The rest of the afternoon was a blur to Jessica and after several neurological tests and some monitoring, the doctor was comfortable enough to let her go. They gathered the discharge papers and were finally out of the hospital around seven leaving both May and Jessica eager to leave the sterile environment.

"I don't know how anyone could be happy working there," sighed Jessica as they made their way out the sliding doors to the sunset that entertained them from the front parking lot.

May hummed a silent agreement, a pondering expression on her face.

They made their way from the entrance in silence over to a seating area with benches.

"So, he was your math tutor in high school? Pretty hot tutor. He seems like a catch, brains and looks? And he seems genuinely worried about your well-being. " May shook her head, "lucky girl. Still cannot believe you tried to hide Bret's older cop brother coming back to sweep you off your feet from me."

Jessica groaned as they sat on a bench waiting for Alex, "I don't chase men away. Jason and I agreed we didn't work out together. And that has been the majority of my break ups. You're just upset because Jason moved to Alaska and you didn't have a chance to woo him."

"Well I am telling you, this Brad guy is a real catch. Literally no red flags! I know you and Bret where together, but how could you two not have had a thing back in high school?"

Ignoring the pain in her neck she shook her head slowly, "Don't be ridiculous. I was a sophomore, he was a senior. We didn't have anything in common, he was cute but I wasn't interested. And I have the feeling that he wasn't interested in dating someone so much younger when he was about to graduate."

It was the truth. 

They hadn't been in an exact brother sister type relationship, but it had been close-with some unspoken rule that they were not interested in dating the other though were close just the same, so he remained supportive of his brother and her dating and her math tutoring.

"Really? You act like you have never dated an older man Jess," May said while she stood seeing Alex's SUV at the stop sign around the corner.

Jessica stood also, though slowly as she was rather sore, "Not in high school. Not that much older."

She was certain she heard, "well that makes one of us. "From the girl but didn't question it.

 Knowing May's ever constant search to find her 'one true love' she wouldn't doubt it either.

"Hey glad to see yer alive," Alex shouted out the rolled down passenger window, head ducking down with his ever present mischievous grin on his face.

"Well can't be leaving you in charge. Nothing would get done," she joked opening the back door and sliding gingerly into her seat.

They pulled off to the road, and it didn't slip passed Jessica that May was staring at Alex as if he were a god.

"So Jessica" Alex was suddenly serious, rare for him, and glancing a cold blue gaze to the review mirror," You think those guys from the meeting messed with your truck?"

"Don't know, "She rested her head against the cool glass of the back window as they merged onto the highway back to the farm, "Tomorrow we can go down to the impound yard after chores."

"Okay, " He nodded looking straight ahead, "and after that?"

"Well we can put an official report into the police, not just an unofficial statement given to Brad," she sighed, "but one thing's for sure. We need to keep close watch of the farm. If that is the case, I bet they're the ones who have been messing with farms, and this will show they don't mind if anybody ends up dying. Brad thinks they already have shown that, though."

May turned around with a look of annoyance, "You know, you are friends with a cop. Brad wants to help, so let him!"

"Oh, your just friends with this cop?" Grinned Alex" I didn't know that. But May is right, Brad could help with the issues goin' on with the farm. Let him. Poor guy been working his tail off for you."

"Yeah and he's a pretty smokin' hot one too, he's the blond that spoke to you earlier," May chimed smugly, as if she won something. 

Alex nodded not surprised.

Alex looked to May, "Oh really? I thought I looked better though." 

There was humor in his voice but Jessica wasn't in the mood for it.

"Oh come off it," laughed May giggling," we're here to try and make Jess stop being such a prude and go for this guy who obviously has the hots for her!"

"I just started. . .whatever this is with him," she said trying not to sound too short," We barely do more than text each other. We haven't even managed a coffee together. He already has been looking under the table into this, which could jeopardize his job. Who ever these people are, their not to be messed with. I don't want Brad losing his job just because he wants to help out."

"Yeah," May retorted, "even so, Brad wants what is right. He is totally the good cop, trying to overthrow the twisted department. Let him help you while he does that!"

