Chapter 5
Chapter Five
SAM
“Iowe you big time, Bob. I know we’re not supposed to get our delivery until next week, but that old barn ruined everything.”
I throw my hand out for the owner of the feed store to shake.
“I’m glad I can help out.”
I slam the tailgate of my truck and head back to hop in the cab.
Fucking roof.
Kade and I were out there last week. We thought the temporary roof would hold through the rain this week.
It didn’t.
And now we’re scrambling for feed for the horses. Thank God for the town of Pinecrest and people willingly helping out.
“I appreciate it.”
I shake his hand one more time and start the truck to head back to the ranch. Pinecrest is buzzing. Everyone is out, flitting back and forth between all the shops. It’s the busiest time of year for the town, and I love that the ranch is busy again.
It’s how it always should have been. I can’t fault Verne for losing interest after Arlene died. After Casie died, I was the same way. I lost interest in everything. All I could focus on was raising Lennox. And even that I managed to fuck up royally.
I turn down the road to the ranch, the fields opening up in front of me. I roll the windows down and breathe in the fresh air.
I fucking love this place. Nothing but long stretches of road that lead to the mountains beyond. It helps clear my thoughts about the sexy brunette. I shouldn’t have stayed with her, but I couldn’t help myself. I don’t know who in their right mind would stand up someone as incredible as Joey.
What a fucking idiot. She deserves better than some guy on an app. Not that I’m above an app. Hell, I asked for her help to get on one to hopefully get over these feelings for her.
As I get closer and closer to the ranch—all relative considering the distance from town—I notice a stalled car on the side of the road. Steam is billowing out from under the hood. Hitting my blinker, I pull over in front of them.
When I get out of my truck, I’m shocked to see who is standing there.
“Joey?” She looks at me, relief written all over her face. “I think I know the answer, but is everything okay?”
She looks exhausted when she takes a few steps closer to me, phone in hand. “No, Sam. It’s not. My fucking car decided today of all days that it’s not going to function anymore!”
“Can I help?”
A woman yelling at me doesn’t rattle me. Nothing beats getting yelled at by a moody teenage girl. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“Do you know anything about cars?”
“Enough to get by, darlin’.”
Joey points a finger at me. “No calling me darlin’ today. I’m not in the mood.”
Brushing past her, I inspect the engine. I might not know a ton about cars, but I can diagnose more than the average person. Enough to know she’s going to be forking over some dough to get this fixed.
“Well, you’re not going to like what I tell you.”
“How do you know?” Joey comes up beside me, bending over the engine.
There’s that damn sunshine smell again. How can one woman smell so fucking good? Does she know what one whiff of her does to me?
Standing to put some distance between us, I cross my arms over my chest. “It’s a blown head gasket. It’s why your engine overheated. You shouldn’t drive it until you can get it in to Vince.”
Joey smacks her hand on her forehead. “And how much is Vince going to charge me for this thing?”
“It’s not cheap.”
Joey throws her hands out to her sides. “Great. Just what I needed. How in the fuck am I going to pay for a new engine?”
“Not a new—”
She cuts me off. “Not only do I have to worry about my car and how I’m going to get it to Vince’s, but Max wants to play tee-ball this fall and that’s not cheap.
Not to mention he’s growing like a weed and needs new clothes and shoes every other week.
Then there’s the cost of Pre-K in town and before I know it, I’ll be sending him to college. ”
“Isn’t he—”
Tears well in her eyes as she ignores me. “How am I supposed to manage all of this on my own? Max’s dad is an absolute deadbeat, so it all falls on me. And how many times can I ask my brother and parents to help before they get sick of me?”
“Can I—”
“Fuck!” she shouts, kicking the tire. “Why the fuck is this happening? Stupid piece of shit car!”
“Joey.” This time, my voice is loud and commanding as she spins to face me.
“What? What do you—”
Closing the distance between us, I crush my mouth to hers. I swallow her whimpers as I revel in the feel of her lips.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything so soft before in my entire life.
I linger, not wanting to break apart. God, this feels fucking amazing. When I do pull back, she’s staring up at me, shock written all over her face.
“You kissed me.”
“Sorry. It seemed like the only way to shut you up.”
“By kissing me?”
