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“I understand, but these are things that will keep you afloat.” She hesitated before she said the next words aloud. “I might even advise that you should bring in a partner. Someone who is good with finances and the business side of things.”
Her expression instantly changed. “You mean sell off half of everything here?”
Parker nodded. “You could hire someone to do the finances, but the only way to make sure the business stays solvent is to have someone here, someone who isn’t volunteering, who will put in the blood, sweat and tears right alongside you. They’ll have as much at stake. You won’t be losing money because you don’t have a lot to lose at this point.”
Bonnie seemed to absorb the words. “This is a lot to consider. I’ll need some time.”
“Understandable, but we’ll have to move quickly.”
“What’s your story, Parker? You have one, I can tell.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I’m just wondering why Edgar sent you here. There’s more to it than needing someone to convince me to sell.”
She could have come up with anything to say, but in the short period of time that she knew Bonnie, Parker found that the woman wanted, and deserved, honesty. She’d been lied to enough. “I think Edgar expects me to fail. He wanted a reason to fire me and sending me here would be the reason he needs.”
“But how would he know that you’d fail? You could have talked me into selling?”
Parker played with a loose string on her jeans. “He knows me. I’ve worked for him a long time and he understands that I’m a fighter. All I need is a glimpse of opportunity and I can turn it into something.”
“You sound like a lioness. I like that.” Bonnie’s eyes glittered.
“Well, I’m beginning to realize that although strength is important, we also need to be connected with our emotions. There is a way to have a life outside of work and I haven’t found the balance yet.” Parker admitted. She felt comfortable speaking with Bonnie. She didn’t have many friends so maybe it felt good to be vulnerable with someone.
“I fell for Bill the second I saw him. We were at the county fair, and he was taken by me too. He handed me a flower. I put it in my hair and he told me how beautiful I was. I went home and told my sister that I met the man I’d marry. Six months later, we said “I do” at the little church down the road. And we continued to say “we do” every day for fifty years. Love isn’t just a fringe benefit. It’s the main course. My flowers, they wouldn’t have been as bright and colorful if I didn’t have Bill by my side every step of the way. When we look at our lives and there’s no one there to share happiness with we’re missing out.”
“I was married. I wasn’t very good at it. We divorced.” Parker realized she said the words without regret.
“I’m sorry. That’s terrible, or maybe it’s for the best. There’s a someone for everyone. Maybe love blossoms in the least likely places.” She wagged her sparse brows. When tears filled Parker’s eyes, Bonnie reached over and touched her hand. “I can see a lot of hurt in you. Is that what spurs you to be so strong?”
“When I was a kid my parents lost everything. My father was drinking too much, lost his job then lost our house. My mother and I left him, but he opened his eyes and switched his life around. He gave up drinking and dedicated himself to his family. I think I made a promise to myself that when I became an adult I’d make sure that I’d never lose the things that are important to me. Looking back, Gray wasn’t important to me. Not enough to see marriage as forever.”
“You’re leaving something out,” Bonnie said softly.
“I married him for stability, not love. I’m not proud of that fact, but it was the one mutual cohesion between us. Then it backfired. He’s now married to his mistress and they’re having the life that I truly want for myself.”
Bonnie’s sincerity made Parker shed a few tears. She swiped them away with the back of her hand, embarrassed for showing emotion in front of a stranger. “Your path has made you who you are today. It means a lot to me that you’ve been completely honest when not everyone can be. Not even my husband could tell me what I needed to hear. That tells me a lot about who you are. Now I need you to promise me something. I’m willing to do whatever needs doing to save this place, but not at the expense of others. I’m tired and need rest.” She started to get up but was too weak.
Parker stood and helped her. “I can help you to your bedroom.”
“Nah, dear. It’s but a small journey I want to make myself. Tell Raven and John I’ll talk to them later.”
Once Parker was alone, her gaze was drawn to the couch. Her cheeks flamed. What had she been thinking? Problem was that logic hadn’t been what spurred her to nearly have sex with Raven. She’d been following her body’s needs which had become somewhat of a dried-up cavern. Desire had taken her prisoner and it felt good. How would she help Bonnie when she couldn’t focus because a cowboy had lassoed her?
She needed to find her way back on track and soon. There was a lot of work on the list.
Through the screen door she heard Raven speaking to his father about Bend checking the farm for the intruder.
“I’m going to stay here tonight,” Raven said.
“Do you really think the suspect came into the house?”
“I do.”
She cleared her throat to let them know she was stepping out onto the porch. Raven was leaning against the rail, his ankles crossed. His father was sitting in the rocker. She could see where the sons got their good looks from. He pushed up from the chair and offered her a very kind smile.
“We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m John Ryder.” He reached out a hand that had witnessed a lot of hard work.
