by K. M. Liss
If my dad knew what was going on at the bar he'd be royally pissed. He thought it was a decent bar, not a fucking vice den. I'd seen him deal drugs... and use his position to push the girls into things they didn't want to do.
And, according to Cherry, he regularly 'borrowed' cash from the takings for his own personal use. I'd call that stealing myself.
And if he didn't like my new set of rules, I'd find another bar manager. I didn't want my girl being hassled by a pimp.
Shit...my girl?
Actually, that had a real nice ring to it.
She was my girl. She just didn't know it yet.
I liked the fact she had a good head on her shoulders, and she wasn't afraid to throw shit at me.
I liked that a whole damn lot. And I liked her more and more each time I thought of her.
“Want some more?” Col passed the bottle of whiskey round the guys.
I took another long and fiery mouthful.
He looked up at the stars and pointed at something, drawing a long W with his index finger.
“Cassiopeia... she kinda rocks...”
“What's Cassiopeia?” I asked. Col seemed to know about everything.
“It's a bunch of stars named after a vain queen in Greek mythology. She boasted about her unrivaled beauty. Did you ever see the movie, Green Mile?”
“No, why?”
"Look boss! It's Cassie, the lady in the rockin' chair! That was a great line... I always remember that when I see her up there. You should try and catch that movie sometime.”
“I don't have much time for movies and TV. I'm too busy with the ranch and I prefer to go out drinking for my kicks.”
“Girls like going to the movies. You could get to see some good ones on a date.”
“I'll bear that in mind.” I replied, mentally filing that away as a good idea. It had been years since I'd been to the movies. Maybe I could take Tiffany. And her cute sister. Maybe her cute Mom might like to come along to even up the numbers.
I smiled to myself.
Me and a whole bunch of cute Johnson girls. I'd borrow Pa's land Rover. He may not like it, but fuck him, I'd like it.
CHAPTER FOUR
We returned to the ranch at ten. The sun was blazing hot today, not a cloud in the sky. It should be a good afternoon for our trip to the creek. And a clear view of the sunset.
As we rode into the yard, my father came out of the ranch house. The look on his face told me he was less than happy to see me today. Not that he ever seemed that pleased any day. My stomach clenched tightly when he was around. I felt anxious and on edge. Why his attitude bothered me, I couldn't say. I should be fucking used to it by now.
I dismounted and Kicker tactfully led my horse away to the stables. “I'll be along in a while, his left front foot needs a check over, tell Col to have a look.”
I approached my father, with as warm a smile I could manage, considering our frosty relationship.
“Hey Pa, how did things go at Lawson's?” I attempted to engage him with some conversation. Probably a waste of time, but I remained ever hopeful.
“Okay. One day, if you ever get your head out of the clouds, you may learn what customer relations is all about, son.”
I hated his put downs; his constant demeaning attitude. Why couldn't he say one nice thing to me, just once?
“Perhaps, you could take me along for the ride, instead of Rob, now and then. And in the meantime, you could at least acknowledge the work I put in around here, in other ways. It's not all about customers.”
“Yes it is. Without customers we have no income.”
“Without healthy cattle we have nothing to offer them.”
“What do you know about anything.” He glared at me, his temper rising rapidly, a flush spreading up from his neck.
“Look, I don't want to argue. Is there something you need to tell me?”
“I've made Rob my deputy manager. I thought you should know.”
“You've made him your deputy manager? Right... so I take orders from Rob, do I?”
“Yes you do, son.”
“So where do I stand in the hierarchy around here?”
“At the bottom. You're one of the hands, unless I see good reason to make you Head Rancher. So far I don't see anything special coming from your direction.”
“You don't see anything special? Fucking hell, Pa, what exactly have I done to upset you? Was is just the road trip, or does it go deeper?”
“There's no need for language like that. That's just so typical of you. Coarse and low-life. I can't believe Anne produced you at times.”
“I'm sorry you feel that way. Because I try very hard to please you and to care about what I do. Why don't you tell me where I'm going wrong?”
