by C. M. Steele
I end the call and then get back to my actual work. My ranchers need to be paid and supplies ordered. I need an assistant for half this shit or hire more ranch hands to handle the day to day that I assist with. Although, I do love working with my hands.
I work well into the night. When I finally feel my eyes getting heavy, it’s already midnight. “Shit. I better get off to bed,” I sigh, standing up and stretching before turning the light off and head to bed.
I make sure all of the lights are off and the doors locked before I head upstairs. Her light is off, so I quietly enter my bedroom and prepare for bed. Tomorrow I’m going to do my best to fight my urge to kiss her and focus on why she’s here—making sure my stomach is full.
Chapter 6
Ava
“I need to go to the store today,” I remind him. It’s New Year’s Eve and the stores close early. I have a growing list of what he likes. So far everything I’ve made for him, he loves, although he’s been less talkative than the first two days.
“Okay. I’ll take you just before lunch, and we’ll eat at the local diner. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. It’s not as good as your cooking, but it does in a pinch,” he says with a wink.
“Oh…have you been sneaking out at lunch to avoid me?” I narrow my eyes at him while smiling playfully, although I don’t feel so playful. He’s missed lunch twice since I arrived and one dinner.
His eyes widen as he pulls the fork out between those strong lips. “I haven’t been avoiding you,” he whispers sheepishly.
I press my hands to my hips, glaring at him. “It’s been three days since we have said more than a handful of words during meals. In fact, you’re quick to leave, and you eat so fast I’m sure you’re going to give yourself indigestion.”
“I promised I’d keep this professional. I’m just being professional.”
Fine. If he’s not bothered about the distance, that’s fine. Keeping it professional means I should be the one out getting the groceries by myself. “Then you don’t have to take me to the store. I can do that myself, you know?”
He finishes the bite he has in his mouth before returning my stare. “I will take you. End of story. With it being New Year’s Eve, the store’s going to be packed.”
“Do you have plans for tonight?” I ask, wanting to slap my hand over my big mouth. It’s really none of my business, but I had to ask anyway, looking pretty pathetic.
“No. Just sleeping.” His lips turn upward in a sly smirk. Is he talking about not sleeping alone?
“No hot date?” Why can’t I shut my mouth?
“I’ve got to get to work, Ava. I’ll be back later to take you.”
“Whatever. If you’re not here by noon, I’m going without you.”
“Woman. I’ll be here. Keep your ass in the house.” I cock my brow. He has a point, but I’ve just made myself upset by his non-committal to a hot date. It’s stupid because he said he has no plans. I think I’ve gone into a clingy stage without a relationship. I could kick myself.
Needing to get my mind off him, I go into the laundry room and wash some clothes. I know it’s not my chore, but since I need to wash my own, it would only be considerate to do his. For the rest of the morning I do four loads of laundry including his clothes, leaving his underwear and socks in a basket washed but not folded. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I’m in the middle of bringing the clothes upstairs when I hear him coming through the front door.
“Woman, where are you?”
“I’m coming right down.” I hurry down the steps and nearly collide into him.
“Whoa. You need to be a little more careful, Ava. By the way, I was going to call you to tell you I was ready, but I don’t have your number.”
“I only have a burner phone that I haven’t turned on since I purchased it just in case they find out where I bought it.”
“Okay. While we’re out I’ll get you a new phone and we can toss the burner phone.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Actually I do. I need to be able to get in touch with you. It’s been straightforward and calm the past couple of days, but it’s not always this easy. Some days, you’ll have to start cooking later or make enough food for the rest of the crew.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“It’s a part of the job. Don’t worry about it. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I nod, walking into the closet and pulling out my winter coat and boots. I wear a long sweater and leggings like when we met and my coat only goes to my waist so my legs might be a little chilly, but I don’t want to make him wait.
“Ready,” I turn, smiling up at him.
He shakes his head. “That’s not going to do at all. It’s fucking cold. Do you have a hat or earmuffs?”
“Yeah.” I reach into my purse and pull out the Bears beanie that he let me borrow. “The one I confiscated from you.”
“Good.” He takes it from me and places it on my head. “Let’s go before it gets any later.”
“Do you have a lot of work to do? I have my car. I’m sure the roads are better. It’s not like I haven’t driven in snow. I did get here in one piece.”
“Enough. I’m your boss, and I’m telling you that I’ll drive you to the store. And before you start some more shit, I’m buying the groceries. It is, after all, for me.”
“I eat the food too.”
“I can leave your ass here and go myself.”
“You wouldn’t,” I challenge.
“Don’t test me, babe.” I nearly swoon when he calls me babe. It’s been days. I’m ready to test him, but I’ll wait until later. I leave the house first and he snarls as I meet the first patch of ice, squealing as his hands come to my rescue. I’m inches from tumbling down the seven steps. “See? I can’t let you walk down the stairs by yourself.”
“It could happen to anyone.”
