(3 Book Box Set) "Cowgirl Desires" & "Last Chance Cowboy" & "Embracing Love Again"

by Celina Whitley, Kelly Warren, & Stephanie Hunter

  "Seventy? My gosh, for gas? Where are you headed, back to the city?"

  "No, I just got rattled and pushed the pump lock and dropped the pump. Next thing I knew, I owed the clerk seventy dollars."

  "Omg, it's because you fell for him again."

  "No it's not. I was just shocked to see him still around here."

  "I bet he was shocked when he found out that you've been here for two years hiding?"

  "Yea, kind of."

  "Nothing like an old flame, Livy."

  "I'm not ready for anything like that."

  "You're as ready as your heart says you are."

  Chapter Six

  Owing seventy dollars to an old flame wasn't Livy's idea of rebuilding friendships. Confused about her mixed feelings after running into him, she brushed it all off as no big deal. But the seventy dollars was. It was time to get a job. She wasn't sure about finding a job in town. There weren’t many options around. But when the phone rang from a local Junior High School, her mom yelled out for her to come to the phone. Diane Tifferton had been a substitute teacher for years in Sparta. She had taken her last plunge with that age of kids and swore she'd never go back. But in emergencies, she usually helped cover for someone. This time someone else would cover.

  "What is it? Is something wrong?" Livy ran into the house, thinking that something had happened.

  "Remember that job you wanted to get? Here it is. Talk to this woman so I won't have to cover the job." The phone slid across the tabletop.

  Without any chance to get out of it, Livy picked up the phone.

  "Hello? Yes I am. What? I don't know. I'm no teacher. Yea. Okay, I'll give it a try. I'll see you then in the morning."

  She hung up the phone. Livy wasn't so sure about it. But Diane was. "You'll make a great substitute."

  "Really? Don't substitutes need a degree?"

  "Aw, not here. Your more like a babysitter half the time. You can do it if I can. There, that's settled. There's your first job being back. It's a piece of cake."

  So Livy was not unemployed any longer. She knew she couldn’t expect much income from that, even though she'd be taking over for a teacher that would be out for a while with a back injury. But it was a job. The quicker she paid Brad back, the better she'd feel about the whole thing.

  Monday morning, she was up early. Taking a shower, fixing her hair and running across the barnyard to visit with Marcy. She'd have to save her ridings for the late afternoons, now that she had a job. Promising Marcy to saddle her up after school, she left her with fresh water, food and a couple apples. Following close to her heels, the old stray dog had gotten a sudden burst of energy, watching his owner's joy. Bending down to pet him before she closed the door, she realized she had only been calling him Pup.

  "You need a real name. What dog owner doesn't give the dog a name? I'm so sorry. You sure are a rascal, so that's your name. Do you like Rascal?"

  From that moment on, he answered to nothing but Rascal.

  Her nerves were shot by the time she got to the school. She suddenly remembered what Junior High kids acted like. Now she knew why her mother abandoned the part time job. Screams hit her ears as soon as she opened the door.

  Already she was running down the hall and tending to a fight between two girls. Thinking that was crazy, she couldn’t recall any of her friends fist fighting in school. In the middle of trying to separate the two girls, she managed to grab hold of one of the girl's hair, pulling it a little too hard. She was sorry for doing it, but when the girl reacted the way she did, Livy realized it worked out well. The two girls immediately stopped and stared at her, with fear in their eyes. It was quite funny when Livy walked into the classroom later to find out that both girls were in her first class period. She never had a bit of trouble out of either one. No one reported it and she found no reason to become more involved.

  Mornings were spent with a home economics class and physical education class. That covered the teacher that was out with the injury. The rest of the morning she covered study halls and grading papers in a back room. Afternoons were study halls, grading more papers and she then got stuck with tutoring. It could have been worse. She could have been stuck in some science class or math. Those two were her least favorite. Her mind was kept busy and her life could barely keep up. Suddenly she had a life. After leaving school, she spent her time doing what little chores they had to do, and then riding Marcy all over the country side. Housework went out the door, because her mom put her foot down.

