A smile breaks through her anger and lights up her whole face. Even her eyes. “Okay, City, I forgive you as long as you eat that toast and get some sleep. I got some cows to feed in this shit weather.”
“You’re going to forgive me if I do things essentially to make myself better?” I’m so confused I can’t help but push a little. Maybe I want to get to know her better. This woman/girl is a conundrum.
Her face scrunches up, and she gives me a look like she thinks I’m slow.
Before she can get her two words in, I say, “Sorry, Sam, will do.” I take a large bite of my toast. I’ve known her all of maybe twelve hours, and she has me wrapped around her crazy little finger because I tell myself she’s clearly crazy. She gives me a wide smile for eating her toast.
“That’s good, Al.” She leaves the room wearing that hefty jacket that makes her look like she’s a lumberjack from behind. After I have completed her orders, I fall asleep. I’m pretty sure I dream of the prettiest woman in the state of Colorado.
Chapter Four
Sam
“Glad you could join me,” Papa chides. It’s freezing out here in the barn. I’m dead tired after saving Al last night, and I’m in no mood for his usual sarcasm this early in the morning.
“Don’t start,” I snap and grab a bale of hay.
The rest of the morning we work quietly side by side. No talking. No interaction. We’ve been working together long enough to know what each of us has to do. By noon I’m exhausted and hungry. I quickly check on Al. His forehead is warm and clammy, which means his fever must be going strong. He’s also sleeping like the dead. I watch his slow breaths as his chest rises up and down, so I know he’s alive. I look down to the pile of his clothes on the floor, figuring I should wash the clothes he was in last night. Before I take them to wash, I sift through his pockets to see what I can learn about him because although I was always taught kindness, I’m not a complete idiot. His driver’s license says Albert Walsh III, so I know he wasn’t lying about his name. His wallet has a lot of platinum credit cards and a wad of cash. I’m not surprised. His gorgeous blue eyes hold a loneliness and sincerity that pulls at something deep inside me. He doesn’t have any pictures in his wallet of any significant others. I didn’t see a wedding band on his finger. He did mention that he was on his way to meet his sister. I wonder if his family is looking for him right now. I’m tempted to pull my cell phone out and do a quick Google search on Al Walsh, but if I don’t get my work done soon, Papa will be on my case. Lord knows why I put up with him but I do.
I’m getting my ingredients ready to fry up some eggs when there’s a loud rasp at the door. One of my best friends, Kelly, has her nose pressed to the glass window. Her nose looks bright red kind of like Rudolph. Snow blows in circles all around her. I rush to open the door. “Kell, what on earth are you doing out of your house in this weather?” I chide. Kelly married her high school sweetheart, Gage, straight out of high school and works at the local supermarket. They have an eighteen month old son, Theo. Kelly is my age. It seems everyone in this town marries young and has kids young. I’m the exception.
“I heard you found a strange man out on the highway last night and brought him home,” she says holding a pan of something in her hands. She places it on the kitchen table and rubs her hands together. “Heard he drives a nice car too.” She looks to me expectantly. It takes a lot of self-control not to roll my eyes at her and half the girls in this town, even though I love them all. Everyone is always looking for a way out of Holston; the population is minute, which means the economy sucks. If you’re not exporting out of state, you’re not surviving so well. Our ranch has always fared well, but with the lack of rain these last number of years, we’re struggling too. It’s hard enough to feed ourselves let alone a bunch of cows.
“He was passed out in his car, Kell.” I huff. “I couldn’t very well leave him out there to die.”
“Is he hot?” She looks at me wide eyed and a little too excited. My head moves from side to side as I ask myself if Al is hot. Hot would be an understatement. His body is rock solid and gorgeous, and he has the face of a model. Not a skinny fashion model either, but that rugged kind of model that cologne commercials like to use. Al was all man that was for sure.
“Fucking gorgeous.” My cheeks turn hot at the thought of him.
Kell claps her hands together, all excited. “I brought warm apple pie. I hope he likes apple pie,” she says as if apple pie is the solution to me having a hotter than hell man passed out in my bed.
