Cheyenne (The Women of Merryton Book 4)

by Jennifer Peel

  She gave me a look like I was dense. “He does marriage counseling.”

  How was I supposed to know that? “Really? I hope you said no.”

  She wouldn’t look at me. She was fixed on the dress. She took a deep cleansing breath before shuddering. “I told him I would think about it.”

  I thought about what I promised Jessie and bit my tongue. It might have bled, that’s how hard I had to hold back my diatribe about the reality of the situation and how the scumbag didn’t deserve even half a chance. Instead I went with, “Be careful Abs, cheating is rarely a one-time event.”

  She sunk to the floor and the gown fell into her lap, catching her shed tears. It was poetic but heart wrenching.

  I sat down next to her and held her.

  “What’s everyone going to think? We can’t keep this quiet, especially now that the kids know. I’m going to have to tell their teachers that Shane moved out.”

  I stroked her new gorgeous red hair. “They’re going to think he’s a pig. And yeah, unfortunately it’s going to get out.” The Merryton grapevine was a beast of its own. “Where’s he staying?”

  “I don’t know. I told him I didn’t care.”

  She was lying. I hoped he thought to check into a hotel out of town.

  She buried her head more into my neck and sobbed. “I gave him my life. I saved myself for him.”

  I remember how nervous she was about the wedding night. Her mom and she didn’t have the kind of relationship where they talked about sex, so I was her go-to girl. I schooled both her and Jessie about the first time. I wished someone would have for me. I told them not to expect fireworks and definitely to wait until after the reception. No need for the disappointment while you’re supposed to be acting like it was the best day of your life.

  I kissed her head. “You’re going to get through this.”

  “All I ever wanted to be was a wife and mom. And I apparently suck at both. Maybe that’s why he—”

  I stopped her right there. “Abby, do not, I repeat, do not go there. You are the best wife and mother. You don’t need him.”

  “Cheyenne, I want him. I hate him, but I love him. I’ve always loved him.”

  That kind of turned my stomach. “I know, Abs. I know.” I basically rocked her to sleep in my arms.

  After my day, I needed a drink. I stopped by the Red Barn. It had a great restaurant and bar. Perfect for my situation. I could order dinner to go and have a glass of wine at the bar while I waited.

  I settled into a bar stool and took a deep breath. It hadn’t felt like my day off at all.

  Calvin, or Cal, my favorite man of all time, headed over as soon as he saw me. He carried with him a wine glass. “What will it be, sweetness?” He set the glass in front of me. His aged blue eyes still twinkled and for a man approaching seventy he had an impressive amount of white hair. And he was harmless. One of the only men that never hit on me or made me feel like I was an object.

  “Something red. It’s been one of those days.”

  “I have just thing for you. I’ve been saving to open it until you came in. It’s an untamed red blend. It reminded me of you.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  He gave me a wink. “I’ll be right back.”

  I picked up a menu and perused it while I waited.

  Cal was back in no time and filling my glass just over half full. He waited for me to taste it.

  I wasted no time savoring the liquid that had a hint of blueberry in it. “Mmm. That is good.”

  “I’ll keep it handy in case you want another glass.”

  I tried never to drink more than one, but after the last few days—let’s even go with the last several months—it was tempting. Especially when my other problem walked in the door. I swore he was following me. I had the misfortune of catching his eye when he was talking to the seating hostess. I tried to turn around before he could see me, but for some reason we seemed to be drawn to each other. I didn’t acknowledge him. I turned to my wine instead in hopes they would seat him far from the bar area.

  My hopes were dashed. Aidan took the barstool next to me.

  I didn’t even have to look to know it was him. I felt him, and his cologne wafted my way. It took all my willpower to ignore him. A fine smelling man was one of my many weaknesses. And I’d had a taste of him. He was better than any wine.

  “Hello.” He made the first move.

  “Hello.” I took a sip of my wine, refusing to look at him.

  “Do you come here often?”

  I set my drink down and turned to glare at him. “Why? Are you going to tell me how drinking is evil?”

  He shook his head. A hint of a smile played on his lips. “You know, Jesus drank wine.”

  I didn’t know that. I didn’t know anything about the man. “Fan-freaking-tastic.” I picked up my glass and raised it to Aidan. “Maybe I’ll have another and count it as the holiest thing I’ve ever done.”

  His smile broke through. “I’m glad I ran into you. I think we should talk.”

  “Why?”

  His gorgeous eyes fixed on my mouth. “It seems only right that since my lips are acquainted with yours, I should get to know you.”

  “Ha.” I turned and faced the row of liquor lined up against the mirrored wall. Our reflection was staring right back at me. I didn’t like how well we looked together. “You should go. You’re only adding to the gossip about us.”

  His eyes met mine in the mirror. “I didn’t think you cared what others thought about you.”

  I turned and met the real set. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  “I admit I’ve jumped to some unfair conclusions, but I think I can safely say I know a few things about you.”

  “And what do you think you know about me?” I leaned in toward him as if I was going to intimately whisper in his ear. “I would proceed with caution if I were you.”

  I saw his skin raise. It gave me pleasure to know I could affect him in such a way.

