More groaning as Lizzie shook her head.
Mom peeked in. “Hey, it’s time to head to bed, Benny boy. You have school in the morning.”
As he started counting his money, I stopped him. “Don’t bother. You won. It’s not even a contest.” I started throwing bills into the right containers. “Liz and I will clean up.”
“Ugh,” he said as he trudged upstairs.
I glanced over at Liz organizing her money. “Since you’re a free woman now, should I ask Chance to take you to the movies?”
“I don’t need a matchmaker.”
“All work and no play makes Liz a dull girl.”
“I am a dull girl.”
“You’re the farthest thing from dull. Come on. You need a break from the ranch.”
“The only thing I need a break from is ornery cowboys.” She started to get up, but I caught her wrist.
As she tugged against me, I said, “Movie. Saturday night. I’ll find you a date.”
“Absolutely not.” She tugged harder. “I don’t need your pity dates.”
“I’m not letting you go until you say yes.”
“You’d better or I’ll write you up to your father.”
“What will you say? Mr. Law,” I said in a high falsetto, “your son has been holding my hand in very inappropriate ways and performing illegal cootie checks.”
She laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Ooo. I like that word.”
“Let me go. I need to get to bed since I have to be up early.”
“That does suck for you. Tell you what. I’ll take you on a practice date to prepare you for Chance. I’ll even throw in ice cream to celebrate your split from vanilla. It’s the least I can do, Praline.”
“I’m not Praline. I’m boring vanilla…like Mackay.”
“Not even close. Mack-y broke up with you. That’s his bad. I mean to fix his mistake and set you up with a real man since you saved my life.”
“I’m wishing I hadn’t saved you.”
“Come on. I won’t bite…unless you want me to.”
She scowled.
“Come on, Lizzie. Ice cream. Movie. A handsome guy with lots of personality. What more could you ask for?”
“Peace and quiet.”
I pursed my lips. “I can do that. Have you been out to the waterfall?”
She shook her head.
“Then we need to go. It’ll take half an hour to drive there, and then it’s a fifteen-minute hike. We should leave no later than six.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere alone with you.”
“Why not? You know I’m a good guy.”
“I know no such thing. In fact, Mackay told me stories that make me think you’re the exact opposite.”
I released her wrist and stomped to the stairs. “Fine. If you don’t want to see the sun set at a spectacular setting, then your loss.” I threw my hands up and growled. “No reward is worth this.”
Halfway up the stairs, I heard her call after me. “I’m sorry, Rawson.”
I clenched my fists. The girl pushed me to the edge of insanity.
“I shouldn’t have said that. You hate Mackay. He hates you. That negates anything you say about each other.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I admitted, “I did bully him in high school.”
“We all did stupid things back then.”
“What did you do?”
“Pretended to like this one guy so he’d ask me to senior prom and get my mom off my back so she wouldn’t ground me from the horses.”
I had no trouble imagining that. “Don’t come between a girl and her horse.”
She smoothed her hair that was already pulled back tight. “Uh, if the offer still stands”—she grimaced—“I’ll go with you.”
“You make it sound and look like I’m going to make you walk the plank into shark-infested waters.”
She shrugged. “But it’s not a date.”
“As excited as you’re acting, let’s call it what it is—walking the plank.”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Okay. I’ll walk the plank with you Saturday.”
“Deal. It’s a plank.”
The sound of her laughter made me grin as I made my way to my room. I knew it wasn’t really anything, but it would help Liz branch out from dating boring church fools. Add some spice to her life. After I wowed her and showed her how much fun a real guy could be, I’d set her up with Chance or one of the other hands. But for now, I liked the idea of having her all to myself for an evening. Just the two of us.
Chapter 37
Bentley
Hay stuck to my clothes as I lifted a bale and threw it in the middle of the aisle.
“Thanks, Ben.” Liz wiped sweat from her brow. Today had turned into a scorcher.
