by Vicki Green
“Nash? You out there?” Oh, for the love of....
She smiles against my lips. I release my grip but kiss her swollen wet lips twice before steppin’ back. “Night, Beauty. You be careful gettin’ home. Ya hear?” She gives me a nod, and I watch as she drives down my driveway. I keep an eye on her car until she turns onto the road, followin’ it until I can’t see it anymore.
“So. You and Tina, huh?”
Grant stands next to me, probably got tired of yellin’ at me. Without lookin’ over at him, I place my hand on his upper back and give him a little push as I turn around to walk to the house. “Whelp. I’m tryin’, man. I’m tryin’.” It’s gonna be another long night of frustration and a cold shower.
Chapter Eight
Tina
Oh. My. God!
There’s nothing like walking into a den of wolves but being kissed by him at the end of the night made it all worth it! Wait! Crap! I kissed him first! I’ve never felt so bold. Never wanted anything as much as I did in that moment. I didn’t want to stop. Didn’t want it to end. The feel of his strong arms around me, the warmth of his lips. Gah! How in the world does a hot a sexy cowboy like him want me? I wonder if he’s crazy. Maybe he has a screw loose and he’s just really good at hiding it. Then again, look at all the wonderful things he’s done for Sadie and our friends. Since he first moved here, he’s done nothin’ but help them, in any way he could. He seems nice – caring. Nah, he couldn’t be crazy. Okay, then why is he still single? That southern drawl. Those large boulders for shoulders and all those muscles! And when he calls me “Beauty”. Be still my heart. Okay, I might snort internally because well – look at me. I’m nothing special. So, what’s wrong with him? Any girl would love to be with him. That massive chest. Rock hard. I love running my hands over the ridges and plains of his chest and abs. God! I’m so horny!
By the time I get home, my head hurts from thinking so much. I find myself humming as I get ready for bed and then feel alone as I climb onto the mattress. Hormones can make a girl feel crazy but these back and forth emotions with guys can down right be mentally exhausting. My phone lights up from the nightstand and I smile as I reach over and pick it up.
Nash: Night, Beauty. Thank you for the pleasure of your company tonight. I hope to see you again soon. I can’t stop thinkin’ about ya.
One text. One single text can change everything. Bringing my phone to my chest, I let out a big sigh and smile. Yes, emotionally exhausting but so worth it. He’s such a gentleman. Now my mind wanders to my work schedule, wondering when I can get another day or night, hell, even a few hours off so I can be with him again. I close my eyes, still clutching my phone against my chest.
“That’s not enough flour and just a little too much sugar.”
Morning came too fast and for the last hour, I’ve been trying to teach Misty what I do to prepare and cook in the morning. She’s actually a pretty quick learner. “It would really help if you could write down the measurements you use.” She smiles at me sweetly. She’s right. I’ve always just known in my mind what I use, never really measuring it out. Some say that’s the sign of a great cook. I say, it’s really hard to teach someone without being able to tell them exactly what to do. “So.... how’d it go with Nash last night?” She doesn’t look up from the dough but there’s a smile that’s all telling.
“Oh. You know. It was good.” I try playing it off, not like my heart was choking me from nervousness the entire time I was there. How the whole time I was trying not to throw up or fumble my words or worse yet, trip over my own feet or maiming someone.
She stops kneading the dough and looks at me. “C’mon! You finally got some time with your cowboy and that’s all you have to say?”
I walk over to the first oven, donned with my pot holders, and remove the donuts inside. Placing the sheet on the cooling rack, I pick up the finished sheet and place it in the oven. “What? It was good.” I shrug, removing the large over cumbering mitts and set them on the table. She begins kneading the dough again.
“I know we aren’t the best of friends yet but I was hoping for a little more excitement.” She sprinkles more flour on the rolling pin and continues. “I know you’re shy.” She does? Am I that transparent? “Well, I mean, with guys.” Okay, she has me there. I’m not sure “shy” is the correct word though. Stupid. Klutz. Idiot. Those seem more like it. She stops, flour covering her hands and forearms. “Really, Tina. You’re a beautiful woman – inside and out. Any man would be lucky to have you as a girlfriend.” Well, that just brought a damn tear to my eye.
