Page 7 of The Cowboy and His Beauty
I give her a quick house tour. My mom has re-decorated since Sky was last here, so things look different. My dad said it gave Mom something to focus on instead of how much danger I could be in.
When I came home from training, I thought I’d walked into the wrong house. But she made some upgrades that I’m now thankful for.
"This place is so different from the last time I was here. Corey went off to boot camp right after we graduated, and I haven't been back here since. I bet his mom needed to take her mind off him. I know I sure did. It’s why I threw myself into my studies."
Once the house tour is done, we head outside to see the barn, but Sky stops at the door. This is where I ended things with us, and it took me a while before I could come back here, too.
On the way back to the house, I take her to the rose garden I started when I got home. It's where I go to get away and no one bothers me out here. It gives me something to do when my mind wanders.
"Roses are my favorite, and these are so beautiful," she says in awe as we walk into the gated garden.
Sky loved roses and always smelled of them from her shampoo and perfume. Roses make me think of her.
We head inside and I set the table as she gets the food ready and on the table—a table I haven't used once since I've been home since it's been only me. I eat at the kitchen island or in front of the TV. Dinner was at the table when I was growing up. There may have been other people in and out, but we ate at the table as a family.
Sky keeps the conversation going through dinner, and I only interject a word or two now and again. She doesn't seem to mind my minimal contribution. She tells me about things in town, her friends, and her life in Dallas. I ask her a question here or there to keep her talking, and she seems happy to do so.
She looks me in the eyes and doesn't stare at my scar. I'm sure she must be curious. Everyone is. But she doesn't ask and we don't talk about my military time. She lets me just be me. That's something I’ve been missing for a long time now.
Much as I’m enjoying her company, I remind myself that the issues we faced back then are still there. Her family has money. They’re cash rich. My family are land rich. In this town, that’s what divides people.
It was too much back then, and it will be our downfall now. She’ll tire of things out here, eventually. Maybe it's time I show her that.
Chapter 5
Sky
I'm nervous when we sit down to eat dinner. I know I can cook a meatloaf because I learned how to cook it in this kitchen all those years ago. But I'm nervous if Dash will like it, and that's new for me.
He doesn't say much at dinner, he just lets me talk, but he clears his plate three times. I can't sit in silence, so I talk about people in town I've run into since being back, the changes at the diner, and how I can't wait to sneak away to the library. Then I tell him all about my job and how I’m not only unemployed but also homeless.
He listens to me ramble and asks a few questions, letting me know he's at least listening and I'm not driving him too crazy. When dinner is over, he helps clear the table and insists on doing the dishes himself. I don't know many cowboys who will do dishes—they’re normally on to the next thing that needs to be done when dinner is over.
"Thank you. That was the best meal I've had since being here," Dash says.
I can tell by the look in his eyes he means it. "I'm glad I could show you some real Walker Lake hospitality."
"I was thinking..." He trails off, almost like he doesn't want to ask the question.
"Yes?" I encourage.
"I need some help around here. Cooking and cleaning. The pay isn't much, but I can cover your room and board. There’s an apartment above the garage. I can take you there to see it." He doesn’t look at me as he says it.
Did he just offer me a job and a place to live?
Holy shit.
It's not my dream job, but I can cook and clean and it's on a ranch, which I know I’ll love. It gives me a place to live for the time being, and I'm sure I can find a way to spin this to appease my parents. Maybe something like they closed the office, so I work for Dash for room and board so I can save up some money.
"Do you want to see the apartment? It's not much, but I think you’ll like it," Dash says, breaking me from my thoughts.
I can worry about my parents later. I just got here. I have at least a week before they start asking questions. "Yes, please."
He nods and turns to head out the back door. I follow him hesitantly because I don't remember there being an apartment above the garage the last time I was here. Of course, that was many years ago.
I follow him up the stairs to the side of the garage and can't help but admire the view of his Wrangler-clad butt. I shake my head. I can't go there when he's nice enough to offer me a job and a place to stay.
When I step into the apartment, I pause, taken aback. It's like stepping into a space chosen from my personal home design folder. A small bedroom and bathroom are on one side with an open plan living room, dining, and kitchen on the other.
