“Sure is.” She pops her gum loudly. “We just get what we get and have to make do. What is it you’re after?”
I sigh loudly. I’m not much of a big chef, but I do know how to make a good Coronation Chicken but I don’t think I’ll be able to get everything I need here. It might have to be a pasta bake and cheap wine night. Not the way I’d like to treat a lady I actually have interest in, but what else can I do?
“Erm no, I think I got it,” I huff out. “Thanks though.”
“I take it you’re a part of that big new development thing?” she continues, not taking the hint that I’m not interested. She leans over the counter while pushing her cleavage together. This gives me a better view of her name badge which reads Erica. “Are you the one in charge?”
“I am.” I brace myself as I run my eyes over the shelves. I wait for the onslaught, similar to what I go from Lola, but somehow it doesn’t come.
“Cool,” she says simply instead.
As I glance at her out the corner of my eyes I realize why. She’s one of those people who doesn’t care enough about anything to have an opinion. She’s more than happy to just let things happen around her. That makes her life content, but without any fire. Lola is nothing like that. I think that’s what attracts me to her, she stands out in so many ways.
Despite the fact that I know I might be treading on thin ice, I decide to delve in and do a bit of digging. From what I’ve learned in life you can tell a lot about a person from what others have to say about them… even if it isn’t all true.
“So, do you know Lola Boots? I went to see her singing last night. She seems pretty talented.”
The woman’s face turns into a glowering expression which suggests she doesn’t like me discussing another female in front of her. "She’s okay, I suppose,” she tells me pettily. “Everyone thinks she should be famous, but she can’t be because she has to care for her dad.”
My blood runs cold, I realize my mistake. I’ve already decided that I don’t want to pry until she wants to share things with me, but it seems I’ve done that by mistake anyway. I press my lips tightly together, trying desperately to keep any other words inside, but Erica doesn’t take my silence as a plea for her not to continue. Subtle hints are obviously not her strong point.
“And after losing her mom so young, I guess she feels that she doesn’t have a choice but to stick around to run the farm as her dad’s MS gets worse. She doesn’t want him to lose the only home that he’s ever known. The link to her mom too I suppose. It’s all a bit sad, really.”
I don’t know what she’s trying to achieve here. Maybe she thinks I’ll start seeing Lola as someone to be pitied rather than attracted to, but it doesn’t work. It just makes me see how big her heart is. I knew that she worked on the farm, but she didn’t tell me that she runs it to keep her dad happy. I know she sticks around for him, she told me that without even needing to use words, but I didn’t know she was his care giver. This just makes me want to treat her more, it makes me want to make our time together, however short it might be, even more special. I know now more than ever how much she deserves it.
“Right, well this is what I’m going to get,” I say while dumping a selection of things on the counter. “Thank you for… you know, talking with me.”
She scans the items, still popping her gum. “You interested in Lola?” she asks briskly. “Because if you are I think you should know you’re barking up the wrong tree. She very much keeps to herself. A couple of the guys have tried to crack on with her, all with no luck. She’s just… I don’t know, empty, I suppose.”
I don’t say anything, even though the words are bursting to get out of my mouth. Clearly these guys, whoever they might be, were nothing compared to me. That’s why I was the one who managed to win her over in just a few short hours.
“Maybe they just weren’t the ones for her,” I say through gritted teeth. “Maybe she’s waiting for the one.”
“Oh come off it,” Erica scoffs. “No one believes in the one. We all just settle for someone we can put up with, that’s all. You aren’t idiotic enough to believe in all that crap, are you?”
“No,” I admit as I hand over some bills to pay for the food. “I don’t. Not really.”
It takes me a few more moments, but eventually I manage to tear myself away from Erica and her reasons for why we all just settle – a lecture I find very depressing actually – and I start the walk over to the farm. It isn’t far because everything is close together in this place, which also eliminates a lot of the traffic. That’s one good thing, I suppose. On the journey over I can’t stop smiling to myself at the thought of seeing her face again. She’ll be surprised to see me, I know that much, I just hope it’s a pleasant shock.
I spot her long before she sees me and I’m stunned with how rapidly my body reacts to her as she stands with a hoe in one hand and petting one of the sheep from the farm with the other. She isn’t in her sexy hot pants today, she had what looks like sweat pants covering her sexy, luscious legs, but she is wearing a checked shirt and an actual cowgirl hat which is interesting. I might have to get her to wear the whole outfit for me at some point, if she’s feeling particularly kinky…
“Lola!” I cry out happily to her. “I’m here. How are you doing?”
Chapter 7 – Lola
What the…?
I turn in shock to see the man I’ve been daydreaming about all day long smiling back at me as he clutches onto to carrier bags in his hands. He’s like something from a damn fantasy staring back at me with those warm, inviting eyes, chiseled cheekbones, and broad shoulders. All I want is for him to wrap me up in those arms of his once more. I love the sensation of him towering over me, taking control of my body, making me feel the things that I didn’t even realize I’d shut off.
