“Uh…Chance…” She could hardly breathe as I began tracing circles into her upper arm. “I really like you.”
I made an annoying buzzer sound. “Stop. That’ll just make him do this.” I brushed my lips across her cheek and felt her flinch. “You have to be more direct or he’ll think you’re into him.” I pulled her legs up over mine, making her eyes widen.
“I don’t think Chance would do that.”
I raised both brows. “Don’t be so sure.”
She breathed so hard I would’ve thought she’d just returned from a five mile run if I hadn’t known better. My gaze dropped to her chest. It was no wonder Chance was acting all randy. I sort of felt the same way.
“That’s enough.” She swung her legs off mine and tried to squirm out of my arms.
“You can’t just strong arm your way out of this. You need to use the right words. Try again.” I gave her a full-teeth Chance-y grin that made her laugh.
“Chance, you’re a great friend and all—”
“Perfect. The word friend always kills the mood. Guys hate that word.”
She looked down as I took her free hand and caressed it. “But I don’t feel anything more.”
“You haven’t really tried, darling.” I zeroed in on her neck and laid a couple feather kisses down it.
She abruptly stood, making me teeter before I regained balance.
“Okay. We’re done. Chance won’t be nearly that hard.”
I followed her to the stables where she began working as if Dad stood nearby grading her.
“No, he definitely won’t be. You just have to be firm, even when he gives you those puppy dog eyes you fall for so easily.”
She scowled. “Go away.”
“Not until I help you find a man who makes you snap, crackle, and pop.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Describe your perfect man.”
She slipped the bridle onto Blue Boy. “What are you? A dating site?”
“Hmm? That’s not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll call my site Lucky in Love: Ice Cream and Cereal Specialist.”
She shook her head. “You’re a nut.”
“Then why did you make me bubble gum flavor? You should think up a nutty ice cream for me.”
She placed a finger on her chin, and then smiled. “Pistachio. That’s nutty, and green reminds me of the Kermit the Frog shirt you wore to church that one Sunday.”
“Now you’re talking. I am totally Pistachio. You can call me Stash for short.”
“How about Kermie?”
I winked. “Back on topic. Perfect man.”
“Maybe Captain America?”
“Qualities, Lizzie. Not superheroes.”
She pursed her lips. “Well, he’d have to be a man of faith.”
“Why? Vanilla was that and he did nothing for you.”
“Hey, it’s my perfect man. Stop leading the witness.”
“Bleck. All right. Go ahead.”
“Spiritual, sweet.”
“Sounds like the Pope’s puppy.”
“A puppy might be better than a man. Can I describe the perfect puppy instead?”
“No.”
She tilted her head as Blue Boy nuzzled her ear. “I think you have a thing for the Pope. You always use him in your similes.”
I snapped my fingers to make her focus. “Perfect man.”
She sighed. “He’d be strong and tall. At least six feet.”
“Now you’re talking. What else?”
“He’d like horses, but he wouldn’t be a crass cowboy who think he’s God’s gift to women and walks all bow-legged and swears all the time.”
“Hey, I resemble that.”
One of her deep barking laughs escaped, making me grin.
“You aren’t bow-legged, and you’ve stopped swearing as much.”
“Only around you, darling.” I stared up at the rafters. “Okay, let me see if I have your perfect man so far: churchy, over six feet tall, muscles, likes puppies and horses, and doesn’t walk bow-legged or spit or curse.”
“I think you just described Captain America.”
“Iron Man’s better.”
“Ew. I’d never marry a man like him.”
“Why? He’s rich, smart, smooth, and charming.”
“Notice I didn’t put any of those on my list. I will put honest and trustworthy though. Iron Man’s a womanizer.”
I nodded, thinking she had a point as my cheating ex flitted through my mind.
“What about you? Describe your dream girl.”
