4. Speed
Speed
Willa
O ur Uber driver, Jake, is the coolest we ever had. None of us small town ladies have been in such a neat car, so he was more than happy to oblige us by stepping on the gas pedal at the red light, surging the car to sixty mph in under six seconds then floored to one hundred mph. It seems so effortless for this car to do, unlike my Chevy pickup truck that begins to shake at seventy. He even opens the huge moon roof for us to gawk at and shows us a few other nifty Tesla kinks for the car. The best part is, he even gets out when he reaches my place to take a picture of us in front of the car and then takes a selfie with all of us. Really a cool way to end the night. We were having too much, that I didn’t even have time to process my time with Nash.
We walk in my cabin, and as I go to check the time on my phone, I see I already have a text from Nash. Who is this tall, dark featured, lean but fit, whiskey-eyed, presiding of a gorgeous man? I swear it's as if he fell out of the sky because I have never seen him around, but felt frighteningly connected to him. It makes sense I guess that I have not seen him before because he clearly reeks of prestige and money. Far cry from this side of the barn. Looking back down at my phone, I smile.
Nash: Please let me know you got home safely.
Me: Just walked in my door. We had a wild ride in the Tesla going 100mph down the back road to my house.
Nash: That does not seem safe. Should you report him?
Me: Oh my Hades, NO! We asked him too. He was kinda outnumbered.
Nash: Wow, okay. You like speed…taking notes.
Me: Curious to know what other notes you have on me.
Nash: Too many pages to go through this late.
Me: HAHAHA… oh my. Did you and the guys all make it home okay? And I also have your jacket.
Nash: Yes, thank you for asking. Everyone is at their places, except Blake is staying with me tonight since we have a work engagement tomorrow over in Victoria.
Nash: Just keep it. I have several.
Me: Like a souvenir? Thanks. Sunday work. That is no fun.
Nash: Nothing new here for me. Any plans?
Me: Other than recovering from the hangover I am going to have, not too much. Just helping my parents around the ranch and maybe some riding.
Nash: Good luck with that. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Me: Thanks, they will be put to good use, smartass.
Nash: Just trying to be a gentleman. ……. Are you free to FaceTime?
Me: I am. Let me sneak out of my house, the girls are starting to pour shots again.
Ring…Ring…
“Hey…Can you see me good enough? I am out under the porch light on the swing.”
“Yes, I can see your alluring self.”
“Don’t make me blush, Sir. It has already been a long night and an embarrassing one.”
“Willa, please do not ‘Sir’ me, unless you want me to give you a reason.”
This man is going to be the death of me if he keeps saying off kilter words like that with his sinister smolder. It is like he stepped out of one of my romance novels I keep hidden behind all my non smut books on my shelves. Living in a cabin on your family's dude ranch means not much privacy. I have caught my mama plenty of times in my house, whether she is leaving me a meal, some mail or what not, and I know she has circled the rooms around snooping. I think it becomes part of a parent's DNA once they have children.
I take in Nash's background on the screen. He is sitting on a couch, but I can see the walls behind him are shiplapped, and there is a huge stone fireplace in the corner of the room. Based on how he was dressed tonight, the fancy Cadillac SUV they rolled out in and now this, he is most definitely out of my league.
“Yes, Sir,” flies out of my mouth with a smile and wink. Which then he nods his head as if he is mentally taking more notes on me. “So, who are you?” I break the silence of staring at his clenched jaw. “Tonight you and your group were all dressed in your swanky suits, high priced cowboy boots, and hats, but I am not buying you to be the true cowboy type.”
He lets out a huff of a laugh. “Cowboy type, huh? Let us see… I can ride a horse western or bareback and have participated in several cattle drives and still do when I can. I always wear my cowboy boots unless I am exercising, partaking in a water activity, or carnal activities. I drive a pick-up truck.”
“Hold your horses there, cowboy. I will come back to carnal activities, but first what type of truck?”
“Why do I get the feeling this is going to make or break me?” All I can do is shrug my shoulders and grin. “It is a super duty F-250 King Ranch.” I start laughing because it’s as if he is holding his breath waiting for my reaction.
“Nope, I cannot date a Ford guy. Sorry.”
“Are you serious right now?” He gives me a face that reminds me of my brother when his dog was hit by a car. I mean he lived, but it was the saddest look I’d even seen. I had noticed Nash’s dark brown eyes with a light honey swirl in them that was hypnotic from earlier. Now they look a little dimmer.
“Oh my goodness, you took that to heart, real quick…It’s fine. A few points deducted from your status, but it’s fine. Being a Chevy girl, it is the King Ranch edition that is saving your ass right now. I can’t go against the King Ranch being that it is a staple in our state, and I know several ranch hands down there.” Finally, looking like he can breathe again, I change the subject. “I am interested in hearing about these cattle drives, but we can save that for another time. I know it is late, and it sounds like you have a busy day tomorrow.”
“I am fine staying on the phone with you. I am enjoying this conversation too much and enjoy watching the light hit the side of your face perfectly as you swing. Even keep catching a few glimpses of stars behind you.”
“I can hang for a bit longer. It sounds like the girls have finally wind down. But yeah, it is beautiful out here with all the open space and sky. You must be in the city if you appreciate my scenery.”
“That I do. I have a house out in Horseshoe Bay, but most of my time is spent at my apartment in the heart of SA. That is where I am now. Too many city lights to really see the sky.”
“Wow, Horseshoe Bay…and from the looks of it, your apartment living room is bigger than my whole cabin.”
“Well, that’s just thanks to a long standing family business that has been successful enough to be passed off to me to r… to work at.”