“Let me remind you that you are a married woman.” I smirk, just playing with her. She and Gage are tight. She’s been trying to play matchmaker for me since at twenty-three I’m the equivalent to old maid around here. I return to beating my eggs in the bowl before plopping them into a fry pan.
“You don’t need to remind me. You know I got you in mind. What does he look like?” she waits expectantly.
“Keep it down,” I hush her.
“He looks like a movie star, thick muscles, gorgeous face, eyes that burn your skin when he looks at you,” I say, frying my eggs. When I turn to Kell, she looks flushed.
“Holy shit.” She waves a hand in front of her face.
“You hungry?” I ask her.
“Hungry?” she repeats in a daze.
“Kell?” I call to snap her out of her daze.
“Huh? Tell me more,” she insists, not answering my question.
“I think he has a massive cock,” I add, and she melts into the chair at the kitchen table.
“Why can’t that shit happen to me?” she says, waving a hand in her face like she’s fanning herself.
“Kell,” I chide.
“How do you know he has a large cock?”
I walk toward her and whisper that I caught a glance at his morning erection when I was standing in the corner of the room.
“And you weren’t scared of him?” she asks.
I nod my head. “Trust me, if you see him, your first reaction won’t be fear.”
Her eyebrows raise and lower as she gives me a knowing look. I return to frying eggs. “You hungry?” I repeat my earlier question, which received no response.
“I’m always hungry lately,” she sighs.
My eyes turn wide at that comment. “You’re pregnant?” I gasp.
I can see the excitement dancing in the depths of her brown eyes before she answers. “Due this summer.”
“Aww. Isn’t that sweet,” I answer, hoping it doesn’t sound too sarcastic. I’m truly happy for her, but I don’t understand the people in this town either. We are all fighting to put food on the table, and they just continued to procreate.
“Don’t sound too excited for me.” She scoffs, albeit playfully.
“I’m happy for you, sweets.” I wink and begin cracking more eggs.
“I’m happy for you too, sweets,” she answers with the same mocking tone. “You got a hot man staying here. Maybe he’ll be the one,” she says it with such hope I actually feel bad. I know she wants good things for me. I’ve grown up with the people in this town; we are more like close family than friends. I just don’t want the same things they do.
“No man is the one for me. I’m happy on my own. I’m not settling down. I’m gonna have fun until I die.” I finish toasting some Texas toast and then join Kelly at the kitchen table. It’s an old worn in table. Everything here is old and worn. Sometimes I feel like I could relate to the old things here because at twenty-three I feel washed out too.
“You gotta be sick of hooking up with Blake and Austin. Besides, you are driving those men crazy. Although I feel less sorry for Blake.” She gives me a look that says he’s an asshole—and she would know because he’s her brother-in-law. She stuffs her mouth with fried eggs like she hasn’t eaten in two weeks. Kelly was always very hungry when she was pregnant with Theo. She’s adorable now too in her pregnant state. Kell’s kind of filled in for Mack since she went away to law school then moved to New York City with
her partner.
“They keep me satisfied. I don’t get bored of sleeping with the same guy with this arrangement. They understand me and I understand them. What’s wrong with that?” I place my eggs on my toast and bite into it.
“Nothing.” She shrugs. “I could never imagine my life without Gage. I love him. He and Theo are my life. I just want you to love, just once,” she says sadly. Almost every woman in this small town has been here at one point or another, explaining to me what it means to love. Give this guy a try, honey. Date this one, Sam. Fall in love, darlin’. Follow your heart. It won’t lead you astray. The list goes on and on. I’m pretty sure I’m not capable of love. Maybe my heart broke when Mama died and it can never be put back together again. For sure, not by a man. I like men. I find them attractive. Heck, I enjoy a good orgasm if the guy knows what he’s doing with his dick; Blake and Austin know exactly how to get me off. I don’t need more than that.
“I love you for caring, Kell, I do…” I place my hand on her arm “…but I’m good.”
