Page 59 of The Runaway and the Rugged
“I don’t see why not, unless you’re allergic to any of this crap?” I didn’t need another reason for Garth or any of the other Calhouns to think even more badly of me.
“No, I’m not, he’s just stingy about me eating junk food and sugar.”
I nodded, not entirely surprised that he and his daughter ate healthy. I mean, his body was a clear indicator of how well he took care of himself.
“Fine,” I grumbled in surrender. “But you can only eat it at the cabin. I don’t need your dad finding out that I gave you anything he doesn’t want you having,” I explained, giving her a cautious glance. She nodded eagerly in response, her eyes shining with excitement and promise to keep our agreement a secret.
A little while later after checking out, and walking the cart through the parking lot to Garth’s truck, he swiftly exited the driver’s side with ease and helped load it all into the bed.
“Got everything you needed?” he asked, lightly pushing me to the side so I didn’t have to help load any more groceries.
“Yes, thank you, again.” I’ve said thank you about a thousand times today and they all felt needed. Still, I don’t think he grasped the gravity of my gratitude, no matter how hard I’ve tried to make it known.
“Doubt you’ll be thankin’ me tomorrow,” he joked, shooting me a quick, playful glance that made my eyebrow rise. “Going to have you break in those boots while we get you acquainted with the horse stalls.”
Horse stalls?
Instantly my mind ventured to horse manure.
“Sounds… fun.” I forced a smile that only deepened his grin.
“Fun?” He snorted. “Oh yeah, it’s a real fun time out there.”
I almost rolled my eyes, but decided against it, knowing damn well I didn’t have a leg to stand on.
“And will you be the one showing me the stalls?” I hated how overly hopeful my tone sounded, but thankfully he didn’t seem to catch on as he placed the last bag inside.
“I invited you to stay, didn’t I?” He brushed past me to get the cart.
“Yes…” I stood uncomfortably beside the tailgate, with music now blaring from inside the truck and sweat clinging onto my back.
“Then yeah, Outlaw, it’ll be me taking you to the stalls. You’re under my wing now.”
My neck flushed hot as he passed by me leisurely, pushing the cart back to the cart return. I followed him close with my eyes as they mapped out the layout of his body. Muscles flexed, legs moved with confidence, it felt almost forbidden to be watching him the way I was. Especially with Grace only a few feet away sitting in the truck, likely surveying the entirety of our interaction.
I dropped my gaze in an instant.
You aren’t here for… that,I mentally reminded myself.
After shaking off my obvious attraction, I hopped into the passenger side of the truck where Grace was busy singing along to a Morgan Wallen song in the back seat, trying her best to hit the same note as him.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her expressive flair and attempt to sing the song with the same enthusiasm of the upbeat tempo. It reminded me of my mother and how carefree she was in the passenger seat of the car while Dad drove. Singing along to songs I didn’t know the lyrics to while peering back at me as I watched in horror as she made funny faces and insisted that I sang along with her. A memory that would stay with me forever and right now, watching Grace, I felt an overwhelming sense of home.
A feeling I’d desperately longed to feel again, and surprisingly enough, was felt in a place I didn’t know existed until now.
I fought back the tears that threatened to fall. Grace was oblivious, lost in her own little world, and Garth, he had just reappeared and was finally jumping into the driver's seat.
“Goddammit, Grace,” he cursed, immediately turning the dial down on the volume. “You trying to make your eardrums bleed with that shit?”
Grace chuckled, falling back into her seat.
“Morgan Wallen isn’t shit, Dad.”
Garth groaned, throwing a heated glare into the rearview mirror.
“Don’t say shit,” he rumbled low. “And he ain’t that good.”
I was finding their bickering to be more than entertaining, especially when Grace got under her dad’s skin, which seemed to be always.
