by Amelia Shea
“Depends. Are you ever going to admit you did it on purpose?” She cocked her eyebrow. “Just come clean, you stood me up to get back at me for not selling the land. Look, I’m over it, really. But you know it’s true.”
Grey stared at her in surprised shock. Is that what she really thinks? She gazed back at him, waiting. It became clear. That was exactly what she thought. He couldn’t understand why she kept questioning his story. Now it made sense why she was hell-bent on not forgiving him.
“What the hell are you talking about? Is that what you think?” He leaned an inch closer and lowered his voice. “You’ve got some real fucked up way of thinking. I won’t admit it ’cause it’s not true. Everything I told you was a fact.” He could feel the burn on his face. “I was late because of the auction. I got there as quick as I could ’cause I wanted to see you. Hell, I wanted to be with you. You really think I had some elaborate scheme to stand you up? What kind of man do you think I am?”
Her face turned red and she averted her eyes to the table. He reached out, lifting her chin with his finger. “I’m sorry I was late but I never intended to not show up at all. My mind was on you the whole day.”
“You swear you didn’t do it on purpose?” Her voice was low and he could hear the uncertainty. Damn it all to hell, she really did believe he was trying to mess with her. His anger slowly dissipated as he stared into her brown eyes. She hadn’t been stubborn and unforgiving, she had been hurt.
“You don’t know me, darlin’ but I would never intentionally stand someone up with cruel intentions. Especially you.”
“Why especially me?” Her breath hitched as she leaned closer.
He growled. “You know why, Britt.”
Her lips quivered and she was about to say something when a fresh beer was placed on the table. His side glance caught Kellie standing next to the table. She looked between them and gave him an awkward smile. If he had to guess, she felt uncomfortable disturbing him and Britt.
“Sorry to interrupt. The woman at the bar wanted me to send this over.” She pointed over his shoulder.
Grey turned his head and saw Regina sitting at the bar, her legs bare from her short dress. She wiggled her fingers and gave him a smile which could only read one way.
Shit!
He turned back to Britt, ignoring Regina, and saw her soft, easy face tighten. She glanced at Grey and smiled. It was a strained smile showing annoyance in her eyes. The moment they just shared was completely lost.
“Sorry,” Kellie whispered, and sauntered away.
“Another member of your fan club?” She pushed the bottle toward Grey. “Drink up, wouldn’t want to disappoint your fans.”
“Britt.”
“Bull’s-eye, boys.” Grey turned around at the sound of Travis’ shout. He had shot a bull’s-eye and was celebrating like a jackass. His eyes focused on Britt. “Ya see that, girl?”
Britt laughed from behind Grey. “I see it, well done, cowboy.”
Grey swung around to face Britt, who was now standing. She hadn’t said shit to him when he hit five bull’s-eyes. He scowled down at her small frame. Her lips perked up and she winked. “Looks like you aren’t the only one with a fan club.”
He watched her pass by and kiss Travis on the cheek, his arm wrapping around her waist. His hand squeezed so tight on the bottle he was surprised it didn’t shatter.
Grey heard his name being called, but he was focused on Travis’ hand, which was too close to Britt’s ass for his liking.
“Grey.”
“What?” He growled, his tone catching everyone’s attention.
Jasper pointed to the dartboard. “You’re up.”
Grey ignored the stares and continued with the game. He kept his distance and eyes off Britt for the next twenty minutes until he heard Lucas’ voice.
“Calling it a night. Britt, you ready?”
Lucas and Sarah stood next to Britt at the table.
“Yeah, I’m beat.”
Travis walked over to Britt and grabbed her hand. “Guess that’s my cue, boys.”
Britt shook her head. “No, you stay.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah. It was nice meeting you, we’ll have to do it again, next time you find yourself in town.” She reached up and kissed his cheek before smiling up at Travis. Grey was ready to throw his darts at Travis’ head. He was sure he’d insist on taking her home, getting more of a goodnight kiss, possibly warming her bed.
