even be entertaining the idea if Eve hadn’t sprinkled her words of wisdom on her before she left for South Dakota. She was determined to get her things out of the cabin and packaged securely for shipping. There wasn’t much to be done, but she did need to put things in the sturdier crates that were being delivered to the ranch before she arrived. She said she was going to make another stop in Boston to see Thomas, and that Adam’s brother, Chase, had asked her to stop in and see them. His brother was gone, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t still be a part of their family, at least that’s what he had said to her. Alyssa could tell Eve wasn’t really enthused about going. She had told her that she felt guilty every day, but even more so whenever she got an email from Chase. Trent, the oldest brother, seemed to hate her and she really couldn’t figure out why Chase tried to keep in touch.
“You were a part of their family,” Alyssa had told her.
“Yeah, and I destroyed it,” she had said. “I got Adam killed. He died because of me, and I know that, and I think Trent knows that too. I don’t know why Chase doesn’t hate me just the same as his brother. He would have every right to.”
Alyssa had tried to reason with her and help her understand that it wasn’t her fault, but she, like the rest of the family, knew Sabian had been behind Adam’s not so accidental work accident and she blamed herself. It wasn’t her fault; they had all tried to show her that and Alyssa hoped, and prayed, that one day she would believe it.
Eve’s heartache hadn’t stopped her from trying to encourage her big sister to take a chance on love again. “He’s a good guy and you’re a fabulous woman. He’d be lucky to have you.” She had said before she hugged her goodbye. Alyssa had used that hug as an opportunity to do two things; one, say bye with love until she would be able to hold her sister in her arms again. And two, put the money Eve had snuck back into her cash register back in her baby sister’s open purse. The moment she knew Shane was buying the white gold and sapphire bracelet on Eve’s behalf she had insisted her sister take the money back. Eve had refused, of course, so Alyssa not so gracefully shoved it into her sister’s bra. Shane had laughed hysterically at the crazy sibling struggle in front of him. Alyssa had come out the victor before a customer walked in.
She knew Eve had snuck the money back inside the cash register that morning and she also knew that she wasn’t going to take it. This was her sister and she wasn’t going to charge her or anybody else in her family for anything. She hadn’t even charged Thomas for Thena’s wedding necklace gift. Family was family and in her book that meant her brothers and sisters didn’t buy anything from her. If they abused that belief of hers she would probably go bankrupt, but it seemed to bother them to take something for free from her just as much as it bothered her to have them pay for anything so she knew she would never have to worry about them trying to take advantage of her.
In that hug, Eve had whispered in her ear. “Life is too short. Don’t let the opportunity pass you buy. He’s a good a man.” And with one final wave to the man in topic she had left for her next destination. Clearly, she had left behind confusion because even though Alyssa wanted to say yes to this man she knew she should say no.
“Funny. The way you looked at me when you saw me without my shirt that day I assumed maybe you wanted to.”
She had looked longer than she should have. She had desired when she shouldn’t have. “I’m your boss. It wouldn’t be appropriate if I went out with you.” No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn’t.
He shrugged. “I could quit, and then you won’t be my boss and we can go out.”
“No! I like…that is I…you’re a valued employee.”
He laughed. “Go out with me tonight, Alyssa. The sky is going to be clear. We can lay out in the cab of my truck on my property and watch the show.”
She knew she should say no,