Page 10 of Out of Place

“Best in the state.” She winks.

Are we really discussing eggs in the middle of a store right now?

“Who’s this young lady?” Jim turns to me.

“This is my niece, Olivia. Olivia, this is Jim. He lives about a mile down from the farm.”

I nod and smile, hoping he doesn’t want me to shake his hand or anything. I’m not a fan of touching old, wrinkly strangers. To my relief, he just nods to me.

“This Helena’s girl?” I guess people still remember my mom even after all these years. Dottie nods. “Spittin’ image.”

This Southern drawl is something I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to. My mother says a few words funny, but for the most part, you’d never be able to tell she’s from the South.

“Don’t I know it,” Dottie agrees.

They both stare at me long enough that I feel even more uncomfortable than I already did. “Well, Jim. We gotta get going. But it was good to see you. Tell Shell I said hello.”

“Will do. It was nice to meet ya, Ms. Olivia.”

“You too,” I mumble. Even though it was not nice to meet him, and I hope I don’t have to see him again.

We check out with all the terrible clothing she’s picked for me, and I swipe my credit card since, apparently, these are a necessity. Dad has to know I’d never willingly be caught dead in these.

* * *

I thought my day had maxed out on terrible things that could happen, but again, I was wrong.

I finally sit at the table for my first meal all day. I slept through lunch, and then Aunt Dottie took me to town as soon as I came downstairs.

For dinner, I changed into a black-collared dress and gold sandals. I’m not sure the floor in this house is clean enough to be walking around barefoot in. I wonder when her housekeeper comes.

Before I can ask, the back door flies open, and one of the smelly guys from earlier walks in. Landon. I didn’t think it was possible, but he’s even more dirty than earlier.

“Hey, Ms. Dottie. I’m about to take off for the day. The others are already gone.”

She turns from the counter where she’s preparing our dinner. I won’t lie and say I’m not a little nervous about what she’s about to put on my plate.

“Landon, you’re here late.” Is it late? I glance out the window and realize the sun is starting to set. This is usually when I’d start getting ready for a night out with Serena. It’s early, by my standards.

“Yes, ma’am. I was fixing some of the wire in one of the chicken coops. Should be good now.”

“You wanna stay for dinner? There’s plenty,” she offers.

Landon looks from her to me, where I’m sitting silently at the table. A slow smirk crosses his lips. I roll my eyes. “That sounds wonderful, Ms. Dottie. Thank you.”

Lovely. He’s going to use this time to laugh and make fun of me. Just what I need today.

“Go on and wash up then,” she tells him.

His gaze remains on mine until he’s out of the kitchen.

When he gets back, he sits directly across from me, removes his hat, and sets it on the table next to him, running his fingers through his dark brown hair. I look away. I don’t want to be caught staring at him…again.

Aunt Dottie puts a plate of something in front of me and sits down next to me.

I look down at the food. I must look confused because Aunt Dottie says, “It’s a chicken and broccoli casserole.”

“Oh.” I guess that is supposed to explain it? It looks like mush with some cheese on top.