“You’re going to call the cops over damn Hubba Bubba?” I was ready to kick her ass. Well, she was much bigger than me, so a quick punch and run was likely my only option. Wait, I couldn’t do that in front of Grant; I must be the better person.
She spoke through gritted teeth. “Give me the Hubba Bubba. I’m running out of patience.”
“Well, I’m running out of reasons not to go all New York on your ass, so I guess we’re both in a pickle!”
Jax quickly grabbed some cash from his pocket. “Tell you what, here’s fifty bucks. This will cover the snacks, Hubba Bubba, or whatever. You keep the rest.” He nodded. “Go on and buy yourself something pretty, okay?”
The woman stood still, watching as Jax grabbed my arm and Grant’s hand and led us out. Once outside, Grant ran ahead, and Jax shook his head at me.
“I can’t take you anywhere, can I?” He looked down at me as we strolled along. “Guess that means I need to keep you real close to ensure you steer clear of trouble, huh?”
Laughing, I felt heat trickle down my neck. “I thinkyou’rethe trouble I need to steer clear of.” I nudged his arm. “None of this shiteverhappens until I’m around you.”
Grant climbed into the truck and closed his door as I reached to open mine.
“Come on. You don’t want to steer clear of me.” He reached ahead of me and opened my door for me. His hand on my lower back, he whispered, “You couldn’t, even if you tried.”
I climbed into the seat and turned to say something to him, but nothing came out but a little squeak. He grinned as he closed my door knowing he had me. Could I fight this lust, or whatever it was? Did I want to?
“I didn’t take the gum.” Grant’s little expression was filled with indignance. “Besides, Hubba Bubba doesn’t even rate in my top five.”
I turned back and cupped the side of his face. “Not once did either of us think you had, Grant.”
* * *
Jax pulled up outside of Daisy’s barn.
“But I don’t want them to sleep in the barn.” Grant hopped down from the truck.
“They’ll be safe in a stall tonight. We’ll figure the rest out tomorrow.”
Jax grabbed the crates and got both into the stall. He pulled the gate shut while Grant and I dropped to the ground and got to know our new friends.
“What names should they have?” Petting the bunny, Grant giggled as it wiggled in his arms.
Jax sat on a bale of hay. “I say Junk Yard and Hellhound.”
Gasp. “Those are horrible names for these cuties! Grant, what do you think?”
He narrowed his eyes at the rabbit. “How about Funny Bunny?”
My hands started clapping. “I love that!” I stroked the little white ball of fluff. “What about the duck?”
Grant giggled harder as Funny Bunny leaped from his hold, and he just managed to catch him again. “Madison, you name the duck.”
I scratched my head, ignoring Jax’s amused grin. “I’ve got it. Firequacker!”
Grant squealed, and laughter came from behind us. Daisy and my dad were heading our way.
“Well look at this! You’re getting your new babies settled, right, Grant?”
Daisy made her way to Grant and gave him a tight squeeze. “It was amazing watching you and Madison today. I tell you what, I had no idea she could run so fast.”
Grant spun around. “I know! And then her pants fell down; it made me laugh so hard!”
My face was hot. “Yep, that’s me. A funny girl.”
The lengthy laughter confirmed their agreement.