“All right, pleasure was all mine, Britt.”
Britt waved and said goodbye to the group without even sparing him a glance and followed Lucas and Sarah out the door.
“You’re a damn fool, Trav.” Nick swigged his beer.
Travis turned around to the group, surprise and confusion marring his eyes. “What?”
Nick pointed his bottle at the door. “Staying here and letting Britt go home alone? Crazy fool.”
Travis laughed. “She gave me the ‘let’s be friends’ speech, man. I’m no fool, and I ain’t a glutton for punishment. Britt ain’t giving anything up, at least not to this cowboy.”
Grey tried to mask his smile. So, she turned down Travis. Game on, Britt.
“Poor Trav, turned down and not a buckle bunny in sight.” Jasper snickered.
“Oh, I don’t plan on going home alone.” His eyes veered across the room to the bar where Kellie was leaning over the bar with her ass cocked out, waiting on a drink order, laughing with the bartender.
Grey glanced back at Jasper, whose smirk had turned into a cold glare aimed for Travis. Yeah, his little brother was going to have to shit or get off the pot with Kellie.
Chapter Twelve
Britt’s face crinkled and her mouth opened wide with a big yawn. Ugh. Who did this? Waking up at four-thirty in the morning, on the road by five, and rolling into a ranch show by seven. This was crazy. She didn’t see why they had to be so friggin’ early. Did everything involved with ranching have to start at the butt crack of dawn?
She covered her mouth from her second yawn in less than a minute. This was way too early. Britt peered around the fairgrounds. It was like a playground for farmers. Every farm animal imaginable was on display and for sale. There were stands set up with everything from feed to equipment.
She had parted ways from Sarah and Lucas about twenty minutes ago, in search of a coffee stand. This place sold everything here. Surely they had coffee, right? She walked past the saddle stand, following her nose to the smell of food.
Turning a corner, Britt sighed. “Thank you, God.”
There were several stands in the back, selling everything from fried Oreos to beer. And then she saw it, the coffee stand. She stopped behind two men in cowboy hats and jeans. The tallest of the two turned around, gave her the once over, and smiled down at her.
“Mornin’.”
She smiled back up at him. “Good morning.” He was cute, with a handsome face, nice eyes, and a bright smile. There was just something about a cowboy that made her smile. Feeling slightly awkward under his stare she turned her head, glancing around the other food stations. She winced at the sign above the next stand over.
“Ew…fried butter,” she muttered.
“Don’t knock it till you try it,” the deep voice uttered in her ear.
She looked over her shoulder to see Grey standing a foot behind her. His face was complacent, which made him hard to read. His hat hung low over his brows. She mustered up an awkward smile. Ever since their last interaction in the bar, her heart raced when he was in sight. She’d spent the last few weeks wondering what would have happened if they hadn’t been interrupted by a member of his fan club.
“No, thanks, I’ll pass.” Britt turned back to the line. She fiddled with her bag and stared straight ahead. Greyson Fords had an effect on her, but she wasn’t about to let him see it.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
She huffed a heavy breath. It would be hard to pretend he wasn’t there if he continued to talk to her
. Britt rolled her eyes and turned again to see his passive face peering down at her. No smile, no scowl or glare, simply blank.
“Lucas thought it would be a good idea. You know, learning more about the ranch and stuff.”
His eyebrows lifted and the corner of his mouth hiked up. “And stuff?”
“Like the food for the animals.”
“Feed.”
She nodded, wishing she had said feed and not food. “And buying new horses.”
“The auction.”
“Yes, and the gear for the horses.”
He snorted. “The gear? You mean, saddles. Well, it seems Lucas is teaching you a lot of ranching stuff.”
She had the impression he was resisting laughing at her. Her eyes narrowed before turning back to the line. Neither spoke another word. Britt ordered her coffee, the largest they offered, and hightailed it away from Grey. No “bye,” no “see ya,” she gave him nothing.
