Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
BECKETT
“H ey, boss,” Brad says as he walks into the barn. It’s barely daybreak, and I’m ready for some fucking sleep. “How’s our girl?”
“She’s a lot better this morning,” I reply as we check Bessy over. “She’s turned the corner, which is good. I was afraid we might lose her for a couple of days there.”
“Me, too.” Brad nods and reaches out to pet Bessy’s cheek. “We’ll keep her on the antibiotics for a couple of weeks, which means we can’t use her milk for a while.”
“No, you’ll have to toss it,” I agree. “But she’ll be okay, and that’s what matters. I’m going to get a few hours of sleep, then I’ll be away from the ranch most of the day.”
“Good. We’ve got everything handled here.”
“I feel a little guilty.” I drag my hand down my face, and Brad scowls at me.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve had you guys handling a lot more than usual lately. I’ve been less hands-on.”
“You have a full crew of guys right now,” he reminds me. “It’s our job to do this so you don’t have to. Beck, you’re entitled to a life, just the same as anyone else. Being in this barn twenty-four hours a day isn’t healthy.”
“You’re out here more than I am.”
“It isn’t healthy for most people,” he replies with a grin. “Skyla seems really nice. She’s beautiful.”
I narrow my eyes at him, and he laughs and holds his hands up in surrender. “I’m not being a dick, I’m just stating the obvious. When I met her last weekend, she seemed interested in what we do, and she looked at you like you hung the fucking moon.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m so glad you watched her so closely.”
Brad laughs again and pats me on the shoulder. “Go get some sleep, boss. We’ve got things handled out here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay. Oh, before I forget, I’ll be out of town for two days late next week.”
“Got it. No problem.”
I can tell by his tone that he means that, but it doesn’t quell my guilt that I’m not out here as much as I should be.
“You’re not a one-man show,” he says, obviously reading my mind. “You’re the boss. A good one, by the way. Now, go get some sleep. This is under control.”
“Thanks, Brad.”
Walking toward the house, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I’m so tired, and I need a solid six hours of sleep, but I also need to touch base with Skyla.
I haven’t seen her all fucking week. Texts and brief calls just aren’t enough. I want to see her, hold her, lose myself inside her.
It turns out that I’m an impatient man where Skyla’s concerned.
It’s still early, so I type out a quick text to her.
Me: Good morning, Irish. I hope you slept well. I can’t wait to see you tonight. x
My feet feel like lead as I trudge up the back steps and into the house. I should eat, but I’m just too tired.
And that’s when I see it.
On the counter is a brown paper bag with a note beside it. Eagerly, I snatch up the piece of paper and scan the pretty handwriting.
Beck,
I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in. Your back door wasn’t locked. I know that you won’t want to fix yourself something to eat before you sleep this morning, so I’ve grabbed a few pastries from The Sweet Shop for you. A small selection because I’m not sure what you prefer. Please, have a little something before you sleep.
I will see you tonight.
*heart* Irish
“Fuck me.” I read the note three more times before I set it on the counter and open the bag. There’s a muffin, a scone, and what looks like a whole loaf of some kind of bread. Without thinking, I take a bite of the muffin and moan.
Huckleberry lemon. So fucking good.
I wish she’d stayed. However, if I’d found the most beautiful woman in the world standing in my kitchen this morning, I never would have slept because I would have fucked the hell out of her all day long.
It’s probably best this way.
I type out another quick text as I take the stairs up to my bedroom.
Me: Thank you for breakfast. It was perfect. Sad I missed you.
With the muffin in my teeth, I strip out of my clothes and pad into the bathroom, turn on the shower, and then finish the treat in two more bites. The shower is short and sweet, and after drying off, I don’t bother to put on any clothes before I tumble into bed. I don’t even give a shit that the sun shines right in the window.
It won’t matter.
With thoughts of a redheaded Irish girl, I fall to sleep.
* * *
After a solid sleep, I feel human again and roll out of bed. It’s early afternoon, so I didn’t sleep the whole day away. I have plenty of time before I pick Skyla up.
I call Brooks.
“Yo,” he says.
