Chapter 3
Jose
“Geez,” I muttered, growling to myself as I climbed into my truck and slammed the door. For the third damn day in a row, I was stuck going into town to buy stuff.
Not that it wasn’t needed, but I didn’t want to see more people.
And as it was already early morning, I had no doubt that everyone was up and about, wanting to chit chat and I sure as hell didn’t want that. Nor did I need it.
I had a lot to do back here; more posts that were broken, horses that were getting sick, some ready to have fouls, and a host of other things. And now, my damn sink in my bathroom is leaking and I need to get it fixed. When did I become a jack of all trades rather than just a rancher owner?
Well, when I didn’t want to keep having people in and out of my house to fix things, I suppose.
I walked into the store, down the aisle I needed, and nearly groaned. Because of course she would be here, getting people to help her. Isn’t that why she stopped by my place yesterday?
With a sigh, I went to the cashier, rolling my eyes at Tim’s comment, trying to step back as Vicky turned, running into my chest.
She groaned as she fell on her ass and one side of my lips tipped up. I leaned down, offering her my hand. She glared up at me, almost ready to slap it away but she thought better of it and took my hand. I hauled her up, my arm wrapping her waist as she teetered.
I heard her soft gasp, my mind having all kinds of images from that simple sound that I shouldn’t have. Not about her. Fuck, not about anybody.
“Vicky,” I told her, letting her go more abruptly than I should.
She righted herself before lifting her head, her eyes sparkling in a way I hadn’t noticed before. As if she caught something within my expression that I hadn’t been able to hide fast enough.
“You’re back in town,” she said, making my jaw clench. I lifted my package, some washers and tools that I needed that I didn’t seem to have, and she looked at the package.
“I had something break and now I get the joys of fixing,” I muttered, making her laugh.
“That might just be the most words you ever spoke to me.”
“Don’t make me regret it.”
“I’ll try not to. So, can I ask what broke?”
“I have a pipe that’s leaking in my bathroom,” I muttered, not looking at Tim as he rang up the items and I gave him cash for it.
“You know, there are all kinds of people around these parts who could help you if you just asked?”
I turned to look at her, my jaw clenching.
“Vicky, I don’t want people in and out of my house that I don’t know well enough or I don’t trust.”
“Interesting,” she said, tapping her nails on her arm. “Isn’t that what you do when you hire ranch hands to help with all the work around the place?”
I narrowed my eyes at her, hating how right she was. However, I wasn’t about to admit that to her or to anyone. Because that would only give her license to butt in with everything.
And I didn’t need that.
“I’ll be okay,” I muttered, making her hold up her hands.
With a grunt, I took my bag and walked out of the store, heading back to my house and my leaking pipes. Because yes, there was more than one. One was in the house, the other was on my body. And it started to leak the moment that beautiful woman fell on that gorgeous, plump ass.
“Stop it,” I told myself, climbing out of my cab. “She’s off limits, way off limits.”
Twenty minutes later, I grunted as I twisted the washer, looking up as someone walked into the bathroom.
“Qué estás haciendo, mijo?”
“Working on a pipe, Dad. What did you need”
“Por qué? Por qué no llamaste a alguien?”
“Why call someone, Dad, when I can do it myself?”
“Ay, that’s going to get you into trouble, mijo. Don’t be doing things alone just because you’re too stubborn to ask for help.”
“I’m not stubborn, Dad,” I said, groaning as I twisted it again, making sure it was tightened enough before sitting up. “I just didn’t see the need to call anyone.”
I watched as my dad crouched down next to me, his hand patting my cheek.
“You doing life alone is bad for you; don’t you know that? You have no friends, you talk to no one, and you’re not dating. You need people around you. Is that really how you want to live, Jose?”
I grunted at that, making him laugh.
“I have my family,” I muttered, which was true. I had my parents, wasn’t that enough?
“We’re not going to be around forever.” His words stabbed my heart, even if I did know them to be true.
He gave me another smile before looking over the mess I had made, but it was fixed.
“If you’re done here, go show me the little ones that should be running around soon.
I’ll take those as my grandbabies for now. ”
I stood up, wiping the sweat off my brow and staring at him.
Since when did he want grandkids? He never mentioned a thing before. I mean, I knew my mom wanted them, sure. I honestly heard about it all the time from her. But my dad? This was news to me.
“What?” he asked, crossing his arms. “Can I not want my son to be alone? Who are you going to leave all this too when you die if you have no one?”
I opened my mouth but shut it, because that was the second time I heard that in just two days. It was becoming old. But it was also the truth.
Not that I wanted to settle down. I didn’t have time for a wife. And certainly, no time for kids. The ranch was my wife, keeping me busy all hours of the day.
“I’ll find someone soon enough, Dad.”
“But who will want an old fart like you?” He laughed at my expense, and I couldn’t understand why the image of a raven-haired, brown-eyed young lady sitting on a horse came to mind. But it did. Even if I knew she was off limits.
“There is a pretty thing in town you could try asking out. She might do well for a grump like you.”
This time I glowered at him, making him laugh. He grabbed my cowboy hat, handing it to me and I shoved it on, taking him back to the barn.