He ditched her for said sister, but it was all her fault?
“It’s not like you to look so sad.”
She looked up and saw Ryan, one of the ranch hands, approaching. Forcing a smile to her lips, she greeted him.
He took a seat beside her on the steps. He was a lot bigger than she was, and made her feel small against him.
“I really do love it here,” Ryan said. “I could never have had one of those nine-to-five jobs, you know. The work is hard, but I love working with my hands.”
“I love it here as well.”
“I heard about your sister and her fella being in town. I hope you’re not hurting too bad.”
She tilted her head, looking at him. Tears filled her eyes, but it wasn’t because of sadness. “You’re the first person to care about how it’s affecting me.”
“I saw what happened that day. I heard what got said, and how your parents reacted. It fucking sucks, and I’m sorry. Personally, I think they’re both scumbags, and I wouldn’t have blamed you for setting fire to the church as well.”
“I think that would have guaranteed me a spot in hell.” She ran her fingers over her face, and through her hair.
Since her dream had startled her awake, she’d not put it up, and the red lengths were a mess around her. She had to get her focus back on.
“You know I wasn’t even upset about them being together. It was that they lied. I wanted to have a family, and Chad had made a promise,” she said.
“You still want a family?”
She nodded her head. “Yeah. I liked Chad. He was nice, and he seemed to want the same things that I did. I just can’t believe he decided to cheat on me with my sister, who happens to hate my guts. I’m better off without him.”
“Good for you. Your sister is a bitch as well.”
She chuckled. “Thank you. Believe it or not, you’ve made me feel better.”
“Good, because I’m about to ask you something, and I don’t want you to freak. I want you to think about it?”
“I’m listening.”
“There’s a dance next Friday at the bar, and it’s the last summer festival. I was wondering if you’d be my date.”
The event was a local fair where they brought together the last of the fruits. There were always rides, and a lot of fun. Tourists came to enjoy the party, and people from neighboring towns joined in the fun.
“Yes,” she said.
“Yes?”
“I’ll go with you.”
It was time she moved on, and she intended do it without thinking about her boss or putting her job in jeopardy.
Chapter Four
The books Caleb had bought were … informative. The men were indeed possessive and seriously alpha like it warned on the front. He did find them a little boring, but romance wasn’t his thing.
“I can’t wait to go, Daddy,” Paige said.
He knew his daughter was talking about the fair, but he couldn’t avert his gaze from Maddie and Ryan in the kitchen. He’d told Maddie she didn’t have to worry about taking care of Paige this Friday, and she’d told him about her date with Ryan. Caleb couldn’t recall a time he’d been more pissed off with one of his ranch hands.
“Daddy, you keep staring at her,” Paige said, pulling on his shirt.
Glancing down at his daughter, he saw her smiling. “Do you like Maddie, Daddy?”
Did he like her?
His thoughts were dominated by her.
Since reading the books she’d loved so much, he had to wonder if that was what she was looking for in a man. If so, why would she agree to go on a date with Ryan? It didn’t make any sense to him, and it pissed him off.
He watched her enter the room, laughing at something Ryan said.
“Are you driving with us, Maddie? Please, please, please,” Paige said, running toward her nanny, and taking her hand.
“Oh, erm,” Maddie said, looking at him then at Ryan.
“Go with them. I’ll follow you in my truck,” Ryan said.
“You’re sure?”
“Yep. Are you ready to have some fun, honey bear?” Ryan said, taking Paige’s hand and giving her a twirl.
“Stop, stop.” Paige laughed, giggling.
“I’ll go and check on the trucks,” Ryan said.
“I’ll come.”
He watched his daughter running out of the house, leaving him and Maddie alone. Caleb was trying to undo his top button, but it was stuck. Paige had buttoned it up for him, and now he felt like he couldn’t breathe.
“Would you like me to do that for you?” she asked, moving toward him.
Her fingers moved beneath his neck, and he watched as her tongue peeked out, and then the pressure around his neck eased.
“Next time tell Paige that you like breathing more.” She rested her hands on his chest, and he was caught by the green of her eyes.
So bright, even in his dreams, and always begging for him, especially in his fantasies.