Page 64 of Out of Place

“Hope it’s all good,” Landon says with his charming Southern drawl and welcoming smile.

Mom laughs. “Oh, yes. Mostly just how happy you’re making Olivia.”

He squeezes my hand. “Good to hear.”

“Well, come on in,” Dottie says, waving us in. “We can all catch up over dinner. I made spaghetti. Landon, you’re welcome to stay.”

Dottie and my mom walk inside. Landon turns to me. “Sweetheart, do you want me to stay, or do you want to spend time with your mom?”

I shake my head, appreciating his thoughtfulness. “No. Please stay. I want you here.”

He leans forward and kisses me. It’s gentle and lets me know he’s here for me, which calms my racing heart a little. He’s good at that.

Landon and I wash up before taking our seats at the table where Aunt Dottie has put a big pot of spaghetti and meatballs. I’ve learned that she makes the sauce from the tomatoes we grow on the farm, which I’m still amazed at.

I’m not sure when I started thinking farm facts were amazing or cool, but here we are.

“You look good, Olivia,” Mom says.

I look down at myself and then back to her. “I’m covered in dirt,” I say plainly.

“Well, it’s better than being passed out drunk.”

I stiffen in my seat.

Her comment doesn’t deserve a response, so I don’t give one.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing,” she says, serving herself a small amount of pasta while Landon and I load our plates up.

“Farming,” I deadpan.

“Olivia.”

I sigh. “I guess you need to report back to Dad, huh? Well, I’ve milked and cleaned cows, collected eggs, worked with the crops. I help at the farmers market every weekend and do chores around the house. I go to bed at a decent hour, haven’t had a drop of alcohol since I got off the plane, and haven’t spent any money.”

“She’s really good on the farm,” Landon adds, bringing it back to the work I’ve been doing. “She caught on quickly and has never missed a day. She’s reliable and on time every morning.”

Bless him. I wonder if he realizes that by giving my mother a good report, she might let me come home, which means I would be leaving him.

“That’s good to hear,” Mom says with a smile. “How long have you worked here, Landon?”

“Ten years. Ms. Dottie hired me on right out of high school with my two best friends, Cam and Benny.”

“And you like it here?” she asks.

He nods. “I do. Underwood Farms is a second home to me.”

“Good. I’m glad Dottie has good people working with her.” I fight the urge to roll my eyes. My mother couldn’t care less about this farm or who Dottie has working for her, but she puts on a good act.

There’s an awkward silence after that. No one seems to know what to say, so we all focus on our plates.

After dinner, Mom and Aunt Dottie go to the living room while Landon and I stay in the kitchen. He tries to help me with the dishes, but I won’t let him. I don’t want to give my mom any reason to say I’m not doing what I’m supposed to.

When I’m finished, Landon says goodbye to Dottie and my mom. I walk him out to his truck, throwing my arms around him and letting him hold me for a few minutes. I hear his heart pounding in his chest and wish I could soothe it, but I’m not sure I can. I’m not sure what could make this better.

He seems to understand everything that’s going on in my head without me even having to say it. I want to go back to New York, but I don’t want to leave him. This place has grown on me so much more than I expected, and I’m not sure how to feel about that.

He kisses me, holding me close. Did I ever think I would be kissing a man while we stink and are covered in dirt? No, absolutely not. But here I am, and I actually like it. In fact, I can’t get enough of it. When Landon kisses me, everything else disappears. It’s just me and him.