Back To Country (Country Love #4) Read online

  “We haven’t really gone out yet.” I move a couple of the flowers around, spreading out the beautiful colors more evenly. “At this rate, I’m not sure if we’ll ever go out,” I mumble in a whisper.

  “What? You haven’t gone out yet and he’s sendin’ you this amazin’ bouquet?” Slyly, I look over at her and back at the flowers. If she only knew how hard it’s been for us to get together, how long we’ve been secretly looking at each other and wanting to go out. No help here. Manuel’s accident. So many things always getting in our way. It’s like the universe is against us. I let out a sigh. “Go out!” she screams, still smiling, and I jump. Walking over, she places her hand on my arm. “I mean it, Tina. Go out with him. I’m here. I can close up.” Maybe we could? I dunno. She hasn’t been here long. I’m nervous about leaving her alone, having to lock up and have everything ready for the next morning. Maybe I could prepare things for the next day ahead of time? What if she gets swarmed and is by herself? I feel her squeeze my arm and look into her eyes. They’re soft, caring. “Go. Go out tomorrow night when Pam is here. Between the two of us, we can close and get ready for the next day.” She squeezes my arm, again. “We can handle it for one night, Tina.” Her smile is bright. She really is beautiful.

  “You all would really do that? It wouldn’t bother you?”

  Still smiling, she walks around me and picks up the spray cleaner and cloth and begins cleaning the display counter. “Nah. If somethin’ comes up, it’s not like we can’t call you. But I’d try not to. I think we’ll be just fine for one night. Really!” She’s too sweet. Oh, my God! I’ll actually be able to go out with Nash! Cue nerves. Wait! “Oh, no! You’re one of those over thinkers, aren’t you? What’s wrong?” she asks in concern.

  I look at her and frown. “His friend had an accident. He won’t be able to leave him alone. There’s still no way we can go out yet.”

  Setting down the spray and cloth on the glass, she walks over and puts her arm around my shoulders, smiling even bigger. “Then you’ll just whip up an amazin’ dinner and take it over to his house.” Oh. Oh! What a great idea!

  “He does love my cooking,” I murmur.

  “He’ll love a home-cooked meal. I don’t know any bachelor who can cook worth a damn. You are an amazin’ cook and you can score more points makin’ enough for his friend too.” She gives me a wink. I normally cook enough for a small army, which would pretty much feed all the guys who work on his ranch.

  After that we talk all things “taking dinner to Nash”. Our plan is set in motion!

  The next day is long. No word from Nash but I’m on cloud nine thinking about taking dinner over to him in a few hours. I’m a wreck! The anticipation is overwhelming. Misty and Pam have been working the shop while I prepare not only dinner in the back room but getting the dough and everything ready for tomorrow so they don’t have as much to do after closing tonight. Misty told me I didn’t need to, but it’s the least I can do. They’re both excited for me to go over to Nash’s, and I’m a nervous fumbling idiot. I had to scratch two batches of dough, not paying attention and putting in too much salt and not enough flour. Both times!

  “Girl! Go upstairs and change. Your dinner smells amazin’! We can handle everythin’. Go get dressed!” I look up from the preparing table when Misty walks in to the back room. “Lord, howdy! You’re a mess!” I look around at all the flour covering the table, on my hands, up my arms, and I can only imagine how much is on my face and in my hair. “Mercy me! Get upstairs and take your shower.” She laughs.

  I do as she says, the entire time my hands are shaking and my heart is about to take off in flight. So, I do the only thing I can do.

  “I’m a wreck,” I say into my phone.

  “Aw, sweetie. You’ll be fine. Just be yourself and let everything else happen naturally.” Sadie’s voice is a little comforting. Although it’s hard to hear her over the wailing of one of the babies.

  “Who’s upset there? Do I need to come over?”

  Loud shuffling comes through the phone and more baby wailing. “Oh, it’s Jared. He’s not happy today. All he wants to do is be carried around. Memphis is dealing with Evie while I cart Jared all over the house.” I smile thinking about her babies.

  “Maybe I should just come over. I can take care of Jared.” I’d love to hold him and walk him around the house. I should stop by on my way to Nash’s. No. The food will get cold even though I’m taking the hot meals over in Pyrex with a warmer in their carrying cases. I could put them in her oven to keep warm! Yes!