“Any time.” I counted the bales I’d lined up in a row. “Do you need me to haul in more?”
“No. That should get me through Monday.”
I brushed off my jeans as Rawson entered through the back door.
“Howdy, darling. You ready to walk the plank in a couple hours?”
I sat on a bale and gulped from my water bottle.
“About that,” she murmured in an unpromising tone. “Mackay’s dad passed away this morning so I’m going to have to cancel so I can be with him.”
Rawson’s jaw twitched. “I thought you broke up.”
She squirmed. “Well, we’re back together, I guess. He needs me.”
Rawson punched the sideboard and dropped an F-bomb.
Liz covered her ears. “You don’t have to be such an…” She stopped.
“Say it,” Rawson snapped. He wasn’t taking her news well. I didn’t blame him. He’d looked forward to driving her out to the waterfall all week and had gone to a lot of effort to make the evening special. He’d driven to town and bought Japanese rolls when I mentioned they were her favorite, as well as a fancy-looking chocolate dessert I wanted to try. He’d thrown a folding table into the bed of his truck and all the trimmings for a candlelight dinner, as well as fireworks for after dark. My brother was the king of cool.
“Say it!”
Lizzie marched toward the tack room. Rawson stormed after her and caught her by the arm.
“Say it,” he said through gritted teeth. “Tell me what I am.”
“Let go of me, jerk!”
“Nope. That’s not what you wanted to say.” He shook her slightly. “Say what you meant.”
“Leave me alone.”
“Not until you finish what you were about to say. I’m such an___.” He hummed the missing word.
“You’re an idiot.”
I’d seen Rawson steamed lots of times, but never like this. I kind of wished I could pull him out of there until he calmed down, but it was impossible to stop an erupting volcano.
“That’s not it either. Say the word!”
There was a blur of motion, and he reeled back and let go of her. I blinked to make sure my eyeballs hadn’t fooled me. Had Liz just slapped him?
He rubbed his cheek as Lizzie ran out the front entrance. I picked my tongue off the ground and pretended I hadn’t witnessed his humiliation. My brother growled and beat his fist against the wooden wall, agitating the horses. When he slumped and turned to face me, his eyes widened.
“Sorry, Big Ben. Didn’t see you there.”
Story of my life. “You feel better now?”
“Not really.”
“Well, that wall ain’t gonna backtalk you any time soon.”
He snorted.
I looked up at the rafters. “A drive out to the waterfall sounds good right about now. What do you say?”
He shrugged. “Why not? I bet if we took a table and gussied it up, we could even have a romantic candlelight dinner. You like sushi rolls?”
I pointed both thumbs down. “Nasty.”
“Well, grab some of whatever Susa’s cooking and I’ll finish off those rolls myself. I’m nice like that. Then we’ll share that sky high chocola
te cake trifle and set off fireworks.”
I chewed my lip. “You sure you don’t want to save those for when you take her out another time?”
He hissed. “She made her choice. I’m making mine. I’ll have lots more fun with you than with that fickle woman.”
“Don’t be mad at Liz. She’s just trying to support Mackay in his time of loss. She’s nice like that.”
“She’s too nice.” He paced the length of the stall. “I don’t understand why she keeps dating him. I thought I’d show her how fun other guys could be, but I don’t think she’ll climb out of her rut of dating lame guys who need her.”
“Maybe you need to start needing her…and work on being boring.”
“And go to church every week in a starched collar shirt. Don’t forget that.” He kicked the dusty floor. “Hell will have to freeze over before that happens.”
I frowned. “What do you have against church? I think the people are pretty nice.”
“Don’t talk to me about nice right now.”
“Fine. Let’s clean up so we can go have our romantic candlelight dinner. I promise to be a big jerk.”
Rawson made smooching sounds as I hobbled over to grab the broom.
“In your dreams, lover boy.”
He guffawed. “You sound exactly like Lizzie.”
