Free Maddy's Oasis by Lizzy Ford Page B

her. If the project failed, she failed Mama. At the
moment, she had absolutely no delusions of success, but if she
pushed herself and those around her, she might not fail.
    Then why did she feel like crying? Why did
Eric running off for happy hour make her feel completely isolated
and alone? Why did Jake’s continuous jabs into her unhappy life
bother her so much? Why did she feel like the only adult burdened
by a sense of responsibility while everyone else seemed … free?
    “It’s just us, Duke,” she said. “Unless you
wanna ditch or insult me, too?”
    Duke remained where he was on his couch,
panting. She stared at the wall for awhile before spraying more
Lysol. It was not Duke this day, but the bathroom. How long she
gazed into space she didn’t know, but she was still doing it when
Eric returned with a smile and the blueprints.
    “Jake invited us to a barbecue bonfire
tonight,” he said. “It’s after the men are released at about
eight-thirty.”
    Madeleine said nothing and opened her
accounting book.
    “Maddy, you okay?”
    “Just have a lot to clean up,” she replied.
“You can go tonight. I have too much to do.”
    Eric hesitated but didn't press.
    “I brought Duke’s dog food,” he said. “Jake
says to feed him about three cups a day. People food upsets his
stomach.”
    “Okay, thanks.”
    Eric waited. Madeleine kept her eyes
down.
    “I’ll just go check on things,” he said.
    “All right.”
    Her phone buzzed, and she reached for it
mechanically.
    “Madeleine Winters.”
    “Hey, it’s Jake.”
    “Good morning, Jake,” she said in a flat
tone. “How can I help you?”
    “I sent Duke’s food with Eric. We’re having a
barbecue tonight. Kitty is excited for you to try her homemade
sauces.”
    “Thank you, but I’ve got too much to do
today.”
    “All right,” he said with an edge. “Let me
know if you change your mind.”
    “I won’t. Eric will probably go.”
    “Have a good one.”
    “You, too.”
    She frowned at the phone. Jake had sounded
even more pissed at her refusal. She couldn't fathom what else
might be bothering him about her; he'd already insulted her work
ethic, personality, and shoes. There wasn't much else she could do
to draw his scorn.
    She didn't leave the site the entire day. She
snacked on granola bars and left once to refill the generator. She
read the book on blueprints and worked past dark until her mind
froze up then sat back finally for a break, nowhere near content
with what she'd done but satisfied she could see some progress.
Duke crossed to the door and pawed at it. She rose to let him out
and stepped into the warm night air. It was still too warm for her,
but she breathed deeply and stretched her neck and back before
leaning against the railing to stare into space. Even when she
tried to relax, visions of empty bank accounts danced in her
mind.
    She rubbed her face.
    "Thought you might need something."
    She looked up at Jake's quiet voice, startled
she hadn't heard him approach. He stood at the bottom of the
rickety stairs with a large, covered plate in one hand.
    "You brought me dinner?" she asked
skeptically. He chuckled.
    "I can take it back," he said.
    "No, I didn't mean it that way. It's just …"
She drifted off.
    "We're always at each other's throats, so why
would I bother?" he finished.
    "Something like that."
    "Funny how two people trying to do the right
thing can end up thinking they're working against each other."
    She sighed and opened the door to the
trailer, inviting him in. The scent of barbecued meat and fixin’s
made her stomach roar to life. She couldn't help wondering when
she'd last eaten real food; it felt like it was before she left
back east for the stupid desert.
    He set her plate on her desk. She sat back in
the familiar chair and watched him. He made no move to sit and
twirled his truck keys around his index finger.
    "You need anything else?" he asked, glancing
around.
    "This is more than enough. I really
appreciate it,