Winter Harvest (16 page)

"I see you haven't made much progress on the marriage."

"No, I don't think Victoria will agree to do it." Traye squirmed in the uncomfortable chair. "She's crazy over Evan, and I have to admit he's probably a better choice for her."

"Nonsense. He lives in a different town. He'll never let her stay here. If I thought he was what she wanted, I'd be okay with it. You two would make a strong couple. She's wanted you since she was a little girl. I can't believe Evan has taken your place. I don't see them happy."

"But she is, and he's solid. I think we should see what comes of it."

"You're willing to give all this up for her?"

"Excuse me?"

"If they're to have a chance, I can't let you stay here. It wouldn't be fair to them. You'll always hold her heart."

"You want me to leave my home, my job?" Traye had never seen this coming.

"I don't see any other way. I don't much care for this Evan. I think he'll rob her of all the dreams you can provide, but in her best interest, I think I need to let you go."

Traye's mouth fell open. Not only had he lost Victoria, but also his life here on the farm.

"I'll give you a little more time. Get her to agree to marry you by the night of dance, or I'll have to ask you to leave. I love you, Traye, but my daughter must come first. Understand?"

Traye nodded, because he couldn't speak. All the words wanting to rush out stuck in his throat. Now what? Victoria didn't want to marry him. He'd have to find another home.

He walked outside like a zombie and spotted Victoria and Evan in an embrace. Damn her. She'd caused him to lose everything, yet he still loved her. Trying to decipher his racing thoughts, he got into his truck and drove to his cabin.

He had nothing now.

Chapter
Twelve

A loud rap rattled Traye's door. His body ached like he'd aged overnight. He hadn't slept but a few hours and had skipped breakfast at the O'Connor's. He hadn't even showered yet. He ran his fingers through his unruly, grimy hair. What was the point? Soon, he wouldn't have a home
or
a job.

"Traye, I know you're in there. Get your ass up and get to work."

After shoving his legs into a pair of jeans, he swung open the door while rubbing his tired, blurry eyes. "I don't have a job."

Walking away, he left Andrew in the doorway.

"Wait a minute." Victoria's brother brushed past him to stand in front of him. "What's with you?"

"Your father." Traye shook his head.

Andrew lifted a brow. "What'd he do now?"

"He reiterated his order for me to marry Victoria, only this time with a twist. Either I get her to agree to marry me by the night of the dance, or I have to leave."

"Huh? He's kicking you off the farm? I'd have never figured that one."

"You think this is funny?" Traye could've sworn Andrew's lips fought a smile. "I need to find a job and a place to stay, and you think it's
funny?"

"No. Well, maybe a little. He's just blowing smoke, though, isn't he?"

"Not this time. He means it."

"So you're giving up on Victoria?"

Traye nodded. "She seems happy with Evan, and it's obvious he's nuts over her. He's a good guy. If I love her, I should want her to be happy, right?" And he did. Every day his love grew stronger, but it had come too late.

Andrew met his eyes. "Of course you should. You're a good guy, too. Too good for her."

"Whatever. It's too late to turn anything around. You know of anyone looking for a hired hand?"

"I'll check around. Don't worry. I'll help you every step of the way. We'll get you a good place to work and live. Maybe once Evan and Victoria marry, we can get you back here."

Traye didn't even want to think about the two of them getting married. Robert had been right. He couldn't stay here with her and her new boyfriend. She deserved a chance to have a good relationship with Evan. Besides, if Traye hadn't waited so long before he'd seen the light, she'd be his. He'd have his family, a good woman to stand by him, and a cemented future.

Everything had turned out the way it should be. As much as he'd miss her, he wasn't the right man for her. He still believed she deserved better. Evan was better. Traye had just had no idea giving her up would weigh so heavily on his heart.

He grabbed the newspaper he had taken from the O'Connor's.

"Looks like Wally's looking for a mechanic." Traye had worked on tractors all his life, so the job should be easy enough. "I thought I'd stop by there today."

