Page 24 of Out of Place

His eyes go wide. “You’re Dottie’s niece?”

“Yes,” I answer slowly, unsure why that’s so surprising to him.

“Wow. I heard talk about you around town, but I just wasn’t expecting you to be so. . .”

“So?” I ignore the comment about the town talking about me. Nothing I’m not used to, honestly. Serena already sent me an article about how I’ve been sent away to get my act together. So now the whole world knows. At least the people who read the gossip mags.

“So beautiful.”

“Dawson, you flatter me.”

We talk for a few more minutes, and I learn he’s a mechanic at a shop just off Main Street and has lived here his entire life. The farthest north he’s been was Washington, D.C. for a class field trip years ago. And he’s really into baseball. Snooze fest.

By the time I finish my lunch, I know he’s about to ask me out. I’m considering saying yes, even though I can already tell that he’s too boring for me. But a night away from Dottie’s and a free meal sounds really good right about now. There are only so many mush casseroles I can eat.

Just as expected, when I stand to throw away my trash, he also stands and rubs his hands on his pockets like he’s nervous.

“Would it be ok if I asked for your number? I’d like to take you out sometime,” he says with a smile. If I’m not mistaken, he’s got a hint of a dimple. He’s cute; I’ll give him that. At least I’ll have something nice to look at on our date.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask and see?”

He smiles and lets out a little laugh like he wasn’t expecting me to say that. “Can I have your number, Olivia?”

I purse my lips and act like I’m thinking. “Yes, Dawson. I think that would be ok.”

He takes out his phone. I rattle off my number, and he says he’ll text me later, then heads off in the other direction. I walk back to Dottie’s table and, without thinking, look over and see Landon staring directly at me. He’s leaning against his truck with his arms crossed over his chest. The pretty blonde is nowhere to be seen.

His usual smile is gone, making it seem like he’s pissed off about something, although I’m not sure how that would involve me.

I raise my hand and wiggle my fingers at him in a taunting wave. He smirks and shakes his head before climbing in his truck and taking off.

CHAPTER 9

Olivia

Apparently, there is no rest for the wicked around here because I never get a day to sleep in. Dottie never fails to bang on my door when it’s time for me to get up. I’m certain the sound will haunt my dreams even after I leave here.

She’s got a cup of steaming hot, mostly black coffee waiting for me when I finally stumble down the stairs. It’s nothing like my favorite iced coffee, but I’ve learned to choke it down because it gives me the caffeine spike I need. Breakfast is always handed to me, although I don’t usually have time to finish it before I’m thrown out the back door and off to my demise with the cow udders.

Landon always greets me with a smile. I’m not sure how the guy can be so happy this early in the morning. Camden greets me with a scowl and judgmental gaze. It’s honestly impressive that my mere presence annoys him as much as it does. I barely say a word to him, yet he seems to hate me with every fiber of his being, and I have no clue why. Nor do I care.

After a week, the job has become routine. I know where the gloves are and the cleaner. Landon and I each start on a side and meet in the middle. Then I leave them to do their jobs while I check the chickens.

I’ve gotten quicker at it. I feed the chickens before snatching their eggs. It feels terrible that I’m stealing their babies away, but there’s no way in hell I’ll say that to anyone else working on this farm. Nope. I’ll continue to be the bad guy to keep an ounce of dignity.

I’ve just dropped the eggs off at the main house when Landon drives up next to me on a UTV.

“Let’s go see some goats,” he calls out.

I keep my eye on my next target—blueberry bushes. “No thanks.”

He huffs a laugh. “It wasn’t a question, sweetheart. Get in. We’re going to see goats.”

I sigh and stomp to the other seat. I’m barely seated before he takes off.

He pulls up to a large fenced-in area. I’ve seen it before but didn’t take the time to notice what was housed there. I follow Landon up to the gate, and he nods to the fence. “Built this fence myself.”

I roll my eyes. Does he think that would impress me? “Good for you.”