Chapter 9
~ Anelise ~
Iwasn’t sure how I got roped into this outing. Or better yet, how I conned Troy into it. One minute, he was dropping me off and doing his best to ignore a glare from my brother.
Which, given what he was going on, was rather funny.
Anyway, he was dropping me off, talking about having a good day, and then next thing I knew, MaryBeth came flying around the corner, launching herself in my arms, and talked about how her Uncle Markus was going to the apple orchard and that we should all go.
When I looked at him, he only shrugged.
I couldn’t say no, and neither could Troy.
Then, as we were getting ready to leave, Markus had to go fuss with the horses.
Oddly enough, MaryBeth was quite alright if her uncle didn’t go and it was just Troy and I with her.
That’s how we’re all crammed into my little SUV, heading to the orchard, with one very excited four-year-old in the back seat.
“You really didn’t have to go,” I told Troy as I pulled into an empty parking space.
“Uh, did you see her face? Did you want me to tell her no?”
No, I didn’t. But I also didn’t want MaryBeth to get too attached to this one in case he got it in his head that this life wasn’t for him. She was adorable and taking her in small doses was great. But being a full-time dad was not something I saw in Troy.
I didn’t need him to break her heart if he decided to leave again one day. It would break mine and that was more than enough.
“I don’t want her hurt, is all.”
There, he could take that in any context he wanted. Sure, it had a far deeper meaning than I’m assuming he gathered.
“Mommy, lets go. I ‘cited!”
“I know, baby.” I gave Troy a smile and climbed out of the car, helping her out as well.
“It smells mazing!”
“It sure does, munchkin,” Troy said, taking her hand as well. “Shall we go see what that awesome smell is? Maybe mommy will get it for us.”
Over her head I sent him a glare, causing him to smirk.
“Yes,” she cried, trying to take off on a run. But she only ended up pulling Troy along behind her at a slower pace than what she wanted.
For some reason, that sight stole my heart and my breath. She was my everything, even if she was an accident. MaryBeth was my world, and a lot of guys didn’t understand just how much of a packaged deal we were.
They wanted me, sure, but not her. And I wouldn’t dare turn my back on her. She already lost a no-good dad; I wouldn’t let someone else trample on her heart.
Which is why it was so important that Troy really understood that. I get it, we can have fun, but outings like this just couldn’t happen if he wasn’t serious, not with her tiny, fragile heart on the line.
I was older, I could ignore the pain, she didn’t know how to do that.
“Come on, slow poke,” he called out over his shoulder, and I just rolled my eyes, but still couldn’t stop the slight grin.
I went after them, taking her other hand, much to her delight and took her around the stalls, looking at all the sweet treats.
“Okay, Cook said if you brought her home some delicious apples, MaryBeth, she’ll make that apple pie you love.”
“Oh, Cook’s apple pie is the best, munchkin. I remember having that when I was in high school. With some ice cream, it was just lip smacking good.”
“And my mom hated every time you did that,” I told him, smacking his arm. “Ready to go get some apples?” I asked her, laughing as she jumped around. She ran to get the cart, which was almost taller than her and pushed it towards the apple grove.
“After you,” Troy said, smacking my ass as I passed him. I gave him another glare, not that it seemed to phase him at all. I think he liked the thought of getting me riled up.
Maybe, in some sick and twisted way, it was great foreplay.
And if last night was any indication, he could rock my world in ways I’m sure I never even thought of.
“Mommy, ‘dis good?”
I stopped right next to her, eyeing the apples, then nodded.
“They sure look good to me. Let’s have Troy grab a couple since he’s taller than us.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said, tipping his hat. I knew that was such a southern thing to do, had plenty of cowboys do that to me, but something about him just twisted me up when he did that.
It wasn’t fair.
Shit, he wasn’t fair.
How could something so simple as grabbing an apple off a tree look erotic and sensual and make my freaking core clench?
I didn’t get it, couldn’t understand.
But I also knew I was just a lady on a long list who found Troy to be too damn sexy for his own good.
“Troy Austin, is that you?”
We both turned as an older man walked up behind us, his hand wrapped another little girl’s hand.
“Yes sir, Mr. Fieldman. Thought you’d retire and move away from here?”
“Not by a long shot. My family is here. Though I did retire a few years after you left for the rodeo. Didn’t think I’d find you back in town.”
“Home finally called me back,” Troy said, lifting a shoulder like it wasn’t a big thing.
“Dad, I lost you with Charlene….Troy?”
My jaw fell open at Buck, another man from Troy and Markus’s friend group. Well, they were in high school. Buck was a jerk after graduation and Markus walked away from that. I hadn’t seen or heard much from him over the years, thank goodness.
I didn’t like him then, and I was sure I wouldn’t like him now.
I never told these two, but Buck would pick me on relentlessly, and not in the teasing kid sister way. He was more of a bully, which was why I claimed he was a jerk.
“Yeah, it’s me, Buck. Thought you moved out of state.”
“I did. But my sisters called me back, so I moved back about a year ago. Been helping out around the house and stuff. What about you? I thought the circuit was doing well for you?”
“Oh, it was. But it’s a hard life. So, after my last fall, said I would retire and come back home.”
“I saw that man, it looked painful. But surely you have more than enough funds to not have to come back to Pecos. I mean, it’s the same old buzz. Nothing new around here.”
“I always loved our town, man. And trust me, after being on the road, being home is nice.”
“Yeah, but the ladies are finer on the road and the pu…the ladies keep you happy.”
I ducked my head, my back teeth clenching. I could read between the lines on what the asshole was saying.
Hello, I knew Troy was out of my league, he always had been. But Buck didn’t need to stress it. Not now and not in front of my daughter.
“That lifestyle gets old.”
“So, you got hitched? Didn’t think you’d want to be tied down yet, especially with your own kid.”
Once more, I gritted my teeth at the belittling down of Buck and just about decked him, but Troy put his hand on my arm.
“This is Anelise, how about you be a little kinder.”
“Oh shit, Markus’s sister. I heard you got pregnant. Thought you would have left with the way this place is. So, ensnarling Troy huh?”
“You know Buck, I didn’t like you when you hung out with my brother back in high school, and I don’t like you now. How a teacher like Mr. Fieldman had a jerk of a son is beyond me. And no, I’m not capturing Troy, thank you very much.
“Some men do grow up, unlike you. Who, oddly enough I believe, will always remain a child. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my daughter would like to finish with her apple shopping.”
“Oh, she’s a hellcat Troy, better watch those claws.”
I lifted a brow at Troy who just smirked at me, his hand seeking mine.
“Don’t worry, Buck, I like her claws.”