AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe if Everly just listened, she could get it over with. Her hand trembled as she picked up the phone. “Hello.”
“Hey, Everly. It’s Jaden Cross.”
“Hey.” The word held none of Everly’s usual sweetness, but it wasn’t cold.
“David just asked me to reach out to you. He said you’ll be moving out of the Blackwater house by Wednesday.”
“Yes.” She looked around the kitchen. Maybe it wouldn’t take as long as she thought. All of this stuff had been purchased with David’s money. It wasn’t hers.
“I’ll reach out to our real estate agent tomorrow and have him come by to get the place ready to list. He’ll probably want to set up a photographer to come on Tuesday or Wednesday. I’ll send someone out tomorrow to get the house presentable.”
David wasn’t going to let her pack in peace, and there wasn’t much she could do about it. “Okay.”
Jaden’s voice was gentle as she asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Everly didn’t feel like elaborating, but it would be rude to not answer.
Jaden sighed. “I’m so sorry about all this. I knew about Natasha, but I was afraid to tell you. I really need this job.”
Any thoughts that the idea had been Jaden’s disappeared. Everly knew her well enough to trust her sincerity, and nothing about this conversation gave her a red flag. “Thanks. I understand.”
“I know all of this is sudden, and I hate to send people in there while you’re trying to pack on short notice.”
“It’s fine.”
“But David is serious about you moving out as soon as possible. Do you want me to send someone to help you? David wouldn’t want me to, but I–”
“No, no. I’ll be fine,” Everly said. There was no way she’d let Jaden do something like that. David wouldn’t be paying for it, and Everly wouldn’t let Jaden pay for it. “Really. I have some help here, but thank you.”
“You deserve better,” Jaden said.
“Thank you.” The kindness had Everly’s eyes misting again. “I need to get to packing. Text me the times when I should expect someone to be here.”
“I will. Have a good evening.”
Everly put the phone on the counter and stared at it. She needed help, but Jess wouldn’t be off work for a few hours, and she hadn’t talked to Ridge yet. Blake was the first thought in her mind, but would calling him first make David’s snide comment somehow true? She didn’t want to give him that satisfaction, even if she would be the only one who knew.
But if she called Ridge, he’d bring Blake. She didn’t have to call Blake directly to get the message to him that she needed help.
Picking up the phone, she called Ridge, half hoping he would answer and half hoping he wouldn’t so she could have an excuse to call Blake.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Blake
Ridge parked in front of the dining hall and killed the engine. “I could eat a horse.”
Blake punched Ridge’s shoulder. “Don’t let Jess hear you say that.”
“I slept through breakfast, and I skipped lunch.”
Blake’s stomach growled. “I had a granola bar before church, but it’s long gone.”
They got out and headed up the few stairs leading to the dining hall. Kids and a few adults ran around in the sunny parking area. Patches of snow still covered the ground in the shadows.
Blake slapped a hand on Ridge’s back as he turned left. “I’ll catch up with you. I’m going to see if Stella needs a break to grab some supper.” Stella usually took over Everly’s position at the check-in desk when she was out while also covering the gift shop.
Blake took off his hat and wiped his brow on his sleeve before going in. With Ridge’s help, Blake had taken care of the washout on a trail, repaired a fire pit, and mended the fence on the northeast side of the horse pasture. The wind was cold, but the sun beat relentlessly all day.
