I laugh as I get two plates, settin' one down by her and fillin' up the other with assorted goodies. "I bet Daisy will have her hands full with a bunch of sugar high kids tonight." Daisy is an older woman who owns the inn in town. She spends a ton of time over at Prie's boardin' house. Usually she's there several nights to help out with the kids who are there with their moms, who are tryin' to get their lives back after their bad experiences. So many town folk help out there, it just shows you what a great place this is. The tea kettle alerts me it's done so I walk over and turn off the burner, pourin' the water into the cups. I stir them and bring them over to the counter. She picks up our plates, and we walk to the livin' room and get comfortable.
"So," she says, pickin' up her cup. "What are we watching?" I hit the pause button on the remote and the movie springs to life. "Oh! John Wayne. I love his movies!" A woman after my own heart. Can she be any more perfect?
We both settle back and watch the movie. It didn't take long before she was snuggled into my side, my arm around her. By the time the movie was over, I looked down and she was fast asleep. I move her up, her head lullin' against my shoulder.
"Five more minutes," she mumbles.
I let out a chuckle. "C'mon, Beauty. You're stayin' here tonight."
Her eyes flutter open as I stand, pullin' her up with me. "But – but we haven't had a date yet." I smile, keepin' her tucked into my side as we walk to the stairs. She's pretty wobbly and a bit out of it. She's adorable.
"You're stayin' in one of the guest rooms." It's not like I don't have a ton of them. I help her up the stairs and take a right, goin' into the first room. It's one of the few furnished rooms and one of the nicest. It's just a few rooms from mine, that way I can hear her if she needs me. I help her onto the high bed. She lies down, curlin' up into a ball. I run from the room and down to mine, lookin' around to see what I can find her to wear. I open my dresser and take out a long sleeved t-shirt and run back to her. I stop in the doorway, watchin' the light fall of her chest. Her hair is fanned out behind her and visions of it coverin' my pillow hit me hard. I shake my head. Now is not the time for that. Walkin' over to the bed, I sit down beside her. "Tina?" She doesn't stir. Her breathin' is light. Her beautiful face is serene. There's no way I can bring myself to wake her. Standin', I pick up the folded quilt lyin' at the foot of the bed and spread it over her. Some of her long luscious hair falls down over the side of her face so I brush it back, gently. I can't stop myself from pushin' my fingers through a few strands. So soft. What I wouldn't give to be lyin' beside her, holdin' her in my arms. She lets out a soft sigh.
I take a step away, suddenly feelin' like some kind of weird person starin' at her. It has to be wrong to be doin' this while she's asleep. I make myself leave, walkin' out of the room backwards, havin' a hard time tearin' my eyes away from her. Finally, I close the door and let out the deep breath I'd been holdin'. Slowly, I walk to my room, leavin' the door open slightly, and go to the bathroom. We finally get some time alone and she falls asleep. I need a cold shower.
I barely slept last night, knowin' she was just down the hall. Ya know, there's only so much a man can take. I shower, get dressed, and walk quietly down the hall, stoppin' by her door. No sounds. Must still be asleep. I don't blame her, it's only five in the mornin'. I wouldn't be up if I didn't need to get ready for chores and check on Comet. I hear sounds comin' from the kitchen as I make my way downstairs. Guess the guys are makin' breakfast. Walkin' into the kitchen the smell of coffee hits me hard but there's another smell that is out of this world. What in the ever lovin' God is that?
"Mornin', boss."
I look over at the guys at the table and nod. Luis pipes up, smilin'. "Great grub this mornin'." What is he talkin' about? If anyone here cooked, it wouldn't be that great.
I reach the stove and there's a large pan and what looks like a half-eaten breakfast casserole. Turnin' around, I look down at the breakfast bar counter, seein' a note. I pick it up and start to read.
Nash,
Thank you for last night. I had a great time, even though I fell asleep. Sorry about that. We finally get some time alone and you get to see me drool and hear me snore. Anyway, I had to get up early, was kind of disoriented, but managed to make you and your guys a breakfast casserole. Sorry I rummaged through your kitchen, but I hope you all like it.
