by Ali Parker
I tried not to laugh, but this was my father, not one of my brothers. “I didn’t realize I was so transparent at dinner. I didn’t like lying to Abi.”
“That’s good. Don’t lie to your sister. Y’all are family, and family needs to support each other and be honest.”
“I’m sorry sir. It won’t happen again.”
“Why did you do it in the first place?”
“I needed to see Lydia alone. At the time it seemed like the only way to make that happen, but I know I was wrong.”
“You need to tell Abi the truth, son. She’s going to find out eventually and you don’t want that hanging between you. Do you want to lose your sister’s trust?”
“No sir.”
“Then tell her.”
“Yes sir, I will. I shouldn’t have let it happen in the first place. I’m sorry I let you down, Father. It won’t happen again.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear.”
“Lydia is not like any woman I’ve ever had feelings for. I let that fog my judgment. Since Abi is dealing with the remodel it was hard to talk to Lydia alone that day.”
“I trust that you’ll find a different way than lying from now on.”
“Yes sir, honesty.”
“Now, bring that pot out here and refill my cup.”
“I’m on it.”
I walked back inside feeling a little deflated. I didn’t want my father to think less of me. The fact that he knew I lied to Abi was not good. Abi was the baby and our only sister. We all had an obligation to protect her and support her, and my father was very stern about that. I had let him down and that made me disappointed in myself. But now that Lydia and I were on good terms, I didn’t need to hide the fact that I was spending time with her anymore.
“Mmm, hot pot of coffee?” Abi said, as she came down the stairs pushing her hair into a ponytail as I carried the pot toward the front door.
“Yeah, grab a cup and come outside.”
“Alright.”
I walked outside and poured coffee in my father’s cup.
“Was that your sister I heard?”
“Yeah, she’s coming out.”
“This is a nice morning,” she stepped out onto the porch and held out her cup to me.
“Yes, it is. I’m glad you’re up cause your brother has something he wants to say.”
“He does?” She took a sip.
I poured more coffee into my cup and put the pot on the table. “Yeah, I do. You’re not going to like this. I lied about that meeting being cancelled at Patton Designs. I went without you.”
She stopped drinking her coffee and looked at me, then Father, then back to me. “Why would you do that? You lied to me?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry. I regret it very much.”
“You said you weren’t going to lie to me. You already lied to me about seeing Lydia at the dance hall, remember?” she said, getting angrier.
“No. I did not lie about that. I just kept it a secret, because it was my secret to keep. That’s personal.”
She huffed. “I don’t believe this. You’re incredible, you know that?”
“Look, I didn’t do it to hurt you or because I didn’t want you at the design meeting. I did it because I really, really, like Lydia and I wanted to speak to her alone. And I know how you feel about all the women that your brothers tend to like.”
“That’s not true!”
I gave her a look.
“Well, maybe just a little.”
“Just give Lydia a chance. I know that you’ll like her as more than just the woman doing our remodeling. She’s great.”
“You really like her, huh?”
“I do.”
“She makes you happy?”
“Yes, so far. It’s still early, but I want to see where it goes. I’ve never liked anyone the way that I like her. She’s coming out later today to finalize the order with you. Just give her a chance?”
Abi sighed. She was quiet as she thought it over. “I’ll give her a chance if you promise not to lie to me like that again?”
“Deal.”
“And if you get in there and make breakfast this morning,” she added.
Our father let out a small laugh.
“Fine. I’ll make breakfast.”
“Well, alright then,” Abi sat down to drink her coffee and propped her feet up on the porch railing.
“Where is everyone?” Dylan said from inside.
We all laughed. I went inside to start on breakfast. I opened the fridge and pulled out a dozen eggs and placed them on the counter. I felt good. I had set things right with Abi and didn’t have that secret looming over my head anymore. Father was right, as he always was. It was better to be honest with Abi. I grabbed the sausage, pancake mix, and chopped vegetables. I was in a good mood so I was going to make a damn good hardy breakfast.
18
Lydia Myers
I couldn’t get Connor out of my mind. After he left my home, I laid in bed remembering having sex with him. I knew that I shouldn’t have been so quick to jump into bed with him, but I could not help myself. I felt a lust for him that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. My body had taken control over my mind. Connor Dawson was a true cowboy and had gotten under my skin. The rest of the afternoon I spent lounging around the house and finalizing the designs for the remodel that I’d need the next day. But I had a hard time getting through work the rest of the day. I wasn’t scheduled to go into the office and I was glad for that. I didn’t want to go in. However, being around the house was a distraction. When I sat on the couch, I thought about straddling Connor and how good it felt to feel his hard cock under me. When I went into my bedroom I thought about him standing there naked. All over my home, Connor was there, in my imagination. It made it hard to get any work done.
I gave myself the rest of the evening off as a treat. I had been up since four that morning anyway. So, I took a long hot bath, ordered Chinese food, and ate it in bed in my pajamas while watching an old movie. I went to bed early with a smile on my face. Connor Dawson had that effect on me.