“Hell, where do I start!?!”
“Start at the beginning. Like when I was twelve and you told me I was a useless piece of crap, because I didn't stack up good enough at school.”
“You were far too interested in causing trouble. And that's how you've been ever since. A trouble maker.”
“How have I?”
“Let's say I know all you get up to. The drinking, the drugs, the whoring. You bring shame on me. And your blessed dead mother.”
I took in a harsh breath. That was going way too far. I wanted to punch his lights out. It took every ounce of restraint I possessed to keep my head, because steam and a red mist was clouding it.
“I may drink, but I don't do drugs and I don't whore.”
“I have it you do. I have someone watching you.”
“What? Who the hell's watching me, Christ... whoever it is, they're lying. Don't judge me like that. I work hard around here and I like a little fun, that's all. You know that. I'm not an office kind of guy like Rob. And up till now I've not found any girl I want to settle down with. But I'm working on that.”
“Joshua, your mother would turn in her grave if she knew how you'd turned out.”
I wanted to throw up. Tears sprang to my eyes and I beat them back. I wasn't going to cry in front of him. I made my last effort with my dad, because at that moment, I had all but given up trying. I couldn't take any more of this.
“Dad... I'm your only son. And despite everything, I love you. I may not be all you hoped for, but I don't understand, why you hate me so much.”
Then I turned and left him standing there. I brushed the tears away as they brimmed and ran down my face.
By the time I'd got to the stable I'd pulled myself together.
I raised a smile for the guys.
Col came to stand at my side. “Ben has a problem with his fetlock.”
“What's the best way to treat it?”
“I'll look up the injury when we get inside. If I can't do anything about it, I'll take him to the vet tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks Col, much appreciated, man.” He turned to go back to grooming his horse. I needed to speak to him, about who was snitching on me. “Can I have a private minute, outside?”
I noticed Kicker, Pete and Lucky look up from their stalls. Ears were pricked.
“Sure.” he followed me out and I turned to him.
“My pa has a spy on me for some reason. It's one of the guys, I guess. The only other person is Mickey and I can't imagine him doing Dad any favors.”
“Excuse me for saying so, but your pa is a fucking dickhead, looking for dirt where there ain't none. I've a mind to stick his head up a bulls ass and let him see some real shit.”
I laughed. Col had a way with words at times. “So would I. But I'd like to know who the snitch is. Can you ask around, in your own sweet way?”
“Yeah, but I'll lay my money on it being Lucky. I've seen him over the house a few times too often. He don't like you pal, it's jealousy mainly, you having all this privilege, and being so good at what you do at your age.”
I felt a shred of pride rising again after having it ground in the dust by my father's soul destroying boot. Col appreciated my efforts. He understood I worked hard and ran a
tight ship. He knew I cared about things. And my suspicion about Lucky was being reinforced by him.
“I'll leave it with you. And thanks again. For everything. I can always rely on you.”
“You can rely on all of us. We like it here and you're one of the main reasons. Not Charlie-so-far-up-his-own-ass-he-can't-see-the-light Lyle.”
I slapped his arm, affectionately.
“You know how to make a guy feel better. I needed that.”
“Don't let him get to ya.”
I smiled as we returned to the stable to attend to the tasks of grooming, feeding and watering.
At ten to four, I had everything ready. I was scrubbed up and dressed to kill, in my usual casual sense. I got on my bike and made quick work of getting over to Tiffany's place.
My mind chewed things over as I rode along in the hot afternoon sunshine. My Pa, Rob, Col, Lucky. But I pushed all that out of my head. I was gonna have a good time, with my girl. That was what I should be concentrating on. Not work.
I arrived at her street, parked up next to her bike and knocked at her door.
Her little sister opened it. She looked dead cute with her blonde hair in two plaits, wearing her jeans and a white 1D t-shirt. Obvious a big fan of One Direction.
“Hey beautiful, how ya doing?”
She giggled and blushed bright pink, running off indoors.
