by Laura Farr
“Thanks, guys. I hope to God he never finds her. She’d be terrified, and I’d probably end up killing him.” My fists clenched at my side. I really did hope I never laid eyes on him as I couldn’t be held responsible for my actions if I did. “I want to know about him though, so I thought I'd get Ethan to run his name through the police database, see if it throws anything up.” Ethan was a friend from school who was now a police officer at the Marble Falls police department.
“So, how does it feel to know you’re going to be a dad in a few weeks, Josh?” I asked him, steering the conversation away from the path it had taken.
“To be honest, I’m shitting myself. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to be a dad, but I’m going to hate seeing Sav in all that pain.” He pulled his face and shuddered. “We went to a childbirth class last week, and they showed us a movie of a woman giving birth. I swear to God I’ve never seen anything so disgusting. I’m definitely staying near her head!” His face screwed up in disgust, and Mason and I burst out laughing.
“You might laugh. You’ll be next, Mase, although who knows, it could be Brody, he could shock us all.” I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. Picking up a fork, I started to muck out Titan’s stall.
“Whatever. I think it’s safe to say as Mason and Lib are married, it’s likely to be them, dickhead.”
“Whatever you say, Brode.”
After finishing off in the barn, there wasn’t much left to do around the ranch and we all headed home to shower before meeting back in the den for a beer. We’d been watching a football game when we heard a car pull up in front of the house.
“I bet that’s the girls,” Josh said as he shot up out of his chair and headed outside. Since the fire, Josh had been particularly protective of Savannah, not wanting to let her out of his sight. I can’t say I blamed him after thinking he’d lost her. Following Josh and Mason outside, I hung back, standing on the porch while they went to greet the girls. I watched Quinn climb out the back of Savannah’s Bug. Her long blonde hair was damp, and loose in waves over her shoulders. She threw her head back, laughing at something Mason had said. I smiled as I watched her. She was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to have her to myself later on.
As if sensing I was watching her, she looked up and gave me a small wave. I waved back and made my way down the steps toward her.
“Hi, did you have fun?” I asked, coming to stand in front of her.
“I did. It was amazing. Thank you. Savannah and Libby are great. They’ve offered to help me get ready for tonight.” She paused and bit down on her lip. “If you still want to go?”
“Of course, I still want to go. I’ve booked the country club.” I winked at her and watched as her eyes went wide.
“I’ve never been to a country club.”
“You’ve booked the restaurant at Lakecliff?” Savannah exclaimed, overhearing our conversation. “It’s beautiful there, Quinn. I’ve got the perfect dress you can wear. Come on.” She took Quinn’s hand and dragged her toward the house. Quinn turned and met my eyes, her shoulders shrugging as Sav pulled her along.
Laughing, I called after her, “I’ll be waiting for you at six thirty.”
Quinn
I sat on the bed with Libby as Savannah threw dress after dress out of the closet, a huge pile forming on the floor.
“How many dresses is she wanting me to try on?” I whispered to Libby.
“Sav loves clothes. We could be here a while,” she replied with a giggle.
After she’d thrown three or four more dresses onto the pile she emerged from the closet and flopped down on the bed. “I thought you said outside you had the perfect dress for me?” I looked in horror at the huge pile on the floor. Was she expecting me to try all of them on?
“Once I started looking, I found a load more. I’d forgotten I’d gotten some of them!” I couldn’t say I was surprised. Considering the clothes in the closet were overflowing from her one at home, I couldn’t imagine how big her closet was in the cottage. I’d never seen so many clothes.
Standing up off the bed I kneeled on the floor next to the pile. Looking through, I fingered a beautiful electric-blue pencil dress. “That’s a great choice,” Savannah called from the bed. “Try it on.”
I nodded and removed my jeans and shirt, stepping into the dress. There was an exposed zip from the bottom of my ass, right up my back.
“Here, let me get that,” Libby came over and zipped me up. There was a free-standing mirror to the side of the bed and I walked over to look at my reflection. “You look amazing, Quinn,” Libby enthused.
