Dirty Sweet Cowboy

by Bentley, Jess

  Hawk throws up his hands. “Jesus. How much time did you two have to coordinate this attack ?”

  Anna throws a dish towel at him. “This isn’t about attacking you, Hawk. It’s about doing what is best for the family while this insanity is going on. And Parrish is right. Some boundaries need to be set with this reporter straight away. She doesn’t get to ask about the family. She doesn’t get to ask about Matt. And I’m sure Parrish will agree with me when I say, no photos of Gracie .”

  “Oh, god. No. No photos of my daughter,” I agree. I hadn’t even considered that and now I’m panicked just thinking about it .

  “Fine!” Hawk shouts. “I’ll email her with some ground rules. Jeez. You two got bossy while I was away .”

  “A lot happens in ten years,” Anna snipes as she jumps from the counter with her coffee. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have a few meetings scheduled with some horses. I’m going to go get dressed, and get to my very important job mucking out the stables .”

  Anna walks out of the kitchen, leaving Hawk and me alone, staring at each other awkwardly. I don’t feel like dealing with it, so I try to double-time toward the dining room where I can work in peace. But Hawk takes hold of my arm and stops me .

  “Parrish, hold on a second. Can we talk ?”

  I shake him off. “No, thank you. I have a lot of paperwork to get done and I need to go over these estimates from the concrete guys. Then I have to go over to my home, and clear everything I need for Gracie and me out so this reporter can move in there for a month, displacing us. I really don’t have time to talk .”

  Hawk looks at me in shock, like he doesn’t know what to say, so I just keep walking into the dining room, uninterested in hearing anything he has to say. I’m exhausted already, and the day hasn’t even really started .

  How am I going to survive the month ?

  Hawk

  O nce again, I feel like a jerk after what happened with Parrish yesterday, but it didn’t even occur to me that anyone would have a problem with the reporter being here. Which is probably a huge part of my problem. I’m so used to thinking only about myself, that when the time for me to consider anyone else’s feelings, I tend to… flake out. I seem to forget that other people have feelings, and that they are often at odds with my own. It doesn’t help that Parrish hasn’t given me the opportunity to apologize. Instead, she spent the last twenty-four hours avoiding me .

  To be fair, it’s been a hectic twenty-four hours. The entire family had to pitch in to move Parrish and Gracie’s stuff over from the carriage house, and it took a lot of collective effort to glare at me the whole time. I’ve spent a lot of time telling my mother, and Anna, how sorry I am to have added to the chaos, but Parrish won’t even look at me. They spent their first night in the house last night, and I could hear Anna in there were them, basically having a slumber party, while I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling, again .

  Today, I am watching as lumber guys start felling the trees on the side of the ranch where the new stables will be, then stack them to use as the wood in the structure. I’ve planned the whole project to be as sustainable as possible, and that starts with an almost zero-waste system, from repurposing the trees to using only vintage, reclaimed brick. The first tree has just fallen when my cell phone rings .

  “Yeah?” I yell into it, distracted by the workers and trying to shout over the noise of the chainsaws .

  “Hawk? This is Simone, the writer from Modern Architecture ? I’m at the gate leading on to the ranch, but the car that brought me from Helena seems to think he may not be able to make it down the gravel road. Is there any way someone can come fetch me?” She sounds English, and prissy. I’m trying not to be annoyed that I have to leave the build site to drive to the entrance just to pick her up. But the last thing I want to do is piss her off when she just got here .

  “Of course, Simone. I’ll be there in a minute.” I hang up and yell to the tree guys, “I’ll be back in a minute! If anything goes wrong, call me!” Then I walk back to the main house and get in my rental truck to drive to the front gate. It takes me five minutes, since it’s a solid mile of gravel road, and if I speed, my father will have my ass. As I pull up over the hill, Simone comes into focus, and I am pretty sure my eyes bug out .

  She is almost six feet tall, and lithe. She’s wearing a meticulously-planned outfit that hugs every curve of her body, and her long, wavy brown hair has been styled and curled to perfection. Even from a distance, I can see her huge expensive sunglasses sitting atop high cheekbones. She looks like a model, or an actress .

