Something Blue, page 14
“Well.” Shelby paused, still awkward. “There’s plenty of pie for everyone.”
Aurora returned and cut five perfect slices of pie. She got an extra coffee mug for Shelby, and all of them sat around the coffee table eating and chatting.
Eventually the chat turned to everyone’s injuries from childhood to present, each person trying to outdo the one before.
“Remember when I fell off my bike when I was ten?” Aurora laughed. “Skinned up both knees, both elbows, both hands, and my chin.”
“You just skidded down the road with your whole body.” Cece shook her head. “The boys we were with said you looked like roadkill.”
“So sympathetic.” Shelby giggled.
“Mom thought you were near death because you came back home bleeding everywhere,” Beth added. “We were all in so much trouble and I wasn’t even with y’all!”
“Eh, nothing was broken.”
Shelby grimaced and rubbed her arm and shoulder.
“I think Sawyer has us all beat,” Cece pointed out. “I was pretty doped up last night but I remember a long list. One included a stick in his leg.”
“A what in your leg?” Shelby looked scandalized.
“He can tell you all about it.”
Shelby looked to him, and he hesitated before he spoke. “I…I was running. Just messing around in the woods like kids do. But Garrett had said he was faster than me or something that goaded me enough not to let it go. So we took off running, not paying a lick of attention to where we were going, Just going as fast as we could. Next thing I know, Bam! Pain shoots up my leg, I fall over, and there’s this dang stick, about yea long”—he held his hands out around two feet apart—“sticking straight up out of my leg.”
All four of them sucked air between their teeth or made a noise of disgust.
“Best I can figure, I’d run into a fallen limb or something, with a smaller branch sticking out just so.”
Beth leaned into him and then away. “Gah! You’re making my leg hurt.”
“I guess I must’ve yelled or something because Garrett came running back. He freaked out, and when I pulled the stick out—”
All four of them made the exact same noise Garrett had made that day, and Sawyer laughed at the memory.
“When I pulled it out, he made that noise just like y’all, then started freaking out, but I told him to help me get home. We finally made it, with me hobbling and him helping me balance. Uncle Joe is pretty good when it comes to injuries, all those years on a ranch and all, and he knows enough to look for splinters.”
“Oh geez, don’t say it,” Aurora interjected.
“So he sees one, gets the tweezers—”
“Oh nooooo.” Beth squeezed his arm.
“And pulls out this splint of wood about three inches long.” He held up his fingers for effect.
“Uuuugh! Gross!” Cece grinned with delight. “Was there pus?”
“Cece!” Beth fussed.
“No, because it hadn’t been in there long at all.” He decided to throw her a bone and mess with Beth at the same time. “But another day or two and I’m sure it would’ve had plenty of pus.”
Cece laughed and clapped at the look on Beth’s face.
“That word.” Beth shook her head and waved her hands in front of her face. “So gross.”
The rest of them all laughed.
“Y’all are gross.” Beth finally laughed too.
“I’m done. I promise.” He put his arm around her and squeezed.
He didn’t have to look around to know three sets of eyes were watching his every move. But he didn’t care. He wanted them all to know of his interest in Beth, and he couldn’t hide it even if he wanted to.
“The pie is delicious,” he told Shelby, being completely earnest.
She smiled as though it were the ultimate compliment.
“Yes.” Beth nodded and patted his leg. “Let’s talk about pies or food or anything else besides…you know.”
“Pus?” Aurora snickered.
“I have a funny story that doesn’t involve injuries,” Shelby announced, and proceeded to share a time, in college, when both she and Beth locked themselves out of their apartment and thought the best solution was an attempted breaking and entering.
Sawyer sat with his pie and listened to them laugh their way through the memory, at times in such hysterics he couldn’t understand a word they were saying. Around him, the sisters and Shelby all laughed, reliving more memories, talking about the times they’d been there for one another, including Shelby.
Rescuing Aurora from a particularly bad date, the time they all went to prank Cece’s crush and almost got caught by a sheriff’s deputy, and the time Shelby confronted Beth’s first boss, who was being a gross jerk. Shelby told the man if he didn’t stop leering at her friend and trying to get her to go out with him, she’d get him fired so fast his head would spin.
Evidently he didn’t listen, because she got him fired and had to deal with his wrath afterwards. Luckily, her position in life helped her deal, and he never bothered either one of them again.
The story was impressive, considering he’d never known a Meyers to do a single unselfish thing, ever.
In all of their stories, he could recognize their actions as something he would do, especially Beth’s and Shelby’s. He and Shelby weren’t exactly polar opposites. He’d admit she did have some endearing qualities, and he could see why she and Beth were such loyal friends.
Beth also wasn’t wrong when she’d labeled him overprotective last night.
Took one to know one, but true nonetheless.
He might have to rethink some of his assumptions about Shelby.
Not all. And he’d have the inside line on the full truth soon enough, but until that time, he may have to give her some benefit of the doubt.
A new take on things for him, for sure, but he could try.
“Do you want any more pie?” Shelby asked him, a timid timbre to her voice.
No doubt a result of his hard-line approach toward her.
