Back To Country (Country Love #4)(2)

He sits back and folds his arms over his chest, lookin' all prideful. "Right good, thanks. They're growin' like weeds. Seems like every mornin' they've grown overnight. Gonna be helpin' out on the farm quicker than I think." He chuckles.

After hearin' all the stories about how he and Sadie met, what all they went through to be together and then the scares they went through with Colby and Shiloh, it makes their babies births so much more meaningful. I mean, she might not have had them if it wasn't for their strength in each other and their friends turned family helpin' them. They all started out as strangers, 'cept Memphis and Colby. Trevor and Shiloh were friends before too, and they helped them as well. Brought together in the strangest ways yet made them close. Closer than family. Ain't gonna lie and say I wasn't a little worried 'bout gettin' to know them, at first, thinkin' maybe I'd moved to the wrong place with everythin' that happened. But it wasn't long before I realized they just had hard times hit them, things that would make a grown man shake in his boots. They all stuck together through it all, helping each other overcome them together. Wish I had known them back then. I'da helped them too.



 "And how's Fancy doin'. Bet she's growin' up mighty fine," I ask Trevor. He'd bought Fancy from me to give to Prie, kinda as a weddin' present. But I think the new big addition to their ranch was the thing she loved the most. Me and the guys helped build it, and it turned out perfect. It's a house for battered women and their kids. Trevor and I had kind of a run in shortly after we first met. Ya see, Prie and I became such good friends so fast. I even made a move on her at my place one time but after kissin' her, it felt like kissin' a sister I never had. Trevor caught us and got pretty riled up. Even hit me. Gave me a one helluva black eye and cut my lip. Guess I didn't blame him though. I'da done the same thing if it were me. After that, he and I became pretty close friends, made me and Prie become even closer. I offered to have Prie's friend Grant from her home town stay with me the night of the weddin's and even a few days after that. Pretty cool guy but made me a little nervous, at first. Come to find out he's gay. Now, don't get all riled up. Ain't nothin' wrong with that if that's your fancy. He just made me a little leery at first, always touchin' me with pats on my arms, and the way he'd look at me sometimes. Nice guy though and funny as hell. He went home but promised to come back for a visit.

"Fancy is doing fantastic!" We all look up and see Prie and Tina walking into the room. Prie comes over and sits down next to Trevor. Her arm slides through his as she gives him a kiss. She looks at me, and I notice Tina sittin' down on the other side of her. Away from me. "Trevor's been training her. She's so beautiful. I love her!" She then turns and looks into Trevor's eyes, the love pourin' from them. I might be feelin' just a bit jealous at what they have.



       
         
       
        

"Uh, you all can go in and see the baby now," Tina says uncomfortably. She's lookin' at Trevor and Prie, watchin' them.

I look up as Memphis stands and claps his hands. "Well hell. I ain't waitin'. I can't wait to see Colt." He walks off and as I stand to go with him, I see Trevor kiss Prie again, a little longer this time, then he stands and joins me. We walk together, not missin' Tina lookin' up at me as we leave the room. When we arrive at the doorway of Shiloh's room, Sadie walks out, some wetness around her eyes. I watch the look of concern on Memphis' face, how he softens as she walks straight into his arms. I'm mesmerized by their love for each other, how in tune they are. "There. There now. I knew seein' him would get ya all weepy," Memphis whispers, pullin' back some of her long hair, his arms still around her.

My thinkin'  –  a man needs to take care of his woman, protect her, fill her with his love, and keep her satisfied with it in all ways. These folks do that and more. This is somethin' I hadn't realized I'd been missin', too busy to think about, but feelin' it every time I'm around them. Also, a man has needs, desires. So do women. I'm a gentleman and don't partake in any one night stands. I have to get to know a woman, feel I want to be with her, and feel somethin' inside, and know that she wants to be with me. Not sayin' I don't have any experience. But with mine, it was with the wrong woman. And that, no one should have to go through. I shiver. I need to get busy and get Tina alone. And soon.