  She looks like someone I would pursue relentlessly, if we were in Los Angeles .

  I turn off the truck and jump out, trying to keep my cool and not act like a fool. “Simone ?”

  She holds out a perfectly-manicured hand and shakes mine gently. “Indeed. And you’re Hawk, I presume ?”

  “I am. Let’s get your luggage,” I say as I look around her to the luxury sedan, which never had any hope of making it down the pothole-filled gravel drive .

  Simone lifts her sunglasses off, and her thickly-lined brown eyes stare at me pitifully as she blinks slowly, her huge lashes hitting her cheeks. “Do you mind grabbing it for me? It’s quite heavy and I’ve had such a long trip .”

  I have to force a smile, reminding myself that this is what LA women are like, and that she’s a reporter here to write a story about the ranch. I don’t want to give her something negative to say right out of the gate… literally .

  “Happy to. Get comfortable in the truck and I’ll be right there .”

  She starts hobbling over to the truck in her heels, then turns around and calls to me, “And can you put the luggage in the truck? It’s quite expensive. I don’t want it to get dinged up in the back .”

  My forced smile gets even wider, as I walk backwards toward the car. “Of course, Simone. Whatever you need .”

  When I get to the sedan, the driver gets out to open the trunk, and his face is a blank mask of rage. When we are safely hidden behind the back of the car, the guy, who is probably even younger than me, mumbles, “she didn’t say a word about coming out here. I was booked to take her to a hotel in Helena. I had to cancel the rest of the day because of this. I’m not trying to guilt you or anything, but I just feel like you should be warned. That woman is… a pill .”

  He reaches into the trunk and pulls out a blanket, then sets it down on the ground, before he unloads her bags. I chuckle .

  “What are you doing, man ?”

  He swears under his breath. “She demanded it. She said her luggage is worth more than my family .”

  My jaw drops. “Wow .”

  “This is what? A horse ranch ?”

  I look back at the truck. “Yes ?”

  He bursts out laughing. “Good luck with that, dude.” I don’t like the insinuation, or the tone in his voice, but I have a feeling he’s giving me the only warning he can while still keeping his job. I sigh and pull my wallet out of my back pocket, then take the last of my cash and give it to him. It’s two hundred bucks and probably not enough to cover all of his lost business, but it’s all I have. He shakes my hand and nods gratefully .

  “Thanks, man. Let me help you with these bags .”

  We pick up the, apparently, priceless luggage and carry it over to the truck. As we load it into the back seat, Simone yells, “Careful, boys!” The driver swears again then turns on his heel and leaves. As he gets in the car, I am pretty sure I see him shoot an obscene gesture in Simone’s direction .

  Hell on wheels, what am I in for , I think as I start the truck back up. I glance at Simone out of the corner of my eye, and try to remember that I have to be nice .

  “So, Simone, how was your flight ?”

  She sighs and waves her hand. “Oh, as good as could be expected when you’re traveling to a fly-over state. The food in business class was abysmal, but I assumed we’d just be eating when I arrived anyway .”

  I furrow my brow and try to kee
p my eyes on the road. A fly-over state, huh? “Well, things are a little chaotic, seeing as today is the first real day of construction, but I’m sure my mom can whip something up for you. We usually have lunch and dinner, but I don’t think anyone is around today to really …”

  “Oh, goodness. Well, if I don’t eat something, my blood sugar will drop drastically and I’ll have an episode .”

  My forced smile returns as we pull up to the ranch house. “Like I said, I’m sure we can figure something out.” I turn the truck off and jump out, then start to get Simone’s bags, before I realize she’s not making a move to get out. It takes me a second, and then it hits me. She won’t get out until I open the door for her .

  “Son of a…” I take a deep breath and circle around to her door, then open it. She gives me a giant smile as she steps gingerly down on to her spiked heels. I shut the door behind her just as Parrish comes out of the house, with Gracie on her hip. Parrish walks down the steps, her long braid tangled up in Gracie’s chubby hand .