“I know. I’ll have to get that taken care of as soon as I get you in the truck.” I see that the large Ram is running in front of the house. He walks me to the passenger side, his hand gripping my bicep firmly. Once he helps me inside of the vehicle, he pulls out a shovel from the bed of the truck and scrapes off the ice before sprinkling a little salt. There’s an eave on the porch that has a melting icicle. He steps to the side and knocks it off with the shovel to prevent it from falling.
Then he hurries back to the truck, placing the shovel in the back again before getting inside.
“I was expecting you to take a dive out there.”
“Wishful thinking?”
“No, but you know when someone arrogantly reminds you how clumsy you are, then they do something and end up making asses of themselves as well.”
“I do. Karma didn’t come for my ass just yet, but buckle up tight. I’ve bashed your skills on the icy roads as well.”
“Oh don’t say that. I’m going to freak out.”
“I’m not. I’ve been driving these roads since I was fourteen. I’m, well, I’m not young anymore.”
“How old are you? You make it sound like you’re touching fifty and if you are, damn—you are looking good for your age.”
“No, I’m not that old. I’m thirty-two.” He pulls out of the driveway through the gate onto the main road.
“Only? And you own a ranch?” It’s amazing. From everything I’ve seen, he’s doing very well for himself.
“Well, it has been passed down. My dad died, and then I took over. My mother joined him at the beginning of the year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s getting a little easier, but I wish she didn’t get sick. My father died in an accident. His death was quick. My mother suffered while we tried to find ways to get her help.”
“I’m so sorry, Tobias.”
“Enough. I need to drive, woman. I think you’re trying to get me to take this truck off-roading.”
“Hardly.” That’s absurd. I turn to look out at the window and see the trees full of snow, hints of green peeking throu
gh the white. It’s so pretty.
We’re nearly to the main road into town when he asks, “Did you create a list, or are we flying off the seat of our pants?”
My eyelids pop wide open. I start scrambling through my purse. After a fruitless search, I toss my head back against the rest and sigh, “I’ve got a list. Shit.” I close my eyes.
“Don’t tell me the fridge still has the list.”
“You got me there. I’m sorry.”
He pats my fidgeting hands in my lap. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” Every single time he touches me, my heart does flips even when they’re truly innocent ones.
“Ah, we’re here. Are you ready?”
“Sure.” He parks and then as he turns off the engine, I jump out of the truck. Damn it, I forget it’s icy out and I hit my ass on the ground. He lets out a snarling growl.
“Ava. You need to wait for me. Are you alright?”
“I am. A little embarrassed, but I’m sure my ass is wet now.”
“It looks good to me.” I blush, and so does he. “I mean, you can’t tell. Not that any of these assholes should be looking at your ass anyway.”
“Since I’m single, it’s not that big of a deal.”
“You’re not single,” he bites out in a rough whisper. I know that I’ve hit on the nerve that’s going to send him over the edge.
“I’m pretty sure I am,” I reiterate.
“You’re still in rebound mode. Vulnerable.” I arch my brow, but this isn’t the best place to have a conversation. People are already staring at us quizzically, but I’m guessing it’s because I’m new to the town. I’m not on the rebound. I’m on the run. It’s been too long since I’ve dated that the ball has most definitely gone out of bounds at this point. The only one I want to be vulnerable with has put his walls up to protect me. It’s very sexy and adorable, but if that’s the only thing holding him back, then I’m going to find a way to show him that I’m not hung up on any guy.
Several people say hello to him. “Hello, Tobias,” a woman says with a smile that’s a little too friendly in my opinion. He nods, but he’s become unsociable. We enter the grocery store and begin our long shopping trip. I swear more people stare at him, then at me. Several single women eye him like he’s available.
“You have a lot of admirers.”
“Well, money attracts women.”
“Money is good, but it sure as hell isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” I reply bitterly.
“You don’t like guys with money.”
“That’s not entirely true, but it’s not the first thing I notice or care about. So—I know you have a deep freezer with all the bacon and breakfast sausage you could eat all winter, but is there anything else you’d like for breakfast?”
“I can eat anything. Everything you’ve made has been incredible.”
“That’s good. So more eggs. Louisa says you get them here.”
“Yes, one of the farms supplies them to the grocery store so I pick them up when I actually decide to cook, which is never.”
“Well, let’s stock up. I hear we’re supposed to get another two days of snow, and since you don’t trust me to drive…”
“It’s not just that. What about your tags on your car? All it takes is a police officer to run them and your ex will find you.” He’s interrupted by someone, so he doesn’t see my reaction. I turn and grab a couple dozen eggs while the realization hits me. Do you still love him? He thinks I’m hung up on an ex who beat me. I don’t know what’s worse. Letting him think that, or confess that it wasn’t a boyfriend but the man who’s supposed to protect me.
I set the eggs in the cart and then move over to the creamer I love. I know they live very organically here, but a girl’s got to have her good creamer in her coffee. I’ve been tolerating milk and sugar, but I’m not passing it up this time.
“Hello, Miss.” I turn and see a handsome guy with a pallet of dairy to stock.
“Hello,” I smile at the employee. He doesn’t move on, so I wonder if he doesn’t have enough room to get by. “Oh, sorry. Am I in your way?”
