He hands me a glass of water and two pills. He smiles and shrugs. “I thought you’d be more comfortable without them on.”
“Oh really. How sweet of you. Such a gentleman.”
He brushes his knuckles against his chest. “You’re just now noticing this?”
“Ha ha, very funny.”
He sits down on the bed. “I’m serious, hey you even told me I was sweet when I was putting you to bed last night.”
“Yeah, well, I can’t be held responsible for what I said under the influence. I’ll probably wish I was still under the influence of something when my brother finds out I totaled his car.”
“I talked to Gable last night, he’s cool.”
“You what?”
He’s about to say something when his phone rings. “Hey.-I don’t know. - Okay. Okay. I’ll see you in a few minutes. Umm. I have a guest with me… Ugh. Yes. See you in a few.”
“Do I need to go?”
He laughs. “No, but you may want to shower real quick and I’ll give you something to put on. That was my Nana Pearl. She has breakfast ready and is expecting us in a few minutes.”
“O- Kay. I really can go if you need me to?”
“No, just get in the shower.”
I stand up and walk over to the bathroom. Looking around his bathroom is very neat for a guy. You can tell everything has a place. I’m tempted to move stuff around just to screw with his head.
Getting in the shower, I have to be careful of my cuts. I laugh when I see that Ryder, who is totally masculine, doesn’t have the typical manly body wash. He just has regular scented Dial body wash. He totally struck me as an Axe body wash kind of guy.
“Hey, Scarlet?” he calls.
“Yeah?”
“I put some clothes on the counter. Sorry I don’t have a clean bra or panties for you to wear. I did put a small pair of boxer trunks here for you.”
“Thanks. I’ll be out in just a minute. I’m not sure I’d know how to take it if you had a bra and panties for me.”
I step out of the shower a few minutes later. A t-shirt, pair of wind pants, and what I’m guessing are boxer trunks are sitting on the counter. They are just like boxer briefs but shorter. They look like what girls call boy shorts. I quickly dress and walk out into the bedroom.
When we walk outside, he leads me over to a Polaris Ranger. “Come on, we’ll take this.” As I sit down, he laughs. “I always wondered what it would take for you to get my pants.”
I smack his shoulder. “Shut it. I always thought you wanted to get in my pants.” I look around. “Where does your Nana live?”
“Just down the road.”
I nod and sit in the passenger side. We take off through a pasture and, within a few minutes, we are parking in the backyard of what I’m assuming is his Nana’s house.
I whisper. “What is your Nana going to think? I mean, I’m in your clothes and I was obviously there when you woke up.”
“Hell, she’ll probably be proud I let a girl stay for breakfast.” I gasp and he laughs. “I’m just kidding. I don’t bring girls back to my house. You’re the first.”
I stop and look at him hard. “Really?”
He smiles. “Yes, really. Come on. Nana is waiting.”
When we step on the back porch, I hear someone whistling a tune inside. He swings the screen door open and we walk inside. “Hey, Nana.”
She pulls his cheek down to her and kisses him. “Sweet boy. Who is this pretty young lady you have with you?”
“This is Scarlet. She’s a friend. Scarlet, this is my Nana Pearl.”
I give a soft wave. “Nice to meet you. I’m sorry for barging in like this.”
She smiles. “No, honey, it’s no problem. Call me Nana. Now, what on Earth happened to your pretty face?”
“I was in a wreck last night. Ryder came to pick me up from the hospital and made me stay with him.”
“Well, that was sweet of him. Are you sure it was Ryder?”
“Come on, Nana,” he says. “I can be nice. Plus they asked me to wake her up every few hours to make sure she didn’t have a concussion.”
Nana Pearl puts her hand on her hip. “Well, come on. I got you two some grits, eggs, bacon, and biscuits ready. Scarlet, honey, are you sure you’re okay? Do you need some headache medicine or anything?”
“No, ma’am. Ryder gave me some this morning.”
We sit down to the table and Ryder automatically starts inhaling his food. Nana pops his arm. “Ryder, act like you got some raising, boy. You don’t have to swallow your food whole like it’s your last damn meal. There is a lady present.”
I chuckle. “It’s okay. My brother Gable eats the same way.”
“Damn boys.” She shakes her head, laughing. “So, Scarlet what do you do?”
“I go to SCAD and right now, I’m working as a waitress.”
“That’s wonderful. You know, Ryder’s mama was an artist. That girl could sketch or paint dang near anything. I don’t know how my bumbling son was lucky enough to turn her head but he did. I’m glad, too, because she was a wonderful daughter, a great mama, and she gave me this beautiful little devil right here.”
“She sounds like a wonderful lady.” I look over at Ryder and notice his solemn expression on his face.
Nana smiles. “Oh, she was. So, what kind of art do you do?”
“Well, my loves are painting, sketching, and sculpture. I know that really doesn’t pay bills, though, so I’m also doing some graphic design. I also do all of the artwork for my brother’s band.”
“Wow, that’s quite some ambition you’ve got there. So, your brother is in a band?”
“Yes, ma’am. They’re on tour right now. Some of the people he’s met in the music business loved my artwork and want to talk more about it with me.”
