Chapter Three

Joe stood in the room where his father clung to life. The beeping was the only noise aside from his footsteps as he paced back and forth before the window. Outside, the snow continued to fall. At least right now they weren’t too worried about the harvest. Everything was done until spring. Still didn’t change the fact the farm was barely holding on and that his old man had suffered a stroke, leaving him incapable of working at all.

Sure, his father was stable and they predicted a recovery. What kind they wouldn’t say, but a recovery. His sisters had finally gotten his mother to go to bed for some rest, promising they wouldn’t leave his dad without someone to keep an eye on him. He glanced over his shoulder at his old man. The last time he’d seen him was when he’d been kicked off the farm for daring to argue the direction they were going business-wise. Then his dad had been robust, healthy—yes, there had been some strain on his face, but, dammit, being a farmer wasn’t an easy life. Now he was thin, pale and laboring for every single breath.

Joseph Meyer Sr. was a proud man and Joe had seen it when his father had come to and discovered all of them standing around his bed. He’d not wanted to be there, lying helpless. He hadn’t spoken and his eyes had closed soon after but he’d woken up and that was the good Joe took from the situation.

Facing the window, he stared out over the five hundred acres that belonged to the family. Just being here, even given the situation, made his heart beat stronger. This was where he belonged and he never should have let his father kick him out.

I’m not leaving again.

“How’s he doing?”

Joe turned to find the baby of the family walking in. “Hey, Mary. Still sleeping soundly.”

“We’ve all eaten. Go get something before Sissy puts it all away, although I think she saved you a plate and left it in the oven for when you get down there.”

Sissy. She’s gone and grown up. In school, she’d been a bean pole but now, damn, the Lord has blessed her with amazing curves. He thought about her mentioning a son.

“What about her boy?”

“What about him? He’s around. Mom said it was fine she brings him. Much like her mom did her when she was young.”

“Where’s the father?”

“I don’t know, Joe. You’ll have to ask her. Go eat. I’ll sit with Dad for a spell.”

He gave his old man one more look before walking out and heading for the wide staircase. Taking his time, he descended, taking in his familial home. Spotless as always, family pictures along the stairs from their childhood up to his great grandparents. But always here. And it was in his blood.

Down at the bottom, a small child played with a tractor. Joe’s lips twitched as he recognized the toy. It was the same one he’d had growing up with its familiar green and yellow paint job, denoting the only company his family would use for farm equipment.

The boy gazed up and smiled, showing off his missing front tooth. “Hi,” he said, pushing to his feet, holding the tractor.

“Hi,” Joe replied. “You must be Sissy’s boy.”

“Taylor. You’re Mr. Joe. Your brother Mr. Patrick said it was okay for me to use your toy.”

While it had been a statement, Joe could hear the question at the end. He nodded. “Absolutely. Do you know where your mother is?”

“Cleaning up in the kitchen.”

The boy’s auburn curls shone in the entry light. He had his mother’s green eyes though—no way for Joe to miss that.

“Thank you.” It had been on the tip of his tongue to inquire where his father was but stopped himself. It wasn’t his place to ask the boy that question.

Pausing in the entry to the kitchen, he stared at the woman he had no problem asking. Sissy was finishing up, the apron ties accentuating her waist and showing off the fullness of her hips. Her black slacks brought his attention closer to the bubble butt she’d in no way had in high school.

She finished wiping off the counter and stepped back, fists on hips as she stared at her handiwork.

“Looks fine to me,” he said.

She jumped, spinning toward him with her hand on her luscious chest. “You scared me.”

He crossed his arms and grinned. “Sorry.”

Sissy rolled her eyes. “Don’t sound it at all. There’s a plate for you in the oven. I’ll clean up in the morning.”

“Why do I feel like you’re running away every time I walk in the room?”

“No clue. Why do you feel that way?”

Her green eyes sparkled and he loved his own body’s reaction to being near her. For the first time since he had been pushed away from his family farm, there came a spark. No more just trudging through daily matters—this woman excited him. Made him want to explore what was beneath her layers.

“Because you get this look on your face, similar to what you have now, and your eyes keep skating left and right as if an exit will just open up and allow you to run away. Am I that scary?”

“You’re not scary,” she retorted, tossing her thick black locks. “Over-exaggerated sense of worth perhaps, but not scary.”

“Really? Is that any way to talk to me?”

“I think we have gone past being professional here, Joe. We grew up together. Hell, you and I fucked under some of the trees on this property one night. Drunk and clumsy, but it happened.”

“I know it happened.” He sent her a wicked grin. “If it helps, I’m not drunk and I’m definitely no longer clumsy.”

She flushed and he wanted to kiss her. She appeared so innocent and adorable.

“No thanks.”

“Are you sure?”

When she bit her lower lip, he almost lunged the rest of the way and slammed his mouth over hers. Somehow, he managed to hold on to the tiny smidge of sanity he had left within him.

“Positive. I have Taylor to think about and sleeping with my boss’ son isn’t on the list of smart things to do.” She shoved her hands into her back pockets, thrusting her full chest forward with the action.

Christ, my cock is already rock hard just being in the same room as her. Seeing that lush chest being pushed more in his direction did nothing to help calm him.

“Can I tempt you?”

She narrowed her eyes. “No. I have to look your parents in the face every day and I’ll not be ashamed because I lost my brain for a bit and slept with their eldest child.”

He moved closer. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

Her lids fluttered and he knew right then he was getting to her. Just a bit more pushing and he’d have her where he wanted her. Beneath him in bed. Or above. Either way, he was more than willing to work with it.

“No.”

“Are we going home now, Mom?”

Her child’s voice was a douse of cold water. Sissy recovered first and pasted a warm smile on her face. “Of course we are. I was just on my way to get you. Did you make sure to put that tractor back where Mr. Patrick told you to?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Wonderful. Go get your coat. I’m right behind you. Good night, Joe.” She reached out a hand, nearly touched his arm, then moved by. Leaving him wanting.

They were far from finished.