You Shouldn't Have Come Here(18)

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, Mr. Wells.” She peered up at me through her lashes and bit her bottom lip. If that was the look I’d get from Grace if she won, I’d lose every day of my life for her.

“Hey,” a voice from behind us called. Over my shoulder, Charlotte walked across the green pasture toward Grace and me. Her long, silky brown hair blew in the wind, and the sun highlighted her freckles and tan skin. She was dressed in a pair of shorts and her Dubois Super Foods polo, so I knew she’d come straight from work.

Grace glanced over her shoulder. “Who’s that?”

“That’s Charlotte. She’s the one I was telling you about that helps out on the ranch.”

“Oh, your girlfriend?” she teased.

“My friend that’s a girl,” I said in a low voice.

“She’s pretty.”

I didn’t agree or disagree and just kept my mouth shut instead. It was a trap I was familiar with.

“Who’s this?” Charlotte asked, raising her chin.

“Hi, I’m Grace, Calvin’s Airbnb guest,” Grace said, extending her free hand while the other held the fishing pole.

Charlotte looked at her hand and hesitated before finally finding her manners and shaking.

“I’m Charlotte, Calvin’s good friend.” She pulled away from the handshake rather quickly. “How long you in town for?” Char asked. Her eyes briefly tightened.

“’Til next week.” Grace flashed a faint smile at me.

The two seemed to appraise one another like I do with my vegetables, deciding whether or not they’re ripe for the picking or, in some cases, rotten from the inside out and needing to be tossed instead.

“That’ll be here in no time.” Charlotte’s eyes bounced to me. “What are you two doing?”

It was obvious what we were doing. Charlotte was acting funny. It was like she had staked some sort of claim to me or thought she was being protective. She and I were friends, and we’d always be friends no matter what happened or didn’t happen between us.

“I’m teaching Grace how to fish,” I said proudly.

Grace threw a smile at me. “He’s a good teacher. I think I’ll catch a fish before him.”

“We’ll see about that,” I taunted.

“I didn’t realize fishing was included in your Airbnb package, Calvin.” Charlotte had a sour look on her face.

“I’m full-service here. Complete hospitality and total accommodations. Whatever my guests want they get.” I nodded.

“You sound like one of them annoying local TV ads.” Charlotte chuckled. She glanced at Grace and then back at me. When no one laughed with her, she cleared her throat. “You mind taking a break and helping me with the eggs? The store sold out, so I gotta be quick.”

“Of course. You okay for a bit without me?” I asked Grace.

“Yeah.” Grace turned back and cast her line in again. “It was nice meeting you, Charlotte,” she called over her shoulder.

“Likewise,” Charlotte said with a neutral look on her face. When her eyes landed on me, they brightened. “Shall we?”

I nodded and just as I started walking with Charlotte toward the pasture, Grace squealed.

“I got something!”

I quickly turned back. Charlotte let out a huff, but I didn’t care. Grace flicked her pole up and started reeling it in. She struggled to turn the handle. Whatever fish it was, it was sure putting up a fight. I ran over to Grace and wrapped my arms around her, placing my hands on hers.

“Nice and steady.” I helped reel it in with her.

She looked up at me briefly and smiled.

“He’s a tough one,” I said as we got the fish right near the riverbank where I’d pull it out. “I like it when they fight.”

“You coming, Calvin?” Charlotte yelled. “I told ya I gotta be quick.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Her hands were on her hips, and her face was twisted up. Char was clearly not pleased, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of me or my house guest.

“Go ahead without me. I’ll be right over.”

She pursed her lips and turned on her foot, marching toward the pond. I redirected my attention back to the fish and pulled it out of the water.

“What is it?” Grace’s voice was full of excitement.

“That right there is a walleye. He’s big, at least thirty inches, and I can make some of the best fish fry you’ve ever had with it.” I grinned.

She held the pole while I walked over and grabbed the ice cooler.

“We’re going to eat it?” she asked.

“Of course. That’s some good eating right there, a proper meal.” I took the fish off the hook. He flailed and flopped in my hands, trying to get away, but his fate was already sealed. And you can’t fight fate. I quickly stowed him in the cooler and closed the lid. He would die slowly on the ice, making for a tastier meal.

“I can’t believe I caught one,” she said.

“You’re a natural.” I placed an arm around Grace and pulled her into me, patting her shoulder. She wrapped her arm around my lower back and leaned her head against my chest. She fit perfectly there like a missing puzzle piece. Fate.

“Thank you,” she said, looking up at me.