“You were on a bit of a tirade.”
She licks her lips, looking a bit dazed.
Fuck. Did I completely misread the situation? Before I can second-guess myself, Joey leaps into my arms and seals her mouth over mine in a hungry kiss.
A small voice in my brain tells me I shouldn’t be doing this. But it’s easy to ignore when Joey wraps her legs around my waist and I drop my hands to her ass to cradle her there.
Oh, fuck yes.
Her tongue demands entry and I allow it before taking over. I move slow. If this is going to be the only time I get to kiss this woman, I’m going to take my time. Do this exactly how I want.
I press her back against the driver’s door of her car as the sun beats down on us. Her tongue matches me stroke for stroke as I explore her mouth.
She tastes like lemons. I could get lost in how fucking sweet she is. Her nails trail down my back, sending heat zinging straight to my balls.
Fuck. This is even better than I imagined. She doesn’t relinquish control, no matter how hard I try to take it.
I love it. I don’t know how long we stand here, making out on the side of the road, but a voice—a clear, strong voice inside my head—tells me we need to stop.
“You know, that was a really good way to get me to stop spiraling.”
“Oh, it was, was it?” I ask, brushing a lock of hair off her forehead.
“Yeah. But, umm. Can I ask you a favor?”
I set her on her feet as she takes a step away from me, adjusting her denim shirt.
“Anything.”
“Can I get a ride to work? I don’t want to be late, and it’ll take my parents at least thirty minutes to get out here.”
“For you, darlin’? I can do that.”
She smiles at the nickname, before walking around her car to grab her bag.
“I mean, it’s only ten minutes to the ranch anyway.”
Taking her hand in mine, I lead her to the passenger door. I slam the door shut behind her with a wink. As I walk around the truck, I take a minute to adjust the problem in my pants. I don’t need Joey noticing that. That’d be fucking embarrassing as shit.
“I really need to buy you a fruit basket.”
“A fruit basket?”
I crank up the air conditioner in the car. Maybe it’ll help with her lingering scent. The last thing I need is to smell Joey in my car long after she leaves.
“Or…I don’t know. What do cowboys like in thanks?”
“Why are you thanking me?” I ask.
“You keep rescuing me.”
“I’d be a shit person if I ignored a person stranded on the side of the road.”
Joey scoffs. “You saved my date the other night.”
“You mean the one that never showed?”
“Don’t bad things always happen in threes?” she asks. “Maybe I need to listen to Serena and get some sage. She might have been on to something.”
“Or you could be looking for trouble where none is to make her prediction true.”
Joey spins on her seat. “Does that mean you’ve gotten a reading?”
I laugh. “She gives you a reading whether you want to or not. She told me that I was going to fall off a horse, bang my head, and meet my true love in one week.”
“And?”
“And what?” I eye her before passing under the gateway to the ranch.
“Men. Always need to be led to water. Did you meet someone?”
I shake my head. “Can’t say that any of it happened.”
“Too bad,” she says, still eyeing me. “Well, I don’t want to take any chances.”
“I have a feeling you’ll be okay, darlin’.”
As we pull up to the ranch, instead of bypassing the main road to head straight to the barns, I follow the scenic path to the lodge.
“I really do owe you one, Sam.”
Joey unclicks her seatbelt as I put the truck in park in front of the long, wooden walkway that welcomes guests to The Lost Spur.
“You don’t owe me anything. I can help you get your car towed if you need it.”
She shakes her head, getting out of the truck and slinging her purse over her shoulder. “I can take care of it tonight. While I search for gift baskets for cowboys.”
I burst out laughing. “Not needed.”
“We’ll see.” She winks at me. “I need good karma so nothing else chaotic happens.”
“I’ll see ya.” I tip my hat to her as she shuts the door. “Or maybe I won’t. I might want to stay away from the chaos.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I wave her off as I head back to the barn. For once, I don’t allow myself to think of how dumb kissing Joey was and relish in how good it felt. I didn’t feel weighed down with expectations or a long list of to-dos.
I felt like me. Something I haven’t felt in God knows how long. All because of a damn good kiss. Better than anything I’ve experienced in a long time.
If only Joey and I were two different people and could act on these feelings.
If only…