I want to push our boundaries and take this game to another level but Cora's voice is still in my head.Maybe I can make this benefit the both of us without her realizing?
"How about a bet?" The space between us crackles with anticipation as she stands next to my brothers facing me. Austin and Landry hollering ‘ooooh’ in the background makes it hard not to bust a gut laughing.
"What are your terms,bossman?"
I smirk, chuckling under my breath. "How ‘bout this? If I sink this shot and win the game, you owe me dinner and drinks, just like you offered."
Her lips curve up on one side, remembering her slip of the tongue from earlier when I rescued her from Duck Norris's clutches–so to speak. She lifts a brow my way. "Agree to disagree onthatone. So what happens ifIwin?"
I shrug. "You get tomorrow mornin' off chores."
"Wow. Now a sleep-in, that's a surefire way to get into a ranch hand’s good graces."
"One can only hope. We like to keep our workers happy," I shoot back, sending a wink toward the table where Rhett laughs and Red’s sitting back with an amused grin.
"Tryin' to get a date by technicality, brother?" Austin asks.
"It's not a date," Dee says, whirling around on my brothers. "I swear. I'm not tryin' to date anyone. I'm here to work."
"Dee, darlin'. If you want to take the bet, then take it,” Red says, nodding to the table and then toward me. “The ball–so to speak–is in your hands."
She turns her big brown eyes to me. The flash of fire I find there lets me know I’ve got her just where I want her. This time, at least.
"OK, Tobes. You're on. Take your shot. Better make it count though" she says, squaring her shoulders. "I'mreallylookin' forward to that sleep-in. Hell, you win this game and I’ll letyoutake me out for dinner and drinks again."
I freeze, totally thrown out of the zone at the idea of Dee offering me a date, not me wrangling one out of her.Does this mean she wants to? Or is it just pride?
“C’mon, Tobes. You’ve got this,” Rhett adds.
“Yeah, brother. Do it for the ranch,” Austin chips in.
“Hey, I’m part of the ranch too, remember?” Dee replies.
“Yeah, but until your last name is Graham, you can’t–” Rhett covers Landry’s mouth with his hand but it’s too late, my headis totally out of the game and now all I’m focused on is Dee not realizing what Landry said. Or maybe I hope shedid.
I try to get back in the zone and turn my attention back to the table and this all-important shot.
Steadying my hand, I close my eyes and take a deep breath before opening them just in time to strike the ball, watching as it spins across the felt and careens toward the corner pocket and the awaiting eight ball… and maybe my destiny too.
9
DEE
In the blink of an eye, it's August and I've already been in Spring Haven for a month.
The ranch is abuzz with activity because Landry and Star are set to get married this weekend. I’ve been invited and apparently there’s a seat at the Sunday School Sallys’ table with my name on it. That’s the name her Gramma and her Gramma's best friends go by. They're all over seventy-five and although I’ve only met them once at the Cow, they all seem like good people, if not a little… inquisitive.
They were all drinking gin and tonics and sitting at a high table in the front corner of the bar, staying out of the way and people-watching. But every chance they got, they’d ask me about my life–my family, friends, dating history, all of it. They told me they were 'gathering intel' but I'm not sure what that means. All I know is that they spent a lot of time watching me and Tobes.
Going out for dinner and drinks every Friday has become a tradition now. As Red said, ‘who wants to cook on a Friday.” Just like that first time, I wipe the floor with all of the Grahambrothers at the pool table every week. Yet Toby, bless his heart, never gives up and is more determined than ever to get the 'dinner and drinks' I supposedly offered him, the details of which he likes to tell anyone who’ll listen whenever we’re at the bar.
Funnily enough, I've found myself looking forward to the weekly outings. It's not only a chance for us to let loose, but also a chance for us to let loose, flirt shamelessly, and enjoy everyone's company. Oh, and earn myself a Saturday morning sleep-in.
It’s only Toby I’m flirting with though. I don’t know why but there’s a connection between us. I figure it’s because we’re close in age and have had similar upbringings. We also both have older brothers who think they know what’s best for us.
I felt it the moment I met him. There was just something about him that made me feel comfortable and at ease. Yes, everyone at Bull has welcomed me with open arms and we all give as good as we get with the smack talk and banter, but there’s just something about Toby.
We just seem to gravitate to one another, like we’re naturally attuned or something. Maybe we knew each other in a past life. I’m not sure what–if anything–I should do about it. For right now, I’m just letting it exist and trying not to focus on it too much.