She knew he didn’t see her as a real rancher, he’d told her himself. Hell, she wasn’t a rancher but she was trying, giving it her best effort. If he couldn’t see her determination, then screw him, she didn’t need his approval, and she certainly wouldn’t hang around to watch him laugh at her.
She walked the grounds, checking out all the stands. She stopped at one where an older woman greeted her.
“Morning, sweetheart. See anything you like?” The plump woman had greyish short hair poking from her emerald hat.
“They’re all so pretty. Do you make them yourself?”
“Each and every one.”
Britt scanned the array of quilts, one catching her eye. She pointed past the woman’s shoulder. “Can I have the blue and brown one?”
The woman peered over her shoulder and smiled back at Britt. “One of my favorites, good choice. Gimme a minute and I’ll bag it for you.”
Britt was excited. It seemed silly but she liked the idea of getting something new to add to Cal’s house. Slowly she’d leave her mark on it.
“Doing a little shopping?” The voice over her shoulder was mocking and she moved away before locking eyes with Tripp.
“Yes.”
“It’s nice. Where you going to put it?”
Why did he care? Was this his way of seeming like he was interested? He was failing. Maybe she was being too hard on him. Some people had a weird way of showing kindness. This could be his way of letting go of their dispute, and here she was being bitchy. She took a breath and decided if he was going to let things go, so would she.
“Probably in my living room or bedroom. It seems like a perfect blanket to keep warm.”
Tripp snorted. “Yeah, if you’re a horse.” He burst out laughing, drawing attention from everyone around them. “Damn, you thought they were quilts. They’re for the horses in the stables. There you go again proving my point, you got no right ranching. You don’t know shit, girly.”
Britt’s face burned in embarrassment. The little prick had done it again. He stalked off cackling. Britt ignored the looks from those around her. She reached in her bag to pull out her money and felt a hand on hers. She looked up to see the woman give her a sympathetic smile.
“The only person who doesn’t know shit is that ill-mannered, poor excuse for a man.”
Britt snickered, feeling less like a loser.
“Nobody is born knowing the ways of the ranch. We all gotta learn. You keep learning, you hear?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She handed the woman three twenties, but she only took one. Britt was confused and glanced up to the sign. It read sixty dollars for the blankets.
The woman winked at her. “Discount for newbies.”
Britt met up with Lucas and Sarah at the horse ring. They had watched all the horses being brought out, bid on, and sold. Lucas had picked up a few new saddles and straps. Other than that, they were just spectators at the animal sale.
“She’s beautiful.” Sarah’s voice was in awe. Britt had lost interest in the ring and focused on the Fords, who stood at the opposite end. All three brothers stood with two other men. As each animal was brought out, she’d watch them huddle up in deep discussion. A lot of head nods but more shakes. They had bid on a brown and white horse earlier for four thousand dollars.
Britt turned to the ring again to see a black horse with a white mane trot into the ring. The handler was struggling to keep the horse in line. The black beauty was feisty. She smirked and thought, “My kind of horse, don’t let a man hold ya down, sista.”
“We’ll start the bidding at five hundred dollars,” the man over the speaker said, and Britt watched as several hands darted in the air.
“Wild horses usually don’t go for more than a grand at these things. But she’s a real beauty so it could be more. Lots of interest in her,” Lucas informed her.
The announcer continued the bidding, raising a hundred dollars each time. By the time it reached twelve hundred, the bidding slowed down to only a few. Britt watched the ring and the black beauty. She was not a lover of animals, but there was something about this horse. She was unruly, resisting her handler. Britt suppressed a laugh. The horse reminded Britt of herself.
“Two grand!” A man’s voice called out from the area where the Fords had been standing. Britt immediately leaned forward to see Tripp with his hand above his head and a smug smile.
The ring was silent, everyone looking around, waiting on another bidder. The man next to Britt sighed loudly. “Typical Fords, showboating.”
