My Virgin Cowboy

by Sade Rena

  “Shit,” she screams and jumps while twirling to face me. “Parker!” she belts and clutches her chest. “Oh my goodness. Boy, you scared the shit out of me.”

  Renee struggles to settle her breaths, and I can’t stop the smile that threatens to escape.

  “It’s not funny. How long have you been standing there?” she asks, her muscles finally starting to relax.

  I push off the wall. “Long enough to know I’d happily meet you in the middle,” I tease.

  She laughs, tossing the screwdriver at me. I catch it and hold it to my chest while gazing over at her. Yesterday I thought she couldn’t get any prettier, but I was wrong.

  Damn wrong.

  Because standing in front of me with her curls in a messy bun atop her head, and wearing an old, torn t-shirt, she’s priceless. Renee clears her throat, and I blink away my thoughts.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you. The door was open, so I let myself in. Glad I did, though, gotta nice show.”

  “Oh shush.” She blushes. “I figured I’d try to get a head start. I looked up how to remodel a kitchen, and it said I should take off the cabinet doors first,” she changes the subject.

  I hand her back the screwdriver. “I guess you don’t need my help after all,” I feign my exit, but she stops me.

  With her hand on my wrist. “Uh, no. This step was hard enough. Your services are definitely needed. So, tell me what to do.”

  “Ha. You did good,” I pause and remove my drill from my bag. “But next time, maybe you should wait until the power tools arrive,” I add, pressing the trigger and sending a roar through the air.

  “Aye. I make the most out of what I have in front of me.”

  “That’s a good thing. Let’s finish this demo. First things first, though. Protection!” I kneel down to remove goggles and work gloves from my duffle and toss them to her. “Always keep your eyes covered.”

  She nods and places the thick plastic frames on her face, the large lens making her look even cuter. I put on my eyewear before pulling on my gloves and instructing her to remove the window trim while I work on the archway and back door.

  Renee turns up the music and does a shimmy. Her quirkiness is adorable, and I have to admit, I want more of it. With her tunes in full effect, she dives into her work, leaving me no choice but to do the same. But in every passing second, I steal a glance in her direction.

  I smile when she dances in place, completely unaware I’m watching her. And when she stretches to reach the top of the trim, her bare waist peeks out from beneath her shirt. My fingers ache to trace the line of her pants just below her belly button.

  I remember the feel of her skin on mine, and I want like hell to pin her against the window and devour her mouth again. But I won’t. I want the next time I kiss her lips to be magical and not the effects of a drunken night. Though she was the only one drunk, I want her decision to be in my arms to be solely hers.

  “And done.” She turns.

  I clear my throat while turning my focus to the door jamb, pretending she didn’t just catch me gazing at her. I dart my eyes to find her passing me a soft smile. She noticed, I think, and try to roll the slight embarrassment off my shoulders.

  “Okay. Grab that putty knife over there.” I point, and she follows. “Yeah, that one. Slide it next to any nails and tug them from the frame. There should be a plastic container in my bag that you can put them in to keep us from stepping on them or something.”

  Renee takes my instructions and thoroughly removes all remaining hardware from the windows. I finish with the door trim at the same time.

  “Are you taking the actual door off today, too?” she asks.

  “No.” I drop the nails in the bucket. “Just the molding. We’ll save it for last.”

  “Okay. What’s the next step? Remove the cabinets?”

  “They’re actually in great shape, so we’ll sand them down, resurface, and stain them. Sorry does that sound good to you?”

  “You’re the expert. I’m all ears,” she offers, her eyes sparkling against the sun rays that seep inside.

  “All right. I’m thinking white paint and copper fixtures, open up this wall here,” I add as I stroll past her to the kitchen entrance. “We’ll knock all this out. That way, light flows from the living room through to this area, and essentially, you’ll have more room to entertain. You have great windows, so I want to maximize on that. We can get some of those blackout curtains for days when you want to dull it down.”

