“Months. So you began dating as soon as you moved?” Her question is for Callie.
She nods. “Sort of. I met Cob in Pennsylvania when I went to visit Lys. When we ran into each other in Kentucky we hit it off.”
I put my arm around Callie’s “We’ve been tied at the hip ever since.”
I can tell her mother is unsure of me. It’s going to take a while before she can accept that her daughter had a secret relationship without her knowledge. “Mom, I told you I was happy. Cob is the reason.”
“Why the secret?”
Callie looks to me before replying. “I didn’t want people thinking I hooked up with the first man to come into my life because of Wes and Cammie. Cob knows what happened. I told him everything. Our relationship has nothing to do with them, and I wanted it to stay that way. I didn’t want people talking behind my back, and before you say you wouldn’t, remember I worked at the same salon as you. We all gossip, and then gossip turns to drama. Stories are misconstrued, and I wasn’t going to have Cob introduced to a bunch of skeptics. He’s my boyfriend. We’re together. I hope you can accept him for being good to me these past couple months.”
“You’re still living at the ranch, right?”
Callie nods and lightly nudges her mother. “Mom, seriously. It’s been months. I wouldn’t dare move in with a man so soon.”
I’m sort of disappointed she’s say that. In a way I’m relived, but a small part of me wishes she could be with me every night. “Ma’am, with all due respect, Callie and I are still in the new stages of our relationship. We’re taking our time,” I lie. “There’s no rush.”
I can tell it’s what her mother needs to hear. At this point I’ll say whatever necessary to ensure they accept me.
“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? It’s great to meet you. Would you like me to call you Jacob or Cob?” She conjures up a smile and leads us inside the home. “Either is fine. My family calls me Cob. Long story short, I enjoyed corn entirely too much as a kid.”
“He still does,” Callie adds.
“My mom and dad started calling me that when I played little league and there were a couple Jacobs. It stuck.”
Every wall contains photographs of memories. While she tells Callie her father is on his way home, I start looking at each of them, trying to figure out which one is my beautiful girlfriend.
Callie comes up behind me. “That’s me and my sisters. Cassie has brown hair, and that’s Cammie.”
“You look identical.”
“Yeah, we get that a lot. I promise we’re very different.”
“When will I get to meet everyone?” I ask.
Her mom answers for her. “Tonight. Everyone is coming over for dinner. I hope you like venison. It’s Callie’s favorite.”
I nod. “I do. Thanks for asking.” I hear a rumble and see a man coming down the stairs. I’d say he’s about my age or maybe several years younger. He’s wearing ripped jeans, no shirt, and a backwards baseball cap. He quickly pulls Callie into his arms and spins her around. “There’s my favorite sister.”
She hugs him back and turns to address me. “Josh, this is my boyfriend, Cob.”
He studies me for a few seconds, then finally shakes my hand with more muscle than needed. I’m certain it’s to silently threaten me to treat his sister with respect. I can appreciate that. “Good to meet ya. I haven’t heard shit about ya, but since I know how this family likes to gab I can understand why.”
Their mom seems embarrassed. “You two make me sound horrible. What else is there to do at the shop all day?”
I let out an air-filled laugh. “It’s fine. I think my mother enjoys going to chat with all the women more than having her hair done. I guess it’s something woman like to do from time to time.”
Callie is impressed with me. When we’re alone tonight she’ll probably reward me with something sexual. I can hardly contain the excitement.
Just then the porch door squeaks open and a tall muscular middle aged man steps through the door. He takes one look at his daughter before giving all of his attention to me. He’s wiping his greasy hands on a red shop rag. “Who are you?”
I reach my hand toward him. “Jacob Monroe, sir. I came with Callie.”
If I thought her brother’s shake was threatening, this one almost breaks every bone in my hand. “Why haven’t I heard of you before this?”
“Dad, be nice. I wanted to surprise everyone. Cob is my boyfriend in Kentucky.”
