Love Begins with Fate (13 page)

“Wow…” Kelsey beamed. A large hammock occupied the far side. “I didn’t notice that before.”

“Well it’s the best spot in the house.” He smirked. “Come on.”

Parker pulled Kelsey with him. When he came to the hammock he wrapped the blanket around them both and pulled Kelsey with himself up onto the contraption. Kelsey stiffened. Her body was pressed so close to this man right now that she couldn’t think.

“Uh, I don’t…” Kelsey muttered.

“Take it easy. I’ll keep you warm while we talk.” He grinned.

Kelsey nodded.

“Now are you going to tell me why you wouldn’t tell me that you were my mystery girl? I’m not that horrible…” Parker pouted.

“Are you going to tell me what happened to your face…
?” She countered, gently poking at the skin just below Parker’s black eye.

Parker
sighed. “When your brother found out… he charged me. He threw the first punch. I didn’t.”

“Sorry.” Kelsey frowned.

“So… answer my question?” He asked softly.

Kelsey felt the way his hands were holding her body close to his and looked up into his blue orbs as she spoke “I can’t have a boyfriend right now…”

“And why is that?” He began.

“
I just can’t…” She dragged.

Parker sighed and changed the subject. He began to ask her questions that anyone would want to know about the person they
liked; what was her favorite food, color, day of the week even.

Kelsey liked him. He was sweet and had a gentle touch. She allowed him to pull her close and when Parker had turned his head to face her once again she pecked his cheek. Quickly taking advantage of the moment Parker turned his cheek and captured her lips in his.

Their lips moved together in sync and harmony. Kelsey’s hand slowly moved up and under his shirt across his bare chest. Parker gently cupped Kelsey’s breast moving his thumb across her pebbled bra and shirt clad nipple. Kelsey gasped which allowed him better access to her mouth.

So in the moment Kelsey allowed Parker to pull her onto his lap as they kissed. They enjoyed what seemed like forever kissing and fondling each other.

Pulling away breathlessly Kelsey curled herself into Parker’s side. When Kelsey’s eyes started to slip shut, it was late and Parker refused to let her stray too far from his side as he too drifted off on the hammock.

Hours had passed and both had dozed off peacefully in each other’s arms when
the buzz of Kelsey’s cell phone startled them awake.

Kelsey’s brows furrowed and she
yawned as she yanked the phone out of her pocket. “I got take this.” She half smiled.

PJ
nodded and leaned back on the hammock watching her. He wasn’t going to rush it and be a jerk but he was definitely going to listen.

“Hey mom,
” Kelsey spoke.

“I know it’s late there sweetie, but…” Kelsey’s mother rattled quickly into the phone.
Parker could hear the distant muttering of a woman’s voice but he couldn’t understand what she was saying.

“Oh
it’s not that late and I am not really busy…” Kelsey stated with another yawn as she looked over at Parker apologetically.

“I have some bad news.” Her mother said in a shaky voice.

“What?” Kelsey replied. Parker hearing Kelsey’s anxious voice sat up and looked over at her curiously. “What happened?”

“Well, we had an incident with Julio and I had to fire him and you know how Sweetie is almost due with the foal.” Her mother replied.

“You what!” Kelsey screamed into the phone. “How could you fire Julio? He’s been caring for my horses for two years!”

“Honey
, please calm down. I called because I know you are very particular about who cares for the horses, so I need you to come back for interviews.” Her mother breathed.

“I sure am. I’ll be on the first flight
out; I’ll see you as soon as I can.” Kelsey said quickly hanging up the phone.

She turned toward
Parker; he was staring at her with a face full of confusion and concern. “Is everything alright?”

“No.” Kelsey frowned. “I’ve got to go.”

“I’ll drive you.” Parker said.

“Uh…
no.” Kelsey jumped up and darted to the door. She paused turned to look back at Parker then ran back to him pecking Parker on the lips before rushing out.

Ryder had disappeared into his room, Kelsey sighed. She knew she needed her brother or her friend at least to
drive her. She lifted her hand to knock.

Cha
pter 19

Ryder had apologized as he drove Kelsey back home.
They really never stayed mad at each other, even as kids. Hannah had chosen to stay behind and wait for Ryder to return. Though it was late, Hannah figured PJ could need someone to talk to. “PJ?” she said from the doorway.

“Come in.” He replied sadly. He
had his dream girl within his grasp for only moments and then she ran again. He was slightly heartbroken.

“How are you?” Hannah asked as she closed the door behind her.
PJ looked up at her then turned his head not really sure of what to say. “Look, if you want to get to Kelsey, you’re going to need my help, so you should start talking.” Hannah admitted.

“You would help me?”
PJ questioned.

“Yes and no.” Hannah said with a slight grin.

“Oh so you want something in return?” PJ asked stepping closer to Hannah.

Hannah laughed and slapped at
PJ’s chest. “No you big oaf. I’ll help you but only if you’re interested in the long term and only if Kelsey’s interested.”

That made
PJ think; is he interested in the long term with any girl? He had only once had a girlfriend and she broke his heart. That was really the ultimate reason why he had turned to the one night stand no strings attached relationships in the first place.

“I guess you’re not sure about that?” Hannah frowned and reached for the door handle.

“Wait.” PJ said “What if…” he paused.

Hannah grinned. She could tell
PJ was thinking, really thinking this through. “What if she breaks your heart?” Hannah asked.

PJ
’s response was a simple head nod. “Then I guess that’s a risk you’ll have to take. Since heartbreak goes both ways.”

