"Jesus died for us, though, for our sins. So we can go to Heaven and be with Him."
She averted her gaze, and he feared she wasn't ready to hear all of this, so he changed the topic but only slightly.
"Have you ever listened to Pastor Abernathy? One homily he shared that really spoke to me was about how it wasn't just about what you said or did that matter but how you said it and why you did it. There's meaning behind every action and thought, and for me, I try to make each decision be rooted in faith-based values. If I can. I'm not perfect. I fight with my brothers still. You never really outgrow that desire to one-up your siblings, but..." He shrugged.
"I used to pretend I had a sister growing up," Beverly said. She covered her face with her hand. "I don't know why I'm telling you this! I was, oh, maybe three, four. By the time I started school and made friends, I just let her go."
"You didn't need her anymore," he said.
"Exactly."
He smiled at her. "You always need God," he said quietly. "Everyone does."
"Maybe," she whispered. "When... When my father made the decision that I was ready to be his partner and not just his only employee, he told me about how proud he was of me, how I knew everything that he had, that he wanted to me to let me know if I wanted out, if I wanted to do something else with his life. He didn't want to dictate my life for me, and he... I guess he was worried that I did the work to be close to him because my mom travels so much, but... Construction isn't just his thing. It was our thing, and even with him gone, it's still my thing."
"I think it's really special that the two of you shared that," Roy said.
She smiled sadly at him."It's all right," she said softly. "I have the job now, right? That means I won't have to worry so much. Oh, actually..." She glanced at her watch. "There are only so many hours of daylight, and I need to get back to work."
"You didn't finish your sub," he said. "I can put it in the fridge in the office for you."
"Thanks. That would be great."
"And then... just for a bit... I do have some other chores to work on. Just real quick. I'll be back to help you as soon as I can."
"Oh, yeah, of course. I know what I'm doing with the toolshed."
"Of course you do. You're the boss." His laugh sounded forced.
Why? Why was he acting like a fool? He was already trying to befriend Beverly, which didn't seem to be an altogether terrible idea, but the side she would give him when she let down her guard... the fierce sadness in her eyes when she thought of her father's passing... the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of the love she had for him...
Roy knew he had to be careful. He had a plan to get the orchard back to rights, and he had hired Beverly to help him achieve the goal. He would have to ask his brothers to help with some of his chores so that he could work with her. The construction would never be finished before Easter otherwise.
But that meant he would have to work with her. Not talk to her constantly.
Not flirt with her.
Getting the meal? Roy could have just as easily brought her over to the barn to see if there was any food, or else he could have brought over a plate to her of whatever food there was. Instead, he decided to go out and buy them lunch, and although he didn't want to examine why he did that, he already knew the answer.
So far, only Colton had met Beverly.
Roy didn't want to share her.
Which was completely and utterly absurd. He knew it was. She was going to meet the other cowboys eventually. During the tour, though, he had found himself even then avoiding the others. He had told himself that it was because he didn't want to disturb them while they were working since there was so much to be done, but now he wondered...
"Are you okay?" Beverly asked.
He winced as he realized she was holding out her wrapped meatball sub for him to take. Roy took it.
"I'll be back as quick as I can."
"There's no rush," she said. "The hard part will come later."
"Why do you sound so excited?" he asked suspiciously.
"Maybe I relish the idea of having someone to give orders to."
"Ah, like your father would you?"