Seducing Peaches

by Smith, Crystal

  “Hello there, what can I do for ya.”

  “I would like a room for the week if it is possible please.”

  “Oh, I'm sorry, its reservation only here. If you would like to book a room, I can help you do that.” Lois just stared at the older lady in front of her. She couldn't even speak. Once again it wasn't gonna be as she wanted.

  “No that's OK, I just needed a room to hide in, thank you.” She reached down to pick up her bags and turned. “I'm Emmy Jean. What's your name?”

  She turned back, “Lois, Lois Brown.”

  “Well Lois Brown, you’re in luck, we have a room that is available for the week if you still want it.”

  “I do, thank you.”

  Emmy Jean took all the information she needed down and showed Lois to her room. At this point she was stuck in depression. She didn't even take the time to look around the room. Just simply sat her things down and went to the window and began staring out.

  “Breakfast is at 7am, lunch is at 12noon, and supper is at 5pm your welcome to anything in the kitchen if you want a snack or hanker for something. You have a private bath in there, you’re welcome to unpack, and if you need anything you only need to ask.” Lois didn't respond.

  She stared out the window searching her mind for answers. But she wasn't finding any. She longed to be loved. She wanted to be loved by Tom and only Tom. She was never going to be happy. She was never going to have that special someone that Tom was to her. She was just simply never.

  She decided that instead of spending the week in doors, she would do some hiking, and it was after all a ranch she was at, maybe she could do some horseback riding. She had never been on a horse before but it would be something that she wouldn't have to worry about breaking her heart.

  She changed into some jeans, threw on some Nike’s and headed out the door. On her way out she could smell this wonderful aroma. She didn't know what it was, but she intended on tasting some of it.

  When she opened up the door, there was a man standing there covered in dust, wranglers, cowboy boots, cowboy hat, he definitely dressed the part. “Howdy Ma'am, I'm George, I didn't know we had guests this week, sorry I was so surprised to see ya.”

  “I'm Lois, I didn't have reservations but I seen this place as I was driving by and thought it was well perfect. Ms. Emmy Jean rented me the room.”

  “Oh, that would be my wife. She never could turn out anyone. Not that I mind you here. She's just as tender hearted as they come. Where you off to?”

  “I thought I would do some hiking, and just look around, I hope that's OK”

  “Of course, go, please, enjoy your vacation.”

  “Oh it’s not a vacation.” And with that she walked out. When she turned the corner to the house, she couldn't believe the view. It was nothing like she had ever seen before. Especially because she hadn't seen much before.

  To the left of the house, she saw a man riding. The horse was magnificent. It was if the horse had more spirit in him than Lois had in her whole life. She liked the way it just carelessly galloped around, no worries, no pain, just free.

  The man that was riding appeared to be quite experienced at it. The way his legs wrapped around and the way his body shifted with every movement of the horse. That's what she wanted, she wanted to feel that, she wanted to get lost in that. Just get on a horse and ride into the sunset just like she had seen on TV. She made her way over to the man and watched for a bit as he rode. There was something about him that looked familiar but she couldn't put her finger on it.

  He looked over at Lois and rode towards Lois stopping just in front of her. “Lois is that you?”

  “Um, do I know you?”

  “You don't remember me do you?”

  “I'm sorry, I don't.” JT just smiled. He wrapped the reins around the pole and walked up to her.

  “Well then, let me remind you.”

  JT grabbed a hold of Lois and began spinning quicker than she could protest. And at that moment she knew. “Jade what are you doing here?” Jade stopped.

  “Well, I live here, and well to be honest, I was wondering the same thing about you.” Jade just kept dancing but had slowed his pace.

  “I was just needing a break and I seen this place and thought it was where I needed to be.” Jade smiled back at her.

  “Well, I'm glad you did. We have about an hour before supper, do you wanna go for a ride. We have plenty of horses to choose from.”

  “Oh, I wouldn't know where to begin.” Lois looked at Danger up and down.