I followed and she led me to Tiffany who was putting her boots on, sitting at the kitchen table.
She stood with a smile. She looked so goddamn hot in her jeans and black t-shirt, I wanted to jump her bones, there and then, on the kitchen table. But I'd learned my lesson. It didn't matter what went through my head, as long as I didn't act on it. Restraint was the new order of the day in my holy bible of conduct.
“Hi,” she said.
“Hi, and mm mm you look real good, babe.”
“Oh, do I? Well thank you. You don't look too bad yourself.”
I sucked up the compliment. I hadn't had many coming my way.
Philipa was hopping around the room, obviously dead excited.
“Looking forward to it? Going horse riding?” I asked her.
“I've never been on a horse.”
“Haven't you sweetheart? Well, it's easy . . . they just walk, and you just sit.”
She laughed and Tiffany smiled at me.
“I won't fall off, will I?”
“No. Not unless you try real hard.” I watched as she twisted her hands together, anxiously but smiling. I hoped everything was going to be okay. “I've got a special horse for you. He's called Harry.”
“He is?” her eyes widened.
“You like that name, I guess?” I asked looking at her t-shirt which was printed with several guys names, Harry being one of them.
“It's my favorite name. I love Harry.”
“She loves Harry Styles. One Direction. They're a boy band.”
“I know who One Direction are,” I said smiling at Philipa, who looked thrilled to bits at this revelation.
“You do?”
“Absolutely.” I didn't have much of a clue about their music. All I knew was that it wasn't my style.
Tiffany took her hand. “Okay, are you ready to go, sweet?”
“Yeah.” Philipa smiled a wide toothy smile which captured my heart. But it was her sister's smile which erupted shortly afterward which sent me rocking into outer space.
“Thanks so much for doing this, Josh. It means a lot to her, and me,” she said with a warm expression. If I wasn't mistaken, she was thawing a lot as far as I was concerned.
We walked outside, to the bikes.
“Oooh... you have a big bike don't you, Josh? It's so shiny and nice,” Philipa said as I mounted and kicked up the stand, rolling forward a few yards.
“Yeah, don't I just. I'm a lucky guy. Very lucky today.” I winked at her and flared my eyes at Tiffany, meaningfully. “Maybe you can ride with me on the way home. Would you like that?”
“Can I?” she looked at Tiffany.
“I don't see why not. If Josh is careful.”
“Careful? I'm the best.”
“Modesty is not one of your strengths, is it?”
“Maybe not, but I'm honest. I am the best.”
“Yeah, I've seen your best. It's way too fast.”
“Cool it. I can ride slower than a snail if I need to.” I smiled at her and she returned my smile. “Okay, when you're ready, just follow me, girls.”
I waited until they'd got ready and comfortable. We started up our bikes and set off for Mill Creek. I was happy. If it wasn't for my issues with my father, life would be cool.
CHAPTER FIVE
Grasses swayed in the field with the light breeze, as the horses trod through them―the yellow hue of patches of wild flowers were scattered amongst it, here and there. It was a beautiful landscape, set against the blue of the sky. The low position of the sun, behind us, deepened the colors.
Being out here stirred my heart and always would.
I led Philipa's horse, to my right, keeping a close eye on her. Tiffany rode at my left.
She suited a horse just as well as her bike. Possibly better. She sat straight backed, like a pro, and a small smile hung around her mouth. I liked the way she held herself, kind of proud and strong. Her long fair hair fluttered in the wind, the sun's rays turning it to spun gold. I wanted to grab handfuls of it and rub it all over my face and body. Her twin diamond ear piercings sparkled, and the silver heart necklace glinted brightly as she moved. Tiffany's pale skin was flawless, her makeup my idea of perfection. I liked everything about her style... and her body sent me places. It was slender and possessed just the right amount of curves, I was aching to grab a hold of it.
Fuck, she looked good enough to eat.