“Well that’s just wonderful. You really do remind me of sweet Lillian.”
Once again I notice Ryder’s solemn expression and I figure we’ve talked enough. We finish the rest of our breakfast in silence.
“Thank you again for breakfast, Nana.”
“It was my pleasure, honey. Now don’t be a stranger. Bring some of your work by here for me to see. I don’t get out as much anymore, but I love to look at pretty things.”
I smile. “Yes ma’am.”
We head out to the Ranger after Ryder gives her a hug and kiss.
Chapter 10
Ryder
“So it seems like you and my Nana hit it off.”
“She’s sweet. But she gives off that whole ‘don’t screw with me’ vibe. I love it.”
“Yeah, she’s definitely a tough old lady.”
“Thanks again for being such a good friend to me last night,” she says.
“It was nothing. What are you going to do today?”
“Getting ready for the hot date I’m supposed to have tonight.”
“Oh, so do I know the guy?” I tease.
“You might. At first, I thought he was a complete douche nozzle. But now I think he’s kinda nice. Anyway, can you give me a ride to my house? I can call Annabelle to come and get me if it’s easier.”
“I can give you a ride home. Let’s just go inside and grab my keys and stuff.”
She smiles. “Okay, thanks.”
My dad’s car is in the driveway when we get back. He must be home from his business trip. He’s standing in the kitchen when we come in.
“Who is this pretty thing?” he asks.
“Dad, this is Scarlet. Scarlet, this is my dad, Greer.”
Scarlet sticks her hand out to him. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Abbott.”
“Please call me Greer. Nice to meet you, too. What have you guys been up to?”
I fill him in on last night’s events and our visit with Nana.
Dad laughs. “So Scarlet was lucky enough to meet the famous Pearl Abbott?”
Scarlet smiles. “She was very sweet.”
Dad and I both laugh. I tug her arm. “Come on, let me get you home.”
/>
The drive to her house is quiet. She turns to me as we get close to her house. “Sorry we talked about your mom so much at breakfast. I could tell it made you kinda sad.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s just I haven’t heard Nana talk about her in years. She really loved my mom, as if she were her own. Nana always wanted a daughter. When my mom came along, she fell in love with her as much as my dad did.”
We pull into her driveway. “That’s so sweet,” she says. “Thanks again for everything. So what time do I need to be ready?”
“I really want you to rest. How about I pick you up at six?”
“Sounds great.” She steps out of the car. “Oh, how should I dress?”
“However you want. Comfortable.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
~*~*~
I make my way back home and find my dad in his office. “Hey, how was your trip?” I ask.
He looks up from the paperwork he’s staring at. “It was somewhat enlightening.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“Yes. While we are on the subject, we need to discuss our business and your plans.”
“I really don’t want to,” I argue.
“Son, it’s not about what you want. This is part of growing up. I can understand if you don’t want to live the day-to-day office life. I really can. But you need to at least have an idea as to what’s going on. So you’ll know if your money is being taken care of or stolen from you.”
“Why? Is something going on?” I ask.
“Well, this last trip to Atlanta was very interesting. Let’s just say I had to let a vice-president and his secretary go. He was doing a great job; technically, he did nothing wrong. His secretary, whom he was diddling on the side, however, got ahold of his company credit card and was living a rather lavish lifestyle on our dime.”
“Damn. Are you pressing charges?”
“Against the secretary, yes,” he says. “She admitted he knew nothing about it. So he was only fired for fraternization and basically not keeping up with company funds. But I’m sure he’d probably rather be in jail. Now he’s got a hell of a lot of explaining to do to his wife.”
“That’s some crazy shit. Look, Dad. I promise I’ll try to take more of an interest in this stuff with the business.”
“That’s all I’m asking. I’m trying to protect you, but I won’t be around forever. I know you’d rather work with Nelson on the farms and believe me, I respect that and I’m proud of you for it. But I would really like for you to think about taking some classes in business and learn a little more about this side of the farm as well. Okay?”
I know he’s right, as much as I hate the business side of things. “Yes, sir. I gotta go help Nelson move some of the equipment around here today. Then I have a date later, so I have to get a move on.”
He smiles and nods. “Sure. By the way, Scarlet seems like a lovely young lady. Where did someone with your ugly mug find her?”
“We met when we were both doing community service at that Habitat house. She pretty much told me to F off within the first five minutes of meeting her.”
He barks out a laugh. “Well. Now I know I like her. What on earth did she have community service for?”
“Um, well, Dustin Scott is her ex and she bashed up his car with an ax handle. I don’t know all the details, but I know he deserved it.”
“I guess she’d have no trouble keeping you in line. Are things serious?”
“Dad, it’s just a date.” Of which I hope that there will be many more of. What the hell am I thinking? Why in the hell do I want her so much? Maybe it’s just the challenge. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s a virgin or that she never gave it up to Dustin. Yeah, that has to be it.
“All I’m saying,” he continues, “is I saw the way you were looking at her. Not to mention that my mother liked her, which is… well, you know how Pearl is.”
“I know. Nana even said she reminded her of Mom.”