“I agree,” Savannah said, coming to stand next to me at the mirror. “It’s perfect for the country club.”
“I love it.” I smoothed the dress down with my fingers. “I’ve never worn anything like this. It’s beautiful.”
“I think black heels and a black clutch would go perfectly with that.” Reaching into her purse she pulled out her phone.
“Hey, babe, can you run back to the cottage and grab my black heels and clutch?” she asked into the phone. She paused as she listened to Josh’s response. “Yeah, they’re in the bottom of the closet.” She nodded. “Thanks, babe.” She tossed her phone on the bed and grinned. “Josh is going to get them. Why don’t you try something else on while we wait?”
I shook my head. “I really don’t think I’ll find anything I love more. This is definitely the one.”
“Let’s get started on your hair then,” Libby suggested. I grinned and sat on the stool in front of the full-length mirror. Fifteen minutes later and she had worked wonders. My hair had been curled and pinned up at the sides leaving loose waves falling down the center of my back. I turned my head from side to side so I could see better before meeting her eyes in the mirror.
“Thank you. I love it. You’ll have to show me how to do this.” My hands reached up to feel the silky curls. “I’m useless with my hair.”
“I taught her everything she knows,” Savannah called out from the bathroom where she was sorting through her makeup bag.
“She did. In fact, Savannah helped me get ready for my first date with Mason and look at us now.” She raised her eyebrows at me in the mirror and smiled.
“I have this knack of knowing when people should be together,” she announced as she walked out of the bathroom.
“In other words, she likes to interfere,” Libby whispered into my ear.
“Hey!” Savannah exclaimed, feigning hurt. “I heard that, Libby Walker.” We all burst out laughing as a knock sounded on the door.
“Come in.” Looking in the mirror I saw the door open and Josh walked in, his arms full of shoes and purses.
“Babe, I just wanted my black heels and clutch,” Savannah said in disbelief as she saw the armful of stuff Josh was carrying. Spinning on the stool, I chuckled.
“Sav, do you know how many pairs of black heels you have? They all look the same to me.” He walked across the room and dumped them on the bed. “And don’t get me started on purses, there were even more of them!” Laughing, Savannah threw her arms around him and kissed his jaw. “Thank you. I’m sure the pair I wanted are in here.” He kissed her head and turned to leave.
“I’ll be downstairs when you’re done, sweetheart.” She nodded and closed the door behind him.
“Right, let’s finish getting you ready! Brody is going to freak when he sees you,” Savannah exclaimed. I felt my cheeks flush, but more than a little part of me hoped she was right.
Brody
Having gotten myself ready, I was waiting in the den for the girls to come down. Josh had been sent to the cottage on the instructions of Savannah while Mason was checking on the horses before nightfall. I sat on the edge of the couch, my knee bouncing up and down. There was a football game on the TV, but I couldn’t concentrate enough to watch it. I was nervous. I’d been on tons of dates and I tended to know how things would go: dinner, dancing, and back to her place. This one would be different though. Quinn was different.
The door to the den swung open, and I jumped up, expecting to see her. Josh stopped in the doorway and grinned. “Expecting someone else?” he asked, a huge smirk on his face.
“Yeah, and she’s a lot better looking than you.” I sighed as I flopped back down on the couch.
He laughed and sat down next to me. Picking up the remote control, he changed the channel on the TV, his eyes fixed on the screen. “I’ve just been up there. There are clothes and shit everywhere. She looks hot though, Brode. I can’t wait to see your face when she comes down.” My knee began to bounce up and down again and I saw Josh look over.
“You seem nervous. I’ve never seen you like this over a girl,” he said, his voice sincere. Jumping up, I paced up and down in front of the couch.
“I really like her, Josh. What if I mess it up?”
“Why would you mess it up?”
“I’m used to dating girls once or twice and then moving on to the next. I’ve never dated anyone where I wanted more than that.”
“You’ve got this, Brody. You’re a great guy. Just be yourself.”
“Thanks, man,” I told him, gratefully.
