“Of course ma’am, I wonder if they’ll keep they’re cuteness…” Nick drawled.
“Yeah they should. I did get that she was breed with King.” Kelsey said. The stallion she had noticed on the board as the father of Sweeties babies, was a stunning dapple gray and by the look of the foals they had taken on some of his characters. “The filly looks like she was dropped in the mud.” Kelsey giggled looking at the white little baby. She had been nearly pure white with the exception of brown spots along her legs and buttocks. Her tail was half brown and half white. “And I would have to say the colt looks like he got left out in the snow.” The colt looked a lot like his mom. He was a beautiful chocolate brown with white spots on his butt, head, legs, and belly.
“Which one do you want to offer the sheriff? There wasn’t any arrangements about twins.” Nick said.
“I can’t choose between them. They are both so cute. I think I’ll just allow him to choose between them. I bet he’ll pay the extra to get them both.” Kelsey shrugged. “I’m going to get cleaned up.”
Kelsey turned to go into the house. Parker followed behind without saying a word. He was so amazed by everything that had happened and how Kelsey had taken charge, it was such a turn on. When they finally made it to her room she walked toward the bathroom.
“I’m going to take a shower.” She stated.
Parker nodded. He watched as she dropped her clothing as she walked and gulped. As Kelsey turned on the water and stepped inside the shower, Parker pushed the door open slowly. He had dropped his shirt and pants into a pile on the floor and now stood in nothing but boxers before the shower curtain.
Kelsey had wondered if he would follow. In a way she hoped he would, she liked his direct approach toward the relationship and wished she had the courage to ask him to say the night in her room again tonight. She had mixed feelings about it all.
When the bathroom door opened and closed softly, Kelsey gulped and pressed her back to the shower wall. “Parker?” She questioned slowly.
“May I come in?” He questioned slowly pressing a hand to open the shower curtain.
Kelsey didn’t have a chance to reply since Parker had dropped his boxers and stepped into the shower. Her eyes trailed down his taught strong and muscular body as he took in the beauty of Kelsey.
“Uh…” Kelsey mumbled. “There’s another shower…”
“Yes but that one doesn’t have the girl I like in it.” Parker said stepping forward and reaching for the shampoo. “Turn around.” He told her and watched happily as Kelsey did as he asked.
Parker pulled the tie from Kelsey’s hair and watched as the hair dropped to her back. He pressed the shampoo into his hands and then worked them through Kelsey’s hair. Parker had washed Kelsey’s hair then rubbed soap over her body cleansing her. Kelsey stayed quiet with her bottom lip sucked in between her teeth anxiously.
Parker’s touch was gentle and calming. When he was finished messaging the soap along her body he began to work on his own. Kelsey turned around and pulled his hands up, pressing Parker back to the shower wall, she spoke “Let me.” She said slowly.
Chapter 31
The two had spent nearly an hour just messaging and washing each other. Eventually they stepped from the shower into towels. It wasn’t awkward. “It’s about time for dinner,” Kelsey said patting across the room. She had pulled on a pair of underwear beneath her towel then began to pull on a pair of jeans.
“Well love,” Parker smirked. “Unless you would like me to go down to dinner in my birthday suit…”
“OH!” Kelsey blushed “your things are still in the truck…”
“Well I could settle with the towel but…”
“I’ll go and get it, what bag is it?” Kelsey interrupted quickly turning her back on him and walking into the closet to pull on a top.
When she walked back out Parker smiled. “It’s the black bag in the front seat.”
Kelsey disappeared out of the room and quickly down to the truck. She was tugging the bag out of the car when Parker walked out of the house in nothing but the towel. “Oh my goodness!” Kelsey screeched averting her eyes again.
“Princess, you can’t carry that.” Parker chuckled. “Come on.” He held out his hand and accepted the bag from Kelsey. “Awe love, don’t get that look.” Parker chuckled. “Everyone already has their ideas and you have free rein on looking and touching.” He smirked before adding “no one else.”
Sure enough, as Kelsey entered the kitchen Annie was beaming at her. “Miss Lodge, are you going to tell your mother you boyfriend is here. I am sure she would like to meet him.” Annie asked.