My dad has a shocked look on his face . “Really? So what else do you know about her? I’m intrigued now.”
I laugh and start to tell him about Scarlet. I don’t realize until I’m done talking how much I actually do know about her, but then how much I don’t.
“She sounds like a headstrong hellcat. That’s good for you. You can be a pain in the ass sometimes. You need someone who’s a challenge. Someone who will call you on your bullshit. But now that you talk about her mother, I do remember meeting her at the museum. Kind of a free spirit but overall, a nice lady. ”
“Again, it’s just a date. You have us married already.”
“I’m just saying I’ve seen that look before,” he says. “I remember it all too well, staring me back in the face from my mirror when I met your mother. It’s a mixture of fear, lust, admiration, love, and adrenaline.”
Damn. Holy shit, he might just be right. I find myself wondering what she’s thinking, what she’s doing. I can’t get her out of my head and every time I think of her, my pants tighten almost uncomfortably.
Shaking my head and trying to clear my thoughts, I go out to the barn to help Nelson.
Chapter 11
Scarlet
Annabelle puts her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you were in a wreck last night? You didn’t call me.”
“I didn’t call anyone. Ryder drove up on the accident. He tried to call my mom and Gable, but they didn’t answer.”
“I’m just glad you weren’t hurt really bad. What about Gable’s car?”
“They said it’s totaled.”
She chuckles because she knows my brother all too well. “He’s gonna be pissed.”
“I talked to him this morning after I got home. He was just glad I wasn’t really hurt. Especailly since I was ran off the road and the person didn’t stop.”
She looks at me with fear written all over her face. “Do you know who it was?” she asks.
“No, it was late and they turned all their lights off so I couldn’t even really get a good description of the car. I couldn’t see their tag, plus it all happened so fast.”
She walks over and pulls me into a hug. “I’m just glad you’re okay, but I really hate the thought of you driving that far at night by yourself.” She pulls me down on the edge of the bed. “So did you call Cade?”
“I called and talked to Daria because I’d promised to come after the baby is born and if I don’t find a car by then, I can’t.”
“Don’t worry about that. If you need a way to get to Alabama to see the new kiddo, just let me know. I’ll get you there.” She claps her hands together. “Now, let’s find you something casual sexy to wear on your date.”
I just shake my head. At this point, trying to argue with Annabelle would be pointless. She likes to use me as a dress-up doll. Plus it’s her own way of coping with what I just told her about my wreck.
I walk out of my bathroom in my panties and bra after my shower and she takes one look at me. “Oh, hell no, you don’t.”
I look at her I’m sure looking confused. “What?”
“You have to wear matching underwear and preferably not cotton.”
“Seriously, Annabelle. He’s seen me in my panties a couple of times now, both of which I don’t remember. I really don’t plan on him seeing them tonight.”
“You never know and you should always be prepared. Speaking of prepared, did you shave your-”
I cut her off. “Look, Annabelle, I’ve been dressing myself for several years now. I don’t think he will kick me out of the jeep for having on panties and a bra that don’t match. And my lady business is just that. My business.” She looks at me, defeated, which makes me feel bad. I reach and grab the lime green lacy bra and panties she laid out for me and stomp into the bathroom to put them on. I walk back out and she smiles and claps.
“Are you happy now?” I ask.
She smiles and claps again. “Yes. You are freakin’ hot. I wish I looked like that in my underwear. If I had a body like yours, I’d probab
ly walk around naked.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m sure you would. Now what else?”
“Here.” She shoves some clothes in my hands.
Thirty minutes later, I’m looking at myself in the mirror. She picked out a denim skirt that ends just above the knee, brown cowgirl boots, and a chocolate and cream peasant top.
“Damn, you look good.”
“Thanks, Annabelle.”
~*~*~
I hear someone knocking on my front door and open it to find Ryder standing there, looking completely delicious. He has a pair of biker boots on with jeans and a plaid button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
He smiles. “You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” He pulls my hand out the door . “So where are we headed?” I ask.
“I was thinking we could ride out to the island.”
I nod. “That sounds great.” I stop and look at the Honda Goldwing sitting there. “Whose Goldwing?”
“Mine.”
“Wow, I didn’t know that you rode a bike. I shouldn’t have worn a skirt.”
“I won’t peak. I promise.” He winks a me. “I thought it would be a nice night to ride. Before it gets too cold out.”
“Yeah.” I’m sure my nervousness is showing.
“Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?” he asks.
I smile, embarrassed. “No.”
“Well, come on. I promise you’ll have fun.” He turns back and winks. “I’m glad to be your first.” We climb on the bike and ride off.
Boy, was he right. It’s exhilarating. The breeze and the salt smell the closer we get to the beach. When we pull up to the lighthouse on Tybee Island Ryder gets off his bike.
“We’re here.”
“Isn’t this place closed?” I ask.
“Yes. To the public, but I have a friend.”
He reaches into the side compartment on the bike and pulls out a blanket. Taking my hand, he leads me toward the lighthouse. He stops and opens a door to a small room on one of the small buildings, grabbing a basket . Then we continue around the lighthouse until we can see the ocean. He spreads the blanket and pulls me to sit down.
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