Blondie (Midland Springs Book 2)

by Joanne Ganci

  Lydia takes a step back, running her hand over Mandy’s head, before she puts on her halter. She turns around to find me staring at her. A small smile plays on her lips, and a blush flashes over her cheeks. “Guess, it was my turn to ogle you, Blondie.” I grab the lead off the hook and open the stall door. When I hand it over to Lydia, our fingertips brush, and if I’m not mistaken, she lingers for just a couple of extra seconds. Her voice is so soft when she thanks me, I almost don’t hear her. I give her a nod and a wink before retreating back to Jerry, reminding myself I need to keep things light.

  ∞∞∞

  After getting Mandy brushed and tacked up, we make our way over to the east pasture. “It’s been a long fucking time since I rode a horse, Max. What if I don’t remember what to do?” she asks hesitantly, just as I’m about to mount Jerry.

  I glance over to see her worrying her bottom lip. “You’ve always been a natural, Blondie. You remembered how to get her tacked up, I don’t see you having any issues riding. Plus, Mandy knows what she’s doing, she’ll take care of you.”

  “Unless this is her sassy saddle. Then she’ll just laugh at me and roll her eyes.”

  “You two always were the sassiest girls I ever knew. Would it make you feel better if I helped you mount her and promised to keep the pace at a walk until you’re comfortable?”

  I can see the indecision on her face, but eventually, she nods. “Yeah, I think so.” Stubborn woman, always hated asking for help. I can’t help but smile at the fact that she's willing to accept it from me.

  Flipping the reins over his head and grabbing the lead rope out of the saddle bag, I quickly secure Jerry to the fence with a quick-release knot. I move up beside Lydia, and ask, “You ready?” When she nods, I place my left hand on Mandy’s withers—just in front of the saddle—taking hold of her reins. I rest my right hand at the small of Lydia’s back, then pull back, leaving it hovering right next to her.

  She turns her head, locking eyes with me. “You can touch me, Max. It’s okay.”

  “Okay.”

  Closing the gap, I lay my hand on her back. She sucks in a breath, and I let my fingers spread ever so slightly, causing her shirt to ride up. When my pinky grazes her bare skin, her pupils dilate. She presses her hand to my chest and leans in toward me. I bend over enough, so our faces are inches apart. I’m so sure she’s going to close the gap and kiss me. Instead, she slides past my lips, bringing her mouth up to my ear. “Don’t let me fall, Cowboy.”

  “Tease,” I mutter.

  “What was that?” She smirks, while putting her foot into the stirrup.

  “I think you heard me just fine, Blondie. Make sure you lean toward the front of the saddle and keep your weight centered over her back.” Keeping my hand on her back, I guide her as she mounts the horse, flawlessly. “You had nothing to worry about, brat. That was all you.”

  She beams down at me. “I know. But thank you for helping me, anyway.”

  “I’ll always be there to catch you.”

  I quickly untie Jerry, storing the lead rope, then double checking the cinch, before mounting the saddle. “You remember how to command her?” She nods her head, smiling over at me, then signals for Mandy to start walking. Giving Jerry the same command, I pull him up beside the girls, and we ride side by side.

  After a while, Lydia has Mandy pick up the pace to a trot. Following her lead, I have Jerry match Mandy’s pace. I watch Lydia, bouncing up and down in sync with Mandy, a broad smile on her face. This is the first time I’ve seen her look this carefree since I’ve been back. Even on her birthday, she didn’t look this...happy. It’s like she’s so in the moment, that she forgets to put her pissed off face on. It’s not surprising, even when we were younger, she always seemed to be the most at home when she was on the back of the horse, the breeze blowing her blonde hair behind her. She always looked like she came right off the set of a country music video. You know that perfect girl all the guys sing about? Yeah. That’s Blondie, the girl in a country song.

  I’m spacing out so hard, I almost don’t notice that Lydia’s slowed down and is coming to a stop. “Whoaaa.” I bring Jerry to a halt right beside her. “What’s up, Blondie?”

  She stares off and I bring my gaze over to see what she’s looking at. Our spot.

  “God. It still looks the exact same.”

