“What brings you all this way?”
“Actually, I was hoping you and I could sit down and talk.”
Lillian was standing in the corner and gave me a slight nod of approval, which meant I probably should have been worried. Whatever this was, she was in on it.
“Okay…yeah. Sure.”
Lillian placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “Elle, honey, why don’t you come help me prepare lunch for everyone?”
“Sure, Mrs. Montgomery.”
When Lillian and Elle were out of sight, Mr. Sutton nudged his head toward the sliding glass door leading out to our backyard. “Why don’t we go outside.”
“Alright,” I said, squinting my eyes suspiciously.
After a few seconds of silence, we stood facing each other on the deck as a breeze blew moss around in the air.
I was the first to speak. “What’s this all about, Mr. Sutton?”
“Please…call me Lance.”
“Alright. Lance. What’s going on?”
“Brent and I had been discussing some things before he passed away.”
“Things?”
“Yes. Your father was concerned about you, that you might be getting into some situations…certain temptations…that would not befit a good Christian life.”
“Okay…”
“He told me you were saving up for college on your own, and I respect that. But I have a proposition for you.”
I crossed my arms. “A proposition…”
“Yes. See, your father really did want the best for you. He knew that I had been looking for someone who I could groom, mentor and train to take over my business.”
“What kind of business?”
“Meat packing. I own a beef plant back in Dodge City. Sutton Provisions.”
“You want me to take over your business when all I’ve been doing for the past year is shoveling horse shit?”
He chuckled. “It wouldn’t be overnight. I’d take you under my wing for several years until you were ready. The company would also pay for business school.”
“What’s the catch?”
“Well, obviously, you’d have to move.”
“That’s not a catch. Getting out of here is a major incentive. What’s the catch?”
“There is something else. It’s not really a catch. At least, I’m hoping you won’t see it that way.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I wouldn’t ask just anyone to take over my business—something I’ve worked for my entire life. You would have to be a part of my family. I don’t have a son of my own, Sevin. I have three daughters. Your father…he wanted the best for you. He knew you weren’t happy here, that you might be getting into some trouble. But I know you’re a good kid because you’re Brent’s son. This plan…it wasn’t supposed to come about so soon, but after Brent died, I didn’t think it should wait.”
“What are you getting at?”
“You met my daughter, Elle.”
“Yeah…nice girl. What about her?”
“Sevin, in our community, we don’t just let our daughters date men. The women are courted.”
“Courted?”
“Yes. As a father, it’s my responsibility to find a good Christian man to court my daughter with the best of intentions.”
“What does that involve?”
“Well, one thing it does not involve is physical contact of any kind. Under this scenario, a young man spends several months getting to know the girl. Then, eventually, if he’s far away, he would move closer and outings would be chaperoned.”
“What if I don’t want to court Elle?”
“Then, this situation wouldn’t work.”
“That’s part of the deal with this job?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“You talked about this with my father?”
“Yes. He wanted this life for you.”
“So, what happens if the courting doesn’t work out?”
“Sevin, I can’t give up my empire to someone who isn’t even a part of my family.”
“So, we’re not just talking about spending time with Elle. When you say court, you really mean—”
“Marry,” he interrupted. “You would marry my daughter.”
CHAPTER 3
SEVIN
The phone rang every night at the exact same time. It was cute how consistent she was. It wasn’t even necessary to look at the caller I.D.
“Hey, Ellebell.”
“Hi. What are you up to?”
“Just starting to pack up some things, actually.”
“You don’t move out here for another month, though. I thought you said you don’t have that much stuff.”