My breath caught in my throat. I didn't think I'd ever seen a more beautiful sight. Sweet mother of God, I wanted her so bad, I was almost blind with need. I hardened rapidly, imagining her softness underneath me, and being deep inside, moving together real slow.
It was probably not a good idea to be thinking about that right now. I wasn't doing myself any favors.
For a much needed distraction, I glanced to my right, at our young chaperone.
She had a blissful, dreamy look on her face. I was touched this meant so much to her. She looked happy and at home on Harry, our oldest horse at eight years of age. Her initial anxiety had evaporated when she realized there was nothing to fear from him.
She'd been hesitant, when she'd seen his size. Although he was a big horse, he didn't stand as high as mine or Tiffany's. I'd chose Harry because he was predictable and calm. Not much would ruffle Harry's feathers.
After circling him with an anxious expression, wringing her hands, I wondered if our plans for the evening would have to be canceled. It didn't look like she wanted to get up there. But once I'd let her feed him an apple and a carrot, she'd giggled with excitement, and petted his nose and ears. And the next thing I knew she was asking to get up on his back. She was such a sweet kid. My heart ached for her, having to face life with anything but a perfect hand. I hoped things worked out.
I wondered if she'd like to do something around the horses. To help feed or groom them. In return, I could get one of the guys to give her riding lessons in the coral. I'd think about that a while.
I turned back to Tiffany.
“Enjoying the ride?”
“It's so peaceful out here. I understand why you love it.”
“It has its charm. And a lot more charm today.”
She gave me a coy look, her eyes holding mine. It gave me hope.
“Yeah, not too bad at all.” Her mouth curled into a cute little smile.
“Was that a subtle compliment,” I asked.
“No, but it wasn't an insult.”
I laughed at her and she laughed in return. Her whole face lit up. I was hooked on that face and her range of expressions. There was one I particularly liked. I hoped it wouldn't be too long till I saw it again.
<
br /> “Ten minutes to our destination,” I announced. The stream came into view, meandering its way through the field, as we crested the brow of the last rolling hill, and began to descend to the valley.
The small copse of trees and rocks around the river was like an oasis in a desert of grass dunes.
“Oh, that's pretty,” Philipa said.
“Yeah, it's a sweet spot. A place I like to be.”
“It's special to you?” Tiffany asked.
“Yeah, real special. I've been coming here for years.”
It had been special since I was a boy and old enough to ride out here on my own. And it was the last place I spent the day with my mother before she became too sick to ride.
We trailed down, single file, along the narrow track behind the trees.
I drew to a halt and slid off my horse, helping Philipa down. We took the horses to water and tied them, then I grabbed the four bags of food and drink from the horses packs.
“C'mon, there's a perfect place to sit, along here.”
We arrived at the rock where I placed the bags down.
This was officially Joshua's rock. The one I'd sat on for so many hours in the past, that I felt the right to claim it and name it.
It hung partly across the river, where the water tumbled gently over the glistening black rocks in a set of mini rapids. I liked the way the river disappeared underneath.
“Oh Josh, it's beautiful.” Tiffany stood at my side. She took my hand. I felt a bolt of electricity shoot through me. I turned to face her, taking her other hand and placing a kiss on her cheek. “Yeah, real beautiful.”
“Can I have a drink, please?” Philipa asked, pulling my t-shirt.
“Of course you can, honey. Let's all eat and drink, shall we?” I led the girls away from the edge of the rock, and spread out the provisions on the far side of it. A bottle of water; six packs of Pepsi Max, Dr Pepper and Sprite; plus the food, which our Mexican cook, Manuela, had prepared. Wow, that woman could cook some.
“Dive in girls.”
We sat eating and drinking for a while. I told them a little about the ranch as the last rays of sunshine faded for the day. It was cooling, very pleasant, and the shadows cast by the trees bathed us in a mysterious, almost fairytale play, of dark and light. I lay back on the grass, my feet on my rock as the sun started to set. The sky was red and purple, the blue rapidly darkening all around. I couldn't fail to be impressed every time I saw it.