“He’s not…” Kelsey stated. “But I will tell my mother that Ryder is here. I am sure she would like to come for dinner.” Kelsey admitted. She quickly pulled her cell from her pocket and dialed her mother’s number.
“Hello?” Kelsey’s mother answered.
“Hey mom, can you come for dinner?” Kelsey asked.
“Kelsey is something wrong?” Her mother asked nervously.
“Oh no mom,” Kelsey blurt out. “It’s just that Ryder and his girlfriend are in from the city and …”
“Oh well tell him I said hello dear, but I have a busy night tonight.” Her mother said much to Kelsey’s dismay.
Frowning Kelsey groaned “Mom is there a reason you don’t want to come home?” Kelsey asked.
“Why would you think that dear? Don’t listen to what Annie has been telling you.” Her mother defended.
“How about we come to town and have dinner at a restaurant with you. I’m sure you can take off a few hours…” Kelsey began.
“Oh, well I guess.” Her mother replied unsure.
“Great. Hattie’s Steak house. Eight pm.” Kelsey told her without further discussion. “I’ll see you there.”
Kelsey was beaming when she hung up. She turned to Annie “well Annie I guess we’re going out. Don’t hold dinner for us, okay?”
“Sure darling.” Annie sighed.
“Is there something you need to tell me?” Kelsey asked.
“It’s really not my place.” Annie shied “Have fun; don’t forget to warn your friends dear.”
“OH! Right!” Kelsey laughed as she darted out of the room. She was so excited she wasn’t paying close attention and ran directly into the hard chiseled chest of someone. “Oh Dylan hello.” Kelsey said pushing away and slowly walking around him. “Have a good dinner.” She said as she rushed away.
Dylan groaned and clenched his fists tight. He was so close until the people showed up. He had almost gotten to her the other night, but then Kelsey had shot him down and pushed away “I’m sorry I just can’t” he remembered her saying shortly before she drifted off to sleep on the couch. Now his chance was gone.
Kelsey had told Parker and then went on to tell Ryder and Hannah about their dinner date with their mom. When the time came Parker offered to drive which Kelsey eyed him for.
Kelsey shrugged and tossed Parker the keys. He smiled and still walked over to the passenger door to open it for Kelsey. “He’s doing everything right.” Hannah squealed quietly to Ryder, he simply shook his head and smiled.
Once Kelsey was inside Parker walked around to the other side of the truck and climbed in. “So where to…” He asked.
Kelsey had directed Parker to the restaurant and Kelsey had accepted Parker ’s hand as a comfort while they walked toward the door. “Wow…” Suzie smirked. She pinched her lips together evaluating as she nodded. “She must really love you to let you drive her truck.”
Parker smirked and squeezed Kelsey into his side. “Hello, I’m Suzie, Kelsey and Ryder’s mom.” Suzie said stepping toward the group. A man around her age stepped up beside her and Kelsey went rigid. He had to be the reasoning behind Suzie not coming home. Suzie smiled and turned to the man “This is Billy, my boyfriend” Suzie beamed.
“So… he’s the reason you haven’t been coming home?” Kelsey said tentatively.
Suzie frowned
slightly. “Listen Kels, I’m sorry I haven’t been there. Billy and I have been busy at work and all.”
“What?” Ryder questioned anger obviously present in his voice. “You left her by herself to care for the ranch? No wonder why she’s been so stressed.”
“It’s not like that.” Suzie defended.
Ryder turned to Kelsey. She had tears in her eyes and was pressing her face into Parker’s side. “Kels, has she been home since you got there?”
“No.” Kelsey said shakily.
“Looks like that’s exactly what I think.” Ryder snapped bitterly.
“She’s got to grow up and get a man to help with the ranch anyway. Most of the kids around here with ranches get engaged by sixteen or seventeen anyway and you are turning nineteen.” Suzie rolled her eyes. “Haven’t you proposed yet?” She eyed Parker before shaking her head. “Looks like you’re not the man then huh.” She added quickly when Parker didn’t answer “Not a country boy, ae? Too bad you’re kind a cute.”
