Chapter 75: No rush

Chapter 75: No rush

The farm sat under a dull afternoon sky, quiet except for the steady sounds of work being done. Thomas moved around the farmhouse with his sleeves rolled up, fixing a loose board near the porch, his hands rough and practiced.

Sweat ran down his temple, but his focus never wavered. He had been restless all morning, unable to shake the tension that had settled into the air since Audrey stopped coming to the farm.

He was tightening the last nail when he sensed someone behind him.

“Thomas. Or is it Monkey?”

He froze for half a second before straightening slowly and turning around. Tennessee stood a few steps away, hands in his pockets, his face hard and unreadable.

“Sir,” Thomas said quickly, wiping his hands on his trousers. “Good afternoon.”

Tennessee glanced around the farm, his eyes sharp, as if he were measuring every corner. “You’ve been getting too comfortable around here.” he said.

Thomas swallowed. “I don’t understand.”

Tennessee stepped closer. “You do. You snuck into Audrey’s bedroom last night.”

Thomas’s shoulders stiffened. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

“That’s not the point,” Tennessee said coldly. “You had no right. Such audacity.”

Thomas lowered his head. “I was worried about her. That’s all.”

“You shouldn’t even have to worry about her,” Tennessee snapped. “Ever…She is your boss. She is Izo’s bride. She is Audrey Whitmore.”

Thomas nodded quickly. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Tennessee studied him for a moment, his jaw tight. “Stay away from Audrey,” he said. “If I hear your name near her again, I’ll sack you. End of discussion.”

“Yes, sir,” Thomas said immediately. “It won’t happen again.”

“It better not, okay?” Tennessee asked.

“I swear,” Thomas said. “On my job. On everything.”

Tennessee exhaled slowly, then turned away. “Good,” he said. “Because I won’t warn you twice.”

Thomas watched as Tennessee walked off, his footsteps fading across the farmyard. When he was gone, Thomas leaned against the wall and let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. His apology had been fake of course but the fear sitting in his chest was real. He stared toward the direction of the mansion, his thoughts tangled, knowing this was far from over.

Later that afternoon, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the driveway of the mansion. Tennessee stood outside, washing his car with slow, deliberate movements. Water ran down the shiny surface, pooling on the ground beneath his feet. The repetitive motion helped him think, though his thoughts refused to settle.

He scrubbed the hood harder than necessary.

“Hey.”

He turned to see Yvonne approaching, her arms folded loosely across her chest. Her face looked tired, but her eyes were alert.

“Hey,” Tennessee replied.

She stopped a few feet away, watching him rinse the soap off the car. “How’s Izo doing?” she asked.

Tennessee hesitated, then said, “He’s better.”

Yvonne studied his face. “Better how?”

“Stable,” Tennessee said. “Doctors say he responded to treatment but still in coma.”

“That’s good,” Yvonne said quietly. “Who’s with him over there?”

Tennessee grabbed a towel and began drying the car. “Gwen will be traveling to India tomorrow.”

Yvonne’s brows lifted slightly. “Gwen?”

“Yes,” Tennessee said. “She’ll be staying with him.”

Yvonne nodded slowly. “Okay.”

She turned as if to leave, but Tennessee reached out and caught her wrist gently. “Wait.”

She stopped and looked back at him. “What?”

He released her wrist but didn’t step back. “You need to stop this,” he said.

“Stop what?” Yvonne asked.

“Thinking Gwen poisoned Audrey,” Tennessee said. “I tried, Yvonne. I really tried to see it from your angle.”

“And?” Yvonne asked calmly.

“I couldn’t,” he said. “There’s nothing solid. No proof.”

Yvonne smiled faintly. “Not yet.”

Tennessee shook his head. “You’re hurting everyone with this. Audrey, my father, even yourself.”

Yvonne’s smile didn’t fade. “Time and doctors tell the truth better than people do.”

Tennessee frowned. “What does that even mean?”

“It means I’m patient,” Yvonne said. “And the truth doesn’t rush.”

He searched her face. “You really believe Gwen did this.”

“Yes,” Yvonne said simply.

“And if you’re wrong?” he asked.

“Then I’ll apologize,” she replied. “But if I’m right, none of you will be able to pretend you didn’t see it coming.”

Tennessee sighed, frustration flashing across his face. “I just want peace in this house.”

“So do I,” Yvonne said. “Peace doesn’t come from ignoring poison.”

They stared at each other for a moment, the tension thick between them. Then Yvonne stepped back.

“Take care of yourself,” she said. “And your father.”

She turned and walked away, leaving Tennessee standing beside his car, towel hanging loosely from his hand. He watched her go, her words echoing in his head, unsure whether he was protecting the wrong person or pushing away the only one brave enough to tell the truth.

The water on the driveway slowly dried under the fading sun as Tennessee stood there, caught between loyalty and doubt.