  He let out a heavy breath. “First of all, you pack a punch.” He had no idea.

  I skimmed the rim of my glass with my finger. “Proceed.”

  “You care deeply about your friends.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “You’re good with kids.”

  I laughed and took a sip of my wine. “No one has ever accused me of that.”

  We were interrupted by Cal. “Is this guy bothering you?”

  I looked over at the man who had consumed my thoughts. He wasn’t a bad sight. “Ah, he’s all right for now, but check back.”

  Aidan smirked at me.

  “Can I get you anything?” Cal asked Aidan.

  Goody-two-shoes declined, of course. “No, thanks. I’m meeting a friend for dinner in the dining area.”

  Cal gave Aidan an appraising look before warning him. “Be good to my girl.” He walked off to help another patron.

  I gave Cal my best smile. What I wouldn’t give to have a father like him.

  “Where were we?” Aidan caught my attention again.

  “You were spouting some gibberish about me being good with kids.”

  “I observed you while I waited for you to cut my hair, which by the way, I still need a haircut.”

  I mussed his hair with my hand. “Stop it with the glue already.”

  He ran his fingers, or he tried to run his fingers through his hair to fix the mess I made of it. “Do you think you could cut my hair?”

  “Maybe.”

  He tilted his head as if that gave him a better view of me. “I’d like to get to know you.”

  “Why?”

  His eyes wandered toward my lips again.

  “You want to kiss me?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “I mean, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t want to, but that’s not why.”

  “I’m not looking to date anyone. I’m on a permanent hiatus from men.”

  It was a good thing he wasn’t drinking anything. From the look of utter shock on
his face, he might have spit it out. He stretched his neck. “I was thinking we could just be, you know, friends, at least for now. Maybe more,” he reluctantly added in.

  “Kissing friends?”

  “No. I don’t usually . . . I’ve never kissed anyone that I wasn’t in a relationship with before.”

  “Why me then?”

  He hesitated before reaching up and brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “I’m sure this will come out wrong, but you’re beautiful, maybe the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance. And like I said, you pack a punch. But that’s not me.”

  “It sure felt like you.”

  “It was me and I enjoyed kissing you—very much—but I wasn’t raised to treat affection between a man and woman lightly.”

  “And what would you do,” I acted as if I was making a move, “if I closed the gap right now and my lips fell on yours?”

  He took a deep breath and slowly released it as if trying to build up a resistance to me. “I know what I should do, but I’m not sure if I would stop you.”

  I placed some distance between us. “If you want me to cut your hair, come by tomorrow at 7:30 after the salon closes. Park as far away as you can and go to the back door.” I downed the rest of my wine and stood up. “I would hate for anyone to get the wrong impression about us.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The Bates brothers were inundating my life. Good old Nate called as soon as I picked up my new phone on the way to the salon Tuesday morning. I let it go straight to voice mail along with the dozens and dozens of messages about that stupid kiss on Saturday. The preacher man left me two messages about doing his fundraiser again. I didn’t know how much clearer I could be that I wasn’t interested. Not only that, I was wondering who Aidan met with last night at the Red Barn. Was his friend a woman or a man? I didn’t stick around to find out or grab dinner. The restaurant was already in a tizzy about us talking together at the bar. Our kiss was obviously common knowledge.

  Besides the pesky preacher, I only listened to a lengthy message from Rachel apologizing again. Andrew was trying to help his friend out, as she put it. He thought Paxton deserved a second chance. Andrew was now on my list. He and Shane better take cover.

  And I was still firing anyone who mentioned Aidan’s name at the salon. It was bad enough I had to think about him all day. I wasn’t only thinking; I was fantasizing about what we could do all alone. I needed to shake those thoughts out of my head like I needed my leg to quit aching. I figured laying off running for two days would make for a better go of it today. But no, it still hurt like a mother. And I didn’t even get chocolate chip cookies because I promised Abby we would do the power smoothie thing together. Tomorrow night we were doing Zumba. I wasn’t sure how I was going to fake my way through the pain during the class, but I would figure it out. I always did.

  Jessie was babysitting Abby today.

  All day I kept my ears open to see if anyone had picked up that there was major trouble brewing at the Parkers’, but I didn’t hear a thing. What I did hear was covert conversations about a certain someone and me. They weren’t using his name, so I couldn’t fire anyone. His code name was hot lips. It was fitting. Where the preacher’s brother learned how to kiss like that, I don’t know, but I wanted to go there, perhaps take up permanent residence there. I could be the test dummy.

  All the women in my salon, including Jade and my barely holding onto her job assistant Felicia, thought they were so cute making kissing noises or pretending to pucker up whenever they were around me. It was a good call on my part to have Aidan come after hours. Even if it meant being on my leg longer and seeing him.

  I couldn’t get our conversation from last night out of my head. Friends. I laughed at the thought. I wasn’t friends with men. I was doing my best not to be anything with them. Maybe that was stretching the truth since I couldn’t keep my hands off Aidan. Even last night I wanted to have my way with him. Maybe now that he wasn’t such a challenge I would get over the urge. If only I was sure that was the reason I was so attracted to him. What else could it be? Besides his amazing good looks. And the whole he saved my life thing. And the fantastic kisses. So those were basically my normal qualifications. Like I said, queen of superficial. I didn’t even require the save my life quality. But with Aidan it was different.

