Chapter 7
The awkward silence was aggravating.
What do you even say after all of that? Addie and Evie were riding ahead of them, and Justin looked content riding next to her. How the hell was he content? She was insensitive, and he called her out. She threw an inconsiderate dart that hit the bullseye and resulted in a very personal confession, followed by a very sudden and powerful kiss. From a man who, she had to admit, had been nothing but kind to her.
Yeah, the way they’d met hadn’t been so pleasant, but he apologized. Compared to the offenses of other men in her life, Justin’s was very minor. She willed her guts into existence, still staring at the horse’s head bobbing up and down in front of her.
“Were you talking about yourself back there?” She turned her gaze to find him looking at her with a half smile.
“I was. Your uncle is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real father figure. My dad was a fucking bastard, and he threw hands with me every day of my life that I can remember. I haven’t seen him since they ripped me out of school and placed me with the Coles. He went to prison and got out, but by that time I was grown. Still don’t know what happened to him. Don’t even care.”
“I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. You never went back then? To school, I mean?”
“Nope. I took a test and got my GED. Passed with flying colors and started working and getting paid with the boys at the ranch.”
Damn. She didn’t own the corner shop for pity parties after listening to all of that. Didn’t seem like Justin would’ve shopped there, anyway. She was still processing. That had to be the reason they hadn’t told her. They could’ve lied and said he was—hell, she didn’t know. They could’ve made up some alternate story. Then again, she still would’ve been hurt when she found out it wasn’t true.
“I can’t even imagine going through that. Were you being protected? Like witness protection?”
Justin laughed and flipped his hat forward to shade his eyes.
“No, not really. But you know, your uncle is ex Special Forces, and the police and CPS knew I’d be safe here with him. My dad was in prison, but you never know. He could’ve gotten cut loose for good behavior or some shit. They were just being cautious.”
She tried to weed through all of the information coming at her at once. She’d asked for it, but it was still a lot.
“Consider yourself lucky that you can’t imagine it.” Justin lowered his hand to pat his horse gently on its neck. “My mom left, and my dad couldn’t handle it. I lived. I’m here. I’m just grateful my life turned out the way it did, and I’m riding next to a pretty redhead, on the way to a beautiful meadow.” He grinned and shot her a wink, like he always did.
She smiled back and dropped her gaze. “Can I make a confession of my own?” She was staring at the reins laced between her fingers as she contemplated exactly what she wanted to say.
“Go ahead, sugar. Clearly, I can’t judge.”
She looked up and into his eyes. “I hate him, you know? And I hate myself for being dumb enough to believe he loved me. He was a giant, walking red-flag from the beginning.”
“I’m all ears if you’d like to talk about it, Blythe. Chris told me a little bit about why you came out here, but I wasn’t convinced even he knew the whole story.”
“I haven’t told anyone the whole story. The only person who really knows is my best friend, Jenny. My parents cut me off after high school, and I really don’t have much to do with them. They knew I was engaged and planning a wedding, but our relationship never recovered when I applied to be a waitress after high school…and threw college out the window.”
“Wow. I’m really sorry about that.” She felt his eyes lingering on her. “I bet you were one hell of a waitress, though. Probably getting tips out the yin yang. I saw you bent over in those painted on jeans.” He smirked and waggled his brows.
She let out a laugh as she looked up at the sky. “That’s why they hired me. Said I was the type to grab attention. I don’t get it, but I kept my ass out of reach. That’s where I met Max.”
“Is that his name? I assumed it would be something a little more distinguished and douche baggy. Douglas, maybe?”
Blythe laughed a scoff and confirmed.
“His name is Maxwell Harrison, and he turned out to be a real big one.”
“A real big what?”
“Douche bag!” She looked at him confused.
“Yeah, I know. I just wanted to hear you say it.” One side of Justin’s mouth kicked up.
There was no pretense with him. He was the most down to earth man she’d ever met. He flirted without pause, and every word out of his mouth was honest. But she didn’t know how much more she wanted to confess.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to tell the rest.” She looked at him, wanting to spill her guts, but knowing she wasn’t ready to dig open her wound completely. It was still so fresh, and she needed to process a little more.
“Well, when you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
Justin gently clapped his legs on his horse and galloped towards the girls as they hit the edge of the meadow.
They made it home just as the sun sank below the mountains that surrounded the ranch. Justin helped Addie and Evie down from their horses and told them to run inside. He would brush down all the animals and put them away.
Blythe swung her leg over one side to get down off her mount. As her feet touched the ground, she could feel him behind her.
“About earlier today…”
She turned and practically ran head first into Justin’s hard chest.
“I kissed you, and I know we butted heads, but I hope you’ll let me take you out on a date. Say yes .”
She could see his eyes were sincere, and for a moment, she paused. She wanted to say yes, she really did. Maybe it was too soon, but after their ride and everything they’d said to each other—everything he’d shared—she couldn’t say no.
“Okay, cowboy,” she whispered and tipped her head up further to see his handsome face better.
His lips parted and he ran his tongue over the bottom one. His white teeth were showing through his grin. She moved past him as she left the barn and hurried toward the house. She heard his deep voice call from behind her.
“Saturday. I’ll be here to pick you up. Be ready for a good time.”
She waved as she climbed the porch steps, then opened the screen door to go inside. Chris was waiting for her at the kitchen table. A plate of grilled steak and a bowl of broccoli were sitting in the center of the big wooden square. Addie and Evie were already scarfing down their dinner like two little puppies who hadn’t eaten all day.
“Hey, Lythie girl, are you hungry?” Chris eyed her with a twinkle of mischief on his face.
“I’m starved. Did you and the boys get busy today? You never sent one of them to help us saddle the horses.”
Chris lifted a brow. “Didn’t you spend the day with Justin?”
Her jaw dropped to the floor. “You sent him ? He said he was out there shoeing horses.”
“He was, and when he finished, I told him you girls needed some help. He didn’t have any more clients and was happy to do it.”
She looked at him—half irritated, half amused.
“He asked me on a date for Saturday. I said yes.”
Chris leaned back in his chair, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Where’s he taking you?”