That’s a lie. I hate working with my papa. I love him because he’s my papa, but that’s it. We don’t have a sweet, loving relationship. He never hides the fact that he had hoped for boys. Instead, he has two girls. Calls us Mack, short for Mackenzie, and Sam, short for Samantha. It doesn’t fly past anyone that we have boy names. Mack went off to college, so Papa needed me to work the ranch. When the ranching economy went downhill a few years back because of the lack of rain, I gave up a scholarship to college and stayed in Holston. It’s the one promise to my mama that I broke.
“I know, darling.” She gives me a sad smile.
I reach my fork out to dig into her warm apple pie because I can smell the cinnamon wafting in the air and it makes my mouth water. Kell smacks my hand. “Don’t you dare put a fork into that pie,” she says, looking mean. I laugh. She wants me to cut a nice slice and not butcher her pie.
“Okay.” I get up and get a knife to cut a slice for the two of us.
“No way, Sam. We are waiting for the gentleman to wake up. I made that pie for him.” She winks.
Really? No words.
Chapter Five
Al
I don’t mean to eavesdrop, but the ache in my throat wakes me and it screams for liquid. Sam’s sweet voice and her conversation with another woman drift toward the bedroom. I can’t help but listen because I’m more than curious about her. My sense of relief over the fact that she thinks I’m hot is worrisome; I went away to clear my head, not fuck off some more. I can’t think about burying my face between her thighs, which is my exact thought when she mentions my large cock. Still, I’m amused that word traveled so fast about me staying here. It’s been what? Twelve hours at most. Even with treacherous weather, there seems to be no stopping town gossip. I’m not sure I like the idea of everyone knowing my business. I think it would get annoying fast.
Once they begin discussing relationships, my stomach sours listening to Sam’s words. It sounds an awful lot like a conversation I’d have with my best friend Colton back in Chicago. Colt would try to convince me to give up my philandering ways, and I’d tell him there was no way.
For some reason I hate hearing that Sam enjoys hooking up over a relationship. I don’t know why it irritates me, because hell, my DNA is made of the same cocktail of “incapable of settling down.” It just seems sad that a young girl like her, who is good and kind, wouldn’t want to share her goodness with a man and child. Not me, of course, because I have nothing to offer. Well, except getting her off. She said that those guys knew how. I want to show her how much better I would be … I give myself an inner punch to the face. She’s been nothing but kind to me. She saved my life. I can’t fuck her and leave even if that’s all she wants from me. I owe her more than that.
I get out of bed and make my way to the kitchen. I’m pretty sure the room is spinning and I’m guessing I have a flu virus. My thirst pushes me forward. That and the need for some ibuprofen. The pill Sam gave me earlier isn’t cutting it. As I walk up to the kitchen, I watch the two ladies I overheard eating lunch. Sam’s friend, I think her name is Kell, pauses mid-bite and her eyes almost bulge out of their sockets as she knocks her elbow to Sam’s arm, tilting her chin forward in my direction.
“There is a very good-looking man standing in the middle of your family room,” she says to Sam but stares right at me. It’s kind of awkward, but the woman doesn’t care. She chews a mouthful of food while she speaks. It isn’t gross, though. She’s cute and friendly. Sam turns her head and her eyes go round at the sight of me.
“Are you okay? Do you need something?” She shoots to a standing position and brushes her palms over her thighs.
“Sorry to interrupt. I’m parched.” I hold my throat. Sam is fixated on me for a few beats as she looks at me with a confused look. “I’m thirsty,” I explain, but it sounds more like a croak. I look between the two women. Kell is just sitting in her chair staring at me as if I’m some kind of wonder.
“Sure, I could make you more tea,” Sam finally offers, walking toward the kettle.
“A tall glass of cold water would be perfect.”
She opens the fridge and takes out the Brita container. I haven’t seen one of those since I was a small boy. She pours me a glass and passes it to me. “Thank you.” I take it from her hand. She stands beside me and watches me drink like I may evaporate into thin air. I’m still very interested in the thought that she finds me hot. “Can I get another?” I’m pretty sure I’m overheated from the fever. I’m also in need of a doctor.
