Page 59 of All For You
She was right, and the words stung. I just didn’t know what to talk about with her. The hands of my father bruised and battered our entire relationship. Somehow, our conversations always came back to that time in our lives.
“Well, I’ve been speaking with Coach Rudicell about holding a few camps. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here. Maybe until Thanksgiving. The weather should be nice until then.”
“That will be nice. The Easterlys are almost done collecting their corn, so you should have some time to spend with Aspen.”
That was news to me. I assumed it would take much longer to harvest, but I’d done some reading about combines and the attachments that pulled the corn kernels and removed the silks and stalks.
“That will be nice,” I repeated her words awkwardly. “Of course, I’m sure she’ll be busy with something else. If I remember, the farm is always going.”
“That’s true. I haven’t paid too close attention over the years.”
Silence filled the air as we ate. This time, it wasn’t awkward like it had been in the past. Instead, I listened to the birds chirping and wondered if I could fit in a hike before the leaves changed completely.
“So, have you and Aspen talked about what you’ll do when you go back to California? Are you going to try the long-distance thing?”
It’s the same question I’d been asking myself but kept having to remember we were only temporary. Apparently, we were just really good at fooling everyone.
“I’m not sure. We’re just having fun right now.”
“Ah, I see,” my mom said as she reached for her glass of water and sipped it with a saucy smile. I knew what she was most likely thinking, and Aspen and I had the furthest thing from that kind of relationship. Hell, I was just happy to be in the same room as the pixie.
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s the opposite.”
“Sure,” she giggled just as Aspen walked onto the deck.
“I just wanted to pop over and say hello before I head back,” she said with an infectious smile, her sparkling eyes trained on me. I wasn’t sure if men got butterflies in their stomachs, but I had a ferocious nest of hornets buzzing in my abdomen when she grinned in my direction. She wore nothing fancier than a buttoned shirt tied at her waist and a pair ofdenim cutoffs. And with her trusty cowboy boots and signature hat, Aspen looked like the sexiest cowgirl I knew.
“Hey,” I said, reaching out, grabbing her wrist, and tugging her toward me. Aspen fell onto my lap with a grunt. “Have you eaten yet?”
“I was going to eat when I got back to the ranch,” she tried to explain as she wiggled on my lap. I tightened my hold around her waist and held her firmly against me.
“No, you’re going to eat now.”
“Owen,” she argued, but I held up my sandwich a couple of inches from her mouth, refusing to move until she took a bite. Her answering moan told me how hungry she was.
With a mouthful of food, Aspen lifted a hand and covered her mouth as she spoke. “I didn’t intend to spoil y’all’s lunch together.”
“Oh, no worry, my dear. I’m happy to have you join us. In fact, I’ll go grab another plate and sandwich.”
“There’s more?” I asked with delight. I really did love this sandwich. Mom chuckled as she stepped back into the house, and Aspen turned her upper body to face me.
“I’ve missed you,” I told her as I set the sandwich back on the plate, swept her hat off her head, and placed it on my own. It was way too small, but I’d do it a hundred times to make Aspen giggle the way she was.
“You know what they say about wearing a cowboy's hat,” she implied, and I leaned forward, brushing my nose against hers.
“It’s the number one rule, and I always follow the rules. You can expect a good ride later.”
Her cheeks reddened like the leaves on the oak tree that currently offered its shade over the deck. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I removed the hat and placed it in an open space on the table, then wrapped my other arm around her waist. My thumb brushed against the bare skin of her lower back.
“I told you I missed you,” I reminded her, and she moved her arms around my neck.
“You saw me earlier this week.”
I shrugged, because I didn’t care if I saw her every day. I’d still miss her.
“I miss you too,” she confessed.