I grabbed a saddle and brought it over to her. “That’s easy. She’d be beautiful, but not high-maintenance. I’ve been there, done that; sucked my soul right out of me. She’d be easy to talk to and make me laugh. Her chest would be perky.” When Liz huffed, I chuckled. “She’d love horses and not be afraid to get her hands dirty. She wouldn’t nag me about my Star Wars obsession and she’d bake me cinnamon rolls at least once a week. She’d be passionate and want to make love every day, and she wouldn’t have wandering eyes. She’d think I was God’s greatest gift to her. Oh, and she’d be at least 5’5”, because I don’t want to throw out my back when I lean down to kiss her, and believe me, I’d be kissing her a lot.”
“Hmmm. Sounds like that Kelsey woman from Kentucky.”
I groaned. “It’s the exact opposite of that woman. Save me Obi-Wan-KeTutti. You’re my only hope.”
She giggled.
“If you bring up that blond nightmare again, don’t be surprised if you receive a stinky gift from me. She still haunts my nightmares.”
“Oh, poor Kermie. Life is hard with so many gorgeous women throwing themselves at you.”
“It’s Stash. And yes, it is excruciating, so show some respect. Maybe send me a picture of you to laugh at tonight, and I won’t surprise you with a stink bomb.” I yawned. A week of no sleep was catching up to me.
“Deal, my dear Kermie,” she said in a pretty good Miss Piggy voice.
“You’re hilarious.”
“I am, aren’t I?” She shooed me away. “Now get to work.”
As she led Blue Boy away, I admired her long legs and how her hips swayed as she walked. The girl was sexy and utterly adorable, and she had no idea.
When I crawled into bed that night, I heard my phone chime. Grabbing it from the dresser, I burst out laughing as I studied a picture and text from Lizzie. In the photo, she’d pushed her nose up like a pig and had her hair all loose and curling around her face.
Tutti: Miss Piggy Beauty tip #1. Never braid your eyelashes.
Though the picture was silly, I felt my pulse increase as I stared at her mass of blond curls all wild and free. The girl was breathtaking when she let loose. I recalled the description of my perfect woman—beautiful, but not high maintenance; funny; perky chest; horse lover; unafraid of hard work; easy to talk to; passionate and true. Lizzie checked out on every single item, even her 5’7” height.
“I am such an idiot,” I muttered as I gazed at her Miss Piggy selfie once more.
My dream girl had been staring me in the face for three months, and what had I done but try to pass her off onto another guy. Suddenly I was grateful she hadn’t clicked with Chance. I didn’t want her to click with him or any one else because we already did.
Searching for Kermit the Frog quotes on Google, I typed madly. It’s not easy being green. Sweet dreams. I think you might be the perfect girl for me.
Tutti: Hi-ya! I just busted you in the chops for speaking to MOI like that. Now go find a lily pad.
Me: Time’s fun when you’re having flies. Ribbet.
Tutti: Groan
I hated to end our battle of wits, but she had to be up in less than five hours to muck stalls. Kissing her adorable Miss Piggy face on my screen, I flipped off my lamp and sent her a smiley face emoticon to close out this round.
“Until tomorrow, my lady,” I whispered. Now that I’d pulled my head out of the sand, she would discover what snap, crackle, and pop
was all about. I couldn’t wait.
PART THREE
Nourishing Hope
Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers.
Robert Green Ingersoll
Chapter 44
Bentley
“That was a great picture you sent me last night.”
I twirled around to see Rawson approaching the wash bay where Liz was grooming Friday Night Gin. I ducked, trying to act like I wasn’t eavesdropping as I oiled Lizzie’s saddle.
“Ha ha,” she said.
“No joke. I love your hair all down like that.”
I smirked as Lizzie blushed. My brother loved to tease her.
“Want to grab dinner in town with me tonight? I can hook up the trailer and pick up that load of hay you need while we’re out.”
“Tempting,” she murmured. “But I already told some friends I’d play volleyball with them.”
“Oh.” His dejected tone surprised me…and Lizzie.
“I guess you could come if you want.”
Rawson’s smile reappeared. “I want.”
