by Lexi Post
Ah, the real reason for the new clothes. “Is this the first time you’ve worn cowboy boots?”
Chris stuck out his heel and turned his leg right and left. “Yeah. I didn’t expect them to be so comfortable.”
Wade caught Hunter’s eye and raised his brow in question. Should he tell Chris about the boots?
Hunter gave a short shake of his head.
He understood Hunter’s reasoning. Chris was obsessed with being healthy and irritated the hell out of both of them at meal times when he criticized what they ate. Better to let him discover how long it would take to break in cowboy boots on his own.
“Are you ready, gentleman?” Natasha’s voice put an end to the conversation.
They spent the next forty-five minutes going through the line dance called Boot Scootin’ Boogie. He liked the song and the dance. The moves made sense to him, a specific pattern in a regular beat. It was like meat and potatoes as opposed to how he thought of the waltz, Cordon Bleu and legumes, foreign and confusing.
“Good work.” Natasha strode toward the bar to turn off her speaker. “You three are almost there.”
“Glad that’s over.” Chris dropped down on the floor and yanked off his new boots. “I think I’ve got blisters on my blisters.”
Hunter shook his head. “A cowboy always breaks in his boots before wearing them all day.”
“All day?” Chris stood, his white socks already showing some red dots, proving he’d powered through the lesson despite the blisters. “That wasn’t even an hour.”
Feeling a little bad for not warning him, Wade gave him a pat on the shoulder. “By the way you danced, I would have never known. Good work.”
Chris grinned, his perfect white teeth showing. “Thanks. I’m going to do you proud at the wedding reception, no matter what.”
Now he really felt bad for not warning him. “I appreciate that.” Walking past Chris, he stopped at the bar and addressed Natasha. “I’m heading to the office. Would you like a ride?”
“Thank you. I would.”
“I’m heading to bed.” Hunter touched the brim of his hat. “Night all.”
“I’m going to soak my feet before my next client.” Chris grimaced before heading down to his massage studio, or as it said on the door, “Sheriff Office.”
Wade had a feeling Chris had been itching for an excuse to dress like the rest of them, even if he was the one to insist that he dressed as any professional masseuse. Wade headed the golf cart toward the main building. “How are my brothers and Dale doing?”
Natasha smiled. “They all have your rhythm, but Dale has two left feet. No, let me rephrase that. He seems to have some confusion over what is right and left.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, that’s been a life long struggle for him. Don’t judge him on that alone. He’s got a few strengths that make up for it.”
“Like loyalty and friendship.”
He grinned. “Exactly.”
Natasha returned his grin. “He never lets a class go by without singing your praises. I get the feeling he wants me to know you’re a good guy even if you do work on a nudist resort.”
He shook his head. “People will judge no matter what. Him telling you it’s okay to work for the manager of a nudist resort, wouldn’t change your mind if you really didn’t like the idea, right?”
“No, but I’m not sure it’s me he’s trying to convince.”
Wade forgot to keep the weight of his foot on the pedal and they slowed down. Dale wasn’t comfortable with Poker Flat being a nudist resort? It hadn’t occurred to him since his friend had been supplying Kendra with employees. Natasha had to be wrong.
“Wade, are we stopping for a reason?”
At her question, he shook his head and pressed the pedal down. “Sorry, I was just thinking about something.”
They continued in silence until he stopped the cart.
“Thanks for the ride.” Natasha stepped out and threw her big bag over her shoulder.
As she entered the main building, it occurred to him that she didn’t mind the nudist resort atmosphere. Every day since they’d started the secret line dance lessons, she’d eaten a late breakfast in the resort’s dining room with whatever nudists might have slept late.
Did Dale’s concerns arise from his professional business side or a personal side? Shaking his head, he left the cart and strode toward the outside bar, located on the south side of the building, near the pool and next to the large pavilion where he would be married. The bar wasn’t open yet, so he’d check on the evidence of a ground squirrel Adriana had told him about. The last thing they needed was a squirrel chewing on an electrical cord and getting fried.