  “Yeah…it does. I wasn’t thinking, we can go around the other way, or head back if you want.”

  “No,” she says abruptly. “Sorry. No. That’s okay. I...I wanna see it.”

  I nod my head, but realize she’s not looking at me. Her eyes are still transfixed on the old oak tree. “Alright. Did you want to get down or…?”

  “Yeah.” She locks eyes with me. “Can we do that?”

  “Anything you want, Blondie.”

  Her lips curl into a wicked smile. “Those are some big words, Cowboy. You sure you want to say all that?”

  “I may regret it later, but yeah.”

  She swings her leg over and slides down the horse, her laughter ringing out the second her boots hit the ground. “Cowboy, I can guarantee you’re going to regret that later.” I probably shouldn’t be ecstatic, considering she’s laughing at me, but I can’t help loving every second of her joy.

  “I’ll accept whatever burden if it means you’re happy.”

  She looks over at me with a bright smile, her windswept hair falling on her face. Gently pulling the reins over Mandy’s head, she guides the horse over to the oak tree. I dismount, but decide not to follow her. Instead, I take the time to admire her. When she gets to the tree, she reaches her hand out, running the tips of her delicate fingers over our initials that I carved so long ago. Seeing her here, in our spot, it takes me back to a time I thought I had lost. I’ve spent so long thinking I would never even be able to see her again, let alone spend time with her like this. No, things aren’t the same as they used to be, but I have faith that we’ll get there. I’ve never doubted that she was the woman I was meant to spend the rest of my life with, I don’t plan on starting now.

  Lydia

  30

  Max: What kind of bees produce milk?

  Max: Boobees!

  Lydia: You are so fucking lame, Cowboy!

  Max: Aw I love you too, Blondie

  Max: Quit rolling your eyes at me, woman!

  Max: I can’t wait to see you later.

  “We finally get her to come have coffee with us after nearly a month, and she’s glued to her phone,” Mary scoffs, giggling.

  “I know! Maybe you need to start banning phones at The Busy Bean, Mare? Earth to Lydia!!”

  Rolling my eyes, I glare at Rachael. “Like you have any room to talk. Every time one of your idiots text you, you’re all goo-goo eyes and lost to the world.” As I’m telling her this my phone pings again. I can’t help but laugh at Max’s latest text.

  Max: The wait is going to be long and hard. But I think I’m up for the challenge.

  Lydia: Bahahaha stop it, dork. You’re supposed to be working, and I’m getting yelled at for being on my phone. I’ll see you in a few hours, Cowboy.

  “Maybe I should get you a mirror, because I’m pretty sure you’ve got your own goo-goo eyes going on,” Rachael mocks.

  “Are you going to tell us what has you giggling like a little school girl, Miss I Have No feelings?” Mary questions, poking me in the side.

  A smile sweeps over my face. It really has been almost a month since I’ve really hung out with them. I’ve been spending most of my free time with Max. Rachael knows I’ve been hanging out with him, because we’ve at least been able to catch up a little at Friday night dinners. They’ve been leaving shortly after we finish eating, skipping the after dinner bonfires, so I haven’t had a chance to tell her everything that’s going on. Then, there was the one Sunday I went to her house, but all of the focus was on James's adorable nephew.

  Bringing my focus over to Mary, I ask, “Depends, are you going to tell me what you’ve been up to lately? Ever
y time I’ve texted you, you’ve been busy with something...or is it someone?” Her cheeks instantly turn nearly as red as her hair. “Secrets don’t make friends! Spill, bitch!”

  “This doesn’t let you off the hook, for the record. But...I’ve kinda been seeing someone. It’s still super early, and I don’t know—”

  “Oh my God! Is it Pat, please tell me it’s Pat?”

  “No, why would it be Pat?”

  Rachael and I burst out laughing. “Because Pat’s been in love with you for I don’t know, forever?” Rachael points out.

  “No he hasn’t. Y’all are crazy.”

  “Yeah, okayy. If it’s not Pat, then who is he?”

  “She actually,” she beams.

  Rachael squeals. “Details woman! Tell us absolutely everything.” She goes on to tell us all about her mystery woman. “Aw, honey. I’m so happy for you,” Rachael gushes.

