On Blackstone Mountain: Chapter 7

She’d seen it enough times that she could predict the questions and see it in their eyes as they worked out that Josie was a workaholic, wholly devoted to the farm...

The noise inside the crowded restaurant was overwhelming as Josie sat across the table from the man her aunt had set her up with. She tried to focus as he went on about “the trouble with the modern school system”, but anxiety coursed hotly through her body, making it impossible to concentrate. Feeling like everyone was looking at her, Josie downed the rest of her wine in one gulp.

---

This is a type of romance novel which I call “farm-smut” and features sex and love on the homestead, farm, or off-grid Maine location. To follow along with the story, receiving new chapters directly to your inbox, please subscribe.

When last we left off, Ben had been struggling to close the hole in the roof of the fishing cabin ahead of an inpending hurricane. Josie arrives to lend a hand and he manages to convince her to stay for dinner. When they share a mindblowing kiss, Ben realizes that everything he’d been looking forward was right there on Blackstone Mountain. But Josie shuts it down, refusing even to entertain the idea and then gives him the slip before he wakes up…

Read to catch you up!

Chapter 7: The Blind Date

He chuckled then, observing her, “I guess I tend to get a bit carried away on that subject.”

Always the compassionate heart, Josie merely shrugged and replied, “It’s good to be passionate about something.”

Tall and skinny, with a straggly red beard and wire-rimmed spectacles, the college professor was mild mannered and polite. Yet, Josie was not attracted to the man and she could not imagine him on the farm knee-deep in muck.

“Your aunt tells me you’re very passionate about wildlife.”

Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Josie tried to speak loud enough to carry over the din, “I suppose you could say that.”

“She also says you have a farm.” he continued. “That’s very impressive. What do you grow?”

“Well—it was my grandfather’s farm—but we produce eggs, honey, vegetables and an assortment of soaps and herbal salves. Sometimes lamb and pork—if we have a surplus.”

“That sounds like a lot of work! You must have some employees helping you?”

“Nope,” Josie shook her head. “It’s just me.”

“Wow!” He gaped at her as though she had a cupcake on her head, “And do you make much money that way? I mean, how do you pay your bills?”

Bristling at the question, Josie pinned him with a hard stare, “The same way everyone else does. Cash or check.”

Undeterred, he continued, “So—do you get much opportunity to leave the farm? To travel or go hiking?”

It was always the same, Josie sighed inwardly. She’d seen it enough times that she could predict the questions and see it in their eyes as they worked out that Josie was a workaholic, wholly devoted to the farm. They might find her attractive and inspiring, but it was not a life they wanted for themselves. Farming was too much work and too little pay to satisfy most men.

Indeed, if it hadn’t been for the trust fund she’d inherited with the estate, Josie would have had to seek off-farm employment to cover the property taxes. She was fortunate to have such a legacy, and that was a blessing she would never take for granted.

---

“Spill it.” Amelie said, that familiar mischievous glint in her blue eyes.

Unable to wait for Josie’s next run to town, Amelie had arrived on the farm the morning after Josie’s date. The two women sat at the table in the kitchen, fresh cups of coffee in their hands. She knew her friend well enough to know what was coming.

With a shrug, she said, “There’s not much to tell, really….”

“Awe come on, Jo!” Amie protested. “Did you like him? Was he cute?”

“Well—beauty is in the eye of the beholder—“ she hedged, and then came out with it in a rush. “But, I definitely wasn’t attracted to him—he was a bean-pole! No muscle on him anywhere! I can’t believe Aunt Rosemary thought I’d be into someone like that!”

Chortling, Amelie told her, “Yeah, I wondered how that would work out for you…”

“It didn’t!” Josie exclaimed. “First, he went on and on about the school system and how fucked it is. Then he asked me how much money I make as a farmer—“

“Are you freaking kidding me!?” Amelie railed. “That’s so rude! Especially on a first-date!”

“I know! But it happens every time! Guys are more interested in making money to buy their toys and go traveling, than they are in nature and conservation.”

“But I thought this guy was supposed to be into hiking? You must have had something in common?”

Nodding, Josie explained, “Yes, we both love nature and wildlife. He talked about taking a sabbatical to hike the Appalachian Trail. Then he talked about doing the Pacific Crest Trail, and he has ambitions of back-packing through Europe. I can’t see him being content to stay on the farm—let alone actually farming.”

Crestfallen, Amie sighed, “I’m sorry, hun…I know how hard this must be for you.”

“Yeah—I’m pretty much in a constant state of panic. I only have 5 and a half months left to find someone and men are either not into me or they’re not into what I’m about…”

“Don’t give up hope,”” Amelie placed her hand on Josie’s reassuringly. “A lot can happen in 5 and a half months—and I’ve got another date lined up for you.”

“Augh!” Josie groaned, inwardly quailing at the idea of another date.

“He’s a guy I work with at school—the PE teacher and soccer coach—“ Amie added quickly. “And definitely not all skin and bones, I promise!”