  I even worried about what we were going to talk about tonight. I’d never wondered about that before. My standard operating procedure was to guide the questions. Surface level stuff—career, hobbies, schooling. I didn’t care about previous relationships, what their long-term goals and dreams were. Or about their dog that died when they were in the third grade. In return, I never gave them any emotional ammunition or attachments to use against me. I was only in it to have fun. I never even got cozy with Paxton, so his declarations of love were bogus. The most meaningful conversation we ever had was about how I loved visiting my grandma in Texas when I was growing up. I failed to mention she lived next door to a house full of teenage boys. I did love Grandma Jane, but those Hess boys were something else.

  My problem was I wanted to know about Aidan’s wife and why he was the way he was. I had a feeling I wouldn’t mind if he told me about his hopes and dreams. It bothered me. He bothered me. Especially when I got this text from Jessie.

  Why does Aidan want to know your favorite thing to order at my café?

  I have no idea.

  Liar.

  Don’t make me block you.

  You really don’t know?

  Not a clue. I was more than interested though.

  Are you guys going on a date?

  NO!

  Okay. Okay.

  How’s Abby? I had called and checked in on her around lunch. She sounded exhausted.

  She’s off and on. She and Shane had a huge fight over the phone. He doesn’t see why he has to move out.

  Does he think they are going to live together after she divorces his butt?

  We don’t know that’s going to happen.

  It should. I had the lawyer on standby.

  Behave. And have fun with Aidan.

  Blocking you now.

  You know you love me. I want details.

  That concluded that conversation. There wasn’t going to be any details. I was cutting the man’s hair. No big deal.

  I stood by the salon’s back door after I kicked everyone out feeling like it was a big deal. Ridiculous. I was thinking about not answering. But I wanted to see him. Which was a reason to just go home.

  He knocked at precisely 7:30, making me jump. What was wrong with me? I was Cheyenne Fairchild. I made men nervous, not the other way around.

  I took a determined and steadying breath before opening the door a crack. “Did anyone follow you?”

  He looked behind him. “I don’t think so.”

  I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in, shutting the door quickly.

  “You’re not going to kiss me, are you?” He looked down at my hand gripping his t-shirt.

  I let go of the soft cotton. “You wish.” I did too.

  He smiled and I realized how much I liked it. It was better than the grimace. “I would be lying if I denied it.”

  He made me smile.

  He held up the Jessie Belle bag he had been holding. “How about we eat instead?”

  Jessie’s text now made sense. “Dinner is a close second to kissing. But did you really need to ask Jessie about it?”

  “I don’t have your number and I didn’t think you would want me to call you here.”

  “I can accept that, but only if there are some chocolate chip cookies in that bag.”

  His grin said there were.

  “Fine. We can eat in my office.”

  “I’m glad I got the cookies.” He followed after me.

  When we entered my office just down the hall, his eyes went straight to my pink couch.

  “Do you have a problem with that?” I nodded toward the couch.

  He sighed. “I don’t have a problem with
you.”

  “What if I told you I had a zebra-striped couch at home?”

  His eyes narrowed. “I would think you were joking.”

  “Bzzz. Wrong answer.”

  He focused on my eyes like he was administering a lie detector test. “Really?”

  “Yep. Along with a coordinating pink coffee table.”

  He made to speak, but stopped himself. He thought a moment longer. “Interesting.”

  “Pink is my color. Have a seat.”

  He took one end and I took the other. He reached into the bag and pulled out my favorite salad, strawberry poppy seed with chicken.

  “Extra bleu cheese?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He handed me the salad with a fork. “Or do you want dessert first?”

  I took the salad. “I would have kissed you already if that was the case.”

  He shook his head like he was shaking out a thought. “You’re different than any woman I know.”

  “How so?”

  “How do I put this . . .” He studied me a moment longer.

  “Don’t hold back.”

  “Are you sure? Last night you told me to use caution.”

  “I want to know what you think about me.”

  He leaned in closer. “I think . . .” He delved deeper into my eyes. “I think I need to be careful around you. I’ve never known anyone as uninhibited as you.”

  “You don’t like it?”

  “Honestly, it was off-putting at first.”

  “At first? Has something changed?”

  “Me.” He abruptly dropped his eyes and reached for the bag to get his food.

  “Wait. Explain.”

  I saw his chest rise and fall. He wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I got tired of beating myself up for being attracted to you. I thought I was better than being attracted to someone’s looks.”

  “Don’t you mean someone better than me?”

  He dared to look me in the eye. “At first, yes.”

  I wasn’t shocked by the news. Perhaps that he admitted to it. I almost kicked him out for it, but I wanted to know more. “What changed your mind? The kiss?”

  “No. That first kiss only made it worse.”

  I felt the fire in my eyes.

  He shrank back as if he did too.

  “Need I remind you that you kissed me back? And quite thoroughly, I might add.”