  When I face her, she’s hot on my heels, absorbing my every word. “Sorry.” She takes a step back. “Your ideas sound amazing. I can’t wait to see what it all looks like.”

  I smile. “I want to rip these floors up and do white oak all the way through. We should do new baseboards, too, but I can install them at the same time.”

  “This is sounding expensive,” she chuckles. “What’s wrong with the current floors?” she asks, looking down by her feet.

  I shake my head, choosing to ignore her comment on compensation. “They’re dated for one. If we’re going to open up this space, it’ll be better to have the same flooring. We can do engineered wood, to cut back on cost. I’ll order everything and we’ll make it pretty. I get a really good deal at the hardware store, so it won’t be too bad.”

  She sighs, and I can tell she’s not sure whether to believe me. I guess I don’t blame her. She’s made it clear she’s on a tight budget. It’s the reason I wanted to do this for her. Plus, it gives me an excuse to spend time with her. It gives me grounds to be close and learn all the things I’ve been dying to do since we’ve met. And now that I’ve told Chance about it, I’m more determined than ever to succeed, because I’ll be damned if I face another moment of embarrassment. Nope, not having it.

  “Okay. I’m trusting you,” she adds after a beat.

  “You won’t be disappointed.”

  A smile peeks out from her lips, but she doesn’t offer me a reply; instead, she turns and picks up the tools we have scattered around the kitchen. The sun has gone down, and while I’d love to be here all night, I should go.

  I follow behind her, stopping to pick up my work bag from the floor. I wait for her to face me, yearning to catch one final glimpse of her. The sincerity in her eyes fuels me, providing comfort in knowing we’ll get to do this all over again tomorrow.

  With my things in hand, I head for the exit, feeling her presence close behind me. I open the door and see her hand snakes out to grab the knob. The desire for her to say something, anything to prolong our time together bubbles in my core.

  “Parker?”

  My shoulders soften, and I fight the urge to smile. “Yes.” I face her.

  “Thank you. Your help means a lot.”

  I can no longer keep the grin from forming. “It’s my pleasure.”

  My gaze meets hers, lingering longer than I expected. I stare at her lips, thinking of how much I want to kiss them again. But I lean forward, settling for the corner of flesh that leads to her cheeks. I inhale her scent before stepping back and past the threshold. Halfway to my truck, I spin, calling for her attention.

  “What are you doing Saturday?” I shout.

  She pauses midway between locking herself inside her home. “I’ll be working during the day, but not much in the evening.”

  “My friend’s having a little party at his house for his birthday. I’d love it if you’d go with me.”

  She hesitates, and for a second, I regret my offer. Why would I even think it was a good idea? Of course, she doesn’t want to go to a house party with a bunch of my twenty-something-year-old friends.

  “Sure. What time should I be ready?”

  I breathe in relief. “Would ten o’clock be too late?”

  “Now you know that’s past my bedtime.”

  “Oh. Sorry, we can-”

  She waves me off with a chuckle. “I’m joking. I’ll be ready at ten.”

  I smirk. “Awesome. Wait, I should probably have your number,” I sa
y and reach inside my pocket for my phone.

  Renee calls out her digits, and I store them under City Girl. We say our goodbyes, and I leave her be, satisfied with the outcome of the day. I rev my engine, turn on my music, and drum my fist against the steering wheel before peeling out into the road.

  Chapter Seven

  Renee

  “Spill,” Leah blurts once her customer exits the tiny storefront.

  I step behind the counter and snag a croissant from the still steaming pan. “How did you end up in Coldbank? Your shop is in Bradford, better yet, how did you get from Dallas to Bradford?”

  Leah pushes through the swinging doors that lead to the kitchen. She returns a moment later with freshly prepared goods and lines them in the display case.

  “Why are you avoiding the question? You know how I ended up in Coldbank. I met my husband, and that’s all there is to it. Now, how was the date with Parker?”

  “The date was fine,” I say blatantly.

  “Uh-uh. I want details, Renee. Where did you guys go?” Leah’s hand goes to her hip as she stares at me.

