This Hick?

Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44

CASSIDY

I ’d barely caught my breath, let alone slept properly, in the last three days. Every time I closed my eyes, it was like Karen was right there. I wasn’t even speaking figuratively.

I didn’t know what had gotten into her, but she was suddenly a nymphomaniac. Every time I turned around, she was trying to get me naked. I wasn’t complaining. We went from her not looking at me to her jumping my bones every couple of hours.

My knees were raw from the incident in the barn yesterday. It was nothing short of a miracle that we hadn’t been caught.

She’d left early this morning for Dallas. The place felt empty without her, like someone had hollowed out the ranch. I missed her.

I started toward the barn. “Ow,” I muttered when I stepped wrong. I couldn’t exactly hide the ache in my legs or the many sore muscles I had with all the extra activity.

I walked into the barn and grabbed the grooming tools. Poor Rouge had been neglected. My hands had been full with the other woman in my life.

“Hey, girl. How are you? You look good, but I’m about to make you look even better.”

I grunted under my breath as I bent over to brush Rouge’s mane. I leaned into my brushstrokes, She gave a little snort like she was tired of me huffing around her.

“I’m trying,” I said. “My back is a little tender.”

“Damn, Cassidy,” Kenny drawled from where he leaned against the stall door. “I’ve never heard you wheeze like this. You sound like my grandpa with a beer belly and a bum leg.”

I shot him a look. “You want to brush her? Be my guest.”

Kenny laughed, raising his brows. “What’s the matter with you?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re walking like your back’s thrown out, like you’ve been riding an unbroke horse.”

I didn’t answer, just turned my back on him and kept working through Rouge’s mane. Kenny wasn’t about to let it go. I wasn’t surprised.

“Oh, I see. I see.” He laughed. “Let me guess, this is not a work-related injury.”

“Who said I was injured?”

He laughed. “Dude, you’re fucked up. You’re acting older than Don. And look at your elbow.”

I twisted my arm around and noticed the bruise. I couldn’t even begin to imagine when that happened.

“I bumped into something,” I said.

“Oh, I bet you did. And I think her name is Karen.”

I shrugged, trying to keep my face neutral, but he saw through it. There was a grin on his face wider than the ranch.

“Oh, so it was about the princess. Damn. What did she do to you? You’re walking like someone put you through a workout machine on high and forgot to stop it.”

“Shut up, man,” I said, brushing a little harder than I needed to.

Rouge flicked her ear back at me. I relaxed, giving her a pat in apology. But there was no way I’d live this down with Kenny. He was like a dog with a bone once he got wind of something juicy.

“Here I thought Karen was one of those sweet ladies,” he said. “The way you look says anything but.”

“Kenny, leave it alone.”

He cackled. “She’s a freak in the sheets!”

“Look, Kenny, you don’t have any idea?—”

“Yeah, I think I do!” he shot back, crossing his arms with a smug smile. “You’re going to keel over if you keep this up. It’s probably a good thing she’s gone for a couple of days. You might die if you keep going at this pace.”

I shook my head as Kenny laughed himself hoarse. I couldn’t say anything because he was going to see right through any protests I made. Karen had turned the last few days into some kind of fever dream. I didn’t exactly want to wake up from it, either. Every muscle ached, every bruise reminded me of her, and yet, the second she left, it was like the rug had been yanked out from under me.

“We have to go out to the south pasture,” he said. “I’ll go get the tools and the Gator. I’ll meet you back here in ten.”

He left me to finish my work with Rouge. I grimaced as I picked up a hoof pick, prepping for phase two of grooming. Rouge whinnied softly, nudging me with her soft muzzle.

“I know, girl, I know,” I murmured back, giving her a fond pat on the side. “I’m not quite as quick as you’re used to. I’m a little stiff.”

With some effort, I managed to finish tending to Rouge. I quickly put away the tools and limped over to the Gator where Kenny was waiting with a gleaming smile.

“Pick up the pace, old man.”

“You’re a real pain in my ass today, you know that?” I shot back, not quite hiding the amused smile.

“We’re going to have to put you out to pasture if you let Karen keep running you ragged.”

“Dude, I’m not going to give you any dirty details about me and Karen.”

He laughed again, driving fast over the bumpy ground, forcing me to engage my core and other muscles that were way too sore. I had a feeling he knew what he was doing. He was hoping I would admit to being in pain.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

He pulled to a stop near a fencepost that had fallen over. I climbed out, grumbling as every joint protested. “Alright, let’s get this done,” I muttered.

Kenny chuckled, grabbing a post from the back of the Gator. “You sure you’re up for this?”

“I’m fine,” I snapped more sharply than I intended. I took the post from him and started working it into the ground, my movements strained.

“So, what’s with you and Karen?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Did you tell her about your mom?”

“No. And you better not either.”

“I won’t, but don’t you think that’s something she might want to know?”

