by Jillian Neal
"Nana said you were a sinful mistake." She rolled her eyes.
"I’ve been called worse I s’pose." He gave her thigh a reassuring squeeze. "Anything I can do to change her mind?"
"Marry me, I guess," burst from Callie's lips without her permission. She turned her frantic gaze to Ford wondering if the comment would bring on panic or revulsion. "Sorry. That just...came out."
"Get outta the truck." He didn't seem to be kidding. To emphasize his point his boots hit the ground a half second later.
Callie scrambled out of his truck. "I'm sorry. I was teasing."
He grasped her shoulders and pulled her into his body. "What did I tell you was going to happen if you kept apologizing when you didn’t do anything wrong?"
The dread evaporated in the sanctuary of his embrace. She grinned against his chest. "I just was worried you would panic if I said that."
"That wasn't what I asked you." A fierce protectiveness coupled with his irritation and radiated from his arms to her back.
"That you'd turn me over your knee." She giggled.
But the firm smack of his hand on her ass both shocked and enlivened her. It certainly didn't hurt, but she couldn't believe he'd followed through. What she really hadn't expected was the rush of wet heat that dripped between her legs and the way her nipples tightened to stiff points of raw need. He took another three quick pops and then drew her pussy to his crotch and massaged away the sting. "You do not owe me an apology for anything. I want you to say whatever comes into your head anytime. You're not going to scare me or shock me. Just say it. Whatever it is. You understand that?"
She lifted her head, certain that the sizzle of heat apparent in his eyes was a reflection of the fire in her own. "I do understand that, but I don't understand how I loved what you just did so much."
"Then we'll talk about that, too." He continued to rub away the barely existent sting. "I get that there's a host of complications to the two of us, but I decided I don't care. If your nana hates me, then I'll figure out how to fix that. If you want to get married, say the words."
"Ford, you just got divorced. I like you a lot. I might even love you, but I'm not ready to get married."
"Then we'll go on living in sin. I'll buy Nana some flowers. Maybe that'll help."
"I don't really think she believes flowers are an appropriate sacrifice for sin."
"She want me to slaughter a calf or something because that's just a waste, and as I recall Jesus ain't too good with waste either."
Callie shook her head at him. "No slaughtering necessary, but maybe you could come over and show off your gentlemanly side."
"Now, that I can do. Does that mean I have to keep my hands off your ass because that's going to be a hardship. Not gonna lie."
Callie erupted in another round of giggles. "Just until Nana goes to bed."
"Fine, but you go to bed with me."
"She's not going to like that."
"She'll get over it."
It was almost dusk when Callie followed all of the cowboys back into the barn.
"You know, if your mama gets wind that I met Callie before she did, I'll never hear the end of it," Barrett goaded Ford.
He turned to Callie and raised his eyebrows in question as he scrubbed more mud than Callie had ever seen off of his hands. "Are you good with having dinner with my folks? After that, I want to take a look at that folder of yours."
"Is that what you're calling her snatch?" Maddox chuckled at his own joke until Uncle Gentry popped him on the back of the head.
"So help me, son, I am not too old to take a switch to your behind. I thought the army might beat some manners into you, but I swear they made you worse."
Callie covered her mouth to keep her giggle at bay. Ford just rolled his eyes. She debated having dinner with his parents. So far, she liked Mr. Holder very much, and she was sure Ford's mama was just as kind. But as her defiance had burned itself out, guilt had rolled in on the smoke. She felt badly for how she'd spoken to her grandmother that morning. She needed to apologize. "Could I take a raincheck on that? I need to talk to Nana. I feel kinda bad," she tried to explain without having to clue his family into everything going on.
"Sure, baby. We can do that. You can meet Mama in the morning."
Apparently, she was spending the night with Ford again. He was right. Nana was going to have to get over it.
Before they got in the shower, Ford settled at his kitchen table with the folder of bank documents. Callie wondered what he might be seeing there. Hopefully, something she'd missed.