  I sigh. “I don’t want to jinx anything.”

  “You won’t. You’re only telling me how the date went; we’re not manifesting marriage here.”

  With my hands out at my side, I shrug and inch toward one of the four chairs that adorn the cafe. “Honestly, it was great. After he left my house—and don’t think I’ve forgotten about you giving out my address-”

  “Oh, hush. It’s Parker, and your house is getting fixed, so deal.” She throws at me and presses her lips together in a pout. “Now, keep going.”

  “After we got back from the hardware store, he struck a deal with me. Date him in place of compensation.” I shake my head, a smile gracing my face. “My initial thought was—this boy is crazy—but he was dead serious. He took me to Nikki’s, we ate, we drank, we danced, and he took me home.”

  “Stop it!”

  “What? I told you everything.”

  “Why are you acting like the date was trash? How did it feel? How did he make you feel?”

  “It was… great.” I bunch my shoulders to my ears. “What else do you need me to say? I had a nice time. Oh, and he gifted me a hat.” I pause. “Where most bring flowers to the first date, he gave me a Stetson, a matching one.”

  “Aww. That’s so country and cute. Denton didn’t even give me one; I bought my own. But back to the story. What was so good about it?” She continues to pry.

  “Leah.” I take a deep breath. “I don’t want to swoon over this boy-”

  “Are you bothered by his age? It’s only eight years.”

  I pause. “N-no.”

  “Well, why do you keep referring to him as a boy? He’s a grown-ass man, and one, who from what I can tell, is hella interested in you.”

  “I don’t want to get my hopes up. Not to mention, I’m still a bit thrown off by him being a virgin. I mean, that aside, he is one fine ass member of the opposite sex. I find it hard to believe he doesn’t have women lined up. Shit, I knew him all of one minute and was ready to ride him backward.”

  “Oh, he does. Every little thang, and even the older women in a fifty-mile radius, would tap that. But he’s different. He’s not looking to get laid. He’s respectful, he and Denton both are. Parker is a boyfriend—which is why I’m not surprised he’s pursuing you.”

  “Or he needs to complete a conquest.” I shrug.

  “Why do you say that?” She frowns.

  “He has something to prove. We both were ready to go that night, but-”

  She laughs. “Oh yeah. I forgot about that. I’m sure he wants to make up for letting you down, but I don’t see it being his only motive.”

  “If you say so. Besides, I’m not here to fall for the small-town boy. A relationship is the furthest from my mind right now.”

  “It’s been months, babe. You’ve moved across the country. You’re finding yourself again. It’s only been one date, just go with it. Let loose. Have fun; if it turns into something, perfect. Parker is a wonderful guy and will probably make you happier than Phil ever did. Now, stop playing with me and tell me how things went.”

  “All right,” I smirk and sit up. “It shocked me to see him on my doorstep, but I will say I appreciate having his help. I like him. Even being in the same space, working on the house is refreshing. There’s no telling how long it’s been since anyone made me laugh, smile, or blush as much as he has in only a short period. He’s so gentle and seems so patient and can’t dance a lick. But he was up there with me anyway, trying his damnedest to keep up.” I chuckle. “He’s assertive and attentive. Everything, everyone has ever wanted in a man.”

  “I hear a but.” Leah sighs and throws her cleaning cloth over her shoulder.

  “But, I’m damaged, Leah. I have not been the same since Phil, and I do not desire another potential disappointment. He’s young, gorgeous, and has plenty of options.”

  “And he might be just what you need, Nay. And you’re not damaged,” she says with venom before continuing. “You were wronged. Now you’re dealing with the aftermath. We go through changes when things like this happen; it’s your right to. But, enduring those changes doesn’t mean you aren’t deserving of a little happiness along the way. No law says you can’t experience a budding romance while healing from a dead one.”

  I sniffle and clear my throat. “When did you become so philosophical?”

  “Marriage and counseling will do that to you.” She winks.