A noise from behind made us jump. Chance dropped Lizzie’s binder, scattering papers. As he bungled about to retrieve them, Lizzie said, “Would you like to come too, Chance?”
I blew out a long breath as Lizzie once again acted nicer than she should. Rawson seemed to agree, judging by his disgruntled expression. I applied a non-detergent leather conditioner to the saddle as I watched the drama play out.
“I’d love to. Thanks, Liz.” Chance handed her the messed-up binder with a goofy grin.
“We’ll need to leave here around six. Which one of you wants to drive?”
“I will,” they both said in unison.
Lizzie headed to her office. “You can fight over the honor.”
After she disappeared, Rawson clapped a hand on Chance’s shoulder. “What are you doing? I’m paying you to stay with Damon at the old homestead in the evenings.”
“He’ll be all right for a couple hours. I really want to hang out with Liz.”
“Chance, man, you know I appreciate all you’ve done to help me out, but I’m asking you as a friend to back off. Liz asked me first, and if you come along, you’ll be a third wheel. Catch my drift?”
A light finally went on in Chance’s thick skull. “Oh? Ohhh! You…ohhhh! Sorry, Roz. I didn’t know you and Liz were…” He raised a brow.
“We’ve been keeping it on the down-low since we work together, so I’d appreciate you keeping it quiet.”
Chance hit his forehead. “No wonder she’s been so aloof. All this time I thought I was doing something wrong, but she already liked you. Whew! Sorry, man. I didn’t know I was pushing in on your territory.”
Rawson slapped his back. “No harm done, but keep your distance now that you know.”
“Don’t worry.” He chuckled as he walked away. “It makes so much sense now.”
I wiped a dry cloth over the metal fittings to remove any residual cleaner. “When did this magic mojo happen?”
Rawson shrugged. “It hasn’t yet, kid. But Chance doesn’t need to know that. Let’s just say I have high hopes for the future.”
So did I.
Chapter 45
Rawson
Seven people crowded onto each side of the volleyball court in the old church gym. Lizzie and I had been split up as soon as we arrived, which irritated me. She hadn’t mentioned this was a church social for singles. Dinner alone would have been way more enjoyable than this circus fest.
A heavy-set girl with straight brown hair prepared to serve on Lizzie’s team. “Two to one,” she shouted.
Lizzie faced me across the net, distracting me in her tight leggings. I noticed other guys eyeing her as well, watching as she bent and bounced on her feet. This game had brought out a competitive edge in her I hadn’t known existed. It’d definitely ignited a jealous streak in me.
As the ball shot over the net, I dived, knowing Mandy or Sandy or whatever her name was wouldn’t budge from her spot. Bumping the ball into the air, I scooted out of the way so Steve could set it to Landon, who fist-bumped the ball over the net. Lizzie set up, and her team sent it back. We volleyed back and forth until Steve set me up for a kill.
Anxious to display my skills, I jumped and spiked the ball with all my pent up power…right into Lizzie’s nose. The ball hit with such force that she staggered and fell to one knee as blood spurted.
Heads turned from Liz to me as I released a curse worthy of the dumbest cow. Ignoring gaping mouths, I ran under the net and shoved her teammate, Aaron, aside.
“Get your hands off her,” I muttered.
Lizzie threw her head back and squeezed the bridge of her nose.
“You okay?” I helped her to her feet and led her out of the gym.
She kind of cried-laughed. “I’m fine.”
As I guided her to a restroom, a crowd of tittering girls followed.
“I think I’ll call you Smash instead of Stash,” Lizzie teased.
I chuckled and pushed the door open to the ladies room.
“You can’t come in here.” She planted her feet.
“You’re hurt and I need to fix you.” Pushing inside, I heard the volume of tittering rise behind us. I turned to glare at the silly girls. “Somebody get some ice.”
My command was met by huffing, but the door closed. Lifting Liz onto the sink, I started wetting paper towels.
“Hold this against your nose.” I dabbed at her poor cheek that already showed signs of swelling. “I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I went all caveman on you like that. If I muck stalls for the next week, will you forgive me?”