  “No.” My brows lower. Did I say all that out loud? “I know what you’re thinking.” She’s always been able to read my thoughts. She knows me too well. “Jared will be fine. He’s just being fussy as lots of babies do. You go and have a great time, Bestie. Go. Be with the person you’re supposed to be with.” Am I? So far it feels as if the universe doesn’t think so. “Trust me. Nash is a good man and you two are supposed to be together.”

  “Thanks, Bestie.”

  I hang up feeling a bit better but as I drive to his house, I’m still a nervous wreck. The drive is so much longer, going past Shiloh and Colby’s house, then past Sadie and Memphis’, and my stomach is tied up in knots. By the time I get to Prie and Trevor’s house, I feel like I might be sick and have a death grip on the steering wheel. Then I start wondering if Prie ever told Trevor about the baby so by the time I’m pulling into the drive of Nash’s ranch, I almost forgot where I was going. ADHD much? Not really, but my mind does seem to wander sometimes.

  His drive seems to go on forever. I’m okay with that since my heart is now lodged in my throat. I’m never gonna be able to utter a single word. As the tree lined drive opens up, his huge house appears. Oh, my God! It’s beautiful, if you like a mansion/plantation kind of thing. I’d seen it from afar but being in front of it is almost intimidating. Stopping the car in front of the house, I can’t move. I’m frozen. My hands won’t let go of the death grip they have on the wheel. I’m scared. I’m nervous. I’m going to be a bumbling twit. There’s tapping on my window, and I jump. It’s a – cowboy. Not strange for these parts but why is he tapping on my window? Slowly, I release the wheel with my left hand and push the button to lower the window.

  “Uh – Miss? Are you lost?” I tilt my head at him. He’s really nice looking. Looks to be a bit tall. Nice hat. “Ya all right there?” I must look like a scared deer caught in headlights.

  “Oh! Um. Sorry. I’m here to see Nash. Is he home?” Oh, my God! What if he isn’t home? What if he needed to go into town and I’m here. That would just be like every time we’ve tried to get together. The universe hates me!

  He smiles, and I gotta say it’s a great smile. Really lights up his gorgeous face. And is he gorgeous? “Ah! I see. Well you must be Tina?” What? Nash has said something about me? Oh, my God! I nod, not sure what to say. I mean, what do you say to that? “He’ll be happy to see you.” Without another word, he opens my door. Chivalry is not dead! Although, I’m finding out more and more that cowboys just seem to be that way naturally. Sigh. He holds his hand out to me, and I place mine in his. Wow! Once I’ve stepped out onto the paved driveway, I turn and look into my back seat.

  “I – um, brought dinner?” I look up at him. Yes, up. And give him a small smile. Why am I stuttering already and why in the hell did I say that like a question? Shit, I’m already screwed.

  He chuckles and opens the back door of my car. “That’s mighty nice of ya. Lord knows we could use a good home-cooked meal.” We? He starts taking out the dishes in their Pyrex carriers, stacking them on top of each other. Well, I did make enough for a small army. Bad habit when I cook. “Now, Nash. He can grill up some decent grub but other than that, Manuel did most of the cookin’. Of course....” He turns around with arms full of Pyrex. “Well, you know that he’s laid up for a spell.” I nod shakily. Since when did my dinner for two turn in
to a dinner for....? I don’t even know how many!

  “Well, uh – thanks.” I guess?

  He turns and I start following him up the porch steps. “I mean. It’s not like we’re starvin’ or anythin’. I can make omelets and Sam can make toast and bacon. Luis – well, he can make a salad.” Oh, my God! I’m walking into a bachelor’s pad! These guys don’t know how to cook!

  I move around him quickly, opening the door for him. He walks inside and I hesitate. Now’s the time to “woman up” or head back to the coffee shop defeated. Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and walk inside, closing the door behind me. “What am I walking into?” I whisper, watching him walk away. “Should I follow or do I run?” My thoughts start ping-ponging around in my head.

  “Tina?”

