“We’ll come with.”
“I’m perfectly capable of looking after my woman.” Now my back was up.
“All the same we need supplies.” I just rolled my eyes at Simon and kept on walking towards the truck. I opened the passenger side door and leaned in.
“You all set little princess?” this was the first time she was leaving the safety of the ranch and though I knew she was perfectly safe, I hadn’t stopped to think whether or not she was scared of the idea.
“Yeah.” She looked young and fresh and full of excitement. I guess they were right about women and shopping. After a quick kiss I went around to my side and watched in the rearview as the others got into two trucks and lined up behind me.
I jerked around when the back passenger door slammed. “It had to be you get the fuck out Mikey.”
“Caleb.” In the last week I’ve noticed that she only uses that voice when she’s about to scold me, only she’s too slick for that. It always comes off like anything but.
“What?”
“Leave that baby alone.” Baby my ass. Somehow she’s got it in her head that this overgrown lout is some kid or something. Granted he’s young yet, but anything over six feet ain’t no damn baby.
“Well shit, you’re not gonna leave me stuck with him are you?” I glowered at the little upstart who sat forward and put his face right between us.
“Sit back jackass.” When he pretended not to hear, I pulled out hard and had him falling back.
“Hey.” I ignored him and sped down the driveway. Reaching over the console I took her hand in mine and ignored the ass that started making sucking noises in the backseat.
As was to be expected, it was a little more crowded than usual in town this time of day, but nothing to worry about.
It was only after I parked behind the dry goods store and the others joined us that I realized what my boys were up to.
They surrounded us as I took her hand and walked down Main Street. We got more than a few stares but I kept her distracted until we reached the only decent boutique in town.
She was a little shy at first but a few nudges soon had her warming up to the idea, though she was still reluctant to choose. “Here Ms. Amanda this would look mighty nice on you.” Mikey held up some skimpy froth of material that had my pressure rising.
I snatched it out of his hand as she reached for it and threatened his ass until he went and joined the others who were chatting up the salesclerk.
“Now let’s see.” I went through the racks myself choosing jeans and tops fit to wear on the ranch, and riding. I chose a couple of hats as well and by the time I came up for air I had about half the damn store put aside.
“Let’s get some underthings shall we? And then maybe we can go have some pie. Millie makes a mean chocolate pie. Not as good as yours will be I’m sure.”
She was beet red the whole time I was choosing her underwear and frilly bras. Everything looked so pretty I wanted to get it all, so I basically did.
“How do you know what size to choose?” That was said tongue in cheek with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
“I checked.” I wasn’t the least bit ashamed or put off by her sarcasm. I liked shopping for her. And the line of jackasses on the back wall shaking their heads at me didn’t faze me one bit.
Each of us had a couple bags, except for her of course, as we headed back to the trucks to off load.
“Okay pie then boots.” We headed to Millie’s diner where the late lunch crowd and early bird diners were settling down to a good meal.
“Let’s get a booth boys. Take the one in the back, that’s the only one big enough to hold all of us.” We usually sat at the counter when we came here but there was a lady present.
“Well if it isn’t the hottest group of man flesh in the county.” Millie came from the kitchen and beat feet for us.
All eyes turned to Jonah who was already blushing like a girl. Ms. Millie’s been sweet on the old cavvy since we settled down, but he’s running scared.
“Ms. Millie, I’d like you to meet Amanda. Amanda this is Millie Cotter. She used to be the best cook in these parts.”
“Oh what’s this? Somebody took my title?”
“I’m afraid so, my girl can cook like a dream.” I patted my stomach to make my point. Millie chuckled and sized Amanda up from head to toe.
“You can’t tell by the looks of ‘er. Why she’s a lil bitty thing, ain’t nothing to ‘er.” She said it with a warm motherly smile so Amanda knew she was teasing.
“You sit yourself down here lil missy and let me fatten you up with some of my chocolate pie.”