Big Man for Christmas - Penny Wylder Page 0,49

Tools are packed up and the boxes that hold the lights and trim are loaded onto the trucks to go back to storage. In less than fifteen minutes, the Farrell’s field is nearly a ghost town. The sun is setting and people are heading home for dinner.

Which is exactly what I should be doing.

Jack waves me down as I’m walking to my truck. “Come on over for dinner.”

“That’s okay, Mr. Farrell. I’ve got leftovers waiting for me at home.”

“Don’t be silly. We have more than enough food to go around and we’re happy to have you.”

I stop and look him in the eye. “Thank you for the offer. Truly, but no. You have company now, and I think it’s better if I don’t intrude.” There’s no way that I’ll be able to sit at the same table as Tyler and be civil. I can’t watch Mrs. Farrell gloat, and I can’t watch the woman I love disappear, overshadowed by a man who doesn’t seem to care.

He looks at me carefully for a moment. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but he seems to find it. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve always liked you, Casey,” he says. “I’ve watched you grow up, and I’ve seen the way you treat people. It doesn’t matter who they are or what they do, you always treat them with dignity and respect. And today in particular, I’ve come to appreciate that. I’m glad your parents did right by you. They taught you that you’re free to make your own choices, no matter what anyone else thinks.”

I read between the lines of what he’s saying, and anger burns in my stomach. He doesn’t like the way Tyler treats Carley either, but he knows that his daughter is an adult, and he can’t interfere with her choices. And he doesn’t like the way Mrs. Farrell is pushing her toward him.

After Christmas, I imagine he and his wife are going to have some hard discussions. But Jack is one of the best people I know, and he’d never expose Carley to gossip and humiliation intentionally. So he’ll stay quiet just like I will. Even if it kills me.

“Thank you, Mr. Farrell. That means a lot.”

Then, softly, he says, “I just want her to be happy.”

I don’t say anything back to that. Because the minute I do, I’m going to give away the depth of my feelings for her.

“And I hope that she is. But I can’t help but wish…never mind. You have a good night, Casey.” he says, heading back toward the house.

“You too.”

My own house seems painfully empty now, and the dinner I have is the remnants of last night’s meal that I somehow still managed to burn because I was distracted by the fact that Carley left.

Now that I’m alone, the anger and sadness are impossible to hide. I choke down the food as quickly as possible so that I don’t have to think about it. I’m exhausted from today’s work, but there’s still restless energy running under my skin.

Tonight is the last night before the actual fireworks, so the music will be at full volume tonight, for a little longer than normal just for one last night of acclimation. I put my ear plugs in and feed the cows while the music rumbles.

This has been touched too. I’m trying not to look at the hay loft and remember the exquisite sex and the way Carley looked when she was absolutely unleashed. Thankfully I only have to endure the music for one more night. Then I have nine months where I won’t have to be reminded of it.

I roll my eyes at myself. As if I won’t think about the way she felt every time I walk into the fucking barn.

There’s no way that I’ll just be able to go to sleep. I grab my axe and head outside to the wood pile. I need to split more wood for deliveries anyway. Might as well get a head start and take out some of my anger and frustration. Though as I start, I don’t know if even the entire pile of wood that towers over my head will be enough to erase the heartbreak.

16

Carley

Everyone sits down to dinner, and the atmosphere is one of excitement. Even I’m smiling. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I want to feel that magic again. And remember exactly what it feels like.

Of course I’m seated next to Tyler again. I haven’t had the chance to talk to him yet, but I will