So, when I woke up early Saturday morning I was in a great mood. Since I wasn’t scheduled to go to the ranch until the late afternoon, I was able to keep my plans to meet Whitney for brunch. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to keep this secret from her.
I put on a bright yellow summer dress with sandals, perfect for brunch, and I put my hair in a high pony tail. I felt like I was glowing. When I left my house I stopped in the doorway and thought about how Connor had kissed me. I was glad that he had, and felt my body flush all over again. “Okay, you’re not going to get anything done if you keep doing this,” I said, pushing myself out of my heated thoughts and making my way to my car.
Driving to Whitney’s side of town, I pulled into the valet stand at the restaurant. Whitney was walking down the sidewalk toward me with a big smile on her face.
“Miss,” the valet said, holding the door open as I got out.
“What is this news you have to tell me?” Whitney asked, coming right up to me.
“I’ll tell you once we are seated. Can we at least get a table first?” I said, not wanting to tell her in front of the valet.
“Fine, let’s get seated. I’m just dying to know. You know you can’t text me ‘I have something to tell you’ without me becoming anxious,” she said.
I laughed. It was true and it was part of why I did it. That and I didn’t want her to cancel brunch for a lazy Saturday in.
A few moments later, we were seated at a table with coffee and water, and had already ordered our brunch.
“Now, are you going to tell me?” she asked.
“Yes, but you have to keep this between us. You can’t go blurting it out in front of Janet by mistake.”
“Is this about Connor?” She had a big smile on her face. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I smiled. I couldn’t help myself.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe you slept with him. I ca
n see it all over your face.”
“Lower your voice,” I said, looking around feeling embarrassed.
“Sorry. This is fantastic! Don’t you know what this means? It means that you’ve gotten over your fear. Your last boyfriend really did a number on you, and now you are free of that. Hallelujah!”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way, but I guess you’re right. I do feel a weight lifted off of me.”
“So, how was it?”
“I’m not going to tell you that. I will just say that he is a true cowboy, rugged and strong.”
“I am so jealous. Those Dawson boys have always been very cute.”
“I really do like him, but that scares me as well.”
“Why?”
“Because he is a client. What if this all goes away when the job is done?”
“I wouldn’t think about it like that. Besides, if it does at least you had some fun right? You can’t start things and expect them to be the one you are going to marry, or you’ll never date. Just have fun with it and see where it goes.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“I know that I am right,” she said with a big smile. “I am so proud of you. You’ve moved on.”
“Yes, I have taken steps toward being romantic again, but just little by little.”
“You know he’s long gone, Lydia. He’s never going to hurt you again. He moved away from Texas and that part of your life is over. He’s your ex-boyfriend and you never have to think of him again,” she said quietly.
I looked down at the tablecloth. I didn’t know if he would ever truly go away. I always thought that men wanted to hurt me the way he did. It was hard to shake that after what I had been through with him.
“Here we are. One huevos rancheros with potatoes and a side of flour tortillas, and one avocado Denver omelet,” the waitress said, putting our food in front of us.
“Anything else?”
“Could I get more coffee and water please?” I asked, knowing I had a full day ahead of me at Dawson Ranch.
“I’ll have the same,” Whitney said.
“Coming right up,” she said, and walked off.
“I really do love this place. The outdoor garden is amazing and perfect for brunch,” Whitney said, looking around.
“Yes, it’s beautiful and it’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining but it’s not too hot,” I said, looking at the sky.
“Oh my, you really did get laid. Everything is wonderful when you have a lover,” she laughed.
“He’s not my lover,” I whispered.
“Uh-huh. So when do you see him again?” she asked.
“Today.”
She raised her brows at me.
“What?”
“Not your lover but you’re seeing him again today?”
“It’s for the project. I’m putting in the final order today for the appliances and the furniture. So I have to go out there to run it by Connor and Abi before I do.”
“So it’s for work?”
“Exactly. It has nothing to do with what happened between us,” I said, already feeling myself lying. It was such a hypocritical move after giving Connor a big speech about lying and now I was doing the same thing to my best friend.
“Well then should I go with you?”
“No!” I answered abruptly.
She raised her brows at me again. Then we both started laughing.
“I mean, I can handle it,” I said.
“I bet you can. All seven inches of him—no? Six? Six and a half?” she teased.
“Shhh!” I laughed.
“But I am really happy for you and proud of you, Lydia. You need to move on with life. No matter what happens between you and this Connor Dawson, this is a step in the right direction.”
“Thanks. Now should we dig into this before it gets cold,” I said looking down at the delicious food.
“Absolutely. I’m so hungry,” Whitney said, picking up her fork.
“More water and more coffee,” the waitress said appearing with a pitcher of coffee and water. As soon as I saw it I thought about the pitcher of lemonade that Connor had brought out on the porch the day that we had lunch. Damn it. I had it bad.