Their mother was different from the last time the twins had spent time with her. She was just flat out mean now. “Look. I don’t belong in that house anymore. It’s not mine. Your grandpa left it to you because he assumed your husband would help you care for it. I am will get remarried someday and I haven’t even spent time on that ranch for a year now.” Suzie barked in her defense.
“Kelsey, why do you think that so many of the family have been pushing you into getting married soon? Why is it that I had pushed you to date the guys I tried to get you to date? Duff for example would have made a great husband for you and would have run the ranch properly.” Her mother continued.
Parker held Kelsey tight and when he felt Kelsey shaking within his grasp he growled his words at Suzie as he defensively pushed Kelsey behind him. “I am perfectly capable of caring for all her needs. I would be the wonderful husband, ranch owner, and father that she’s looking for. Heck, I’d be anything and everything she wants and needs nd to prove that I am going to start with you. Leave my fiancé alone or we’ll be leaving right now. She has a lot on her mind and doesn’t need your crap!” Parker spit.
Everyone stared at Parker dumbfounded, each with their own curiosities. Kelsey wondered why he had just defended her, Ryder and Hannah wondered when that had happened and why they hadn’t known about it yet, and Suzie, well she wondered well, everything.
“The prude Kelsey, getting married, ha!” someone barked from the doors. Parker had enough. He shoved his sleeves up on his pristine button up black shirt and pushed Kelsey over to Ryder as he stomped forward. The man barked again “What are you going to do pretty boy, threaten me?”
“Duff,” Kelsey hissed.
“Oh so you are the dick that has gotten her upset before…” Parker hissed out continuing toward the guy. Duff was a big guy. He had grown up on the farm and in turn had developed plenty of muscles to prove it.
“Parker,” Kelsey cried, finally snapping out of her daze. Ryder latched onto his sister’s wrist and pulled her back.
“Stay back here.” Ryder demanded giving her a hard stare.
“Well you’ll see what I mean when you try and get her into bed with you. She doesn’t put out man. You’d be lucky to get some on your wedding night!” Duff laughed harshly.
Parker didn’t wait; he launched himself at Duff and slammed his fist into Duff’s face.
Duff’s nose now bleeding all over the place was misplaced. “Dude?” Duff whined. He tossed his fist toward Parker, who quickly ducked out of the way. After a few more punches Duff as tired out and quickly backed up and took off. “This isn’t over!”
“Oh it is now, get out of here!” Parker growled. “Leave my girl alone!”
Kelsey finally ripped her wrist from Ryder’s grasp and ran to Parker collapsing her arms around him. Parker stumbled from the unexpected blow and smiled. Turning around within Kelsey’s grasp he gripped her hips and lifted her up until she wrapped her legs around his waist. “Love, don’t cry.” Parker said softly wiping his hand across her cheek.
“Thank you.” Kelsey whimpered pressing her lips to Parker’s lips.
“Well…” Suzie mused. “Shall we eat?”
Chapter 32
That was how Kelsey and Parker went from being almost completely unknown to each other, with the exception of their first kiss at the birthday party, to engaged within a few short weeks. Kelsey and Parker shared the semi-awkwardness with calm and relaxed expressions as they sat down at the restaurant dinner table. Ryder and Hannah were sure to question them once they got out to the car but something within both them said they needed to talk about it before they answered too many questions.
Once the waiter came around to order food, Suzie smiled “Order whatever you wish. It’s on us as a celebratory dinner for the new couple.” She beamed. Parker had earned her respect standing up for Kelsey even if it was to Duff, the guy Suzie had liked for Kelsey.
“Oh what is it we are celebrating?” The waiter asked to clarify.
“Oh my daughter and this lovely man just announced their engagement.” Suzie chimed.
“Oh well, that is wonderful!” The waiter beamed. “Miss Lodge that is wonderful.”
The Lodge ranch was quite famous in the small town. The restaurant had ordered their steak from the Lodge ranch and most of the people in the town had their horses from either the Lodge ranch or the Janders ranch. Though the Janders ranch was more into milk cattle Kelsey’s ranch was more into beef cows.
