Page 58 of Need Me
Robert shoved a hand in his jeans pocket and leaned against the corner of the barn he stood by. “What did hewant?”
“I’m guessing to give things another try. That’s a complete nonstarter,” Brooke said. “He just doesn’t want to admitdefeat.”
Self-doubt crowded Robert’s mind, but he acted nonchalant. “Sounds like it. Well, he had his shot with you and he blew it. His loss and mygain.”
“That’s right.” Brooke’s voice took on a sexy tone. “Definitely my gain,too.”
He tried to keep the huge grin on his face out of his voice. “I’m glad you thinkso.”
“After last night, I hope that you believe me. Robert…I’ve never had a man make me feel like that,” shesaid.
Robert’s ego gave itself a high-five. “Really?”
“Really. But it’s not just that you’re red-hot in bed,” Brookesaid.
Manly pride threatened to bust Robert’s chest wide open. “Oh? There’smore?”
“Don’t be sosmug.”
“Who, me? Never. I’m not known forsmugness.”
Cletus had quieted down, so Robert started walking back to the barndoor.
Brooke said, “You may be humble, but I hear the caveman in yourvoice.”
Robert chuckled as he entered the barn. Cletus stood staring at his stall. Robert unhooked the lead rope from his halter and the mule trotted over to the stall door. “Continue to sing my praises,” hesaid.
He grinned at Brooke’s exaggerated sigh. “I’ve created a monster. You’re a unique combination of manly, sexy, and gentlemanly. It’s rare to find a guy likethat.”
Robert opened Cletus’ stall and he hurried inside. “It’s how I was raised. Dad’s a minister and taught us to be humble, kind, and how to treat alady.”
“I didn’t know your dad’s a minister. Oh, no. Were you one of those rebellious minister’s kids that raised hell?” Brookeasked.
Robert closed Cletus’ stall door and started for the house. “No, that was the rest of my siblings. Well, they rebelled first, and then I rebelledlater.”
“What does thatmean?”
“I’m the baby of us five kids, and I was the most well-behaved. I did everything that was ever asked of me, but it still wasn’t good enough,” Robert said. “My two brothers and two sisters pulled every stunt in the book; drinking, sex, taking the car for a joyride. You name it, they didit.”
Robert stifled the old hurt as he mounted the back-porch steps. “They got the lion’s share of the attention while I was barely a blip on Mom’s radar. Of course, it probably didn’t help that I was a fat geek who was awkward andshy.”
“Oh, Robert. I’m sorry. How could a minister act like that to his son?” Brookesaid.
“Easy. I wasn’t Mom’s. Dad gave in to the temptations of one of his parishioners, and I’m the result. She was young and scared. About a week after I was born, she left me on their doorstep with a note explaining who Iwas.
“Mom went through the roof, but Dad begged her forgiveness and convinced her that raising me was the right thing to do. She never really loved me, though,” Robert said. “Dad gave me as much love as he could, but he always felt so guilty that it was hard forhim.”
“So, you were treated like an outcast for something that wasn’t your fault.” A hard edge tinged her words. “All too common I’mafraid.”
Robert shrugged and sat down on a porch chair. “I’ve let go of most of the bitterness. My siblings all straightened up and went into the ministry. Mom and Dad expected me to do the same, but I couldn’t since I don’t really believe inGod.”
Brooke was quiet for a moment. “Youdon’t?”
“Not in the traditional sense of the word. I believe that there’s a higher power, but I don’t think that any one religion can really define exactly what or who it is,” Robert said. “Religions all over the world have similar creation stories and gods who are also similar. Who’s to say who’s right orwrong?”
“Hmm. I never thought of that way,” Brookesaid.
Corky scratched on the screen door to be let out and Robert complied with his request. Sketch ambled out behind his buddy. “Neither did my parents. They weren’t happy when I expressed my views when I was sixteen and refused to become a minister. My brothers and sisters took their side, so I really was an outcast in my ownhouse.