"Are these the only records they have? Most everyone does everything online nowadays."
"I'm sure Pops prefers them this way."
Nodding at that, Ford flipped through the pages. "I don't see any local contractor's name anywhere, but they've been writing checks to your daddy an awful lot."
"It's supposed to be for things on the farm." Callie had no idea how much money it really took to take care of the land.
"They're still growing wheat and soybeans, right?" Callie nodded. "That ain't cheap, I s’pose. But they need to keep records of everything they pay him and what he says it's for. Something about all this isn't right. They don't have enough land for it to be costing this much to keep."
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ford had pulled Callie into the shower with him both for the purposes of cleaning her up and then getting her filthy with his cum, but he'd reminisce on that later. Right now, he had to impress her grandparents.
"Are you ready?" Callie was more nervous than a June bug in July.
"Deep breaths for me, sugar. It's not your job to make your family happy. It's my job to make you happy, but that's a whole other thing. Nana will survive being pissed, and you will survive her anger. I promise. I know you don't like the way it feels, but she doesn't get to dictate your life. You gotta stop this killing yourself trying to keep other people from being ornery."
"Wow." She stared up at him like he might've been her hero. If he could just keep her looking up at him like that, then he was going to get her to stay. He could feel it. "No one's ever said anything like that to me before. I just...always felt like I was in trouble when I upset someone."
"I know. But what other people feel isn't up to you. Now, let's see if I can't win Nana over." He gestured to the front door. Callie filled her lungs with the wet-grass-laced air that surrounded them. "Good girl" he whispered and grabbed a handful of that lush ass to tide him over until this blessed dinner had been eaten.
She shot him a mischievous grin as she pulled the screen door open with a quick screech. Ford let it slap behind him as he stepped into the only place his baby had ever felt at home. The house was much smaller than any they had out on the ranch, but it was comfortable. Just like most homes in the area, they stepped right into the living room.
Mr. Simpkin beamed at Callie as he rose off of the sofa. "There's my girl." He pulled her into a warm embrace that made Ford appreciate the man even more. "Lord, you got your nana all wound up. I've been telling her to simmer down all day."
"Sorry, Pops. I'll try to talk to her."
Her grandfather shook Ford's hand and slapped him on the back. "Her nana just worries you know."
"Yes, sir. I understand that, but I want all of you to know that I have nothing but the best of intentions for Callie. I'll always take care of her."
Her grandfather nodded. "Suits me just fine, Mr. Holder, but you're gonna have to talk taller for Delphia."
"Please call me Ford. My daddy's Mr. Holder."
Before he could respond, Mrs. Simpkin was upon them.
Callie took an audible breath. "Nana, I'd like you to officially meet Ford Holder. He's pretty much the best guy I've ever met. Definite Disney prince status."
Ford chuckled at that analogy, but her grandmother's scowl only deepened.
"Yes, well, we do have to live in the real world, Willow."
Ford wondered if the woman was losing her memory or if that was some kind of
dig at Callie.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, that's not passive-aggressive at all, Nana."
Okay, so that was clearly supposed to be an insult. "Who's Willow?" Ford spoke between his teeth.
"My mother." Callie made no effort to hide her answer.
That was a low blow in his opinion. Jesus, this wasn't going to be easy, but nothing worth having ever was. "It's an honor to meet you officially, Mrs. Simpkin. I know we've seen each other around town, but thank you for having me in your home." His mama had raised him right. He knew what to say. Handing over a bouquet of wildflowers, he offered her his kindest smile. "Callie thought you might like these."
Delphia accepted the flowers. "Yes, well, Callie should know that I don't hold with wasting money."
Ford choked back a chuckle. "It's not a waste if you enjoy them, right?"
"Enjoyment fades just like flowers, Mr. Holder."
Callie and her grandfather both rolled their eyes at the same time.
"Del, I really do like him," Mr. Simpkins vowed. "Now, why don't we get to supper? I bet Ford's been out taking care of a wet ranch all day."
