“I clean out the hay, spray it down, and put in clean hay, no big deal, I got this.” Lois was really confident in herself. Nothing to this. How hard can it be? She cleaned up bar floors with a bigger mess than what this was.
“Isn't there something you should be doing right now?”
“Yes, Ma'am, there sure is, just admiring the view that's all.”
“The view you say…..” She flicked the hay she had just loaded right at Jade. Wasn't the first time Jade had hay on him she could tell. Lois had expected to get some sort of response out of him. He just simply grinned, dusted off and went on his way.
Lois continued to work what didn't seem to be very long. She finished cleaning out the stalls and went to find Jade. On her way she ran into George. “Emmy Jean sent me out to tell ya its lunch time. Come on in and get cleaned up, I’ll find lover boy.” Lois blushed. She didn't have time to argue, she was starving. All the work she had done had worked up quite the appetite. She went in and freshened up. “That smells delicious, what is it?”
“French fries and club sandwiches with some homemade lemonade to wash it down with.”
“Sounds delightful, thank you very much.” Lois scarfed it down. She even surprised herself at how hungry she was.
“Poor thing, you really were hungry weren't you.”
“Yes Ma'am, I sure was, I didn't know it until I was finished with all that work. I never knew there was so much work in running a ranch.”
“Darling, you have no idea. Here come my two favorite men now.”
“Are you already finished?” Jade looked at her plate that left only a few fries.
“Yep sure am, whatcha want me to do now?”
“Slow down there, right now I'm gonna eat, there's plenty of time to finish up.”
“Eat if you want, I'm ready to go again, come find me when you’re done then.” Lois strutted right out the door. She didn't know what task she was going to find herself to do but she was going to do something.
Lois was enjoying herself for the first time that didn't involve Tom. She found herself brushing the mane on Rosa. She didn't know what to do on a ranch but she knew how to give attention and show compassion even if it was to a horse.
Lois didn't mind it being a horse at all. “So, this is what you found to do?” She jolted almost as if she was lost in her thoughts and his words frightened her back to reality.
“Yep, didn't know what to do and to be quite honest I didn't wanna make a mess out of things.”
“I don't believe you could make a mess out of things out here, anything done here is an improvement let me assure you.”
“I sure made a mess out of my life.”
“Why you say that?”
“It doesn’t matter, what’s next?”
“Get ready we have to go into town, I’ll get the truck and pull it around.” Lois washed her hands, didn’t change clothes as she assumed they would be going after ranch supplies. She got into his truck and then headed to town. When they arrived at the store she didn’t know where they were.
“What is this place?”
“Well Missy, this is where you are about to get countrified. We are going out and you need different kind of attire.”
“I don't feel like going out but thanks. I would just rather go home and soak in a bath.”
“You can soak in a bath tomorrow. Now come on. Mom insisted that I take you out so you don’t have a choice in the matter I’m afraid.”
Jade didn't give her chance to even argue the point. He was out of the truck and in the store. She finally got tired of waiting for him to return and went in. When she entered, she was greeted by a lady who had several outfits in hand and was leading her to the dressing room. “Come, Come, he has chosen these. Let’s try them on.”
Lois couldn't believe it, another man buying her clothes again. What in the hell was happening? Tom wanted professional, and Jade wanted country. No wonder it is so hard to find the one you are supposed to spend the rest of your life with.
She tried on a few, but came out wearing the same clothes she had on. “What are you wearing, you march right back in there and put on one of those outfits and pick the one you like the best, you will be leaving in it.”
“That's it, I will go put on an outfit, but I will pick it out. I won't have you or anybody else telling me what to wear. Understand?” Jade looked at her seeing her temper flare.
“What size shoe do you wear?”
“7, why?”
“Just get dressed.”
She finished dressing and stepped out. Jade was speechless. Didn’t say a word but she could tell he liked what he saw.
“Here put these on.” Jade handed her a pair of black boots.
“I've never worn cowboy boots before.” Jade didn't say a word, waited for her to pay for her items after insisting she pay for them. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”
“Out, I told you, we are going honky tonking, have you ever been?”
“No, I can't say that I have ever had the desire to go out honky tonking as you put it.”
“Well then, I'm about to be your first.” Those words made her heart pound out of her
chest. They pulled up to a rather large building.
“Cal's dance and drink. What is this place?”
“You'll see.” Jade got out of the truck and went over opening her door. She stepped out and when Jade opened the door to the joint, she could feel her knees shaking.
“Have you ever drank beer and line danced, cuz if you haven't you’re about to.” Jade wrapped his hand in hers leading her in. When they got to the bar, he ordered two bud lights, in the bottle. Lois just stood there studying the crowd.
“I can't do that.”
“Oh yes you can, and you’re gonna. Plain and simple. Just cut loose, forget whatever is bothering you and just worry about having fun. Make it your sole concern to enjoy yourself tonight. If you do nothing else the entire time you are here. Just dance.” Jade's voice softened. “Just dance with me.”
