Between Hope & the Highway (25 page)

Chapter 40

Liz

Climbing into bed, I snuggled under the dreamy duvet and closed my eyes. Sleep wouldn’t come, despite how hammered I felt. Rawson kept hiccupping in my mind, making me wonder if he was Satan incarnate. Only someone as charming as he was could have persuaded Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit…and probably giggle as she did so. Stupid man. I wanted to be angry at him still for being a jerk to Mackay, but he’d sounded so contrite yesterday when he apologized that I’d been helpless to hold onto my grudge.

As I turned onto my side, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Snatching it up, I stared at a text from the very stupid man I’d been thinking about. Why was he contacting me so late?

Rawson
: Did I call it or what?

I frowned and typed a reply.
What are you jawing about?

Rawson:
I heard it from the horse’s mouth that Rocky Road asked you to the movies.

I grimaced. How had he found out already? Chance had only asked me tonight. My fingers moved over my phone’s screen.
It was hard not to laugh when he asked me. All I could picture was you doing your impression of him. You were almost dead-on.

Rawson:
Almost? I pegged that kid perfectly.

I smiled.
Your voice is deeper.

Rawson:
I predict snap, crackle, pop.

Me
: You’ll be wrong.

Rawson:
Will you pull a Stockholm if he tries to kiss you?

I rolled my eyes at his moronic question.
He won’t. You’re the only one dumb enough to pull that stunt.

My phone vibrated in my hand and Rawson’s handsome face filled the screen.

“Hello?”

“You really are clueless, girl.” He jumped right into teasing. “I’m definitely not the only one dumb enough to kiss you. And by the way, I was pretending to be Chance then, so Chance was the idiot, not me. He likes you. That’s why he’s taking you to the movies to see if there’s snap, crackle, and pop.”

“I swear you have a cereal fetish.”

When he laughed, I hugged the phone to my ear.

“And don’t forget ice cream,” he said.

“How could I, Bubble Gum?”

“Keep being cheeky and I’ll change your flavor to Tutti Fruity.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Don’t ever issue me a challenge, Tutti.”

I groaned. “Boo. That’s a terrible name.”

“I kind of like it.”

“You would. I told you before, I’m pure vanilla.”

His voice lowered into a melt-me-mindless bass. “You’re pure all right, Tutti.”

“I’m outlawing that name. It sounds too much like booty.”

Laughter erupted on his end of the line. “Then send the Sheriff after me, because I’m breaking the law, Tutti Booty.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Yes, I am. So tell me how Rocky Road asked you. I thought he’d never work up his nerve, and I wondered if you’d give him a chance when he did.”

“Well, his name is Chance…so I kind of had to give him one. It didn’t help that he gave me his puppy dog eyes.”

Rawson chuckled. “That boy knows how to get the ladies.”

“Gahhhh! You’re trying to set me up with a player?”

“Not at all. Chance is a good old American boy. He respects women, but also knows how to charm ’em.”

“I’m not looking to be charmed.”

“He definitely has his work cut out for him.”

“Thanks.” I let sarcasm ooze out.

“Will you dazzle him with a hot fudge sundae make out session at the end of the date?”

“Absolutely not! What kind of question’s that? And it’s not a date. We’re just going out as friends.”

“Oh, come on, Lizzie. He doesn’t want to be friends. At least give him a vanilla peck on the cheek.”

“Fine. Maybe I’ll give him one of those.”

“That’s my girl.”

“I think it’s time to hang up and go to bed.”

“Ummm-umm,” Rawson hummed. “I love when you talk dirty to me, baby.”

My skin scorched like an iron resting on silk. “You’re terrible,” I said breathlessly. “Goodnight.”

His laughter echoed in my ears and warmed me long after I hung up on the infuriating man.

Chapter 41

Rawson

Silly texts had flown back and forth between Lizzie and me for the last week. Bantering with her over the bandwidth while I pulled all-nighters with my friend had been the only light in my otherwise miserable existence.

As I rounded the corner and noticed Chance talking to her, I pulled back into the shadows to spy on the lovebirds.

“You were incredible with Sidekick today. I’ve never seen anyone so in tune with horses…not even Rawson.” Chance dropped a hand to her shoulder.

I stifled laughter as Liz dodged his arm and filled her hands with bridles and ropes.

“I wouldn’t say that. Rawson’s better with Sidekick.”

My lips twisted into a smirk. I hated Sidekick after he’d almost pummeled me to death, and she knew it.

Chance grabbed the rest of the gear and followed her into the tack room. I couldn’t hear what went on, but seconds later, Liz came flying out of there looking more flustered than a hen escaping a meat grinder. When she saw me, she sighed.

“Rawson, you’re here.”

Chance walked out of the tack room and clapped a possessive hand on her shoulder, making her flinch. “Hey, Rawson. What’s up?”

Seeing Liz looking so uncomfortable, I threw her a bone. “Abe was looking for you. He needs help fixing fence out by the old homestead.”

“Really?”

“That’s what I heard. You’d best drive out and see.”

Chance turned to her. “I gotta run, but will you go out with me this weekend?”

“Chance?” I chided.

He faced me.

“Romance on your own time. There’s fence that needs mending.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get right on that. Call you later, Liz.”

After he disappeared, I raised a brow. “That evens the score between us.”

“Thank you.”

“You didn’t seem to be enjoying your scoop of Rocky Road.”

She shook her head. “He’s mushy.”

