I rear back as if she’d hit me. I really did fuck up. “I need to apologize...”

She interrupts me. “Save it. Are we done here?”

I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone talk to me like this, and I sort of don’t know how to handle it. “Listen, Natalie. Give me three minutes to explain.”

She puts her hand on her hip. “You mean explain why you’re a pompous, arrogant ass that...”

I take a step forward. “Don’t finish that sentence,” I warn her.

There’s absolutely no fear in her eyes, but she quits talking. Thank fuck because I thought I was going to have to kiss her to shut her up, and I don’t think that would go well. “I wanted to tell you I was sorry the other day when I found out you were Elijah’s mother and you were seeking me out to thank me for the scholarship. I would have done it the day of the field trip, but we had a sick horse and I was dealing with the vet. When I came back out, the bus was already leaving.”

“Okay. You’re forgiven. Can I get back to work now?”

“Dammit, will you listen to me, please? I’m trying to tell you I’m sorry. I know you don’t know anything about me, but I’m not like that. I had already dealt with one mom that refused to take no for an answer. I mean, you saw all the moms that were there on the field trip. I know why they were there. It’s why any woman talks to me. I was pissed, and I shouldn’t have reacted like that with you. I know that. I would never force myself on anyone or anything.”

She nods. “I didn’t think that... I just thought...”

She trails off, and I finish her sentence for her. “That I was a pompous, arrogant ass.”

She laughs, and I swear the sound does something funny to me. I clear my throat. “Anyway, I came to apologize and to ask if Elijah can rejoin the camp.”

“The scholarship was already awarded to another kid.”

I put my hands in my front pockets. “I have another.”

“I don’t know...”

I nod. “I understand, but I promise that this camp is a good one. Elijah will love it... and I promise I’ll be the absolute best influence.”

She takes a second to think about it, and it’s as if I can see her debating it in her head. “If I let him go, you have to promise me that no one can pick him up but me. You don’t let him leave with anyone but me,” she stresses, pointing at herself.

“I promise,” I tell her. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her what the problem is, but I feel like I’ve already pushed my luck. I’ll find out what’s going on, but until then I’ll keep my promise to her.

She looks up at the window, and I follow her gaze. It seems everyone has lost interest except for Elijah. He’s still watching us.

“I can’t leave right now. I can bring him on my lunch break.”

“I’m going back to the ranch now. He can ride with me.”

She seems surprised by the offer, and it’s obvious that I have a lot of work to get back in the good graces of Natalie Jones.

She sighs and shakes her head. “Okay, I’ll be there to pick him at the end of the camp day then. Five o’clock, right?”

I nod. “That’s right.”

She takes a deep breath and waves at Elijah. He bolts out of his seat and is out the door in seconds.

She puts a hand on his shoulder. “Have you heard about the camp that King Bryant offers out at his ranch?”

His eyes light up, and he seems excited but barely able to contain it. His mother continues, “Well, Mr. Bryant has been very generous and offered you a spot if you’d like to go this week.”

He looks between his mother and me. He looks so happy he may burst. “Really?” I nod my head, and he starts to bounce up and down. “I’d love to. Can I, Mom, please?”

She laughs, obviously enjoying seeing her son so happy. “Yes, it’s fine with me. Now what do you say?”

He looks at me with the sincerest expression. “Thank you so much, Mr. Bryant. I promise I’ll work hard and do everything you say.”

I nod and put my hand on his shoulder. “I know you will, but call me King.”

He looks at his mom, and when she nods, he looks back at me. “Thank you, King. You can call me Eli.”

The emotion in the young boy’s voice has me almost choking up. It’s obvious this means a great deal to him. I look at Natalie, and she’s watching her son. “All right, so we’ll get out of your hair and let you get back to work.” I point to my truck with the Double B logo on the side of it. “Go ahead and get in, Elijah, and buckle up. I’ll be right there.”

Tags: Hope Ford Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net