“That’s a professional way to answer the phone at your place of business.” I grin and tie my shoe.
“You called my cell, asshole. What’s up?”
“My truck needs a quick oil change. Do you have any time this afternoon for me to stop by?”
“I actually do. Swing in, and I’ll handle it.”
“Be there soon.”
I hang up, grab my jacket, and head to the truck. I haven’t seen Brooks or any of my family in more than a week. We usually have family day on Sunday out at the ranch, but with Bessy sick and time with Skyla, we haven’t scheduled it.
Maybe next week, I’ll have everyone over, as well as my girl, and she can see what it’s like out there when we’re all in one place.
If she can survive that chaos, she’s up for anything.
I pull in behind one of the garage doors at Brooks’s garage, and it opens. Brooks waves me inside, and tells me when to come to a stop, and then I hop out of the vehicle.
He presses a button, and the truck starts rising in the air.
“You know, the saying is true,” I say when I walk over to stand next to him. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”
“You’re lucky I finished another project this afternoon. We’re booked up a month in advance.”
“I know.” I grin and stand back, watching as Brooks goes about his routine. “How are you doing? What’s new in your world, man?”
“I’m fine, and nothing’s new.” Brooks is a broody bastard. “I work a lot of hours, and that’s about it.”
“Not dating anyone?”
He scowls at me from under my truck. “Just because you’re suddenly all aflutter over some broad doesn’t mean the rest of us will follow. Jesus, you sound like Bridger.”
Okay, so I admit that it wasn’t all that long ago that Bridger fell for Dani, one of our lifelong friends, and told me that I needed to get a life.
But this isn’t the same thing.
“I’m just making conversation, you know. Have you heard from Juliet lately?”
His whole body stiffens, but he doesn’t look at me. He just keeps working.
“That’s none of your fucking business. If you’re going to annoy the fuck out of me, go sit in the waiting room.”
“I’m not trying to annoy you.”
“Yet it’s happening.”
“Why are you so touchy today?”
“Okay, let me ask you this. Have you heard from Tori lately?”
I scowl, and my brother nods. I never want to think about that nightmare or how she screwed me over again.
“Exactly. When was your last oil change? This shit is like sludge.”
“You’d know better than me.”
“Jesus, Beck.”
“I’ve been a little busy, you know?” I lean back against his workbench, cross my ankles, and tell him all about Bessy being sick, the newest mess with the rentals, and all of the other shit that happened this week.
By the time I’ve wrapped up my story, he’s finished with the oil change and is lowering the truck. He wipes his hands on a rag and crosses to me.
“What do I owe you?”
“I don’t want your money, but I’ll tell you what I do want. Never mention Juliet’s name to me again. Ever. Because the answer will always be no, I haven’t talked to her.”
“Brooks.” I sigh, but he shakes his head.
“No. It’s not up for discussion. Keep her name out of your mouth.”
“Jesus.” I scrub my fingers through my hair. “Okay. I won’t bring it up again.”
“Good. Now, get in here for an oil change before it looks like your engine might seize up.”
“Now you’re being dramatic. That wasn’t going to happen.”
“You’re such a pain in the ass,” he replies. “Always have been. Always will be.”
“Hey, at least I’m consistent.” I grin at him, and then I pull him in for a hug, which I can tell surprises him, but he pats me on the back. “Don’t stay pissed at me.”
“Whatever. Go away.”
I grin and hop in the truck, and with a wave, I pull out of the garage.
* * *
Skyla opens her front door, and I move in to seal my lips over hers. She lets out a little gasp, then her hands are in my hair, pulling me to her, pressing that long, lean body against me. I walk her backward and nudge the door closed.
Riley barks once and nudges my leg, making Skyla laugh.
“He’s happy to see you,” she says against my lips.
“What about you?” My nose drifts up her jawline, breathing her in. “Fuck, you smell good, baby.”
“As do you.” She pulls back just a little so she can smile at me, and I swear to God, her smile steals the breath from my lungs. “It’s happy I am to see you, Mr. Blackwell.”
Skyla rubs her thumb over my lips.
“I was wearing lipstick.” She grins up at me. “I don’t think I’ll bother reapplying it.”