Chapter 38
Liz
Graveyards resurrected painful memories. I’d talked to Mackay every night this week as he vented grief. Last night, he picked me up and made arrangements for me to spend the night at his sister’s house in town so I wouldn’t have to drive in early this morning for the funeral.
Guilt gnawed at me as I recalled asking Chance to cover for me. I hadn’t had the courage to speak to Rawson. The anger he’d displayed when I canceled our silly plank had shocked me. He’d seemed genuinely upset, but I didn’t understand why. He had no interest in me, so why should he care if I helped a friend?
As family and friends gradually scattered to their cars, Mackay led me to his father’s grave. He hadn’t let go of my hand all day, and I felt awful for wishing he’d give me a five minute reprieve to air out my fingers. We gazed down at the freshly turned earth and temporary headstone, and tears fell as I thought of Justin. A year had passed since his death. Memories had grown cloudier with time and distance. Of course, I’d thrown every memento and picture of him into a shoe box and asked Dad to place it in a storage unit where I wouldn’t have access to the painful reminders of lost happiness.
As Mackay released my hand and draped a comforting arm around my shoulders, I leaned my head into him. Why did life have to be so sad?
After we said our farewells, we began the long drive back to the ranch. I found it difficult to keep my eyes open. Funerals drained my very soul. When Mackay pulled over, I almost cried. This had already been the second longest day of my life, and he wanted to prolong it? But when he turned to me with tears, I smothered my selfish desire to get home and reached for his hand. Mackay needed a friend.
“I don’t know how you survived after your fiancé died.” He sniffed. “I’ve known for months this day was coming, yet it’s still so hard. I miss him so much.”
“So do I.” I pulled him close and let him cry on my shoulder. When he’d cried himself out, Mackay began to reminisce. Many of the stories I’d heard earlier, but I let him tell them again. He told of when he was small and his father carried him on his back down the street to the old ice cream parlor. He talked of campouts he’d gone on as a Boy Scout, and how his dad had helped him through the painful junior high and high school years when he’d been bullied. He painted a vivid picture of his sweet father and ended by telling me how much his dad had loved me. And then, he ruined everything by leaning over to kiss me.
Truthfully, when he’d broken up with me, I’d been relieved. And when he needed a friend, I’d been glad to step into that role. However, that reprieve had made me realize the truth.
I pulled away. “Um…” I bit my lip.
“I think I know what you’re going to say.”
“You’re my friend, but I can’t do the girlfriend part. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I shouldn’t have done that. I mean, I’m the one who wanted us to take a break so you could figure out your feelings. But with losing Dad, I guess I got scared and didn’t want to lose you too.”
“Oh, Mackay.” I placed my hand on his. “I’ll always be your friend.”
A ghost of a smile made his lips twitch. “Thanks for being here today…and all week. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
He kissed my cheek and pulled back onto the road. As he picked up speed, his hand squeezed mine. I leaned my head back into the seat and took a deep breath. Disaster averted.
When we reached the ranch, he parked and helped me out. On the porch, he drew me close. “Sorry for being so needy.”
“I’m glad I could help fill a void.”
“You definitely did that. You’ve filled my world since I met you.”
Time to change subjects. “I know your dad’s proud of you.”
He tipped my chin. “Thank you. Can I give you a goodbye kiss?”
I shrugged. “I guess.”
Leaning down, he pressed his lips to mine. It wasn’t bad. The moment was actually tender and sweet as we sealed our friendship, but the front door opened and a deep voice startled us.
“Whoa.”
We both jumped, and I felt Mackay stiffen.
“You’ve come a long way, Mack-y,” Rawson taunted. “I don’t think a girl even looked at you in high school…and now you’re trying to get some sugar from Miss Ruthersford.”
Mackay turned scarlet, which made my blood boil. “He’s not trying to get sugar, Mr. Law; he’s absolutely getting some. Now if you’ll excuse us.” I turned my back to him and reached my arms around Mackay.