“Hmmm? Maybe.”
Mandy or Sandy stuck her head in and held out an icepack.
“Thanks.” When she kept staring, I said, “You can go now.”
She scowled and ducked out the door.
“Hold this.” I tenderly placed the plastic baggie against the side of Liz’s nose.
“Thanks.”
“It’s the least I can do since I walloped you. Sorry again.” I felt like such a jerk.
“Stop apologizing. I’d be offended if you had treated me like a wussy girl out on the court. And besides, it was a perfect spike.”
I grinned. “It was, wasn’t it?”
She laughed.
I studied the light sprinkling of freckles on her nose and cheeks. Like everything about her, they were adorable. Gold flecks warmed her brown eyes…and me too. Why had it taken so long to notice her?
“Why don’t we make like a tree and get out of here.”
As she giggled, a dimple formed in her right cheek. I yearned to kiss that delectable dent and work my way over to those lips she liked to bite. Guiding her by the arm, we escaped through the back door and worked our way around the building.
As we approached my truck, I said, “You were the prettiest girl here by far tonight.”
Her nose had stopped bleeding, so she did one of her wussy girl hits on my arm. “Shut up.”
I backed her up against the passenger door, trapping her between my arms. “Now, baby, that’s not what you say when a man pays you a compliment.”
She tried to push me back, but I stepped closer. “What do you say, Lizzie? Two little words.”
“Trina was.”
I shook my head. “Not even close. All us guys were focused on one beauty tonight. You.”
“You’re such a liar.”
“One thing you should know about me by now is I don’t give out phony compliments. If I say you’re pretty, I damn well mean it.” I moved my hands to her shoulders, causing her to draw in a sharp breath.
“Let’s try again. You put every other girl here to shame with your beauty and kick-butt volleyball skills.” As she scoffed, I pressed my body into hers. “What do you say?” I whispered.
“Ah…uh…thank you?” she squeaked. “Although you’re—”
I silenced her with a finger. “No althoughs or buts, Tutti.”
A s
mile hesitantly appeared.
“Your smile is stunning.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I’m going to pretend your eye roll is sign language for Thank you.”
The trembling in her body transferred into my limbs. Talk about snap, crackle, and pop. We had enough for a dazzling firework show. As she chewed her lip, I swallowed and licked mine, feeling weak from expectation. I wanted her. No, I needed her. She suddenly seemed essential to my very existence.
Our noses brushed and short puffs of her minty breath tickled my mouth as her chest rose and fell against mine. I could practically taste bliss as my lips sought hers.
“Rawson!”
Lizzie jumped when she heard the obnoxiously loud voice, inadvertently bumping into me. “Agh!” She clutched her nose.
I pivoted to find Trina standing a few feet away on the sidewalk. “Oh,” she said in a breathy voice as she glanced at Lizzie. “I didn’t see you there. Is your nose still bleeding?”
“What is it?” I snapped.
She gave me one of her overly bright smiles. “I’m glad I caught you. I wanted to invite you to dinner this Sunday. I don’t work and thought—”
“Sorry, Tina.” I purposely mispronounced her name, hoping she’d get a clue. “Liz is my girl.”
Lizzie’s eyes widened as I grabbed her hand.
“Oh.” The pushy broad didn’t sound happy. “Well, she can come too.”
“I must respectfully decline. But Aaron seemed to dig you,” I lied. He’d been paying full attention to Liz, which made me not feel bad for throwing him to this shark. “Maybe you should invite him.”
Her smile mutated into a grimace. “You think?”
I squeezed Lizzie’s hand. “Couldn’t hurt.”
She sneered at Liz. “Your nose looks awful. It’s probably going to bruise and—”
“We’re leaving.” I turned my back on Sharktopus to open Lizzie’s door.
When I climbed into my seat, Liz gave me a narrow-eyed scowl. As I pulled out of the parking lot, her stare-glare intensified.
“What?” I finally bit.
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