“I….I….heard noises outside. I went to the window to see what was going on and I knocked over the table. I’m sorry,” she stuttered.
“Well, as long as you’re all right,” Steve said.
“I am. Thank you,” she breathed. “I’ll get a broom.”
“Don’t move. You’re barefoot,” Adrian said.
“So are you,” she said back at him.
“I got shoes on,” Steve said and headed for the kitchen.
“I thought you were in bed,” Adrian said.
“I was,” Faith said.
Realization registered. “Oh…we woke you up,” Adrian said. She had said she heard noises. “Sorry about that.”
“No…it’s fine. I was thirsty, anyway,” she stuttered.
Steve walked over to Faith and started sweeping up the broken porcelain.
“I hope that wasn’t expensive,” Faith said.
“Nah,” Steve said as he quickly swept up the pieces. “It was a big piece of junk that Aunt Bea got from the antique store. If that’s what you want to call it. I call it a junk store.”
Steve started sweeping the pieces into the dustpan.
Adrian noticed Faith’s night attire. A long-sleeved white cotton shirt that came above her cute knees. “Is that my shirt?” he asked.
“Oh, um, yes,” Faith said. “Aunt Bea gave it to me to sleep in. I…hope it’s okay.”
Okay? It was more than okay. She looked great in it. This thought disturbed Adrian and turned him on at the same time.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” he stuttered.
“Yeah,” Steve said with a grin as he stood up with the dustpan and broom in hand. “You look better in it than he does.”
Faith smiled as she bashfully looked away.
“Steve,” Adrian chided.
“Thank you,” Faith whispered.
“Just being honest,” Steve said. “Now, you better get to bed. We have to get an early start in the morning before it gets too hot.”
“Early start?” Adrian inquired.
“Steve has offered to take me into town in the morning to get some clothes. I’m hoping to take a look around the car lot Steve was talking about. Maybe I can get another vehicle cheap.”
Adrian didn’t like the sound of that. He didn’t want Steve around Faith. His brother was like a blood hound when it came to women. The last thing Faith needed was a horn dog sniffing around her after everything she’s been through.
Chapter 6
Faith had bought some clothes at the local boutique. The woman who owned the store was an African-American named Linda. Faith was glad to see that Elliot had diversity. It made her feel more comfortable in the area. Turns out the owner of the clothing store went to cosmetology school and did hair on the side. Faith usually did her own hair, but sometimes she needed help dying her hair auburn, the way she liked it. She would need a touch up in a week or two. Faith would call on the chipper sister then. Faith had also gone to the drug store and a little shop full of Texas trinkets.
She patiently wanted on a bench on the sidewalk with her packages. Steve should be back in a few minutes. He had to pick up cattle feed from a supplier. Faith hoped that there was room in his truck for her things. To her surprise, Adrian’s black Dodge truck pulled up next to the sidewalk.
He got out of the truck and walked to her. “Hey,” he greeted.
“Hey,” she said back. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to run into town real quick,” Adrian said. “Are you waitin’ for Steve?”
“Yes,” she answered.
Like clockwork, Steve’s blue Ford truck pulled up behind Adrian’s Dodge. Steve kept the motor running. He got out.
“Adrian,” Steve said as he walked to them. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“I had to come into town real quick,” Adrian stated.
Steve gave his brother a brief nod. “Ready to go, Faith?”
“Yes,” she answered.
“Steve, why don’t you let me drive the lady back? You don’t have room for her packages,” Adrian said.
“I don’t mind as long as Faith doesn’t,” Steve said.
“Oh, I don’t if you don’t,” she said.
“Not at all,” Steve said. “I’ll see you two back at the ranch.”
A few minutes later, Steve was gone, and Faith was riding in the passenger seat in Adrian's truck.
“Did you enjoy your shopping?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said solemnly.
“Are you sure? You don’t sound like it.”
