Chapter 175

Tessa’s POV

“You’ve gotten so much bigger since last year!!”

“Penny,” I said, plastering a smile as the blonde bimbo ran from the front porch and across the dirt road to tackle me in a hug.

I stood frozen as she reached me and wrapped her arms around me. If possible, it looked like she had gotten even younger. Her curly blond hair bounced around her narrow and bright features. She wore way too much makeup, and her clothing was way too tight.

Her clothing also revealed a lot of boobs, and I certainly didn’t want them pressed against me.

Like my father, Penny had a deep southern accent. I was lucky enough to not have a strong accent and when I moved to the city, it disappeared altogether.

Penny reeked of strong perfume, and it nearly made me gag as she tightened her embrace.

“I have missed you so much,” Penny breathed.

“Okay, Pen. Let her go before you break her,” my father said, amusement clear in his tone as he walked past us with our luggage.

Penny reluctantly released me and her eyes found Ruby who was still trying to get Cami to leave her alone.

“And who is this?” Penny asked, her smile growing.

“My best friend, Ruby,” I introduced trying not to sound as annoyed as I felt.

Penny ran over to Ruby, shooing Cami away from her and then wrapping Ruby in a huge hug. Ruby seemed surprised by this and met my eyes; I offered her a shrug and mouthed, “Dad’s wife.”

Recognition flashed through her eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Ruby said, patting her awkwardly on the back.

Penny released her and held her at arms-length.

“You look so adorable,” Penny cooed. “We are going to have so much fun.”

“I’m sure we are,” Ruby murmured.

Penny looped an arm through Ruby’s and then her other arm around mine, pulling us along with her and toward the front door of the house.

“I hope you ladies like pot roast,” she said happily. “I’m making tons of food. We will have an early dinner.”

“Sounds great,” Ruby replied.

I hated to admit it, but I was really hungry. As much as I didn’t like Penny, I knew she could cook well so I wasn’t going to complain about anything she made.

As we walked inside, my father was walking down the stairs.

“Tess, I put your things in your room,” then he glanced at Ruby. “Your stuff is in the guest bedroom next to Tessa’s room. I’m sure Tessa can show it to you later.”

“Yeah, of course,” I said in return, nodding at Ruby.

The entire house smelled delicious, and my mouth was watering by the time we reached the kitchen.

Everything was already on the table, and it all looked so good. I looked at Ruby who was also looking at the table with fascination. Penny certainly knew how to cook and host dinner.

“Wash your hands,” Penny said, attempting to mother us.

But she just sounded awkward considering she was in our age group.

We went to the sink and washed our hands before joining her at the table. My father came into the kitchen shortly after and after he poured some food in Cami’s dog bowl, he washed his hands as well and then sat at the end of the table where he always sat.

As we ate, Penny and my father spoke some about farm business and how they needed to prepare a dozen eggs in the morning for the local farm stand. My father also mentioned that Mrs. Davis, the woman who owns the local café, needs some more milk and cheese and will be by at some point tomorrow to pick it up.

Mrs. Davis always liked the fresh stuff vs. the grocery store. She always said it’s left out too long at the grocery store and she swears they add other unnecessary things to the product before selling it.

But I mainly think she just likes to come and visit my father; like most ladies around the town, Mrs. Davis also had a crush on him. She just lost her husband a few years ago and since then she’s been all over my father.

“So, Tessa. How has school been?” My father suddenly asked, drawing my attention to him.

“It’s been fine,” I said with a shrug, not really sure what to say in response.

“How’s that boy you’ve been seeing?” Penny asked curiously. “What was his name? Brian?”

I stopped mid-bite, and I felt my face growing hot.

“They broke up,” Ruby said through a mouthful of food, making me shoot her a look. She didn’t notice me looking at her though and she continued to speak. “Brian was an asshole. Good riddance.”

Penny and my father stopped eating to look at her and then they looked at me.

“You and Brian broke up?” My father asked. “What happened? I thought you liked him?”

“I did,” I said, not really wanting to talk about it, but I doubt they’d let the subject drop. “He wanted me to be someone I’m not.”

“Are you still taking business courses with him?” My father asked. “How about that internship at his family's company?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, and then I shook my head.

