“No fuckin’ way! There’s people inside. We’ll look ridiculous.”
“No, we won’t. Get on.”
She wants to kick me, I can see it plain as day on her face. But she gathers her composure and climbs on my back. I turn around and close the door, then stride up to the entrance like I would any other day. As we walk in, I see a few familiar faces, they might look surprised, but as I move toward my usual corner table, they go back to minding their business.
“I saw everyone looking at us.” Her tone is flat and annoyed.
“But then they stopped. And if theytalk—who the fuck cares?” I squat down, she drops her good foot to the floor, then slides into the booth. Sitting down across from her, I have a perfect view of the front door. I only sit facing the entrance of any place I go, that’s basic man shit. Always sit facing the threat.
A few moments pass before the best bartender and server in town shows up with two menus and her classic smile. She’s been everyone’s therapist at least once, and I’d be lying if I said she hadn’t been mine too.
“How’ve you been, Chris?” Her tone is cheerful as she lays our menus down in front of us, and before I can respond, she looks to Dixie and introduces herself. “I’m Jessie.” And just like that, they become instant friends. I bet they’re the same age.
“Hi, I’m Dixie his um…”
I jump in before she has to explain. “Dixie is my newest hire. There was an accident when we were up on the mountain, so she’s back here with us, recovering.”
“Oh no! I hope you’re okay? I’ll write my number on the receipt. You need a friend, you call me. Living all the way out there in bum fetching Silo Springs with this guy, has got to be rough.” She winks at me, knowing I’m not offended. “What’ll it be?” she says, looking down at her tiny note pad. Dixie gives her order, then I give mine.
“It’s not that far out, Jessie.” I say sarcastically.
Jessie laughs, picks up the menus and pats the table. “Comin’ right up.”
When she’s far enough from earshot Dixie lowers her voice and asks, “You guys have history…or a current thing?” Her eyes just told me everything I needed to know. She could just be curious and making small talk—but I wasn’t born yesterday, and I saw jealousy in those mossy green eyes.
“Maybe…” Now I’m just being a dick. But it’s fun, and I haven’t had this much fun with a woman for a long time.
“Oh. Well that’s good. You should have someone in your life.” Leaning forward, she rests her arms on the table, and looks out the window. She’s wearing one of her usual tops, and I’ll be damned… The fabric moves with her and I can see exactly what color her bra is when the top button pops open. She doesn’t notice and I sure as hell won’t tell her.
“Blondie—we don’t have a current or past anything. Jessie just finished school to become a therapist, and we became friends after the funeral. I’d come in here and she would help me process. We’re friends, nothing more.”
Turning her chin back to face me, I see her let out the breath she must’ve been holding. God, she’s a knockout. She’s tried to cover it up with dirt and a dirty mouth. But beauty like hers won’t hide that easily. “Well, I mean it’s none of my business, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I’m just your employee.”
And there she goes—acting like she didn’t just tell me she wants me. Knowing she’s jealous only reassures me of what I already sense between us. We eat our lunch with small talk in between. She asks about my time in the military and the reasons behind my tattoos. I ask her about her horse and the last outfit she worked with. Then I pay the bill, carry her out to the truck and we drive home,mostly in silence. Until I pass the turnoff to Silo Springs and she starts to backseat drive.
“You passed the sign.”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“We’re going to get Addie and Evie—and I want you to meet Blythe and little Jake too.” She nods and keeps looking straight ahead out the windshield. It hits me again that I’m a grandpa…I know he’s not my actual grandson, but the math benefits us. Lythie is young enough to be my actual daughter and Justin is my son whether it’s legal on paper. I wonder if that freaks Dixie out?
“I never thought I’d be calling myselfgrandpaat forty-five.” I joke, then catch her staring at me.
“You don’t look old enough for that, but you’re an amazing dad. He’s lucky to have you.”
My hand immediately grips the steering wheel, forcing myself not to reach over and squeeze her thigh like I want to. God, I want to. So fuckin’ bad. I don’t know how I can keep resisting it, even if she moved back into the bunkhouse today, which would never happen, but if she did—I still don’t think I could let her walk out the back door of my mind.
I didn’t even realize I was driving down the dirt road to Justin’s place until I saw his big house come into view. One little Forge family coming right up with two heathens on the side…my two heathens. I smile as I put the truck in park and see my girls skid to a stop on their bikes, dragging the gravel with their tires. Justin threw those in the back of his truck when he took the girls home with him earlier.
“Dixie!” They both shout and wave. I can’t hear them well through the glass, but I can read their lips and faces. Guess I’m chopped liver. They’ve all gotten close over the last seven days. I get out and walk to the back so I can drop the tailgate. Addie and Evie already know that’s their signal to bring their bikes, so I can load them up.
“Did you have fun?” I say as I load the bikes in.
“Yes! Can we stay longer, please?” They both beg.
“Nope.” I bend my knees to wrap an arm around each of their thighs, throwing one girl over each shoulder. I carry them to the back door of the vehicle and gently shove them inside. I close the door and look over my shoulder to see Blythe coming toward me with something in her hands.