Jade raised his hand to her, and it was no time they were two stepping their way around the room. She laughed and stepped on toes, and had a good time. She was beginning to feel comfortable out on the dance floor when Jade had to call it quits. 6 songs had gone by and she was steadily getting it.
Jade and Lois walked over to a table. “So Lois why don't you tell me something you have never told anyone else.”
“Why?”
“Just trust me, aren't you having a good time?”
“Yes, but if I start letting out my deep dark secrets, there won't be room for a good time.”
“I didn't mean things that cause you grief, I mean things that embarrass you, or things that have made you laugh until you cried. Stuff like that.”
“There isn't anything I care to share right now.”
“OK, well then, what's your favorite color?”
“Why?”
“Lois, would you just follow me already?”
“Purple.”
“What's your favorite food?”
“I think your Mom's stir fry.”
“What's your favorite past time?”
“Reading, and why do you wanna know so much about me for?”
Jade starred into her eyes, for moments it was like nothing else existed. That they were the only two people in the room.
“Because I wanna know you. I wanna know what it is about you that makes my heart beat so fast, that makes my breathing become unsteady, almost labored. I wanna know what it is about you that drives me crazy in every way possible.” Lois was blushing and flattered.
Jade jumped up grabbed her hand and began dancing with her right there at their table. He didn't need a dance floor to move with a woman. He didn't care where he was if he wanted to dance, he was going to dance. And right now he wanted to dance with Lois.
She felt herself lean into him. She almost felt as this was where she was meant to be. She felt safe and comfortable in his arms. His arms were st
rong and tender and guided her with his movements.
She was beginning to like dancing with Jade. The way he made her feel was working. She hadn't even thought of Tom for the last few hours. And for her that was a great accomplishment. Jade was making her feel more alive than she had in the last few weeks.
When the song ended, they sat down and continued their conversation where they had left off. She had really relaxed. The chip she had been wearing on her shoulder earlier wasn't there now. Jade could see she had finally lost it for a little while anyways. She was laughing, and engaging in conversation.
When a song would come on that made their bodies want to move they would hit the dance floor. They spent the rest of the night just getting to know one another.
When the night was over they headed for home laughing and cutting up on the way. When they arrived they stayed sitting in the truck finishing the conversation that they had started. Jade got out of the truck and just as before opened the door for her. He walked her up to her room. They both just stood there looking at one another. Finally Jade wished her good night and walked away.
Why didn't he kiss me? Did he not want to touch me? What is it with me that make men not touch me the way I need and deserved to be touched? She lay there thinking of all the possible things wrong with her that would cause this reaction from men.
When she woke the next morning it was almost 12n. “Oh my God, I needed that.” She stretched and snuggled up to her pillow. She lay there thinking of last night. Come on Lois, you didn't come here for this. She stood and went to shower. When she was done, she wrapped in her robe, pulled her hair up in a towel and went to exit the bathroom. But as she made it through the doorway to the bedroom, something out the window caught her eye.
It was Jade. He was already out working. He had the pitch fork in his hand pitching hay. He was wearing his boots, and his Levis. Today he had on no shirt. His muscled tensed and sweat trickled down his tan skin.
The sun made his skin glisten. She had the sudden urge to run down there and touch him, to dance, to finish that kiss that never started and to lick the sweat running down his sexy abs with her tongue.
Snap out of it Lois. She was scolding herself very harshly. It took everything in her to walk away from that window and finish dressing. When she finally finished the task, she just sat there on the bed. She wanted to go help him but didn't know if she would be able to maintain her composure long enough to do so.
You can do it damn it, you’re a grown woman. There is nothing wrong with feeling the way you feel. There isn't anything wrong with it at all. But Tom haunted her thoughts. She missed him. She just started crying.
It seemed that the only time she didn't think of Tom was when Jade was around. Was she really able to forget Tom or was her desire to be touched leading her to feel things for any man? No that wasn't it. There was something she felt for Jade, but she knew there wasn't room in her heart right now.
She thought of Tom. She missed being able to look out her office window and wonder what he was doing in his office, the way she would catch him at times watching her, the feeling of his eyes on her. His smell, oh how she missed his smell.
Her heart and body yearned for his touch. She stayed in her room. She couldn't pull herself together long enough to even go eat lunch. She curled up under her blankets and that was where she intended on staying.
She tried to turn the TV on and maybe something would make her forget Tom for a few minutes and she would regain her ability to control her emotions. It didn't matter what channel she turned the TV to, there was something that reminded her about Tom.
Fact of the matter is, the only thing that was going to help was being with Tom again and that wasn't something that she saw in her future.
She lay there sulking in the fate that she was sure to be a permanent part of her life. To be lonely for the rest of her miserable life. Maybe she would just lay in bed right where she was and just pine away to nothing as that was how she felt now. Like she was nothing. She loved Tom. She believed he had loved her but she thought how that must have been just another one of his lines.
