28. Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Eight
Cash
I remember meeting Carolyn, and then showing up on our first date. Which was the exact opposite of what was happening now. My first date with Carolyn was at a bar, she was dressed in a skin-tight, red tube top, her breasts basically popping out, makeup caked over her already flawless skin, and she was holding a drink the entire time. It ended with us hooking up in the bathroom.
This was different. I was doing this right. I couldn’t mess it up. I found the perfect place to spend the evening with Abi, knowing it would give us the first date experience and that it would end with a kiss on her porch when I dropped her off, asking for a second date. And a third. And a fourth.
I took each step up to the main house as if they were new, because they felt new; even though I had taken them plenty of times in my life—never with this purpose. My boots clunked against the wooden porch, and I breathed deep, raising my finger to the doorbell. I never rang the doorbell, but that’s what you did picking up your girl for a date. You rang the doorbell, and you talked to her parents. You agreed on a curfew and then went along your way. Granted, we were both adults, so a curfew wouldn’t make a difference...but I rang the doorbell anyway.
I was put off a bit when Wyatt answered the door. His face was blank, stoic as he looked me up and down.
“I’m supposed to talk to your father, not you.” I smiled, hoping he’d catch the tease.
“Dad’s out,” he voiced toneless.
I smirked and gave him a quick nod. “Can I see your sister?”
His eyes narrowed.
“Wyatt! Cut it. Let him in.” I heard Abi call from the back of the house.
With a heavy sigh, Wyatt stepped aside. I tipped my hat and entered the house, wishing I had just opened the door instead of ringing the doorbell. Abi was in the kitchen, setting up Stetson at the table. She moved, flawless as always, but with a purpose.
“Stetson, I’m cooking you what you like—”
“Nope.” He folded his arms.
“Stetson…” Abi stopped, raised her chin and grumbled. She inhaled, her chest rising and falling, slowly lowering her chin to look at me.
Our eyes met, and suddenly the fact that Wyatt was standing with his arms folded watching my every move, didn’t matter.
Abi was mesmerizing, wearing a lavender, long sleeve, knee-length dress that cinched at her waist. If she spun, the skirt would flow out. The sleeves were a different fabric, thinner and flowy around her arms. Her tan boots, mud free, only complimented everything. Her hair was half up, half down, waves falling over her shoulders. The natural makeup she wore only made my heartbeat faster.
“Abi…you…”
“I’m late.” She sighed, interrupting me, frustration spreading across her face, “Stetson is being stubborn even though he gets to hang out with Uncle Wyatt all night.”
“I don’t want to hang out with Uncle Wyatt,” Stetson spat.
Abi’s expression was close to defeat. She took a step towards me, her fingers brushing my forearm. “Give me just a second, okay? I’ll be ready to head out soon. I just need to get him settled. He’s not used to me going out.”
“Where’s Kyla? I thought she would be the first to step up to the plate to babysit.” I asked, looking around the kitchen hoping the newest addition to the Hartwell family would materialize. It would definitely make it less awkward than Wyatt standing there.
“Date night.” Abi sighed again.
“Yeah, and I’m not staying here with Uncle Wyatt.” Stetson stood up and walked over to his mom, keeping his arms folded.
“Oh, come on, bud. We can watch Bluey and stuff.” Wyatt walked up to Stetson, fluffing his hair with his hand.
“I’m too old for Bluey, Uncle Wyatt,” Stetson grumbled.
“What’s Bluey ?” I asked, raising my eyebrow, catching Abi’s gaze.
“A cartoon he’s definitely not too old for. I find myself watching it after he goes to sleep, Chili is the most relatable cartoon character,” Abi said quietly, then turned back to her son, “Stetson, I’m begging you…let me have this night.”
He turned to look at her, giving the most perfect seven-year-old glare. This kid wasn’t going to give up this easily. Just seeing the stern look he was giving Abi told me that no matter what we did or said, he wasn’t going to approve of his mother going on a date.
Abi gave me another apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I talked to him about the date, and he was okay with it until he figured out that I wouldn’t be here. The kid loves to hang around others when I’m home, but take me out of the house—”
“And he’s not happy. He’s a kid, he just wants his mom around. I get it.”
“Maybe we should reschedule?” Abi raised a shoulder in question, her brows furrowing as she waited for my answer.
My breath hitched, I definitely didn’t want that to happen. Lightly grasping Abi’s hand, I felt her warmth. Then—like a light bulb, the thought hit me.
“I have an idea,” I said, squeezing Abi’s hand. “Stetson, why don’t you come with us?”