"He was just a little worried that I was in over my head, May," Jessica closed her eyes brows knitting from an oncoming migraine," I don't think he realizes how bad it would be if he where found out."

May must have sensed Jessica was done arguing, though she murmured, "Didn't seem that way to me." They stayed silent the rest of the way home.

Pulling into the drive they got out and Alex put a hand on Jessica's shoulder while May made a beeline for the door, "I can milk the cows tonight. I think I got the hang of it."

Jessica smirked a little and crossed her arms, "do you now?"

"Yeah,"he crossed his own, "after I put them in the barn I make sure they all have feed to distract them, then I massage and wash the udders, then milk 'em. Watch out for kicking and watch Belana because she likes to always piss. Any milk stepped or pissed in goes to the pigs. Any clean milk goes into the fridge with a lid on top of the pail. Good?"

"Good except one thing," At his look of honest confusion she smiled, "you brush them first. They deserve some lovin' since they are being forced to stay in the barn despite it being summer."

"If you would get that cop of yours over they could stay at pasture like normal, " at her face he began to back away, "I got it, brush 'em first, I get it. You go relax. May took out some steaks and is going to cook tonight. She even fed the chickens earlier! I think she rather enjoyed it!"

"Wow, I am impressed. For as long as I have known her, she has always avoided any form of farm work," She chuckled and they parted ways.

Jessica walked into the house. It had been awhile since she had an evening to sit around and relax, even longer since she had smelled such an amazing scent from her kitchen. Jessica didn't pretend to be a great cook, she wasn't terrible but next to May there was no comparison. That was something the cheery girl was great at.

Going to the kitchen she saw May busying herself away humming already well into the motions of making another great meal.

"Hey May," she paused at the mouth of the kitchen, seeing the girl bounce from one thing to the next in her environment," I heard you fed the chickens!"

May jumped and smiled enthusiastically," Yes! I actually did! You know, despite how stinky it is out by the coop, they are rather funny things! And I just loved watching them. I could get used to their company, if only from a distance"

"Maybe you can be my new farm hand?" Jessica joked.

She wouldn't have needed May to make comment on her thought to that based off her expression alone," Absolutely not. Alex tried to get me to help milk the goats. I couldn't stay in the shed! It stunk so bad!"

Jessica tried to ignore her and Alex's quickly developing relationship and pressed the topic away from the farm then.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked rolling her shoulders feeling them creak in protest.

May grabbed a chair at the bar and pulled it out before ushering her to sit, "Sit, sit. I will get you a drink. Wine? Beer? I spied some vodka in your freezer. I think you would need something a bit stronger than water to end the day you have had today. I know I do."

Snorting Jessica nodded in agreement, hoping something could take away her headache and her stiff sore muscles, "Wine please."

May practically pranced down to the pantry and came back with a bottle of wine from the small wine cellar connected to it.

"I grabbed the red we drank last time. Ya know, just for old time's sake," she swiped two wine glasses from the cupboard and set them down filling each generously.

"Now I don't wanna get tipsy," Jessica chuckled but she accepted the glass anyways watching as May danced around the kitchen. After a sip and May deeming dinner well enough on its own to sit for a moment and sip her own, Jessica's smile melted away.

"So you quit your job and are thinking about moving all because of Tony?"

May froze mid sip before looking down into her glass and set it down.

 "Yeah." 

Her voice was a bit gravely and strained," I told my boss two weeks ago I needed to quit. I just need a fresh start, ya know? Two years isn't anything to blink an eye at. I may be over him, but life is just different now."

Two terrible years, Jessica mentally chimed. She had been there all the times they fought, and May needed a place to go to, or whenever he had gone on a rage. Tony had never laid a hand on May from Jessica's knowledge, but the guy wasn't someone she would want to be around-or May for that matter.

"Did you go to the police about him? You said he was stalking you, and even harassed your coworkers."

"Yes," she sighed, "and I got all the way up to a judge for an appeal so I could have a restraining order, even though it took a month to do so, but the judge wanted to make a court date with him present, which he of course refused to come to." She threw her glass back and downed a large gulp of wine, wincing at the Merlot.