"Yes, sir. We fared okay, but the thunder spooked a few calves, and the rains took out three of our water gaps in the creeks."
"My barn roof held up. I was worried. Callie's daddy says we need a new one."
"I'd be happy to check it for you, sir. Give you my opinion on that."
"That'd suit me just fine. I like him a lot, Del. A whole lot."
If Mr. Simpkin wanted to talk shop all night, Ford was game. Maybe if he could keep her granddaddy liking him, her grandma would come around.
He took care to compliment every dish Mrs. Simpkin had prepared, including the store-bought rolls, and kept up with Mr. Simpkin's questions about the Holder cattle ranching operation.
"Mr. Holder," Delphia interrupted his explanation on spring shipping versus summer shipping.
Ford wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Yes, ma'am?"
"I think that tattoos are crass, not to mention sinful. Would you agree?"
Okay, so when he'd reached for the second helping of corn, she must've seen the Holder brand on his arm. "Well now, I'll be honest with ya. I can't reason how Jesus would care all that much about them. Seems to me he's got bigger bulls to move."
"Yes, well, Callie certainly doesn't have any."
Ford schooled his features and refused to shoot his baby the naughty smirk that threatened to erupt on his face. Nana obviously didn't know about that sexy-as-fuck little daisy chain of wildflowers that he loved to run his mouth over. He cleared his throat. "I wouldn't know that, now would I, Mrs. Simpkin?"
"I saw you two on the porch last night. Do you really expect me to believe that you are not practicing sexual immorality?"
"Nana!" Callie screeched. "We are having dinner. Could you stop interrogating him? You're being rude."
"I would like an answer to my question."
Ford debated telling her that he didn't have to practice sexual immorality. He was already pretty damned good at it. But he squared his shoulders, reminded himself that Nana was trying to take care of Callie the only way she knew how, and went on with his answer. "Ma'am, I hope you'll forgive me for saying this, because I am going to forgive you for being nosy. I know you love your granddaughter and want what's best for her, but the things that I share with Callie are between her and me. I would never disrespect her by allowing someone to pry into our relationship. And that is all I will ever say about what we share, so I'd appreciate it if you'd use better manners since I am a guest in your home. Your remarks and questions have been far from hospitable."
"He's right, Delphia. If Callie cares about him, then we should, too." Mr. Simpkin had his back.
"Thank you, sir. I do care about her very much."
Before any more could be said, Callie's father burst through the back door. The hair on Ford's arms rose. Callie instinctively scooted closer to him, and he longed to pull her into his lap until he could get her out of the house and away from the man who clearly frightened her. You ever hurt her, motherfucker, it'll be the last thing you do. Ford shot that warning with the daggers from his eyes.
Delphia stood and fixed Callie’s father a plate of food. "Abe, we weren't expecting you tonight."
"I don't expect to need an invitation to eat with my own daughter," he came right back.
Callie wilted in her seat. "Uh, how was...work today?" She cringed as she asked. Ford made a mental note to ask her about that later.
"The same way it is every day working for a dumbass. I don't guess you'd know since you don't work." Abe Monroe purposefully slowed his words as if Callie was too stupid to understand him when he spoke in a normal cadence. Ford crushed the napkin in his hand.
"I do work. I work really hard, actually," Callie huffed.
"She's an amazing photographer. She got some great shots of the ranch today along with helping me fix water gaps and tend calves," Ford aimed that right between Abe Monroe's eyes.
He just rolled them. "Yeah, well, she's just like her mother so when she gets bored, she'll take off again."
Callie dug her nails into Ford's thigh. It took him a minute to pry them out of the denim to try to soothe her. "And what is it you do, Mr. Monroe?" As far as Ford knew the man never held a job down for any length of time.
