39. Rhodes
39
Rhodes
I wasn’t sure what to expect when Paige told me about the farm we’d be staying at tonight.
I heard farm and thought cows, chickens, and horses. Lots of grass and trees.
Thirst Trapp Farms delivers on all of those things.
But there are also hot cowboys.
And yes, I feel secure enough in my newly developed relationship with Paige to say they are hot . Very sweaty and slick, too.
As we approach the old farmhouse with a slight lean, I roll down my window and note there are more than a few handfuls of wildflowers out front. “Hi, there.”
The cowboy in low-slung Wranglers, a large belt buckle that could likely break a bone, and a hat he tips in greeting walks closer. “I’m Ronny. You staying in this for the night?”
“Yup.” I sling my arm out the window, the last of the sun dialing back its warmth despite still lighting up the sky at nearly six p.m.
He tips his chin to where we pulled in. “You’re welcome to stay in site two right back there at the end of the row of cabins, or you can stay in cabin two. We had a cancellation.”
Paige leans across me, using my leg to rest her palm. I immediately come alive at the touch. “What does that cost?”
Ronny looks around to see if anyone might get on him about offering up a cabin, then shrugs. “Write us a review, and there will be no extra cost. We don’t have someone coming until tomorrow, and as long as you follow the checkout instructions, I’m fine with it.”
“And how do you feel about…cats?”
“In general, I like them, but if you’re asking if you can have one in the cabin, well, then, let’s just keep that between us.” He tips his hat with a wink, and even I swoon a bit.
I look at Paige as her smile lifts, waiting for me to answer. “You want to stay?”
“Hell yeah, I do! I’ve been in a van for a week. I could use a real shower and a bed that isn’t anywhere near a sink.”
I whip back around to Ronny. “We’ll take it.”
“Great. You can park beside the porch.” He starts to turn around, then pivots back. “My wife should be by in a bit. She’ll make sure you’ve got everything you need.”
We wave and park in front of the cabin.
“That guy looked…” Paige twirls her wrists, searching for the right words.
“Buff?” I fill in.
“No…”
“Like he should have his own sexy calendar?”
She purses her lips. “Not that…”
I snap my fingers. “Like all he needs is water to film a thirst trap?”
Her eyes widen as she turns in her seat. “You might be on to something there. I get where the thirst comes from.”
We both laugh before switching to get-shit-done mode. “You can shove whatever you need in my bag. I can take Cleo inside, but we should probably keep her on the leash. There are a lot of animals here that could…you know.”
“I know.” She nods once. “Good plan.”
Paige gathers a few clothes I plan to rip off her immediately as well as her toiletries and Cleo’s food. With the backpack slung over my shoulder, I open the cabin door for us, gesturing with a dramatic wave.
She giggles and walks in first. The cabin is a mix of outdated floral printed furniture and finer finishes like the flooring and painted kitchen cabinets straight ahead. It’s homey in a way that makes you feel you’re returning to your parent’s house after being gone for months.
“I’m going to check out the rooms,” Paige says, moving down the hallway and out of sight.
I set Cleo down but keep her on the leash while she smells everything and jolts at every little noise. The throw pillows in the living room are perfectly situated with a karate chop crease in the center and lamps hovering over the couch and chairs.
“There are like…one…two…twenty condoms in this bathroom,” Paige yells out to me.
I smile and thank the hot cowboy in my head. “Grab all of them.” I’m about to sit down and stretch my legs out after the long drive when I hear Paige scream from the back room.
“Rhodes!”
But her scream isn’t the only one I hear.
I’m already halfway down the hallway, bracing my hands on the doorframe right behind Paige, whose bag is dropped in front of her.
“What is it?”
She points at the form moving around in the bed before it pushes the covers off and sits up. “What the hell is all that screamin’ about?”
Is that…an…
I flip on the light.
The older woman is now sitting on the edge of the bed, using her arm to shield the light from her eyes. The blackout curtains covering the windows were really doing their job.
“Um, hi,” Paige starts. “I’m so sorry!”
“We were told this cabin was available,” I add, hand sitting low on Paige’s back.
The woman with curled white hair, a little askew from the pillow, a plaid shirt, and jeans with a few smudges looks at us through a squint. “It is available.”
I peer around the room, looking for her luggage but come up short. “But you’re here.”
“I’m only here for a nap.”
A knock sounds on the front door.
I lock eyes with Paige, then shrug to jog out and answer it. Swinging the door open, I find a much younger woman with cropped dark hair and a black cowboy hat that looks a lot like the one Ronny was wearing when we pulled in.
I feel like I should be wearing one now, too.
“Hi, I’m Tilly,” she says with a smile and…stilettos? “Sorry for knocking so hard, I just didn’t know if you heard me.”
“Hi,” I say. “Sorry about that. We were—”
The older woman comes trudging down the hallway, Paige on her heels.
