When You're Back(6)

“Uh, I figured you had already eaten.”

She looked hurt. “No, I wanted to eat with you. We always eat dinner together.”

Damn. This wasn’t going to be easy.

I saw movement from across the living room and glanced up to see Reese standing there in a pair of cutoff sweats and a T-shirt that hugged her body just right. I wanted to be alone with her, but Aida was here, and I couldn’t hurt her feelings.

I smiled at Reese. “Come eat. I’m getting you a plate ready now.” She glanced at Aida then back at me nervously.

“She can’t fix her own plate?” Aida asked in a snarky voice I didn’t like.

“Yeah, she can. But she doesn’t have to. Not when I’m here.”

My reply seemed to annoy Aida, but she didn’t say anything else. What was her deal? No wonder Reese looked nervous. Aida wasn’t being her usual bubbly self. Reese was seeing a bad side of her.

“I don’t mind. I can do it,” Reese said as she moved toward me. She seemed eager to please. This was the Reese I’d met. The one who was unsure of herself and shy. Aida wasn’t going to bring that out of her again—I wouldn’t allow it.

“I got this, baby,” I assured her.

She walked toward the cabinets. “I’ll fix the drinks, then. Aida, what would you like?” she asked.

I looked over at Aida, who seemed even more annoyed before she saw me looking at her. Then she smiled. “I’d like sweet tea, please,” she replied. Her smile didn’t meet her eyes. I was going to have a talk with Aida. Something was off with her.

“Momma sent tea, too,” I told Reese, sliding the gallon of tea across the counter to her. “I’ll take some, too.”

Reese smiled up at me, relieved about something, and began pouring three glasses. “I love your momma’s sweet tea,” she said.

And my momma loved Reese. I was surprised she hadn’t brought the food over and had sent Aida instead.

I slid a plate over to Aida before I picked up Reese’s and walked over to the table to set it down. Reese was setting the glasses of tea at each seat. I pulled her to me and kissed her.

“Eat a lot. You need your energy,” I whispered in her ear, then walked back over to fix my own plate.

Aida was frowning at me. “Do you have to do that with me here?”

“My house, Aida. I can do what I want in it. You don’t like it, you can eat at Momma’s.” I was tired of her snarky attitude. She was never like this. I didn’t know what had gotten into her.

“That’s rude,” she said, sounding hurt.

“When I want to kiss Reese, I will. Get over it.”

I didn’t wait for her to say more but grabbed several pieces of fried chicken and a biscuit before walking back to the table.

Reese was sitting there, staring down at her plate with her hands in her lap, looking a little lost. “You’re not eating,” I said.

She lifted her gaze to meet mine. “I was waiting for the both of you to join me.”

Aida sat down on the other side of me. “So are we still going to the cattle auction tomorrow? I’ve been looking forward to that all week.”

I kept my gaze on Reese. “Doubt it. I don’t expect Reese will want to get up that early.”

“Reese doesn’t have to go,” Aida replied.

She was really starting to piss me off. “She just got home. I’m not going anywhere without her.”

I felt Reese’s soft hand touch my arm. “If you need to go to the cattle auction, I can get up early. Don’t let me be the reason you don’t do things you need to do.”

She was trying hard to fix things. I didn’t want her thinking she had to do that. This was her home. She belonged here.

“My need to have you all to myself is what’s keeping me from doing things. I don’t intend to do shit tomorrow. I want you alone in this house with me.”

Reese blushed, and a smile tugged at her lips before she lowered her gaze back to the plate in front of her.

“Does that mean you aren’t going to the Stouts’ for the barbecue tomorrow night? They’re expecting you.”

The Stouts owned one of the two biggest ranches in a fifty-mile radius; my family owned the other. I’d grown up with their son, Hawkins. We weren’t close friends, but we both knew we’d be taking over our fathers’ positions one day.

I glanced at Reese. “You up for a Texas barbecue?”

She nodded. “That sounds fun.”

Having Reese on my arm and introducing her to the people in town made going to the barbecue feel more bearable.

“Guess I lost my date. Who will I dance with now?” Aida asked with a pout.