Page 27 of Bucked Hard

I duck just inside the cabin door and watch. My muscles are tight; I’m even staring down poor Enrique, making sure he’s not putting his eyes on her. Or breathing too close to her. I know I’m losing my mind, but that’s a bronco I’m more than willing to ride into the sunset.

She’s fussing and fidgeting... I like that she’s a little uncomfortable, a bit out of order. It only seems to draw me to her. Like she needs me. Because I sure as hell need her.

Something came along and gave me a third chance with her today and I’m not blowing it this time. That warning label on the blue boner pill bottle says erections lasting longer than four hours are dangerous and you should seek medical attention.

Ha. Fuck, I’ve been hard since last night and I’ve never felt better.

But what do I do? Blurt out,Hey, I’m the guy from last night. Remember, I sucked your delicious cum off my fingers?

I’m sure she assumed Courtney was my girlfriend or some hook up, and I don’t want to start out like that. How’s she supposed to know I’ve been fucking celibate for more than five years?

I have to tell her – no way am I starting off our life together on a lie. I just have to find the right time.

Our life together.

There I go again, Jesus.

My dick is knocking at my zipper and it’s sending shooting pains all the way up into my ears. He’s been asleep so fucking long he’s back with a vengeance.

Everything about her says she’s the one I’ve been waiting for. That’s cheesy as fuck, but hell if that isn’t the damn thought that’s crossing my mind.

Then it dawns on me. A story my mom told me about her and Dad.

The day she graduated from high school, my dad went with the family to attend the ceremony as his sister was graduating as well. She remembers the first time they saw each other. She said it was like he was looking at a ghost, and it scared her half to death but it also gave her a feeling she’d never had before.

The next day, she was at her new job in town at the ice cream shop and when she walked into work her first day, there he was, sitting at one of the stools at the counter. Mom went about her work, and the other workers asked him if he wanted anything. Each time he politely said, “Not yet,” and winked at my mom.

She was new and wasn’t allowed to take the customers’ orders, that was for the established girls; mom was just there to scoop the ice cream and clean the counters.

After a couple hours of Dad just sitting there, the manager sauntered over and told him if he didn’t order something he would have to leave. He asked him one more time if he was ready to order, and once again, he winked at my mom and said, “Not yet.”

So, they asked him to leave and he did.

The next day, he was back. Same seat, same reply to the other waitresses. He would arrive a half hour before mom’s shift, stay two hours, then leave. After about a week the manager gave up fussing with him and let him sit there because he was quiet and didn’t bother anyone.

Then one day, one of the regular waitresses called in sick and the manager put Mom on taking orders. She said her stomach was in knots because sure as every other day, there he sat, hands folded on the counter with that pleasant look in his eye. Mom gathered up her courage, stood in front of him and asked, “You’ve been coming in here for a week. Have you decided what you want yet?”

She said he smiled, and she felt the ground shake at the look in his eye.

He waited a long moment, took a deep breath and said to her, “I knew what I wanted a week ago. But I couldn’t get it from any of the other ladies here; I was waiting for you to offer. So, yes, I know exactly what I want.”

Mom said, after that, it was only three more weeks and he had a ring on her finger and they had their happily-ever-after. Seems he’d asked everyone in the graduating class who she was and what she did in her spare time. When he found out about her job, he said he decided to sit there as long as it took to win her. Mom also said Dad’s mom had told her a similar story about my grandfather. Seems the Butler men know what they want when they see it, and waiting for what’s right is in our blood.

I hitch my hat low and jump off the porch heading back where the three of them are chatting. Her eyes flit my way for just a moment and I want to be there close to her, but she spins on her heel as I get closer.

Now, standing here watching her turn and walk away from Jessie and Enrique, it takes all my control not to break into a gallop and swing a lasso over her. Enrique told me Jessie had a niece, Rachel. She’s noLori. Her fake name makes me smile. She’s one hundred percent Rachel. And one hundred percent mine.

When I come up on them, Jessie is watching Rachel’s hasty retreat behind the house. “Sorry about my niece.” Jessie, the sweet lady who owns the place lights up in a smile. “Don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

I’ll be what’s gotten into her soon enough.

I’ll be in there and never want to leave. I return Jessie’s smile and add a nod. “Nothin’ to apologize for, ma’am.”

Her eyes rove over my face, unblinking. The old lady’s sharp, I’ll give her that. Finally, she nods with a knowing blink of her milky blue eyes. “So, Enrique knows the drill around here by now.”

“Yes, Miss Jessie,” Enrique answers stuffing his hands down in his pockets. “I’ll bring him up to speed. We’ll get started right away tunin’ up the machines, then go on getting everything rolling.”

“Thank you so much for coming back again this year, Enrique. I know you’re not a field hand, and you’re sure kind to help an old lady out. You and Vanessa keep so busy with your kids and running your antique store, I’m surprised you have time for me, but I’m glad you do. Not too many of the regular workers want this job, that’s for sure. Not a big enough game for them. And I know what I pay isn’t what you could get elsewhere, but you know if I could afford it I’d give you more.”

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