May bounced off her chair and went back busing herself cooking dinner humming dancing to a tune only she was privy to while swinging her wide hips, seemingly carefree, "Though I don't care. I was gettin' tired of Texas. And here in Oklahoma I am still close enough to go see ma and pa on the weekends. There are a few restaurants in town hiring, and I am still putting in applications. I have to get a job soon."

"Well," Jessica said as she heard the house phone ring but decided to let it go to voicemail, "No worries rushin', you are welcome here for as long as you like."

May gave a smile before chattering away about Alex and his biceps, and Jessica rolled her eyes.

She may have dated Tony for two years and had been reluctant to call it off, but she sure was ready to move on it seemed. 

Though being one whose longest relationship had fell just short of a year, and there were not that many to begin with, she couldn't understand May's need for a man. At least that was what she told herself. She was married to her work and she didn't have time for a man. Even one that turned out to be as great looking as Brad did. 

It was dangerous, and Jessica did not wish to fully face the fact that she may already be too far in.

The thought popped into her head that she was already head over heels for the cop, and she was willing to not quit her job at the farm or give up her dreams and he accepted that. 

And that was possibly the most attractive thing about him.

Blinking she stopped leaning on her hand where she had rested her chin and started. 

Where had that come from? 

It must be from May's constant prodding at her love life and the wine.

"You haven't been listening to me have you?"

Jessica looked up from where she was grabbing a cup from a shelf and May's eyes were sparkling with joy as she plated three plates with steak, mashed sweet potatoes with gravy, and steamed carrots, "You're too busy thinking about that hot cop of yours."

Scoffing but with a smile she filled her glass of water and downed it, hoping to bring her back to her senses, though it was nice not feeling the pain in her neck and shoulders.

"I'm right aren't I," Jessica wasn't sure if May took the sharp tone because she was shocked that she had been right, or she was victorious in Jessica's lack of protest.

"No, "she shook her head after finishing the cup and helping May grab utensils and a beer for Alex, who sounded like he was stomping his boots off in the hall, "I was just thinking about how much I am in no way ready to take on a relationship while I am busy with the farm." She lied and sat with May waiting for Alex and looked to her, "The farm has just been getting really good the past few years. Farmers markets and CSA's are becoming so much more popular, and people like my cheese." 

Jessica thought of the main staple her farm toted, being the cheese from the goats, cows, and even recently sheep. She hoped that within the next few year she could learn how to start spinning her own wool even, instead of selling it to a third party.

"Ugh," Alex stood at the entry of the dining room, "you ladies go ahead and eat on up. Damn cow pissed on me."

Jessica probably would have been able to hold back her giggle if she hadn't drank half a glass of wine already," Bellana? I tried to warn you!"

He grumbled nodding his head and she smiled," Hey, you did well. Thank you for helping. I wouldn't have made it past today without you. Both of you."

May smiled," more like wouldn't have made it without having to look to lover boy for help."

"And you are right," She plugged her nose turning to Alex," you need a shower. Shoo shoo you are ruining dinner. Are you sure you don't want us to wait?"

He waved his hand, "Go ahead without me it's fine." 

He walked off grumbling about not wanting to think about food with piss all over him anyway.

They munched on their food, Jessica wolfing her own down and then starting to converse with when the phone rang again. 

Not one to normally be so popular, especially at this time of night, she frowned and walked over to the receiver. Picking it up she saw it was an unknown number and bit her lip letting it go to voicemail. 

If it were an emergency they would call again in a minute, right? Or at least leave a message.

As the green screen lit up notifying her she had two missed calls she called her voicemail, though it was empty. Figuring a telemarketer had got her number she shrugged it off, noting a text from Brad that she read while finishing another glass of water and continuing her conversation about the farm duties, explaining the daily running of the farm until Alex came out with only a pair of faded jeans on much to Mays pleasure, Jessica was sure it was just for that .

Brad explained he was sorry for pressing into her personal business and it was not his place, though he wanted her to know he was there if she did end up changing her mind- and could they think about that dinner sometime still?

Jessica's heart beat a little stronger and she fought to keep down a smile while May and Alex debated about something, she no longer was paying attention to.

"Ah thank you for dinner May. I love your cooking." 