“Do you need more meds?”
“Yes, I think I better get myself to a doctor,” I rasp. I look to the chair and table because standing requires too much effort. My legs slowly carry me there. I fall back in the chair.
“Is there Uber around here?” I ask, figuring I can get a ride and get checked out, get my meds, and be on my way. Both ladies continue to stare at me while eating their lunch. Then they look at each other. Both of their eyebrows dip in the center as they place their attention back on me. I feel like an art exhibit at a museum.
“A what?” they ask in unison.
“Uber. You know, it’s kind of like a cab but it’s an app and it basically consists of people using their own cars to get other people to places,” I begin to explain, but it’s useless. Clearly, they don’t have the service in Holston.
“Like a taxi?” Kell chimes as if a light has just gone off in her head.
“Yes, exactly. Like a taxi.” I smile, even if it’s weak and tired.
“None of those around here. Weather is still pretty bad, but if you are feeling like you need a doc, I can ask Stu to try to come by. Maybe I can offer to pick him up,” Sam says then pops a slice of cucumber in her mouth.
“Stu?” I require clarification.
“He’s the only family physician for about thirty miles. We have a small hospital, but it’s a ways out. The drive will be tough,” she explains.
“I can take your car and go to Stu. I don’t want to put you out.” I realize I just assumed I’d take her car. That isn’t a good thing. She will think I’m taking advantage of her, and why would she give a complete stranger her car? I also remind myself that I’m staying in her home and I don’t know her.
Both of Sam’s brows lift, and she lets out a giggle. “No offence, City, but I’m more capable of driving these roads than you are.” I don’t think I like the fact that she’s calling me City like her father. And she’s mocking my driving too. I remind myself that this woman/girl saved my life. I don’t call her out on her sass. Even if I’d like to kiss it right out of her.
I tilt my head from side to side. “You’re probably right. May I use your shower? Maybe after that you could give me a ride?”
“Sure, thing darling.” Sam nods and a pang of lust or maybe yearning spreads through my chest when she calls me darling, even though I realize she probably calls everyone darling.
“Wait, would you like some apple pie?” her friend
asks and shifts the apple pie toward me. It smells heavenly. “Sorry, what was your name?”
“My apology. I’m Al Walsh. I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to give you whatever it is I have.”
She waves me off. “No problem, darling. You should have some apple pie. It’s still warm and it’ll make you feel good.”
Sam stands to grab me a plate from the cabinet.
“I can’t refuse fresh apple pie.” I smile to her friend. These people really are too kind.
Sam passes Kell a knife, and she cuts me a very generous slice.
“Here ya go. Hope you like it.” She smiles and watches me, clearly waiting for me to try it. My taste buds feel messed-up from my sickness, but the taste of the fresh apples mixed with cinnamon and something else tastes heavenly, and truth is my stomach is pretty empty. The toast Sam gave me this morning wasn’t much for a guy my size. Even in my sickly state.
I groan as I chew the first bite. “This is very good.” I point the fork at the pie as I chew. Then I dig in for more. Kell’s smile stretches from ear to ear.
“That’s good, Al. I bake stuff all the time for Sam. If you hang around, you’ll get to try my other cakes too.”
Sam laughs as her friend giggles and gives Sam a shrug. The look in her eyes holds many words I don’t understand. Sam does, though, and she sighs.
When I finish with my plate, I stand up. “Thank you very much. That hit the spot.”
Kell’s eyes roam over my body, unabashedly. “I’m glad it did.”
I head over to the sink to wash my plate because I don’t see a dishwasher.
“That’s fine, Al, I will get it. You need your rest.” Sam shoos me away.
“If it’s alright, I wouldn’t mind that shower.”
“Yes, of course. Go ahead. It’s just down the hall past my room.” I notice she doesn’t look me in the eye.
I walk back toward her room. From a distance I hear Kell mutter, “They sure don’t make them like that around here.”
Mr. So Wrong Page 4