  “This must be Simone? Good gravy, we need to get you some sensible shoes. First time you step on to the grass, you’re going to take a header straight into horse shit .”

  I burst out laughing, but Simone doesn’t look amused. “Well. I have my workout trainers. I suppose I could put them on? I assume you’re Parrish. And who is this adorable little angel ?”

  Gracie grins and reaches out for Simone, who takes two very large steps backwards. “Oh, goodness, no. No, no. She’s precious but this is a two-thousand dollar coat .”

  Parrish raises her eyebrow and pulls Gracie closer. “Uh-huh. I take it you’ve never been to a ranch before ?”

  “God, no. I usually cover yacht parties and castle restorations. I’m honestly perplexed as to why my editor sent me to some farm out in the middle of nowhere. It feels like a bit of a colossal joke,” Simone says as she looks around at the ranch, her face fixed in an expression of utter disdain. I can see it in Parrish’s eyes; if Gracie weren’t in her arms, she’d have words for this judgmental princess standing on her front porch .

  “Well then. You should especially love your accommodations, since you’re sleeping over the garage! It’s not a castle, but I love it. Still, I’m sure you’ll find a way to stick your nose up at it. Now, if you’ll excuse me. It’s time for Gracie’s nap, and I have some calls to make .”

  Parrish turns around and walks back into the house, leaving me to enjoy the awkwardness she’s left behind. Simone turns to me, her eyes wide. “I didn’t mean to offend her .”

  I snort. “Really? You could have fooled me. It seemed like you were trying really hard to do just that .”

  “I really wasn’t. I’m so used to Los Angeles people. I guess I didn’t realize that people out in the country were so sensitive .”

  Holy shit, everything this woman says is elitist garbage. “Okay then. Why don’t we get you set up in the carriage house? And then we’ll find you some food. Maybe getting that blood sugar up will improve your disposition .”

  She doesn’t catch the dig, thank goodness. I pile on all of her luggage like a pack mule, and we make our way to the carriage house. She totters up the stairs, grumbling the whole way about the fact that there is no elevator, while I pant behind her, struggling to get her bags up without dropping anything, which I’m sure will incite some sort of rage. When we get to the top of the stairs, I head straight for the bedroom, and, quietly, drop everything on the floor, hoping she won’t notice my act of subtle rebellion. I walk back out, and Simone is walking around, inspecting everything. She runs her finger across the counter, like she’s checking it for dust. I have to bite my lip as she tsk-tsks .

  “This is adequate, I suppose. Small, but adequate. Is that second room an office, by chance?” she asks, looking at the closed door .

  “No,” I answer, adamantly shaking my head. “That’s my niece’s room. There is really no reason for you to go in there.” I suddenly feel bad enough as it is, that Parrish had to give up her home for this. I don’t want Simone poking around through Gracie’s things too .

  “Fair enough. Well, if you don’t mind, I think I will get settled, and look for my trainers, so I don’t fall in any… what did Parrish say? ‘Horse shit ’?”

  I laugh and run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, she’s something .”

  “Indeed,” Simone answers, haughtily .

  Once again, I have to bite my tongue not to say something rude. Instead, I just turn around and make my way outside. Once I am safely out of earshot, I mutter, “Holy shit,” under my breath and kick the ground .

  This is going to be a long damn month .

  Parrish

  “S he said what ?” Anna asks, as she uses a pitchfork to chuck a huge clump of wet hay into a pile she’s been accumulating outside of the stable. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a tight bun, and her forehead is soaked in sweat despite the chill in the air. I pick up a shovel and start helping her muck out the stall, though my act of kindness is more about working out some of my rage on the hay .

  “That being here is a ‘colossal joke.’ She kept calling it a ‘farm.’ And she treated Gracie like she was a flesh-eating bacteria. I have no idea how I am going to put up with her for a month, Anna. She’s a frigging princess .”

  Anna snorts. “Hawk should know how to deal with her, then .”