“Since when?”
He’s still holding my hand, crushing it as he waits for a reply. “We’ve been dating for a couple months.”
Mrs. Healy chimes in. “They met in Pennsylvania when Cal visited Lys.”
“I came upon your daughter at a restaurant the first night she arrived in Kentucky. It was nice to see a familiar face amongst a town of people I didn’t know. I’d just moved there myself for work.”
I need to tread lightly when it comes to my job.
“Really? What do you do for a living, what did you say your name was again?”
“Jacob, sir. My family calls me Cob. I work in construction. I’m a foreman for a large corporation that subcontracts government jobs, mostly road maintenance and such.” It’s half the truth.
“And you met my daughter in Pennsylvania?”
I nod. “Yes. I own the house her friend Lys rents. My sister lives there as well and attends school.”
The man looks to his daughter. “Has this fella met your uncle?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet. Uncle Colt has been busy. I hardly ever see him or Noah. I’m mostly with the girls.”
“You ever worked with your hands? Ever driven a tractor, Cob?”
“A little. I helped out a farmer when I was in high school. He had a dairy farm.”
“Did he have daughters?”
Now I know where he’s getting at. “Yeah.”
“He probably shares the same upbringing as my family. We don’t call the police. We handle matters on our own terms.”
Callie shoves him playfully. “Daddy, stop. You’ll scare the crap out of him.” She turns to me. “He’s messing with you, Cob.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. For a second I thought I’d walked into my own funeral.
Her brother Josh nudges me. “Dude, you were sweating bullets.”
I nod and smile. “A little.”
Their father speaks abruptly. “It’s good to make your acquaintance. I have one rule in this house. If you’re not married you don’t sleep together. Are we clear?”
I’m disappointed, but understand. “I can respect that, sir.”
“Good. You’re off to a good start.” He pats me on the shoulder and stomps out of the room, leaving me there bewildered. It’s going to be a very long weekend, but I’m determined to make it through. I promised Callie I’d do this for her, and I’ll expect the same in return. This is the beginning for us. It’s a hurdle we’ll soon be over, so I hope.
Chapter 19
Callie
I can tell Cob has never had a family dinner in an old barn before. He stays close to me as we ride a golf cart around the property in order for me to show him around before dinner. I tell him where my cousins and aunts and uncles live then we arrive at the barn. The smell of barbecued meat resonates from outside the old building. I take it in, missing the familiarity of it.
It's not until the vehicle comes to a full stop when Cob addresses my family. "I think they like me."
I snicker. "What's not to like?"
He takes my hand and kisses it as my cousin Jake approaches. "Look what the cat dragged in."
"Shut up. I'm glad to see you too. Where's your woman?"
"Visiting her parents. She left this morning."
“Make sure you tell her I'm sorry I missed her." I look around the vicinity. "Where's your brother?"
"Brother? I don't have a brother," he teases.
"He's just jealous I have it all," comes a voice from behind us. Jax pulls me into
a hug while holding one of his twins in his arms. "It's been a while."
At the same time they turn to Cob. "Let me guess, she paid you to come along and pretend to be her boyfriend?" Jax says.
"I knew it," Jake agrees.
I shake my head and smile. "Babe, don't listen to them. They're one hundred percent ridiculous at all times. When you meet their dad you'll know why."
Cob flashes them a smile, even though I can tell he's trying to figure them both out. "I'm Cob."
"Parents hate you?" Jake asks.
"His name is Jacob," I correct.
"Mine too." Jake finally extends his hand to my boyfriend. "Pay no attention to my brother. He's married to a model but he gets none of that pussy. It's not his fault."
They start with each other, going on and on about who has sex the most, all while walking inside the barn and leaving us.
Jax's wife appears from the same direction carrying their other daughter. "Callie. I'm so glad you’re back. Bella told me you were coming last night. She and Rusty had a doggy emergency at the clinic, so I'm not sure they'll make it to dinner."
