Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
I’m about to tell Mellie the good part when the ground rumbles. “Holy… what the? I think we just had an earthquake. I wasn’t sure if that’s what I felt a few minutes ago or?—”
“Bank robbery, an explosion…and an earthquake. What’s next, girlfriend?”
“Right. I hope nothing. I really can’t take any more stress.”
Everything around me looks normal, even feels normal, but inside I’m unsteady. My heart is skipping and not because of Mr. Hotness. “That was two quakes in less than ten minutes.”
Her excitement morphs into concern. “Oh! Are you okay?”
“Yeah, this one was tiny, plus I’m outside. I just hope that nothing happens like the disaster in Santa Rosa a few days ago. Did you hear about that?”
“I did. The news said everyone was okay but a lot of buildings were damaged. Is that true?”
“There were some injuries. Rumor was an American had to be flown back to the states in critical condition. Most of the little town was destroyed. A lot of rescue teams from all over the world were here in Vandemora searching. Everyone was so grateful for the help.”
“Those guys and women are badass. I can’t imagine doing that job.” She makes a rough sound. “That’s a different breed—someone that can charge into danger like that.”
“It is. And I think I just met a man like that.” My heart beats rapidly for a different reason and my lips curl into a happy shape. Like a really big one that crinkles my eyes.
After Mellie sucks air, she dives in with both feet. “Girl. What is happening right now? You met someone!?!”
“There’s a man. Shocker, I know.” I wait as she shouts something. When she’s done, I continue. “Like a real man, kind of a modern day knight in shining armor, he rushed into the bank to save me from the robbery.”
She’s shocked silent.
“Well, let me back up. Not me specifically, but anyway, he was about to charge into the bank to make sure everyone was okay.”
Out of her shocked state, Mellie sighs dramatically. “Swoon. Was it Captain America?”
“Kind of, but darker and more edgy with this sexy southern accent. I think he’s from the bayou or someplace like that. I really don’t know the Southern U.S. that well, but you get my picture.”
“ Dayum . Girl.”
“It gets better.”
Her breathing gets fast. Is she running? “Mellie, take it easy there, you sound like you might need an inhaler.”
“ Funny. Now, please for the love of god, tell me you broke your drought and this knight in shining armor resuscitated your…” Mellie’s voice drops to a loud whisper, “ lady parts .”
I press my face into my knees more as heat builds around my cheeks.
Leave it to Mellie to say lady parts. Sometimes her vocabulary is straight out of the 1950s.
“My dry spell is not that bad. I had sex when I was living in California for school.”
She snorts and ribs me. “You had sex for school, or while you were in school?”
“Are you going to pick apart everything I say?”
“Yes, how many years ago did you have sexy times?”
Now I grimace. Almost three, but I will not say that aloud. “Can we leave my very boring no-sexy-time life out of this?”
“Marianna, you called me to tell me about this MAN. Now, please tell me about Captain America’s goth southern cousin, before I lose my mind.”
Goth …where did she get that?
“He’s not goth, he’s just… dangerous. You know, dark eyes, bad boy vibe in an I-can-snap-people’s-necks kind of way.”
An evil little laugh comes through the phone. “Oooh. Now that’s a tasty description. I bet he’s good with ropes.”
Gone is the 1950s Era and now we’re onto the 50 Shades of Gray Era.
My mind flashes to the necktie that was lying on his lap. Oh my god.
Gulp. I might have to get a vibrator. Soon.
“Back to the story. There was an explosion and he threw himself on me like a human shield as we sped away in the back of a chauffeured car.”
A thrilled laugh bubbles across the airwaves. “I love this man. Did you ask him for a prenup?”
I almost laugh. Instead I groan and rip the scrunchie out of my hair. Long strands catch in the breeze, stirring around my face. “I’m so damned confused.”
Deadpanning, she replies, “That is your vagina staging a mutiny. It’s making a last stand.”