“Thanks, Misty. You’re so sweet to say that.” My phone picks that moment to start ringing. I walk over to the desk and close my eyes at the name on the screen as I hold it up to my ear. “Hi, Mom!” I try to feign excitement when inside my stomach knots up like a pretzel.
“Tina, it’s your mother.” Duh, I know that. “Your father and I are coming for a visit.” My eyes widen and bile rises to the base of my throat. “We want to see this country town and where you’re living.” No! “Of course, it’s your birthday next week so we thought that would be a good time to pay you a visit.”
“Oh. Oh, Mom. You don’t need to do that.” I wave my hand around as if she’s standing in front of me. “I mean. I don’t really have enough room for you all to stay with me. Besides. You wouldn’t like it here. All cowboys and horses and stuff.” My heart is beating against my chest. I don’t feel well.
“Nonsense! We’ll stay at a hotel. The town does have a hotel there, don’t they?”
“Well, yeah, but....”
“Good. I’m really not looking forward to the plane ride, your father’s insisting we take a commercial plane instead of our private jet. Said he wants to experience it all, even though we’ll be in first class but still.” She sounds so put out. Lovely. “By the way. Has Matthew Pearson called you?” Wait! What? “He’s such a fine young gentleman.”
“Uh, Mom.”
“We were at the Pearson’s the other night for a party. He was so sweet. He asked about you again.”
“Earth to Mom!” I say a little louder.
“Really, Tina. There’s no need to shout.” She sounds exasperated. Her normal.
“You did not give my phone number to Matthew. Please tell me you didn’t.” It would be so like her.
“Of course I did! Seriously, I don’t know why you don’t give him a chance.” Is she freakin’ kidding me? “I just saw him at the country club with his family. Father says he plays a great game of golf.” Boo-rr-ing. “He’s in college, studying to be a lawyer, following his father in his field.” Double boring. “You should come home.” What? “You have no business being so far away on your own.” Says one of the parents who used to leave me alone for a week at a time. The woman who forgot my birthday, more than once. “Seriously, Tina. Do you know how bad this looks for our family?” Now we’re getting down to it. “People have been talking. A young girl moving out to the wild country, alone. It’s unheard of. A scandal.”
“Oh, Mom. Quit overreacting.” I’m glad she can’t see me rolling my eyes. I’ve been told, more than a million times, that’s not becoming of a lady.
She sighs into the phone. “Tina. Really. What is it going to take for you to come home?” A real family? Love? Acting as if I really exist? Stop treating me like a two year old or debutante and just a girl?
“Sorry to interrupt.” I look over at Misty. “There’s someone here to see you.” Oh? “Why didn’t you tell me you had so many good lookin’ friends?”
“Uh. I gotta go, Mom. Talk to you soon.”
“I’ll just see you next week, dear.”
I open my mouth. “No....”
Click.
Dammit! I stomp the floor.
“Seriously, girl. Where do you find these guys?” I drop my phone onto the desk and loo
k at Misty. “He’s not even a cowboy!” Who in the hell is out there. Oh, my God! Surely it’s not.... Letting out a huge sigh, I walk toward the doorway and out into the shop. “Grant!” He’s leaning on the counter, his back to me. Suddenly, he turns and runs over, lifting me into his arms.
“Tina!”
Letting me down, his hands still grasping my arms and mine his, the excitement in his eyes warms me. “Do you need a drink? Something to eat?”
“Oh! No. I have my coffee and pastry over here.” He walks over to the counter, picking up his things and I follow him over to a table in the corner. We sit down and he leans over the table and picks up my hand. “It was so good to see you last night.” I nod smiling. “So.... you and Nash, huh?” My brows lower. “Oh! Sorry! I thought....”