Passing a hand down her face wearily, Josie knew her friend was right. She needed to stay the course if she were to have any chance of saving the farm. Whether she liked it or not, Gramp had set this path before her and, unfortunately, the only way out was through.

“Meanwhile, I still have to tell Aunt Rosemary I didn’t like her guy,” Josie told her friend. They both laughed, for they knew exactly how it would go over with the older woman.

As she gathered herself to go a little while later, Amelie suggested, “Why don’t you come to Sunday Supper when you’re in town tomorrow?”

Anxiety threaded through her at the thought of a chaotic family supper at the Danforth’s ranch—mostly because it was likely Ben would be in attendance as well. She hadn’t seen him since the night of the hurricane, when she’d foolishly allowed herself to get too close to him. That kiss was seared into her brain, keeping her up at night—tossing and turning as she vacillated back and forth between the fear of having to marry any man who wasn’t Ben and the fear that anyone should learn the truth about her.

For it was in those wee-hours of the night that her troubled past loomed before her, all-consuming and larger than life. Painful memories normally kept tucked away, flooded her mind in the dark. Images and voices from long-ago tormented her, reminding Josie of where she came from and how she’d come to Blackstone Farm.

She didn’t deserve to be there. She was certain that if her grandfather had known the truth, he never would have brought Josie home to Maine. Never would have raised her up the way he had, and certainly wouldn’t have trusted the family legacy to her—granddaughter or no.

“Everyone’s been asking when you’re going to come for a visit,” Amelie coaxed. “You know how my mom gets—and I know Pap would love to see you, too.”

“Okay…I’ll come,” she caved. They were the closest thing to family Josie had ever known and she felt guilty for staying away for so long.

“Yay!” Amie threw her arms around Josie, hugging her with all the affection due a life-long best friend. “That’s awesome. Everyone will be so happy to see you.”

As she watched her BFF disappear into the woods, heading down the mountain towards town, Josie couldn’t help but wonder if everyone would truly be glad to have her there. Probably Ben already regretted kissing her and things would be hella awkward, but now she’d promised Amie she was committed.

---

Ben’s truck was already there when Josie pulled the Bronco into the yard before the Danforth’s sprawling ranch-house. Her body tense with nerves, her mind a tumult, she sat there for several minutes trying to collect herself. With the exception of Amie and Ben, Josie hadn’t seen any of the Danforths since last November at Gramp’s funeral. She wondered what they would say about her long winter in isolation. Now she was there, Josie wasn’t sure she was ready to face the Danforths—any of them—but especially Pap.

Gramp’s best friend was as good as a second grandfather to Josie. Every week Pap had made the trek up the mountain to visit his friend on the farm. Their Wednesday afternoon visits had been a treasured pasttime. Occasionally, the two men would go fishing, hunting or hiking. More often than not, though, they’d sit on the front porch playing cribbage or gin or chess while testing their latest batch of cider. Sometimes Josie would join in a game. Or she might sit nearby for a chat with Pap. Other times she left them to themselves.

Even when Gramp’s health kept him in bed, Pap would come to sit by his side, reading aloud to his friend. And when his friend slept, he would sit quietly. His devotion was steadfast.

They’d been close, the three of them. Yet, when Gramp passed, Josie had abandoned Pap just as she’d abandoned everyone else in her life. How could she face the old man knowing he had surely had suffered this loss as she had suffered—and she’d just left him?

A tap on the window jarred Josie back to the present moment and she startled to see Ben standing there.

“Are you here for supper, Josie?”

She made to open the door, scrabbling clumsily for the handle as she choked, “Yeah—“

Opening the door from the outside, Ben swung it wide for Josie to exit the vehicle. She quailed at his nearness, but knowing it would have been rude and awkward to refuse, Josie climbed out.

She stood there staring up at him for a long moment, drinking in the sight of him. The beginnings of a beard shadowed his square jawline, and his tawny hair was a little on the long-side. He looked shaggy and scruffy, and Josie had to resist the urge to reach up and touch him.

In a black v-neck t-shirt and jeans, he was clean and presentable for Sunday super. The scent of his musky cologne intoxicated Josie’s senses, sending lava coursing through her veins. As her body responded to his, her anxiety levels shot through the roof and she tore her gaze away in alarm. Moving to put some distance between them, she hoped Ben hadn’t seen.

“You came!” cried Amie, flying down the front steps to assail her friend with a hug. “I wasn’t entirely sure you would.”

“I know,” hugging her friend back. “I’m sorry to make you doubt me, but I’m here now.”

Amie looped their arms together and Josie wasn’t sure if it was for support or to prevent her from escaping. Since her friend knew Josie better than anyone, she decided it was likely a combination of both and ruefully allowed Amie to take her in the house, leaving Ben to trail along behind.

“Hey hey! Look who’s here!” exclaimed Amelie and Ben’s father, Jebediah.

