by Hope Ford
That Night
Coming Home To The Grove
Hope Ford
That Night © 2020 by Hope Ford
Editor: Kasi Alexander
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
1. Olivia
2. Olivia
3. Olivia
4. Olivia
5. Olivia
6. Derrick
7. Derrick
8. Derrick
9. Olivia
10. Olivia
11. Olivia
12. Derrick
13. Olivia
Epilogue
Epilogue 2
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1
Olivia
“Petey could get used to having a pretty lady vet coming to see him,” Trent Keller teases me. I laugh at the ranch owner. From someone else, it might seem that he’s flirting with me. But not Trent. It’s obvious to anyone that meets him that he’s in love with his fiancée, Lacy. Plus, I’m good friends with the wife-to-be.
“I think he’s getting used to me already. Aren’t you, Petey?” Running my hand over the horse, I look for the health quality of fur and the whites of his eyes for clarity. “Looks like his stomach issues are clearing up. I’d like to give him a few more days on his treatment and then I’ll come back and get a blood sample to screen.”
Trent agrees. “You’re already better than the vet Winters. He was getting too old to keep up with all the ranches around here. You never knew when he’d show up after calling him, he was moving pretty slow. I know you’re still new as the vet in town, but your reputation is already stellar, and that’s saying something in a ranching community.”
“Thanks, Trent. I take my work seriously, so I’m glad to hear that people can see that,” I say.
He nods and sort of laughs.
“What’s so funny?” I ask with my hand on my hip.
He puts up his hands up in surrender quickly. “Nothing bad. I was just agreeing that you take your work seriously. I don’t think you’ve taken a moment to breathe since you got back. Have you gone out for any fun or to just have a drink and unwind?”
“I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I say since I can’t exactly say that I’ve taken any time to unwind. He’s made a good point. In fact, he doesn’t know how good a point he’s just made.
As I pack up my supplies, I try to remember the last time I cut loose enough to even get laid, and if my recollection can be trusted, it’s been more than a year. I moved to Forest Grove when I was a freshman in high school. I never fit in and was happy to leave when I graduated.
I look around the ranch and see the mountains and the road leading to town. I never thought I would come back here, but what I’ve found is that even though I hated it then, I know after being in the big city and living that life that I want the small-town life. This would be a great place to raise kids. I barely resist rolling my eyes. At this rate, I’ll never get married or have kids. I’ve put everything into finishing my degree and residency. Now that I’ve become the vet at Happy Critters, I’ve put one hundred percent into that without taking any time off, not even a night out.
What am I waiting for? I put off relationships and the fun nights out so that I could get top marks in school and get my own veterinary business going. Well, I’m finished with school and internships. I’ve got my business running.
I feel a big smile curve my lips as the realization sinks in that I’ve earned some time for fun. I’ve only got two more stops to make and then I’m off for the night.
Derrick
After a tough day of driving cattle and successfully training Bastian, the three-year-old quarter horse on the job, I’m ready to do a little celebrating. Even though I’m one that keeps to myself mostly, I still know when I need a break. A few beers and a few games of pool is just the opportunity I need.
After getting cleaned up, I go to the Roadside Diner and Bar on the outskirts of town, where I play a game of pool and have a few drinks. “How you doing?” I ask Sheriff Scott Jordan as I walk by his table. He’s not in uniform and seems to be here on a date.
“Good, Derrick. How’s it going out at the ranch?”
“Good. Good. We’ve had to pick up some slack since Jason joined up, but Trent and I have it under control.”
“Carrie, this is…” Scott starts to say.
“Derrick Keller,” she says, interrupting the sheriff. “I know him. He and Bart are good friends.”
Her older brother Bart was a good friend of mine back in high school, and the last I heard he was a detective in Knox. “How’s he been? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“He’s good. He’s coming to visit soon. I’ll have him come out to the ranch to see you.”
Ordinarily, I turn down offers to visit, but Bart was definitely a good friend to me and my family growing up. “That’d be great. Well, I’ll let you two get back to your dinner.”
After a few niceties and a wave from Carrie, I walk away.
Stepping up to the bar, I take a seat on the stool and order. “Hey, Jared. I’ll take a Miller Lite on draft.” I play a few games of pool with a few of the ranch hands that came in to let loose, but it isn’t long before they leave early. “Be honest. You’re leaving because I’m winning,” I joke with Miguel. He’s one of my most trusted hands and an all-around good guy. He laughs and doesn’t disagree, but I know the truth. He’s got a family, a wife, and kids to see to. The sheriff and Carrie are gone. Looking around, it seems mostly single people are left, reminding me that I don’t have anyone to rush home to, so I’m watching the game as I down another beer.