I squeeze his hand, laughing. “Well. We’re trying.” His mouth lifts into a smile. “We just never seem to get time together. Alone. Something always comes up.”
“Yeah. That could be frustrating,” he responds but loses his smile quickly.
“But what about you? I heard you were dating someone?”
He coughs then squirms in his chair. “That was very short lived.” His entire face saddens. “Caught him cheating on me.”
I reach over and pat his hand. “I’m sorry, Grant. Anyone who would do that to you must be stupid as a rock.” A laugh bursts from him. “You’re such a great guy. Good looking. Awesome personality and so caring. Why anyone would be lucky to be with you.”
He pats my hand back. “Aww! You’re too kind.”
I rub my hand over his, soothingly. “So you came here to get away for a bit? Wanting to take a break after getting your heart broken? Best thing you can do is be with your friends, those that love you and will be there for you.”
Patting my hand back, he laughs. Ohhh-kay. How can he laugh at a time like this? Poor thing must be hysterical with grief. “Hell, no!” My brows raise. “I mean. Yes, I’m here to see all my friends but I’m also going to be looking for a house to buy. This morning, I’ve been talking to Larry – uh, Dr. Franklin, and Kathy, Dr. Stevenson, about sharing office space in the big house they have for their private practices. Do you know them?” Oh, my gosh! This is amazing news! I nod enthusiastically. I don’t know why people would think I don’t know them. I’ve lived here long enough and besides, I run into them when I help out at Prie’s boarding house. “It’s the perfect set up!” His high energy is catching as I bounce in my chair. He leans towards me like he has a big secret. “I haven’t told Prie yet but I’m going to offer my services to those that need it at her boarding house too!” We both lean back in our chairs and I bounce more.
“That’s amazing, Grant! She’ll love that!”
“Shhhh!” He laughs. “Anyway. After I leave here, there’s a cute little house that’s for sale a couple blocks from where my office will be.”
“Oh! Is it that one with the wrap around front porch and white picket fence all around the front and back yard?” I’ve looked at that house, more than once.
“Yes! It’s totally perfect for me!”
“I’m so happy for you, Grant. When are you planning on moving?” He shrugs but then his entire face changes from elated and happy to confusion.
“Well....” He looks around my shop like someone will overhear the biggest secret of all time. He looks at me and lowers his voice. “As soon as I close on the house, which I’m sure will be fast, I’m going back home to finish packing.” My brows raise high. “Yeah, I’d been planning on moving here for a while. I mean, all my friends are here. Anyway, I was going to see if Prie wanted to come with me and help me out. Maybe she would have a little time to see her family’s graves and see some of her friends again. It could be the last time she does that for a long time. You know, with me moving here, there really isn’t a big reason for her to go back there.” Does he know she’s pregnant? I open my mouth but shut it quickly. That’s for her to tell. Besides, I still don’t know if she’s told Trevor yet. Surely she has. “If she doesn’t have time or want to, that’s fine. I just thought I’d ask her.”
I start drumming my fingers on the table. “Yeah. She’s pretty busy with their farm and the boarding house and all.”
“I know. But I’m hopeful she’ll be able to go.” I nod along. I see a visit to Prie’s house in my very near future. Like in a few hours since I’m scheduled to go cook at her boarding house. I think we are gonna have to have a little talk.
We talked for a while longer until the shop became really busy. By late afternoon, I leave Misty and Pam to manage the shop, knowing I’m leaving it in capable hands, and take off for Prie’s boarding house. I love helping out there. Our town might be small, but it seems so many women, some with children and some alone, come from all over needing help. It’s really cool and gives me such a warm feeling being a part of it. Okay, so I only cook enough to feed them for several days, nothing as important as what the doctors do when they come there, but sometimes, a few of the kids come into the kitchen and we make cookies together. I end up having more fun than actually working.
