Page 27 of Out of Place

At the end of the night, after I’ve transferred my clothes to the dryer and lie in bed staring at the ceiling, I realize I actually had fun tonight. Dottie and I solved a few of the puzzles on the TV, and it was exciting each time we found a connecting piece on our kitten puzzle.

I kind of can’t believe all the things I’ve done this week that I’ve never done before.

My mind wanders to the way Landon looked at me today when I was holding the goat. His smile was wide, and his eyes never left me, like he never wanted to stop looking at me. I hate to admit that I actually liked him looking at me. I’m used to being the center of attention, but this was different. He made me feel pretty even when I was looking my absolute worst. And I can’t believe a dirty farm boy made me feel that way.

What the hell is this place doing to me?

CHAPTER 10

Landon

I’ve been counting down the days until I get some one-on-one time with Olivia during our driving lessons. It’s been killing me not to ask her what Dawson said to her that day at the farmers market, but I try to keep it strictly professional while we’re at work, making sure to thoroughly show her every task Dottie asks me to. I want her to be successful for her sake and for the farm. She picks up everything quickly, and I think she’s even starting to like the goats.

The day before my next day off, I pull her aside and quietly ask if she’s still good for our driving lesson tomorrow. She looks around to make sure no one heard me before nodding and walking off. It feels like we’re sneaking around, and I guess, in a way, we are. Although there’s definitely a different kind of sneaking around I’d like to do with her.

* * *

Olivia is already walking down the porch when I pull into the driveway to pick her up. She hops into the passenger seat before I can even undo my seatbelt. I was going to open her door, but I guess she had other plans.

“Let’s go,” she tells me as she shuts the door.

“Are you in a hurry?” I ask, putting the truck in reverse.

“I told Aunt Dottie I was going on a walk. I don’t want her to see your truck.”

“Aw, sweetheart. Am I your dirty little secret?” I tease.

She looks me up and down before she answers. “You’re certainly dirty.”

I laugh. This woman doesn’t know how dirty I can be. I know she was referring to my clothes, even though I wore my nice jeans today. But it still makes my dick twitch in my pants. The things I want to do to her. . .

Her phone vibrates, pulling me out of my dirty thoughts. She looks at it and smiles.

As I pull out onto the road, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I have to ask, “Who’s that?”

“My best friend, Serena. Why? Am I not allowed to text in your truck?” she responds snidely.

“You can do whatever you want in my truck, sweetheart. Just thought it might be Dawson.”

I see her head turn to look at me from the corner of my eye.

“How do you know I know Dawson?” she asks, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. She knows I saw them together. She wants me to admit I was watching her.

I shrug. “Saw you with him at the market. Y’all were lookin’ mighty friendly.”

She straightens in her seat. “I didn’t realize you were watching me so closely. And not that it’s any of your business, but we’re going on a date. Tonight, actually.”

I can’t stop the laugh that comes out. “You and Dawson?”

“Yes. What’s so funny about that?”

I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s just. . . I’m not sure he can handle you, sweetheart.”

She scoffs and looks out the window. “I’m sure he can handle me just fine. But thank you so much for your concern.”

Concern or the fact that Dawson doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near her. She’s way too good for him, and I tell her that. But it seems to rub her the wrong way.

“I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate you telling me this,” she spits back.