  I stop shoveling and stare at Anna, perplexed. “What does that mean ?”

  Anna doesn’t stop tossing hay out of the stable. “Nothing, Parrish. Just that, you have to figure these are the kind of women Hawk is around all of the time out in Los Angeles. Let me guess? She was stumbling around on the gravel in her red-bottomed shoes, her clothes cost more than my first car, and her highlights were just so perfect but obviously meant to look not perfect at all ?”

  “So, you saw here then?” I say with a scowl .

  Anna laughs. “No, but I can guess. You also don’t spend as much time at the riding competitions, and you haven’t been to the Grand Prix in years. A lot of these upper-class, Real Housewives types show up just to be seen, while looking down their noses at those of us who work there, or ride professionally. Unless, of course, you’re a good-looking rich boy, like my brothers. You just watch. She’s going to be sweet as pie to Hawk, and maybe daddy, but she’s going to treat you and me like garbage. The faster you accept it and the fact that it doesn’t matter, the easier it will be to ignore her for the next month .”

  I harrumph and start stabbing at the hay with the end of the shovel, until there is nothing left but a pile of mushy, wet grossness. Anna looks over at me and shakes her head .

  “You’re cleaning that up .”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I answer as I start shoveling it out the stable doors .

  * * *

  A fter a few hours spent with Anna in the stables, getting the stalls ship-shape in case Princess Simone decides to photograph them, I make my way back over to the ranch house to check on Gracie. Candy has been looking after her, since it’s not a pre-school day, and I technically need to be making calls to the company that is going to be outfitting the new stables with the tech advancements. I stop outside of the side door that leads into the kitchen and start kicking the mud and muck off my boots, sending it flying everywhere. Suddenly, I hear a high-pitched shriek from behind me. I turn around, and there is Simone, with a huge wad of mud and who knows what else, right in the middle of her chest, and on her face. My first instinct is to laugh, and I have to fight it back .

  “I didn’t see you there,” I say as I bite my lip .

  “Obviously!” she shouts. “This is a couture top! Do you have any idea …”

  “I mean, I told you not to wear clothes like that around here. It’s a ranch, not a villa on the French Riviera .”

  She scowls. “I don’t have any other clothes. I don’t shop at discount stores.” She looks square at my flannel top and jeans when she says it, and I am just about to charge on her when Hawk comes jogging up .

  “H
ey! Ho! Ladies! Did we have a little accident here?” he asks, faking a laugh .

  “I’m not sure it was an accident,” Simone growls .

  “I. Didn’t. See. You. There,” I choke out .

  Hawk looks over at me, and can obviously see the rage building in me. He fakes another laugh. “Simone, you’re about the same size as my sister. Why don’t we get you inside and see if we can find you some things to borrow from Anna, in case this happens again?” He glances at me when he says it, and his eyes clearly communicate, “Don’t let it happen again .”

  “I’m sure Anna won’t mind if you steal a few things .”

  “Wanna bet?” I murmur under my breath .

  Hawk ushers Simone around me and into the house, and I finish cleaning off my boots. Anna comes running from the stables, a confused look on her face .

  “What the hell was all of that about ?”

  I roll my eyes. “The princess got some mud on her ten-thousand-dollar top and flipped out. They’re upstairs raiding your closet right now for things she can ruin with impunity while she’s here .”

  “Aw, hell, no!” Anna yells as she darts into the house. I enjoy that there is about to be another confrontation as I walk inside to find my daughter. I was right; within seconds, I can hear Anna yelling at Hawk from the direction of her bedroom .

  At least someone else can give her a good what-for , I think as I walk into the family room, where Candy is playing on the floor with Gracie. Candy looks up at me with her giant eyes, completely out of the loop .

  “Parrish Elizabeth McCormick, what the hell is going on? I have never heard as much yelling on this ranch as I’ve heard in the last hour,” Candy says as she helps Gracie fit some blocks into a wooden base. I sit down next to them and start sorting the blocks for Gracie .

  “It’s the reporter. She’s… a lot. And she’s causing some problems .”