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “I am right. Don’t get caught up on the logistics-”

  “What do you mean, logistics?” I interrupt with a high-pitched tone.

  “Oh, come on. Don’t pretend like you ain’t worried about a little more than coming off a shitty breakup.”

  “What else is there to be worried about?”

  “Your silly ass probably thinks you’re robbing the cradle?”

  “I am.”

  “You’re not. I could see if you were old enough to be his mother. But you’re not. More like old enough to be a sister.”

  I gasp. “That’s just as bad,” I screech with my palms stretched out.

  “Cousin,” she suggests with a hunch of her shoulders.

  “Bitch… you are not helping your case.”

  We laugh.

  “Babysitter then.”

  “You’ve been in the sticks entirely too long.” I point and cackle.

  “Oh, shut up. You know what the hell I’m trying to say. The fact is, you aren’t any of those people to him. You’re just a girl who met a boy who happens to be eight years younger.”

  “I’m being stupid. It’s not that I don’t wanna like him, because I do. But I can’t get excited so soon.”

  “I get it. Take it slow. Now when are you going to see him again?” Leah asks.

  “Today. We’ll be renovating when he’s done at the ranch. To be honest, he’s been there all week. His plans went from a simple update, to all out demolition.”

  “And you think he’d be as dedicated if this were only a conquest?”

  I roll my eyes at her for saying what I didn’t want to admit. Deep down, it’s been my biggest hope. She always knows what’s on my mind without even trying.

  “I have another date with him in three days,” I add, choosing to change the subject.

  She smiles with her brows raised and cranes her neck. “Okay! Wanna tell me where?”

  I stare at the ceiling while shaking my head at Leah. “It’s one of his friend’s birthday, and he wants me to accompany him to a party.”

  “Party!” she belts. “Does he know there’s no partying after nine when you’re in your thirties?”

  We both huddle over in hysteria.

  “Listen, I said something similar to him, and he instantly became apologetic.”

  She screams. “Like hello, did you forget how old I was.”

  I chuckle. “Right! I’m an old-ass lady, dude. All activities nee
d to ensue before the streetlights come on.”

  We both holler, but are quick to silence ourselves when a customer enters. Leah forces herself straight, swallowing the laugh that’s bursting at the seams.

  “Good morning! Welcome to Leah’s Edibles, how may I help you?” She greets a young Hispanic woman and waves me off.

  I smile, holding my hands over my mouth to silence my emotions. I watch as my bestie puts on her businesswoman hat and grin with pride. She’s doing it. We both are living our dreams and finding peace within it. As Leah works, I pull out my laptop and connect to WIFI. A few more patrons walk in, so she’ll be busy for a little while. I might as well get some work done of my own.

  My computer comes to life, and I open my latest work-in-progress. It doesn’t take me long to get into my zone. With my fingers on the keyboard, I go to town, pouring myself into my story. I’m only a few hundred words in when I peek out the window. A silver Ford pickup rolls through the parking lot, triggering thoughts of Parker.

  It’s hard to admit how much I enjoy being around him. I can’t let myself show the world my excitement, because then that buzz will dull. Society and life will swoop in, and here goes another period of disappointment.

  So I won’t be too happy about it. I’ll just be in it for what it is right now. That way, Mother Nature can’t throw a storm in the mix. It seems she has a way about her, always there to rub your face in some form of the truth. Listen to me, going on about living in denial. You haven’t even established what this is, Renee. It may be over tomorrow. Why can’t I—not think?

  My phone dings and I check it to see a text from Parker.

  Parker: “Hey, Nay *winky face emoji*.”

  The three little bubbles appear, but I respond before he sends his next message.

  Me: “Aht. Only Leah calls me that,” I smile and hit reply.

  Parker: “Am I not special enough to call you that?” he texts a second later.

  Me: “You can call me whatever you want.” I respond without thinking.

  The phone shows he’s typing, and I squeeze my eyes shut, preparing for him to point out my innuendo. But the personal judgment passes when I see his response.