Page 6 of Stick Around,
A woman emerged from the car, and my steps faltered. She wasn’t at all what I’d been expecting. Based on Kellan’s breathless descriptions and the whole hobby horse thing,I’d half-imagined someone in full riding gear with glitter somewhere on her person.
Instead, she wore simple denim shorts that showcased long, tanned legs, a light blue tank top, and flip-flops. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail that swung as she turned toward Walter’s enthusiastic greeting.
The sight of that ponytail sent an unexpected jolt through me, my mind unhelpfully providing an image of my fist wrapped in that hair, guiding her head as she knelt in front of me. The visceral thought blindsided me so completely that I nearly tripped over my own feet.
I shook my head to clear it, embarrassed by the direction of my thoughts. This woman was a guest, and here I was having inappropriate fantasies within five seconds of seeing her.
Walter was now dancing in circles around her feet as she crouched down to pet him, completely unaware of the danger headed her way.
“Well, aren’t you the cutest little welcoming committee?” Her voice carried, light with amusement.
I opened my mouth to call out a warning about the approaching goat and donkey duo when Butters bleated loudly, announcing his presence.
The woman’s head snapped up, her eyes widening as she spotted the goat charging toward her. She froze, her hand still extended toward Walter.
“Why is it running at me? Do goats attack people? Is this how I die?” She was completely unaware of my presence, and I bit back a laugh.
I lunged forward, positioning myself between her and Butters just as the goat skidded to a stop, his hooves kicking up dust. “Whoa there, troublemaker.” I firmly grabbed his collar. “How’d you get out this time?”
Butters bleated innocently, as if surprised to find himself outside his enclosure.
The woman had scrambled backward until she was pressed against her car, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Does... does that happen often? The charging?”
Before I could answer, Debra came around the car, her head high and ears forward now that she’d spotted me. She walked right in between me and the woman.
“Debra, stand down.” The donkey turned her head to look at me, her expression somehow both innocent and stubborn. The woman looked like she was contemplating climbing onto the roof of her car for safety. “I’m really sorry about this… I’m Reid Dawson, one of the owners of this fine establishment.”
“I’m Quinn Porter...” Her hazel eyes darted between Debra and Butters. “Should I... do something? Are they friendly? Because that donkey is looking at me the way my students look at the last chocolate cupcake at the class party when there are only vanilla left. With pure, unfiltered hostility.” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with a trembling hand. “Is staring back a challenge? Should I play dead? I didn’t exactly prepare for a farmyard standoff when I packed for this trip.”
“Debra’s harmless. Mostly. She needs to get used to you.”
“Mostly harmless is not the same as harmless.” Quinn’s voice rose slightly. She took a small step forward to test the waters, and Debra immediately snorted and stomped a hoof. Quinn froze again. “See? Murder eyes.”
Walter, completely unfazed by the farm animal standoff, trotted over and sat at Quinn’s feet, looking up at her adoringly.
“Butters here is an escape artist.” I gave the goat’s collar a gentle tug and pushed him back in the direction of the paddock. “And Debra... well, Debra has boundary issues, especially when it comes to me. She won’t hurt you… probably.”
Quinn’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Are you making a joke right now? While I’m being held hostage by farm animals?”
I bit the inside of my cheek to hide my amusement. “No, ma’am.”
Quinn’s posture relaxed slightly, though she still kept a wary eye on Debra. “Please, call me Quinn.”
With Butters happily trotting back to where he was supposed to be, I could now focus on Debra. I tried to maneuver around her, but she simply adjusted her position to maintain the barrier she’d created.
“Does she not like women or something?” Quinn reached down and scooped up Walter, who looked like he was in heaven as she began stroking his head.
I took my hat off and ran a hand through my hair, embarrassed by the situation. “It’s not that. She, uh, she’s protective of me, even with Kellan and Enzo.”
Quinn’s eyebrows shot up, and a ghost of a smirk touched her lips. “Wait. Are you telling me the donkey is jealous?”
“The guys like to say she has a crush on me.” Heat crept up my neck. “But it’s not?—”
“It totally is!” Laughter slipped out of her, undeterred by the mess she was in. “She’s glaring at me like I’m trying to steal her man.”
I was saved from having to respond when Kellan came jogging out from the stables. His boots kicked up little clouds of dust as he approached, and Quinn’s attention shifted away from me.
“Quinn Porter!” Kellan’s Texas drawl seemed especially pronounced as he circled wide to avoid Debra’s zone of protection. “I see you’ve already met the welcoming committee.” His eyes flickered to me with amusement. “And Reid.”
