by Kennedy Fox
I keep my head down and focus on my food.
“Dude, that’s a yes.” He points at me.
“That’s a ‘mind your own damn business.’”
He scoffs and acts offended. The kid is ten years younger than me, and I don’t have the energy to gossip like a teenager.
“I knew it.” He beams, and I roll my eyes.
“Kenzie’s hated me since the first day we met, and I honestly have no idea what her problem is.”
“You ever thought about askin’ her?”
“I have a million times, but she’s determined to bust my balls.” He shakes his head, swallowing down his food. “She tells me to ‘fuck off,’ ‘eat shit,’and—my personal favorite—‘go to hell, jackass.’ I’m convinced she’s confused me with someone else because I didn’t do a damn thing to her.”
That seems suspicious, and I halfway wonder if they slept together, and he doesn’t remember her. It’s not out of the realm of possibilities, considering Maize claims she doesn’t. Except I think Grayson’s being genuine, which makes it worse.
So I ask him. “Any chance you two hooked up, but when you officially met at the ranch, you didn’t recognize her?”
“Not possible. I’d remember Kenzie.”
“You sure about that?” I challenge, finishing the last of my food.
Grayson wrinkles his face. “About eighty percent.”
I chuckle. “Or maybe you did something else to her? Ran over her dog, called her fat, fucked her best friend?”
“Jesus,” he mutters, laughing. “I mean, I don’t think so. But I wish she’d tell me already.”
“Well…” I stand, grabbing my empty plate. “Good luck with that.”
“Ha, thanks.” He follows as we put up our dirty dishes. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. Lunch is at one.”
“I’ll be there.”
We walk toward the front door and wave to a few guests on the way.
“Oh, and dress nice,” he warns me. “Everyone’s expected to be in their Sunday best.”
“Seriously? Alright.”
“Yep. Slacks, button-up, nice shoes.”
“I’ll see what I can do. See ya later, man,” I say, then we go our separate ways.
After digging through my closet, I finally find something “nice” to wear. I can’t remember the last time I dressed up, but I have a couple of pairs of black slacks and a few button-up shirts.
Once I’ve showered and dressed, I grab the flowers I bought from the grocery store yesterday and head to my truck. I arrive at John and Mila’s at the same time as Grayson, and we walk to the front door together.
“Lookin’ pretty sharp,” he taunts as he knocks on the wood.
“I know how to clean up when I have to.”
Grayson looks at the flowers. “Those for Maize?”
I grin. “Nope.”
Mila answers with a smile and moves to the side to let us in. “Hey, boys. Glad y’all came.”
“Thank you for the invite,” I tell her, handing over the bouquet. “These are for you, Mrs. Bishop.”
“Oh, Gavin. You didn’t have to do that.” She sniffs them and smiles wide. “They smell lovely, thank you.”
“Of course.”
Grayson and I follow her to the kitchen, and I immediately smirk when I see Maize’s expression go from happy to annoyed. By her reaction, she didn’t know I was coming.
“Maize, can you find me a vase, please? Gavin was so sweet to bring these for me,” Mila asks, setting them down on the counter.
Maize studies me, and replies, “Sure, Mom.”
“John’s just finishing up some paperwork at the B&B and will be home any minute. Then we can dive right in,” Mila explains.
“Where’s Kenzie?” Grayson asks.
“Actively avoiding you.” Maize snorts, carrying a crystal vase. “Wish I could say I was doing the same.” She glares at me.
Grayson puts a hand on his chest over his heart. “You mean she hasn’t missed me? I’m hurt.”
I chuckle at his sarcastic tone, knowing damn well he wishes she would miss him. I’d almost feel bad for him if I wasn’t dealing with my own Bishop woman issues.
John enters just as Kenzie comes down the stairs.
“Ugh, come on. I was hoping this would be the year I had something to be thankful for.” Kenzie slams her shoulder against Grayson as she walks to the dining table.
“I’m here, so you do.” He winks at her, but all she does is roll her eyes, then takes a seat.