  "You're doing too much work. Just enjoy yourself for the rest of the days. And go out some with your friends. I'm tired of seeing your face around here."

  Of course that wasn't true. Diane loved nothing more than when Livy was home with her. But she wanted her daughter to heal up and to be happy. She could still hear the cries in the middle of the nights and she knew she was still grieving over Curtis.

  A weekend came up and Livy's mother was preparing to gather vegetables for the Farmers Market.

  "What are you doing, Mom?"

  "I am selling some of our food at the market. I do it every year. Last year I made a killing."

  "Is it the same one they used to have on the square?"

  "Yep, same one."

  "Can I help?"

  Looking up from the pile of green beans she had sprawled on the back porch, Diane paused. "Are you sure you want to? Don't you have anything better to do on a Saturday?"

  "Nope."

  Hesitantly, her mother agreed and threw a handful of beans her way. "Okay, but if you go, you have to take the money. I'm more into filling the gunny sacks and buckets."

  "Sounds like I get the better deal."

  "I tell you what, if you want to finish gathering the beans, I'll get the tent and make sure I can find the missing poles."

  "Alright. So we'll be under a tent?"

  "Yea, it doesn’t sound like much, but in this scorching heat, you'll be glad we are."

  Diane disappeared around the corner of the house and Livy gathered as many beans as she could. By the time her mom came back, she had another bucket full.

  "Well, I'm impressed. Hope you like the job. Looks like you got it for keeps. That's a lot of beans, Livy!"

  "I have the veggies, so what about the fruits?"

  "They are already packed up and ready to go. I did that last night while you were in bed. I'm ready if you are."

  They packed everything into the back of the truck and headed for town. It was a blistering hot day, the middle of August. With a slight breeze blowing in, they rushed and hoped they'd have the tent sent up before it disappeared. Cars and pickups were parked all over the square. Diane cursed each one as she tried to squeeze her truck through. " Idiots! They are here for the market and they won't even let us in to unload."

  Children, latching onto their mother's hands, scurried along the sides of the road, while elders clung to their parked cars, trying to work their way toward the sales. Carrying their canes in one hand and plastic bags in the other, they struggled along to hit the low-end prices. It was like a midnight sale at a local discount store that claimed to be going out of business.

  "I don't remember it ever being this busy. This is nuts." Livy searched the pickups, wondering if anyone in particular would show for the sales. Her eyes scoured the area that was surrounded by man-made fences. The square was always blocked off; causing terrible traffic jams every year. "You'd think they'd figure out a new way to do this." The actual sale was fun for Diane, but the getting there was another thing.

  Finally they were able to park close enough that they could carry the fruits and vegetables and still feel their legs. After looking around for her spot, Diane hollered for Livy to bring the tent.

  "I found our spot. It says number forty two. That's us. Bring the tent honey and we'll get it set up. Don't forget the poles."

  Livy hunted the poles down that had rolled all the way to the back of the truck and she hopped down with her hands full. While they hurried to set up their
tent, Livy noticed someone moving into the spot directly across from them. It wasn't a big deal until she heard the sound of the truck's engine. She knew that truck anywhere. Raising her head, she glanced over to see Brad, backing up to a spot. Diane noticed Livy watching him and said, "He comes every year, just like clockwork." She smiled and went back to the truck, to grab her lock box and calculator, leaving Livy alone. Taking advantage of her mom being gone, she pulled up a chair and sat down. At the time, there were trucks pulling through and she was able to hide and watch him from afar. But when the traffic slowed, she was caught looking his way. He waved at her and she waved back, pretending like she had just spotted him.

  With both being busy, they put off meeting up, and tended to the work. On and off their eyes would meet, and smiles would appear. Diane noticed Livy's interest.

  "His daddy left him the farm and the shop. That boy stays busier than three men ought to. He's a fine young man."

  "Okay Mom."

  "Well, he is."