Abi and Stetson both jerked their heads to look up at me.
“What?” Abi breathed.
“Really?” Stetson shouted at the same time.
“Yeah.” I cocked my shoulder up. “It will be fun.”
Stetson spun and faced Abi, his arms dropping to his side, his glare gone and a smile now spreading. “Can I!?”
“Are you sure?” Abi leaned into me; her voice low. “I don’t want him to think he’s getting away with acting like this.”
“He’ll know he’s not, and of course. One hundred percent. But we have to leave now before it gets too crowded.” I replied, not once breaking eye contact with Abi.
Her eyes twitched as a smile grew. “Crowded? Where are we going?”
“Stet.” I touched the top of his head. “Go get your boots, coat and hat. We’re going to the spring fair.”
“YES!” Stetson shouted before he took off running.
Abi watched as he bounded up the stairs. “You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. You and Stet? The night just got better.” I stepped forward, taking her in now that I really could. Even with the frustration that still lingered, she was still absolutely perfect. “Abi…” I reached up and lightly touched her hair between my thumb and forefinger. “You look breathtaking…”
She smiled, closing her eyes softly as she closed the gap between us.
“Wyatt, you may want to leave because I’m going to kiss your sister now.”
“Oh, please,” I heard him grumble. “If I’m off the hook, I’m heading to The Steel.”
I kissed Abi before Wyatt was out of the room, slipping my tongue in between her lips as she sighed. She placed her hands on my chest, her weight leaning into me. She hummed, breaking the kiss, her lips forming the smile I had grown to crave more and more.
“Absolutely astonishing,” I whispered against her lips.
Her eyes fluttered open. “You look handsome as well,” she whispered, still breathless. “Kiss me again.”
“As you wish.” I brushed my lips against her, teasing her slightly. “Let’s go.”
Stetson ran in front of Abi and me, taking in everything the Alpine Ridge Fair had to offer. Abi’s fingers were threaded through mine as we stepped together. It was the first night of the fair, so the crowds were thick. Stetson would turn every now and then to make sure we were still by him, not losing us for a moment. He begged for a ride on the twirl-o-whirl, where Abi and I joined him willingly. Her laughs filled the seat as the motions threw her into my side, her hand gripping onto my thighs.
“The Ferris wheel next!!” Stetson screamed once we were stumbling off the ride. “Please!”
“Stetson,” Abi laughed. “You gotta let me catch my bearings. I’m not twenty anymore.”
“Come on, Mom!” he shouted as he waved us along.
“We’re coming, Stet, we’re coming.” I hollered back.
“Funnel cakes!!” Stetson screamed, his trajectory changing once he saw the food truck.
“And he’s forgotten about the Ferris wheel. Do you regret inviting him along?” Abi asked, her body pressing into mine as she wrapped her hands around my arm.
“Not even a little bit.” I kissed the top of her head. “This may not be the date I envisioned, but I wouldn’t change it in the slightest.”
“Hmm.” Abi leaned her chin on my shoulder. “He’ll hopefully crash after this.”
I laughed, leading Abi towards the funnel cakes.
“Dates are supposed to be sitting in a low light restaurant, eating cheap-yet-expensive Italian food while we talk about our favorite things and colors and what we like to do during our free time.” Abi smiled.
“Well, for one…” I gave her a smirk. “You don’t like cheap-yet-expensive Italian food. You prefer corn on the cob with a grilled hamburger. Your favorite things include Stetson, the stables, and long rides ending with a nap by the lake. Your favorite color is purple, and in your free time…” I stopped her and pulled her into me. “You spend it with Luna.”
“I do love that horse.” She smiled. “It’s been five years, and you still know those things about me. I hate to admit that I don’t know those things about you.” She clenched her teeth and hunched her shoulders slightly, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
God, she was adorable. I grinned. “I love a bratwurst, grilled preferably. Favorite things include reading, rodeos, and you. Green is my favorite color, and in my spare time…I like to draw.”
Abi’s eyes widened. “Draw? You draw?”
“Not very well, and I haven’t in a long time. Actually, I just bought a sketchbook a few weeks ago. I’ve doodled in it.”
Her jaw dropped slightly as her smile widened. “Can I see them?”
“I’ll bring it to the ranch tomorrow.”
She rolled her lips and stepped back, her hands trailing down my arms to find both of my hands. “What do you draw?” she asked, her body spinning to walk back towards the food truck. Stetson was already in line, standing with his hands in his pockets, stance wide, his hat perched on his head…a true cowboy in the making.
