Page 2 of Ranch Life At Heart
She demonstratively checks her watch. “You do know it’s dinnertime and not–”
“I don’t give a flying fuck what time it is, Daphne. I’ve felt like shit for weeks on end and it’s time to not think for one damn night. Which means I’m going to need a few shots for starters, followed by a couple more. Early in the day means I’ll be home before midnight so I can get up early to get my work done.” I stalk back to the door. “Come on, let’s go.”
Daphne grins. “Fine, fine. I’m just happy to get you out of the house.”
I frown and lock the door behind me. “I’m only home to eat and sleep and the rest of the time I’m working.”
She rolls her eyes. “My point exactly. You’re always working the ranch. You’ve also been doing it nonstop after every-freaking-thing. Hey, maybe we’ll run into a handsome stranger you can bring home for a little hot action in bed.”
Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “As if. I can’t remember the last time I had sex. No, wait. Two years ago, when I bought Freckles.”
I get into the passenger seat of Daphne’s SUV, and when she gets behind the wheel she says, “You told me about that. Wasn’t he the guy with the wide shaved circles in his chest hair to bare his nipples? He liked them suckers sucked, right?”
Smacking myself against the forehead, I grumble, “Remind me never to tell you anything about weird sexual encounters. Yes, the dude also had shaved triangles above his dick. I didn’t bother to ask why. I could deal with the weird ‘free the nipples of hair’ shave, but the triangles? Nah, I told him I forgot something in my car and left. So, not two years ago, it’s longer since I’ve had sex.”
Daphne throws me a smirk and turns her attention to the road in front of her when she states, “Time to clear the cobwebsfrom your pussy and really put your brain on pause, Rosy. You need dick.”
Shaking my head at her revelation I mutter, “As long as his name isn’t Dick, and no damn shaved figures in chest or pubic hair.”
“Are you going to ask first?” Daphne snickers. “You’d better be drunk for that discussion.”
I flip her off. “I’m sticking with drinking. Besides, I haven’t met a man who sparks my interest in years. Not to mention, it’s way too early for drinking which means it won’t be busy anyway. By the time I’m drunk enough to hook up with someone I won’t care how he looks. Wait. That’s a lie. Ugh. I want to have fun tonight. No thinking, just drinking.”
“Look at you fancy rhyming a motto. We should have at least dressed for a night on the town. Want to borrow some lipstick?” Daphne waves her hand. “It’s in my purse somewhere.”
I turn my head to watch the trees flash by. “You know I never wear makeup and I’m not going to start now.”
“Suit yourself.” Daphne hits the blinker and guides the vehicle into the parking lot. “I’ll call Jason and make sure we have a sober person waiting to take us home.”
Jason is Daphne’s husband. They’ve been married for sixteen years. Their oldest son is fourteen, their daughter is twelve. Jason and Daphne are both accountants and have their own company.
“At least one of us is thinking ahead,” I murmur as I get out of the vehicle.
Daphne joins me and bumps her shoulder against mine. “Final sensible action. Come on, booze is waiting. We’re going to do shots followed by karaoke and more shots.”
I shouldn’t agree. Her voice is terrible. Still, I find myself bobbing my head. This does feel like a day I shouldn’t give a fuck about anything.
We step inside the bar and there are only a handful of people sitting with a beer in front of them. All of them are over fifty years old, none are attractive. Maybe it’ll take some shots to make me think differently, but for now it’s a definite no for asking about their shaved pubic hair.
Daphne gets us some cocktails along with two tequila shots each. The sweet burn is a welcome distraction, but the cocktail is fruity and sweet, and completely delicious. Two more of each and I’m thinking about singing. Another couple of cocktails and I’m on stage singing my freaking lungs out.
Finally, I feel good. Somewhere between a buzz and…nah I’m way past buzzed. More like happily drunk. It’s probably why I still have the microphone in front of my face when I tell Daphne, along with the rest of the bar, that I need to pee.
Daphne bobs her head, and I shove the microphone in her hand to leave the stage. There’s a bounce in my step when I head for the bathroom. Quickly handling my business, I wash my hands and also my face because I feel somewhat flushed. Taking some paper towels, I dry my hands and face and check myself in the mirror.
My eyes are glassy from the booze instead of all red and puffy from crying. Small improvement, right?
I lean in and whisper at my reflection, “Feel that? Deep in your veins? The warmth of it?” Pulling back, I stand tall andfirm my voice to add, “Bask in the sun any time of day ’cause that fucker always shines in your heart.”
I nod at myself, at the words my father used to say to remind me of the pride in our work on the ranch. Day in, day out. No matter how hard it got or how much rain, and dark days. Lift your spirits, chin high, and muddle through.
It might feel like it’s raining in my heart at the moment, and it’s why I need tonight for myself to remind myself of the sun that’ll always rise…always be there…even in the darkest of days.
I grab the handle and swing the door open. A new cocktail and another song to bellow out the words sounds pretty damn good.
CHAPTER TWO
– CEDAR –