“Well, the stores were fine, but…I walked to the dealership. I need a new car. The problem is that I can’t afford a decent replacement. The cars I could afford were complete junkers. I’d be surprised if they could make it off the lot.”
“Know a lot about cars, huh?”
“Some. My brother is a mechanic. I also dated a guy in high school who was into cars. I paid attention when they worked on them,” she said with a shrug. “I can’t leave town even if I wanted, too.”
“If you don’t mind me askin’, how much do you need?” Adrian asked.
“At least fifteen thousand for something half decent,” she answered. “Even if I had a job right now, it will take me forever to raise it. Since I am unemployed, no one will offer me credit.”
Faith was discouraged. She had no choice but to stay in Elliot until she secured a vehicle. She’d rather drop dead than to ask her brother for money. He would lend it to her, but he would never let her forget it. “Looks like I have to get a job here - at least for a while.”
“Is that so bad?”
“Not bad, it’s just a small town. How much money can I make here?”
“You’d be surprised. We have tourists come in from the big cities looking for hunting adventures on the weekends. You could make a lot as a waitress at the diner.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll think about it,” she said.
Fifteen minutes later, they were back at the ranch. Adrian carried Faith’s packages into the guest house for her. He was such a gentleman. She liked it. “Would you like a glass of lemonade before you go?”
He gave her a smile. “Can I take a rain check? I need to get back to the stables. We got a mare that’s expecting a colt sometime today or tomorrow. I’d like to be there to make sure everything goes well.”
“Oh, sure,” Faith said. “If that’s the case, I’m going to give this to you now. I might not see you for a few days.” Faith turned away from him and dug in one of her shopping bags. She pulled out a gift box. She turned around to Adrian and handed him the gift. “I wanted to get you something…to say thank you for saving my bacon.”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to get me anything,” Adrian said.
“Open it,” she urged. “I want to make sure you like it. If you don’t, I can take it back. I kept the receipt.”
Adrian smiled at her statement as he opened the box. He was taken aback by the sterling silver belt buckle. A stallion was etched into the piece. “Wow, this must have cost-”
“Not the amount of saving my life,” she said. “Steve said that you loved horses and I noticed that you like wearing belt buckles. I saw it at the shop today. I thought you might like it.”
“I love it,” he said. Adrian leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
It surprised both of them. It really surprised Faith when Adrian kept lingering in her personal space. She wasn’t going to stop him. Adrian was attractive, and he seemed like a sweet guy. She wondered if he was going to kiss her on the lips. It had been so long since she had been kissed.
He didn't let her wonder for very long. Adrian bent his head and placed his lips on hers. He had a gentle touch. It was a feathery kiss - like Faith was a wild mare that he didn’t want to spook. Before Faith could get into the kiss good, Adrian’s head snapped back.
“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s okay,” she assured him.
“N
o, it’s not,” he said and took two steps back – away from her. “I’m taking advantage.”
“What?” she asked with confusion.
“You’re far from home. You don’t know anyone here. You’ve been through a life and death experience,” he shot out quickly. “You’re vulnerable right now and I…I apologize.”
“Please don’t apologize,” she said. “It’s fine.” She saw the horrified expression on his face. He really regretted kissing her.
“No, it’s not. I’m truly sorry,” Adrian said. “I’ll see you later.”
Before Faith could say another word, Adrian bolted out the front door.
Chapter 7
That evening, Faith was having dinner with Aunt Bea, Steve, and Joey in the main house. Adrian was at the barn with the expecting mare. Steve and Aunt Bea chatted away as Joey and Faith quietly ate. After dinner, Faith took the dirty dishes into the kitchen.
She quietly washed the dishes as she wondered what had happened this afternoon. What made Adrian freak out so much over a little kiss. A thought entered her head that she didn’t like. However, she couldn’t ignore it.
Steve walked into the kitchen. “I thought I could help you dry.”
Faith shook her head. “I got it. Go rest. You’ve been working all day.”
