Jude: I’ll come over in the next few days to check how the twins are getting on with the watering system.
Dare: Sounds good. I really appreciate the help. Good luck with Em. I won’t say you’ll need it but…
Jude: Not helping my nerves here, Dare.
Dare: Not trying to. I think you know you’re going to have to work hard for her. But something tells me you’re not afraid of that.
I close out of the messages with Dare and open Em’s text from earlier. Checking the time to make sure it’s not too late, I go to type a new message but stop with my fingers hovering over the screen.
What do I even say?I think to myself.
“I’m goin’ to my room. See y’all tomorrow,” I say to everyone.
Will frowns and looks at the big clock on the kitchen wall. “You OK?”
“Yep. Just goin’ to read for a bit.”
It’s not until I’m sitting up in bed with my back to the headboard that I realize I’m overthinking this. With that in mind, I decide that simple is best.
Jude: Hey wifey. Sorry it took a while to get back to you. Was busy in the greenhouses when you messaged earlier.
Em: Hi. That’s OK. Gotta get the crops out before the ground really starts freezing over.
Jude: Palmer treating you well?
I scrub my hand over my face and groan. How lame wasthat?
Em: It’s good. Same as always. The leaves have almost finished changing and it’s getting colder. My favorite time of year.
Jude: So you’re a Fall girl?
Em: Late fall, early winter and proud of it. Let me guess, you’re a summer guy?
Jude: Nope. Probably more Spring. New beginnings and all of that.
She doesn’t reply back straight away. In fact, it takes long enough for me to grab my reading glasses, pick up my book, and read a few pages about deciduous trees we could plant on the ranch when my phone buzzes again. .
Em: I’m sorry for the way I left without a word. I was struggling and needed some sort of normalcy.
Jude: You don’t have to apologize. Everyone copes in different ways. You only did what you needed to.
Em: You didn’t sign up for a runaway fake bride. I should’ve told you. Or explained after the fact.
Jude: Runaway, stay away, generational rival, the whole shebang. I’m on the hook for the full package.
Em: Damn. Are you a glutton for punishment?
Jude: Nah. Just take my promises to heart.
I do pause for a moment before sending the message, but since I’ve never been someone to shy away from the truth, I do it anyway before picking up my book again. Something tells me I’m going to have at least a little wait before she replies.
Em: Jude, you know you don’t have to do that.
I frown at her response.
Jude: Don’t have to do what?
Em: Feel responsible for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love that you agreed to give my Dad what you did before he passed. But he’s gone now and I guess we all have to find a way to move on with our lives.