"Sounds like a great idea. Let me know if you want me to put in a good word. Of course, Wally will jump at you, I'm sure. He knows how good you are."

"It would at least keep me in the business."

"Keep in mind that it's only temporary. Trust me. Once Victoria gets set, Dad will come around. His leg's healing but he's still having a hard time. I don't think he'll ever be the same again. It'll be hard for him to get onto a tractor, let alone put in all those hard hours. We'll need your help."

"Victoria can step in."

"Yes, she can help for now, but she won't be able to keep up. She has other things to do around here, too. And if she moves away with Evan…" He shrugged. "So if you can get the job at Wally's, you'll still be available to help us out when we need you. I'll be in charge by then, and I'll see to it you're hired back. So don't get too comfortable somewhere else."

"Thanks." Traye smiled.

Andrew slapped him on the shoulder. "You bet. Keep the faith, my friend. I have it all worked out and under control. It's all going along perfectly."

"We'll see." Traye couldn't imagine why he just couldn't seem to shake the odd feeling that Andrew was up to something. But if, in time, whatever he was up to helped Traye to get back here, he didn't care. Victoria was the past. He'd always love her, but he had to move on.

"When are you going to Wally's?"

"No time like the present."

"Maybe you should take a shower first?"

"Definitely." Traye chuckled. "I'll see if I have a job, and then I'll face Robert. He won't be happy."

"He's the one who set this in motion. If he'd stayed out of it, it would've all blown over."

Traye didn't believe the mess all rested on Robert. Victoria had played a big part in it, as had he. Today, however, he'd turn things around and fashion a different future for all of them.

"Okay, then," Andrew said. "Guess I'll go back to working alone -- for now, anyway. Let me know how it goes."

"I will."

Traye showered and changed into clean jeans and a tee shirt. Wishing he'd gotten a haircut, he ruffled his shaggy hair. Maybe he'd do that after he talked to Wally. The mechanic wouldn't care if Traye's hair was too long. He'd be a grease monkey anyway if he got the job.

He drove past the main house. Victoria sat on the porch, but he didn't wave -- and neither did she. He'd miss not seeing her every day. With any luck, the space would help him get over her faster, if that ever happened.

His interview with Wally went great. He'd been surprised Robert had let Traye go and that he was looking for another job. Wally apparently saw it as fate, since he said he could definitely use the help. They worked out the details, and he even offered Traye the loft above the shop as part of the deal. It all went so smoothly, Traye wondered if fate truly was behind it all.

The apartment was bigger than the cabin, and was also more modern and fully furnished. Wally's son had moved out west, hence the job opening. Traye didn't have much to move from the cabin, but he figured he might as well get started.

The sooner he left the O'Connor place, the better.

*****

"Hi, Dad." Victoria walked into her father's office to find him sitting at his desk. He motioned her inside. Her stomach tightened at the serious expression on his face.
What could this be about?
Her gut told her
nothing good.

"Sit down, Victoria."

"Okay." Victoria sank into a chair opposite the desk. "What's going on?"

"I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to come out with it. How serious are you getting with this Evan?"

"First of all, he's not
this
Evan." Her defenses on red alert, she sat up straighter. "And second, he's an awesome guy. What could you possibly have against him?"

"Nothing, except he's not our kind."

"What is
our kind
exactly?" She gripped the arms of the chair and pushed her body forward.

He met her eyes. "We're farmers. Is Evan going to understand how time consuming this life can be? The winter months will be the only time you two can spend a lot of time together. Is he willing to share you? Or do you plan to walk away from all this?"

"Of course not. We've only been seeing each other for a few weeks. I don't even know if we'll get married. This summer will be a good test. He's willing to try."

"So you'll be here this summer?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I don't think I'll be much help with this bum leg. Traye won't be sticking around, so we'll need to hire more help if you're leaving."

"Wait a minute. Why would Traye leave?"

"Sweetheart, you can't expect him to stick around and watch romance blossom between you and Evan."

"So that's what this is about. The marriage? Everyone will get over it."