  “OK come with me, I know just the one.” She followed and stood at the stalls while Jade went in. When Jade returned, he had one of the most beautiful horses ever. It was a paint, gentle appearing.

  “This is Rosa, she belonged to our neighbor, but she kept getting out and coming over here so we bought her.” Lois looked at him..

  “She is a good horse to start out on.”

  “How do you know I need a starter?”

  “Well to be honest, you said you didn't know where to begin.”

  “Oh that's right I did say that.” She was almost embarrassed and Jade could see it.

  “Well, it’s pretty much like ball room dancing,,,” Jade paused and raised an eyebrow and she knew something devilish was about to come out by the grin he had on his face. “You just follow, and look at the bright side, there aren’t any feet to step on.” Jade just belted out laughing. Lois found herself laughing harder than she had in a while.

  Jade held out the reins, “shall we?”

  She took in a deep breath and nodded.

  “OK, here we go. Put your left foot here, and on the count of three I will help you up, swing your right leg over.”

  “OK I'm ready” But she wasn't ready, she was trembling all over the place.

  “OK, one, two, three and don’t be nervous.” She hoisted herself up, but gasped as she felt Jades hands touch her thigh and her buttocks, she paused.

  “Are you OK, you just gotta swing your leg over.” Lois realized with Jade saying those words he didn't mean anything by it.

  Jade led Rosa and Lois back to Danger and without letting go of her reins he mounted his horse. “So shall we take it nice and easy then.” His words angered her. As if he were saying she couldn't do it, or that she couldn't handle it. She shifted her weight and took the reins,

  “How hard can this be, I've seen it on TV lots of times before.”

  Lois raised her right foot out and kicked in, Rosa took off like a bat out of hell. Lois was sliding all over the place and already realizing what a mistake this was. “Slow down, slow down, horse,” Lois couldn’t get her to stop. She was on a dead run, and she didn’t have any intentions on slowing down anytime soon.

  “Come on girl, stop, stop, stop.” Lois was terrified and screaming when she felt the reins pull and the horse slow to a stop. She hadn't even noticed she had clinched her eyes shut and hadn't opened em.

  “What were you thinking? This isn't like watching a movie Lois. That was a stupid thing to do.” She knew Jade was upset and she couldn't blame him either. That was stupid. She had no right or the experience to even pull a stunt like that.

  She thought at this point he would simply lead them back to the stalls and the ride would be over. Jade however had no intentions of doing that. “Now, you have to learn how to walk her, before you can gallop, and you have to gallop before you can run her.” Lois looked up and all but almost melted. Jade was a very handsome looking man. Strong face, but smooth as can be, and baby blue eyes that looked as tender as can be. She had expected them to be full of anger. He didn’t make her nervous, frightened, she felt comfortable.

  “I'm sorry, you’re right that was stupid. Can you just walk me around a bit?” Jade looked at her and she could tell he was thinking something. “What are you thinking?” She needed to know what it was he was thinking especially after he was right about her stunt performance.

  “I was just thinking, are you sincere with that apology or are you just so use
d to your sorry that it just came out. You don’t have to say it if you don’t mean it.”

  “I meant it. I really did. I have my secrets but it doesn’t include apologizing when I don’t want to.”

  And he started leading them down and over the horizon. “Sure, let’s go. Have you ever seen the sun set on the horizon before?”

  “No, I haven't seen that. Will you show me?” Jade never answered just continued to lead the horses out.

  When they topped the hill, the scenery was straight off a painting. It was almost unreal. In the distance there was a large creek that curved, cattle down by the river, tall green grass. The smell of freedom lingered in the air. It was breath taking. “This has to be the most peaceful place I have ever been. There isn't any sound at all.” Lois dismounted like she had done it a billion times before and Jade stared at her.

  Jade sat there and watched the sun set. “We better get back now, Momma doesn’t like it when I'm late for supper, and besides it’s getting dark and you’re not in the city anymore.” Lois didn't argue, she was ready for some food. She was ready the minute she smelled whatever it was that Emmy Jean was cooking.