There wasn't anything for her to go back to. There wasn't somebody waiting impatiently for her return. The man of her dreams wasn't going to break down the door and rescue her from her own self pity party.
It was going to be just her always and forever. She reached for her bag and grabbed her
bottle of sleeping pills. She took a one of the tablets and relaxed herself into the big fluffy bed.
“Lois, are you in here?” She heard a knock on the door. “Lois are you okay?” But she didn't answer.
He walked in when she didn’t answer him. She was laying facing the door, hugging a pillow. Her eyes were swollen and red. The pile of tissues laying next to her just added to it. He closed the door behind him. He slowly walked up to the bed waiting to see if she was going to tell him to leave.
When she didn't he knew she needed the company. He walked to the opposite side of the bed, slipped his shoes off, raised the blankets and crawled in behind her. He curled up behind her and lay his arm over her and held her. “It's okay, cry Lois, get it out.” And she did.
He lay there with Lois sobbing at times, sniffling at times, and downright hysterically crying at others. He never left her side as he held her close to him allowing her the time she needed When her sobs had finally stopped and she hadn’t made a noise he looked over to see if she were still awake.
“I’ll be right back.” He stood and walked out of the room. When he returned he had the picnic basket that he had talked Emmy Jean into getting ready for him. When she seen the basket she smiled, and politely responded.
“I don't feel like a picnic right now, besides all I want to do is just stay here in this room.”
“Who said we were going anywhere. Haven't you ever had a picnic in bed?”
“No, I can't say that I have.”
“Well me either, so there's no time like the present.”
Inside the basket Emmy Jean had done a wonderful job. There were fresh strawberries and kiwi slices. Turkey sandwiches, lettuce, tomatoes, and a bottle of red wine. He got back under the blankets with her and began setting up the bed picnic.
“So Lois, what’s your favorite movie?”
“What?”
“Dinner and a movie. Any movie you wanna watch is just a fingertip touch away.”
“I already looked earlier there isn't anything on.”
“We have Netflix, your wish is my touch away?”
Touch, she wanted Tom’s touch. The tender one. The one that didn’t make her cry. “Okay, well let’s see, I like horror movies.”
“OK, horror movie it is.”
Jade searched until he thought he had found the perfect movie. When the movie started he made her a sandwich and handed it to her. Made a little saucer of fresh fruit and placed it in between them. Poured her a glass of wine, and when he handed it to her he couldn't help himself she knew he couldn’t. “Sip Lois.” Hell if it had been her, she probably would of said it to.
She knew what he meant, he had only seen her guzzle her liquor in the past. She took the glass and gave him a slight smile. They ate and when the movie finished he started another. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where you going?” Jade turned and looked back,
“Don't worry, I won't be gone long.” And then he smiled that perfect smile of his at her. She was glad to hear those words. She didn't want to be alone right now. She thought she had, but there was something about Jade that could make it all better.
She couldn't believe that he just held her and let her cry and sob over another man. Of course he didn't know why she was crying. She stood and grabbed some pajamas. She went into the bathroom but didn't think about closing the door.
She thought she would have plenty of time before he returned to just change. When she turned to walk out, Jade was standing there. Not in front of the door to the bathroom, but on the mirror that hung on the bathroom door, it w
as quite obvious he had seen her change.
She stood there momentarily looking back at him in the mirror.
Jade was the one that broke the eye contact. He simply went to the bed and crawled back in. Lois could feel the heat in her cheeks and pulled herself back together. She went to the bed and crawled in. When she was good and settled Jade pushed play on the remote.
They lay there with a small but comfortable distance between them. It was different than before. He had held her so tightly and now it was if he was pulling away.
But he wasn't pulling away. After seeing what he just had, he knew that if he touched her now, he would be doing more than just comforting her. Jade finally managed to occupy his mind in the movie. Lois jerked at a scary seen and laughed slightly, when she turned to look at Jade he was sleeping.
She turned to her side and lay there just watching him. He looked so peaceful. He was very handsome, and he had been so kind to her. She rolled back and finished watching the movie before turning the TV off and letting herself go to sleep.
She didn't mind that Jade was sleeping next to her. His presence made took away the lonely feeling.
Chapter Fourteen
She woke feeling him stir. He was trying to leave her. She grabbed his arm and pulled him back down to her. He easily came right back down. His hand landed on her breast innocently. But he didn’t move and neither did she.
Suddenly, she felt him brush his lips to her. She didn’t move away, instead she kissed him back. She liked it. She began to moan as he kissed her deeper and he reacted to it.
He let his fingers began to move. Teasing the bud that he felt harden under his palm. She arched her back upward as if trying to give him more to touch, more to squeeze, more to fondle. His lips kissed her neck and she turned her head to allow him more access.
His breath was hot. His tongue left a trail of scorched skin. He slipped his hand down and under her t-shirt, moving his way back to her breast as his mouth kissed and licked at her navel.
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