Chapter Six

Am I hearing this right? Marriage? To a man I’ve not seen in years for no other reason than he fucked me in the laundry room?

Mrs. Meyers’ blue gaze homed in on her like an eagle on a mouse. Sissy gulped and tried not to show the incredible panic that coursed through her. Heart thundering in her chest, she swore if God could have her waking to find this nothing but a dream—or nightmare—she’d be forever grateful.

Of course, my luck doesn’t work that way.

Mrs. Meyers ran her gaze over them both, from the way Joe clasped her hand to the way Sissy stood tense and embarrassed.

“Compromised?”

Oh, what sweet hell this is. Do I truly have to go through this?

“Yes,” Joe replied right away. “Plus, I’ve been to her place a time or two. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors around town. I don’t want to ruin her or Taylor’s good name.”

It is official, I’m going to kill him.

“This isn’t necessary,” she began trying again to free her hand from his grip. Again unsuccessful.

“Mom!” Taylor called from upstairs.

What is he even doing up there? He knows he’s not supposed to go up there. Not to mention he is supposed to be out with Mary. What kind of mother doesn’t know her son returned? Oh, right, the kind fucking the boss’ son in the laundry room. Me.

Could her mortification get any worse? Her son knew better than this. Truly, he did.

“Taylor,” she snapped, feeling her world crumble around her.

“Mr. Meyers would like some water.”

All three of them paused then headed up the stairs, hurrying to get to his side. She held Taylor to her and watched Mrs. Meyers and Joe surround the bed and begin talking in low tones to the man lying there.

While she was thrilled he had spoken, this wasn’t time for her to be there. She edged to the doorway, keeping Taylor moving with her step for step. Determined right now to get as far away as she could.

Thankfully her son didn’t argue and walked with her. As her feet hit the polished wood of the first floor, she gazed about for her jacket, then decided to hell with it. Get away was the mantra running through her head.

She led Taylor to her older model Civic and waited for her son to buckle himself into the seat. Her own belt fastened, she started the engine and drove them away.

“Did I do something wrong, Mom? I know I wasn’t supposed to be up there but I heard him and no one else was around because Ms. Mary was out at her truck putting something away.”

She reached over the gearshift and patted his leg. “I’m sorry. It was my fault for not being within hearing distance.” I was too busy fucking his son to hear Mr. Meyers call for help.

Okay, so she may not have been able to hear him back in the laundry room. However, had the door been open there was a much greater chance she would have had the opportunity to do so. Not the case when Joe’s cock was shoved deep inside her and she was crying his name into his mouth or neck.

Shame heated her face once more and she shook her head, not needing Taylor to ask her what was wrong.

“I just wanted to help.” Taylor’s voice was softer and she longed to hold him tight.

“I know. You’re fine, this was on me. I’m sorry for snapping at you. We’re all just worried about Mr. Meyers.”

“I hope he gets better. He’s always been so nice to me. Told me to call him Pops.” Taylor jerked his head in her direction. “I didn’t, you told me to always call him Mr. Meyers.”

“I am sure you did the right thing. Thank you for remaining respectful to him.”

He dug his book out of his bag and began reading. She smiled and put her attention back on the road. The Edge wasn’t that big a town and it didn’t take her long to get to her place. She waved at the people they passed.

Her anxiety had faded as she turned into the short drive of her home. She sighed and realized it truly was her home. She was here to stay and raise her son where she’d grown up. Her teachers would become his.

Sobering. Had her husband not died in service of his country, she doubted she would have come back for more than selling off her mom’s house when she’d died.

They entered the house and she began fixing supper while Taylor continued to read his book in the living room, out of her way. Any little sound and she jumped, waiting for the phone to ring or a knock on the door to come and strip away her job.

And if I lose said job I don’t know what I will do. I suppose I can look for a job at the local bakery. Mrs. Millie is getting on in years… Maybe she’d like some help.

She would think on it later. Right now she had to focus on her son. Once he’d been bathed and put to bed, she poured herself a drink and settled on the couch to mull over the events of her day.

 

* * * *

 

Joe stood in the room with his father, who was sitting up with help from the adjustable hospital bed, but the man had come to and he was proud of that fact. However, as always with the senior Joseph Meyers, it was like a raging storm—he was all or nothing. And right now, it was all.

“You’re here,” he rasped.

Joe faced his father and crossed his arms. “Where else would I be when my mother calls me home because you had a stroke and she nearly lost you?”

“Mind your tongue, boy, I’m still your father.”

Almost lashing back, he curbed himself and sighed. “Yes, sir. And so, I mean what I’m about to say with all the respect I can put in it. I’m staying home. I’m taking over the running of the orchard. You will be on limited duty because we’re not about to lose you over some stress. Jennifer is taking over the books and we will get this place back in the black.”

His father glared at him and opened his mouth. Joe shook his head and held out a hand.

“No arguments on this, Dad. It’s been decided. Mom headed up the meeting and all of us agree. We’re all home.”

His siblings and mother filed in and stood behind him.

“We’re home and we’re staying home. No point in your getting upset.”

His father moved his gaze around them all. “Everyone is agreed?”

Joe held his breath as his mom moved to her husband’s side. “Do this for me, Joseph. I’m not ready to lose you.”

Each of his siblings left the room as his father cupped their mother’s cheek and kissed her.

That. That there is what I want. That intense love shared between two people that will sustain for a lifetime.

I can have that with Sissy. He knew it. She filled that part of him that was empty. Being back home in The Edge did the rest.

His mother left and again he was alone with his father. Sharp blue eyes hit him and he straightened instinctively.

“Don’t lose her. I like Taylor and he will make a wonderful grandson.” He shut his eyes and waved a hand. “Go. Go!”

Joe stared at his father, who seemed to sink back into the mattress and fall asleep within seconds. How the hell does he know about what is going on with Sissy?

His family waited outside the room for him. No one spoke. He kissed his mother and jogged down the stairs to his truck, praying he’d left the keys in there. Not that it mattered. He didn’t care if he had to drive the tractor—all he knew was he had to get to Sissy faster than running from the orchard to her house on the outskirts of town, on the other side.