“Horses, bulls, barns…things like that. Again, Abs, they aren’t very good.”
“I doubt that.” She pulled me closer. “What’s something you’ve drawn recently?”
One of the last things I drew? Her and Luna in the field. Taking a deep breath, I decided to be brave. “A couple weeks ago, I saw you and Luna out in the field, just resting.”
“Yeah, we like the time together.” She smiled, lifting her chin.
“I drew that. It’s messy and…”
“You drew…me?” Her voice dropped, her eyes seeming to fog.
I nodded. “I draw what I see.”
After the soft smile left her lips, a sigh following, she raised herself on her toes and kissed me. Her fingers locked on my nape as our mouths moved together flawlessly. Sparks flew between us as we got completely lost in each other. I could kiss this woman for the rest of my life if she’d let me.
“Mom!” Stetson called. “We’re next!”
Abi chuckled. “Come on, Cash. He may lose his mind if we don’t get him a funnel cake.”
We caught up with Stetson and ordered funnel cakes with lemonade, easily the best fifty-four dollars I’ve ever spent. Once they were gone and Stetson was fully sugared up, we went to watch the rodeo. Stetson cheered for the bareback riders, and complained it was too late to sign up for mutton busting. Once the barrel racers began, I started watching all their maneuvers. Stetson clapped and cheered for each girl.
“Quinn should have signed up for this one.” Abi shouted over the screaming crowd. “ You should have signed up for this one.” She nudged me.
I let out a laugh. “It’s one thing in your arena back home, not here.”
“Not yet,” Abi whispered. “But it could happen.”
“I won’t say never…just…I need some more practice rides first.”
“More rides.” Abi rested her chin on my shoulder.
“Uncle Cash!” Stetson shouted, catching my attention.
I turned to the boy sitting at my side. “What’s up, Stet?”
“Bulls are next! Can we stay? Mom never lets me watch the bulls.”
Taking a deep breath, I looked at Abi. Her eyes were heavy on her son. She twisted her lips, and her jaw tensed. She didn’t watch the bull riders, even when Oakes did his practice run before finally signing on to train, she stayed out of the arena. She hasn’t outwardly said why, but I knew the reason. The last time she saw a man on a bull, the rider died. I could imagine how hard this could be for her, and I didn’t want the night to end with this feeling. Her eyes looked up at me and sighed, a silent plea in her look.
“Nah bud, let’s head—"
“We can stay,” Abi interrupted me.
“Yes!” Stetson fist pumped.
“You sure?” I whispered
She nodded, leaning her body into me. I kissed the top of her head, proud she decided to overcome whatever ate at her with me by her side. I squeezed her hand for reassurance before turning my eyes back to the dirt.
“If you feel like you need to—”
“Nope,” she stopped me, “I’m good. I’m excited for this.” Her lips touched mine in a feather of a kiss before she took a deep breath and settled to watch the bulls.
The announcer riled up the crowd, and when the first bull left the chute, the loud music blaring overhead, I felt Abi stiffen. Her hand on my arm tightened, the pressure building as she watched each ride. Her eyes followed each rider, her breath letting go once the bull was off the dirt. My gaze was on her the entire time she watched the event, her lips moving with encouraging words that only she could hear, muttering under her breath with ‘come on, come on, yes!’ and counting down until the eight second buzzer went off. Joy and thrill filled her eyes, as if she had forgotten how much she loved this. And I was here to witness her remember. I kissed her cheek again, pulling her attention to me.
She gave me a look of freedom before bending slightly to look at her son. “Having a good time, bud?”
“Can I be a bull rider?”
“No,” Abi and I said in unison.
He furrowed his brow. “Bare back?”
Abi smiled, reaching over me to touch her son’s cheek. “For now, let’s stick to mutton busting.”
Stetson smiled, and then without missing a beat, “And barrel racing! Can we get ice cream?!”
The drive back to the ranch was silent. Stetson was fast asleep in the back. Abi weaved her fingers through mine again, and I relished in the feeling of how well they fit together. Every now and then, I’d raise her hand to my lips, kissing it gently before placing them back on my lap. The butterflies Abi mentioned several times grew in my stomach as we got closer to the ranch. I didn’t want this night to end.
It was a high, being with her…being with Stetson. The night didn’t go exactly as I planned, but having Stetson there added to the perfection that was our first date. His excitement and energy only seeped into us as the night grew longer, and before we knew it, his sugar high had ended. I carried him to my truck, his arms draped over my shoulders as his head fell on my chest, soft breathing coming from him as we walked. He was out like a light, allowing me to give Abi another kiss before she stepped into the passenger seat.
