Chapter 20 Reese
Jarrett grumbled the whole day, but he did as he was asked. No one sat with him at dinner, but of course he didn’t seem bothered. He passed out early, I could hear his snores before I went to bed last night.
Mason agreed to keep Jarrett busy for me this morning so I can head to the farmers market. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. Goldie’s softening up, I can feel it.
The market’s busy by the time I arrive, and her booth is crammed with people.
Her blonde hair’s practically glowing with the morning sun, face lit with happiness.
She takes her time talking to each person who comes by, and every now and then she looks to her left to the dark haired woman at the honey stand.
Deciding to look around at the other stalls, I wait until there’s a lull in her line. The honey stand has a ton of jars with liquid gold, some with red and white checkered lids, others with plain white lids. It’s clear there was more than she had prepared for when she went to can.
“Local hon–Oh.” The dark haired woman stops, looking up at me with a knowing glint in her eye. “Hey, Handsome. You looking to buy some local honey, or just hangin’ around for some sugar?”
I don’t recognize her, but the way she implied I’m looking for sugar, and then looked over at Lucy has me asking, “You know Goldie?”
“Goldie, huh?” Her smile grows and she glances toward her.
Picking up one of the larger jars, I scan her face and offer her my card.
“You don’t have to do that,” she says, pointing to the jar. “I’m aware you like my girl, and you don’t need brownie points with me.”
I chuckle, “I do like her, but I also have a ranch full of youngins who would love somethin’ sweet, and something tells me I actually do need the bestie brownie points,” I add with a wink.
“What makes you think I’m the bestie?”
“Wild guess.”
She pauses, looks me over and nods. Taking my card she swipes it across her device and hands it back, flipping the screen around so I can approve the amount. The amount’s low, and I look back at her, but she’s already helping another customer.
Adding a tip for the amount the jar should cost, I flip it back around, set it down, and head for Goldie. She’s talking to a customer, animated and so fucking beautiful. I can’t help the smile I’m sporting, watching her is like watching the sun grace the sky after a rain filled week.
Her eyes scan over me, and come back, locking on mine and there’s a small smile that stretches across her lips before she looks back at the customer before her.
That’s a good sign.
When the customer leaves, she turns my way, her soft green dress flows down her body moving with the slight breeze. It’s tied in little bows on her freckled shoulders, with off white polka dots all over it.
She looks like a goddess.
“Hi,” she says, cheeks turning pink as she looks back to her left.
“Hello, Goldie,” I smirk. “You look beautiful this morning.”
Her eyes widen before she rolls them, placing a hand on her hip she levels me with a grin. “I’m not in need of a rescue today, Old Man.”
Snapping my fingers, I pretend to be upset. She didn’t need a rescue the last time I was with her, but I helped her all the same.
“I came by to ask you a question, actually,” I swallow, suddenly nervous. I haven’t done anything like this in a long time, if ever.
“Oh?” She says, leaning against the little counter she’s got with flower pots that have been picked over. “Let’s hear it then.”
“Lucy!” I hear a familiar voice shout. Brent, dressed in regular clothes, saunters over standing next to me. Curling my fingers into a fist, I flex them out. She’s not interested, my guy.
Of course, I can’t say that. Even though her smile falters. I can almost see the apprehension on her face, which makes me wonder if my imagination is making this up, or if he makes her uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry about the fuss with Zacariah this week,” he says, and I wrack my brain trying like hell to remember who that is.
“Me too, Brent. Colt didn’t deserve to be treated like a criminal for losing his temper,” She says, using a name I feel like I’ve heard before. But I can’t be sure as I watch her face morph into worry. She bites her bottom, turning the pink to white for a split second before she looks my way.
“I agree, and I hate to be the bearer of worse news but,” he says, cocking his head, and side-eyeing me. “Jarrett’s pressing charges against him–”
“Whoa,” I interrupt, “what are you talkin’ about? Who is Colt?”
Brent looks my way with a sneer, as if he didn’t see me there before. “This doesn’t concern you, Walker.”
“Like hell,” I scoff, “he’s my brother, and he’s currently in my care. If he’s pressin’ charges against someone, it’s my business.”
He eyes me long enough for Lucy to clear her throat, reminding him she’s standing there.
“I haven’t spoken to Colt or Briar since I brought them to the station. Does Colt know?” Her worry seems to escalate and part of me wants to reach out and hold her.
“I’m sorry Lucy, I thought you knew,” Brent tries walking around me, but I’m not about to watch this fucker try and comfort her when it’s plain as day she doesn’t want that.
Stepping in his way, he bumps into my shoulder and looks up.
Anger sparks there, but I ain’t moving, and he knows it by the way his features turn sharp.
“I appreciate the news, thanks for stoppin’ by Brent,” Lucy’s voice holds finality, which makes me smirk. She’s telling him to fuck off. In a polite way, but still, it’s satisfying as hell.
When he hesitates I cross my arms and wait. I won’t do anything stupid, but I really would like to punch him in the face and if he starts something, I’ll be sure to finish it. Finally he stomps off, and Lucy’s audible breath of relief makes anger flare all over again.
“Ugh, unbelievable. The nerve of him, I can’t—”
I haven’t gotten to see this side of her, but I can’t say I hate it. Her anger is palpable, and I wonder why she doesn’t just tell Brent to kick rocks.
“Why don’t you tell him to leave you alone if he bothers you this much?” I ask before I can think better of it.
She turns her face to mine and I can’t read her features, “That’s none of your business, Old Man. I hope that wasn’t the question you came here to ask.”
Her using the nickname she gave me last time makes my chest warm. A smile spreads on my face, stretching from ear to ear, and I watch as her smile blossoms wide on her face.
“You’re right, it’s not,” I smirk, waiting for her to check another customer out before gaining her full attention back. “Would you go to dinner with me?”
She pauses, looks around as if for a life line and I start to falter. Did I misread our earlier moment? Did she not enjoy our time in the kitchen as much as I did?
“What?!” She blurts, and then quiets her voice, asking again, “Do you really think that’s… appropriate?” She murmurs, twisting her lips to the side.
Tilting my head to the side I ask, “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You know why.” She hisses, but when I play dumb she elaborates with a single word, “Levi.” She laces his name in venom and worries her hands.
“Are you worried about what people will think?”
She looks at me as if I have a mind full of air, “Of course I am, and you should be too. People talk, Reese.”
I take a moment to savor the fact that she just said my name before I respond. “Goldie, I don’t think you should care what others think about what you do with your life,” I lean down into her space over the bar. “I know I don’t. Not if it means I get to take you out.”
“He was your brother–”
“He wasn’t a good man, and you owe him nothing,” I stop her.
She pauses, and sighs. “I want to, but I can’t.”
My gut falls, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll give her space, but I won’t give up. This woman is my future. I don’t know how I know, but this feeling isn’t something I’m gonna ignore.