“You’re here,” I gasp in shock with my hand clutching in shock to my chest.
“You sound surprised.” He cocks his head and examines me through narrowed eyes.
I don’t know how to tell him without offending him that I am surprised that he’s back. Much as last night was amazing, and the best night of my life, there was never any suggestion between us that it was going to be more than a one time thing. But if I say that aloud, I’m basically calling him a man whore. I don’t know how well that will go down!
“I just have to finish up here,” I change the subject instead. “I hope that’s okay? It shouldn’t be too much longer.” I glance down at myself and cringe when I see how grubby I am from a long, hard day in the dirt. It certainly isn’t my best look! “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company.”
He leans down and gives me a soft and gentle kiss on my lips. It’s so romantic that my heart flutters as we connect. “I have brought some food and I wanted to use your kitchen to make you something for dinner, if you don’t mind?” He sends me a wink so I know his comment is made in jest… not that I feel offended anyway. I know my kitchen is basic, that’s just how I like it. “You’ll have time to finish up here, have a shower if you want, maybe even check in on your dad if needs be…”
I freeze. Does he know that my dad is sick? The whole town knows, it isn’t one of those things that can be kept secret, but I know that my father is a proud man who wouldn’t want everyone to be talking about him. This illness he has kills him mentally more than anything else. It just isn’t right. His pride is the main reason he still lives alone and I’m in the cottage. I’m near, so I can help him, but he doesn’t feel like a burden on my life.
“What do you mean?” I ask slowly and carefully. It’s instantly obvious from the expression on his face that he knows. “Who told you?”
His eyes flicker downwards towards the ground before he answers me, but at least what he says is honest. He knows that I won’t like it, but he says it anyway which makes him quite a rare breed. The men I know, even Rory to an extent, will just say what they think you want to hear. The honesty is refreshing.
“Erica, from the shop, but I promise I wasn’t aski
ng after you. I just mentioned that I saw you playing and she started spouting all this stuff.”
Erica… someone I barely know. I don’t even speak to her much more than a ‘hello’ when I go into the store, but she thinks that she has a right to tell a stranger these private things about me. That’s what I hate about everyone knowing everything, they think my life is their own too. Sometimes it’s nice, but sometimes it’s suffocating.
“I’m sorry,” Brandon says again, making me realize that I’m pumping my fists by my sides in sheer anger. “I didn’t mean to involve myself, I know it isn’t right.”
“It’s not your fault,” I reply through gritted teeth. “Actually it’s fine. It doesn’t matter. I do need to pop to see Dad anyway. Maybe I’ll take a shower at his and be back down shortly.” I dip my hand into my pocket and pull out my keys. “You go inside, help yourself to whatever you need and I’ll be there soon.”
He takes the keys from me and walks away. As he goes I wonder if he’s only here as part of a pity thing. He was in the shop before Erica said anything, buying food for this meal I presume, but what if now he sees me as something different? Part of the reason I enjoyed spending time with him last night was because he didn’t know my story – only the bits I decided to share with him. He didn’t see me as anything other than a sexy woman who was worthwhile, who he found desirable.
Now, that might have changed and I don’t know what I’m going to about it.
“Well, Betty,” I say to my favorite sheep, the one who won’t be going to the slaughter house ever, no matter how bad things get. “I don’t know what’s going to happen now. I suppose I should give him a chance though, right? I should try and find out?” Betty doesn’t answer me, but of course she isn’t going to. She’s a damn sheep after all! “Let’s get you sorted then I can go and have a shower, get myself all mentally prepared for this craziness.” I sigh deeply. “I don’t think I’ll tell Dad about Brandon though, not yet. I don’t know how I feel about all of this and it’s bound to only be short term since he doesn’t even live here. There’s no point, is there, Betty? I don’t want to worry him over nothing.” I stare at her and nod as if she’s answered me. “Right, thanks for that advice. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for, even if you are a sheep who hasn’t actually said anything yet. Let’s go, I can’t put this off any longer. Time to have what I suppose is date number two…”
***
I feel a whole lot better once I’ve checked on my dad and washed myself up. More human, I suppose, and more ready to face what might be happening with Brandon head on. All day long he’s been swimming through my mind, I’ve been thinking about how good it felt to be with him and how I want to do it again, but I certainly didn’t think it’s happen.
“Ooh, my goodness, what are you cooking?” I ask as I push the door to my home open and I inhale the wonderful aromas that fill my nose. “Smells delicious.”
“It’s nothing exciting,” Brandon replies as he plates up. “It’s basically just chicken, boiled potatoes, and vegetables, but I had to work with what’s available in the shops.”
“Yeah.” I take my seat and look up at him. “It isn’t very well stocked, is it? You’ve done well though. When did you learn to cook?”
He pauses for a moment and sits opposite me. As he steels himself for what he’s going to say next I recognise the look in his eyes well. He’s about to say something that he doesn’t talk about much. Obviously, I get that because I often feel the same way when I have to discuss anything related to my life.
“Actually, I learned when I was fifteen years old, just after my mother ran off with one of my school friends.”
