Excerpt from Redeem My Heart
Shelby
“Kidnapping is a felony, you know,” I say, keeping my tone light even though I’m only half joking.
“Bah,” Lily says. “It doesn’t count if I’m your boss.”
I laugh. “I don’t think that’s true.”
“It doesn't count if your boss is taking you to a party. That is definitely not kidnapping,” Lily chirps.
“So what is this party?” I ask.
I suppose, technically, it’s not kidnapping if your boss lures you into her truck with the promise of post-work drinks and snacks, and just happens to not mention that these drinks and snacks will mean talking to other people. Maybe this is on me. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so eager, but it was a long day. I’m a vet tech for Lily’s large animal mobile veterinary business. By definition, ‘long days’ involve animal poop. And piss. And sometimes other animal liquids I like to think about even less.
Have I earned a post-work drink, compliments of my boss?
Yes. Yes, I have.
Do I want to meet strangers when there’s even the slightest chance I still have cow jizz on my shoes?
No. No, I do not.
Lily and I live in, and both grew up in, the small town of Saddle Creek. So it’s not like there are that many people I don’t know or at least know of. But she’s a few years older than I am, so most of her friends were far enough ahead of me in school that I don’t know them well.
Lily maneuvers her truck onto a county road. “It's just a little get together where the women will watch a movie and the men are playing poker.”
I stare at my boss. “So it's like a couples gathering? I'm not part of a couple.”
She waves one hand dismissively. “No, it's not about that. Besides Forest is out of town so my person won't even be there. We’ll stick together.”
“But you have a person. I don't even have a pet.” As much as I love animals, my work hours would keep me away from the house too long. Even the pothos ivy I bought a year ago died of neglect. I stare out the window and watch the scrubby cedar trees and prickly pear cacti pass by. “Maybe I should get a cactus.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Just talking out loud. Where even is this party?” I finally ask because I realize we're heading out of Saddle Creek.
“It's at one of the Whitmores’ house,” Lily says.
My heart thunders in my chest. I lick my suddenly dry lips.
The Whitmores are a ranching family from the area with a bunch of siblings and cousins and roots deep in Saddle Creek. I went to school with Daphne, and we were friends when we were little. But then sorta drifted apart as we grew up. But she’s not the Whitmore I'm worried about.
The one I’m worried about is Dane. Stunningly hot, achingly broody Dane. Dane, the object of my life-long secret crush. The guy so far out of my league we aren’t even playing the same sport.
“Which Whitmore?” I mean it’s very unlikely out of all the Whitmores, he would be the one hosting a party. But stranger things have happened.
“Uh,” Lily says. “Grady.”
Shit. I’m not sure that’s much better. Though for very different reasons. “As in, Grady the one married to the pop sensation, Jess Munoz?”
“That’s the one.”
“So we’re going to a party at Jess Munoz’s house?” I look down at my blue jeans and simple graphic t-shirt. The one that has a pirate skull and the words, ‘Goonies never say die.’ My black low-top Chucks round out my super casual look and my dark blond hair is piled on top of my head the messiest of all messy buns. I glance over at Lily to find she’s not dressed much differently.
My boss, the large animal vet in town, is already married though. And she’s never seemed to care much about what other people think. I wish I could do that. Instead, I have a constant replay of my mother’s voice in my head.
Sugar, girls your size can’t wear shorts like that.
You really need to fix yourself up, Sugar. You never know who you’re going to see when you go out.
I got you this magazine, Sugar, because there’s the newest diet inside.
She means well, I suppose. Or not. Honestly, I don’t even know. I haven’t spoken to her in years. Not since she left my dad and me and my siblings. She still sends us birthday cards and I get the occasional email about the next diet fad to which I send a quick, ‘thanks,’ and leave it at that.
Our brother Max, despite the fact that he’s younger than both of us, is fiercely protective. So he has no fucks to give when it comes to dear old mom.
It doesn’t take too much longer before we’re turning down the road that leads to the Whitmore land. I think it was originally just one big ranch, but Mr. Whitmore, the patriarch, parceled if off for his kids as they grew up. Now they each have their own spaces. I don’t believe Daphne nor Garrett, the two youngest, have started building houses out here, despite the fact that they’re both married.
When it comes to ranching families, the Whitmores are up there with Saddle Creek royalty. Only the Crawfords and Blankenship’s have more land each.
Lily turns down the gravel drive that leads to Grady’s house.
“I cannot believe you’re making me do this,” I mutter.
“I know, right? What was I thinking, bringing you somewhere they have free snacks, your favorite pop star, and fun to be had? I am the worst.”
I roll my eyes and then reluctantly follow her to the door where she doesn’t even knock, just opens it and strolls on inside. I can’t let her get too far ahead of me though because I really don’t want to be alone.
Yes, I grew up in this town. Yes, I was once friends with Daphne, the only girl in the Whitmore tribe. Still, I don’t like situations where I might stand out. I’m more of a blend into the background kind of girl.
Which maybe won’t be hard once we get past the introductions.
“Lily! I’m so glad you could make it,” a voice coos. And then there she is, pop sensation, Jess Munoz in the flesh. It’s kinda weird seeing her barefoot and in leggings and a t-shirt. I’m used to her being in sequins. Still, even dressed as casually as she is, she radiates star power. It’s not blinding, not like the one time I saw her in concert, but it’s there. Jess squeezes Lily’s shoulder, a testament that she knows my boss well and that she’s not really a hugger.
“I brought a co-worker,” Lily says, then shifts her body so I can step up next to her. “Jess, this is Sugar. Sugar, meet Jess.”
Sugar. Ugh, how embarrassing.
“You can actually just call me Shelby,” I say. “Sugar is just a nickname from when I was kid.”
Lily spins to face me. “Do you wish I wouldn’t call you Sugar?”
I shrug. “It’s okay. You’ve known me my whole life. But when I meet new people…” I let my words dwindle.
“Then I will call you Shelby,” Jess says, linking our arms together. “So you’re another native Saddle Creek-er?”
“I am. Born and raised.”
“Then you probably know my husband and my in-laws.”
“I do.” I glance around and thankfully don’t see the one Whitmore I simultaneously want to see and hope won’t be here. I turn to Jess. “Can I fangirl all over you for a minute? I know we’re in your house and that’s probably obnoxious, but OMG I really love your music.”
She gives me a genuine smile. “Thank you. Truly.”
We enter into the big open space that houses the kitchen and living room. The house is gorgeous and spacious and has obviously had some renovations done since Jess moved in. I’m about to comment on them, when I see Dane standing leaning against the island that creates a natural separation between the two rooms.
Just like that, all coherent thought vanishes, along with the nerves I had about meeting Jess.
Because it’s him. Dane. Looking as beautiful as I remember him being. Nope, he’s even more attractive.
Thick and big, like his older brother, Grady, Dane Whitmore is barrel-chested with a thick neck and massive thighs. His biceps threaten the t-shirt he’s wearing. He’s obviously got a tattoo sleeve on his right arm, but his left looks bare. There’s a hint of some ink creeping up from his shoulder to the right side of his neck.
And he’s scowling. Which somehow makes him even sexier.