Chapter Two #2
Wade makes a “pfft” sound through the walkie. “I doubt they’d want to live in a Fiat. Probably too damn small.”
“Just get here, asshole.”
“Yeah, I’m on it. I can tell you right now though, Lemonade is gonna be pissed you’re late for that date.”
“Uh-huh. Lemonade can bite me. It’s not like I asked for this shit,” I say climbing into the truck as I end the exchange.
“I can’t tell you again how sorry I am.” Daisy gives me a tight smile from the passenger seat.
“I wasn’t talking about you, Dais. Just this date that Lemon set me up on.”
“Oh my god, you’re late. I feel even worse now, and your sister is gonna hate me for standing in the way of your happily ever after.”
I snort, I don’t even realize until the sound is outta my mouth, so I cough and clear my throat and start the engine. “I’m not worried about missing this date, Daisy-Mae. In fact, you breaking down on my road is about the best damn thing to happen to me.”
“Well, it’s the worst thing that could possibly happen to me. That or this little one deciding to come too early.”
“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
“It’s fine.”
“So, you have everything you need?”
“Yep. I’m ready when you are.”
I put my arm across the back of her headrest and glance behind me as I throw the truck in reverse.
The next few minutes are filled with awkward silence, but then Daisy starts humming along to a Waylon Jennings song on the radio, and I can’t keep from laughing.
She has a terrible singing voice. She’s off-key and singing all the wrong words, and I’m pretty sure her voice cracked a time or two.
She glowers at me and quickly shuts up. “It’s not nice to laugh at others less fortunate than you, West.”
I laugh again. I don’t even know why. It’s bad. My ears are still ringing. “Sorry, Dais. But I hope you’re not thinking about giving up the B&B for a career in music.”
“We can’t all be talented at everything.”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, please. Like you don’t know. West Winchester, God’s gift to humanity.”
Now I really guffaw. My stomach hurts so bad, and my eyes are tearing up so much, I can barely see the long stretch of road in front of me. “Uh-huh. Yep, it’s true. I really am God’s favorite.”
“Oh, I know.”
“Well, now I gotta know what the hell you mean, Dais. Because the only thing I’ve ever been good at my whole life is chasing a ball around a field.”
“Okay, star quarterback with the voice of an angel who used to sing in church.”
“Yeah, accompanying Wyatt, who’s the real damn star of the family. That kid could be selling out stadiums.”
I dart my gaze from the road long enough to see her roll her eyes. “So could you.”
“’Fraid that ships sailed, darlin’. The only thing I’m slinging these days is a rope around cattle. Busted knee, remember?”
“Well, at least you can still hold a tune.”
I grin. “Unlike some of us.”
“Hey. I am seven months pregnant. It’s really not fair my ass has gotta grow four sizes and I have to be the butt of your jokes.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll go easy on you.” I don’t know why “going easy on her” is the last thing I want to do. I like that Daisy-Mae gives as good as she gets. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, she’s got a wicked sense of humor, and she’s just, well ... fun ... to be around.
“Thank you.” She grins like she just won that round, and I guess she did. “So ... are you excited for your date tonight?”
I turn and glare at her. “Does this look like my excited face?”
She laughs. “No, sir. It does not.”
Why did I get a little thrill when she said “sir” just now? Like a shot straight to my balls. I shift in my seat and shake my head. I gotta get laid. Maybe this date won’t be so bad after all.
“Lemon’s heart is in the right place.”
Daisy smiles tightly. “I think she just wants you to be happy.”
“I think my sister is a busybody who likes sticking her nose where it don’t belong. I don’t need a woman. I’m barely home as it is.”
Twenty minutes later, I pull up to Daisy’s house.
It’s a cute little single-story craftsman with pink shutters over the windows and colorful mums lining the front porch.
Anyone can see Daisy-Mae takes a lot of pride in her modest home.
Though it looks to me like the Maple in the front yard needs trimming and the gutters are overflowing.
I stare at the offending branches barely hanging on to the trunk.
