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Love.
The realization was a kick to the stomach. This was why he couldn’t swallow what was happening right under his nose. It wasn’t simple jealousy. And his feelings ran deeper than simple attraction. He loved Scarlett enough that he wanted this to work out.
He wanted to be with her more than he’d wanted anything—even more than he wanted a farm of his own.
Elijah slowed his work, the metal end of the pitchfork in his hand clanging against the dirt at his feet. Neither one of them had told the other that they were in love. They were taking it slow. Could he really blame her for being willing to go on a date with some random guy when neither of them was capable of telling anyone about their romance?
The answer to that question was simple enough. He couldn’t.
But even acknowledging that little tidbit didn’t change the fact that he was hurting, angry, and he needed to figure out a few things before it got worse.
The storm door of Scarlett’s house screeched open and then banged shut. His head snapped up and he found Scarlett watching him from the porch. She looked like an angel straight from heaven in a pale blue dress—a dress that wasn’t made for working her father’s farm. She was going somewhere.
His immediate assumption was that she was heading out to see another guy—to go on another date. Elijah’s stomach roiled and he glowered at her from his location. In one swift motion, he threw the pitchfork much like he would have thrown a javelin into a bale of hay he hadn’t gotten to yet.
Hands balling into fists at his sides, he marched over to her house, stopping before he got to the stairs. She moved to the edge of the railing, resting her arms on it as she peered down at him with a blank expression.
Did she really not know why he was upset? Could she not see the pain in his eyes?
“Are you going to tell me what happened? Or are you going to pretend you didn’t just rip my heart out of my chest and feed it to me on a platter?”
Scarlett glanced out around them. Of course she wouldn’t be able to meet his gaze. She was probably feeling guilty over what she did.
Thoughts swirled in his head, bouncing back and forth and going haywire as he continued to think the worst that might have happened. He swallowed down the ache that threatened to explode from his chest. This was not the time to blow up at her. If he wanted this to work out, they needed to have a calm discussion about expectations.
He could be reasonable.
At least he hoped he could be, but the jury was still out on that one based on how frustrated he was at this very moment. “Well? You and Anna. You were going to go on a double date? With that city boy?”
Scarlett brought her gaze back to Elijah and frowned. She didn’t appear as remorseful as he would have liked, which madehimfeel even more guilty. She fidgeted with her fingers a moment, then sighed. “Yeah, I went on the double date.”
The frustration and uncertainty shifted into full-blown fury. “You did?”
She shot him a sharp look. “I didn’twantto. But you were so upset about the way I treated Annabel that I didn’t feel like I could tell her no. Our friendship has been getting so much better lately. And I wanted you to come, but then you just stormed off.”
“So now this ismyfault?” How dare she imply that he was responsible for her going on a date with another guy? Wasn’t there supposed to be an unspoken rule regarding dating? They were together. She couldn’t just go spend time with another guy.
Her face flushed bright red. “Of course it’s not. But I didn’t know what else to do. What was I supposed to say?”
“How about no thanks? How about telling her you are with someone else?”
“You know I couldn’t tell her that.”
“Well, maybe you should. Maybe we should go tell her right now. How about we stop pretending this isn’t what it really is?”
“And what is it? Because right now, no one knows. We hide how much time we spend together from everyone. And I’m tired of it.” Her last five words came out in a defeated rush. Her eyes seemed to plead with him for something, and he couldn’t figure it out.
They had officially come to a crossroads.
Three simple words came rushing to the tip of his tongue. He wanted to say them, was ready to say them. But looking at her now, dressed and ready to go out with someone else, held him back. Was she even interested in dating him anymore?
Elijah lifted his shoulders and let them drop. “What do youwantthis to be?” His voice was quiet, more diffused than before.
She gazed at him, her stare delving into him in ways he wasn’t prepared for. He couldn’t tell if she actually wanted anything to do with him. Could he blame her for wanting to walk away after he’d let his jealous side come through? Scarlett moved away from where she stood on the porch against the railing and came around the post at the stairs. Her hand glided down the handrail until she stood on the bottom step. “I want to know where you think this is headed. Everything has been moving so fast—not that I’m complaining or anything. I just want to know what you had in mind.”
He let his gaze sweep over her petite frame, noting just how pretty the dress looked on her. Again, he was accosted with jealousy and helplessness from wondering where she was going and who she planned on seeing. Elijah found her eyes again. “I don’t know if this is something you want to hear right now, but I do have an answer for you.”
“Then tell me.”
