Chapter 18
Quint
“I can’t believe you did that to me,” I hiss at Aura as we’re walking over to the main house for dinner.
Caleb’s cooking up a big batch of his famous ranch stew and biscuits, so it’s going to be a packed house.
The family, plus any of the ranch hands who want to join in.
Maybe some other folks from town will show up.
Somehow word always spreads when it’s a stew night.
Hell, even the prodigal son, Preston has returned to the ranch for a visit.
Although that probably has more to do with the film production company showing up tomorrow than stew night.
“What?” she asks, all innocence in a white lace dress and the red cowboy boots she showed up in for our first lesson. They’re broken in now, but she’s switched to something a little more practical for riding, saving these for special occasions.
“You know what you did. Left me there desperate and wanting more.” I had to get right back to work after her little tack room performance, putting out fresh round bales in the fields, stocking the hay stall in the main barn, and going to negotiate a deal on a new stud.
At least he’ll be getting some action. After I snuck back to my place to get changed of course.
She reaches up to give my cheek a pat. “You said you were okay with this. If you want to back out now, say the word.”
“That’s not what I want. But I thought…”
“What did you think?”
“I thought you’d at least let me fuck you. Do you know how hot it was watching you touch yourself? Getting to taste you? God, I was so worked up.”
She gives my dick a pat. “I know. But you got yours and you’ll get the rest eventually.
It’s called anticipation, and you are going to thank me later.
” She leans in close. “Because if you think I don’t want to feel your dick stretching me out just as badly as you want to give it to me, you’d be incorrect. ”
I groan. “Are you sure you want stew? We could just go back to my place. I’ll make you a grilled cheese sandwich.”
“Of course I want to go. I’ve heard amazing things about this famous stew.” She puts a hand on my chest to stop me when we get to the porch steps. “Be honest, it can’t be that good, right? I don’t even think I like stew. Is your brother going to toss me out if I don’t like it?”
Her teasing distracts a chuckle out of me. “Oh, you’ll like it. Everyone likes it. Except Preston’s old girlfriend. She was a vegetarian.”
She laughs. “You make it sound like a dirty word.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Not where I come from. I mean, where I live. There are just as many herbivores as carnivores in LA, and everything in between.”
“What else is there?”
“Don’t worry about it. I can’t even keep track of all the fad diets, and I live there.”
“You two coming in?”
I look up to see Shayla staring down at us from the front door. She’s studying us a little too intently for my liking.
Judging by the noise level that greets us, the entire town showed up for this one. There’s a smattering of people hanging out in the front room, but it sounds like the majority of guests are in the open kitchen and dining room area.
Aura freezes in her tracks. “I thought this was a family dinner. Maybe a few friends.”
“Stew night always draws a crowd. Caleb makes enough to feed half the town. It does sound a bit busier than usual, though. Are you going to be okay? I can grab us some to go and head back to my place if you’d like.
” I don’t relish the thought of it, despite my earlier offer to go home for grilled cheese and another round of whatever that was in the tack room.
My siblings will give me shit, and I do enjoy the way stew night brings everyone together.
But I can understand how it might be too much for her.
She swallows hard and pulls her shoulders back, making that transition into the actor who can handle anything that comes her way.
“No, I’m good. Everyone knows I’m here now, so it’s not like we’re hiding.”
I nod, but slip my hand around hers, giving it a squeeze.
She glances down, then relaxes into the hold.
We are supposed to be keeping up appearances after all.
I did tell my family the truth about our fake relationship.
They’re the only ones I trust to keep the secret.
None of them quite understand why I’m going along with it, though, and my sister has been particularly vocal about her disapproval.
I hope she can keep her mouth shut tonight.
The kitchen is packed with bodies. Dean and the rest of the ranch hands of course, Leonora and her daughter Casey.
Lenny from the garage and his wife Mallory, who runs a hair salon.
If you need any information to get around fast, just let those two know and sure enough, the whole town will be informed within hours.
Better than the Internet and just about as questionable in terms of accuracy.
Blink is pawing at Caleb’s old hound dog, Cody. Cody is lying there patiently, but every once in a while he raises an eyebrow in a help me expression. I don’t even know how or when Blink got here. True to her name, she’s a furry Houdini.
The chatter continues for a moment until Mallory notices us. “Quinton, so good to see you, and Aurelia, welcome to Balsam Grove.”
That’s the match that sparks everyone’s attention.
All eyes in the place focus on us, and I shift on my feet, not used to the attention.
Even though I know it’s not for me. Now the big turnout is starting to make sense.
They’re all here to ogle the star. Crap.
I’m going to have to keep a close eye on the situation.
“Hey, everyone. Just gonna check on Caleb.”
I squeeze Aura’s hand, leading her into the kitchen which is almost as crowded as the rest of the house. “How’s the stew coming, Caleb?”
He grunts from his position in front of the gigantic pot on the stove. “Might be faster if all these people weren’t crowding my space.”
The complaint vanishes into the chatter. It’s not a real complaint, anyway. He loves these dinners.
Mallory walks toward us like she’s on a mission, and she probably is.
I eye the door, but she’s in front of us before I can make a move.
“Hello, dear, I’m Mallory. I run a hair salon in town, so if you ever need something a little special done while you’re here, you come to me, all right?
Maybe if you’re going out for a nice dinner? ” She directs a pointed gaze at me.
“Thank you so much,” Aura says graciously. “But I’m going to be pretty busy once filming starts.”
Mallory waves a hand at her, the assortment of silver rings adorning her fingers glinting in the bright lights of the kitchen. “They’ve got to give you some time off. And when they do, make sure you come see me. I’ll give you a good deal.”