“Waste of time,” I agree, and then take her in. She’s wearing a black top that falls over one shoulder and blue jeans with wide legs that make her legs look a mile long. “You’re a fucking heartbreaker, Irish.”
She smirks and turns to walk away, but I cup her cheek and pull her back to me.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Her eyes soften, and she leans in to hug me, wraps those arms around me, and rests her face on my chest, then takes a nice, long breath.
“I’m so very glad you’re here,” she says. “And I’m starving. Where are we going for dinner?”
“Ciao, if you’re okay with Italian.”
“Oh, I’ve heard such great things about that place. I’d love it. I’m leaving Riley here tonight. He’s been fed and gone outside, so he’ll be fine for a couple of hours.”
I tip up an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“I feel safe with you.”
She turns away, and I rub my chest over my heart. She trusts me. After all she went through and the necessity to have Riley, she trusts me. I know that’s a significant thing for her. Not only that but she also cared for me in a practical and thoughtful way this morning. I’m still slightly awestruck that she said yes to dating me. I have never felt this strongly about a woman … ever.
Jesus, I’m falling in love with this woman.
“Hey, come back here really quick.” I catch her hand and tug her back into my arms and kiss her again until we’re both out of breath.
“What was that for?” she asks.
“My breakfast surprise.”
Her smile lights up the room. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was up early and couldn’t sleep, so Riley and I decided to take a little adventure. Did you notice I also fetched the eggs from the hens this morning?”
My eyebrows shoot up into my hairline. “No, I forgot to check the chickens today.”
“Well, it’s done.” She grabs her bag and gives Riley a kiss on the head, and he lets out a little whine. “It’s okay, big guy. I’ll be fine. I won’t be long.”
She locks up the house behind us, setting the alarm, and I hold the truck door for her. After she’s climbed inside, I buckle her belt, kiss her cheek, then round the hood to the driver’s side.
“Thank you for the eggs.”
“I admit, it was for purely selfish reasons. I love those chickens, Beck. I had no idea that I’d enjoy them so much, but they’re so cute, and they work so hard for those eggs. Oh, and Riley came out with me, and he didn’t try any funny business.”
“Now I’m pissed that I missed this adventure.”
She laughs and reaches over to pat my hand. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll happen again.”
I glance over when she goes silent and notice her cheeks are flushed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I mean, if invited, I’d spend time with the chickens.”
“Okay, let’s clear the air here, Irish. You’re welcome at my ranch any minute of any day. You want to come over in the dead of night? Come on the fuck over, I’ll be waiting at the door. You want to be there in the morning to search for eggs? Spend the night. There’s never a time when you’re not welcome in my home. You have the code to the gate, and hell, I’ll give you a key.”
When I look her way again, she’s looking at me with wide eyes and her jaw dropped.
“Does that clear it up, baby?”
“So this is serious.”
I frown over at her. “As a heart attack.”
“We’re … monogamous.”
Without hesitation, I pull the truck to the side of the road in a residential area of town, unbuckle us both, and pull my girl onto my lap. She’s so small, I don’t even have to put the seat back.
Her eyes are wide with surprise, and I cup her cheek, brushing my thumb over her smooth skin.
“No one exists but you, Irish. You are under my skin and in my head, and I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Yeah, we’re serious, and we’re monogamous. Unless you tell me that you’ve had your eye on someone else, in which case I’ll take care of him.”
She swallows hard as her eyes fall to my mouth.
“Eyes on me, baby.”
“No. That’s not what I meant, Beck. I don’t fancy anyone else. I think I wanted to make sure that we’re on the same page, so I’m not for making a fool of myself when you tell me that this isn’t what I thought or hoped that it is.”
“Good. Same page, then.” I kiss her quickly before helping her back over to her seat. “Let’s eat.”
If I didn’t move her over, I would have fucked her right here in front of Mrs. Martin’s house from high school, and that isn’t a great idea.
When we reach the restaurant, we’re shown to our table, and a server named Kyle writes his name with a crayon on the white paper that covers the table.
“Hi, folks, I’m Kyle. I’ll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Water for me,” Skyla says as she looks at the menu.