The front door opens, and a hush seems to go over the few people still left at the Roadside Diner and Bar. When a petite, curvy brunette comes in, I can’t help but notice her. It would be hard not to, seeing as how the few people in the bar seems to quiet down and every head is turned toward her. She’s got the sexiest curves, not a stick figure or bag of sharp bones like I’m used to seeing and easily dismissing.
Maybe it’s the beer I’ve been downing all night, but I don’t think that’s the case. I quit drinking a while ago to sober up for my ride home. But she’s got the kind of looks that make it impossible to look away. She’s like a magnet, and no matter how many times I make myself look away, my gaze returns to the sexy stranger.
Who is she?
2
Olivia
Even though I’ve been back in Forest Grove for a month, this is my first real night out. In my favorite tight jeans, cute V-neck blouse, and cowgirl boots, I’m excited to hang out, maybe watch a game on one of the many televisions and drink a glass of wine. I haven’t relaxed in a long time, and I know it’s time I do.
As I’m walking in, I almost trip on my boots because a really hot-looking cowboy type has locked eyes with me. I catch myself, and I can feel the waves of embarrassment creeping up my face, but I just keep going and sit down at the far end of the bar.
Yum! That guy is hard work built. That is so much sexier than gym built muscle.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asks.
I almost open my mouth and order a white wine, but looking around, I realize that’s just going to be more proof that I’m sort of out of place here. “Beer. Whatever you’ve got on draft is fine.”
He nods his head and has my beer back to me in only a few seconds. I lift
the frosty mug and take a big swallow. I can feel the eyes of everyone in the bar area staring at me, and I’m wondering if this is going to be a repeat of high school. Everyone staring at me and no one talking to me. Am I really that weird? Do I stand out that much?
I sit up in my stool and pull my shoulders back, trying to appear confident while I look at my options on the television. There’s a basketball game on one and a baseball game on another. When I see that it’s one of my favorite teams, the Mavericks, playing, I shift my body to watch the baseball game. Ever since Brody, the starting pitcher got hit in the head and is out for concussion protocol, the team has struggled to get the win. I hate even thinking about that night. My friend Rose is married to Brody, and I was with her at the game when everything happened. That night at the hospital, waiting to see if he was going to be all right, was the longest night of my life. I was so worried about Rose, especially with her being pregnant. I knew she didn’t need the added stress. I’m just glad everything is okay now. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason, and I can’t help but think that about Brody getting hit. I watch Kyle Richards, the first baseman, and he is just as handsome as I remembered. He was also there the night Brody got hurt—he’s his best friend, after all. And we seemed to have hit it off that night, but it was more friendly than anything. We’ve texted and talked a few times since then but haven’t seen each other since the accident.
When the Mavericks’ pitcher finally gets the out and the teams are switching out, I glance down to the other end of the bar to find the sexy cowboy looking my way.
Wow, he’s got that slow smolder thing down to an art.
After a few drinks, I’m yelling at the umpire and his bad call—there’s no way that was a strike. “C’mon, ump, open your eyes.”
The bartender laughs. “Mavericks fan?”
“I am,” I tell him proudly. Even if my best friend’s husband wasn’t on the team, I’d still be a Mavericks fan.
When I look down the length of the bar again, hoping to see the sexy cowboy, he’s not there. He must have left.
Well, damn.
Derrick
I had to go to the bathroom, which was probably a good thing because if I’d continued staring at that sexy brunette much longer, she’d probably have thought I was a creepy stalker or something.
Ever since she arrived, I’ve wanted to go and approach her, but each time I was about to do just that I’d talk myself out of it. It isn’t that I was scared or let myself get intimidated, even though the woman is gorgeous. It’s that I know I’m not the kind of guy that’s built for more than a few nights of fun.
The woman I’ve been eyeballing most of the night looks like a woman who knows her mind, is well put together, neat, and precise, like she doesn’t do flings.
It’s just too bad I don’t do serious.
When I walk back toward the bar, I stand in the doorway and watch her. She’s caught up in the baseball game. And it’s like she’s actually watching it and rooting for a team instead of just trying to pass the time because it’s what’s on television.
When she pumps her arms in the air and waves them back and forth excitedly, I figure her team must have won. I break my gaze from her and glance at the TV quickly. The Mavericks won. She’s a Mavericks fan. Obviously, she’s smart about baseball too. Just looking at her, she seems like the total package.
A well put together, not looking for a one-night stand package. I shake my head, wishing I could be that guy. The one that wants forever and believes it could last. But I’m not.
With a shake of my head, I move back toward the bar to take my seat. I could go home, I’m sober to drive, but I’ll admit, I want to make sure the pretty woman makes it to her car – alone. Not that I have any claim on her, but something doesn’t sit right with me thinking that she might go home with someone else.