“It’s not really for me…” I murmured. “I decided I wanted to spend my last semester doing something I really liked…”

I paused as they learned in curiously.

“I’m taking a writing course.”

Penny gasped and my father stared at me with wide eyes.

“You still want to be a writer?” My father asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

He didn’t sound upset, just curious.

I nodded as I met his eyes.

“Yes,” I answered.

He was the reason I wanted to be a writer. He had to know that.

“She has a blog too,” Ruby said, taking another huge bite of food. “You should check it out. It’s really good.”

My father raised his brows.

“I’d like to see it very much,” my father said, nodding.

My entire face went completely red. If Ruby wasn’t sitting so far away from me, I’d kick her under the table to tell her to shut up.

“I’d like to see it too!” Penny said excitedly, looking between my father and me. “Oh, honey. Remember when you used to write those silly stories?” Penny laughed. “I’m sure Tessa’s writing is much better.”I stared down at my plate, feeling a wave of aggravation.

“I’ll send you the link,” I murmured.

“I read an article about your school a few days ago on social media and I saw that there’s a new writing professor there. I think he’s famous, honey,” Penny said looking at my father. “You might know who he is.” She then looked at me. “Are you taking his class?”

“What’s his name?” My father asked her.

“I can’t remember, John Eversmith. Maybe Joe Greensmith…”

“Joseph Evergreen?!” My father asked, loudly.

I wanted to sink into my seat and never return. Ruby had finally stopped eating and she was staring wide-eyed at me.

“Yes! That’s him,” Penny said happily. “I couldn’t find any pictures of him though.”

“Joseph Evergreen has always been a mystery like that,” my father said, pleased with his knowledge. “There’s very little information about him on the internet. But I’ve read almost all his books and he’s an incredible writer.”

My father then looked at me.

“I had no idea he was teaching at your school. Have you met him?” He asked curiously.

I bit my lower lip, not sure how to answer without giving my feelings away.

“I’m taking his class,” I said sheepishly.

“What??” My father asked with wide eyes. “That’s incredible, Tessa. Why didn’t you tell me?”

I shrugged, not meeting his eyes.

“He’s just a normal guy,” I murmured. “Ruby is taking his class too.”

I was trying desperately to get the attention off me.

“It’s an honor to be learning from the great Joseph Evergreen,” Ruby said, glancing at me before looking down at her plate.

“You’ll have to tell me all about it,” my father said as he continued eating. “I’m sure there are plenty of stories to share.”

I suddenly wasn’t feeling very hungry anymore.

After a long and awkward silence, Penny cleared her throat.

“Oh, I forgot that the local market is requesting 50 dozen eggs for Monday,” Penny said, glancing at my father. “Do we have enough?”

“I’ll run out there in the morning to see our supply,” my father told her.

“Can I be excused?” I asked, sliding my plate away. “I forgot I bought some carrots for Ivy and I don’t want them to go bad.”

“Sure,” my father said, eyeing me carefully.

He could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t say anything.

“I want to meet this Ivy person,” Ruby said simply as she stood up, folding her arms across her chest.

My father raised his brows and looked at me; I stifled a smile.

“You’ll find her in the stables,” my father said, glancing at Ruby and then back at me with a twinkle of humor in his eyes.

I nodded and stood to my feet, grabbing Ruby’s arm.

“Come on; let’s go meet her.”

The two of us left through the back door of the house. The sun was setting off in the distance, casting a shadowy haze over the farmland. I must admit that it was incredibly beautiful. I forgot how gorgeous this place is.

We walked down the dirt path and down a large hill until we reached the first set of stables. Ruby crinkled her nose as I pulled open the large wooden doors.

“Gross, it smells,” she murmured.

I laughed and motioned for her to follow me.

We stepped inside and around the piles of hay that my father hadn’t put away. I could hear the horses breathing through their noses and the lapping of water as they drank from their watering holes.

“Ivy, I’m home,” I announced to the stalls. “And I brought a friend.”

“Her best friend!” Ruby corrected loudly.

I reached the end of the stables and pulled open the door. Stepping inside the dark stall, I smiled.

“There you are,” I breathed. “I want you to meet, Ruby.”

I motioned for Ruby to step into the stall. She was hesitant for a moment before stepping into the stall behind me, only to get a face full of tongue as Ivy licked her.