"Am I to believe you won't leave the farm once you've dropped the dream of marrying Traye?"

"I moved on because the marriage you wanted to push us into is nothing but a business deal. You ordered it. Why would I want a marriage like that? Evan likes me for
me.
Not the farm, not because my father wants it. Plus, he has no baggage. Traye carries his around like a badge, and it weighs him down. It's exhausting."

"Hmm. So you're ready to let him move away?"

"He won't. He loves this place. I just won't be with him."

"You don't love him anymore?"

"A part of me will always love the old Traye, but not Traye the way he is now. If he would've asked me on his own, we'd be engaged. Now, though, I'm not sure who he is."

Her father nodded. "This is your home, and you're my daughter. I must put you first. I can't let Traye stay here and make things awkward for you."

"Where will he go?"

"I don't know."

"He won't leave, and you can't make him. You've made this all so much worse than it has to be. Please don't take his home away from him." She didn't want to be responsible for that, nor did she think she could go without seeing him every day. She'd been avoiding him, but knowing he was there was enough.

"I don't see any other way to handle it, Victoria. Besides, the wheels are already in motion. Things are going to change around here."

"You
set the wheels in motion. You didn't give us the chance to work through this. Now please do us all a favor and just let this play out. Traye and I might not get married, but we'll get past this if you let us do it our own way."

"Fine." Robert nodded. "I'll stay out of it for now. You'll have to accept what's going to happen, though. Hope we all come out of this still a family."

"May I go now?" At his nod, she pushed herself out of her chair. Something told her they would revisit this again, that her father hadn't given up. If only she could turn back the clock. As things stood now, nothing would ever be the same again for any of them.

Dazed, she didn't even see Traye in the kitchen when she entered.

"Hi."

She jumped and placed a hand over her fast beating heart. "Damn it, Traye."

"Sorry."

Victoria studied him for a minute. No smile; just tired, sad eyes. Her heart cracked in two. She had never meant to hurt him. They couldn't go back now, and the responsibility of his hurt weighed on her shoulders. How could she have done anything differently? She couldn't change the fact that he didn't want her for her, that he'd only  asked her to marry him because her father had ordered him to do it. Neither could she heal his past hurts and disappointments.

"Traye, what are you doing here?"

"I came to say goodbye."

"You're leaving?" She didn't believe him. He was putting up a ruse in a last ditch effort to get her to marry him. "Isn't that bad timing?"

"No. The timing couldn't be any more perfect. I got a job at Wally's, and he offered me the place above the shop. There's nothing left for me here."

"Huh?" Her mouth gaped open. "You're walking out on us? Now?"

He nodded "Your father has no place for me here anymore. He told me that himself. There's no room here for the two of us -- you and me. It would be too awkward for everyone."

"Oh, my God. He did it." Tears pricked her eyes. "He spouted off some crap about your leaving, but I didn't believe him. You love this place."

"I love this family more." He shrugged. "And I've done enough damage to it."

"We
did the damage. All of us, including my father. You shouldn't have to leave."

"As much as I'd like to believe this is my home, it's not. It's the O'Connor home."

"He loves you like a son. I know he does."

"But I'm not. And you
are
his daughter."

"I never wanted this." Her tears spilled over, and she wiped them away.

Traye stepped forward and took her into his arms. A sob escaped her chest, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They held one another for a few moments, but it would never be long enough for Victoria.

"I'm so sorry for my part in all of this." She wanted to kiss his neck, to make him stay, but she couldn't give him false hope.

"Please don't cry over me or blame yourself." He pulled away and wiped her tears off her cheeks with a few gentle strokes of his fingers.

Victoria moved away and tried to memorize his every feature.

"No matter what made me wake up, I want you to know I love you… and I always will." He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. "My only regret is that I didn't let myself believe it sooner."

"It's too late now, Traye. Too much to forgive and forget."

"I know. You have Evan now. He'll be good to you. He'll also give you what I can't: a stable life. Be happy."