“What?” I interject, sounding more shocked than maybe I should. “I mean, wow… that’s dreadful. That’s just really awful.”
“It is what it is.” He shrugs, trying to act blasé but I can see right in to the depths of his soul. I can see this still sings even now. “She didn’t want to be with me and my father then and I guess it’s a decision that she’s happy with since she’s still with him now. As far as I know anyway, all I’m really aware of is the odd bits I see online.”
“You don’t talk to her anymore?” I reach across and rest my hand on his. In a way, this is something we have in common. He must feel like he’s lost his mother in a similar way to me.
“No, I don’t. I haven’t since then.” His tone is tight and hard. “It’s just been me and my father, and since he’s always been at work, and even losing his wife and becoming a single father didn’t change him, I had to be independent.”
“Is that why you work for him now?” I’m prying, I know it, but I’m just so interested to learn more about him.
“I guess so.” He pauses and bites down on his bottom lip. “I mean, it was kind of just the path that was laid out for me. It was expected of me, and I just went with it.”
“Do you love it? Is it what you want?”
“I… I do like it,” he says slowly. “But I don’t know if it’s the path I would have chosen for myself if given the option. I work well with it now though, it is what it is.”
It is what it is. That seems to be his motto for life. I wonder if he lets things happen to him because he doesn’t know how to change. Just like I’m stuck in my rut and I don’t know how to get out.
“Wow, that’s…” I gulp loudly and I try to work out what I should say next. I feel like I might want to tell him more about me. “It’s rough. I know my life is different, but my father’s MS,” I watch his face which doesn’t change. Erica clearly told him this part. I guess it means I don’t have to explain more, “means my life is controlled too. Just in a different way.” I sigh loudly, not regretfully because I don’t mind staying for my dad, but still it’s hard because everything has always been on hold. “He needs me to care for him, and I’m all he has left.”
“You’re a good person, I hope you know that.”
“Well, thank you. And I don’t know if it means anything but I think you’re a good person too. You’ve stuck by your family, even when things got tough.”
He looks shocked. “Wow, I don’t think anyone has ever said that to me before.”
I smile warmly at him, hoping he can see that I truly do mean it. “Well it’s true.”
As we eat I can see Brandon looking at me. At first I think the expression is one of an awe or maybe a little confusion, but then it changes. His face reminds me of how he looked on the night when we first met. When I was up on stage fantasizing about him like an insane person and he was undressing with his eyes. It makes me shiver. It makes me wonder where tonight will lead.
“So, tell me more about yourself Brandon Heath-Smith. I would love to learn everything about you.”
He muses upon this for a moment. “I don’t know what there is to tell really. I’m more of a workaholic than I always told myself I would be, and I… I haven’t ever committed to anything else.”
I wonder if he’s trying to let me know in a subtle way that he’s not in this for the long haul, which is just fine by me. I knew that before I even jumped in on that first night. The sexy stranger who sweeps through the bar while he’s in town on business, isn’t the man who sticks around forever more. He’s just the one for fun.
I grin. “Yeah, I guess I haven’t committed to anything else but work either. I guess it just is what it is.”
As I use his own catch phrase back at him he sees that I get it. We both know what this is and we need to enjoy it while the moment is here. It’ll only be a fleeting one so we need to make it magical while we can.
Chapter 8 – Brandon
“Did you want to take a walk?” Lola asks me sweetly once the conversation is over. “Take a look around the farm? I know it isn’t much, it certainly isn’t what it used to be when I was younger, but it’s still ours. It’s pretty cool. Or I think it is.”
“Sure, that sounds great.” Actually, I think I’d like to see more of her life. Even if this is only a short term thing. Plus, sh
e looks cool in her denim skirt and her vest top. I’m sure if we go outside she’ll put those sexy as hell cowboy boots on as well. My heart rate instantly kicks up a notch as I think about her in that way again. “I think if you’re going to tell me more about your farm, you’ll have to wear a cowgirl hat though. Do you have one?”
She leans behind one of her chairs and she pulls one out, which causes fireworks to explode in my chest. She’s just so damn hot. How did I get so lucky? My luck only intensifies as she slides her gorgeous feet into those cowboy boots.
“Come on. Let’s go.”
As we walk through the door and out into the farm, a chill runs up and down my spine, but I don’t think it’s from the cold at all. I think it’s all to do with this gorgeous red head next to me. She points things out to me, showing me the animals and telling me all about how it used to be, back in the day, which gives me an insight into her childhood as well. I can see that when her parents were fine she had a happy time here, and I think she wants to cling onto that a lot… even if it’s never coming back.
It’s sweet, she’s lovely. I think I might secretly like her a little bit more than I should.
“And what’s this bad boy?” I ask as I pat my hand against some rusty metal that’s in the shed. “This looks like an interesting contraption.”
“You are joking, right?” She giggles disbelievingly at me. “That’s a tractor. There’s no way in hell that you’ve never seen a tractor before.”
Broken: A Mountain Man's Romance Page 75
