Chapter Thirty-One
“Ready to go?” I hear his deep timbre coming down the hall.
Chris strides into the bathroom where I’ve been getting ready and smirks, then whistles as he eyes me through the reflection in the mirror.
“Listen, blondie, I’ve never seen you with a lick of makeup on, you don’t need it, you knock me on my ass with your beauty every time.
But damn that lipstick adds a little frosting.
” He winks and gives my ass a smack while I’m still bent over the sink, looking for any mess ups I might’ve made putting on this face.
“I picked it up with the whiskey last night, thank you very much. Thought I’d play the part since we’re dealing with all the snooty, falooty financial shit at the bank today.
” I stand up straight, grab the sides of my belt and wiggle my butt to make sure everything is secure.
I’ve got my normal jeans and a button up top on.
There were a few to choose from, and I picked a yellow one today.
It’s tucked in so it doesn’t interfere with the gun on my hip.
I lift my tan hat off the towel hook behind me and sit it on my head.
I have natural waves, but added a few curls to my hair, and it looks pretty, if I do say so myself. He grins and bends to give me a kiss.
“Careful, boss—don’t ruin the lips.”
“Later.” He growls and goes for my cheek instead. We exit the bathroom and head toward the door to leave. I take all the papers the lawyer left. I need the code on the back of one of ‘em.
“How are Addie and Lettie doing?” I talk and walk as we make our way to the truck and climb inside. I’ve got two cowgirl boots on my feet for the first time in weeks and damn it feels amazing. I don’t feel any pain in my right ankle and that tells me, it was about damn time.
“Lythie sent a text this morning, they’re doing great.
Justin would also like to report that Blaze is ready to be ridden again.
So when we get back, that’ll be the first thing on your agenda.
” I smile from ear to ear because I miss that girl.
We pull into the parking lot of the bank and before I can unbuckle my seatbelt, Chris is out of his and opening my door.
He reaches inside, turning me to face him.
He pushes my knees apart and steps between them, then puts his fingers in my hair.
His voice is deep and tender. “Dixie…you know I can’t let you walk in there alone.
” I nod my head, because I know. The independent girl I was a few days ago, cannot coexist with a sheepdog.
“I know, boss.” The side of his mouth hitches as his protective hands come around my waist, lifting me out of the truck, and placing my feet on the ground.
“I’ll lead.” He says with a wink and a squeeze, when he again wraps his dangerously large hand around mine.
There aren’t many people inside the building—I guess it is a weekday after all.
Chris leads us to one of the front desks and steps to the side, giving me room to step forward and address the clerk.
“Hi. My name is Dixie Wilder and…”
“Dixie!” The woman looking at me through the plexiglass gasps, then reaches through the little hole at the bottom to grab my hand resting on the small counter.
“Dixie Wilder… is that really you?” I smile at her, mostly confused, because I don’t recognize her off the bat.
And here I was, wanting people to recognize me. Damn, I feel rude.
“It is.” I chuckle and lean in a little further to see if I can pinpoint who this sweet woman is.
“Oh, my hell—Billie! Girl, you ‘bout had me thinkin’ I was losin’ my mind!
” She throws her head back and laughs with me.
I can’t wipe the dang grin off my face because I found an old friend.
We weren’t close by any means, but we raced together at rodeos and had fun together occasionally when we were teenagers. “It’s so good to see an old friend!”
“It is!” She squeals quietly. “What can I help you with, Dee?” I immediately feel more comfortable and at ease doing this.
I slide the stack of papers through the opening and let her know why I’m here.
She flips through the papers with a greedy smile then looks up at me.
“So this is the old man’s deathbed repentance for being a shit father?
” I smack the counter with the palm of my hand.
“Ha! I guess so. How many zero’s are attached?
” I can feel Chris holding in his own laughter, behind me.
“Oh…” She hums. “About six…”
“You’re shittin’ me…”
“No ma’am, I am not!” And then we both quietly squeal, stomping our feet a little when we do.
“He’s got some in his account and the rest in a safe deposit box in the back.
I can wire the amount in his account to yours and I’ll give you the key to empty what’s in the box at your own convenience. How does that sound?”
“It’s perfect!” I say, hushed so no one but the three of us standing in this little cubby, can hear. She asks me to provide my routing number and give a signature, then slides the key through the opening, placing it in the palm of my hand.
“I really want to catch up—how long are you in town? You know they had to postpone the Fourth of July rodeo right?”
I furrow my brow. “No, I haven’t even talked to anyone but the lawyer since we got here, how come?” She looks around me, eyeballing my protector.
“We? Who in the world is that? Tell me he’s yours because if he’s not, I’m takin’ him home! Damn, Dee… have you ever seen a man that built in your life? Where’d he come from? This is why you have to stay! I need all the details…” She whispers low, gritting her teeth.
I bite my lip and lean in. “He’s mine.” Billie melts onto her side of the counter and sighs. “Well, when did they reschedule it?” I demand.
“Friday! It’s only two days away. Surely you can stay… For old time’s sake? There’s a team roping event, and I’d love it if you’d be my partner. I was going to go solo or just forget about it all together, but if you stay… we could kick all the boys’ asses!”
Kick all the cowboys’ asses—that sounds tempting. I look over my shoulder at Chris and smirk… “Can we, boss?”
“Shut up! He’s your boss?” I turn back to her and make a face to say, not so loud… “Oh, sorry!” She whispers and covers her mouth.
He steps closer, wrapping his hands around my waist, his hips pressed hard to my ass as he leans his bearded chin over my shoulder to talk to Billie. “I’d sure as hell love to see that.”