“Are we done with the girly talk now?” he asked, the smirk back on his face. I know he meant what he’d said, he was just using banter to try to get me to relax.
“Yeah, we’re done.” I rolled my eyes at him and tried to concentrate on what was on the TV.
Ten minutes later and Savannah popped her head around the door. “She’s almost ready, Brody,” she said excitedly, disappearing back into the hallway. Standing up, I wiped my sweaty palms down my jeans and dragged in a deep breath.
Standing up off the couch, Josh slapped me on the back. “Have fun, man.” He walked into the hallway and I heard him trying to persuade Savannah to leave. “Let’s go and give them some space.”
“I want to see his face when he sees Quinn,” I heard her say.
“No, Savannah. They don’t need an audience. I’m sure Quinn will fill you in on the details tomorrow,” Josh said firmly. I could hear her muffled protests as Josh led her further away from the den, finally hearing the front door close behind them. Walking into the hallway, I waited for Quinn. Looking up, I saw Libby coming down the stairs, a huge grin on her face. She paused as she reached me at the foot of the stairs.
“She’ll be right down. Have a great time.” She reached up and kissed my cheek before breezing past me and out the door. I watched her go before turning back around to look up the staircase. My breath caught in my throat as Quinn looked down at me from the top step. She was wearing the most incredible blue dress that fit her like a second skin, brushing perfectly over her curves. I watched open-mouthed as she smiled and walked down the stairs toward me.
“Quinn. You look… beautiful,” I stuttered watching her as she reached the bottom step, putting her eye level with me. Calling her beautiful didn’t seem to be enough of a compliment, but I was struggling to find a word that justified how incredible she looked.
“Thank you,” she said shyly. “You look good too.” Standing in silence on the bottom step, I couldn’t drag my eyes off her. I was finally pulled from my haze when she let out an awkward giggle.
“Shall we?” I held out my arm for her to take and she nodded as she slipped her hand over my arm. Leading her outside and down the porch steps, I walked her to my truck. Opening the passenger side door, I held her hand as she climbed up into the cab. My eyes dropped to the exposed zip on her dress. It went from the bottom of her ass right up her back, stopping at her neck. I could only imagine undoing it, my hands finding her warm skin underneath. Walking around to the driver’s side I jumped in and looked across at her.
“You okay?” I frowned as my eyes dropped to her hands that were clasped together tightly on her lap. She nodded. “Are you sure?” If you’d rather not go—”
“No! I want to go.” She paused and looked across at me embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m just nervous,” she confessed, looking down at her lap. Reaching across I took one of her hands and held it in mine.
“It’s okay to be nervous. Would it make you feel better if I told you I was nervous too?” I watched as her head flew up, her eyes meeting mine. Smiling, she let out a giggle.
“Yeah, actually, it does. Thanks, Brody.” I could see her body visibly relax as she reached behind her to grab her seat belt. Once she was strapped in, she looked over to me. “Come on then, I’m starving.” Winking at her, I started the truck and pulled off the driveway, leaving the ranch behind us.
Thirty minutes later and we were pulling up outside the country club. Jumping out, I made my way around to her door, holding my hand out for her to take. Smiling, she put her hand in mine as she climbed out of the truck.
“It’s beautiful here, Brody,” she said as she looked around in awe.
“I hope the food's good,” I joked as I kept hold of her hand and led her toward the restaurant.
“Haven’t you been before?”
“No, but it comes highly recommended. Josh has brought Savannah here a few times.” She nodded, wobbling slightly on her heels as she walked beside me. Dropping her hand, I slipped my arm around her waist and pulled her into my side. “You okay?” She looked up at me, her face flushed pink.
“These shoes take a bit of getting used to. I’m more of a Converse girl.”
“Well, you look incredible, but you look just as good in your Converse,” I whispered against her ear as we waited to be seated. I felt her shiver as my breath tickled her skin. I loved knowing I was having an effect on her. Just then the host beckoned us over, leading us to a table overlooking the golf course.