“Granny?” Tilly’s eyes narrow. “What are you—” She stops and pins the older woman with a glare that makes even me want to flinch. “You’re sleeping in here again.”
No question. She definitely was.
“I was checking to make sure the bed had sheets.” Granny shrugs. “It does, so I’ll just be going now.”
Granny starts walking out when Tilly holds up a staying hand. “Not so fast.”
My gaze slides between the two women, landing on Tilly, who says, “Are you napping in here again, Gran?”
“What?” Granny’s tone is aghast. “I would never.”
“You did just last week, too,” Tilly spits back.
Granny props her hands on her hips now, mirroring Tilly’s posture, and it looks like they’re both about to face off.
I glance at Paige, trying not to move my neck too much in case I’ll somehow get in between this face-off. Paige widens her eyes and does a few head nudges toward the sofa where Cleocatra has jumped up to strut across like it’s a freaking fashion show. I dropped her leash in my haste to make it to Paige, and, deeming it safe, she went back to exploring.
All of our eyes slide to the curious Calico.
“Is that cat on a leash?” Granny asks, blinking a few times and rubbing her eyes.
“Uh,” Paige gives me a panicked look. “Yes, it is. She’s very well-behaved, though. And the guy out front with the hat and very snug jeans said it was okay.”
Tilly breaks character but only for a minute to say, “His jeans are pretty great.”
“I’ve never seen such a thing.” Granny shakes her head at Cleo, then starts to laugh until it’s a full-blown, leaning-over-with-her-hand-covering-her-mouth-while-the-other-slaps-her-leg-in-hysterics kind. “Cats don’t belong on leashes,” she squeaks out. “They belong outside by the barn catching mice.”
“Granny,” Tilly warns. “Don’t you go tryna change the subject now. Why were you napping in the cabin again when Wyatt and Avery keep up a perfectly good room inside the farmhouse for you?”
Granny sobers as Paige goes to snatch Cleo. “Well, if you must know…”
Tilly sighs and crosses her arms. “I must.”
The older woman, with a very slight limp to her gait, walks to the kitchen and opens one of the cabinets beside the refrigerator. All of our rapt attention on her, she pulls out a tin of what I believe are—
“Cookies,” Granny says. “Wyatt and Avery don’t keep these in the house, but I know you stock them in the cabins. Had a few too many this afternoon, and I got a little sleepy. Nothing to lose your head over, see.”
Tilly rubs her forehead. “I’ll buy you the damn cookies if that’ll keep you from napping in the cabins.”
I’m not sure if this is commonplace behavior between the two of them, but they seem comfortable enough with one another.
“It won’t,” Granny confirms. “But it’s a start.”
Tilly shoots another warning glare at Granny, but the older woman doesn’t appear ruffled whatsoever. “They’re Tempurpedic, Tilly! You can’t beat that.” She starts walking toward the front door, passing an exasperated Tilly before whipping around. “And one more thing…you’re out of milk.” She holds her hands up like she knows she’s guilty but doesn’t give anyone an opportunity to tell her that. “Don’t forget to hug a cow while you’re here!”
I peer over at Paige again, who is already looking my way.
“Sorry about that,” Tilly remarks with a clap. “Welcome to Thirst Trapp Farms. Granny and her late husband built this place from the studs up, so we allow her a few luxuries here and there. Mostly involving cookies.” She smiles, but it’s forced. “If you want to enjoy the outdoor tub, it’s just off the back patio and completely private. It’s connected to a hot water hose on the side of the house. Feel free to wander around the property or ask Ronny or Wyatt to give you a tour in the side-by-side. And as Granny said, there is cow hugging, tractor rides, trail rides, massages, goat yoga, and new this year, a shooting range. All sign-ups are done through our website. There’s also dinner tonight with the family in the farmhouse at seven if you’d like. Do you have any questions?”
I slide my hands in my pockets, amazed at the whole of this place. “I think we’re good for now. Thanks again.”
She smiles for real this time and gives a little wave before stepping back out on the front porch, pulling the door shut behind her.
Just kidding.
She pushes it back open. “Oh, and I’ll bring you some new sheets.”
With the door finally closed, I stalk over to Paige who’s cradling Cleo to her, and pull at her waist. She rests her forehead on my chest and starts to laugh. “I never want to leave.”
“I understand the appeal,” I say against her hair. “Seems like they aren’t short on entertainment around here.”
She lifts her head and meets my eyes. “I was looking forward to using the bed, but I think we’ll have to wait a little longer.”
“There’s always the outdoor tub.”
She sets Cleo on the ground, removing her leash. “And you think your long legs will fit in there?”
“You won’t take up much space,” I say with a wink.
She swats at me, but I snatch her hand mid-swing as she says, “I’m not that short.”
I smile down at her, then pull her flush against me. “No, you’re not. You’re perfect.”