Now, I've only held two babies in my lifetime  –  Jared and Evie, and even then I was pretty uncomfortable. They're so small and fragile. I had to sit down both times 'cos I was afraid I'd drop them. This time was no different. I was just gonna watch the others, share in the celebration of life through them. Until Trevor walked over holdin' Colt and plopped him right into my arms. Glad I was close to a chair where I could sit down, slowly. He's soft and smells really good, and he's so light in my arms that if I wasn't lookin' I'd swear I wasn't holdin' anythin'.

By the time we left the room and got back to the waitin' room, only Sadie and Prie were there. I looked around, thinkin' maybe Tina was in the bathroom or at one of the many vendin' machines around, but I'm not sure where she went. Pretty soon everyone started walkin' toward the elevators, and my heart plummeted. I look over at Prie and notice her smilin' at me, her eyebrows raised. She walks near me and bumps into my side, tellin' me she knows. 



 "What?" I whisper.

"You like her," she whispers back, her smile growin'.

"Do not," I reply, bumpin' back into her side. She lets out a small laugh.

"Oh, I think you do." She bumps back.

Now, Prie's been like a sister to me, one I've been grateful to have. I go across our stretch of the road to her "boarding house", if you will, to help fix things and do whatever she needs that Trevor doesn't have time for with workin' on their ranch. In return, I get invited over for supper sometimes. I can man a grill and make a mean steak but cookin' other foods is not on the list of better things I can do. We also have a ton of fun talkin', laughin', and cuttin' up. Thank God Trevor came to his senses, finally seein' Prie and I are just friends. Nothin' more. I'm pretty big, but I think he can take me.

My brows lower as I get close to her, leanin' in. "Do you think she'd go out with me?" She leans back, her brows raisin' higher. "Stop it! I'm bein' serious," I grumble. Her face softens and we slow down.

"Tina's  –  uh...." She puts her finger up to her chin like she's thinkin' how to say what she's tryin' to tell me. She scrunches her mouth. "Tina's a beautiful girl." Definitely not what I expected.



I lean over to her. "Well, I know that!" Shit! What is it about this woman who makes me crazy enough to yell/whisper at my friend? I move back and let out a sigh. "She's definitely beautiful, but do you think I have a chance if I'd ask her out?" I rub my chin. "I've never seen her go out with anyone. Hell, come to think of it, other than at your house or Sadie's, I've never seen her away from the coffee shop." What if she doesn't even like men  –  you know  –  in that way? What if her door swings the other way?

"Nash? What's wrong?" My eyes move down to hers from starin' out beyond her. "You went pale and have a sick look to you. Are you okay?" She puts her hands on my arms and whispers, "Do you need me to find you a restroom to get sick?"

I raise my arms in the air, her hands movin' away quickly. "No!" We both look around and see Memphis, Sadie, and Trevor turn their heads our way, standin' at the elevator. Prie looks at Trevor and smiles, holdin' up her hand and waves. Closin' my eyes, I take a deep breath, tryin' to calm myself. "No. I'm not sick," I whisper, my eyes movin' towards them over at the elevator and then back at Prie. They've turned back toward the elevator doors, Memphis and Trevor shruggin' at each other. "She's not  –  I mean, she doesn't  –  ah, hell! She doesn't go for women, does she?" Her eyes widen bigger than I've ever seen.

"What?" she gasps loudly.



 We both look over at the elevators again and they're all turned lookin' at us. I raise my hand and wave, smilin'. Memphis tilts his head and raises his hand, wavin' back with his face covered in confusion. Sadie smiles. I can tell she's tryin' not to laugh. Trevor looks at Prie mouthin', "Are you okay?" She smiles and nods back at him then turns to me, grabbin' my arm and leadin' me further away from them.

"Tina's not a lesbian, Nash," she whisper/shouts. I look over at the elevators and see them all reluctantly turn back toward the doors. They have to think we're crazy. Prie grabs my arms and I look back at her. "Why in the hell would you say that?"



       
         
       
        

I'm gettin' confused and angry now. Lowerin' my brows, I whisper/shout back, "She's always at the shop, never goes anywhere but over to your place or Sadie's. Never goes out anywhere. She acts all flirty to any good lookin' man who she sees yet you never see her with a guy." I squint like that's helpin' me make my point. "Does she just not like men or somethin'?" Shit! What if she's practicin' to become a nun or somethin'? Nah, that's just plain weird. Well, it is Tina.