  My eyes snap up at the winding staircase to my right. Nash. Good Lord, he’s shirtless! Walking down the steps, shirt in hand, a look of surprise on his face, his green eyes glaring into mine. His jeans ride low on his slim waist. He’s barefoot. Oh, good God! Even his feet are sexy! He’s the epitome of sex. I lick my lips at the sight of his taut nipples, the build of his broad chest, his very large shoulders, and the sculpture of his abs. Being a redhead, his skin is very fair, making the definitions over his ribs and abs stand out even more. He’s like – a Greek cowboy. What in the hell does he see in me? He could have anyone on the planet. Why me?

  “Tina,” he says with a smile as he takes the last step and walks toward me, putting his muscular arms through the sleeves of his shirt. Oh, don’t feel you have to put that on because of me. “What a nice surprise.” He walks over until he’s standing in front of me, pulling his shirt down, in my personal space. He makes me nervous in my space. I can already feel the heat of the blush working its way across my cheeks. “And what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?” What a smooth talker! Don’t blow this when you open your mouth, Tina! Be calm. Pretend you’re one of those girls who can handle being around a sexy ass cowboy. Pretend! You can do this! “Just be yourself.” Sadie’s voice rings in my ears. Yeah, I shouldn’t do that.

  I smile and take a deep breath, pushing back my internal dialog. “I just thought you would like a home-cooked meal.” There! That wasn’t so bad. I’m kinda proud of myself. His eyebrow raises. “I mean – not that you can’t cook. Uh, I’m sure you all eat just fine here.” Oh, my God! Stop talking!

  He chuckles as he places his hand on my arm. His touch is electrifying, sending bits of magnetic charges through my shoulder and arm, down to my fingertips. I let out a small gasp as I look up and into his widened eyes but purse my lips quickly. That was weird yet amazing at the same time. He smiles and my panties are soaked. “That’s mighty kind of you. Some of us cook, but it’s nothin’ as amazin’ as your cookin’.” Now, my blush is spreading across my chest. “I’m honored you brought us some of your delectable food.” The color of his green eyes seem to darken. I pull down on the hem of my shirt. Is it getting warm in here?

  “Hey, Nash!” Both of us turn our heads toward a doorway to our left at the voice of the nice cowboy who carried everything in for me. “Table’s set. Smells mighty good in here.” He smiles.

  Nash turns his head back at me. “Well. I’m sure you didn’t bring enough food for this bunch.”

  I smile back. “Actually, I have this habit of cooking enough for a small army. There’s plenty.” WHAT? What am I saying! No! I brought this to be alone with Nash. I shouldn’t have cooked so much food.

  “Oh, well....” He tilts his head, a look of disappointment shadows his gorgeous face but a softness replaces it quickly.

  I nervously fiddle with my fingers wrapped together in front of me. “It does make good leftovers too.” Shit! I don’t think I’m helping.

  “C’mon, ya’ll, before it all gets cold. The guys are already here.” Double shit! “Luis is fixin’ up a plate to take up to Manuel,” the nice cowboy says and then he winks. The look on Nash’s face just turned into more disappointment but then changed quickly as he smiles. “I even brought out some beers.” My eyes move from Nash’s to the cowboy in the doorway. “Unless you’d rather have wine? I can open up a bottle.” He gives me a wink. His eyes move to Nash and then he stands up straighter, wiping the smile right off his face. I look at Nash and see a very quick glance of him scowling at the guy. Hmmm, jealousy? Nah!

  “Yes. Would you care for a glass of wine?” Nash asks sweetly.

  I look at him and smile. “Actually, I’d love a beer.” His smile grows. He puts an arm around me, his hand laying on my lower back as he guides me toward the now empty doorway the cowboy was standing in.

  “A woman after my own heart.”

