Breaking the kiss, in a teasing tone he asked, “What was that about?”
Her full lips were swollen as she licked them and then blushed bright pink. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I know you have the ‘No Dating’ policy and I respect your rules. Tabitha’s right out there. She could walk in and catch us. She’d have a hissy fit.” She tried to withdraw, but he imprisoned her in his arms easily.
“Yeah…About that ‘No Dating’ policy.” He gestured with his thumb at the bulletin board, where the spot the sign had occupied now lay barren.
“You took it down?”
“I don’t want that to be a barrier between us. I know you’ve got your issues and need time. But I’m sick of hearing her ranting on about the ‘No Dating’ policy. I’m not going to let an employee dictate to me whether or not we can be together.”
“But still. For some reason she’s in a crappy mood today. The last thing I want to do aggravate her.”
Just then the bell rang, and they both glanced to the monitor. Clay saw three people come in the front door, and Tabitha greeted them as they split up to look at different items.
Lily said, “I have to get out there. Can we resume this conversation later?”
“Sure.”
She stood up and moved away from him just as Tabitha came barreling through the doors.
“I need help. More people are coming in.”
They both went out to help and stayed busy the rest of the afternoon.
* * * *
Mid-December…
Del unloaded the bags and boxes from the back of his pickup truck. The groceries got put away in the refrigerator and pantry. The gifts he’d purchased and had wrapped for Lily and Clay were placed on the kitchen counter to give to them at some point the following week.
He unloaded the tools and supplies he’d gotten for the ranch in the barn. Sargent nickered at him from his stall. He’d run cattle for a couple of years on the ranch but had sold the livestock off eight years ago to join the private outfit that had taken him overseas. He’d just gotten his horse back from the rancher he’d entrusted Sargent’s care to, who had known his family for years. Soon he’d begin accumulating livestock again.
It had been good to get back in the saddle again and get some ranch work done. Not that he was a stranger to sweating in the sun, but doing it for a peaceful purpose like ranching was good. He’d hoped it would finally clear his head and that he’d be able to sleep. So far all he’d accomplished was working himself into a stupor and intensifying the dreams which then caused insomnia. If he could just get the images out of his head.
He’d been working on the ranch nonstop for almost a month now, and while it looked better, it still didn’t feel like anyone lived there. Lost in his own thoughts, he was startled when his phone vibrated and rang in his pocket.
“Hello?”
Clay’s voice came on the line. “Hey, Del. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Nah, what’s up?”
“We wanted to invite you to Christmas dinner. I also wanted to check on you. Haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks.”
“Working my ass off, that’s all. You know how bad the place was. It’s taking a lot of time.”
“Lily said she felt bad for not checking in on you after dropping the food off. She’s worried that you’re eating those nasty TV dinners again.”
“Are you kidding? She made enough food to feed an army. Tell her I’m eating good.”
“So, you’ll come for Christmas? You could come for the whole day if you wanted.”
Del couldn’t imagine just sitting around all day, not doing anything. “I’d be happy to come for dinner. Thank her for me. I should come up to the shop and visit you.”
Clay chortled and said, “I’m not sure how much visiting would get done. We’re both working nonstop trying to keep up with the online orders and the shop. Customers seem to really like her. Oh, I meant to tell you something and forgot. You’re invited to a hog hunt the first weekend in January.”
“I’m not sure I can get away. I was planning on going to auction soon.”
“Why don’t you hold off and go to auction afterward? Lily was all excited when she heard that you were invited, too. They do a girls shindig the same weekend at the Divine Creek Ranch.”
“I remember her saying something about it.” Del felt bad for not checking in more regularly. The last time he’d seen them had been for Thanksgiving dinner. Because of all three of their work schedules the dinner had been low-key. He’d been anxious to get as much done as he could on the ranch so he’d left after only a couple of hours. The Christmas shopping season had been hell, and both Clay and Lily had been understandably tired. “So how’s Lily? She seemed happy at Thanksgiving.”