Chapter 13
“Remind me why I agreed to this,” I grumble as I stand bare-chested in our living room while August placidly irons my shirt.
August huffs. “Not about to let you go out with that sweet girl in a shirt that has more wrinkles than my great-grandma.”
“Not that.” Although I don’t see why I need to make myself look nicer than usual. This is a business dinner. Not a date. I’m not trying to impress anyone, least of all Belle. “Going to dinner.”
“Because you’re trying to get your head out of your ass and accept the possibility that Belle isn’t here to ruin everything, and that maybe, just maybe, you’ve been rude for no reason?” August holds the shirt up, inspecting it before passing it over to me with a nod. “There, that’s better.”
“I could’ve ironed it myself, you know.”
August shakes his head. “You could’ve, but you weren’t going to.”
I slip the light blue button-down on and have to admit, it’s better when it doesn’t look like it’s been balled up in the back of my closet. “Thanks.”
“You clean up nice. Should do it more often.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Yeah, because mending fences really calls for formal dress. Besides, you’re one to talk, old man. The last time I saw you in something that wasn’t a worn flannel was…”
There’s a lurch of sadness in my gut as I realize the last time was Dawn’s funeral.
A moment of somber silence passes as we acknowledge our grief, then fades. “There’s no point in my trying to impress anyone. That ship has sailed, and I had my big love. But you’re still young…ish.”
I snort at August’s assessment.
“Seriously, Cal. You are. You don’t need to stay holed up in this cabin in your spare time like me. When was the last time you went on a date?”
“This isn’t a date!” I huff, glaring at him.
“I think thou dost protest a bit too much, but what do I know?”
“It’s not.” I sigh, resisting the urge to run my hand through my hair because that might mess it up. “You know as well as I do, I don’t have time for dating. This ranch is my love, and she needs all my attention, or I’ll lose her. And then where will our sorry asses be?”
August shrugs nonchalantly. “We’d figure it out. Clara offered to let me live with her if anything were to happen, and I’m sure that offer extends to my best friend.”
The idea of accepting charity from my best friend’s 21-year-old daughter because I failed to keep this place afloat is inconceivable. I’d rather go back to living out of my truck. Frankly, I’d deserve that fate for not having what it takes to save the ranch.
“Just… give her a chance, okay?”
My brow furrows. “Clara?”
August shakes his head. “Belle.”
“What do you think I’m doing, getting gussied up and going into town with her when I have a million other things I should attend to?”
“You know what I’m saying.” August places a hand on my shoulder and looks me square in the eyes. “Give that anxious voice in your head the night off, and see what happens when you talk to her with an open mind. Don’t let your stubbornness keep you from seeing what’s right in front of you.”
That’s the problem though, isn’t it? When I let my guard down around Belle, I can see her charms all too well.
“I’ll try.”
August shoves my shoulder lightly. “Good. Now get out of here before she thinks you stood her up.”
“Not a date,” I grit out as I grab my keys from the table by the door and head out to the truck.
“Oh wow, this is pretty cute!” Belle leans over to get a better look out the passenger window as we pull onto the main street of Roan Ridge. “It’s nicer than I expected.”
“What did you expect? A saloon with swinging doors and tumbleweeds?”
She laughs, the bright sound seeping into my chest and making me too warm. “Kinda.” She peers out the window again. “I have only vague memories of coming here, and none of this feels familiar.”
“You were six when you moved, right?”
Belle nods.
“That explains it. It’s developed a lot over the past decade. Most of the shops were renovated and town funds were allocated to making the place more attractive to tourists.”
“Hmm.” Belle’s shrewd gaze turns back to me. “You’d think that would’ve translated into more guests staying on the ranch.”
I fight against letting my hackles rise at her simple statement, but I can’t keep all the bite out of my tone. “You’d think. But it seems like a lot of tourists these days are more interested in luxury cabin rentals than a whole guest ranch experience.”
She hums thoughtfully again. “We have private cabins.”
I can feel her unspoken question of “why the hell aren’t we using them if that’s what people want?” and I bite my tongue before I release a pissy retort about it not being that simple.
“None that qualify as luxury.”
“True.” Her eyes light up as we pass a shop with a “Grand Opening” banner. “Oh, that must be the new coffee shop! It looks so cute. Do we have time to stop in?”
I glance at the clock on the dash. “Not if we want to get to the mechanic before they close.” We left later in the day so there wouldn’t be a ton of time to kill before dinner after Belle picks up her car.
She shrugs. “I don’t really need my car right away.”
I can’t help the frown that settles on my face. “You don’t?”
“Yeah. Where am I going? I’ll text Ben at the shop and let him know I’ll swing by next weekend. I already paid online for the repairs, so it’s not like I’m delaying them getting their money.”
“I can’t bring you into town next weekend.”
Belle waves me off with a smile. “Wylie and Remy offered to take me to town whenever I need, and I’d like to get to know them better.”
I scowl. “Why?”
She chuckles and shakes her head at my tone. “Because they’re nice and I’d like to make some friends that aren’t chickens and goats.”
I’m about to do something foolish, like offer to be her friend, but she speaks before I can get the words out. “There’s a spot right there, pull over. It’ll be nice to support a new business on opening day. I bet there are tourists inside, and I’d love to chat with them.”
I sigh, silently cursing to myself about this change in plans. “Fine.”
Not getting Belle’s car means that she’ll have to ride the thirty minutes back to the ranch with me after dinner, instead of taking her own car. It means more time trapped with this woman that smells like peaches and cream, and looks like cowgirl Barbie in her hot pink jumpsuit and matching boots.
Belle beams at me. “Yes, thank you! Now I can treat you to some fancy coffee.”
I frown. “Don’t need to treat me to anything.”