Britt turned to the man, who shook his head before walking away from the crowd. Turning her attention back to Tripp, she couldn’t help the glare that crept on her face. Looked like she wasn’t the only one who despised Tripp Fords. Showboating was definitely what he was doing. While he smiled smugly, Grey, Jasper, and the other two men seemed to be annoyed with his behavior.
“Would love to see someone outbid him, just once.” A female voice muttered from somewhere to the left of her. An agreeing grunt followed. Yeah, the Fords had a name for themselves and it wasn’t all good. Interesting.
Britt was aware of the Fords’ history. Some she heard from Lucas but mostly Sarah. Their ranch was one of the most profitable in the county. It had been in their family for generations. Grey and his brothers were born and bred to be ranchers.
She reached on her toes, getting a better glimpse at Grey. He was talking with Jasper. His arms were crossed and his stance was confident. He probably couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t know about ranching. It was hard work and a lot to learn, especially when it was someone who’d spent a day on a farm. She was trying and he seemed to be oblivious.
He met her gaze and the corner of his mouth curled. Just like it had when she was talking to him earlier. He seemed amused she didn’t know proper terms, basking in correcting her. She turned away, a little humiliated.
She looked over at Lucas, who was scowling, and Sarah shaking her head, both of them fixated on Tripp.
And him. Bastard knew exactly what he was doing when he walked up behind her at the blanket stand. His goal was to humiliate her and he succeeded.
She’d give anything to wipe his smug smile off Grey’s face and get one over on Tripp.
It was one of those moments. An idea, maybe not the smartest, but something she couldn’t ignore. Do it. Britt straightened her back and grinned. Do it! Before she could even grasp the reality of what she was doing, she was lifting her hand in the air and shouting, “Twenty-five hundred.”
The crowd hushed. No, seriously, the crowd had actually hushed and then there was complete silence. She glanced over at Lucas, who was staring at her with an open mouth, shock written all over it.
He frantically whispered, “What the hell are you doing?”
She leaned over. “Can I afford the horse?”
Lucas’ eyes grew wider and his face darkened. “Now, you ask me?” While Britt had access to the ranch account, Lucas had a better understanding of what money should be spent on feed, livestock, and equipment needed at the ranch.
“Three.” Tripp’s voice rang through the arena and when she made eye contact, his face had formed a nasty snarl. She could read the hatred on his face, which only fueled her own desire to up the ante.
Whipping her head back to Lucas, she repeated, “Can I afford to do this?”
“What? No, Britt, don’t do this.”
Ignoring Sarah tugging on her arm, she looked at Lucas and widened her eyes in question. His stare held hers until he looked over at Tripp. Something changed in his face. He turned back to Britt and simply said, “You can afford it.”
Her smile grew and she threw up her hand, shouting, “Thirty-five hundred.”
The people around her began to clamor and waited on Tripp’s next bid. She watched Grey and Jasper, along with the two other men, circle around Tripp. She couldn’t tell what they were saying but if she had to guess, they were trying their best to calm him down.
From inside their circle a hand raised, with an angry yell. “Four.”
Shut him down, Britt. Immediately her hand went up and she shouted, “Five.” She had completely bypassed an increase of five hundred dollars, going straight for five thousand. She watched as a pair of familiar blue eyes turned swiftly and locked on her. The glare was so intense and hard, she actually stepped back, even though they were across the ring.
She averted her eyes to Lucas, who now had his head bowed, shaking it back and forth, then to Sarah, who covered her mouth in disbelief.
“What?” she whispered. “You said I could afford it.”
Lucas raised his eyes and inhaled deeply, not uttering a word.
“Five thousand, going once?” He paused. “Going twice?”
Britt looked over to the Fords, Tripp no longer with the group. All the men glared at Britt. She shivered, feeling the weight of Grey’s stare. His arms crossed, body standing tall and rigid, a complete contrast from the small smile playing on his lips.
Why was he smiling, she had just stolen his horse?
