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“What do you even know about her? You just met her.”
“Azalea.” Eli sounded offended. “This is a small town. You think I didn’t know her before she walked in here? That I haven’t heard the rumors about you two?”
“Rumors? What rumors?” The offense in her tone couldn’t be hidden.
“Do you really not know?” Eli put the truck into gear and left the field.
“What rumors, Eli?”
Snorting, Eli turned the truck ninety degrees to the south and headed toward the next part of the field. “The rumors that Brady no doubt started. Why didn’t you warn her off him?”
“I tried. Jewel doesn’t exactly listen to me.”
“Oh, she listens.”
“Not about him.”
“Well, her time to waste. The rumors that you and Jewel are a thing and have been for the five years she’s been here.”
“You’re kidding me.”
Eli shook her head. “I’m not. But it’s a small town, so if there’s no truth to the rumors, then they’ll die out quickly. But if there is truth to them, you know what will happen.”
“Yeah, I do,” Azalea muttered. And she did. She’d experienced it all before, and she absolutely did not want to drag Jewel down that road with her. Jewel deserved better.
“What are you thinking, Azalea?”
The question echoing at her barely made a dent in the fury that was Azalea’s brain. The panic that had settled into her chest grew, and she had to find a way to tamp it down, to make it stop so she could have a rational conversation, so she could explain to Jewel why she couldn’t do this, why they shouldn’t explore this.
“Want a word of advice?” Eli added as she parked by the house five minutes into the silence. Azalea hadn’t even realized she’d driven back.
“I have a feeling you’re going to give it to me either way.”
“You’re right. Sometimes, Azalea, the risks are worth it. Now get out of my truck and go back inside the house. I’ll see you at breakfast. I’ve got actual chores to get done.”
With the order given, Azalea left the truck and slipped back into the house. Every light was off except for the one in the kitchen. Eli did have a point. Whether or not she followed Eli’s unsolicited advice, Azalea did need to talk to Jewel. She had to explain, had to share, had to make sure Jewel knew where she was coming from and why this in particular was so difficult.
* * *
It was mid-morning by the time she managed to catch Jewel alone. Storms rolled in from the west, and Jewel sat on one of the small benches on the wraparound porch outside, sipping coffee and watching the thunder from a distance. Taking a fresh mug of her own, Azalea grabbed her jacket and moved to sit outside, huffing as she got comfortable on the cold bench.
“Storm’s coming,” Jewel said as if they had nothing else in the world to talk about.
“Should be a good one. How much do you think we’ll get?”
“At least one inch. We’re doing pretty good on rain so far this year.”
“Yeah.” Azalea settled into the conversation, weaving her mind in every possible way she could start it. But there truly was only one way to begin. She had to say something. “I’ve dated another teacher before.”
Jewel stiffened. She moved slowly, turning to look at Azalea, her eyes wide and her fingers gripping the mug tightly. “Have you?”
“Yes, and needless to say, it was the last time I dated a teacher.”
“Oh.” Pity, pain, disappointment all rang in that one syllable.
Azalea brought the warm rim of ceramic to her lips but didn’t sip as she moved it away. “It was years ago. Too many, really. We dated in college, and when we were looking for jobs, we both made sure to apply at schools near each other so we could stay together.”
“Hutch?”
