Between Hope & the Highway (26 page)

“I’m 5’10”. Mom had me stand against the wall last night.”

“You’re going to catch up to me before you’re fourteen at the rate you’re growing.” He turned to Liz. “That was pretty slick how you got rid of Rocky Road.”

She pointed her finger at him. “Why did you butt in and ruin everything? Now I’m going to hurt his feelings when I tell him I can’t go.”

Hobbling back to my seat, I picked up a clean towel to remove excess soap residue from the saddle while they argued. Rawson leaned against the stall in a cool pose he’d probably learned modeling. I made note to try it out in front of a mirror.

“You
can
go. I’m making it possible. Now don’t break Rocky Road’s heart.”

She scowled, which just made Rawson laugh. Grabbing her around the waist, he walked a few steps while holding her hostage.

“You’ll thank me when this is all over and you see how well the two of you combine. It’ll be ice cream sundae making time.”

She punched free of his arms. “That’s never going to happen.”

“Not if you keep fighting it so hard,” he muttered as she marched away.

Chapter 43

Rawson

A diluted curse word erupted from Lizzie’s lips—the third since I’d shown up late and started working. Approaching the tack room, I caught her still muttering under her breath and kicking at the hay.

“Freaking-A. Why won’t this work?” She had her head down, working on something I couldn’t see.

“Saying the real words makes you feel better.”

Her head jerked up and she yelped. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“What’s eating at you, Grumpy?”

“Nothing.”

I sank onto a bale of hay and patted the spot next to me. “You’re overdue for a break. Sit down and talk. Something’s gnawing on your britches.”

She slumped down next to me.

“How did your date with Chance go?”

She flicked my leg. “Thanks to you, he thinks we’re a couple and tried to kiss me.”

I chuckled. “
Tried
being the key word.”

“Seriously,” she huffed. “This is all your fault.”

“Don’t blame me. You’re the one who can’t stop being so dam-nang sweet.” I barely caught myself.

She turned a pouty scowl on me. If she knew how adorable I found that expression, she’d never do it again. I looked up at the rafters, something I found myself doing a lot around her lately.

“What do you mean I’m too sweet?”

“You’re a pushover with guys. Mackay was the classic example. You didn’t like him, but still went out with him for months. If Chance doesn’t do it for you, tell him.”

She gave me the evil eye. “I tried, but then you forced me to go to town with him.”

I stuck a piece of hay in my mouth. “No sparks?”

She elbowed my side. “No!”

“You probably need to kiss him to know for certain.”

She folded her arms. “He tried to kiss me in his truck, and all I felt was angry.”

“You pulled a Stockholm on him?”

“It obviously didn’t deter him. He’s still bugging me about going on a drive tonight.”

I grinned. Chance had been slow to take the reins, but he was galloping fast in this relationship now. Lizzie couldn’t keep her foot off the brakes though.

“Why are you so scared to have fun?”

She turned to look at me, and my heart kind of stuttered. Even with her curls all contained in a boring bun, I found her captivating. The graceful tilt of her neck seemed to be made specifically with me in mind. It was the perfect length to bury my head in and get lost in desire.

“I’m not scared. I just don’t feel anything for Chance. It’s like Mackay on repeat.”

I let out a deep breath. “That’s too bad. I know he really likes you.”

“What should I do?”

“You could practice letting him down easy. I’ll pretend to be Chance.” I slicked back my hair and wrapped an arm around her.

Instantly, chemistry sparked and I had to focus on acting. “Hey, baby.” My head leaned into hers almost against my will. “You up for a drive tonight?”

“Uh…Chance…” She could hardly breathe as I began tracing circles into her upper arm. “I really like you.”

I made an annoying buzzer sound. “Stop. That’ll just make him do this.” I brushed my lips across her cheek and felt her flinch. “You have to be more direct or he’ll think you’re into him.” I pulled her legs up over mine, making her eyes widen.

“I don’t think Chance would do that.”

I raised both brows. “Don’t be so sure.”

She breathed so hard I would’ve thought she’d just returned from a five mile run if I hadn’t known better. My gaze dropped to her chest. It was no wonder Chance was acting all randy. I sort of felt the same way.

“That’s enough.” She swung her legs off mine and tried to squirm out of my arms.

“You can’t just strong arm your way out of this. You need to use the right words. Try again.” I gave her a full-teeth Chance-y grin that made her laugh.

“Chance, you’re a great friend and all—”

“Perfect. The word
friend
always kills the mood. Guys hate that word.”

She looked down as I took her free hand and caressed it. “But I don’t feel anything more.”

“You haven’t really tried, darling.” I zeroed in on her neck and laid a couple feather kisses down it.

She abruptly stood, making me teeter before I regained balance.

“Okay. We’re done. Chance won’t be nearly that hard.”

I followed her to the stables where she began working as if Dad stood nearby grading her.

“No, he definitely won’t be. You just have to be firm, even when he gives you those puppy dog eyes you fall for so easily.”

She scowled. “Go away.”

“Not until I help you find a man who makes you snap, crackle, and pop.”

“I don’t need your help.”

“Describe your perfect man.”

She slipped the bridle onto Blue Boy. “What are you? A dating site?”

“Hmm? That’s not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll call my site
Lucky in Love: Ice Cream and Cereal Specialist.”

She shook her head. “You’re a nut.”

