CHAPTER 22
DAISY
The sound of knuckles rapping against the wooden door of the tack room drags my attention away from the shears I’m cleaning. Hunter stands in the doorway; his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans.
An easy smile curls his lips as he runs a curious gaze around the room. “You’ve done a good job of organising things in here.”
I glance around, brushing off his praise with a shrug. “I like to work in a clean space.”
“Well, I appreciate it.” He steps inside the tack room. “How are you finding it?”
I blow out a breath. How am I finding it? Well, your brother is a colossal pain in my ass, and I get dirty looks from every person on the ranch, but other than that, things are going swimmingly.
That’s what I want to say, but instead I answer with, “great.”
Hunter smiles wider. “Good. I’m glad you’re finding your footing here.”
“Hmm,” I mumble, eyeing him with suspicion.
There’s a reason he came looking for me. And I know it’s not because he wants to know how I’m finding working here.
“Is there something else?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.
Hunter grips the back of his neck, his cheeks taking on an ever-so-slight blush. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something ever since your interview and you can tell me to mind my own business, but as your boss, I need to know,” he pauses and my stomach sinks.
“Are you okay?” He blurts out and my brows sink in confusion.
He spewed all that shit and blushed like a teenager just to ask me if I’m okay? My eyes narrow and then quickly widen as realisation settles in.
He’s asking because I said I was sick.
Before I can answer, Hunter continues. “I just need to know if there is anything we should be doing for you. If you need time off for anything, you just have to ask, and…”
I cut him off. “Hunter, I’m fine.”
He snaps his mouth shut. “You are?”
My defences drop and my tone softens at the worry in his eyes. He’s just trying to be a good boss, and I can’t fault him for that. “Yes. Totally fine and healthy. But thank you.”
He releases a breath of relief. “Okay. Good.”
I chuckle lightly at him. The fact that he cared enough to ask me and be willing to accommodate my needs warms something inside of me.
Not many people have been kind to me since I returned so to receive it from one of Killian’s friends is… refreshing.
“I see what Savannah means now,” I admit, seeing him in a different light.
Hunter is different now. The man I knew before I left was a lot less mature and a lot more… full of himself. He was the playboy of Rosewater Creek and women would fall over themselves for a chance with him. Now, he’s mature, caring and from what I’ve seen, humble.
With a tilt of his head, he asks, “what do you mean?”
“You’re a worrier.”
Hunter chuckles deeply, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “Yeah. Having a baby on the way and a five-year-old running around will do that to a man.”
“Well, I appreciate your concern, Hunter, but you don’t need to worry about me.”
He dips his chin. “Noted.”
We exchange a few more words before he turns and disappears out of the barn, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
And of course, much like they do any time I’m alone, my thoughts circle right back to Killian. My phone burns against my skin from where it sits in my pocket with the urge to check for any messages from him.
Seeing his name appear on my screen the other night had caused my heart to hammer against my ribcage. It’s been so long since the two of us had exchanged messages that it was… uncanny, to say the least.
The feelings that those simple messages stirred up inside of me reminded me of my younger self. Of how I would get butterflies every time my phone chimed in the hopes that it would be him. It made me want to keep him talking.
I’ve checked my phone almost every hour since, hoping to see his name again. So far though, no dice.
Mentally shaking myself, I push all thoughts of Killian and late-night texts to the back of my mind and continue with cleaning my equipment. I’ve got a rare easy day, so I won’t look a gift horse – pun intended – in the mouth and hang around any longer than I need to.
***
Bella is waiting for me with a mischievous smile and a martini when I walk into the kitchen from work. I drop my bag on the counter and raise an eyebrow at her. “Are we celebrating something?”
“Nope,” she pops the p. “We are going out.”
I cock my head. “We are?”
“Yep. We haven’t gone out just the two of us since you got back and I think it’s time we change that.”
Huh, she’s right. Every time we have gone out since I moved home the other girls’ have been with us and our girls’ nights have been crashed by the guys.
Normally, I’d rather spend time at home, whether it be reading a book under a blanket or watching a movie with Bella, but tonight the idea of going out and spending time with my best friend sounds like exactly what I need.
I take the drink from Bella and sip from it. It’s a vodka martini and judging by the burn in my throat as I swallow it, a strong one at that.
“Go get showered and changed and then we can go,” Bella says, shooing me out of the kitchen. Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself giggling as she pushes me into the bathroom.
I take an everything shower, washing my hair and taking extra time to shave my legs and the rest of my body. Once I climb out, I moisturise, brush my teeth and even paint my toenails, all while shaking my head and mentally berating myself.
I don’t know why I bother making the effort. No one has or will be seeing any part of my body anytime soon.
I let my hair dry naturally, the dark waves falling in loose curls down my back, while I meticulously swipe some mascara over my eyelashes before riffling through my closet for an outfit.
When I’m done, I eye myself in the full-length mirror.
Although the only bar in town is The Dusty Boot, I’ve opted to dress up a little more than I usually would.
Light blue denim jeans that hug my figure so well, they appear painted on, paired with a square-cut, black bodysuit and matching open toe heels to show off my freshly manicured toenails.
To complete the look and stop me from freezing my ass off in the cool spring air, I’ve thrown on a black cropped blazer.
I stand there for long minutes, just looking at my reflection.
I barely recognise the girl staring back at me.
It’s been so long since I’ve made such an effort with my appearance that it raises questions within myself.
Am I going to all this effort because I’m hoping to see a certain someone tonight?
And if I do, will the outfit get his attention?
God, I’m pathetic.
Bella’s voice drags me from my self-loathing. “You ready?” She freezes in the doorway, her mouth dropping open. “Wow.”
My cheeks heat as she roams her gaze over me.
“You look… unbelievable.”
“Thank you,” I reply, feeling oddly shy. “So do you.”
“Let’s go,” she says, holding her hand out for me. I take it and let her drag me out of the house toward the cab waiting at the end of the driveway.
With a deep breath, I push all negative thoughts away and vow to enjoy a night on the town with my best friend.