I lifted my eyes to Beau’s face as I told my tale. I could see the anger writhing below the surface. I paused and waited for him to speak.
“Cassidy, does he know where your parents live?”
I nodded my head. “Yes, but he… he won’t be coming after me. He’s dead.”
“I hate to ask this, but I gotta know, Cass. You killed that bastard? You can tell us. Whatever you say is gonna stay right here in this room.”
Moisture filled my eyes and a tear crept down my cheek. My mouth felt like I’d swallowed a bunch of cotton balls. My words didn’t come to me, so I shook my head instead. I didn’t kill him, but I sure as hell wish I had the night he thought beating me was the answer.
He rubbed my back. “Hey, hey now. None of that, Cass. We’re just trying to make sure you stay safe. Don’t go feelin’ all embarrassed and ashamed around us. We’ve been friends for a long while now. We’ll protect you. I’ll protect you. I promise. I can tell you though, I’d feel a lot more comfortable in my boots if you’d move in here so we can keep watch over ya.”
“Wait,” I said slowly. “You want me to leave Mama and Papa’s and move in here?” I can’t say I was blindsided by his words. Reagan had told me the same thing not even a day earlier.
“I’m givin’ you the option Cassidy Mae, but I really think it’s in your best interest.”
“Ok, so I’d move into the bunkhouse with the other workers who live on property?” I asked quietly.
“Um, no Cass. You’d move in here with me and Reagan.”
Live with him? He wanted me to share a space with him. Yes, Reagan would be there too. She lived there, of course, but still. I’d known the Montgomery’s since I was a kid really. I knew if they promised to protect me, they would.
Would I be under Beau’s thumb though? Would he hover and be overprotective? I didn’t think so, but my trust in men was definitely lacking these days. I wanted the freedom to be my own person. I wanted the freedom to start over. Yes, Beau had been a lifelong crush, but I couldn’t see him being overly bearing. As much as I didn’t want Beau to have to take care of me, I didn’t see another choice.
The truth was I’d need someone to look out for me and my parents didn’t need that kind of stress in their lives. I appreciated, at least, that I’d been given the option. They hadn’t demanded that I move in. They worded it like a suggestion which made me feel more at ease.
Beau looked me over like he was waiting for an answer.
“I can’t…”
He gave me a strong look indicating that it wasn’t the answer he was waiting for.
“Cassidy Mae…”
“No, I… I mean… You can’t pay me to work and let me live here for free. I’ll pay for my board by working here as your groom. No ifs, ands, or buts, Beau. It isn’t fair otherwise.”
He thought about it for a minute and then nodded. He had to understand that this was a decision I was making for myself. One of the first I’d made for myself in a good long while and even though it didn’t seem like a big deal, it was to me.
“Alright, well that’s settled.”
I nodded my head. The tightness in my throat was overwhelming. The emotions were threatening to pull me under over the clear concern my friends had. It’d been years since I’d been home and they were ready to go to hell and back for me.
I needed to tell Mama and Papa that I’d be moving in with Reagan and Beau and today seemed like the right time. I wasn’t sure how they’d feel about it, but it was something that had to be done, especially after that weird text message. We didn’t know where it’d come from, but it had to be someone linked to Andrew.
When I got home that night, they were sitting on the front porch drinking tea, listening to the crickets chirping, and watching the lightnin’ bugs twinkle in the dark.
“Listen, Mama, Papa, I need to talk to you ‘bout something.” Their eyes highlighted concern. They’d always be worried about me knowing what I’d been through.
Papa spoke up first, “Yes, dear?” His low voice sent a pang of guilt for leaving so soon. For even considering that he couldn’t protect me as well as Beau could at the farm. I felt bad, but I needed to do this for me.
I hesitated, not sure exactly how to say it but I decided to just go for it. “I’m going to be staying with Beau and Reagan for a while.”
“What? Why’re ya doing that?”
I sighed and twiddled my thumbs. Trying not to make eye contact, words escaped my lips, “I can’t let myself be a burden to you and Mama right now.”
Papa’s hand slammed down on that old rocking chair arm and I jumped. “Dammit Cassidy Mae, you listen to me, young lady! You ARE NOT and WILL NEVER be a burden. To me or your mama. So, you can just get that thought out of your mind right this instant.”
I could barely hear my thoughts, sobs assaulted me. Mama reached over and grabbed hold of Papa’s thigh, giving him the eye.
“Sweetie, we want you to be happy and healthy. If that’s with Beau and Reagan then we understand. You have to do things for you right now. If coming home is about moving on and starting over then you need to do it in your own way. Even if we’d rather have you right here under our roof.”
Mama’s choked sob broke my heart. She cared so much and I could see my decision to leave was hurting her. I think she understood though.
“Darlin’ we can take care of you here. You don’t