  “Me too. You deserve all the happiness, Bubbles.”

  “Enough about me. You have your own story to tell, Lady Librarian.” I take a long drink of my cappuccino, trying to figure out where in the hell to start. “Oh don’t clam up now, I told you that you weren’t off the hook,” Mary implores.

  “Cool your jets, crazypants. Since you were too busy with your lady love to answer me, I had to figure out where to start. Rachael already knows that I’ve been hanging out with Max lately. It started the Sunday after my birthday.”

  “And you’ve apparently been texting, unless that was someone else making you blush?” Rachael chimes in.

  “Yeah…” I didn’t realize my reactions were so obvious. I’ve lost my edge. “We text on occasion. I’m going to meet up with him at the farmer’s market after this.”

  Rachael swipes my phone off the table. “You’re skipping your weekly pester the hell out of Parker session to hang out with Max?”

  “My mysterious little brother informed me he would not be at his shop today. I tried to pry what he was doing out of him, but the shithead wouldn’t budge. At first, I thought he was just trying to get me not to stop by, but Riley confirmed his story.”

  “Weird,” Rachael says, clearly distracted as she scrolls through my phone. “On occasion, my ass! Mary look at this.” She shoves my phone toward Mary before I can get it away from her.

  “My, my, what do we have here?” I don’t even bother trying to get my phone back at this point. Mary's finger ticks up as she scrolls, occasionally stopping to read some texts out loud. I kinda hate the fact that I can tell she started with older texts moving to more recent ones just by hearing them. “Oh my God, he’s so fucking sweet. I wish I got good morning and goodnight texts, you lucky bitch.”

  “That’s not even the sweetest thing he does. He’s been bringing me fucking flowers at least once a week. Never on the same day, because and I quote, he likes to keep me guessing.” They both literally swoon. “I know.”

  “So are you guys together?” Rachael asks.

  “No? Not exactly. We’ve just been hanging out, getting to know each other again. We haven’t so much as kissed since I pumped the brakes on our date. He’s respected the fact that I needed time.”

  Mary lights up. “Needed?” Of course, she would pick up on that. I can’t help the goofy grin that comes over my face. “Oh my God, you want his babies.”

  “Shut up! I...I don’t know. I’ve loved being with him. I’m not ready for wedding bells, and I’m certainly not thinking of babies yet!”

  Holding up her fingers in a smidge gesture, Rachael says, “You’ve probably been thinking about it. Just a little. Admit it.”

  “Okay, maybe a little.” We all start giggling like teenagers. “I mean, at least the baby making. That man is so fucking sexy. I don’t know how I haven’t jumped his bones yet.”

  “You planning on hopping on the D in the middle of the farmers market? Save a horse, ride a cowboy?” Mary makes an obscene riding gesture, swiveling her hips and twirling her imaginary lasso.

  “If you get arrested, I’m sending Julian. I have a book to finish after this,” Rachael says, completely serious.

  “I see how it is,” I reply, glaring at her. “Good thing I have no intention to ride the cowboy...at the farmers market.”

  Max

  31

  “Max, you gonna finish that?” Jesse asks, eyeing my sandwich.

  “Nah, all yours man,” I answer him, not even bothering to look up from my phone. We got hit with a swarm of customers, and I haven’t had a chance to check my phone. That last text I sent might have been pushing the limits, but Blondie loves a good dirty joke. And I’ll do anything to make her happy. The last month has been purely platonic, but lines seem to be slowly blurring. Beyond the dirty jokes, there have been some lingering looks and touches. The other night she came over, and we ended up cuddling on the couch, watching a movie. My balls might be bluer than they have ever fucking been in my entire life, but I’ve kept my word and backed off.

  Lydia: Bahahaha stop it, dork. You’re supposed to be working, and I’m getting yelled at for being on my phone. I’ll see you in a few hours, cowboy.

  Mission fucking accomplished. I live to put a smile on that woman’s face.

  Jesse starts making kissy noises, right next to ear. “Ohhhh, Cowboy!” he mocks in a high-pitched voice.

