Chapter 7: Mac and Cheese, Mud, and Malice

At first, I’d wondered how a city girl like me ended up with a rough country fiancé.

It seemed like fate had played a cruel joke, throwing us together when we were least prepared. But maybe, just maybe, it was exactly what I needed. Sometimes you have to get lost to find your way.

When I asked, Dad only said Eli had been kidnapped as a child and taken in by a kind woman.

He never told me the whole story, just bits and pieces. I pieced it together from whispers and rumors, always wondering what was true. The mystery only made me more curious.

Later, the Matsons tried to bring him back, but he refused, insisting on caring for the woman who’d raised him.

Eli was loyal to a fault, and I admired that about him. He’d built a life for himself, even when it wasn’t easy. I respected that, more than I could say.

Looking at things now, I’m not so sure about that ‘kind woman’ story.

There was a hardness in Martha’s eyes, a bitterness that didn’t fit the image of a loving mother. I made a mental note to keep my guard up. Better safe than sorry.

Back in the room, Eli grabbed a shovel and headed out to the fields.

He moved with purpose, shoulders squared, ready to face the day. I watched him go, feeling a strange mix of pride and longing. I wished I could follow him everywhere.

I didn’t want to be alone, so I pestered him to let me come along.

I followed him out the door, chattering about nothing in particular. He rolled his eyes, but I caught the ghost of a smile on his lips. I could tell he didn’t mind the company.

He hesitated, but finally agreed. He rummaged through a trunk and pulled out a battered old umbrella.

He handed it to me, careful not to meet my eyes. “Don’t want you getting sunburned,” he muttered. His ears turned pink.

“It’s hot out—you’re delicate.”

His words were teasing, but there was genuine concern in his voice. I grinned, twirling the umbrella over my shoulder.

I smiled, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his cheek. He really did know how to take care of people. For a second, I felt light as air.

He blushed, ducking his head. I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all.

The gossip mill churned at full speed. Everywhere we went, people whispered behind their hands, casting sidelong glances my way. I held my head high, determined not to let it get to me. Let them talk.

He walked a little taller, shoulders squared, daring anyone to say a word against me. I felt safe with him by my side. That’s what mattered.

The sun beat down, but I barely noticed. I was too busy watching Eli, admiring the way his muscles flexed with every movement. My heart fluttered, and I found myself smiling for no reason at all. Sometimes, happiness sneaks up on you.

She walked across the field, her steps light and purposeful. The Tupperware in her hands gleamed in the sunlight, and I caught a whiff of something cheesy and delicious. My stomach growled.

Maybe it was the heat, but her collar was slightly open, and every move carried a faint perfume.

She’d dressed carefully, hair brushed and lips tinted pink. I recognized the look—she was trying to impress.

She pulled out a Tupperware full of homemade mac and cheese, offering it to Eli like it was gold.

Her smile was sweet, but her eyes never left his face. She held out the bowl, waiting for his approval. The tension in the air was sharp.

He took the bowl and walked straight to me. “Babe, are you hungry?”

His voice was warm, and he handed me the food without a second thought. I caught Emma’s expression—hurt, surprised, maybe even a little jealous. I almost felt sorry for her.

The cheesy aroma made my stomach rumble. I took the bowl, ready to dig in, but caught a glimpse of Emma biting her lip, looking like she might burst into tears.

I hesitated, suddenly self-conscious. But hunger won out, and I took a bite, savoring the creamy goodness. Sometimes, comfort comes in small bites.

I took a bite, then offered the rest to Eli. But before my fork reached his lips, someone shoved me hard.

The force caught me off guard, and the bowl tumbled from my hands. I landed in the dirt, stunned.

The food splattered across my jeans, and I bit back a curse. Eli rushed to my side, concern etched on his face. My knee throbbed, but pride hurt worse.

If you don’t want to eat, fine—but why push me?

I glared at Emma, waiting for an explanation. She looked away, cheeks flaming.

“How can a man eat somebody else’s leftovers?”