The moment I parked the truck in front of the house, Stetson jolted awake. He grunted and blinked a few times, another groan leaving his lungs.
“We’re home…” He yawned.
Abi twisted in the passenger seat. “Yeah, bud. Why don’t you head inside…I’ll be right in to tuck you in. I need to talk to Cash.”
He nodded. “Thanks for letting me come, Uncle Cash. I had a lot of fun. Sorry I was a grump before, Mom.”
Abi smiled. “It’s okay. Thank you for coming with us.”
“Night, Uncle Cash.”
“Night, Stet. I won’t keep your mama too long.”
Stetson hummed, leaving the truck and lazily walking up the steps and into the house. Once the door was closed, I turned to Abi.
“I really…really loved tonight.” I said softly, lifting my hand to cup her cheek. “Even with Stet—”
Abi moved, faster than I could comprehend, as she climbed into my lap, her hands settling on my shoulders as she positioned herself on top of me. Shocked, I placed my hands on her waist. Her hips moved, creating a reaction in me that most likely wasn’t appropriate for the moment…but the second her lips crashed into mine and she pushed into me, the moan that left her throat told me she didn’t think it was inappropriate.
“Holy shit, Abi,” I whispered, my hands slipping from her waist to her shoulders, moving her hair to the side.
“You amaze me,” she said breathlessly, her hands clasping on my neck.
“I amaze you?” I raised a single eyebrow, reaching down to shift the chair back, giving her a more comfortable position. She shifted, and my eyes fluttered closed.
“Don’t get cocky,” she grinned.
“Abi, how can I not get cocky with you straddling me?” I teased, leaning forward to take her lips.
“I’m serious.” She kissed me gently. “You amaze me. You just spent the entire night with me and my son, simply because he was throwing a fit about me being on a date…which I was already nervous for—”
“You were nervous for our date?”
“Stay on topic.” She leaned back and pointed at me. I locked my eyes with hers and gently kissed the tip of her finger. “You didn’t have to invite Stetson. You didn’t have to spend that amount of money on rides and funnel cakes and a rodeo. That wasn’t your plan.”
“It wasn’t, but everything about it was perfect in its own way. I loved everything about tonight, Abs, and I hope we can do it again.”
“Again? You want to go out on another date?”
“Hopefully many more dates.” I brushed her hair from her shoulders. “Being with you and Stet, it was the best night of my life.”
She inhaled, her chest moving up as her eyes bore into me. “Cash…” Her hands cradled my face, her thumbs gently brushing my lips. “Kiss me.”
I wasn’t sure who moved first, but our lips met and fire ignited. My hand cupped the back of her head, holding her to me. Our tongues danced as the kiss grew deeper, the fire only growing, as she began to move her body against mine. Her hands glided up my chest, to my neck, then back down my chest again. Abi explored. Her fingers wandered my body, as if she was studying every aspect of me through the fabric.
If there were any walls left between us, they were gone now. I’d never felt this way with a woman before, and I had had plenty of women, but with Abi it was more passionate. We moved with each other seamlessly, completely in sync from the way our hips circled and our breaths matched moan for moan. Our lips even knew exactly what the other needed, but light nips and gentle swipes of our tongues—I had never been kissed like this. There was no thinking involved. Abi was made for me.
Arching her back slightly as she looked at me, desire flooded through her eyes, her lips perfect and plump. Running her hands to my shoulders, she tilted her head, giving me perfect access to kiss her neck.
The same soft moan fluttered through the air once my lips met her skin, and she shivered. She pressed into me, both on my growing erection and into my chest. I licked and sucked on her neck, not even thinking about how far I was taking this. Her neck rolled, forcing me to stop, but not for long once her lips met mine again, a kiss so deep—so electrifying—I couldn’t contain myself. I ran my hands down her arms, moving to her back.
“Cash,” she breathed. “I…I…” Her hands trailed up my chest, gliding back down once they reached my shoulders.
“What is it, Abi?” I asked, kissing her again and again. “Tell me what you want. It’s yours, no matter what it is.”
“I want…” Her fingers played with the buttons on my shirt, not actually undoing them, but playing with them. Teasing them. I could feel her fingertips hit my skin as she played, the chill from them alone making the heat in me grow.
“Abi…” I rocked my hips, showing her exactly what I wanted. She let out a moan, only making me harder as she moved against me.
“I want you to touch me,” she whispered.