  Jade led her to the house and this time had to help her dismount. She had just dismounted perfectly and now she had her feet hung up. “I'll put the horses up, go on in and ready for supper. I think we have probably missed it I fear. But we can muster up something I'm sure.”

  Lois went to her room and decided she was in need of shower and it was just the thing her muscles were needing. She had only been on the horse a couple of hours and was already feeling some soreness. She let the hot water flood down her body she soaked in the massaging feeling the water made.

  She thought about the last time Tom and her had taken a shower together. She quickly finished her shower then, the moment she realized she was thinking about him. Simple dress, jeans, t-shirt and flip flops.

  When she made it to the kitchen, Jade was bent over in the fridge digging around, he had showered, he wasn't wearing his hat, he had on Levi's, a t shirt and bare foot. Simple kind of guy, exactly what she needed. Lois shook her head as if she was trying to shake the thought she had just had back out of it. What in the hell am I doing? I didn't come up here for this. I came to get over this or well one just like him.

  “So whatcha in the mood for?”

  “Whatever it was that Emmy Jean was fixing. It smelled so delicious.”

  “Steak stir fry. It's her specialty. I believe she left you a plate in the microwave, let me dig me some out though. I told you she didn't like it when I was late for supper.” Jade laughed. He made their plates and carried em to the bar. Fixed Lois a glass of ice tea and sat it next to her. Lois was already eating.

  Jade and Lois enjoyed their dinner before retiring to the family room for some TV. She looked around at all of the books that lined the walls. She was in heaven. She just wanted to start at one end of the room and read her way to the other. “Go ahead, pick one.”

  “How did you know?”

  “You’re an easy one to read when you let your guard down.”

  “That’s what he says so please tell me what do you mean?”

  “At the ball, I couldn't even get a handle on you, and now it’s like you've just let go.” Let go, that pretty much summed it up. But he hadn't given her a choice she had to let go. She looked around the room and let out a sigh, “Maybe later.”

  “Well when you’re ready just grab one. Do you wanna drink, I think I am going to have a brandy. I haven't ridden Danger that hard in a long time.”

  “The way we road was hard?” Jade laughed almost uncontrollably at first.

  “No that wasn’t anything at all, we just walked, why even when you let evil kanevil out of the bag that was nothing. But that will come later, whatcha want to drink.”

  “Nothing, the last time I drank, it didn't go over so good.”

  “Look, no one is gonna get mad if you have a little too much, there isn't anyone here for it not to go over with. Just forget about him.”

  “What do you know about him?” Lois wanted to know how he knew she was trying to forget someone.

  “Well to be honest. The night I dropped you off in your room. I met up with your Bo outside. I believe it was a fist to my face, and some threats, but it don’t really matter much. Hell I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing if you had been my woman.”

  “But I’m not his woman so he had no right. I never was his woman. Just his toy. Maybe just one drink. I will have the same as you.”

  Jade raised a brow, “Have you ever drank brandy before, you can't shoot it like you did that champagne.”

  “Look, you said......” And before Lois could finish belting out her response,

  “Yes I did say, and hear you go.” She took the glass and just like he had tried warning her off of, shot it down like it was meant for shooting. She gasped for air and began coughing.

  “See there, you should have let me finish.”

  Jade poured her another drink and warned this time “It’s meant to sip not guzzle.” This time she took his advice and sipped it. But it was a lot stronger than champagne and it wasn't long and she was feeling it but didn't have the courage to say it. “So Lois, what brings you up this way?”

  “I just needed to get away.” She stared at Jade as if she was just waiting for him to pry so she could just get it all off her chest.

  “What are you running from? It doesn't seem that a woman with your beauty should be running from anything at all.” She felt herself blush with his compliment. She didn't know if it was the alcohol or if she just enjoyed it. Jade let a faint smile touch his lips.

  “I'm not running from anything, just trying to get away.”