Tina
P.S. Yesterday must have kicked my ass. Sorry, again.
P.P.S.S. What is with the ancient stove?
P.P.P.S.S.S. Hope to see you again soon.
P.P.P.P. S.S.S.S. If the universe will let us. Sigh.
I let out a chuckle, but my heart is pretty much soarin' with her words. Turnin' around, I grab a plate, pilin' on the delicious food. Damn, it smells good. Takin' my plate and coffee over to the table, I sit down and dig in. Most of the guys get up, settin' their plates in the sink, and head out to do their chores. Only takin' two bites of this magnificent meal, Bart yells out my name from the back door.
"Nash! Comet's havin' her foal!" Not stoppin' to go get my coat, I jump outta my seat and run to the back door. We jog across the deck and down the steps. I pull out my phone. "Already called Doc Mills. He should be here soon." I nod, pickin' up my step as we get closer to the barn.
Comet's lyin' down in her stall as I approach carefully. Squattin' down beside her, I rub along her neck. "Whoa, girl. Looks like you're 'bout ready. Hang in there." I keep talkin' low, soft, tryin' to keep her relaxed as I rub her sweat dampened coat, soothingly. "Go set up my stuff, just in case Doc don't get here in time and give Larry Franklin a call. He might want to know his foal's almost here," I instruct Bart. He gives me a nod, then I go back to tendin' Comet.
Three hours later, Larry, Bart, and I are standin' here lookin' at Comet's new colt, the guys all standin' around us. "Whelp, Larry." I rest my hand on Doc Franklin's back. "Mighty fine lookin' colt you got there." He nods smilin'. "He'll be fit to move over to Trevor's in about four months." He turns and shakes my hand, pattin' my shoulder with the other. "I might just have to breed him when he's of age."
"That would be fine with me. Thanks, Nash."
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I take it out and smile wide.
Tina: I can get off on Friday, if you still want to go out
I send back a reply immediately.
Nash: Boy, would I ever!
This day just keeps on gettin' better.
Chapter Ten
Tina
Oh, my God! We're actually going to go out Friday night! On a date! Me! And Nash! Together! Shit! What am I gonna wear? A knock sounds on my door and I find myself skipping there. I open it and grab Prie's arm, pulling her into a hug.
"Well." She laughs. "I should come over more often." I pull her inside, shutting the door, and walk over to the couch. We both sit down and face each other. She grabs my hands. That's never good. "I'm leaving town tomorrow." Told ya. "I'm going home with Grant to supervise his move here and to visit my family's graves while I'm there, maybe see some old friends too. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back there again."
"That's good? I guess." She laughs. Yes, because this is funny.
"I'll only be gone a week. His house is pretty much a bachelor pad so it won't take too long to get it packed."
"Ohhh-kay." She tilts her head.
"Tina. What's wrong?"
I shrug. "You haven't told Trevor yet, have you." It's not a question. She shakes her head, slowly. "I knew it!" I pull on her hands. "Prie! You can't leave without telling him! Shit! Everyone in town's gonna know except him! Or worse yet, someone is gonna let it slip out by accident. How can you do this to him?" This is so unlike her. She's one of the best people I know!
She looks down at our hands then back up at me. "I know I should have told him right away but I was scared. Some strong woman I am, huh?" I squeeze her hands. "If I tell him now, you know he won't let me go tomorrow." Well, she does have a point. Trevor is so overprotective of her and will be even more so once she tells him. After he helped rescue her from that madman, she went home, became strong, and even helped heal him of his demons. They've been through so much together. "Look. I'm seeing my doctor in town as soon as I get there. I want to get a second opinion. They know me better than any other doctor. Then, if the result is the same, I can get advice from them, understand what the risks are better and know how to deal with them. I'll tell Trevor as soon as I get back. It's only a week, Tina."
"Well...." She gives me those pleading puppy dog eyes. "I just don't want anything to come between you and Trevor, ya know?" She pulls me into a hug.
"I know and I love you for it." When we move back, I give her a nervous look. "Really, it'll be fine, Tina. I swear!"