“Okay, so I take it you are a family man?” I am trying to keep my cool, as this man apparently has more money and luxuries than I could have dreamt up.
“Yes. You met my brothers tonight. We all work for the family business. Each of us handles different aspects of the firm. My dad still likes to help drive decisions and be part of it all, but now he spends most of his time at my mother’s side, traveling. I am not sure that man will truly ever retire. But yes, when they are home, we have family Sunday dinners and a few vacations a year we all spend together. They are good wholesome people.”
Speechless over here, and I have even stopped swinging. “Can I get your last name, Nash?”
“Would you be offended if I told you I do not want to divulge that information until after our first date?”
“No, not offended, just making me more curious.”
“Well, how about I take you out for a date next Saturday? I would prefer sooner, but I know what my calendar already consists of for the week.”
“Um…sure.”
“I can pick you up, and we can head out to dinner and see where the night takes us.”
“I am more than happy to meet you in the city if that is easier. I do live off the beaten path.”
“Not a problem, and that means I just get more time with you.”
“Smooth talker…I’m starting to take notes.” He just laughs, and it’s deep and endearing.
“Alright then, I am going to let you go so you can get your rest, but text me your address. Can I call you sometime tomorrow?”
Smiling, I murmur, “Um, okay. That sounds good…good night, Nash.”
“Good night, Willa.”
After hanging up, I quickly shot off the address to the Crenshaw’s Hey Dude Ranch, figuring he can meet me over at the main house, since it's a lot nicer than my little wooden cabin. Setting my phone on the counter, I see Lana and Amity are passed out on the sofa bed. I head to my room and crawl into bed with Tilly, who is drunk-out with her eye mask on. Visions of Nash dance through my head, and for the life of me, I cannot figure out why the likes of him would want anything to do with me.
* * *
NASH
It is two in the morning, and I still have not been able to fall asleep. One, I cannot get my mind off the entirety of Willa. Her voice, her laugh, her body in those Wranglers and crop top she wore, with her red hair waving down her back, and those ice blue eyes that memorize me. The familiarity of belonging. How I want to tie her to my bed, lick her inch for inch, making her beg for me to plunge into her. Second, as soon as she sent the name and address of the ranch, my mind raced with the name Crenshaw and why it sounds so damn familiar. Clint. Clint will know. Not caring how late it is, because if I know him, he is still up gaming or binge watching some show, I call him.
“Dude, do you know what time it is?” he asks grumpily.
“Seriously, you asleep, man?”
“No, I am just messing with you. You are too easy to guilt.”
“Fuck, it’s been a long of enough night already.”
“Woman problems already, brother?”
“Well not until the last thirty minutes, no. I think she is everything I’m not prepared for and more. Which brings me to my question. Does the last name Crenshaw ring a bell?”
“Hmmmm, it does. Let me pull up the files.” I hear typing a way and then, “Got it.”
“Is this going to be good or bad news for you?”
“Crenshaw is Willa’s last name. Her family owns the Crenshaw Dude ranch.”
“Well shit. You know how to pick’em. I am not going to sugar coat this for you brother. Our family's company has been after their land for over fifty years. There is sizable evidence the land houses an oil well. Because the property has been in the Crenshaw family for forever it seems and it's owned outright, they have been able to deny us and any other company pushing to drill the land. It was not turned into a Dude Ranch until about forty-five years ago, but it has always housed animals, sanctuary for rescued wild horses and housing. Looking at the company goals for this year, Crenshaw is at the top to convince and conquer. According to Grandfather's notes, these are hard-working people not looking to get rich but to enjoy their lives and what they do. But looks like he was hell bent for years on acquiring this land. I love that this man kept detailed records of his thoughts on business. But Dad thinks the lawyers might have found a loophole to access the well. If I remember correctly, old man Crenshaw used to be force to reckon with, but can’t say I expect any difference now from meeting that firecracker related to him. Never met her father.”
“Right…damn, Clint. How the hell are we going to do this?”
“Which deal do you want to walk away from? Your family company that you now run in the name of love or walk away from her before it gets serious?”
I run my hands over my face in disbelief and frustration. The realization sinks in that if she realizes who I am, she will only think I am interested in her family's land. That I concocted this whole plan in some crazy scheme to get close with her.
“I don’t know, man. I am supposed to take her out next Saturday evening. I was going to tell her my last name after I charmed her. Now I am thinking it is not such a great idea.”
“Which part?” he asks.
“Any of it. I FaceTimed her for about an hour tonight on the phone, just getting to know her a little more and feeling her out. Willa has my mind and body feeling and thinking things I did not think were even possible anymore. I cannot imagine what more time with her would do to me. There is something about her, Clint. My nerves are shot to hell. Fletcher laid on top of me the whole conversation because he probably thought I was about to have a moment.”
“Shit, man, that bad? After a few hours of knowing her? Look, I love you and want to see you happy more than anyone. Because you are worthy of happiness despite whatever you think in that thick skull of yours. So you need to be honest with her upfront. Clear the air, so she is aware of who you are, and that you are not one to mix business and pleasure. That what you want with her is separate from what your career is. If she feels that strongly about it, she can ask you to walk away from her or the land. Then you can make a decision.” Clint suggests, and I feel like that is so much easier said than done. This relationship is going to be over before it starts.
“Bro, did we know a Willa when we were younger? I can almost remember a red headed freckle face kid hanging around when we were kids.”
“You know my memory is shit. Besides, what are the odds?”
“That's true, but I’ll look more into it.”
“Thanks man. Well I am going to try and get some rest before tomorrow's travel and meeting.
“Keep me posted. Bye.”
With that, I find myself tossing and turning with all the inner turmoil until Blake pulls my zombie ass out of bed.