That Night (Coming Home To The Grove 4)

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ve never had a way with people either. Some people say I’m not very nice.”

I try to hide my smirk. He might not have a way with all people, but he definitely has a way with women. He had me committing to a one-night stand without even a second thought. Something I’d never thought I’d do.

Spending a good chunk of the afternoon with him out on horseback, I am pretty sure I had it right when I’d decided he's more than just a gruff snob because of how he treats his family, ranch hands, and horses.

Even though I think he’s hot and deep down is a great guy, I tell myself that I’ve got to be done with him romantically. This is not going anywhere.

So when he walks me to my truck, I let the opportunity pass to ask him why he left my place the way he did even though he’s in a good enough mood he might answer. I decide that maybe it’s better if I don’t know.

“Thanks for teaching me to ride, that was really nice of you.”DerrickI’m thinking that after spending the afternoon with her and having just as much fun with her as I did when we were tipsy, I was too rash to cut and go the way I did. Olivia is worth more than just a one-night stand.

I follow her to her truck, and she thanks me again for teaching her to ride. She’s fierce and very capable, but the way she was nervous about galloping on the trustful horse made me feel even more protective of her than I already did.

She brushes her hair off her face, and she’s still smiling even though she’s probably sweaty and smells of horses. “Do you want to go out with me?” I ask her.

She stops and looks up at me with wide eyes. I move a little closer to her and find I was mistaken. She still smells as sweet as she did the first night I met her.

She looks me up and down and then in the face. I can see the answer on her face even before she says it. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I can’t say I’m surprised. She’s absolutely beautiful. She probably doesn’t think I’m good enough. Maybe since she’s gotten to know me she’s figured out that I’m not anything special. Or she doesn’t like the fact that I’m just a rancher. Regardless, I’m not going to beg her even though it’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her why not.

“The feed I ordered for Petey to give his immune system a boost has come in to the office. I’m sorry. I should have brought it when I came today.”

Back to being all business. I guess that’s how she wants to play it. “Thanks. I’ll be by to pick it up tomorrow.”

She nods, telling me, “Thanks again” before climbing into her truck. I watch her drive away and stand there long after all the dust settles.12DerrickI kicked myself most of the night for not sticking around and keeping the foothold I had in her life while I could’ve. That one night with her was the brightest light of my dim past, and I’m kicking myself for not fighting a little harder to keep her in my life. How in the world I go from thinking that I don’t want a relationship to now trying every which way I can to claim her as mine is beyond me. But I do know that I want more of her. And not just in my bed. Spending time with her on the ranch, around the animals, all of it. It’s shown me what I’ve been missing.

But now I’ve lost my shot with her, and I suppose that’s what I deserve. I’m rich enough, but I’m not cultured or the kind of guy a beautiful woman like Olivia would probably want to be seen around with.

Even though I didn’t get much sleep after getting Olivia’s rejection I figure I should go to the vet office and pick up the feed to get that done and over with so I can move on and put her out of my head.

On my way, I stop at the corner market and pick up a bouquet of flowers. I tell myself it’s just to thank her for the great job she’s done with the animals, but there’s probably a part of me that’s hoping I can still win her over.

When I pull in, Olivia is standing outside on the sidewalk with another man. I sit in my truck and watch them for a minute. They’re both laughing and the man reaches up to push her hair off her shoulder. Fuck me. Are you kidding me? Is this the Kyle?

Since I’m parked in the pickup lane, I call inside to the clinic to let them know I’m parked at the dock and here to pick up my load.