“Like oatmeal?”

“Like soggy Corn Flakes.” She cleared her throat and deepened her voice. “
You were incredible with Sidekick. I’ve never seen anyone so in tune with a horse…not even Rawson Law.
Then ten minutes later,
Wow! You were incredible with Blue Boy. I’ve never seen him so docile. You’re better than even Rawson with the horses.
It’s quite annoying.”

“I’ll say. No one’s better than me.”

She laughed. “If he wasn’t so handsy with me, I’d swear he had a man-crush on you.”

“What can I say? He has good taste. Why are you being so cold and prickly?”

Lizzie wrinkled her nose. “He’s coming on a bit strong. Thinks he has to help me out when you’re not around.” She elbowed me. “So stop leaving me underhanded, will ya?”

“Sorry. I’m burning the candle at both ends. It won’t be for much longer though.” At least I hoped not. Damon had to pull himself together soon.

She frowned, but didn’t push me. That was one thing I appreciated about her. Liz acted pretty chill.

“Are you feeling any snap, crackle, or pop?”

“I think I like Mackay more than Chance.”

“Surely you jest, woman. You’ve only gone out with him once. Give it more time.”

“Chance is a nice guy, but he’s immature. Kind of like you.” She smiled.

“Watch your mouth or I’ll surprise you with a package of horse dumplings under your pillow.”

“I love the smell of manure.”

My gaze dropped to her lips. They were tender and pink from her biting them. I gulped. “I’m sure Chance will make you snap, crackle, and pop.”

“I’m not really a Rice Krispies fan.”

The breeze carried her scent. “Are you wearing that vanilla lotion?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“What? I like it.”

“Ha.
You
like vanilla?”

“I like vanilla on you…but didn’t like Vanilla with you. Capiche?”

She did one of her girly huffs.

“Are you going to make Rocky Road a happy man and go out with him this weekend?”

She sort of growled. “I wish I hadn’t gone to the movies in the first place. Now he thinks we’re a thing.”

“Did you tell him we don’t use
thing
in the West to describe relationships?
Thing
denotes an inanimate blob of micro matter, or what was it you said to Kelsey that day?”

“Shut up.” She slapped my arm. “If you hadn’t put me on the spot, I wouldn’t have sounded so dumb.”

“You didn’t sound dumb. You sounded brilliant.”

“Liar, liar.”

I started saddling Yoda. “Give Rocky Road another chance, Tutti. If you still feel the same after this weekend, I’ll find another flavor for you to try. I won’t rest until your Fruity Booty is stirred into the perfect complement of creamy goodness.”

A curry brush hit me in the back.

“You’re a dork.”

Chapter 42

Bentley

“Hey, Liz,” I called as I entered the arena.

She glanced up from where she and Chance were bent over Blue Boy’s hooves. “You back from school already?”

“Yep. What do you need me to do?”

“Want to clean saddles?”

“Sure.” I gave Chance a chin tilt.

He threw me one of his toothy grins. “What’s up, Benny?”

“The sky.” I headed to the tack room. Chance bugged me how he always hung around lately.

Hauling a saw horse into the aisle, I began working on Lizzie’s saddle. Unfastening buckles, I removed the fitting before wiping the leather down with a moist towel to remove dust, dirt, mud, and hair.

Chance stood so close to Liz that their shoulders touched. “I think Blue’s ready to graduate up to Seth, don’t you?”

Liz patted Blue Boy’s flank. “Not quite. His contact and connection still need improvement. His response to the reins is too rough.”

I grabbed a damp sponge and worked soap into a lather as Chance closed the distance between them again.

“You’re the boss.”

I grimaced. What a kiss-up.

“You up for a drive after supper? There’s going to be a full moon tonight.”

“What are you? A werewolf?” I muttered.

Chance burst out laughing at my remark.

Lizzie’s lips twitched. “I have a bunch of things to do here tonight, but thanks for asking.”

I scrubbed her saddle, thinking Liz needed to be a little more decisive.

“Well, if you change your mind, text me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Like a warning,” I mumbled.

Chance grinned like I was his best bud or something.

Someone beat the front door like a drum. I glanced up to see Rawson enter. “Heeeeeere’s Johnny.”

I bounced out of my seat and hobbled over to see him, but Chance beat me.

“Hey, Rawson. I didn’t know you were back. How did the auction go?”

“Great.” He raised a brow. “Did I interrupt anything between you two?” His tone and raised eyebrows gave the impression he expected them to be kissing or something.

Lizzie threw him a murderous glare. “Chance was helping me with Blue Boy, but now that you’re back, he can return to his regular duties.” She gave him a sunny smile. “Thanks again.”

“Anytime. So how about driving with me to town tomorrow night? We could get a nice steak dinner and catch a movie.”

“I’m way behind here. I don’t think I can—”

“I can cover for you,” Rawson interjected. “You need a break.”

Chance practically hugged him. “Really, man? You’d do that for us?”

“It’d be my pleasure.”

“No. I can’t leave all the work to you,” Liz protested.

My brother gave her a teasing grin. “I insist. You work too hard and need time to play.” He turned to Chance. “I expect you to wow her, dude.”

She fidgeted. “Chance, can you take Blue Boy to his stall and find my training notebook? I think I left it in my office.”

“Sure thing.” He hurried away to fulfill his damsel’s request.

Rawson tousled my hair. “I swear you grow a couple inches every time I close my eyes.”