  “OK, what are you getting away from or who?”

  “What is this, an interrogation or your version of small talk.”

  “Sorry, and it’s my version of seeing something bother you, you acting like you need to say it and me knowing you want to.”

  Jade was right. How in the hell could he be so right? He didn't know hardly anything about her. He knew she couldn't ride, she can't dance, and that she doesn’t know how to hold her liquor. “That night at the ball, well let’s just say, I woke up.”

  “Good, I need to tell you something. I am not asking for hot steamy sex, right now of course but if you want to. Scratch that part. I want to find someone to call my own. I’m not looking for something that doesn’t exist. I’m looking for someone that is my friend, my companion, my lover, my world. I know that it’s a lot. And I’m not asking for all of that from you. I’m just clearing this up right now. I can’t say that if things go good I won’t try to start a relationship with you but I am saying that I like you. And when you’re ready to see where we could go I will be here. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. You have had me fascinated with you since we met.”

  “I don’t know what to say to that. I just don’t Jade.”

  “Then don’t say anything, just think about it. Do whatever it is you came here to do and then when you’re ready, I’m here.”

  Lois watched him as he sat down on the sofa and began just small conversation. They sat there talking until both of them were completely plastered. They laughed and joked, and this was exactly what she had needed.

  When she woke the next morning it was to Jade shifting trying to get out from underneath her. She fell asleep with her head in his lap. She could see where she had drooled on his pants.

  Oh my god. I can’t do this. I can’t face him like this. Oh fuck it. I’m going to my bed. She got up and briefly looked around and went to her room. She lay down and got to thinking about staying in bed all the time and this was time to clear her head. But she didn’t want to just stay in bed so she got back up.

  She heard voices. She didn’t try to hide her appearance but then when she heard what was being said she just froze in her tracks and listened.

  “Sorry I'm late Dad, I was up late last night, and well brandy tasted good.” G
eorge looked down at Jade's pants and he started laughing. Lois immediately knew it was the drool she left behind.

  “Is that what we call it these days? You better not let your Momma find out about this. I do have to ask you son, how did you manage to take up with that lady so quickly?”

  Lois watched as Jade looked down at his pants and seen what his dad was talking about. “It's not what you think, she drooled on me, I mean, she was sleeping and drooled in her sleep, we must of past out on the sofa. Anyways, I met her at that ball Mom made me go to a few weeks ago.”

  “Oh I see, and?”

  “And nothing, she had too much to drink, couldn't drive, I drove her home, then she couldn't make it up to her room by herself so I helped her and on my way out her boyfriend found my face with his fist. He had the wrong impression.”

  The two of them were so lost in their own conversation they hadn't heard her come up. “He's not my boyfriend and you shouldn't speak about things you know nothing about. I had intentions of coming out here to help you after I kept you up late last night, but I can see you don't need it.” Lois stomped off redder than a fired up hornet’s nest but she could still hear what they were saying.

  “Oh there you have gone and done it son.”

  “Gone and done what?”

  “You pissed off a woman, you don't ever want to do that. You better go and fix it while you can, the longer you make her wait to hear it, the worse it's gonna be, trust me.” Jade took off running after her.

  “Damn it. Lois wait, I didn't mean, look I'm sorry, I just had assumed with the way he acted he was your boyfriend.”

  “Well then, that's what you get for assuming. He isn't my boyfriend, nor will he ever be. He is my boss only and that's that.”

  “Lois, I’m sorry, it won't happen again.” She could see in his eyes he meant every word he had said.

  “Don't worry about it. It's okay. I can see where you would have gotten that assumption.”

  “Good, now about helping me, come on, it’s gonna be long hot day.”

  Lois followed him and helped side by side with what she was shown to do. “So you take this pitch fork, shovel up some hay, and put it in the wheel barrel, when it’s full you empty it out back. When you are finished getting all the hay out, you spray it out with the water hose, then you lay fresh hay out. Got any questions?”