We ordered drinks, and the host left us with the menus. Quinn smiled at me before looking down at her menu. I hadn’t even glanced at it as I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off her. I’d noticed the host looking her up and down as he’d held her chair out for her. As much as I wanted to knock him out for looking, I couldn’t blame him. She was by far the most beautiful woman in the room. What made her even more beautiful was that she had no idea. Finally managing to tear my eyes away from her, I looked down at my menu.
“What do you think?” I asked her, knowing what I wanted was sitting right in front of me.
“It all sounds amazing, even if I don’t know what half of it is.” She laughed. “I just want a steak.”
“That sounds good; I’ll have the same.” I didn’t want to admit I didn’t have a clue what most of the things on the menu were either.
After we ordered, I put my hand into the pocket of my slacks where Quinn’s new phone sat. “So, I got you something.” I slipped the phone from my pocket and put it on the table in front of her. Her eyes dropped to the phone before rising back up to look at me.
“What’s that?” A frown formed on her face and I could tell that she was confused.
“Well, it’s a phone.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I can see that, but why would you give me a phone? I can’t accept it,” she continued, before I was able to respond.
“It’s not a birthday present,” I assured her, a small smile forming on my lips. I knew I would have trouble getting her to accept the phone. I wasn’t about to let her tell me no though.
“Even more reason for me not to accept it then. I can’t just let you buy me a phone. I don’t have any money to pay the bill, Brody.” She shook her head. “It’s too much.”
“If you’re going to be working on the ranch, you’ll need a phone.”
“Why?”
“What happens if you’re cleaning one of the more remote cabins and something happens? You wouldn’t be able to contact anyone.”
“What’s going to happen?” she asked incredulously.
“Anything could happen. You can’t be out on the ranch without a phone. It’s ranch policy.” I tried not to smile as I slid the phone closer toward her.
She burst out laughing. “Ranch policy. You just made that up, didn’t you?” She slid the phone back across the t
able. “I can’t take it, Brody.”
“You can.” I pushed it back in front of her. “And I didn’t make it up. Every ranch employee has a phone.”
“So, you bought every employee a phone?” She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Well, no—” I started.
“Didn’t think so. Thank you, Brody, but I can’t accept it.”
“I didn’t need to buy the other employees a phone. They already had one when they started. You don’t have one, so…” I nodded toward the phone. “Please take it.”
Sighing she picked up the phone, turning it over in her hand. “You aren’t going to let me say no, are you?” I shook my head, and she closed her eyes. “Fine. But I’m paying you back as soon as I can.” She paused and opened her eyes. “Ranch policy! You are so full of shit.” I burst out laughing and after a few seconds she began to laugh too.
Pushing her chair back, she made her way around the table. Bending her head, she brushed her lips across my cheek. “Thank you,” she muttered. “Just going to find the restroom. Be right back.” My eyes followed her as she walked through the restaurant toward the bathroom. Her ass looked incredible in her tight dress. She wobbled slightly on her heels and I smiled to myself, thinking she’d look just as good in her jeans and Converse as she did in that dress and shoes.
Quinn
As I made my way across the restaurant I held my breath, praying I wouldn’t fall flat on my face. Heels weren’t something I was used to, and I was finding it harder and harder to walk in them. Walking into the ladies' bathroom, I stopped in front of the mirror and looked at my reflection. I barely recognized the girl staring back at me. Savannah and Libby had done an amazing job on my hair and makeup. I felt like a different girl to the one scared and alone in Westwood a few weeks ago.
I couldn’t believe Brody had given me a phone. I knew what he’d said about the ranch policy was bullshit. It was just an excuse to get me to accept it. I did have to admit though, I would feel better having a phone if I was alone on the ranch. Although Evan had no idea where I was, and no way of finding out, I was still terrified that one day he would find me. At least if I had a phone I’d feel a little safer. I’d meant what I said though. As soon as I was able, I’d pay him back. I was no expert on phones, but it looked like the latest model, and I knew it wouldn’t have been cheap. I felt truly spoiled with the spa day, the restaurant, and now the phone.