I grumble and push up off the stone, pacing toward the first row of agave plants. “I felt something.”
“Your clit?”
Crap. How did she know? Cringing, I blow out a breath. “But it wasn’t just my clit, it was something way north of that.”
Kneeling, I drag a fingertip through the dirt. The note is burning a hole in my pocket, but I refuse to look at it again.
“This is a really unexpected development. A good one.”
Panic rattles through me. “No! Please listen to me. I’m scared. He was so… different. He took care of me. He made sure I got home and when I woke up this morning I found his number next to a glass of water and my shotgun. All laid out just in reach. And he covered me up with a blanket.”
More panting on her end. “Wait? You were in bed with him?”
“I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up, I found the note.”
Something loud clatters in the background.
“Mellie, what was that sound?”
“I dropped my water bottle. That’s what happens when my best friend tells me she has a chance to end her self-imposed sexual hiatus with a freaking hero and she falls asleep on the couch.”
“Girl, I’m kind of messed up over here.”
There’s a brief pause.
“Oh, hun.” Her tone goes soft. “Honey, I’m sorry. I was just… well, having fun with you because you’re the most fun person ever.”
“Not any more. I’m the most overworked, over-stressed person ever. Now I might be the most confused.”
She makes a concerned sound. “What are you afraid of?”
“God. Everything. I can’t have a thing for a man who is going to leave in a few days. He’s a tourist.”
“But you said before that you don’t want any kind of relationship.”
Argh. I stand and let a clump of dirt fall out of my hand. “A relationship would be impossible. I have too much responsibility here. He’s American. He’ll be going back to the states before long. Besides, my father is enough trouble without me involving a man.”
I still haven’t told Mellie about Sylvester. Or my father’s scheme to get me married. That feels like a conversation we should have in person. Or maybe not at all if I can figure out how to deal with it.
She’d freak out.
“Honey, girl…” She pauses. “Are you still there?”
“Yeah. Was just lost in thought.”
An awkward silence follows. We both are very familiar with my story. Know why this is more than me having responsibilities, I have trust issues.
I press my fingers into my eyes, and blow out a breath that I’ve been holding. “So… I’m just going to fantasize about him. I’m not sure why I even had to call and tell you this.”
“Good. You fantasize all you want.” Her tone hardens. “And let him help you out while he’s around.”
“You’re not talking about mending fences are you?”
“Mending something…” She laughs softly. “By the way, Queen of Agave-land, how is the farm?”
On to safer subjects, my stomach muscles relax a fraction.
“It’s… a lot. But if I get the loan I mentioned to you last week, then I can finish the product launch in America and you’ll be able to buy DonAzule Tequila in your neighborhood bar one day.”
She inhales swiftly. “You’re really going to do it? This is the best news ever!”
“It was my grandfather’s dream. Without the launch, this will always just be a small, local Vandemora business. And with profits the way they are, that’s not really enough money to keep the farm going.”
I bite my lip, hating to admit this part. “This is it, Mellie. My one chance…I have to do it for Grandad. Or I’ll have to sell the place. The numbers just don’t add up any more.”
Her reply is instant. “I believe in you.”
“Thanks, friend. I just hope the bank does, I’m supposed to find out today. I hope. Yesterday got a little messed up when the bank got robbed. They said they were going to be closed for the rest of the day.”
A door creaks open on her end, signaling she’s back at her apartment in Solana Beach, California. “Have the dangerous one go with you to meet the banker. He can crack some necks or do whatever dark superheroes do.”
“If only. No, this is all on me. I’m the captain of this ship and if it goes down, I’m going down alone.”
“So morbid. We really need to talk about this issue.”
A flicker of light catches my attention across the field. The sun is blinding me. I straighten and hold my hand above my brow.
Who is that?
“Hey, Mellie, listen, I’m sorry, I need to go. Someone’s driving across the field and they shouldn’t be there.”