“Where would you like me?” I ask, not sure if it’s assigned seating or not.
“Preferably outside.” I hear Maize mutter as she carries a hot dish.
“Across from you?” I ask loudly. “I’d love to.”
She groans as she sets the food on the table.
“Mrs. Bishop, do you need some help?” I follow Maize into the kitchen.
“Take this,” Maize says, handing me a scalding ass bowl without warning.
“Oh shit.” I quickly set it down and grab a potholder off the counter.
“Warning, it’s hot,” she muses.
“Gee, thanks.”
This girl really is trying to kill me. Though I don’t know why, because she’s the one who denies everything. If anything, I should be the one pissed at her, considering she bailed on me the morning after.
Once the food is on the table and we all sit, Mila says grace and thanks Grayson and me again for joining them.
“Dig in,” she announces.
John passes the turkey, then we pile on corn bread stuffing and roasted veggies. Once I take a bite, it’s confirmed it tastes as delicious as it smells.
“This is amazing,” I say, smiling at Mila.
“Maize makes the best turkey,” she confirms.
I look at her from across the table, then smile. “Should’ve known.”
“Uh, excuse me. I helped,” Kenzie blurts out, causing us all to laugh.
“Adding the marshmallows to the sweet potato casserole doesn’t count…” Grayson teases. Kenzie gives him a death glare and looks like she’s going to knock him out.
“You weren’t even here, so zip it.” Kenzie snarls, and I swear, the tension between them could be cut with a knife.
Everyone chats while we finish eating, then Mila offers seconds.
“I’m always ready for more turkey.” Grayson pats his hard stomach.
“Don’t forget about dessert later,” Mila reminds him.
“No, ma’am. Maize’s sweet pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream is unforgettable.”
Kenzie rolls her eyes and stands, then takes her empty plate to the kitchen.
“I made extra this year…” Maize says, pointing her fork at Grayson. “Just for you.”
“You’re my favorite Bishop, Maze. Don’t tell the others…” he whispers, and she laughs. I hate that it makes me jealous, knowing she’s sweet and kind to him but treats me like a walking STD.
I watch the way she lets her guard down, and as soon as her gaze meets mine, she looks away, but not before I see the faint blush on her cheeks.
When we’re all stuffed to the max, I help clear the table. Kenzie and Maize rinse the dishes while Grayson helps Mila put the leftovers in containers. John and I break down the table to its normal size.
“Your house is beautiful, Mrs. Bishop. I love the modern décor. Much different than the B&B,” I tell her once everything’s clean.
“Thank you. We had fun decorating.” She smiles at me. “You want a tour of the house?”
I glance around and notice Maize’s reaction, and she tenses when Kenzie speaks up. “I’ll give you one, Gavin! Let’s start with my sister’s room.”
Maize elbows her in the ribs, and Kenzie dramatically coughs. “Shut up. I better do it, or you’ll be telling him all kinds of embarrassing childhood stories about me.”
With an unapologetic shrug, Kenzie smirks. “Well, duh.” She looks at her incredulously, which makes me wonder what they’re hidi
ng.
With a sigh, Maize walks around me and tells me to follow her. I hear Kenzie chuckle, then she tells Grayson off, which makes me smile. These Bishop sisters don’t make anything easy.
“You already saw the dining room and entryway…” She waves a hand to the left as we walk down the hallway. “The living room is here, though we don’t get a lot of time to hang out or watch TV. Most of us are usually working or sleeping.”
“Looks cozy, though,” I say, shoving my hands in my front pockets so I don’t do something stupid like reach out and touch her.
She takes me through the rest of the lower level, then we go upstairs, and she points out her parents’ and Kenzie’s room.
“Mine’s at the end of the hallway.”
I silently follow her, not taking a second alone with her for granted. This is the most she’s talked to me since I moved to the ranch.
“It’s very you,” I admit after she opens her door and allows me to peek inside. Three walls are a neutral tan color, and one is a bright teal. Pictures of her and Kenzie on the ranch are framed and hung on the walls along with dreamcatchers. A white comforter is neatly spread across her bed, and fuzzy teal pillows are stacked high.