The last bartender Dale had sent had been fine with the nudists, but not so good at bartending. The woman had lied on her resume. The places she’d worked at, which were also resorts, had only acknowledged the dates she’d worked there. After two weeks of training, it was clear she’d never bartended. It had been Lacey who used her connections to discover the woman was actually in housekeeping.
Kendra was more forgiving than he was and had moved the woman to what she did best. She’d actually been relieved. She was desperate for a job to support her son, but Dale hadn’t known they needed another person in housekeeping. So Adriana was back to being their sole bartender and if she needed him to check a desert critter, he was happy to oblige.
Kendra walked down the hall toward the front desk. Lacey would be leaving soon and she needed to find out if she’d been able to make arrangements for Wade’s family. His mom’s anxiousness to be involved was heartwarming. She must really have no problem with them running a nudist resort.
“Holy cow. Lacey, did you see the bump on that guy’s penis?”
At her mother’s loud exclamation, she picked up her pace.
Lacey immediately stepped in. “Oh, no, not you Mr. Efford I was just showing her some photos from another resort in this catalog. Have a good evening.”
Kendra came to the end of the hall as it opened into the lobby in time to see Mr. Efford opening the door for his wife. Turning, she took the three steps toward her mother as the woman opened her mouth to argue and grabbed her arm. “Mom.” She kept her voice low, but made her anger clear.
“What?” Her mother turned startled eyes toward her.
She counted to five as the tall glass lobby doors closed on their guests. “You can’t criticize people’s bodies here.”
“I ain’t criticizing. I was just pointing it out to Lacey.”
Letting go of her mother’s arm, she sighed. “Then you have to do it in a whisper.”
“Why? When Betty had that growth on her nose I told her about it and good thing I did because it was cancerous and she had to have it removed. What if that thing on that man’s dick is cancerous?”
“I’m sure Mr. Efford can see his own penis.”
“Well, he should get it checked out.”
At her mother’s reasoning, she wanted to bang her head against the wall.
“Mrs. Lowe, I think what Kendra is trying to say is that people who come to a nudist resort come here to be free of being judged. They accept all body types and all scars and marks as natural. In fact, some call themselves naturalists.”
“Are you saying that man is proud of his wart?”
Lacey nodded. “Yes. We have even had women here who have beat cancer by having both breasts removed. They are proud to still be alive and their husbands are, too.”
Kendra watched as her mother digested that information and steeled herself for what was sure to be a completely illogical response.
“So this is a place where they get to show off then? And every one of these nudies thinks marks and stuff are a good thing?”
Lacey nodded again.
Her mother shrugged. “Well, to each his own, but you won’t find me walking about with no clothes. What I got up here,” she cupped both her breasts and lifted, “is for me to see and whatever man I think deserving.” She dropped her hands and lowered her voice. �
�And that Jorge may be just the man.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Lacey’s smile returned and by her perky attitude, it was clear she was back in receptionist mode. “You went to the botanical gardens today with Jorge. What did you think of the plant life we have here in the desert?”
Her mother waved her hand. “I’ve lived in the desert all my life. Seen enough of them cactus and mesquite to write a book about them. It ain’t the plants I was looking at. Believe me when I tell you, that man’s ass is a much better sight.” She leaned into the front counter. “I can’t tell you how many times I found a reason to step behind him. If he wasn’t so much a gentleman, I’d spent the whole day gazing at his behind. But he never walked in front me.”
Her mom looked at her. “Your father always walked off without me. I think half the time he forgot he was married to me.”
That was an understatement in more ways than one. “I’m glad you enjoyed your time with Jorge. He’s always a gentleman with all the ladies.” Hopefully, her mom would take a hint. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“Oh no, I’m still too full. We stopped on the way back and he brought me to a Mexican place. That’s not my favorite food, but since he was paying, I didn’t argue. Turned out there were some things they had that I liked. Stuffed myself silly.”
