Chapter 37
ELLIE
“I don’t like the idea of you driving to Helena by yourself,” Ryder grumbled as I finished packing my bag.
“I’ve done it every year for the past five years,” I said, glancing over at his pouting face.
“Yeah, but can’t you take someone with you? What about Josie?”
“She’s got her shop to run, and I highly doubt JR would let her go while she’s pregnant.”
“She’s not that pregnant,” he grumbled as he sank down on the bed, pouting like a little kid.
“You can’t be degrees of pregnant,” I laughed. “It’s not like you’re less pregnant at three months than you are at nine months.”
“Still, he’s being selfish by denying you the ability to take a friend with you.”
I strode over to my very sad fiancé and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll be gone a week.”
“A week is too long.” He slid his arms around my waist and tugged me between his legs. “Just imagine what we could do with a week if everyone thought you were gone.”
“Yes, but your clients would still expect you to be in the office, so your plan has a few flaws.”
Groaning, he rested his head against my chest, muttering something about how he would be lonely.
“Seriously, it’s just a fashion show.”
Laughing, I pushed away from him. “It’s actually a seller’s market. I go every year because I get the most unique clothes and some excellent contacts. It’s what makes my shop thrive, so I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to suck it up and survive without me for a week.”
Sighing, he released me, then walked over to the closet and grabbed his own suitcase.
“What are you doing?” I exclaimed.
“Going with you.”
“No, you’re not,” I laughed.
“And why not?”
“Because you’d be bored out of your mind. Besides, you have a case. You can’t just drop that!”
“It’s just a small case, though.”
“It’s a murder trial, and your client’s life literally depends on you!”
“Yeah, but he didn’t do it. I’m sure he’ll get off,” he said as he started grabbing clothes.
I stepped in front of him, pressing my hand to his chest. “Ryder, you’re being ridiculous. A young man is on trial for murder. This is your first big case out here. Do you really want to have the reputation of flaking on a client who desperately needs your services?”
He rolled his eyes at me, but finally conceded. “Fine, I’ll stay here and defend justice and all that shit.”
Grinning, I leaned up on my toes and kissed him. “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown.”
“If I was a good man, I would go with you.”
“Well, despite the fact that you’ll be too busy, I also don’t need a babysitter to do something I’ve done for years. You know, apart from the last few months, I’ve actually been a functioning adult for a while now.”
“Are you trying to tell me you don’t need me?”
“Not even a little. Now, go take a shower, or you’ll be late.”
I smacked him on the ass as he grabbed his things and headed for the shower.
It was tempting to slip out while he was preoccupied, but that would only end with an angry phone call and the very strong possibility that he would drive after me, hunting me down until he caught me, and then he would yell at me for a good ten minutes.
Instead, I finished packing, then hauled my suitcase into the other room and made myself a coffee to go. When he came out, freshly showered with a towel draped around his waist, I knew instantly what he was up to.
“Nice try,” I grinned, placing the lid on my mug.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Showing off your incredibly sexy body will not convince me to stay. You forget, women can hold out longer than men.”
“Is that so?” he asked, stalking toward me with a mischievous grin stretched across his beautiful face.
I already knew what was coming and was prepared for his attack. I walked around the counter, putting the island between us as he raised one eyebrow in challenge.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“As far away from you as possible.”
“You only think so,” he chuckled.
“Actually, I know so. JR!” I shouted.
Confusion swept over Ryder’s face as JR came in through the back door and stalked toward my possessive boyfriend.
“Hey, don’t do this,” Ryder pleaded.
“Sorry, but if you don’t let her go, then my woman is gonna be pissed at me, and there’s no fucking way I’m letting her go all the way to Helena without me.”
Ryder feigned left, then dashed right, but JR leapt over the counter, tackling my fiancé to the ground. “Run!”
I took off, grabbing my suitcase before blowing a kiss at Ryder. “I love you! See you in a week!”
“Ellie, I’m gonna beat your ass for this!”
“Only if you can catch me!” I called out before slamming the door. I cringed as I heard a crash from inside, and decided it was best if I ran. Grabbing my suitcase, I hustled to the car, tossing my suitcase into the back of my Jeep, then got in and backed out, hitting the gas.
But I only made it as far as Murky Falls Ranch on the way out of town before I was blocked by a truck parked across the road.
“What the fuck?”
Shoving my door open, I glared at Jeff as he lounged lazily against his truck.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you,” he grinned, grabbing a bag out of the back of his truck.
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I got a call that you were going on a trip, and since your boyfriend/boy toy/lover can’t go with you, I’ve been designated by the town council to pick up the slack.”
My jaw dropped at his words. “The town—”
“Council. Yep, they took a vote on it last night.”
“Who—”
“JR brought it to the attention of the council. He was worried Josie would insist on going with you, and then an argument broke out, and…honestly, it was chaos.” Sighing, he waved me over. “So, let’s hit the road.”
“No,” I stood firm. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Shrugging, he walked over to my Jeep and climbed in, slamming the door behind him. “Alright, so off we go to see fashion and shit.”
“You’re—No! This is not happening! I don’t need a babysitter!”
“You most definitely do, if only so the milkshakes don’t go flying. I had enough of those last night when I initially refused to go with you. Trust me, the number of them that hit me made me permanently hate milkshakes for the rest of my life.”
I stared at him, shocked that this had actually become some town discussion. How the hell was I supposed to get around this?
“Well, we can’t leave because your truck’s in the way.”
“Yeah, I considered moving it, but then I figured if I got out, you’d drive off and leave me behind. Which would only get me in trouble with everyone around here. That’s just not going to happen. So, you’re going to take the scenic route out of town, and we’ll be on our way.”
This was unbelievable. I scrambled for a way out of this, but Jeff’s determined look told me it was pointless. I had no choice but to take him with me.
“Fine. I hope you enjoy looking at clothes for days on end.”
“Oh, trust me. I’m mentally prepared for the excursion.”
There was no getting out of it. I was stuck with him, and if I wanted to get to the show anytime soon, I had no choice but to go.
“I hope this show turns you gay,” I muttered as we turned around.
“No possibility of that,” he grinned. “This is gonna be fun.”