Steve ignored her statement and grabbed a dish towel. “Actually, it’s an excuse. I wanted to talk to you. Just you and me.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, when I got back with the feed, Adrian was acting strangely,” Steve said. “Well, he was moody; more than usual. I was wondering if you knew why that was.”
Faith didn’t blame Steve for asking. Adrian was his brother, after all. Of course, he would be concerned about his brother’s well-being. Faith looked down in the dishwater. “I’m not exactly sure. I….we…” she stuttered.
“Okay, take a deep breath and let’s sit down,” Steve said soothingly.
Faith slowly took her hands out of the water. Steve handed her the dish towel to dry her hands. They quietly sat down at the kitchen table.
“Now, tell me what happened,” he said in a gentle tone.
“We got back to the guest house from town. Adrian carried my packages in. I offered him some lemonade, but he asked to take a rain check. He said he wanted to go back to the barn to be with the pregnant horse. I said okay then offered him the gift I bought him today…as a thank you for saving my life and bringing me here to heal.”
“Okay,” Steve said. “What happened? He didn’t like the gift?”
“No, it seemed like he did. A lot. He kissed me on the forehead,” she said softly.
Steve’s golden eyebrows arched up. “He did,” he whispered in a shocked tone.
“Then, he….kissed me. Like on the mouth,” she whispered.
“Wow,” Steve said as a slow smile spread across his lips.
“It stopped as quickly as it began. Adrian started apologizing and….then he bolted like he saw the ghost of Christmas past,” Faith explained. “I….he looked like he really regretted it.”
“I see,” Steve said.
“Is it because I’m black?” she asked. The question came out before she could stop it. However, she couldn’t help but think that. Adrian had looked so mortified that he was within an inch of her.
Steve looked surprised at the question. “Good grief,” he said with a hint of disgust. “He must have made you feel horrible. I assure you it’s not because you’re black. Matter of fact, he likes women who are….cultured.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?” Faith asked.
Steve glanced down at the table and looked back up at her. “Well, I can’t divulge all my brother’s secrets, but please know that it wasn’t you. You’re attractive and nice. Adrian…well, let’s say Adrian had a hard time with a woman in the past. He never really got over it. Plus, our own family tragedies hadn’t helped his disposition.”
Faith didn’t want to pry. If Steve wanted to tell her details, he would have. “All right,” she whispered.
“Do you like my brother?” he asked.
Damn. One thing she has learned about Texans during her visit was that they cut right to the chase. “I think so. I mean we hadn’t talked that much, but we get along. He’s a gentleman, and I like that. Miami doesn’t have a lot of gentlemen.”
Steve gave her a million dollar smile. “Texas is full of gentlemen, honey. But, I’m glad you like gentlemen. I’m not sure if Adrian is ready to move forward concerning his personal life. However, his kid brother is available. And he happens to find you adorable. Are you willing to give me a shot?”
Faith couldn’t help but feel flattered. “You can have any woman you want.”
He chuckled. “Maybe, but a guy can only play the field for so long. You’re a nice woman. I can tell by how you carry yourself. Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night?”
Her mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe Steve was asking her out on a date. “I…I….don’t know what to say.”
“No funny business, I promise,” he said seriously. “Not unless you want some funny business,” he said with a mischievous smirk.
She couldn’t help but smile. Steve really was a charmer. It wasn’t what he said, but how he said things. “Well, I guess one dinner date wouldn’t hurt. I haven’t been out on a date in a long time.”
“Great,” Steve said with victory in his tone. “I’m not Adrian, but I know how to show a lady a good time. And it might make Adrian jealous. Or I could help you forget about Adrian. Either way, I get to spend tomorrow night with a good lookin’ woman.”