"That's okay. I'll find her later."
"Have you seen Cammie and Wes?" She asks.
"Not yet." I point to Cob. "Amber this is my boyfriend, Cob. It's short for Jacob just in case your husband tells you otherwise."
"Thanks for clearing it up early. He'll have me going all night if he gets the opportunity." She laughs at her comment. It's not until she walks away when I notice Cob's face.
"You can close your mouth now. She's gone."
"She's on magazines. That's your cousin's wife?"
"Amber Mitchell."
"Damn, he's a lucky man."
I place my hands on my hips. "Should I be worried?"
He wraps his arms around my waist and lowers his face to mine. "Not at all. When you said she was a model I didn't expect her to be famous. That's crazy."
"Why? Noah is married to Shalan. I told you all about her. You've heard her songs on the radio."
"It's pretty cool, but she doesn't compare to you. I hear the model type are lame in the sack." He winks and smiles as he says it.
"You're terrible."
"Yeah, but you love me." When the words escape him he freezes and waits for me to respond. I simply nod and smile back before my lips brush over his. "I think I do."
"Good."
In the heat of the moment I hear my sister Cammie's voice. "Hey sis. I see why you've been too busy to call me."
My sister has a diaper bag over her shoulder, while behind her Wes carries baby Maddy. I'm eager to see my niece, but feel excited about introducing Cob to them. "So this is my boyfriend Cob. It's short for Jacob. Before you ask, we met in Pennsylvania and reconnected in Kentucky. We've been together close to two months now, and he's pretty much the most amazing man I've ever known."
Wes interrupts. "Wow, more interesting than me." He's teasing, but I don't think Cob takes it that way. He squints his eyes and seems defensive as they shake hands.
"Good to meet you."
"Yeah, same here. We were just talking about how Callie never calls. I guess she's been preoccupied."
"I'm the one trying to keep up with her." Cob takes my hand as he continues. "Finding her again was like hitting the lottery. I feel like the luckiest man alive." Okay, he's going a bit overboard.
"How about we go inside and eat?" I try to persuade.
"Wait. I'd like to get to know your man before we're surrounded by everyone else. It's not every day my sister brings home a guy for everyone to meet."
This is where I question my sister. I already know what she's thinking and I'm going to put a stop to it right away. "He's not here for show and tell, or to prove I've moved on. Cob knows about what I went through. I'm over that."
He laces his fingers with mine. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you, but it wouldn't be fair to keep everyone inside waiting for the guest of honor."
For a little while we're in the clear. Cammie backs off with the questions at the same time Cassie shows up. She's in her police issued uniform. "Sorry I'm late. I've been on duty since six."
"Did you come alone?"
"Yeah, my sexy man is out of town for a court case that's been postponed going on three years. He won't be home from Vegas until Monday, so we'll all have to come visit you in Kentucky instead." She gives Cob a full once over, detective style. "I need your full name, address and driver's license number."
Cob opens his mouth, but I stop him before he can embarrass himself. “She’s kidding.”
“I have no problem giving it to her.”
Cassie points at Cob. “Good answer.”
When she rushes inside to see the rest of the family we’re left standing alone. “So far so good, right?” He questions.
“You’re not dead, so that’s probably good.”
“Yeah, probably.”
“This is when you should sleep with your eyes open. I have it under good authority that you’ll probably be sleeping on the couch in my brother’s filthy bedroom.”
“Maybe I’ll sleep in your car.”
“We can always drive an hour and stay at a hotel.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “They don’t scare me that much. You’re worth the torture.”
I kiss him on the lips before pulling him toward the barn door. “I better be.”
Two hours.
That’s how long I allow my family to poke and prod my boyfriend. He’s being a good sport about it, though I’m thinking he’d rather be anywhere else but here.
After dinner I decide he might like some peace and quiet, so I take him on a walk into the woods to show him the old swimming hole. It’s just a giant pond surrounded by woods, but it’s a special place to anyone who has ever been around us.