“Nah, I just never seen ya in town before.”
“I’m new.”
“And beautiful.” I nervously blush because I know Tobias is behind me. I can feel his warmth.
“Beat it, kid,” Tobias snarls at the kid. The guy’s eyes enlarge, and he takes his pallet and disappears to the back of the store.
Tobias comes up behind me, crowding my space, his ear near my lips. “I was wrong about your ass. It’s very, very noticeable in those pants. I’m going to have to kick someone’s ass.”
“Why? I’m not your girl,” I remind him. “I’m just your cook.”
“We’ll see.” His mouth brushes my cheek. Something changed in him all of a sudden. Is that jealousy? Is my ass that visible? I turn my body to catch my reflection in the cooler doors. My ass looks good, but that’s about it. It’s round and pert like it should be. Smiling, I walk back to the cart and continue shopping as he follows closely behind. Essentially keeping my ass out of view.
When we get to the register, the young cashier is giving him goo-goo eyes. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been in here, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Yeah, well, you’ll be seeing me in here more,” he grouses while pulling out his wallet. Does he know she’s flirting with him? He’s got to know. A man like him has probably been hit on a thousand times.
“Did you find everything you need?” she asks him.
“Babe, did you get everything?” he asks me, clearly telling the girl how it is.
“We found everything just fine,” I reply, smiling sweetly at the cashier. She quickly masks the disappointment, but oddly I get the feeling that she’s angry. She’s about my age. Did they have a thing before? Would he be that crass? They do call him a crabby bastard.
The bagger looks in awe at Tobias. “Oh my God. You’re Tobias Reynolds.”
“Yes, I am.” He pats the kid on the shoulder and pushes our cart out to the truck.
“What was that about? Were you like, you know, the local high school jock in town?”
“What? Why?”
“The bagger stared at you in awe, and the girl has a thing for you. She was jealous that you called me babe and implied we were a couple.”
Tobias shrugs. “She has no reason to be jealous. I don’t even know her.” He opens the door for me. “Get inside, Ava.” I follow his request because I’ve already landed on my ass once today. After he closes it, he puts the groceries inside the large lock box on the truck and then takes the cart back to the front of the store where a teenager is collecting carts.
“Ready,” he asks, hopping inside. “Hungry?”
“Yes. I’m sure you are.”
“Yeah. The diner’s right down the road.” He pulls out, and we’re at the restaurant in a couple of minutes. We arrive at Ed’s Diner and take a seat inside. Several people turn to us, and I have a feeling that he’s not a regular. “I don’t usually come in here with anyone.”
“Oh. So they think that we’re together.”
“Yes.”
“Hello, can I help you out, start with something to drink?”
“Water’s good for me.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll give you a few minutes.” The girl turns and goes to get our water with a little pep in her step. She doesn’t make a big deal out of Tobias, which makes me feel better. He’s gorgeous and everyone seems to notice, especially women, and it’s bothering me.
Someone at a table across from our booth leans in and whispers to their companion while stealing glances at Tobias. I arch my brow at them and then turn back to Tobias, who’s watching me intently. “Are you okay, Ava?”
“Yes, but those guys are looking at you.”
“I suppose I should tell you, but please don’t get mad. At first, I thought you knew who I was and didn’t want to say anything to make me feel uncomfortable.”
“Know who you are?”
“Oh. Wow. That’s cool.”
“You’re not mad that I didn’t tell you before?”
“Nope. Now it explains why the kid was gushing at the store and why the guys are looking at you.” I should be mad. I’ve been living in his home for a week. John and Louisa didn’t tell me either, but I suppose they just respect his privacy. Besides, I have my own secrets, which he has been kind enough not to force out of me.
He reaches across the table, interlaces our fingers, and holds my hand until the waitress returns. We both pick a cheeseburger and fries since that’s something quick and hearty enough.
I ignore that lapse in his emotions. I know he’s holding back. Every time I meet his eyes, I find they’re focused on me with such deep longing. “Here’s your meal.”
“Can I get a pop?” I ask the waitress. “Pepsi, if possible.”
“Sure. And for you?”
“I’ll have the same.” He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he answers.
“I’ll be right back.” I nod, mouthing a thank you. She smiles and winks. It’s clear Tobias is either putting on a show for those around us, or he is really enthralled with me. I’m hoping it’s the latter.
“So how much do you have to do today?”
“I need to finish the inventory for the end of the year and get all my numbers in.”
“Do you need help with any of that? I’ve got time between cooking and cleaning, and frankly I’m kind of tired of doing laundry.”
“You did laundry today?”
“Yes. I hope you don’t mind. I left the baskets outside your room.”
“You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it. Although I don’t want you carrying it up and down the stairs. You can leave it at the bottom, and I’ll take them up.”
“I’m a big, strong girl.”
“Hardly, but I’m more worried about you falling and no one around to catch you.”
“I’m normally not that clumsy.” He cocks his brow, and I resist the urge to laugh. “Shut it.”