I know that douche canoe left her high and dry, but surely, he’s paying for someone to take care of the property for his heavily pregnant wife.
“Who’s doing your landscaping these days?”
She raises her brow and gives another tight smile and opens her door, jumping out faster than I would have thought she’d be able to move. “You’re looking at her. Well, thanks for the ride.”
I frown. “Don’t mention it.”
“And I really am sorry about my car breaking down.”
“I told you, don’t worry ’bout it.”
“But I made you late for dinner.”
“I wasn’t prepared to leave a pregnant woman by the side of the road. I know sometimes it may not seem like it, but my mama raised me right.”
“Well, I appreciate it. Thanks again, West.”
I nod. Daisy closes the passenger door and stands on the curb by her house. I should have got out of the truck and helped her down, because hadn’t I just finished saying my mama raised me right? Mama would smack me upside the head if she knew I hadn’t opened the door for a lady.
I hesitate with my hands on the wheel. Just drive away, West. Turn on your indicator and leave. Spoiler alert: I don’t. “Daisy?”
“Yeah?”
“How are you getting to work in the morning?”
“Oh, shoot.” She briefly closes her eyes, as if she’s warding away tears. “I hadn’t even thought about that.”
“What time you start?”
“Eight a.m.” She screws up her pretty features.
“I’ll be here at 7:20.”
Daisy shakes her head. “You don’t have to drive me. You’ve done more than enough.”
“I ain’t taking no for an answer, so you should just be ready at 7:20.”
“West—”
“I said I’ll be here, Dais.”
She bites her lip. I never noticed how full they were, or that they’re the color of the dusty roses lining the porch at the ranch house, even when all her lipstick has worn away.
Her eyes shine with unshed tears, and I need to get the hell out of here because someone is waiting on me, but I don’t want to leave.
Not when Daisy’s like this. My phone rings.
The Imperial March plays through the tinny little speaker and I wince.
Lemon’s calling again. Shit. I am in for it now.
“I’ll see you in the morning then.” I nod to Daisy.
“Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll make it up to you yet, but I will.”
“Got nothing to make up for. I can’t have the ranch’s best employee lookin’ for another job.”
“Are you kidding? I have no plans to go anywhere. Besides, who is going to hire a pregnant woman in her millionth trimester?”
“Well good. Because I just don’t think we can afford to lose you.”
“You’re sweet to say so, West Winchester, but anyone with half a brain could run that B&B. Hell, Lemon could replace me at a moment’s notice.”
“Are you sayin’ my sister has only half a brain?”
Her eyes grow wide. “Oh my gosh! No! That’s not what I meant.”
I chuckle. “Relax, Daisy-Mae. I’m just messin’ with you.”
One corner of her mouth lifts in a smile and I rev the engine. “You go on inside now. I’ll wait until I know you’re safe.”
She pauses, her brows pinching a little before a shy smile flits across her face. “Thanks again.”
I nod. She turns and heads up the walk, fumbling in her purse as she goes.
Daisy produces her keys and slides them into the lock before waving me off.
I peel away from the curb. As I drive through the streets of this town I grew up in, I wonder how I never really opened my eyes to half of the things in front of me.
Like the small-town smoke show I just dropped home.
The sweet scent of her perfume lingers in the cab of my truck, and it keeps me company the whole way to dinner.
***
“So, what do you like to do for fun, West?” my date asks, fingering her straw as she looks up from under her lashes at me.
Her lipstick is nude but so fucking shiny it looks like my lips would slide right off the second I pressed them to hers, or get caught like a bug in a web.
Not that I’m entertaining the idea of kissing her.
I mean, I’m a red-blooded male, I can see she’s attractive with her curvy body, her long dark waves, and her fluttery lashes, but honestly, it’s all just too .
.. obvious. This woman likes to be looked at, and there ain’t nothing wrong with that, but tonight that’s just not what I’m looking for.
“Around here, not a whole lot. We usually spend Fridays at Earl’s.”
“Oh, the local bar?”
“Yep,” I say and push my food around my plate.
She’s eating a damn Kale salad. I mean, we only feed that shit to the chickens.
