Her shoulders ease, and she sinks into the chair again. “Really?”
“Really. You give quite the show. I love watching you come.” Just when it seems her heart is in my hand, we reach the entrance to the ranch, which puts our time alone on the back burner until later.
Begrudgingly, I slide my hand to my side of the car as we cross through the open gates with large oak trees standing tall on either side. Pretending not to be attracted to her mind and body is becoming harder, making me regret ever agreeing to hiding whatever this is we have going on between us.
I don’t know what’s come over me. The Texas summer heat, the hottie next to me, or that this place has started to feel more like home again every time I visit.Probably all three.
But really, I know the real answer is just one.Shortcake.
Stealing one last glance before we must put on the “just friends act,” I ask, “You ready?” I park the car outside my dad’s house under another oak and crack the windows, hoping to keep the temps inside the car from melting the dash. It’s brutal out today.
“As I’ll ever be.” She pops the door open before I have a chance to even offer.
My sister stands on the front porch, reaching the railing and leaning forward with a huge smile on her face. “Lauralee! I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Your brother talked me into it.”
Christine’s eyes dart to me and then to her friend again. “That was nice of him.”
“Very nice,” she adds, looking over at me. “He drove and all.”
“Hey, Bay,” my sister says, now smiling at me. “Welcome back.”
“It’s good to be back.” I adjust my jeans now that my hardness has subsided.
Lauralee climbs the few steps up to the porch and gives her a hug. Just like family, she asks, “What can I help with?”
“You’re the guest. Make yourself at home, and I’ll get you an iced tea. It’s too hot to be outside for too long without a drink in hand.”
“Baylor?” When I hear my name, I find Tagger coming toward me from the barn. “Come take a look. I moved the car up here. Thought you’d like to see.” When he spies Lauralee, he smirks.The fucking bastard.“You guys ride out together?” He’s going to give it away before I’m ready to explain.
Lauralee laughs. “Hello to you, too, Tagger.”
“Sorry,” he replies, taking his hat off and holding it over his heart like a true Southern gentleman. “Hello, Lauralee.”
She rolls her eyes but then laughs again. “Hi.”
He says, “You should come with us.”
She skips down the steps like the adventure is too good to pass up. “Where are we going?”
Tagger replies, “Looking at the car that Baylor wants.”
When she catches up, we start for the barn, and she asks, “What car are we talking about?”
“It was a gift to my mom.” Just inside the open doors, I see the car with the cover on it on the far side. “I’m sure the horses loved that being brought into their territory.”
He walks to our largest male and strokes just above the nose. “Nightfall doesn’t mind.” Pointing out the open stall door, he adds, “He comes in here a lot of times during the heat of the day to try to keep cool.”
“Don’t let him near the car.”
“Don’t worry,” Tagger groans, “your precious is safe in here.”
Lauralee slides up next to me. Her hand touches my back but then falls to her side again. I move in and peel off the cover just to take another good look at her—the car, that is, though I don’t mind one bit seeing Lauralee here with me.
I nod for her to come closer. “My dad bought it as a gift for her but never had the time to fix it up. Running the ranch and farm kept him busy.”
“From what I remember,” she says, “so did you every Friday night in the fall and baseball in the spring.”
