"I said get back to it."
Drake had heard enough and stared him down. "I believe she said she's good. She doesn't need you breathing down her neck."
''And I didn't ask for your lip. You've already caused enough trouble."
Drake rose to the implied challenge. "And keep it up, and you'll be joining the others. I've already proven that you have no authority here, and if you keep treating your people as you do, it won't be on my property."
Joey caught Drake's eye, and he read the pleading in them not to cause a scene. He threw up his hands. "I have work to do. You'll be at the luncheon?"
She nodded. "I will. I'm heading in now to clean up."
He left with another nod, not trusting himself to speak. He hated bullies, and he hated walking away from one even more. In true fashion, Calvin couldn't just let him walk away without getting another dig in.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. You know better than cause anymore shit around here."
Drake stopped as he tried to clear Joey's silent begging from his mind. This guy needed an ass kicking, and he was more than willing to serve it up for him.
Instead, he heard Joey kick her foot at the man. "Shut up, Calvin. You're the one causing trouble."
Drake forced himself to not turn around. If he did, Calvin was getting drop kicked to the highway. Instead, he silently accepted the gauntlet thrown with a promise to himself that he'd handle it later.
He waited until Joey rode away before he glanced back. Calvin was headed toward the campers, so he wasn't following Joey as she disappeared into the barn. She was safe, so he continued on to Sarah's.
His own heart, though, was definitely not safe.
Chapter Eleven: Getting to Know
Josephine “Joey” Preston
All hands were on deck for the pre-show luncheon Thursday afternoon. An older woman served the barbeque chicken and fixings while Colton manned the grill, a pregnant woman handed out baked goods, and Drake dispensed the cold drinks. At first, the guests from the rodeo trickled in, and Joey stood in the shadows watching Drake. Never before had she wanted to be a bottle of water just to feel his hands all over her.
She had to laugh at herself for how long it took her to get ready. Never before had she stared at herself in the mirror so long wishing she had the makeup skills of some of the others. Barrel racing didn't include many flattering photographs, so she had never bothered learning. Her concession was wearing a flow-y skirt with a fitted tank top that showed off her toned arms and modest breasts. She left most of her hair long and loose, with just the sides pulled back in a barrette.
After most of the others had gathered their meal, she approached Drake. She had no idea where Percy and his henchmen were, but she really didn't care. She wanted to know as much as she could learn about her dragon man, and the only way to do that was to talk to him.
She knew that sooner rather than later she was going to have to tell him that she could see both beings, but she wanted to know him a bit better first.
A giggle escaped her when he bobbled and dropped a bottle of water when he caught sight of her. "Hey." His eyes were wide and it seemed like he had trouble just speaking.
"Hey, yourself."
"You look... you're..." he stammered, "you clean up nice."
Her cheeks heated. "I could say the same about you."
He glanced down at his clothes. "I didn't dress up."
"And yet you still look good."
She was rewarded when his cheeks turned red. "Oh, thanks."
"Is your brother a good chef?" She gestured to Colton.
"He hasn't killed anyone yet. I've eaten his barbeque many times over the years, so I'd say it's safe."
"But is it good?"
Drake leaned closer. "If you tell him I said yes, I'm afraid I can't forgive you, but yes, his grilling is really good."