We sit down on a new pier my father and uncle had my cousins’ build. A few turtles are croaking, while a big snapping turtle sits on the edge of the water and land. “If I lived here I’d spend every summer day right on this very spot.”
“This is where I had my first kiss. We weren’t supposed to have boys over, but Cammie convinced Josh to have a bunch of friends over. Our parents would let us camp in tents in the backyard, but I always swore my father was ducked down nearby with his rifle ready to get any boy who tried to touch us. We’d wait until the middle of the night and sneak to this place with our flashlights.”
“Who was your first kiss?”
“His name is Bubba. His daddy owns the hardware store in town. He was thirteen and I was twelve. We snuck some of my uncle’s whiskey and each took one shot. Then we all acted like we were drunk for a couple hours. It happened on a dare. We kissed once and then never talked about it again.”
“My first kiss was when I was ten. It was in the hallway during fifth grade recess. I lied and told the teacher I had to pee at the same time Cindy Warnos asked to see the nurse. She pinned me against the lockers and we locked lips. The principal caught us, and we both got referrals sent home. After that I was a stud. All the girls wanted to kiss me.”
We both laugh. “So that’s how it all started?”
“Pretty much. I’ve been fighting them off ever since.”
“You haven’t fought me off.”
“No,” he whispers against my lips. “You kiss way better.”
I lean my head on his shoulder. “Sorry about my family.”
“You should have at least mentioned me beforehand. I felt like you were throwing me in a pen with wild dogs for a while.”
I giggle. “They aren’t violent.”
“No, but they’re vicious. I know I can’t fuck up.”
“You better not.”
He rubs my back while talking. “I don’t plan on it, babe. I’m doing the best I know how.”
“It’s enough for me.”
It really is. I’ve never felt happier, especially around Wes and my sister Cammie. In fact, the entire time we sat across from them I never once felt like they were anything more than fam
ily. I didn’t have hard feelings. There wasn’t resentment. They brought me to Cob. I’m with him because of them, and I have to look at it that way. I’m happy, finally after a long time coming.
“Do you think we’re rushing into this, Callie?”
When he asks me this I worry. “No. Do you?”
“It feels fine to me. I don’t see how we could possibly slow down now. Why would we? Aren’t you happy?”
“Very. I wouldn’t have brought you here if I wasn’t.”
“Just be patient with me. Being a couple is new to me. There will probably come a time when I need guidance and understanding. I know I’ll fuck up at some point.”
“What if I do? How would you handle it?”
He’s playing with my hands while he searches for his answer. “We’ll have to talk through it.”
“I don’t expect you to be perfect.”
“Good, because I’m not even close,” he admits.
“I went into this thinking you were a male whore. I hope you never prove that assumption to still be true.”
“It’s only you. I wouldn’t have asked you to be my girlfriend like a teenager with a constant rock hard cock. I wouldn’t have made the effort, and I certainly wouldn’t be here with you now. When I say you’re special I mean it. After this is over I want to make plans to visit my family. I want you to be the first woman I ever bring home.”
I get butterflies when he says it. This is serious. It’s the next step in our relationship. We’re taking it to that level, and I can’t help but feel giddy.
Chapter 20
Cob
I’ve been assigned to the downstairs couch to sleep during our visit. Since Callie and I don’t live together I’m used to spending some nights apart, but at least I’m in the comfort of my own bed. The couch is cozy, but there’s no room to spread out. I’m nearly six foot tall, so my feet are lifted up on the arms to fit my size. Mrs. Healy, who has asked me to call her Amy, has put down a sheet and given me a comfortable blanket and two pillows. She apologized for not offering Cammie or Cassie’s bedroom, but said Mr. Healy preferred if I wasn’t on the same floor as Callie. I feel like a teenager, but not in a good way. He’s overprotective, and if I didn’t care about her so much I wouldn’t understand why.
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