I pull into the parking lot, which is really a big area filled with dirt and gravel. Walking up the porch steps, I remember when the guys built the house. Grant’s friend designed it, then Trevor, Memphis, Colby, and Nash set out to build it as quickly as they could. The times I came over bringing beers and snacks, Nash would have his shirt off. His skin glistening in the sun and beaded with sweat.
“Oomph!” Did I just walk into a wall?
“I’m sorry, Tina. Are you okay?” My hands are pressed against Nash’s broad and very firm chest. His strong arms wrapped around me, his hands holding firmly on my back as I look up into his eyes. “You looked like you were in another world.” He smiles.
“What are you....? What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“Prie asked if I could come fix a couple of things. Then we got to talkin’.” His eyes search mine, and I find I don’t want to let go of him.
“Miss Tina? Can I help you cook today?”
Breaking me from my stupor, I look over Nash’s large shoulder and see one of the little girls who has helped me in the kitchen before. I smile. “Yes, Mary. Go on ahead, and I’ll be there in a minute.” She jumps up and down, smiling, then turns and runs away. I look back up at Nash. “I guess I need to go.” I thought he’d just release me and tell me goodbye, but it seems as though he doesn’t want to let go of me either. I start to move when his mouth covers mine, his hand moves up my back, cupping the back of my head, pulling me against his lips harder. I’m finding I love when he does that. Everything around us evaporates. I become unaware of where I am and what I was going to do. I don’t even care. He moves his head the other way. His tongue slides into my mouth. Coffee and him. What a great combination.
Giggles ensue inside the house, bringing us back to reality. We both smile at each other, and he gives me a playful wink. “Always somethin’, huh?” I let out a big sigh then draw in some much needed air. Even though spring is much closer, the breeze is still brisk. I shiver. A look of concern washes over his handsome face. “Oh. Where are my manners? You must be freezin’.” He kisses me again, his lips cooler than I remember. “Go inside and get warm.” He finally releases me, reluctantly. I turn, watching him walk down the steps and across to the other side of the parking lot, noticing his truck there. Huh, didn’t even see that when I’d pulled in. Of course, in the world my mind was in at the time, I was only thinking of one thing. Him.
Chapter Nine
Nash
Man, I didn’t want to leave. Didn’t want to let go of her, pull my mouth away from hers. Fuck, I want her so badly. What is it about this woman that makes me lose all control? It amazes me still that she’s single, yet I’m thankful she is. I have no idea how experienced she is, or if she’s had boyfriends, but damn she can kiss. I get in my truck, put it i
n reverse when there’s a tap on my window. Trevor’s standin’ there smilin’. I put it back in park and roll the window down. “Hey, Trev! What’s got you all smilin’?” Thank fuck. Prie must have told him. His smile fades. A look of worry and concern replaces it. “Look, man. Everythin’s gonna be okay. We’ll do whatever we need to do to help.” After everythin’ they’ve been through to have to go through this, it makes me upset for them. Can’t they catch a break?
He folds his arms over his chest. “I know ya’ll will. I just don’t want her to go. Who knows how long it’ll take. It’s not fair to ask ya’ll when ya’ll already do so much.” What? He’s makin’ no sense. Go where? “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad Grant’s movin’ here but to ask Prie to go home with him and help him gets things packed and moved is too much.” He is? He did? Does Grant not know Prie’s pregnant and is high risk? What in the hell is he thinkin’? And how can Trevor let her go knowin’ that? “The only thing that’s good about it is she’ll get to visit her family’s graves.”
I open my mouth to speak, to voice just how confused I am about all this when Prie comes runnin’ over to the truck. “Trevor!” She runs up and as he leans down, she kisses him quickly. She turns to me. “Oh! Hi, Nash!” She turns back to him, smilin’. “Gladys just drove in for her riding lesson.” He smiles at her, looks at me and nods, then kisses her again. Turnin’ my head out the window, I watch him walk away. That was the craziest conversation, and I’m totally confused.
“Nash.” I look back and see Prie step up to my truck, placin’ her hands on the door.
