Chapter 14 #2
Noah spun as a gorgeous, tall woman with dark, curly hair walked over to him. He wrapped his arm around her, staring down at her with a besotted look. The rock on the woman's left ring finger told the world that she was taken.
And from the look on Noah’s face, he was the one who had put it there.
“Hello. Who are you?” the woman asked her.
Oh. That was direct.
“Cleo!” Kiesha said. “That was kind of rude.”
“It was?” Cleo asked.
“I’m Blakely.”
“Are you new in town or something?” Cleo asked.
“She’s working for Jack Hill. Well, for his grandson, Stafford,” Kiesha said.
“Ahh, Stafford is such a hunk,” Cleo said.
“He sure is,” Kiesha said, bouncing on her toes with enthusiasm.
“Hey!” Noah said.
Harry just shook his head and wrapped his arm around Kiesha’s waist. “I think I need to meet this Stafford.”
“He doesn’t leave the ranch much . . . well, pretty much never unless he needs some supplies or something,” Blakely said.
“All work and no play is going to make Stafford a boring guy,” Kiesha said. “He needs to be more like me. I live my life about ninety percent play and ten percent work. And no one has ever called me boring.”
No. Blakely was certain that no one could ever accuse Kiesha of being boring.
Thirty minutes later, Blakely’s head was whirling.
And it wasn’t because of the Apple Pie martini she’d had. Which was absolutely delicious. She’d gulped it down. Probably not the smartest idea she’d ever had.
She’d have to have something to eat before driving home. Or stay at a hotel, which wasn’t really something she could afford.
No, her head was whirling from all the people she’d met.
It felt like Kiesha knew everyone in town. And they’d all come by to say hi to her. Everyone was so friendly here. It was amazing. Especially Kiesha and Harry’s friends. They were all quite different, but fun.
However, for someone who wasn’t used to this many people, it was kind of overwhelming.
“Oh, there’s someone I want to introduce you to. See that gorgeous guy over there?” Kiesha pointed to the bar where several men stood. “The one in the gray shirt with the wide shoulders and blond hair.”
Oh. Yeah. He was nice-looking.
But she wasn’t sure she’d say gorgeous. Stafford was gorgeous.
Stop thinking about Stafford.
He’s made it clear that while he’s attracted to you, he doesn’t want anything more. He can’t be what you need.
And it wasn’t smart to keep pining after him. He was her boss and she couldn’t afford to lose this job.
“Right. I see him.”
“That’s Ike. He works at Sanctuary Ranch. Totally a Daddy. The guy with the short, black hair next to him is Lennox. I don’t know him so well. But he’s definitely got Daddy energy. Oh. Oh. Ohhh. I just thought of someone else. He’s a complete hunk. Where is he?” Kiesha glanced around.
“Kiesha, you don’t need to introduce Blakely to every single man in Wishingbone,” Harry said, crouching down next to them.
“I’m not. I’m just trying to find all the single Daddies that I think she might like. I’m really good at matchmaking. Don’t worry, you’re in safe hands with me. Oh, I see him. Wait here. Do not move.”
She wouldn’t dare move. It would be a braver person than her that went against Kiesha.
Kiesha rushed off and Harry took her seat. “You can tell her if she’s going too far or too fast. Or you can tell me and I’ll rein her in. You’re in charge here, Blakely.”
Was she? She didn’t really feel like she was in charge. Sometimes she felt like she was in the middle of a whirlpool, trying to fight her way free.
There was a part of her that didn’t want to be here. That wanted to be back with Grandpa Jack and Stafford, sipping on hot chocolate and playing checkers.
But she didn’t want to be on her own forever. Which might mean taking a chance. And it was nice to be with other people. It was good to make friends.
“I don’t really have any friends,” Blakely told him. “I’ve moved around a lot and I haven’t had any time to make friends. Plus, people don’t always, uh, understand me, I guess you’d say.”
“A lot of people around here would understand that feeling of not belonging. And how good it feels when you do find your place. But it’s okay to say when you’ve reached your limit. All right?”
“Thanks, Harry.”
He was so kind.
Kiesha returned with a muscular, handsome man in tow.
Okay, this time she really had found someone who could rival Stafford in looks.
And it wasn’t just his looks, it was his friendly smile, his lovely eyes. The way he held himself.
“Here! I found him. Blakely, this is Aiden. He just moved to town not long ago with his sister, Lola. He’s a physiotherapist, and he’s now officially a volunteer fireman. He’s also six-foot-four and owns his own home. He—”
“Whoa, slow down.” Harry walked over and kissed Kiesha, which actually managed to quiet her.
Probably just as well, since Blakely could feel herself growing red and Aiden was looking a bit shell-shocked.
“Hi, Blakely.” He held out his hand, and she hastily stood and shook his hand.
“Hi, I’m Blakely. Blakely Ellis. Hi.”
Right.
That wasn’t embarrassing or anything. What was wrong with her?
“May I sit?” Aiden asked.
“Of course.”
He took Kiesha’s chair. “Thanks. Have you just moved to town too?”
“Ah, I don’t live here. I work on a ranch not far away, though,” she explained.
“A cowgirl?” he asked.
“No, just a housekeeper.”
“Blakely,” Aiden said in a serious voice as he placed his hand on hers. “You’re never just anything, understand me?”
Oh, that was nice.
So was his hand touching hers. It wasn’t mind-shattering. There was no spark of heat. But his hand was warm and dry and he seemed like a nice guy.
This seemed to be going really well.
“Take your hand off my woman before I remove it from your body.”
Oh. Heck.