“Was there something I can help you with, Mrs. Lowe?” Lacey cocked her head, her single braid falling to the side.
Her mother looked surprised. “Oh, no. I was just going to ask where my daughter was.”
“Since you found her, I’ll be getting home to my husband. He’s a firefighter so he’s not home every night, but he is tonight.”
“Well, get your hiney out of here then, girl.” Her mother waved both hands at Lacey. “Don’t want to keep a hot man waiting.” She winked. “See, I know he’s hot because he’s a firefighter.” Her mother’s laugh filled the tall lobby, echoing off the glass wall.
Lacey wiggled her eyebrows. “You just wait until the wedding. Then you’ll see how truly hot he is.” She winked before turning and disappearing into the back room.
Kendra listened for the sound of flip flops, figuring her mother’s laugh may have caused a couple curious guests to investigate, but all she heard was Lacey gathering her things. She turned back to her mom. “You were looking for me?”
“Yes. I got back and walked Scruffy and Freckles. I wish there was a fence around that casita.”
“What did you do at home? Last time I was home, there was no fence.”
“I walked them around the park and visited with neighbors, but that’s paved. Here it’s all desert. I don’t want them to get bit by a snake or snatched up by a coyote.”
Kendra stiffened.
Surprisingly, her mom patted her arm. “Sorry. I forgot. Anyway, after walking them, I decided it was time to see this place.”
Pleased at her mother’s interest yet nervous about what she might say to guests, she wished for the hundredth time that her mom had flown in Monday like she was supposed to. “You want a tour? Now?”
“Sure. No time like the present. I’ve got nothing better to do.”
But she did. She had payroll to approve and a package to check on and a dozen other things, but she hadn’t spent time with her mom in two years. “Then let’s start here.” She opened her arm toward the hall. “I’ll show you where my office is so you can find me since I practically live there.” She lowered her voice. “I’ll show you the behind the scenes areas that guests can’t see.”
Her mother’s eyes lit with excitement and she straightened her shoulders. “Of course. I should know more than guests. I’m the owner’s mother.”
Kendra couldn’t take offense at her mother’s sense of entitlement. Not when she appeared so proud. She led her down the hall and showed her the staff area behind the front desk, the office she shared now with Wade, and the laundry area.
Her mother’s eyes widened at the pile of clean towels and sheets waiting for tomorrow’s staff. “That’s a lot of bed changes. Glad I don’t have to do it.”
She turned out the light. “I know this is the boring backhouse stuff. Let me show you the rest.” She led her mother down the hall, slowing her pace so she didn’t pull “a Fred” and leave her mother behind.
Next, she brought her into the dining room, where two guests sat by a window having ice cream sundaes with Selma’s homemade churros. Her mother didn’t bat an eyelash, her focus set on the doorway to the kitchen.
On one hand, Kendra wanted to tell her mother not to say anything about Jorge, but it would probably go better without mentioning him at all. As she pushed her way into Selma’s sacred place, she was struck by the quiet. Instantly, she relaxed. Selma must be on a break.
Quickly, she showed her mother the kitchen and briefly explained the sprayer over the sink and its role in bringing her and Wade together.
From the dining room, she took her mother into the Great Room, the river-rock fireplace the main focal point.
“Would you look at that.” Her mom stopped, her mouth dropping open in awe for a moment. “It’s like a Boy Scouts dream come true. Did you build the building around the fireplace?”
She chuckled. “No, but I had to fight for it. My architect thought it was too much, but everyone loves it and even he agreed. Some nights when it’s cold, we get a good roaring fire going.”
“You’d have to just to keep all these naked people warm. Bet it eats up wood like it’s going out of style.”
Her mother was so used to pinching pennies, she saw everything as an expense. “It’s actually rather efficient. I had to clear out a bunch of debris just before we opened because it hadn’t been used yet, but it’s worked well ever since.”