  He leads me into the kitchen, full of talking and clatter. I stop when I see six cowboys sitting at a large table, piling food on their plates. “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry,” Nash says as he walks to the refrigerator. A French door refrigerator, at least 35.7 cubic feet, stainless steel, with the freezer on the bottom! It’s over three thousand dollars! Not that I would know that. And oh, my Lord! A KitchenAid 30 inch double wall oven that has to be over twenty-five thousand dollars. “Are you okay, Tina?” Is that a Kenmore gas stove? I tilt my head in confusion. It’s so old and out of place with the other amazing appliances. “Let me get you that beer.” I watch Nash walk around a huge breakfast bar and notice the granite counters match the ones all around the appliances adjacent to it. I look back at the oven. Seriously sticks out like a sore thumb. “I’m sorry the guys are here. I can ask them to leave if you’d like.” My eyes focus back onto Nash’s. Everything looks new here down to the beautiful large oak table and chairs. Well, except for the stove. So weird.

  “No. Um – that’s okay. The more the merrier.” Shit! I sound like a slut.

  “Here.” He takes my free hand and leads me over to the table. “Guys!” They all stop, some with plates being held up and spoons full of food. They turn their heads and now I feel like I’m in the spotlight, a place I’d rather not be. “This is Tina. I know some of ya’ll have seen her in town at the coffee shop. She’s part owner. Tina – this is Bart, Sam, Jim, Mark, and Luis. That there is Roy. Just hired him the other day from over in Pilates.” The guy Roy raises his cowboy hat in greeting before taking it off and setting it on the floor next to him, smiling with very white straight teeth. I haven’t seen him before. Gotta say he’s very nice looking. What do they feed those cowboys over in Pilates?

  “Nice to meet ya.” The guy who helped me smiles.

  “Howdy,” Roy says, still smiling.

  “Thanks for the decent meal.” One of them smiles.

  “Please to meet ya,” another one says.

  They all talk at once so I just smile at each of them. It might take a bit to put names with their faces. Well, except for Roy. By the way they’re acting, you’d think there’s never been a girl here before.

  “I’m takin’ a plate up to Manuel,” the guy Luis, I think, says and starts piling food on a plate.

  “Allow me.” Nash pulls out a chair, and I sit down, glad that I didn’t trip over anything getting here. He sits down beside me and all the talking and clanking starts up again. Before I can move or speak, Nash moves closer and leans into me, the smell of musk, of freshly clean and him overpowers me. I feel his hand on my thigh and look into his eyes. “I’m sorry ‘bout this.” He smiles that smile and my soaked panties just disintegrated. “If I’d known you were comin’ out, I’d told them to eat at their house out back tonight.” He squeezes my thigh. Oh, my God! I’m never gonna make it through dinner!

  “Uh....” I clear my throat, trying to push the lump down. “It’s okay.” I smile, but I’m so out of my comfort zone. Actually, my comfort zone would be at home, in my PJs, eating some Ben & Jerry’s while watching a romance movie.

  He moves in closer until I can feel his warm breath against my ear. “I’ll make
sure as soon as they’re done eatin’, they scram outta here.” I swallow hard and only nod, unable to speak without sounding like Minnie Mouse or possibly Kermit the Frog as that lump still seems to be lodged in my throat. He winks as he sits back up and then everyone passes the food around like they haven’t eaten in years. I can’t help but smile at all the sounds they make as they eat. It warms my heart.

  Chapter Seven

  Nash

  A helluva surprise to find Tina standin’ just inside my front door. Gotta say, she looked so out of place. Like a scared animal. Damn adorable. That’s what I like about her. She’s not pretentious. Genuine. She’s a bit shy but it only makes me work harder for her attention. Makes me want to take her in my arms and keep her safe. Guess that’s not all I’d like to do with her. Not havin’ sex in so long is makin’ “takin’ things slow” more than a little rough. I don’t want to scare her away by comin’ on too strong. But I gotta tell ya, I’m a man that’s about to come undone. It can’t be healthy to go this long without some release. Can it?

  “Great spread, Miss Tina. Thank ya,” Bart says.

  One by one, the guys start takin’ their plates over to the sink, all noddin’ at Tina. Bart smiles at Tina and a little twang of jealousy sparks inside me. Bart’s a pretty handsome fella. Tina smiles back, and I see a light blush on her cheeks. The guys head out the back door as I start loadin’ up my hands with silverware and glasses. I start washin’ them while Tina begins pickin’ up her dishes that hold very little food left on them.

  “If you have some containers, I’ll put the leftovers in them for you all to eat later.” She walks over and sets them on the breakfast bar then goes back to the table for more.