“Ready?” An amused smile plays at the corner of his lips.
“Uh-huh. Yup.” I quickly step into boots and leave as he holds the door open for me. A quick slap to my ass lets me know he’s right behind me.
He reaches over the center console when we’re situated in the car and kisses me. “Just had to get that out of the way so I wasn’t tempted to do something at the barns.”
“Like Milkshake is going to tell your secrets?” I laugh.
“Milkshake might not, but there’s always guys around.”
He parks the truck next to another Sanders Hollow truck and I know he’s telling the truth. You can’t get away with anything on the ranch unless you hike out to the edges in the pastures. Even at that, Mr. Sanders installed cameras when we were younger along the perimeters. Had to learn real quick where they were.
“Can I feed her?” I ask pulling on his arm.
“Sure.” He grabs the bottle and prepares it for the calf while I wander over to her stall.
I find the one with a makeshift sign labeledMilkshake (Daisy’s baby February 23rd).
Opening the gate, I let myself in and take a seat on the floor, letting her decide what she wants to do with me. She’salways been curious and friendly in Jaycob’s videos, but I’m a newcomer.
It doesn’t take her long to come over and nudge at me. When Jaycob finds us we’re snuggling together with her nuzzling into my neck and licking at my face.
“She’s the freaking sweetest!” When I direct my comment to him, she notices that he’s here with her dinner and gallops off like an overgrown puppy to start sucking on the rubber nipple.
He walks her back over to me and hands me the bottle. “Yeah, I don’t know how I’m going to let her go out in the pastures. She’s my favorite.” He scratches behind her ear and she leans into his legs, almost knocking him over. “Prepare yourself now for when we leave. She won’t want to let you go, and she’s going to give you her big calf eyes whilemooingsadly until she can’t see you anymore.”
“No! Stop it! Maybe we shouldn’t go then. We can just hang out here with her.” I look her in the eye. “You don’t want us to leave? We don’t have to, sweet baby. I’ll stay here all night with you.”
“Absolutely not. I have plans she isn’t a part of. So feed that baby and let’s get a move on. I’ll bring you back in the mornin’.”
Boots sound on the concrete floor of the barn. “Jaycob, you in here?”
Shit. Daddy.
“With Milkshake!” Jaycob yells.
I shoot a glare at him. Why the hell is he telling him where we are?
“Oh, hey, baby girl.” Daddy drops a kiss to the top of my head. “I didn’t know you were home.”
“I was promised that I could bottle feed a baby if I made it in time.” I smile innocently.
“Of course you rushed back for a calf.” He laughs. “Nothin’ ever changes with this one, huh?”
“No, sir. Reeces Pieces never could say no to a baby heifer.” Jaycob kicks at the dirt. A telltale sign he’s uncomfortable.
“You two looked dressed up, you going somewhere?” Daddy’s eyes bounce between us.
Jaycob sucks at lying.
“I’m forcin’ him to take me line dancing in Bozeman.”
Daddy throws his head back laughing. “Just like her Mom. Good luck, son.” He walks toward the gate. “I just wanted to say hi. See when my girl was coming home since she wasn’t answering me, but it looks like I got the answer. Y’all have fun tonight and come over for dinner tomorrow?”
“Sure, Daddy. We’ll be there.” I hop off the floor and hand Jaycob the bottle to give Daddy a hug goodbye.
I feel the smallest bit guilty that we’re lying. And now we have to sit through a whole dinner pretending we aren’t dating tomorrow night.
Mr. Davies showing up scared the shit out of me. What if he knows now?
