“Sorry.” Billie turned the tap, reducing the amount of water gushing out. “Quick shower for you all.”
The girls giggled together.
“You gotta put your foot under the water,” said Ellie. “Otherwise, it’s not going to get clean.”
“I know that.” Zoe wobbled as she lifted her foot from the edge of the trough and aimed it at the water. She grabbed Billie by the shoulder to help keep her balance.
“Ow…” Billie stumbled forward.
“Sorry.” Zoe kept her grip on her friend as the cool water rushed over her foot. She wasn’t about to fall over and get dirtier. This was enough of a country experience to last her for a lifetime.
Zoe felt some relief as the shit washed away, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some stuck on the inside of her sandals or even between her toes.
“I’m going to take them off.” She reached down with her free hand to unbuckle the strap around her ankle. She wobbled.
“Ow...” Billie moved with her. “Steady.”
“You’re a country gal, you can handle it,” said Zoe with a giggle. This might have been a big enough country experience for her, but she wasn’t able to shy away from giving her friends cheek, just as they dished it up to her.
“We’ve created a monster, Ellie.”
Ellie laughed. “Let me do it for you.”
Zoe breathed out hard from laughing and bending over. She straightened up, resting her foot back on the edge of the trough.
“Need gloves?” asked Zoe. She looked at her sandal and didn’t think she wanted to actually touch her shoe.
Ellie glanced up at her with a glare. “Billie, we need to educate our city friend.”
“We’ve failed so far I don’t think there’s any hope for her.”
“I think you’re right.”
“Guys, I’m right here.”
“Lesson one… you don’t need gloves.” Ellie reached down and quickly unbuckled the shoe and slipped it from Zoe’s foot.
“Need any help?”
Zoe turned her head to see Max walking up to them. Heat pooled low in Zoe’s belly at the sight ofhimstanding there. He looked just as hot and sexy as before when he nearly knocked her over.
“No.” Her voice had an edginess which he seemed to bring out of her.Yes. Her head answered silently. Her skin prickled at the thought of him taking her bare foot in his hand.
“Just asking.” His face darkened. The abruptness and rudeness to his tone didn’t put Zoe off. If anything it made her more curious about this guy.I’m losing the plot.
“And I’m just answering,” Zoe cut back with a comment before she’d thought about her retort. This was the right response to a man who was a stranger and rude to her. But this time she couldn’t help thinking that there was a hidden softness there, well under the surface yet, it was there. And she thought she might like to figure out how to bring such a gentleness to life. She always enjoyed a good challenge.
No. Not with him. But the thought didn’t have purchase in her mind. Not this time. Something was already beginning to heat up within her. She’d been single for half a year and hadn’t managed to find a guy who excited her. Max had definite potential, there was lots of heated excited burning through her body.
“Fine then.” He turned on his heel and stormed away, his boots heavy on the concrete ground.
Zoe watched him. Tight backside, long strides, and she opened her mouth wanting to call him back. But the words didn’t come. She could feel herself shaking. To have seen him twice so quickly left her with a mix of emotions and thoughts.
“I dunno about you gals but I need a beer.” Zoe put on her best country lilt to her voice.
“Well, I think you might have passed lesson two. I thought you were more of a wine drinker?”
“I am.” Zoe looked between her two friends, waiting who would tease her first. “It was a figure of speech. You know, I’m coming down to your level.”
Billie looked at Ellie. Both women raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t do it.” Zoe had no idea what they were about to do, but she wasn’t going anywhere with a barefoot in this dirty barn.
In one swift motion, each of her friends grabbed her, picked her up, and tumbled her backward into the pile of clean straw behind them.
Zoe screamed loudly, landing softly in the hay. She groaned, hating to think what she was really sitting in, but she burst into a fit of giggles. “I’m going to get you for this.”
