Page 17 of Red's Revenge

“Any suggestions?” Pa chuckles behind me, and I brace myself for his savagery.

“I’d start by not wearing that towel.” I roll my eyes.

“Ha, ha, old man. Any useful ones?” I turn when he slaps his hand on my shoulder.

“Son, you’ve never bothered with any woman like this before. Is she special?” I’m unable to vocalize an answer, so I nod once.

“Well, then. You need a suit and flowers. The first I can help with. I’m sure your Ma won’t mind you snipping some of her roses. Come on,” I follow him through to his side of the house.

We subdivided the huge farmhouse three years ago so that we had our own space. The downstairs is exactly the same, but upstairs, there are private living suites now.

I find myself in my parents’ bedroom, looking at a wardrobe full of designer suits.

“Pa, it looks like GQ and Forbes threw up in here.” He shrugs as I flip through the different colors and cuts.

“Your Ma likes me to dress up.” I look over my shoulder at him and arch an eyebrow.

“You never go anywhere.” His eyebrow raises in a challenge.

“Never mind.” I do not need to know what my parents do or do not do in their private time.

“I’ll call in a reservation for you while you get dressed,” I mumble a thank you as I take a classic navy suit back to my room to change.

I’m fussing with my tie when Ma comes in with a vase of white roses in her hand.

“Here let me.” She places the bouquet on my dresser and takes over for me.

“You boys never did learn how to do this properly no matter how many times I taught ya,” she smiles as she finishes and turns me to look at the mirror.

“Hey Ma, what’s for dinner?” Kit stops talking when he sees us.

He lets out one long whistle, and I catch his signature grin.

“A little old to be going to Prom, aren’t ya?” I take a deep breath and ignore his jab.

I’m not ruining Pa’s suit with his blood tonight.

“Kit, behave,” Ma hisses, and I snort.

“Wishful thinking, Ma. Thank you for the roses.” I kiss her cheek, and she puts a slip of paper in my hand.

“Here’s the address to the restaurant. Ya’ll have fun tonight.” I take the vase and carefully move past Kit, who doesn’t bother to move out of my way.

“Don’t forget condoms,” he says as I clear the doorway.

“CHRISTOPHER!” I hear Ma slapping him and chuckling when he starts apologizing.

I put the vase on the floorboard of my truck and pin it with my work bag and lunch box so it doesn’t tip. Then, I make my way across town to her hotel.

I check myself in the mirror before taking the flowers inside the hotel and stopping to check with the front desk to get her room number before I’m standing ready to knock on her door. I tap it twice and step back.

I rub my head, feeling naked without my Stetson, and drop my hand when the door opens.

Cami has her hair pinned up on both sides with crystal flower pins, and her makeup is flawless. Her curves are on full display in a tight white dress with a daisy pattern that stops a few inches above her knees. Her shapely legs end in a pair of…

“What are those?” I gasp at the monstrosities on her feet.

“Cowboy boots?” I shake my head.

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