The woman is also a vegetarian. I didn’t know people ate like that willingly.
Maybe that makes me a hypocritical asshole, because I’ve got a one-thousand-pound steer on my doorstep waiting for me to come home, but he’s just a big baby who’s not about to be lunch.
“So, any hobbies out there on that ranch?”
“Yeah. Shooting things,” I say, and then wince because even I heard what a redneck asshole I sounded like. “I read too.”
“Really? I love to read. What’s your genre?”
“Er ... biographies, books on farming,” I lie.
I don’t know why I said that. I don’t care what this woman makes of my reading habits, but I think we both know this isn’t going anywhere.
“Listen, you’re real sweet, and all. I’m sure you’re gonna have tons of men lining up to date you once word gets around that there’s fresh meat in town, but I gotta say—”
“Fresh meat?” Her brows shoot into her hairline.
I wipe my face with my napkin. “You know what I mean.”
Her eyes narrow. “No. I don’t.”
“Don’t get me wrong, you’re real nice to look at, but I just don’t think I can be with a woman who doesn’t eat meat.”
“What?” she laughs as if I’m joking. “You have got to be kidding me.”
I just raise my brow and look her dead in the eye. Probably not my finest moment. It’s not even her fault, it’s my sister’s, Mama, Wade, and Wyatt’s for letting Lemon get carried away. Yeah, okay. Maybe it’s my fault for being a pushover where my little sister is concerned.
“You know, everyone talks about how sweet and respectful Texan men are, and so far, that’s been kind of true,” she says, her pretty cheeks turning pink with anger. Uh-oh. “And then ... there’s you.”
“Hey, I just call it like I see it.” I raise my hands in a placating gesture. “I don’t see us being a thing.”
“Well, that’s good. Because I don’t see the word ‘us’ even for one night. You’re the fucking worst. I can’t believe I put on cute panties for this. God. No matter where you go, men are all the damn same.”
“Now hang on a minute,” I protest. “I think you’re getting me all wrong here—”
“Oh no. I know your type all too well, West Winchester. Tell Lemon I hope she’s a better friend than her brother is a date.”
And then, as if the world is in slow motion, she stands up, leans over the table, giving me an eyeful of cleavage, and slaps me across the face.
The resounding slap echoes through the restaurant and the whole place turns to look accusingly at me.
My date storms out. Every pair of eyes watches me collect myself.
Shit. Lemon is going to fucking skin me alive, especially with those pregnancy hormones turning her into something out of The Exorcist.
I throw a few bills on the table and stand.
Grabbing my hat, I head out and put it on, and then I climb back in my truck and assess the damage to my cheek.
Not bleeding, thank God, but there’s a red hand print complete with claw marks from her long fingernails.
Jesus. How does she take care of kids like that?
I sit in the cab of my truck and watch people leave the restaurant hand in hand.
What the hell is wrong with me? I won’t lie, when I walked in and saw Lainey sitting at that table by herself, I knew we’d both wasted our time.
She was a knockout, just not the knockout for me.
I didn’t feel a thing when she smiled, or when she leaned in to kiss my cheek in greeting and my hand naturally fell to the small of her back.
There was no thrill, no excitement, just .
.. nothing. Perfunctory politeness that felt all wrong. So what the fuck is wrong with me?
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
All I can smell is Daisy-Mae’s perfume. And that’s the exact moment I realize her sweater is still sitting beside me.
I pick up the deep rust wool that reminds me of Texas soil on the ranch, and I bring it to my nose.
Damn, that smells good. Like strawberries, flowers, and woman all rolled into one.
And suddenly I can think of nothing else.
I should run this back to her. Just in case she needs it for the morning.
What the fuck is wrong with you, West? You can’t just drop by Daisy-Mae’s in the middle of the night.
I’m sure she’s got more sweaters she can wear.
I set the soft wool back on the passenger seat, adjust my fucking boner, and start the engine.
I need to take care of this shit before I do something even dumber than upsetting a new friend of Lemon’s on the world’s most disastrous date.