Alex grinned at them and scarfed his down as Jessica rolled her eyes seeing that he was cutting off their debate with compliments. She was going to say something about being rude and needing to get a shirt on but for a third time that night her phone rang.

"Someone must want to get ahold of you," May commented offhandedly.

Getting up she picked the phone up on the third ring, the last of the buzz the wine giving her melding away as a feeling of dread built in her stomach.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Anderson, glad to see you answering your phone," It was that brunet businessman from the other night. She gripped the table the phone sat on as her head spun, "this is Mr. Westfall. I heard about your unfortunate accident and just was hoping to catch you."

"Yes," she sounded clipped and she turned away from the others and walked down the hallway to her bedroom trying to seem nonchalant about the action, "I remember you." 

She shut the door to her room and allowed some malice to slip through her voice.

"Good. Then I expect that at our next meeting you can be a tad more civil towards me," her eye twitched, "After all, this is just business."

"Is messing with my truck and it's breaks just business" she hissed out the accusation catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her chin was beginning to color and a nice jagged cut came from her hairline to her eyebrow.

"Ma'am I do not know what you are trying to imply, your truck was an absolute wreck on wheels. The chance the breaks gave out after our meeting is just that. Chance." His voice sounded smug and she wished she could reach through the phone and punch his face in.

"I am done playing your games. I am done. I know what you guys are doing and it isn't working. This is 'my' land and I am entitled to it. There is nothing you can do to make me run away!" by the end of her rant she was practically shouting, though at this point she couldn't bring herself to care as for this was the closest to punching the man as she could get.

The line was silent and for a moment Jessica wondered if he had hung up.

"Well we shall continue business as usual then. I suggest you and your neighbors take our money and be off, we are being very kind and civil. For now. Good night Mrs. Anderson. I cannot wait to have another chat with you."

The line went dead and she lowered the receiver, her uneven breathing the only sound in her room. 

Looking around she saw it was as it always was, a closet only half full, one small dresser next to the bed with a lamp and plain blue bed sheets. She had always been so busy working and setting up the farm she had little time to personalize her home.

Sighing she rubbed her eyes and rolled her shoulders which protested painfully against the action. Running a hand through her shoulder length hair she made her way to the door throwing it back up in a bun before opening it.

Hanging up the phone she attempted to seem normal in front of the now silent two.

"That was one of those guys wasn't it?" Alex was frowning, "Now they're going to call to harass you too."

"It's fine," she shrugged, "I don't care. I can take some annoying phone calls. They'll let up eventually."

"Jessica," May crossed her arms as Jessica grabbed the dirty dishes and began to wash them trying to keep her mind busy, "I know you don't want to, but I seriously think you should call Brad. I mean, he is a cop. That is harassment. It is perfectly okay to report it."

"And what?" she washed the last plate and turned off the water wiping her wet hands on her jeans, "Tell him that the guy called me to see how I was doing and wish me a good night? Hardly something to call the cops over."

"Still," May interjected," he has shown interest in what is going on, you should consider it."

At Jessica's frown Alex stood, "I think you should at least sleep on it. Maybe after we look at the truck tomorrow you can call and let Bret know what you find. It is not smart to push those away who wish to help when you are going through so much trouble."

She blushed a bit, knowing she was acting childish and wondered why for a moment, refusing to think it could have something to do with the blond haired cop.

"Fine," she sighed and waved, "I am headed to bed. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"When you will call Brad," May finished.

"When I 'might' call Brad."

Alex stretched and nodded his head, "Well ladies I am off to bed. G'night." And he left out the back door to go out to the shed where his temporary room had become more permanent than any of them could have guessed. Jessica's lips twitched into a smile as she recalled the first night Alex had stayed, she had barely slept worried that she had invited a serial killer to stay on her farm. Now she slept maybe even more soundly knowing that a friend stayed on the same property as her.

"Hey Jess," she paused at her doorway seeing May, "Don't try and take this on all by yourself.

Remember we are all here for you. There is nothing wrong with getting help."

She didn't say anything but nodded before murmuring goodnight and retiring to her room.

That night sleep didn't come easy for her, the thoughts of her truck, her farm, the men, the phone calls, and a handsome blond cop not leaving her a moments peace.