“You don’t even know me,” she states.
I study her. “I know enough.”
She swallows hard with her eyes locked on mine, but too quickly, she lowers her gaze and breaks our contact.
“It’s embarrassing to live with my parents at my age,” she blurts out. “I just turned twenty-five and still sleep in my childhood bed.” Maize groans, then shrugs. “But until they can marry me off, I’ll stay here.”
Bringing a hand to my chin, I scrub my fingers over my beard as I remember a similar conversation we had at the bar. “Marry you off, huh? To who? What happened to becoming a nun?”
Maize blinks hard, then shakes her head as if she has to remind herself not to react. “What? No, not like an arranged marriage or anything. But when you work on the ranch, it doesn’t make sense to move away. Especially when I work as much as I do,” she explains, leading me back toward the staircase. It’s amusing she ignored the nun part and is still playing her little game.
“Doesn’t hurt that it’s cheap rent.”
“That’s definitely a perk,” she says as we enter the kitchen, and when she checks the time on the wall, she adds, “Crap, I gotta go to the B&B and set up the desserts.”
“Let me help. It’ll go faster,” I offer, not giving her room to argue.
She sighs. “Alright, fine.”
After Maize announces we’re leaving, they tell us they’ll meet us there in twenty minutes. It will give me more alone time with her.
Since the B&B is only half a mile from her house, she leads me to a side by side, and we climb in. The silence slices through the air on the way over, and once we enter the kitchen, she gives me orders, and I quickly step into action.
“Pies over there, cakes and cookie bars on the other table, then fruit on the third one.” She pulls items from the fridge, and my eyes widen at the assortment of desserts laid out.
“Shit. You feedin’ an army?” I grab two pecan pies and inhale the sweet aroma.
“Just wait till you see all the Bishops together. There are a lot of us…” she says. “Then add in the ranch hands too.”
As I help her move tables around the dining area, I wonder how everyone will fit in here, then remember the rocking chairs and tables on the back porch.
Once we’ve set the desserts out, Maize puts the serving utensils in each dish and directs me to find the dessert plates. Then I grab the whipped cream and start the coffee maker as ordered. Once I’ve done what she’s asked, I head out of the kitchen and hear her talking to someone.
“Elle! It feels like it’s been forever.” Maize hugs her, and I immediately see the Bishop resemblance. Elle has long, dark hair and features similar to Maize.
“Came to see if you needed help, but I see now that I’m interrupting…” Elle looks me up and down, and Maize quickly turns around.
“No, no. Gavin’s training horses with Jackson and Kiera. Mom invited him to dinner.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Nice to meet you, Elle. I’m Gavin.” I hold out my hand, and she quickly takes it.
“A pleasure. I’m Elizabeth, but only our grandmother calls me that.” She smiles.
I chuckle. “Noted.”
“Elle works with Dr. Wallen,” Maize explains. “Which is why I hardly ever see her anymore.”
“I met him shortly after I started here. Seems like a nice guy. I bet you’re learning a lot from him,” I say to Elle.
“Yeah, well…” She inhales sharply. “We don’t call him Dr. Dickhead for nothing.”
My eyebrows raise in curiosity.
“Speak for yourself,” Maize chimes in. “The rest of us call him Dr. VetDreamy.” Maize chuckles, giving Elle a hard time, but the thought of her thinking he’s good-looking annoys the fuck outta me.
“Do not call him that,” Elle warns. “Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t take away the fact that he makes my work life miserable.”
“It can’t be that bad.” Maize waves her off.
“Not for you, maybe. You have a great view.” Elle smirks at me, and Maize gives her a dirty look.
Deciding to play along, I step next to Elle and wrap my arm around her. “Glad to see someone appreciates me ’round here.”
“Is Maize being rude to you?” she asks.
“If by that you mean she ignores and tells me off, or straight up groans any time I speak, then yeah, I guess so.” I shrug, giving Elle my best puppy dog face.
