She laughed. "Your confession is safe with me."
He pointed out his family. "Mom, Vinia, is serving, Sarah, my sister, is handing out the rolls and baked goods. I helped with those, by the way. Do you want me to help you get food? There's plenty of it."
"I think I can get my own plate," she teased. "I appreciate the offer. I'll catch up with you later." She could feel his eyes on her as she walked away.
Vinia was distracted as she picked up a plate, so Joey didn't have a chance to talk to her. She nodded to Colton who was busy with a flare up. Sarah was walking around from table to table with a basket as she offered rolls. Joey met her as she headed for her table.
"You want one roll or two?"
"Just one, thanks." Joey was about to introduce herself when Sarah suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened and she backed away with a look of horror on her face.
Sarah just stood there without saying anything. Joey glanced over at Drake, who had noticed the odd behavior and was already headed to them.
"Sarah, what's wrong?" He gripped Sarah's arm and took the basket from her. "Earth to Sarah. Hello?"
Sarah blinked and looked at him. "Excuse me." She turned and fled.
What the hell was that all about?Joey turned her nose to her shoulder and discreetly sniffed.I don't stink.
She grimaced to Drake. "I don't know what I did to your sister, but most people don't take off like a bat out of hell when they meet me."
He grinned. "She has morning sickness twenty-four seven, so she probably headed to the nearest bathroom. I wouldn't take it personal."
Joey found a seat with Scarlet and nibbled on her food. She was almost finished eating when Sarah reappeared. Drake moved over to her and they whispered together before he went back to his station. He wore a confused expression, but didn't seem overly upset.
After the demand for food dwindled down, Sarah disappeared. Drake grabbed a plate of his own and sat across from Joey. Scarlet had gone back to the camper, and truth be known, had it not been for him, Joey would have gone with her.
"You don't mind if I sit here, do you?"
"Not a bit. Is Sarah okay? She seemed upset."
He shrugged. "I have no idea. It's the pregnancy. Hormones have her all over the place. She was babbling something about our dad, but I told her we'd talk later."
"Your dad?"
"He's been dead since we were little kids. Like I said. I think hormones just have her bouncing around the emotion spectrum."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I lost my dad a few years ago." She glanced around at the people milling about. "Hey, did Percy and his crew come eat?"
"Nah," Drake answered as he took a bite. "Ma is going to take them a tray. Something about paperwork and preparation for tomorrow. They didn't have time to participate."
"Or he thinks he's too good to mingle with us little people."
"Who make him all his money," Drake retorted. "I don't have much nice to say about the man."
She giggled. "I usually don't either." She wanted to ask Drake about helping her bring Percy down, but she didn't know him quite well enough yet to go there.
Vinia gestured for Drake. "Well, duty calls. I not only have to slave baking for my sister who can't handle the smell, but I have to clean up, too. It's so unfair."
Joey admired the way his jeans snuggled his ass as he walked away. It was far too early to go to bed, everything was ready for the competition tomorrow, and suddenly sitting inside just seemed like prison. She needed to be outside in the fresh air.
She bit her lip. The guests at the ranch could trail ride. Drake had explained that's why they had so many horses, so there had to be marked trails. She hopped up and hurried to her camper where she changed out of the skirt. Once she was back in her dusty jeans and riding boots, she saddled Journey and headed toward the base of the mountain.
Sure enough, there were very clearly marked trails. She chose the one that went up the mountain. A dose of Mother Nature's beauty was exactly what she needed. She felt her spirits lift as she rode toward the bright blue sky with a few puffy white clouds and trees as far as she could see.
"This is strictly for fun," she informed Journey, who tossed his head in answer. "We're not even going to think about tomorrow." She sucked in a deep breath and exhaled as she tried to convince herself of the same thing.
About ten minutes into the ride, she heard a horse coming up the trail behind her. She guided Journey to the side of the trail to let the rider pass, but instead, it fell into line behind her. She turned in the saddle to see Drake smiling at her from the back of a beautiful stallion.
