Chapter 37: Sutton

 

“Sorry, Mrs. Lara,” the man yelled. “We didn’t mean to get the hens all riled up.”

“What are you boys up to, Connor?” Lara asked, still blocking their view of me. However, that wouldn’t last long as two of them got closer.

“The other tractor is acting up again,” Connor explained. “That new part may not have been what we needed.”

“Will that old girl do the trick?” Lara asked with concern.

“The new field isn’t too rocky. So, thanks to the rain we had, we should be able to get through it until the new tractor is back up and running,” Connor explained. He spotted me and a curious smile crossed his face. “Who’s your new guest, Mrs. Lara?”

“This is Sutton,” Lara introduced, hiding her reluctance. “She’s my goddaughter. She’s come to spend a few days with me.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Sutton. I’m Connor.”

“And this is Harry,” Lara said about the second gentleman. “And the one climbing off old Betty is Tott.”

“Tott?” I questioned.

“It’s a nickname,” Lara said with a laugh. “It’s a long story.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I told you the story,” Connor offered, giving me a wink.

“Connor, she’s not for you,” Lara admonished, waving her finger at him.

Connor raised his hands with a laugh. “All innocent, Mrs. L,” he replied. “We have to get back to work anyway. But you know, we were already thinking about having a bonfire tonight. Send off the last cool nights of the season. I’m sure it would give Sutton an opportunity to get to know the place. What do you say, Mrs. L?”

Lara crossed her arms over her chest with a stern expression, but eventually, she caved.

“Alright, fine,” she said. “But only if you boys swear to be on your best behavior. We have other visitors coming over, and they won’t take to any shenanigans.”

“Understood, Mrs. L,” Connor called over his shoulder as they headed back to their task.

“Sorry about that, sweetie,” Mrs. Lara said. “You, of course, are not required to make any kind of appearance you don’t want to. Those boys have got a long season ahead of them. And we like to give them these little indulgences now and then to help keep up morale.”

“That’s so nice of you,” I said. “I’m sure they appreciate it.”

***

I wasn’t sure I was going to be up for the bonfire but would make the effort if Lucas wanted to. However, Lucas still wasn’t home as the sun was setting. I thought it would be rude to hide in the room by myself. So I mustered up the courage and helped Lara bring out refreshments for everyone.

Connor and Harry were setting up the fire. Tott, whose real name I learned is Tatum, was carrying trips of wood closer to the fire pit. It was a nice little patio area set away from the main house on the way to the old farmstead. I imagined it got a lot of use over the years. I was setting up the tables as Connor was telling me how Tott got his nickname when someone else arrived.

“I heard we’re having a get-together tonight. I saw Alpha Lucas’ truck this morning and thought we’d…” A blonde woman froze when she saw me, her eyes narrowing. “What is she doing here?”  

“Daisy,” Rodney snapped.

“Whoa, sis,” Connor said. “That’s pretty rude. This is Mrs. L’s goddaughter. Be a little nicer, why don’t you?”

A young boy, maybe ten or eleven, stood next to her, looking between everyone in confusion. He reminded me of someone, but I didn’t have time to figure out who.

“You’re Lara’s goddaughter?” Daisy questioned, looking me up and down.

I felt like I’d seen her before but had no idea when. She looked like she’d definitely seen me before and instantly decided she didn’t like me. I fidgeted under her gaze.

“Yes, she is. Daisy, this is Sutton,” Lara said. “She’s come to visit for a couple of days.”

“I see,” Daisy replied. “Jackie, go play,” she told the boy as she came over to set a dish on the table. “Goddaughter, huh?”

“Hm-hmm,” I hummed with a nod.

“That’s surprising,” she said. “Because Rodney and Lara didn’t seem to have a clue who you were two weeks ago when you showed up on their doorstep.”

“I haven’t seen her since she was a little girl,” Lara lied quickly.

“She was in rough shape, Daisy,” Rodney said seriously. “She had just been in a car accident. We weren’t exactly worried about reunions at that moment. That’s why you were sent home. Maybe you should stay out of business that isn’t yours.”

“All that matters is that she’s all better,” Lara said lightly, trying to change the subject. “Now, no more of this. Let’s get back to the celebration. We actually managed to finish breaking ground today.”

The atmosphere shifted back to the carefree feeling it was before. For the others, at least. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by what had happened. It clicked to me that Daisy was the woman I had seen on the street the day I escaped. I vaguely remembered her screaming. I had probably scared her and her child showing up like I had. I was having trouble sitting still. So, when Lara commented that she forgot the ice bucket, I quickly offered to go get it. I needed a moment alone to collect myself.

I went back to the house and stood at the kitchen counter. Taking a few deep breaths, I didn’t notice someone come in after me.

“Leave him alone.”

I jumped in surprise and turned to see Daisy. Standing with her arms crossed and looking at me with pure hatred.

“I’m sorry…”

“Lucas,” she elaborated. “I don’t know who you really are, but I see what you’re trying to do. Back off. He’s spoken for.”

“Excuse me?” I replied in confusion.

“He’s mine,” she said, taking a step toward me. “I’m the woman he belongs with. He’s promised to me.”

My mouth went dry. Was Lucas in some kind of relationship with this woman? Is that the real reason he didn’t want me to come? Had he been lying to me all this time?

No… I didn’t want to believe that. This didn’t make sense.

“Alpha’s have to be with their fated mates,” I stated.

Daisy scoffed. “He’s only waiting for her so he can reject her,” she said, getting in my face.

I shook my head. Trying to make sense of what she was saying. Trying to reconcile it with what I had experienced over the past weeks. I was such a damn fool. Of course he had lied. Of course this was all just some ploy to get me healed so he could reject me and send me on my way.

Bile rose in the back of my throat. How could I have been so stupid again? Daisy grinned nastily as she saw me working things out. I didn’t know if she figured out I was his mate or if she was just protecting her claim.

“He’ll reject her, discredit her with the pack, then send her on her way so we can finally be together.”

“DAISY.”

The sound rumbled through the room, echoing off the walls, almost making them shake with the violence behind it. I looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway. There was a burning in my chest and a stabbing pain in my heart.

I had to get out of there.