He about choked as I claimed his lips, but recovered swiftly, thank goodness. I’d never received more than a few pecks from him, so forcing the moment to extend felt terribly awkward. But Rawson hadn’t moved. He watched raptly, ready to mock poor Mackay, and I wanted him to feel like a dang man.
When I pulled away a little breathlessly and gazed into Mackay’s wide eyes, I prayed he wouldn’t read more into the kiss than I’d meant.
Rawson clapped. “Encore! That was better than watching the Bachelorette.” He quirked an eyebrow. “I think Mack-y’s going to die from a sugar rush though, Miss Ruthersford. Didn’t you know he’s diabetic?”
Ignoring the rude man, I took Mackay by the hand and pulled him to his car. “Don’t let Rawson Law ever make you feel inferior,” I whispered. “You’re the most wonderful man I know.”
Mackay let out a shaky breath. “That kiss was amazing. Thank you.”
I rolled my eyes.
He glanced over at Rawson. “I know I don’t have the right to tell you what to do, but please stay away from that man. I don’t trust him.”
“That makes two of us.”
He squeezed my fingers. “Take care, Liz.”
It was strange, but as I watched him drive away, a lump formed in my throat. The whole time we’d dated, he had annoyed me; but now that things had ended between us, I missed him. Mackay was a good guy. Curse my flighty female genes.
As his tail lights faded into the night, I turned to find Rawson still watching me from the porch. “Why are you out here?” I snapped. “Don’t you have a speck of decency?”
“It’s a free country. Besides, I needed some fresh air.”
I stormed up the steps and pushed past him. “Well, I hope you choke on it.” I opened the door and slammed it behind me.
Men!
Chapter 39
Rawson
Drizzling rain soured my mood. It didn’t improve when Lizzie climbed into my truck next to Benny and refused to look at me.
“You spruced up nice this morning.” I decided to soften her up by teasing.
“Ben,” she snipped, “will you tell your brother I’m not ta
lking to him?”
My brother glanced between us as I pulled out of the driveway.
“Kid, can you tell that woman next to you that green looks amazing on her?” It did. I thought her blue dress had been divine a few weeks ago, but the light green blouse she wore today complemented her skin to perfection.
“Um, you do look really nice, Liz.” He didn’t sound thrilled to be our go-between.
“Thank you, Ben.”
“Vanilla won’t be able to keep his hands off pralines and cream today.”
“Don’t call him that,” Liz growled.
I leaned over the steering wheel. “I thought you weren’t talking to me.”
“I’m not.” Her nose wrinkled as she stuck out her tongue.
I leaned back and focused on the road through the windshield wipers. She failed miserably when she tried to appear mean; she only looked like an adorable tantrum-throwing pixie.
“I didn’t know you were out on the porch when I came out last night.” Maybe honesty would break down barriers.
“Ben, would you tell your brother to stop using up all the oxygen in the truck?”
“Tell her I’m making precious oxygen, not using it up. Every word I speak is helping her live longer.”
“Tell him he’s crazy…and a bully. He should have gone back in the house when he saw us.”
Ben threw his hands in the air. “If I close my eyes and pretend to sleep, will you two leave me out of your battle?”
It became too quiet, making me want to itch my skin. “That was quite the kiss Vanilla boy gave you last night. Did it make you snap, crackle, and pop?”
“Shut up.” She definitely snapped right then. “Mackay is the nicest man alive and I hate you for taunting him. You were so out of line, and still are. Can you only feel good about yourself by demeaning others?”
The sensation to scratch my dermal layer off increased as silence fell like a load of bricks between us again. Part of me wanted to apologize; another part wondered why she couldn’t take a joke. I hadn’t done anything but razz them a little.
Benny fidgeted beside me.
I pulled at my collar, wishing I could yank off my tie and throw it out the window. When we pulled into the church parking lot, Lizzie still hadn’t spoken to me. The thought of seeing her with Bozo Benson made me want to punch something. So I parked in the handicapped stall and let the truck idle.
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