  The morning passed and as the day drew on, the heat grew intense. Wiping sweat from his brow, he kept his eyes on Livy every chance he got. Customers flooded the market, and by the time things were wrapping up, Brad finally worked up the courage to walk over to Livy.

  "What a day? Did you guys have a good day?"

  "Mom said we cleared a lot more than she did last year."

  "So did I. I don't care if I ever see another market. I'm beat."

  Livy grabbed a wad of cash and handed him the seventy dollars that she owed him.

  "Hey, I don’t want this. I want you to owe me." He handed it back.

  "No way."

  "Well if I can't convince you to owe me, than how about getting something to eat as soon as we're done loading up?"

  "I don't know." She looked over at her mom, but seeing the stand so empty, she knew that loading up would go fast. "I guess so. It looks like we sold almost everything."

  "How about seven?"

  "That sounds good. That will give me time to shower and freshen up."

  "I'll pick you up then."

  "No, I'll meet you. I'd rather drive myself."

  Scuffling his feet around in the dirt, he agreed and asked her where.

  "how about Joey's?"

  "See you there at seven then."

  "Okay." She turned and walked back to the truck, turning just in time to see him looking back at her. She felt an odd thrill as she turned back around. He knew the thrill. He had already been thinking about it.

  Chapter Seven

  Chit chat and small talk made up most of dinner, but by the time they were finished eating, the small talk grew quiet. Brad watched closely as Livy bent her head down, looking into her lap. He sensed that she was thinking about Curtis. Reaching across the table, he dropped his hand on top of hers.

  "Hey, you want to go for a walk?"

  "Sure, why not?" She folded her napkin and draped it across her plate and stood to her feet. A walk was always the way to handle the times she grew uncomfortable. Throwing down a five, Brad left the young waitress a tip and pushed in his chair.

  "How about we take a walk around memory lane. I'll show you a good time."

  She thought for a moment, and answered, "as long as we don't go too far?"

  "Too far?"

  "You don't remember the time you asked me to go on a walk and we walked into Clayton County?"

  "Oh sure, bring that up. That was because we were so wrapped up in each other and forgot how far we were going."

  "Yea, I know."

  The old diner wasn't what it used to be. It had been taken over by the older generation.

  "Remember what this place used to be like?"

  "Yea, it was great. We never had to worry about our parents showing up. They hated this place. Now it looks like it's their place to hang."

  "That happened about two years after you left. The city took a nose dive after you left."

  "What about the park?"

  "It's still something we can count on. You know, come to think about it, we might be considered the old folk by now. I forgot we aren't in school anymore."

  She giggled at that, realizing that the park would be filled with high school kids. "I guess we can go sit on benches and watch them, like the old folks did when we hung out there."

  "Sounds great, let's do that." Taking her by the hand, they ran off in that direction and slipped into the park, sitting on a bench. Noticing how good her hand felt in his, he began to get sentimental.

  "Livy, I meant what I said about if you ever need me for anything. I hate it that you have to go through this with Curtis being gone. Just so you know I miss him too."

  She found that odd since he and Curtis hadn’t seen each other in years. She must have shown her confusion on her face.

  "I meant that I miss the old times with him. He was a great guy." He paused and then finished. "He was the one who really deserved you Livy."

  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She wasn't even sure she wanted to hear it.

  "I never resented him for that."

  Trying to change the subject, she pointed out some young kids. They were climbing on top of the equipment; making dares to each other. High up on top of swings, two young boys were doing the balancing act. They looked to be slightly drunk as they twisted their bodies in weird ways.

  "Do you suppose they are drunk like we were?"

  Studying the boys, she laughed and agreed that they probably were. Her eyes left the boys and she looked at a nearby swing.

  "Hey, you want me to swing you?” Brad asked.

  "No. I'm too old for that."

  "You are never too old. I recall you telling me that once."

  "Did I?"

  "Yep. You said you would never get too old for me to swing you."