“Same, thanks.”
“Okay, I’ll get those waters. You take your time with the menu. If you’re looking for recommendations, I’m partial to the lasagna and the pasta ravenna. But you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.”
He walks away, and Skyla smiles over at me. “He’s very enthusiastic.”
With a smirk, I reach over and take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles, and set my menu aside.
I’ll get the lasagna.
“Tell me about this charity function next week.”
Before she can say anything, Kyle’s back with waters and garlic bread, then he takes our orders and is off again.
“I don’t think I should eat that,” Skyla says, staring at the bread.
“Why not?”
“Because I won’t be able to stop.”
With a laugh, I cut her a piece and pass it to her, then do the same for me and bite in.
“Jesus, that’s good.”
“I could have just had this for dinner.” She chews and moans, and my dick immediately comes to attention and bitches me out for not fucking her earlier. It’s very aware that it’s been a week since I’ve been inside her. Fuck, I’ve missed her. And her delectable body. “Okay, so the charity is called Dreams for Kids, and it’s something my family started about ten years ago or so. I’d been working with a summer dance program for children in New York City, and a couple of girls were terminally ill but wanted to be treated as normal kids. They just wanted to learn how to dance, wear pretty clothes, and perform for their parents. So we modified things and made sure they were able to do that.”
She’s fucking amazing.
“I decided to use my privilege for something magical for these wee ones who struggled with something I can’t imagine going through. I guess you could say we grant wishes. If a little boy wants to meet his sports hero, or a girl wants to meet a pop star, or whatever it might be, we make it happen at no cost to the parents.”
“That’s an incredible idea.”
“Well, I can’t take all the credit. Sure, the idea was mine, but I don’t have a ton to do with the foundation, mostly because I’ve always been so busy with work. But now that I’m no longer performing, I can at least go to fundraisers and be more of a face for the organization. I don’t honestly mind going. I just wish that I’d had more notice.”
“This is a last-minute dinner?”
“No, but I didn’t read my father’s email about it last month.” She presses her lips together, then shrugs a shoulder. “He’s always trying to get me more involved with the business, and I don’t want to. It’s just not what I’m meant to do with my life. That’s all Connor. So if Da sends something that looks professional, I delete it right away and get on with my day.”
I can’t help but laugh as our meals are set in front of us.
“And,” she continues, “now that you’re going, I’m excited for it.”
“Good. I’m looking forward to it.” I take a bite of lasagna, my eyes pinned to her pink lips as she chews her food. Jesus, I’ve missed those lips this week. She reaches across the table and takes a bite of my lasagna and nods in appreciation. “Did you finish the book?”
“Yes.” Her eyes shine as a smile spreads over her face, and she offers me a bite of her meal, which I take. “You?”
“Of course, I did. And I’m about to go back to the beginning and buy books one and two from Bee.”
“You don’t have to. I own them on paperback as well as e-book because I’m obsessed. You can borrow them. Just don’t break the spines.”
“I’m not an animal. Of course I won’t break the spines.”
She laughs and takes another bite off my plate. “Did you enjoy the rest of the story, then?”
“I really did. There was action, sex, a little mushy stuff, but the action made up for it. What did you think of it?”
“I think it’s my favorite of the series so far although it’s hard to choose.” She pulls another piece of bread onto her plate.
“And what is it about these books that you love so much?”
She takes a bite of her pasta and squints her eyes, thinking. After swallowing, she says, “It’s several things. Yes, I enjoy the spice, but without the chemistry and the connection between the characters, the spice doesn’t matter. I like watching a relationship build, and I love it when friend groups are involved or family that scoops up a character and says, ‘You’re one of us now.’ I enjoy banter and humor. Like in Dom, when they go to the mountain house with Val’s brother and his friends, and the guys are so funny together, I was rolling with laughter.”
“So you like the relationships in general.”
“Aye, I do. I want to see it all unfold. Maybe I’m nosy.” She shrugs that bare shoulder and takes another bite. “What did you like about it?”
I grin at her. “The sex and the action.”
She laughs and picks up her water glass. “To sex and action.”