I hold in my laugh, but a snort from behind me tells me Dean wasn’t so successful. Mallory doesn’t seem to notice, barreling on.
“And then you can tell all the other actresses to stop on by too. We’d love to have them. Do you happen to know who else is going to be starring in the show? Everyone I’ve talked to is just dying to find out. We’ve never had anything this exciting happen in Balsam Grove.”
“Well…”
“Oh, you know what Mal?” I say. “I forgot Caleb asked me to bring some extra dishes. We’re just going to head back over to my place. See you at dinner.”
I tug on Aura’s arm, and we escape from the small crowd that gathered to hear the conversation.
The sky is layered with every shade of pink and orange when we get back outside.
Aura gasps. “Oh wow, look at that sunset.”
“Pretty isn’t it?”
“It’s gorgeous. No wonder they chose this place for the show. Might be the prettiest one I’ve ever seen.”
The mountains are cast in a warm pink glow, and so is she when I turn to look at her. It’s like the warmth of the sun washes over me, spreading through my veins until it settles in my heart with a soft ache. It’s stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before, and I can’t even tell her.
“I’m sorry about everyone. Nothing this exciting has ever happened in our little town before.”
“They’ll get used to it. And some of them will hate it.
The noise, the mess, the outsiders. That’s what happened in Cape Wren, where we filmed Paisley Creek.
The cast and crew became a problem. Drawing gawking onlookers, and inconsiderate stars.
I hope that doesn’t happen here, but it wouldn’t be surprising. ”
“And our family will have been the ones who caused the problem. Hmm.”
She takes a few steps away, crossing her arms as she stares into the distance. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. Everyone here clearly loves your family.”
“I don’t know if they love our family, or if it’s more my brother’s stew and biscuits.”
She spins around. “Well then. If those are as good as you say, we should probably head back in to eat some up.”
“Are you sure? I know it’s all a lot. Mallory probably won’t take the hint. She’ll be recommending a nail color and some pink highlights before you know it.”
“I can handle a Mallory. You know how many Hollywood parties I’ve been to? You’d think they’d be exciting, and some of them are okay, but most are awful. At least these people all seem genuinely interested in each other’s lives. They seem nice. I’ve missed nice.”
“And by nice, you mean boring?” I know Balsam Grove is dull compared to what she’s used to, and I’m part of this town and it’s a part of me. Does she think I’m boring?
“No, by nice I mean nice. Let’s get back in there or they’ll think we’re out here doing something untoward.”
That sounds pretty appealing right now. I grin down at her. “We could be.”
“Come on, Cowboy, let’s get back in there.”
Everyone seems to have settled down when we get back inside. They’re too busy mainlining stew to accost Aura again, plus they’ve all formed little groups and are chatting away.
We wait our turns behind Shayla and Ed, who occasionally helps out around the ranch.
Caleb scoops us heaping bowls and tops them with two homemade biscuits, then we wander around the house looking for somewhere to sit.
The window seat in the small den is unoccupied, so we settle there.
The only other occupants are too engrossed in each other to notice us.
Larissa and Ken are just back from their honeymoon, so they’ve only got eyes for each other.
“That’s better.”
I watch as she spoons up her first bite, moaning as she chews the tender morsel of beef. “Oh my god, that is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
I smile, feeling daring. “Not me.”
“What?” she gives me puzzled look.
“It’s not the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth, is what I’m saying.” I lift a single eyebrow at her and let my gaze drift down her body.
She gives me a light push. “Be quiet. We’re in your family’s house.” Her cheeks have a tinge of pink to them as she looks around to see if the other occupants of the room noticed, but they’re still lost in each other.
“What? It’s the truth.”
She leans in close enough that her breath is brushing my ear. “If you keep that up, you’re not going to get another taste, and I was thinking I might let you after we get back.”
An electric bolt of need zips through me, and I straighten up. “I’ll behave.”
“Good.”
She leans closer, holds up her phone for a selfie, and plants a soft kiss on my lips. My eyes fall shut as our tongues meet, and I reach up to weave my fingers in her long hair, pulling her closer.
“Aww, there you are.” Mallory’s voice cuts through the moment and we break apart. “Aren’t you two the cutest.”
Aura’s lips twitch, but she keeps the laugh in, jamming a biscuit in her mouth.
“Oh my god, that is so good too.”
“Doesn’t Caleb make the best biscuits?” Mallory gushes. “I keep telling him he should get together with Leonora to bake some for her café. But he won’t do it. Stubborn man.”
“He’s pretty busy running the ranch and all,” I say. “We’re lucky he makes them every couple of months for us.”
“You’re right.” A man’s voice calls her name, and she makes a face. “Len needs me. I guess I’ll get back in there. But let me know when you want to come by the salon, dear.”
Aura taps something on her phone and then tilts it toward me. “Look at us. This one is going to have hundreds of thousands of views before the sun rises tomorrow.”
The stew starts to feel a little heavy in my stomach and I idly play with the spoon. That’s right, this is all for show. I thought for a moment that kiss was real. Silly me.
After we finish, we wander through the rooms, saying good night to my siblings, and then I grab her hand to head back to my place.
As we’re walking the short path home, I give her hand a squeeze. “Listen, I know you’ve got a room now at Chicory, but you’re still welcome at my place for the rest of filming. In fact, I’d really like for you to stay.”
She gives me a long, searching look then leans in to brush her lips against mine. Her left hand slides down my back and she gives my ass a slap. I jump a little, not expecting the sting.
“Come on, I think it’s time I repaid the favor.”