Her voice was shrill, and she refused to meet my eyes. I saw the hurt in her expression, but I refused to back down. She wasn’t the only one with feelings at stake.

Eli didn’t even look at her—he just scooped me up out of the dirt.

His arms were strong and steady, and I clung to him, letting him carry me away from the scene. I let myself lean into him.

In his arms, the floating words began to spin and flip.

[The main girl brings food out of kindness—why is the side character butting in?]

[Can the side character hurry up and cheat already? I don’t want to see her.]

[Does anyone think the main girl can’t compare to the side character?]

[The main girl’s just reflecting this world’s values—it’s normal for her to be a bit old-fashioned.]

[What’s so great about the side character? She’s just going to cheat on the werewolf later.]

I rolled my eyes. The voices were relentless, but I tuned them out, focusing on the man holding me.

I wrapped my arms around Eli’s neck, glancing between the two of them.

He met my gaze, his eyes full of concern. I smiled, letting him know I was okay. We had each other’s backs.

Then I flashed Emma a smile. “Emma, this is just a little game between husband and wife.”

My tone was light, but the message was clear. I wasn’t going anywhere. I hoped she understood.

She bit her lip, looking timidly at Eli. Her eyes were red, brimming with tears.

She looked so fragile, I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. But not quite.

“Cousin, I just wanted you to have a good meal.”

Her voice was barely audible, and she turned away, shoulders shaking.

Before Eli could reply, she ran off, covering her face.

Her footsteps faded, and the field felt emptier without her presence. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

He paused, watching her go, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

He looked torn, caught between loyalty and affection. I squeezed his hand, grounding him in the moment.

[The werewolf doesn’t realize it yet—caring is just another word for love.]

[He loves her, even if he doesn’t know it.]

[With such a stunning woman as the side character, how can the main girl compete?]

Y’all are wild. The voices buzzed in my mind, but I pushed them aside. I knew where I stood.

I copied Emma’s move, turning Eli’s face back to me.

I cupped his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Hey, I’m the one you need to worry about.” I couldn’t help but grin.

“Honey, I’m all dirty. Carry me home.”

He grinned, scooping me up with ease. I wrapped my arms around his neck, nuzzling into his shoulder as he carried me back to the house. I let myself enjoy the closeness.

As soon as we reached the porch, I heard quiet sobbing inside.

The sound was muffled, but unmistakable. My heart twisted, but I refused to feel guilty. This wasn’t my fault.

The moment we stepped in, the crying grew louder.

It echoed through the hallway, raw and unfiltered. I exchanged a glance with Eli, unsure what to do. Neither of us moved at first.

Eli hesitated, but still carried me into the bedroom first.

He set me down gently, brushing a stray hair from my face. “You okay?” he whispered. I nodded, grateful for his tenderness. The moment felt fragile.

He grabbed a bucket and went out to fetch water.

The screen door slammed behind him, and I was left alone with my thoughts. The house felt too quiet, the silence pressing in on me. I hugged my knees to my chest.

I waited and waited, but he didn’t come back. Uneasy, I slipped outside.

The night air was cool against my skin, and I shivered, pulling my sweater tighter around me. The yard was empty, shadows stretching across the grass.

Candlelight flickered, casting shadows on the window.

The warm glow spilled onto the porch, illuminating the faces inside. I crept closer, curiosity getting the better of me. My breath caught in my throat.

Peeking through the crack in the door, I saw Emma leaning against Martha’s lap, crying her heart out.

Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, and Martha stroked her hair, murmuring words of comfort. I felt a pang of guilt, quickly buried beneath a wave of defiance. I wasn’t backing down.

“They’re just a fake couple—you still have a chance.”

Martha’s voice was low, but I caught every word. She sounded so sure, so certain that things would work out in Emma’s favor.

The older woman stroked her hair, full of sympathy. “You don’t know how the men in this town look at her. If some bold one makes a move, cheating on her husband is enough to get her run out of town.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine. I realized, with sudden clarity, that I was still very much an outsider here. One wrong move, and I could lose everything again. I shivered, but it also steeled my resolve. I wasn’t going down without a fight.