  Silence filled their space. She remembered. She surely remembered that night. That was their first time they made out. She felt herself blush, and she tried to ignore it. She hadn't blushed in forever. Brad changed the subject, but not before he offered to swing her if she changed her mind.

  His mind didn’t have any problem recalling her on that day years ago.

  She met him after school while her mother was still at work. She had worn a skirt that day and when he asked her to climb the monkey bars; she refused. But when he asked to swing her, she gave in. Each time she swung forward, he would rush around to face her, hoping he could catch a glance at her thighs. It wasn't long until they crawled inside the barrel, stealing their first kiss. As he sat there, he smiled, turning his head away from her. He waited long enough, and then he pointed out the barrel.

  "Haha, look at that. I forgot all about that barrel."

  It instantly brought back sweet and innocence. She gazed into his eyes and couldn't deny the memory. "Yea, I do remember that. We were so young."

  He didn’t take no for an answer and grabbed her hand. With a tug there and an extra pull, he persuaded her to go with him.

  She giggled just like the last time they ran for the barrel, and tucked inside behind him. It was still the same. He looked around and hunted for their names that would be encircled with a crooked heart and then pointed.

  "There it is."

  She leaned over him and peeked. "Omg, it's still there."

  "Always and forever, it says."

  "Yea."

  To break the moment up, she leaned back and made them roll. Round and round they went as they used their legs. After a few rolls, and her clinging to his shirt, they slowed it back down.

  "I'm too old for this!" Her breath was rough as she tried to slow down. She leaned her head back against the barrel, shutting her eyes. Thought of younger days were flowing through her mind, and not knowing how close he had gotten; she missed the warning. He leaned into her and kissed her lips. It wasn't that she fought the kiss. She knew she should, but his lips met hers and they just fit. Keeping her eyes closed, she breathed him in. It was the same old feelings that she had when she was kissed by him in high school.
But reality sunk in and she pulled away.

  "I'm sorry Livy. I shouldn't have done that." He looked agitated, but his voice was soft, gentle and full of compassion. He crawled form the barrel, and started to walk away. She waited and watched him go, but when he got about ten feet away, he turned around and walked back.

  "You know what? I'm not sorry. Not at all."

  She sat in the barrel, not sure what to say or do. She wasn't sorry either. He then turned and walked back toward the pavilion. This time he kept walking and it was her that jumped up from the inside of the barrel. She ran to stop him, but she immediately changed her mind. She stopped and just stood still, watching him walk back to his truck. She heard the engine start up, and he pulled out of the lot. He was trying to make an impression. He just wasn't sure what impression it was.

  Livy wasn't ready to go home, so she dropped by Amber's. With no one else home, she knocked and entered when Amber yelled out.

  "Come on in!" She had no idea if Amber knew it was her or not. She couldn’t believe she'd do that, without knowing who it was. She was quick to correct her.

  "Amber, where are you?"

  "Hey girl, I'm in the bathroom."

  Livy went to the bathroom and leaned against the door frame.

  "Do you always yell out for anyone to come in?"

  "Yea, why?"

  "Because what if it was a stranger?"

  "Have you forgotten where we are? This is Sparta!"

  "Yea I know, but what if?"

  "You lived in the city too long. Nothing ever happens here."

  "There's always a first time."

  "Okay, I'll ask who they are first. So what are you doing?"

  Livy plopped down on the toilet seat while Amber finished applying her last coat of mascara. "I just had dinner with Brad."

  "Omg! I knew it. You're getting back together."

  "No. I don't know if I can."

  "Can what? It's like riding a bike."

  "Not that. I mean the whole relationship thing. It just doesn't feel right."

  "I thought you two were getting along great?"

  "We are getting along. But it feels like … like I'd be cheating on Curtis."

  "Are you crazy? Livy, Curtis is gone."

  "Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it feels like cheating."

  "This is serious stuff. Have you ever thought about seeing someone about this?"

  "What? You mean a therapist? Heck no. I don't need that."

  "You need something if you think that would be cheating. It's not cheating, even if Curtis was still alive. He deserted you."