She knew he didn’t like her, and he hated seeing that in her eyes.
“That was the best pecan pie I’ve ever had—don’t you dare tell Lina—but I’m stuffed. Thank you for bringing it over.”
The warm smile on Beth’s lips confirmed he was doing the right thing.
He could do this. He could at least soften his opinion on Shelby until he knew she was what he suspicioned.
That was all Uncle Joe had really told him to do too. Give her a chance.
Cece lifted her legs off the ottoman. “I’m going to crutch around outside for a little bit if anyone wants to come.”
A marked improvement from last night.
“I’d love to,” Beth said.
“Me too.” Shelby got to her feet. “It’s so nice out this morning.”
Sawyer stood as well. “I should head home. Busy day and Uncle Joe will be on a holy roll once he’s done with his coffee and breakfast.”
“Thank you again, for last night and everything.” Cece hopped over and gave him a one-armed hug that made his breath catch.
“You’re welcome.”
Beth smiled at him again. “I’ll walk you out.”
She followed him out and they reached his truck before she spoke. “I want to thank you too. You were a huge help and I’m so glad you were here.”
“I’m glad too. I liked meeting your sisters. And Shelby.”
“Really?” She beamed.
“Yes, really.”
She took a step closer to him, reaching out to take his hand in hers. “That makes me very happy.”
He smiled. “Good.” He tugged her closer and kissed her.
The kiss was warm vanilla and cinnamon. Nutty and sweet, made sweeter still by her lips, by her arms wound around his neck. He wanted to hold on and let go sometime after lunch.
But he pulled away, to spare them both the audience that was sure to emerge soon.
He did give her one more quick kiss, and then remembered. “You know your purse is still in my truck and your car is still at my house, right?”
“Shoot!”
“It’s okay. Joe and I will be out and about a lot today. If you want, I could drop it by later?”
“You’d do that?”
“If you don’t mind me driving your car.”
“Of course not. That would be a huge help, actually. We have a crazy day today and I doubt I’ll have time to come get it until tomorrow. But I won’t need it today either, so if it’s any imposition—”
“I said I’ll drop it by. I’ll leave the keys on the tire if y’all are busy.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll call you later,” he said.
“I sure hope so.”
He kissed her gently, one last time, before climbing into his truck and watching until she reached the top of the porch stairs to wave.
Sawyer’s drive home was a blur. It wasn’t until he pulled in that he realized he had no memory of the drive.
Had he stopped at all stop signs? Obeyed traffic lights? Used turn signals?
He had no clue.
All he’d thought about the whole way home was Beth.
Trying to shake off the daydreams and failing, he turned the corner into the kitchen to skittering feet.
With a scowl, he found Lina at the kitchen’s island, and Uncle Joe sitting at the counter.
“Did one of you almost fall?”
“What?” Lina asked, her voice a notch or two louder than necessary.
“I thought I heard one of you shuffling around like you fell.”
“Umm,” Lina drew out the word.
“Me!” Joe exclaimed. “It…it was me. Darn near fell off this stool. But I caught myself.”
Sawyer studied them both. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Great. Why?”
“You’re winded.”
“Boy.” Joe shifted on the stool. “Don’t make me get up offa here and show you winded.”
“Fine, fine.”
“Are you hungry for some breakfast?” Lina changed the subject.
“No, I’m okay, thanks. I’m going to change and head to the stables.”
“Yeah,” Joe piped up. “Where have you been anyway? Let’s hear about that.”
“What’s gotten into you?” he asked his uncle.
“Nothing. You’ve been gone all night, apparently, so what’s up with you is a better question.”
Sawyer waved him off and shared a look with Lina. “I’ll be back down in a bit and I can finish off that coffee, but I’m not hungry. I’m going to leave him here for you to deal with.”
Lina’s laugh was a tad high-pitched.
Sawyer walked away and headed upstairs, shaking his head at both of them.
Chapter 14
She’d managed to change clothes two fewer times than when she’d met him for dinner at Frank’s. It would’ve been exceptional progress if not for the fact that they would be riding horses and she had only three riding outfits.
In the end, she’d settled for her gray riding pants and white top. Only slightly less comfy than the other outfits, but twice as cute. At this point, there was no denying she wanted to look good around Sawyer.
The flash of heat in Sawyer’s eyes when she arrived at Silva Ranch meant she’d made the right decision.
“You ready to go?” His smile curled with appreciation. “You look ready.”
“I’m ready.”
For the most part, anyway.
Shelby’s wedding was her priority, but one afternoon of fun wouldn’t destroy her whole schedule. Right?
Even with a rushed-deadline wedding like Shelby’s, she was on target. Mostly. She’d work extra hours this week to make up the time, finding a printer that would overnight invites. Aurora had a menu almost done for the reception, and Cece had come up with the most beautiful settings and decorations for the ceremony and reception. Everything was right on track, except for a wedding cake.
She’d get it taken care of, though.
“It’s been a few months since I was at Mapleton Stables.” Beth tried to focus on the here and now.
“Don’t worry. We can go easy at first. There’s a trail that leads to the edge of our property. I was thinking we could check it out.”