One look at the bar and I see that her options are the bartender, a group of frat boys that have had too much to drink, or the old cowboy in the corner, and honestly, I don’t think any of them are man enough for her. She seems like a woman that likes to be in control. She won’t want someone that takes orders; she’d want someone to push back a little. Someone like me. Too bad I’m not in the running.
3
Olivia
Well, it looks like I missed my chance with the hot cowboy for the night. He’s still not in his seat.
I’ve finished my drink and want to settle up my tab, but the bartender is at the other end of the bar. I walk around to the far end and settle up my bill. My change purse spills, and I lose my balance as I follow a rolling quarter down the bar top. I clap my hand down on it. “Gotcha!” I say just before I stand back up and go to sit on one of the stools but land on a lap instead of a barstool.
“You sure do,” says the sexy deep voice belonging to the lap I just landed in.
I am mortified and so ready for it to be some scary biker or creeper, but when I look over my shoulder and find the sexy, handsome face of the cowboy from earlier, I find myself smiling the same way he is at me.
“I’m sorry about that. I’m not usually so clumsy, really.” I like the way his big hands cup each side of my waist, steadying me on my feet.
“My lucky day, then,” he says. He’s still close enough that I can feel his body heat. I can feel the warmth of his breath caress the back of my neck, and it’s making my body heat up like a brushfire.
I take my time gathering up the few loose coins and adding them back to my change purse. “How do you figure you’re lucky? You like women falling into your lap? Sounds lazy for a big tough guy like you.”
He’s grinning like a predator when I turn to look at him again, and it makes my heart beat faster with excited anticipation.
“Lucky because now you owe me a favor,” he says.
“Do I?” I laugh. “I think it depends on the favor.”
He stands up, and he’s tall, and up close I can see that he’s even more muscular than I thought.
I hope he doesn’t ask for something that ruins how smoking hot he is!
He’s nodding his head. “Yes. I figure it’s only right. How about a game of darts?”
“Darts?” I ask him, and it comes out like I don’t even know what a dart is, but of course I do. I guess I’m just surprised. The way he’s looking at me, I thought for sure he was going to ask for more than that. “You’re on. But I have to warn you, I’m pretty good.”
He looks me up and down before resting his heated gaze back to my face. “I believe it.”
He holds his hand out as if he’s telling me to lead the way to the dartboards. By the way he’s looking at me, it seems that he’d follow me anywhere, though. I take in a deep breath and walk past him, his clean, salt of the earth scent filling my nostrils. What have I gotten myself into?
Derrick
Lucky indeed.
All the hard work and good karma I’ve been pouring into the Keller Ranch is finally coming back around. Olivia landing in my lap was a sign from the heavens that I’m meant to enjoy my life too. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.
I pick up three darts for me and three for her. I hand her a set. “Ladies first.”
She smiles at me. Her eyes are a little glassy, but she’s steady on her feet. She takes them from my hand, and I try to ignore how soft her hand is compared to mine.
She throws the first one and hits a bullseye. She turns to me with a smile on her face. Playing darts, I enjoy flirting and laughing with her. I try to distract her when she throws the darts, and she pays me back, leaning in close. Her plump breasts pressing into my back drives me crazy, and I throw darts as though it was my first time playing the game.
I stop and turn around, catching her around her waist and holding her to me. “You’re not playing fair.”
Her eyes are big, and she gives me an innocent look. “Oh, I’m sorry, were there rules that I missed?”
I shake my head. This one i
s trouble, there’s no doubt about it. “Fine, just remember that two can play this game. You’re up.”
She smiles at me as if she’s in charge and has me by the balls. And maybe she does, but if she’s not going to play fair, neither am I.
I move behind her close enough so she can feel the heat of my body, but not feel my touch. My hands go to her waist, and I grip on to her.
She flips her hair and looks at me over her shoulder, heat molding her gaze. “Oh, is this how it’s gonna be?”
I tighten my hold on her, barely resisting pulling her against me, and shrug my shoulders. “You can dish it out but not take it?”
She juts her chin out at me and turns back to the dartboard. She brings her arm back and throws the dart, hitting another bullseye.
She tries to play it off, but the way she’s smiling I know how pleased she is right now. We laugh so easily together.
“You’re lucky I didn’t challenge you to a game of pool because that’s my real game.”
She walks over to me and stops with the toe of her boots against mine. “You name it. I’ll play it.”
Fuck, she’s tempting. Almost too tempting.
I can already imagine what “games” I want to play with her. A number of things cross my mind, and none of them are polite to say in mixed company. She’s playing all her cards, but I can tell the alcohol has given her confidence. She has an innocence about her, and no matter how much alcohol-driven diatribe she spills, I know she isn’t ready for what I want.