“Nonsense. You took time out of your day to do this with me. It’s the least I can do.”
“If you buy me coffee, I’m buying your dinner,” I grumble.
“Oh darn, what a terrible arrangement that doesn’t benefit my broke ass at all,” she sighs melodramatically, then winks as she gets out of the car.
She’s broke?
I don’t know why that surprises me, but I figured Dawn had left her money along with her share of the ranch. “Spend all your money on sequins?”
Belle rolls her eyes. “Nope, on car repairs. The sequins were a gift from my best friend. It’ll be a while before I’ll be able to afford more than the basics.” She doesn’t sound upset by the fact, and it’s scrambling my perception of her.
“Didn’t Dawn leave you anything?” I ask, holding the door open as a human couple leaves the coffee shop, cute pink cups in hand.
I gesture for her to go inside, and her smile in thanks is too damn pretty. I have to look away.
We get in line, the place crowded with locals and tourists alike.
It smells amazing, like fresh-baked pastries and espresso, and I can’t say I’m mad about stopping if the coffee is as good as it smells.
Just have to figure out how to order one of the fancy sugary options without Belle making fun of me.
I’ve almost forgotten my question when Belle replies. “Dawn left me some money, but it’s not really mine.”
“What do you mean?” I pull my focus from the menu board, and she gives me a sheepish smile.
“I’m not going to spend it on myself. She left me half the ranch, and with that comes a responsibility. One that I take seriously, contrary to popular belief.”
“I can handle things on my own. I don’t need your money,” I say defensively.
Belle scoffs. “Well, too bad for you that you’re not the boss of me. I’m here and I can do what I please with the money Dawn saved up. I’m going to contribute whether you like it or not.”
I’m taken aback by the bite in her tone, and my cock unhelpfully perks up a little at her conviction. “Alright then.”
Surprised by my response, her mouth falling open for a moment before she snaps it shut. “Good.”
A tense few minutes pass as we silently wait for our turn to order.
Belle turns her friendly demeanor back on for the barista, smiling with them and complimenting them on how cute the shop is, and asking what drink they recommend she try.
She seems like she genuinely cares about them and their opinion, and it hammers home how blind I’ve been.
Belle is a good, kind, supportive person. Not a flaky brat.
And I’m an asshole.
“Ooo, yeah, I’ll try that. I love cinnamon,” Belle says, then looks at me expectantly.
“I’ll get the same.”
There’s a flicker of surprise on her face. The barista nods. “Two cinnamon churro lattes. Anything else?”
“Would you judge me if I get a muffin so close to dinner?” Belle asks, her lips curving.
“Only if you judge me for getting a chocolate croissant.” Her smile broadens. “But I’m buying.” I hold my card out before she can protest.
She glares at me as we step away from the register. “I was going to pay.”
“Too bad,” I huff back. “I can’t keep you from contributing to the ranch, and you can’t stop me from buying you a damn muffin and coffee. And I’m buying dinner, too.” She opens her mouth to protest, but I shake my head. “No arguments.”
The way her scowl shifts into a lopsided smile makes my stomach flutter. “Okay. But you have to listen to all my ideas at dinner. Without interrupting me or acting like I’m some na?ve, clueless girl.”
I let out a dramatic, heavy sigh. “Fine.”
Belle laughs, crossing her arms over her chest. “Just you wait, cowboy. I’m about to impress the hell out of you with my hospitality acumen and general brilliance.”
“Oh, I already noticed your brilliance.”
Her eyes widen, and I let my gaze drop to the rhinestones on her shoulder. “You’re practically blinding sometimes.”
She scoffs and shoves my shoulder. “Admit it. You like my wardrobe.”
I give her a once over, fighting the desperate urge to let my gaze linger on her hips and breasts. I shrug. “It’s growing on me.”
Belle laughs. “You know, I bet Gretchen would make you a matching jumpsuit if you give me your measurements.”
“I’ll pass,” I reply drolly, which makes her laugh harder.
Belle snags a table by the window when a group gets up, leaving me to wait for our order as she chats up the surrounding tables.
I don’t have to hear what she’s saying to tell that she’s charmed them with only a few words.
By the time I get over there with our drinks, she might as well be best friends with the trio of human women she’s chatting with.
Belle perks up when I join her, and the blonde woman’s eyes go wide. “Are you in the show tonight?”
I frown at her odd question. “What show?”
The other women giggle, and the blonde flushes. “Sorry! Nevermind.”
They turn back to their table, leaving me befuddled. “Do you know what she was talking about?”
Belle nods. “Remy mentioned there’s a minotaur theater production in town tonight. She must’ve thought you were one of the actors. You’re certainly handsome enough to be one.”
I raise a brow. “I am?”
Her cheeks turn a bright pink. “Don’t act like you don’t own a mirror.”
“You think I’m handsome.” My lips curve into a smile.
“Yeah, well, don’t let it go to your head. I still think you’re a jerk.”
I let out a bark of laughter at her blunt words.
“Maybe by the end of the night, I’ll have changed your mind.” I want to kick myself as the words come out a little rough.
Her eyes widen for a second before she schools her expression into a skeptical one. “We’ll see.”
“It’s only fair for you to give me a chance if I’m giving you one,” I say with a shrug.
“True. Alright. Let’s forget our preconceived notions tonight. Start fresh.” She reaches a hand out to me, and I blink at it in confusion. “Hi, I’m Belle.”
I snort, but she gives me an expectant look. I take her hand in mine, marveling at how soft her skin is. “Nice to meet you, Belle. I’m Cal.”
Her smile is so bright it makes my chest ache with the need to see her look at me like that more often.
She doesn’t realize it, but I don’t need Belle to convince me of anything. I already know I misjudged her. I already know she’s special.