She nodded, paying more attention to him in his element than the words coming out of his mouth.
Sawyer always had a kind of self-possessed magnetism. Something that probably came naturally, due to confidence and experience. But when he was out on the ranch, talking horses and riding, working with them, taking care of them, he exuded intention, self-assuredness, and strength.
Combined with his riding gear—true Western style of dark cowboy boots and jeans, plaid shirt, and his black hat—it was a heady mix.
Beth was far too practical to be a swooning, tee-heeing type of gal, but with Sawyer she could imagine the possibility.
“Uncle Joe wants me to go check out the new neighbors, too, as if I’ll be able to see anything but a wide swath of their property.”
“Sounds very spy-like. I’m in.”
His laugh rippled across her skin. “I should’ve figured as much. Up for any kind of mission, huh?”
She followed as he started toward the nearest stable. “Absolutely. Are we going to need binoculars? Maybe crawl through some scrub brush to get a better look? I could’ve brought my camera.”
“Remind me never to let you and Uncle Joe hang out too much, ’kay? That’d be major trouble.”
Sawyer led her to the nearest stable and introduced her to Poppy.
“She’s the one I told you about at the shower.”
“I remember. Curious and interested, wasn’t it?”
“Something like that. And this fella over here.” He crossed to the other side of the corridor. “Is my guy, Clyde.”
Clyde lifted his head, welcoming Sawyer’s touch.
“Isn’t he a handsome fella?” Beth cooed.
“He certainly thinks so.”
With Sawyer’s cowboy hat set low, his smile beaming beneath, Beth saw that Clyde wasn’t the only handsome fella. How was she supposed to concentrate on riding with all of that on a horse next to her?
They brought their horses out of the stable and into the yard. Without asking, Sawyer provided a mounting block in case she wanted one. Beth always wanted one, whether she needed it or not. Aurora didn’t tease her for being Safety First Shipley for nothing.
They mounted and Sawyer took the lead to a trailhead beyond the stables marked THE BABBLING BROOK.
“This one is gradual slopes, well marked and smooth. Good for a casual ride.”
He and Clyde went first and, true to his word, they walked at a nice, steady pace while Sawyer pointed out things on the trail like he was a seasoned tour guide.
“Up here on your right we’ll pass a little open field where some wildflowers bloom. We can stop and take a look.”
Sure enough, little yellow blooms dotted an open field, as picturesque as a postcard.
The sun shone bright and a breeze moved across the field, creating a golden wave of color. The horses lifted their faces to the breeze, and Beth did the same, closing her eyes, the sun warming her cheeks.
It was one of those perfect spring days. Still early enough in the season not to be sweltering this early in the day, but warm enough that the breeze was blissful.
“This is my brother’s favorite trail.” Sawyer spoke and she opened her eyes. “I should let him know the flowers are out. He’s so busy nowadays he might miss it if he doesn’t ride down here soon.”
“Sometimes it’s hard to get away.”
“Yeah, but you’ve got to get out, even when you’re busy. Especially when you’re busy. Fresh air and being outside is good for the soul.”
Cynical Sawyer a lover of nature and believer in its healthful properties.
With each new thing she learned about him, she only liked him more.
They rode on for another couple of miles as the forest thickened around them. The trail became more shaded and narrow, the air cooler. Poppy’s hooves softly thudded along the packed dirt, and a calmness spread through Beth’s limbs.
Ahead of her, back straight, shoulders broad, Sawyer rode Clyde with a casual certainty that came only with years and years of day-after-day riding and a horse known to the rider like a best friend.
The man could be blindfolded, his hands zip-tied, and he could probably sit atop Clyde and maneuver any trail with confidence.
She was a decent rider, but nowhere near his level. She might even be a teensy bit jealous if she weren’t enjoying the view so much.
Then she thought about Shelby. If her friend could see him riding right now, poor Shelby would envy Sawyer’s skill and comfort level no end. Most people thought Shelby Meyers had it all, but that was one thing most all of Fredericksburg, and Sawyer in particular, had over on her.
As they reached the end of the Silva property, they came upon an open field, cut shorter, and a copse of trees around a shallow brook that did, indeed, babble.
“Place screams for a picnic, huh?” Sawyer asked.
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
He dismounted and came over to help Beth do the same, his hands warm and firm on her waist as her feet touched the ground. He held her there as she steadied herself.
When she turned around to face him, he tipped his hat back, his brown eyes taking her in as he placed his hands on her waist again. “Your cheeks are flushed from the wind and the sun.”
Beth nodded, words escaping her with him this close.
He leaned in closer. “I like it.”
She could play coy, be patient, and wait until he kissed her the way she wanted. But coy and patient weren’t her thing.
Beth closed the distance between them and kissed him.
She could tell it caught him off guard at first, but he must’ve liked it. His grip on her waist tightened and he pulled her closer, the softest growl deep in his chest.
She clung to his shirt and opened to him, and he deepened their kiss, answering her call for more. They kissed until her heart flew free from her chest, her legs seeming to melt. And dang it if she wasn’t swooning after all.
Sawyer broke away, his breath hot against her cheek. “You make me forget myself.”