PJ
sighed before responding “What if she doesn’t want the long term?”

“Oh she does…” Hannah smiled.

“She said she can’t have a boyfriend right now… if she’s interested in the long term why would she say that?”

“Multiple reasons
,” Hannah shrugged. “Mostly because she’s scared and she’s got a lot on her shoulders, a lot at home to take care of you know.”

“Oh.”
PJ nodded.

The two had talked for quite some time, a few hours to be exact. When Hannah had heard Ryder pull up in Kelsey’s truck once again she said her goodbyes.

Hannah pulled open the door and walked out of the room without a second glance. She could tell
thoughts swirled around in PJ’s mind but she couldn’t figure what they were all about.

“Are you going to tell me why I am bringing you to the airport?” Ryder asked. He had accepted Kelsey’s frantic ‘you need to bring me home right now’ plea but as soon as they
got close enough to home she demanded he wait until she packed a bag because she needed to get on a plane.

Kelsey looked up to meet Ryder’s eyes
. Ryder agreed but he still was asking questions. “Does this have anything to do with PJ? Cause I so will kick his …”

“No!” Kelsey nearly screamed. “Haven’t you foug
ht enough with your friend? Getting on a plane doesn’t have anything to do with him.”

Ryder sighed. He looked at the road avoiding Kelsey’s eyes as he spoke. He really was dreading the answer. “So you like him don’t you?” He said in almost a statement rather than a question.

“Kind of,” Kelsey shrugged. “You can’t tell him though!” Kelsey begged. “I can’t do that to him… I can’t have a boyfriend…”

“Oh
Kels,” Ryder groaned. “How come you’re leaving?”

“
One of the horses is about to foal and she fired my stable manager, the one who has been helping my horses birth for the last two years. I need to be there incase Sweetie drops the baby.” Kelsey admitted. “And then while I am there I am going to interview new stable hands.”

“Oh.” Ryder replied.

“So…”

Ryder smiled. “
So you’re not running away, exactly…”

“I am using it to my advantage to gather my thoughts.” Kelsey replied.

“I am sorry, I flipped out. Really, if PJ could become a one girl kind of man… he would be an amazing boyfriend for you, but I know him, he’s a lot like me…” Ryder admitted.

“And you couldn’t be with one girl because you were hurt?” Kelsey added.

“What? Nah…” Ryder scoffed.

“Hmm
, I specifically remember...” Kelsey said thinking back.

“That was a long time ago,
Kels… I’m over it.” Ryder assured.

“Sure… so who hurt
PJ?”

“We’re here
Kels.” Ryder told her.

“Oh…
Well I’ll see you Ryder. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Tell Hannah to call me.” Kelsey said as she stepped from her truck. “Don’t get to comfy in my truck; I will be back for that at least.” Kelsey loved her truck and there was no doubt about it.

Kelsey carried her bag within the airport terminal to the ticket booth. “Hello welcome to Trans Air. How may I assist you?” The woman at the booth asked.

“I need the quickest flight out.”

“Well we have a fight to
Hill, Tenner, or Plano.”

“
Tenner is closest. When does it arrive?” Kelsey asked shuffling her bag around between her feet.

“It arrives at 1 pm tomorrow afternoon.” The woman replied.

“I guess that’s good, book it.” Kelsey told her. She pulled out the credit card from her pocket and handed it to the woman.

“The flight loads in ten minutes. It’s at gate 709. Here is your ticket.” The woman smiled.

“Thanks.” Kelsey said picking up her things.

The flight was tremendously boring. Kelsey had watched the boring video the entire flight and then slept the rest of the way. She kept reminding herself when she got to
a mall she was going to have to get an a tablet, something which she could entertain herself with.

Kelsey had never needed one of those devices. She had plenty of things to do down on her ranch and she had always kept pretty busy. But if she was to go on a plane much or back to the city with her dad and brother
, which she knew they were going to make her do then she would need something.

Kelsey had spent three of the twelve weeks left of school at her father’s house. Even if she stretched it out and played her cards right she would still surely be sent there to live the summer with her father before college started
or worse they would tell she had to attend college in the city.

Kelsey had been considering the option of not attending college for many months now. Running the ranch and keeping everyone in line was hard work. Yet both her parents, even with their lack of parenting, demanded she go to college.

Kelsey had decided to call her mother before she had got on the plane and alerted her to when the plane would be landing. She would need a ride home. Her mother would not be able to pick her up which wasn’t a surprise but to her surprise the person who stood there waiting for her was her Uncle James.

“Hey kid.” James smiled as he shuffled his five year old son around on his hip.

“Hi sissy.” Toby squirmed until James put him down. He ran to his cousin and hugged her.

Kelsey smiled and returned the hug. “Hi buddy. Are you going to bring me home to my
horsies?”

“We stay live with
horsies.” Toby replied.

Kelsey looked up at James. “You’re staying at my house?”

“Yeah, helping with the herd until you choose some new stable workers. Your mom’s been busy at the office.” James told her, though it was only partially true. James and his wife Karen had been fighting and James left.

Of course her mom had been busy at the office. She always was. Kelsey had been accustomed to being at home alone with only the ranch hands.  That was how she got so close to Duff… he had helped out one summer, and one summer was enough for both of them.

“Oh, of course she’s busy...” Kelsey said dryly. “I’ll get some new hires as soon as I can.”

The ride through the countryside was comforting. Her ranch had been miles from the city in any direction and she felt free here. That was probably one reason her mother was always busy at the office, she had rented a room at the hotel in town for those nights that she didn’t get out until late.