I think we're going to be just fine."

Relief softened his eyes as he looked at me. "Welcome aboard, kiddo. It's nice to finally feel like you're with us."

"I'm with you," I assured him. "I still would have preferred not to have taken a loan, but I know we didn't have any other choice. I'm just glad it's going well so far."

"So am I," he said, his gaze roaming the field behind us. "Do you want any help today?"

I shook my head and patted his back. "I'm all good. You should stay around here. At least that way, you'll have any information as soon as they gather it."

He nodded. I headed over to the truck and climbed in, heading away from the site to get some work done around the farm. While I was checking on the crops, my phone rang. I slid it out of my pocket to see my brother's name on the screen.

"Hey, Austin," I said when I picked up. "You're missing out around here. Who would've thought Merrick Meadows would ever be where the action is?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, Mom was just telling me all about it. I've got a break coming up between big meetings, so I'm thinking about heading out there. Coming to spend some time back on the farm like the good old days."

"That would be amazing," I said honestly. "Mom and Dad would love having you around."

"Yeah, but do you think the house feels too full with Slate there too? I'm wondering if I should just stay at the hotel. It's shitty, but I don't want the house to be too crowded."

"Don't be silly," I admonished him immediately, channeling our mother. "You have to stay at home. You already know from your last visit Slate is in the guest bedroom, so your room is available and Mom would cuff you upside the head if you tried checking into the hotel."

"Fair enough," he agreed, laughing and I imagined him nodding. "I'll be there on Saturday, then. I'll be staying for a while."

Happiness flooded my senses and I grinned. "I'm thrilled you're coming home, Austin. Did you tell Mom you were thinking about it?"

"Nope."

"Should we keep it a secret?" I suggested. "Surprise them when you arrive?"

"Sounds good." He laughed. "You'll just have to make sure that my bedding gets washed before I arrive. Otherwise, Mom will be in a flat spin at the thought that I'm sleeping on dusty sheets."

"I've got it covered." My phone beeped to signal an incoming call. I pulled it away from my ear, checking who it was and grimacing. "I've got to go. Sophie's calling. Sorry to cut this short, but you know how she is."

"Sure do. You'd better take it before she drives all the way there to lecture you about answering your phone."

Austin and I hung up, and the call from Sophie had ended but I returned it immediately. When she picked up, she didn't even bother greeting me. "Thank God. I was looking for my keys to drive out there. How's the oil stuff going?"

"Fine," I said honestly. "A lot better today. You were right about talking to Slate. It made a world of difference. He introduced me to the team this morning and they're actually pretty nice. What's up? I know you weren't about to drive out here just to ask how the work was going."

"No, you're right," she said. "I wasn't calling about that. I got talked into going to the pool hall tonight with Tag and some other people. The old gang is going to be there. Bring Slate."

"I haven't been talked into going yet."

She sighed. "Do you really need me to do that? Everyone is going, Jess. It's been ages since we all got together. Just agree and tell me you'll bring the hot Oil Man."

I laughed. "Fine. I'll come, and I'll ask Slate."

"Excellent," Sophie said. "That was easier than I thought it would be. Has something changed between you two again?"

I shook my head, even though I knew she couldn't see me. "Nothing major. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Later," she said, hanging up and probably getting on the line to some of the others to let them know I was in.

I finished up in the fields and worked for a few more hours before I headed back to the house. I needed to shower and get myself put together after my chores, but as soon as I walked in, I ran into my mother.

She was bent over the display cabinet next to the stairs, dusting and polishing. As I looked around, I saw that she seemed to be doing all the wood furniture in the house.

She smiled when she saw me, but I paused. My mom looked tired, her eyes not as twinkly as usual and her rosy, apple cheeks lacking their usual flush. She hadn't stopped polishing when I'd walked in, and I also noticed that her movements were a little slower than usual.

"Are you okay, Mom?" I asked, concern suddenly weighing heavily on my heart.

"Of course, I am, sweetheart," she said. "I just tossed and turned all night long, thinking about all this stuff."

She gestured at the window, where in the distance, I could see the drilling equipment—and I could hear it too. It was obnoxious work.

"Lots of changes on the horizon," she murmured. "You know a stubborn old mule like me has trouble with that kind of thing."

"I understand." I crossed the foyer to her and brushed a kiss to her cheek. "I'm having trouble with it too, Mom. It's going to be okay, though. They'll be gone before you know it, or we'll just get used to having them here."

She chuckled, lifting her hand to pat my shoulder before I walked to the stairs. "You're going to take a shower?"

"Yep," I said. "Sophie invited me to the pool hall tonight with the old gang. I'm going to ask Slate if he'd like to join us."

Finally, a little of that usual twinkle appeared in her eyes again when she nodded. "That would be nice of you, honey. Have fun."

I headed upstairs and walked directly to the bathroom. I was glad my brother would be coming this weekend and excited about the surprise. I had a feeling that he was exactly what my mom needed right now—even if his presence would make finding time to be alone with Slate even that much harder than it already was.