“Why does it matter to her?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because you’re about to be richer than God.”

“And you think that’s a bad thing?” I asked.

“No, but it is important. You can’t keep that kind of thing from someone you’re trying to have a relationship with.”

Kenny had a point, as much as I hated to admit it. The post finally went in with a thud. I held it steady while Kenny pounded dirt in around it.

“I’ll tell Karen when it feels right,” I said, wiping sweat from my brow.

“Just don’t wait too long. Secrets have a way of making bad things worse.”

I nodded, knowing he was right. My relationship with Karen had escalated quickly. We had plenty of sex, but we hadn’t done a lot of talking. I was still convinced there was more going on that she wasn’t telling me about. Keeping the secret about family fortunes wouldn’t make things easier.

We continued working, pulling the wire and quickly attaching it to the post. It was a job I had done a million times. I could do it in my sleep. By the time we finished, every sore muscle screamed for rest.

“Ready to head back?” Kenny asked, packing up the tools.

“Yes.”

He did all he could to hit every bump on the way back to the shop. I was going to kill him as soon as I could move my arms.

We unloaded the tools and headed up to the lodge. I was looking forward to a cold beer and a hot meal. Ginny was at a table, laptop open and several pieces of papers spread out around her.

“Want a beer?” Kenny asked.

“Yes,” I said and sat down in a chair.

“You look rough,” Ginny said.

“He’s been getting his world rocked,” Kenny said with a laugh.

“What does that mean?” Ginny asked.

“Nothing,” I said. “Kenny’s just being an ass.”

Kenny walked back in with two cold beers.

“What is wrong with Cassidy?” Ginny asked.

“Let’s just say, our buddy here’s been real busy with Karen lately.”

Ginny looked from Kenny to me. “You two have been screwing around again?”

I took a long drink from the bottle. Ginny was the type to see straight through a person, right down to the bones.

“They’ve been doing a lot more than that.” Kenny laughed.

“Cassidy, you need to be smart about this,” Ginny said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.

“We all love a good romance as much as the next person, but can I ask you something?”

I wasn’t sure I wanted that. Something about the look on her face told me I wasn’t going to like her question.

“What?” I asked.

“Have you two talked about anything more serious?”

“Serious?” I repeated, glancing at Kenny, who was watching us while enjoying his beer.

“Yes,” she said. “Like something big.”

“Are you talking about me telling her about the inheritance?”

“No.”

“Ginny, I’m too tired to play guessing games. What the hell are you talking about?”

“I told Karen she had until the dance to be honest with you. I know you two have something real going on, but if you don’t talk it out soon, it’s not cool.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked. I didn’t bother trying to hide my irritation.

“Cassidy, I’m telling you this because you deserve to know. There’s something she’s holding back. Something she’s scared to tell you.”

“How do you know?” I asked Ginny.

“I just do.”

“This all sounds really heavy,” Kenny said. “I thought you were only hooking up, man.”

“I don’t know what the hell we’re doing. Sounds like Ginny knows more about my relationship with Karen than I do.”

“I’m not saying that,” Ginny said.

“You’re not saying anything,” I retorted. “What is this thing she’s supposed to tell me?”

“That’s not for me to say,” Ginny said.

“You’ve said plenty,” I said. “Sounds like you’re telling me you don’t think I should be with Karen at all.”

“Cassidy, I’m not saying you aren’t good together. You are. But she’s holding on to something. Something big. She thinks you’re not going to want to stick around once you know.”

It hit me like a punch to the gut. I knew there was more she wasn’t telling me. I had felt it and then she distracted me with all the sex. It hurt like hell to know my instincts were right. Here I was, head over heels for a woman who wasn’t telling me the full story.

“What’s the secret?” Kenny asked.

Ginny shook her head. “It’s not my place to say.”

“But you know?” I asked.

She grimaced. “Please, talk to her. Give her the chance to tell you.”

“I think I’ve given her plenty of time to tell me,” I said.

Kenny was staring at me, his usual smirk replaced by a look of concern. “Damn, man,” he muttered.

I tried to laugh it off, tried to act like it wasn’t eating me alive, but I could feel it gnawing at me.

“I’m going to bed,” I said and got to my feet.

“Cassidy, wait,” Ginny said.

I stopped and looked at her. “Are you going to tell me what it is she’s hiding from me?”

“Cassidy, I can’t. This is not my secret to tell.”

“I’m your friend, Ginny.”

“Yes, you are, but I don’t want to get in the middle of your business. If she doesn’t tell you, then I will. I want the two of you to work. I like her. She’s good for you. I want you guys to have a good relationship. That doesn’t happen if I butt in.”

“Yeah, well that doesn’t mean shit when I’m sitting here in the dark.”

“I’m sorry, Cassidy.”

I put my empty beer on the table and walked out. I was no longer hungry.