After brunch and hearing a few more naughty comments from Whitney, I went home to change. I got out of my yellow sundress and put on jeans, boots, and a t-shirt. I put on sunblock and braided my long hair over my shoulder. I grabbed my bag filled with my work and was ready to go.
I grabbed another cup of coffee at the drive thru and then left the city. I really was starting to enjoy the drive to Safety. There was something very relaxing about it.
When I turned down the road to Dawson Ranch I started to get nervous. This was the first time that I was going to see Connor after having sex with him. What if he was cold to me? I really didn’t know him that well and it wouldn’t be the first time a guy I slept with suddenly switched on me. I took a deep breath and gave myself a pep talk. “Don’t think that way, Lydia. Connor isn’t like that.”
I drove over the cattle guard and down the driveway toward the beautiful house with the wrap-around porch. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Connor on top of a black horse galloping across the field. I had to slow down to watch and make sure I didn’t crash into anything. He looked so attractive on top of that stallion. His cowboy hat was snug and low over his eyes and his strong body was leaning over the neck of the horse, keeping his mount in the gallop. I stopped the car and put it in park to watch him. He veered the horse in my direction and I saw a white toothed grin on his tanned face. He was the sexiest cowboy I had ever seen.
I got out of the car and waited.
“Lydia!”
I turned to see Abi coming out of the house toward me and I suddenly felt anxious. I had forgot about the sister that didn’t like me when I was looking at the rugged cowboy galloping toward me. But after all, that was the whole point of being at the ranch, to do my work.
“Abigail, so nice to see you. How are you?” I said, with my biggest smile.
“Call me Abi,” she said, and she smiled as she came toward me. I was so confused. Was this the same girl?
“Alright then, Abi it is.”
“I am so excited to see what we can order. Of course my brother there will be keeping tabs on my budget,” she said, looking toward Connor who was now getting closer.
“I am excited, too. I have everything in my bag. Just let me—” but I couldn’t finish my sentence. As Connor got closer I just couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He was just so attractive and he brought out this lust in me that I could not contain.
“Lydia?” Abi said.
“Oh, right. Sorry, it’s in my car. I’ll get it right now,” I said. A big smile came across Abi’s face. Was she making fun of me because I was drooling after her brother? I opened the door and pulled out my bag.
“Afternoon ladies,” Connor said, finally arriving on the horse. He didn’t get off his mount, instead he spoke to us from that height.
“Hey,” I said, looking up at him. He was so handsome.
“Connor, we’re going inside to complete the order for the remodel,” Abi grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the house.
“Alright, I’ll come check on you in an hour to go over the budgets,” he said.
“Okay,” I smiled. I was unsure of what to think. I was planning on having at least some private conversation with him, but that wasn’t looking like it would be the case.
He tipped his hat at me again as I walked away.
“I can’t wait to see the appliances,” Abi said, already thinking about the work.
“Yes, I think you’ll really like them.” I turned and looked over my shoulder one last time, looking at the gorgeous cowboy riding away.
Abi and I sat together at the kitchen table working through the order. I liked that she was warming up to me. I wanted her to like me, because I liked Connor. The amount of respect I had for his family was substantial and growing.
“How’s it going
in here?” Connor came through the back door.
“So fun! I wish we would have done this a long time ago. Lydia has really great ideas,” Abi had a big smile on her face.
“That’s good to hear. Let’s take a look at that budget,” he washed his hands in the kitchen sink.
Abi leaned back in her chair. She looked at me and then at him. A sly smile came across her face. “Yes, we can talk budgets, but we should also talk dinner.”
“Dinner?” Connor asked taking a seat.
“I think it’s about time you take Lydia out for a nice dinner,” she said.
“Abi—” he said, giving her a look.
“Yep, tomorrow night,” Abi said. I laughed at her audacity to intrude on her brother’s affairs.
He cleared his throat. “I would actually love to take you to dinner tomorrow night. If you’re available?”
“Yes, I would like that.” My face turned a bright red at having this moment in front of his sister.
“Good, that’s settled. Why don’t y’all go over this order and see if it’s in the budget. I’ll be right back,” Abi stood up and walked out the back door.
“That was odd,” I said to Connor.
“Not odd for a Dawson. There is absolutely no privacy in this family.” He winked at me with a smile.
I laughed at the openness of this family, but I was also glad for it because I now had a proper date with Connor.
19
Connor Dawson
“Getting ready for the big date?” Dylan asked, leaning against my door.
“Why didn’t I close my door?”
“It’s good that you didn’t in case you need advice from me. So how are you going to romance her?” he asked, crossing his arms across his chest as though he was an expert.
“Oh, like I would take advice from you? I’m older remember.” I laughed.
Of course, Dylan had no idea that Lydia and I had already become very comfortable, but no one needed to know that.