Page 8 of Filthy, Dirty, Cowboy

Her brows rise and I wonder if I’ve spoken too freely.

“No, and I’m not alittle thing.”

“You are to me.”

This comment has some kind of effect on her. She looks away, her cheeks turning pinker. “Whatever, country boy. Give me that beer.”

I pop the lid off and hand her the bottle. “So, what do you think of the movie?”

Her lips purse as she leans into me and whispers, “Riveting. I think the trees are really the main character here. The way they move sort of sets the tone for the night, right?”

I stare toward her. “I was thinking someone else was stealing the show, but—”

She bursts into laughter. “Please tell me I heard you wrong. I’m lactose intolerant.”

“Lactose intolerant? What does that have to do with anything?”

“I can’t handle all the cheese you were just spreading.”

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date.”

Her smile lights up the night. “I know, cowboy. I’m messing with you. I’m enjoying myself. Definitely better than my couch and cell phone… but don’t tell anyone I said that.” She pauses and takes a swig of beer. “What are those noises, though? They’re creeping me out.”

There’s a chorus of sounds going on around us. Crickets, frogs, horses from the barn a few feet away, the water pump at the bottom of the hill. “Which ones?”

She quiets for a second. Her eyes wide as she listens to the world around her. “That.What is that?”

“Raccoons.” I laugh. “They chitter back and forth. It’s how they talk.”

“Raccoons talk?”

“Yeah, you’ve never heard it before?”

She narrows her brows and smiles. “No. If I did, I never knew what it was. This movie date keeps getting more and more interesting. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

I’m sure she’s being sarcastic, but she called this a date and I like the way that sounds.

“What do you usually do for dates?” I hold my breath as I wait for a response. Something tells me she likes five-star restaurants and a proper theatre over beer and wildlife.

“God, it’s been forever since I’ve been out with anyone. My last relationship was a total train wreck. I’ve sworn off men since.”

“Shit. You’re pretty young to have sworn off men already. What happened?”

She hesitates for a second. “Mrs. Robinson said you had a pretty bad run of things yourself.”

“Sure did.” I swig a sip of beer and glance toward Portia, the bright setting sun on her face as she stares at the landscape. I could get used to this. “I reckon life is better spent alone rather than wasting time on the wrong person.”

“That’s very mature of you. I think I’m in the same boat now.”

“So, what happened? Sounds like you already know my whole dating history.”

She wrinkles her nose and avoids my question again. “Mrs. R was doing the hard push for you. She really wants to see you hitched.”

“She’s a good woman. When the Waylon’s took me in, she became like a second mom to me. I’d do anything for that woman.”

She gathers her long hair to her shoulder. “Including date me?”

“I think her pushing was more to convince you than me. I’d have gladly taken you out.”

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