Chapter 8
Adrian had avoided Faith for twenty-four hours. Last night, after the mare had her colt, he had slept out in the barn to avoid her. He didn’t know what to say. Faith probably thought he was a jerk. He didn’t mean to run off the way he did on her, but if he stayed with her for one more minute, he would have taken her to bed. He had no interest in getting tangled up with a woman again. Women were pleasant to chat with, but anything more was trouble and heartache. He had learned that the hard way.
Once he felt like his libido calmed down enough, he had gone to the main house and showered. It was nine o’clock at night. Faith was probably in bed and his family had eaten dinner by now. He had showered outside as usual and went into the kitchen through the patio doors. Adrian opened the microwave to grab the wrapped plate that Aunt Bea always set aside for him if he missed dinner. He took the foil off the plate and warmed his food. Adrian gobbled up his dinner.
After he was done, he walked into the living room to see Joey and Aunt Bea playing Scrabble.
“Evenin’,” Aunt Bea chirped.
“Evenin’,” Adrian said back. “Who’s winning?”
“Your brother as usual,” Aunt Bea said as Joey was putting down letters on the board.
“Where’s Steve?” Adrian asked.
His brother looked up at him. “Out on a date,” Joey answered.
“Ah,” Adrian said. It was Friday night. Of course, Steve was out on a date. “I take it that Faith doesn’t like Scrabble.” Adrian couldn’t help it. He had to know how she was. Was she angry with him? Were her feelings hurt?
“No, she likes it,” Aunt Bea said as she dug in the bag for letters. “I like playing with her ‘cause I can beat her.”
Adrian and Joey chuckled.
“Couldn’t keep her eyes open, huh?” Adrian asked.
“Nope,” Joey said. “She’s gone.”
“Gone?” Adrian said. “What do you mean she’s gone?” Shit, did I chase her off? I never meant to do that.
Joey looked up at him. He had a sly grin across his lips. “She’s going to be out for a while I expect.”
Joey knew exactly what was going on. “Out where?” Adrian asked.
“Out. On a date,” Joey said with that same sly grin that Adrian wanted to knock off his face.
His brother’s reply had his wheels turning. “No,” Adrian said in a low tone.
“Ye
p,” Joey clipped out.
“Where did Steve take her?” Adrian asked.
Joey just stared at him with a cutesy grin.
“Speak or I’ll beat it out of you,” Adrian said in a menacing tone.
“Oh, good grief,” Aunt Bea whined. “I shampooed the carpet yesterday. I really don’t want to scrub blood out of it. And despite his size, Joey is as good of a fighter as you are. You two will wreck the living room.”
Joey was slimmer than his brother, but he could fight. Joey could give any man a run for his money just like his eldest brother.
“Just tell him, Joey,” Aunt Bea said. “No reason to ruin a good evening over it.”
“Drew’s,” Joey said.
Drew’s Bar. Adrian started walking out the living room.
“Where are you going?” Aunt Bea asked.
“I’m going upstairs to get a shirt and then I’m going to Drew’s. I can’t leave Faith with Steve. It’s like leaving a lamb with a lion,” Adrian said.
“Oh dear,” his aunt said with an amused smile. “You better go with him, Joey. You know how your brothers like getting into scuffs. You’re good at breaking up a fight between them.”
“There isn’t going to be a fight,” Adrian said. If Steve knew what was good for him.
“But, I’m winning,” Joey stated.
“I know. That’s why I’m sending you away,” Aunt Bea said.
****
Joey and Adrian walked into Drew’s Bar. The old country bar was packed. Some folks would come from the next town to party at Drew’s on the weekends. The bar had the old Texan rustic charm. Bull horns and pictures of horses and cattle decorated the walls. The place had a big ole dance floor with sawdust and nut shells on the dining room floor. A live band was playing.
The owner walked up to them. “Hey, boys. You want a table?” Drew asked.
“Not right now, Drew,” Adrian said. “We’re looking for our brother.”
“Oh yeah,” Drew said. “He and Isaiah are with two pretty fillies in a booth along the far side of the wall.”
The Rancher Page 3