Losing Control : His Madness, His Cure Chapter 202

By the time I park the bike, it’s a few minutes past eleven. I pull off my helmet, run a hand through my hair, and just sit there for a second, taking it all in.

The ride up was something else. Long stretches of open road cutting through rolling hills, bursts of wildflowers painting the edges, and air so clean it almost stings. Every few miles, the noise of the world fell away until it was just the wind, the engine, and the sound of nothing. Remote and so fucking peaceful. The kind of quiet that gets under your skin in the best way.

And now, standing here, it’s even better than I expected. The land seems to go on forever, golden and green. There’s a house a little ways off, sturdy and sun-worn, with a couple of smaller structures scattered nearby.

I ride up to the main house and kill the engine just as the front door swings open. Janice steps out, smiling wide like I’ve just made her week.

“Jax!” she calls, coming down the steps before I’ve even gotten off the bike properly. “Oh, I’m so happy you wanted to help out!”

She wraps me in a hug before I can react. I stiffen, caught completely off guard. Hugging strangers isn’t exactly my thing. I don’t return it, but she either doesn’t notice or doesn’t care, just gives me one last squeeze and pulls back, still beaming.

“Come on in!” she says, already turning toward the door. “Albert’s in the shower, but he’ll be right out. I just made some hibiscus tea, you’ll love it.”

It’s like whiplash. One second I’m standing on the porch, and the next I’m being ushered inside by this whirlwind of energy who I’ve only ever seen behind a farmer’s market table selling fresh produce.

She leads me through the living room, talking as she goes....something about the weather, the harvest, and how Albert swears the soil here’s richer than anywhere else. I follow her, helmet still in one hand, boots sinking softly into the old wooden floor.

Somewhere between the couch and the kitchen doorway, it hits me that I hadn’t really factored in the social part of this venture. The talking. The being around people part. I just thought....help out at the farm, keep busy, easy enough. But socializing? That’s a whole different level of endurance. Talking to people makes me tired in ways manual labor never could. Unless it’s Xander, I’d rather not. Still, I decide to bear it.

Janice glances back at me, eyes bright. “So, how was your ride up?”

“It was nice,” I say. Then, after a pause, because I feel like I should say more....“really scenic. Amazing views.”

She grins, nodding. “It is the best, isn’t it? Sometimes I can’t believe I ever enjoyed living out in the city. Everything here just feels cleaner and quieter. More real.”

She gestures for me to sit at a small corner table by the window, sunlight spilling across it. A basket of bread and a steaming teapot are already waiting. She pours me a cup, sets it down, and sits across from me.

I’m not sure what to do with my hands, or my face, but it turns out I don’t need to do much. Janice is perfectly capable of carrying both sides of the conversation.

“Albert told me you don’t actually have any farm experience,” she says, tone light but curious.

I nod. “That’s correct.”

She laughs softly, waving a hand. “Oh, don’t you worry about that. I didn’t know a single thing either when we bought this place. But Albert did, he grew up on a farm, you see. He’s very good at showing you how to do things. It’s just a shame, really. Most of the people we’ve hired don’t seem to be very good listeners.”

“Yeah,” I say, a small smile tugging at my mouth. “Albert mentioned that.”

“Well,” she says, eyes crinkling with warmth, “I’ve got a good feeling about you. I’m sure you’ll work out just fine.”

“I appreciate that,” I tell her.

“Now,” she says, sliding the teacup closer to me, “...you have to try the tea. And the bread, it’s sourdough. Made it from scratch.”

I grab a piece, break it in half, and take a bite. It’s warm, crisp around the edges, tangy in the center, the kind of bread you can tell was made by someone who actually cares.

She’s watching me, expectant, so I meet her gaze. “It’s really great,” I say honestly. “Best I’ve had.”

Her whole face lights up like I’ve handed her the sun. “I knew you’d like it!” she says, and I can’t help the faint smile that creeps across my face.

She pours herself another cup of tea, humming softly as she settles back in her chair. “I was actually just about to start prepping for lunch,” she says brightly. “Thinking I’ll make some chicken and dumplings, it’s an old family recipe. Learned it from my grandmother back in Georgia.”

She smiles, a little nostalgic. “Hopefully you’ll stick around long enough to have some.”

I nod, returning the smile. “Sure.”

It’s easier than explaining that small talk makes me itch. She takes a sip of her tea, then tilts her head, eyes glinting with curiosity. “So, how’s that handsome young man of yours? Did he find what he was looking for at the store?”

“Xander?” I ask, though I already know who she means. “Yeah, he’s fine. Found what he needed.”

I pause, then add, because it feels polite and like the sort of thing Xander would do, “The store’s great, by the way. You’ve got really nice pieces.”

She beams, clearly pleased.

I shift in my chair, tapping my foot lightly under the table. This nervousness is ridiculous. I don’t think I’ve had a full conversation with anyone other than Xander or Adam in.... I don’t even know how long. And with Nate, it was mostly him doing the talking. God knows the guy could talk like there was no tomorrow.

Janice sets her cup down, still smiling. “Albert mentioned you two are together.”

I look up, meet her eyes. “Yeah.”

“Well, I think that’s just wonderful,” she says with absolute certainty. “It’s always nice seeing young people be themselves and find love.”

I wouldn’t exactly call myself young.

“Our daughter, Suzy,” she continues, “got engaged to a lovely girl a couple months ago.”

I nod again, and for a second, I’m not sure what to say. She doesn’t need to tell me she’s fine with it, or try to prove she’s some kind of ally. But it’s clear she isn’t doing that anyway, she’s just talking, genuinely proud and happy. And somehow, that makes it feel.... nice.

Before I can figure out how to respond, Albert’s voice cuts in from the hallway.

“Janice, I hope you’re not talking the poor man’s ears off.”

He walks in, still buttoning his shirt, hair damp from the shower. Even with the limp he’s got that easy confidence of someone who belongs anywhere he stands.

Janice rolls her eyes. “Oh, hush. You say that like I’ve scared him off already.”

Albert chuckles, coming over and offering his hand. I stand to meet him.

“Glad you made it,” he says, grip firm. “Honestly thought you might chicken out on us.”

“Thought about it,” I say, which earns me a bark of laughter.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” he settles into the seat Janice just vacated. “Finish up your tea, and we’ll head out.”

I nod, taking another sip. It’s still warm, still floral, and for the first time today, I start to feel like maybe this won’t be so bad after all.