“Maize Bishop!” Elle scolds, folding her arms over her chest. “I know your mama taught you better than that. Be nice to the new trainer. He seems sweet.”
Maize perks a brow, and her nostrils flare with rage. “I’m plenty nice.”
“That’s you being nice?” My eyes widen with a grin. “Shit, I’d hate to get on your bad side then.”
“Keep talkin’, and you will be,” she snaps.
“Okay, I’m sensing some kind of…tension here, so I’m gonna go find me some pie,” Elle says, then quickly walks away.
“Unbelievable,” Maize mutters before storming off.
I don’t let her get too far before following her into the kitchen. “You ever gonna tell me what your problem with me is?” I ask as she grabs something from the fridge.
“My problem is you’re always around. I’m not interested, and you aren’t getting the memo.” She slams the door and turns to face me.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” I hold up my palms to stop her before she runs off. “You’re not interested? I didn’t ask you out or anything.” The last time I offered to take her on a date was a couple of months ago.
“I can read between the lines, and I’m good with body language.”
“Is that so? Enlighten me then. What am I insinuating?”
She sets down the container and puts her hands on her hips. “You’re intrigued by me and want to ask me out again even though I’ve given you a million signs I’d say no. Yet, here you are.”
“The only thing that intrigues me is you refusing to admit we’ve met before. Why is that?” I cross my arms.
“Because we haven’t.” Her upper lip twitches, and it gives her away. It’s obvious she’s full of shit. It’s only a matter of time before she confesses the truth. The sooner, the better.
“Okay, have it your way then.” I shrug and walk away. Before going through the door, I look over my shoulder and smile. “I have a feelin’ you’ll be remembering very soon.” Then I flash her a wink and leave.
The B&B fills up with Bishops, and for the next hour, I eat Maize’s delicious desserts and chat with everyone. I hear her talking to someone behind me, but fight the urge to look since I can feel her eyes on me. She may not like that I called her out, but too damn bad.
“Gavin,” Grandma Bishop sing-songs my name as she opens her arms and wraps me in
a tight hug. Though she’s not my grandma, it’s what everyone calls her.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” I say, squeezing her back.
“How was your dinner at John and Mila’s?”
“Delicious. Maize didn’t disappoint one bit,” I emphasize her name, knowing she’s listening close by. “Her desserts are even better.”
“She’s a precious gem, ain’t she? We’re lucky to have her.” Grandma Bishop smiles proudly. After another minute, she excuses herself to make her rounds.
“You keep talkin’ about me, then wonder why I think you’re obsessed with me,” Maize quietly says so no one can eavesdrop.
“Obsessed? You keep avoidin’ me and say there’s no reason for it,” I retort. “Our night together is nothing to be embarrassed about, Maize.”
“You’re absolutely delusional.”
I take my time and check out her body before meeting her intense gaze. “Then why do you always have goose bumps when I’m around? Coincidence?” I pop a confident brow.
She narrows her eyes while simultaneously rubbing her bare arms. “Shut up. I don’t.”
I chuckle, bringing a hand to her shoulder and sliding it down to her wrist, feeling the bumps against the pads of my fingers. “Right. I believe you.”
Maize groans, creating space.
“Stop denying it, sweetheart.”
“You’re so full of yourself. Even if we had met before, I doubt it would’ve been anything memorable. So perhaps my mind did me a favor and blocked it out.” She flashes an eat shit grin, then stalks off.
Moments later, Grayson comes over and pats my shoulder. “Wanted to officially welcome you to the Bishop wrath.”
Chapter Six
MAIZE
FIVE WEEKS LATER
After an insane and busy Christmas, I’m excited I get to spend New Year's Eve with my cousins because I’m not working for once. I did an enormous dessert bar on Christmas Eve and then served a special brunch on Christmas Day. Since I gave my employees the holidays off, my mother and Kenzie helped. Having them around is always fun since we love baking cookies together, but it took four twelve-hour shifts to prepare everything.