“Thanks.” Kelsey said shyly and blushed.
With the help of the waiter most of the town would know by the end of the night. She probably could expect cards and small gifts arriving at her home by the end of next week. Kelsey groaned internally.
“So Parker, tell us about yourself…” Billy said. He didn’t seem to enjoy talking as much as Suzie, yet it seemed like he was trying to game some bonus points with Ryder and Kelsey.
“What would you like to know?” Parker shrugged. “I’m an open book.”
“Well let’s start with how old are you?” Suzie shot off.
“I’ll be twenty a few months after I graduate.” Parker told her.
“And you’re still in high school?” Billy stated in an almost questioning tone.
“Yes well, that is a long story. I have been in college part time for two years. Though, I seem older in high school, I have never failed a class. I am a perfect straight A-B student. I have to be or I wouldn’t be able to stay on the football team.” Parker said proudly.
Kelsey smiled. She was feeling proud at that moment as well. Her family seemed to be approving of her choice in Parker even if the choice was made on the spur of the moment.
“Hmm…” Billy nodded in approval. “You play what position.” He questioned.
Parker sat up straighter and beamed, “Running back.”
“And you would give that up for my daughter?” Suzie grunted.
“Any day of the week,” Parker said looking at Kelsey.
Dinner went along well after that. “Well it’s been nice to meet you both.” Suzie cooed as she hugged Hannah, whom she knew from visits with Kelsey, and then Parker.
“It was nice meeting you both as well.” Parker nodded.
“Are you going to move out completely?” Kelsey had said. Her voice had been nearly gone for most of the dinner. She was too nervous and anxious to talk.
“Well…” Suzie drawled.
“If you are getting married and not coming back to the home other than for a visit we would like that you move your things out. That way we have a free room.” Parker told her. He knew that was exactly what Kelsey was hoping for even though she wasn’t the most assertive.
Kelsey was enjoying the abruptness of Parker. He was the perfect match for her. “Oh uh… yeah I guess I can come over later this week and clean out my stuff.” Suzie sighed. She wasn’t fully prepared for such a strong presence in Kelsey’s life. She no longer could push Kelsey around nor use the ranch as a storage room for her st
uff.
“That sounds great.” Kelsey told her mom, stepping forward and hugging her. “Let me know what day and I’ll make sure Annie cooks enough.”
“See you later” Suzie and Billy both said waving as they climbed into the car.
Once loaded up Parker drove them back to Kelsey’s ranch. It was late when they finally made it back. Kelsey had drifted off to sleep, most likely from all the stress. When Parker stopped the truck he walked around to the passenger side and lifted Kelsey into his arms. Ryder and Hannah had tried to ask questions but they realized how tired Kelsey was and figured they would ask questions in the morning.
Kelsey mumbled and Parker shushed. “Shh… just relax baby, I’ll bring you up to your room.” Parker told her tucking her into his side more as he walked. “Good night guys.” He said to Ryder and Hannah as he walked into up the stairs.
Parker pulled the covers back on Kelsey’s bed and gently set her down. Kelsey’s eyes opened and she sat up. “I’ll take care of your shoes.” Parker said as Kelsey began to reach down to her feet.
“Will you stay with me?” Kelsey said quietly.
Parker searched her eyes. Was she drunk? No. She hadn’t drank anything other than pop. Was she high? No, of course not. He was trying to figure out if she really was serious.
Kelsey grinned. Grabbing hold of Parker’s shirt she tugged him closer to her. “I’m serious, would you stay? My fiancé should stay the night in my room.” She smirked.
“Of course I will, especially when you put it that way.” Parker smirked then winked. “But as a fiancé do I get privileges?” Parker teased as he crawled on the bed over top of Kelsey. He kissed her then tailed kisses down her jaw before she could even protest.
“Maybe.” Kelsey mumbled.
“Mmm…” Parker murmured against Kelsey’s skin as he gently kissed her neck. His hands were holding himself up which also pinned Kelsey, though she didn’t complain. Taking his hand and running it down the neckline of her shirt Parker trailed kisses down the top of Kelsey’s breast.
Love Begins with Fate Page 14