They strolled past the couches and coffee tables, the side wall of windows showing a number of people enjoying the conversation pool. Kendra distracted her mom by talking about the indoor bar.
“Do you make enough money on the drinks?”
Her mother’s question surprised her. “Yes, why?”
She pointed at the outdoor bar. “I see you’ve got one of them Mexicans working the bar. Never been to a bar with one of them slinging drinks.”
Kendra felt her poker demeanor slipping into place to avoid blowing up at her mom. “That’s Adriana and she’s American, just like Jorge. She’s a very good friend of mine. I sell more drinks when she’s working than any other time because the guests love her.”
Her mother seemed to think about that, then nodded once. “Then that’s good. I want to meet her.”
Was her mother prejudiced? She’d never heard her say anything like that before, but Fred was an asshole and may have filled her head with stupid ideas. Then again, she seemed smitten with Jorge. “Now remember, when we go out there, you can’t say anything about what people’s bodies look like. Save it for when we’re alone.”
“Yeah, I got that message before. Come on, I want to see that pool and fake river you got out there.”
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the tinted glass side door that led to the pool and outdoor bar. Her mother beelined it for the pool. It was a large square with some water features, but the best part was the wide, shallow winding-river piece that came off of it leading up to the outdoor pavilion and ending with a small fountain. A bench was built into the sides and small round tables rose above the water level sporadically along it.
Her mother stood in silence taking it all in. “It’s beautiful.”
Her mother’s words were so quiet, she almost missed them. But then her mom turned toward her, and she’d swear her eyes were misty. “Was this your idea?”
She nodded.
Her mother’s face went from awestruck to smug in a second. “That’s my girl.” She pointed to her temple. “Always thinking.” She scanned the entire area then gave a short nod of approval. “Okay, let me meet this Adriana.”
“Of course.” They walked up to the bar and Adriana, dressed in her usual cut off, ass-revealing shorts and cropped top tied just
beneath her breasts, immediately broke off her conversation with a guest and came over. “Adriana, this is my mother.”
Her very sexy bartender lifted up the bar top and stepped out. “Mrs. Lowe, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Before either one of them knew what Adriana was about, she’d wrapped her mother in a bear hug, her mother disappearing behind a wall of black long hair. Then her friend stepped back. “I guess I know where Kendra got her sexy rack from.”
Her mother burst out laughing, causing the guests at the bar to look over. “You bet. I like to think it was one of the best things I gave her. That and my brains.”
“Oh, we are on the same page then. Your daughter is smart and sexy.”
Kendra smiled politely, not excited by the focus on her.
“Why are you dressed like a prostitute? Is that why people like you so much?”
She cringed, but Adriana laughed, the sound low and sultry.
Bending low, Adriana responded close to her mother’s ear. “You are smart. I used to be a very expensive prostitute.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Adriana nodded, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief as she straightened.
“Was it fun?”
At her mother’s question, Adriana’s eyes widened before she laughed. “Yes, it was. I had my choice of hot men.”
“What about the old fat ones?”
“Mom!” Kendra scanned the area, hoping no one heard her mother’s remark.
“What? I’m curious.”
“Mrs. Lowe. Tell—”
“Call me Donna. I’m getting rid of that name as soon as possible.”
Adriana looked over her mother’s head. “And so are you.”
Kendra relaxed. “Yes, I am. I have to say, I’m very happy about that, too.”
“Okay, Donna. Tell you what. I have to get back to work, but we’ll make time for a girl chat while you’re here and I’ll tell you everything, including my most recent adventure with heavy cream.”
She frowned at Adriana. So that’s where the cream went. Wait. She raised her eyebrows. “You’re going to tell her everything?” She couldn’t help voicing her question, not sure how much her mother should know. Adriana had experienced sex in more ways than all the women at the resort in a year.
