1,500 Acres Chapter 7

As we ate the reheated dinner Rose left for us, Edward told me that he and Emmett had accomplished everything on my list and then some. I told him that my surrounding neighbors were coming over in August to help harvest the wheat. It was the first time in years, and it would save me bruises and cuts, sore muscles, and even crop losses. Around here, the community helped each other out without having to be asked. It was a small community and one I loved. I hadn't felt very much like I was a part of it since I was a teenager, which was a pity, but things were changing. They’d accepted me back into their circle without question.

1,500 Acres Chapter 6

The second the McCartys left, I felt nervous. Butterflies waged a war in my gut as I stood looking out the back door. I’d heard the front door open and close, and footsteps going up the stairs. The pipes groaned inside the walls as he turned on the shower, and my mind wandered back to thoughts of what he would look like naked. To distract myself, I watched Rusty shuffle off across the yard and smiled at the simplicity of his life.

1,500 Acres Chapter 5

I needed to put space between me and Edward in a way that was clear cut. I avoided him for the next few days, knowing he would tend to his chores while I tended to mine. I took my meals into my bedroom with me, feeling like a coward but unable to figure out a better way to send the message that we were never going to be more than a farmer and a hand. Rusty seemed to be more loyal to Edward, because he started to follow him around the property instead of me. I couldn't honestly blame him. I was miserable to be around.

1,500 Acres Chapter 4

My agitation at having the strange man in my house only seemed to grow as time went on. Rather than grow accustomed to his presence, he set me on edge. He was polite, helped out without being asked, and was up at the same time as me after the first week. He was perfect, and that was the crux of the problem.