The whole family—Amie’s three other brothers, along with their wives and a couple of tow-headed children—congregated in the large kitchen and dining room. Lucie stood at the stove putting the finishing touches on her Sunday supper while they chatted. Her insides squirmed as all eyes turned toward her. Anxiety swelling within her breast, heart hammering in her ears, Josie attempted a smile, but was certain it came off as more of a grimace and she cursed her own social awkwardness.

Pap came forward then, enveloping Josie in a hug. “Glad you could make it, kiddo.”

A big bear of a man, the senior-most Jebediah Danforth was much diminished since Josie had last seen him. Pap had lost weight—and muscle mass. He was shorter than she remembered, slightly stooped now, and it was apparent that losing his best friend had taken a toll on the old man.

Seeing him now triggered a rush of grief as memories from times gone by flooded Josie’s mind. She was sure it was the same for Pap, as his embrace lasted longer than usual and when he set her from him Josie caught the glimmer of tears in the old man’s eyes.

“No more locking yourself away,” he scolded gently. Concern and grief written upon his weathered face as he looked down upon her. “You can hide away from the rest of the world, but don’t ever hide from your family. Families need to be there for one another—in good times and bad—and you’re just as much a part of this family as I am. You understand me, young lady?”

Fighting back tears, Josie could only nod blindly. She wanted so badly to believe she could be a part of this family. But if they knew the truth, they would surely feel differently about including her.

“Good! Now you come here and give me a hug!” declared Lucie, and a round of hugging ensued as the members of the Danforth family welcomed Josie back to the ranch and Sunday supper.

Soon they were all seated around the long farmhouse dining table, Josie next to Amelie with Ben directly across from her. Resolutely, she avoided looking at him, avoiding his gaze and keeping her thoughts trained on the conversation as it swirled around her.

“So—how’s the farm, Josie?” Amelie’s father asked jovially, pulling her into the discussion. “How’d you make out this winter?”

Startled, Josie looked up. There was a long pause and talking died as the others looked on with interest, waiting for her to speak.

“I was very lucky,” Josie said quietly. “No major calamities, aside from running out of coffee round about March.”

“And how’s your season shaping up so far?” the other farmer asked. “Weather’s been good, huh?”

Nodding, Josie told him, “The garden is loving it. We’ve got a bumper crop of lambs this year, too.”

“Your grandfather used to trade with me—lamb for beef ,” Jebediah told her. “You interested in carrying on that tradition?”

Swallowing hard at the mention of Gramp, Josie gave a nod before popping a forkful of meatloaf into her mouth so she wouldn’t have to say anymore. Mercifully, one of the other brothers asked about the calves on the ranch and the conversation ebbed away from Josie.

It wasn’t till after the meal, as she helped Lucie and Amelie with the clean-up, that she was put on the spot again when Lucie asked, “Are you seeing anyone, sweetie?”

Taken aback, Josie stared at her friend’s mother trying to find an appropriate response to such a loaded question.

Seeing the young woman’s struggle, Lucie continued apologetically, explaining, “We worry so much about you being up there on that mountain all alone.”

“Josie went on a date just the other night!” Amelie announced.

Almost choking, Josie shot her friend a look, then startled when Ben’s voice came from behind her.

“A date? With who?”

Turning to see the man standing there in the doorway, his eyes trained upon her, Josie shifted uncomfortably as her anxiety crept ever higher. Panic swelled within her breast so that her breathing became shallow, her limbs felt like Jell-O and her face grew hot.

“Some nerdy college professor her aunt set her up with,” Amelie said airily. “But he wasn’t The One, so she’s going out with Karson Michaels this Friday.”

“The hunky PE teacher at the high school?” asked Lucie eagerly.

“Yep!” Amelie confirmed.

“He’s not her type,” Ben said darkly, his eyes boring into Josie’s.

Laughing, Amelie said, “How would you know what Josie’s type is, big brother?”

There was a ringing in her ears and suddenly it was all too much… Losing Gramp. His stupid marriage ultimatum. Uncle Greg’s offer to buy the farm. Ben’s return and the business with the illegal cutting happening down on the lower east side…

Her field of vision narrowed as the panic attack that had been threatening all day finally engulfed her. Fighting to remain calm even as she edged her way out of the room, she blurted, “I’m sorry—I have to go.”

“Josie—are you okay, honey?” Lucie looked at her with concern. “You look very pale all of a sudden.”

It wouldn’t solve her problems, she knew, but Josie was so overwhelmed that she wanted nothing more than to escape to Blackstone Mountain—to hide herself away on the farm. She’d try again tomorrow…

“Yes, I’m fine, thanks—I just—need to go home.”

Feeling sick, Josie made a beeline for the front door. She reached the Bronco just as Ben emerged from the house, climbed in and slammed the old Ford into gear. Tearing out of the yard, she left him standing on the front porch watching her go.

Thank you for reading and following along with my debut novel: On Blackstone Mountain. Please feel free to leave your questions and feedback in the comments. Much love to you and yours, my friends!

Sam

On Blackstone Mountain is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.