"I'm a maintenance tech out at the power plant. My job is pretty much trying to keep idiots from killing us all. We got a service call this morning from some chick over in operations who couldn't figure out that for the system we designed to work, you have to plug it in. Then I went to McDonald's for lunch. I bet Windell a ten that they'd screw up the order. Should've bet him a twenty. But you know some of us have to actually work for a living, Holder. We weren't lucky enough to be born into the right family."
And Callie's nails were right back in Ford’s thigh. "Are you seriously insinuating that Ford doesn't work for what he has?" she gasped.
Ford narrowed his eyes and used most of his strength to ease her grip. "He's not insinuating it, sugar. He's saying it outright, but I'm not offended. If I've learned anything in the last few years, it's that small minds and big mouths have a way of hooking up. That isn’t as easy to fix as plugging something in." He did not want to be goaded into an argument with Abe Monroe, but Ford's temper was up. He downed a long sip of the iced tea in an effort to drown out the flare of anger.
"Uh," Callie's grandfather cleared his throat, "Ford, would you mind coming out with me to check that barn roof? I'd appreciate it."
He wasn't leaving Callie in there with her father, but as long as she was coming with them, he'd take the lifeline he'd been offered, if for no other reason than to keep himself from knocking Abe Monroe's teeth down his throat. "Yes, sir." He stood and guided Callie towards the door.
Much to Ford's irritation, Abe followed them out. You can sack shit up in a pretty bag, but it still stinks. Ford kept himself between his baby and her father as they walked.
"I don't know why you need his opinion. I've been telling you for two years the barn's gotta be reroofed," Abe smarted.
"Can't hurt to get a second opinion," Mr. Simpkin countered.
Ford prayed the roof was in good shape, but as he studied the rafters and climbed in the hayloft to get a closer look he knew his prayer had been denied. Abe looked far too pleased for anyone's good. Ford refused to let him win.
He hopped down from the fifth rung of the ladder. "I'll tell you, Mr. Simpkin, it does need to be replaced. I think it'd see you through another winter, but I'd feel better if we got it done, so my brothers and me will replace it. No charge."
"Ford, you don't have to do that," Callie's shock perforated her tone.
"I know I don't have to, baby. I want to. It's the neighborly thing to do, and it won't take us more than an afternoon. It's not a problem."
The relief on Mr. Simpkin's face and the ire on Abe's was all the payment Ford would ever need.
Callie's grandfather shook Ford's hand. "Thank you, son
. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your generosity."
"We'll get it taken care of soon. You have a preference on what wood we use?"
"I don’t have a preference, but please don't put yourself out on the cost."
"I'm happy to get it done for you. Like Abe here pointed out," Ford slapped Callie's father on the back much harder than was necessary, "we've been mighty blessed. We never mind helping a neighbor."
Abe Monroe was visibly seething. Ford laced his fingers through Callie's and made no effort to hide his smirk.
"You're absolutely amazing," she whispered. "Thank you so much." When she dropped his hand in exchange for wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest, he decided that day just couldn't get any better.
* * *
"Can I say something not too kind?" Ford asked Callie as he drove her back to his house.
"Do you remember what you told me when you paddled my backside this morning?" She beamed at him.
"That I wanted you to say whatever you were thinking."
"Same goes, cowboy."
"Makes me harder than a railroad spike every time you call me that, by the way."
"Then I'll have to do it more." She snaked her hand over the bulge in his Wranglers making him growl. "What were you going to say?"
"I understand why your mama left."
Callie nodded. "Yeah, I get why she left Dad and even why she won't speak to Nana. I just wish I knew why she left me."
Chapter Thirty-Five
A few weeks later, Callie sat on the worn leather sofa in Ford's living room and opened her laptop. He'd gone out to check on the calves that had been born that morning. Oddly, sitting there in his living room with a warm mug of coffee, he'd fixed for her before he left, Callie didn't mind being alone for the first time in her life. The sweeping green fields that surrounded the house settled her soul. Once again, she was certain nothing could touch her there. Holder Ranch was just too expansive, too safe, for anyone to be able to hurt her.