“Then why did you make me bubble gum flavor? You should think up a nutty ice cream for me.”

She placed a finger on her chin, and then smiled. “Pistachio. That’s nutty, and green reminds me of the Kermit the Frog shirt you wore to church that one Sunday.”

“Now you’re talking. I am totally Pistachio. You can call me Stash for short.”

“How about Kermie?”

I winked. “Back on topic. Perfect man.”

“Maybe Captain America?”

“Qualities, Lizzie. Not superheroes.”

She pursed her lips. “Well, he’d have to be a man of faith.”

“Why? Vanilla was that and he did nothing for you.”

“Hey, it’s my perfect man. Stop leading the witness.”

“Bleck. All right. Go ahead.”

“Spiritual, sweet.”

“Sounds like the Pope’s puppy.”

“A puppy might be better than a man. Can I describe the perfect puppy instead?”

“No.”

She tilted her head as Blue Boy nuzzled her ear. “I think you have a thing for the Pope. You always use him in your similes.”

I snapped my fingers to make her focus. “Perfect man.”

She sighed. “He’d be strong and tall. At least six feet.”

“Now you’re talking. What else?”

“He’d like horses, but he wouldn’t be a crass cowboy who think he’s God’s gift to women and walks all bow-legged and swears all the time.”

“Hey, I resemble that.”

One of her deep barking laughs escaped, making me grin.

“You aren’t bow-legged, and you’ve stopped swearing as much.”

“Only around you, darling.” I stared up at the rafters. “Okay, let me see if I have your perfect man so far: churchy, over six feet tall, muscles, likes puppies and horses, and doesn’t walk bow-legged or spit or curse.”

“I think you just described Captain America.”

“Iron Man’s better.”

“Ew. I’d never marry a man like him.”

“Why? He’s rich, smart, smooth, and charming.”

“Notice I didn’t put any of those on my list. I will put honest and trustworthy though. Iron Man’s a womanizer.”

I nodded, thinking she had a point as my cheating ex flitted through my mind.

“What about you? Describe your dream girl.”

I grabbed a saddle and brought it over to her. “That’s easy. She’d be beautiful, but not high-maintenance. I’ve been there, done that; sucked my soul right out of me. She’d be easy to talk to and make me laugh. Her chest would be perky.” When Liz huffed, I chuckled. “She’d love horses and not be afraid to get her hands dirty. She wouldn’t nag me about my
Star Wars
obsession and she’d bake me cinnamon rolls at least once a week. She’d be passionate and want to make love every day, and she wouldn’t have wandering eyes. She’d think I was God’s greatest gift to her. Oh, and she’d be at least 5’5”, because I don’t want to throw out my back when I lean down to kiss her, and believe me, I’d be kissing her a lot.”

“Hmmm. Sounds like that Kelsey woman from Kentucky.”

I groaned. “It’s the exact opposite of that woman. Save me Obi-Wan-KeTutti. You’re my only hope.”

She giggled.

“If you bring up that blond nightmare again, don’t be surprised if you receive a stinky gift from me. She still haunts my nightmares.”

“Oh, poor Kermie. Life is hard with so many gorgeous women throwing themselves at you.”

“It’s Stash. And yes, it is excruciating, so show some respect. Maybe send me a picture of you to laugh at tonight, and I won’t surprise you with a stink bomb.” I yawned. A week of no sleep was catching up to me.

“Deal, my dear Kermie,” she said in a pretty good Miss Piggy voice.

“You’re hilarious.”

“I am, aren’t I?” She shooed me away. “Now get to work.”

As she led Blue Boy away, I admired her long legs and how her hips swayed as she walked. The girl was sexy and utterly adorable, and she had no idea.

When I crawled into bed that night, I heard my phone chime. Grabbing it from the dresser, I burst out laughing as I studied a picture and text from Lizzie. In the photo, she’d pushed her nose up like a pig and had her hair all loose and curling around her face.

Tutti:
Miss Piggy Beauty tip #1. Never braid your eyelashes.

Though the picture was silly, I felt my pulse increase as I stared at her mass of blond curls all wild and free. The girl was breathtaking when she let loose. I recalled the description of my perfect woman—beautiful, but not high maintenance; funny; perky chest; horse lover; unafraid of hard work; easy to talk to; passionate and true. Lizzie checked out on every single item, even her 5’7” height.

“I am such an idiot,” I muttered as I gazed at her Miss Piggy selfie once more.

My dream girl had been staring me in the face for three months, and what had I done but try to pass her off onto another guy. Suddenly I was grateful she hadn’t clicked with Chance. I didn’t want her to click with him or any one else because we already did.

Searching for Kermit the Frog quotes on Google, I typed madly.
It’s not easy being green. Sweet dreams. I think you might be the perfect girl for me.

Tutti:
Hi-ya! I just busted you in the chops for speaking to MOI like that. Now go find a lily pad.

Me
: Time’s fun when you’re having flies. Ribbet.

Tutti:
Groan

I hated to end our battle of wits, but she had to be up in less than five hours to muck stalls. Kissing her adorable Miss Piggy face on my screen, I flipped off my lamp and sent her a smiley face emoticon to close out this round.

“Until tomorrow, my lady,” I whispered. Now that I’d pulled my head out of the sand, she would discover what snap, crackle, and pop was all about. I couldn’t wait.

PART THREE

Nourishing Hope