  The oof he makes when the back of my hand connects with his gut, brings a satisfied smirk to my face. “That’ll teach you to read my texts over my shoulder, dickhead.”

  “We both know I’m too curious for my own good. I take it things with Lydia are going well?”

  “Things are moving in the right direction.”

  He raises a brow, giving me a look. “Country star, Maxwell Weston, can’t get his high school sweetheart to put out?”

  “Fuck you.” He jumps out of his chair and out of reach before my fist can connect with his shoulder. “Unlike you, I care about more than just getting my dick wet.” Getting up, I grab the trash from lunch to toss into the can we keep in the back of the booth.

  “Are you sure your dick agrees with that sentiment, brother?”

  Chuckling, I tell him, “No, Bull is fucking raging right now. He’s getting pretty fucking sick of my fist being his only company. It wasn’t so bad when I didn’t have the girl of my dreams around all the fucking time.”

  Jesse laughs hysterically at my dick’s sorrows. “Did you just call your dick, Bull?”

  “Yeah, like, come ride the Bull, baby.”

  “Oh no, I get it. Why the fuck do you think I’m laughing so hard?”

  “I figured you were just laughing at my pain.”

  “That too, but c’mon, Bull?! That’s fucking gold!”

  “What are you two idiots laughing at? I could hear you all the way from Maybell’s.” Uncle Caleb leans up against the front of our booth, thumbs looped through the top of his overalls as usual.

  “Max calls his—” I clamp my hand over Jesse’s mouth before he finishes that sentence. The last thing I need is Uncle Caleb knowing what I call my dick, I would never fucking live that down.

  “It’s not that funny. Jesse’s an idiot, like you said.” The idiot in question starts licking my hand. “What the fuck, Jess?!” I shout, swiping my palm down my shirt.

  “Now imagine that tongue on Bull,” he says, waggling his eyebrows.

  I pull Jesse into a chokehold, both of us falling to the ground. We’re tumbling around on the ground, and both of us stop dead when we hear Uncle Caleb say, “Boy, you call your johnson, Bull?”

  My hold on Jesse loosens enough for him to choke out, “How the fuck did you figure that out, Caleb?”

  “You fools think I was born yesterday?” he cackles.

  “What the hell are they doing on the floor, Caleb?”

  “Oh, Maggie...you don’t want to know,” he tells Mama.

  “Mama, what are you doing here?” I ask a little too loudly. My cheeks heat up even more from embarrassment, than the exertion of tackling Jesse. Thank fuck she didn’t show up 30 second
s earlier.

  Jesse seems to realize the timing at the same time I do, because he starts shaking with laughter, so hard I fall off of him. Shaking my head, I rise up off the floor.

  “Do I need permission to leave the house now, Maxwell?”

  I stop dusting myself off, my mouth gaping. “Wh-what? No! I just didn’t know you were comin’ here is all.”

  “I told you this morning, but you had your nose in your phone. How is Lydia anyway?” she asks with a sly grin.

  “I’m fine. How are you, Maggie?” Lydia pops up behind Mama and Uncle Caleb. The second I hear her voice, my whole body perks up, like a dog when its owner comes home after a long vacation. Every minute I’m not with her drags on like a lifetime. She wraps her arms around Mama in a massive hug, before switching over to Uncle Caleb. My eyes follow her as she greets my family like her own. She’s a fucking angel in boots and blue jeans. When she’s done saying her hellos, she lets her friends talk to my family and moves off to the side of the booth. “Hey, Cowboy.” I’m rooted to the spot. I can’t seem to do anything but stare at her and smile.

  I feel hands on my back, as I’m shoved forward. I don’t know when his stupid ass got up off the ground, but I cut Jesse a glare before turning back around. Lydia’s laughing into her hand, trying to cover it up with a cough. “Whatcha laughing at, Blondie?”

  “I dunno. Whatcha smiling at, Cowboy?”

  “An angel,” bursts out of my mouth before I can stop it.

  Her face lights up immediately, her cheeks tinting pink. Never one to just take a compliment, she of course makes a joke, “Oh, good. I guess my horns and spiked tail aren’t showing.” She winks and giggles.