Walking in the direction of Fenna’s home causes a smile to spread across my face. I should be thankful Houdini escaped; it gives me an opportunity to linger and hopefully she’ll accept my dinner invitation…again. Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve shown up on her doorstep more than a few times this week.
But in all honesty, she was the one who called me over the other days. Tiny things happening around the ranch where she called or texted about for advice. Living close to one another, it’s easy to just come on over and help her out. We both enjoy each other’s company and it’s why we’ve spent each and every night of this week together.
We do have the whole fake relationship in place and yet it’s more like we’re fast friends because there hasn’t been any kissing, touching, or so much as handholding. I’ve been sleeping in my own bed like a perfect gentleman. Like I mentioned, we have mutual interests and like to spend time together. This entails watching movies, easy chitchat, and sharing a meal.
“Oh, no, not again,” Fenna grumbles, wiping her hands on a dishtowel as she strolls out of the house. “Let’s lock him up in the stable for the night.”
“Maybe we could install a camera to see how he escapes; it might give us an idea how to fix the fence to keep him in. Though, I have to say, there might be a reason why he’s escaping. He could be lonely or bored. Maybe you should get him a goat or something to keep him company in the pasture.”
Fenna nods at my suggestion. “Both the company and a camera are great suggestions. I can’t put him with the mare and he obviously wants company if he keeps escaping.”
“I have the next two days off,” I quip. Totally lying here but I will text Roper to get one of the prospects to cover my shifts. “I’ll head over to the store and pick up a few things, start working the perimeter of the pasture. I’ll add a chain link fence to the wooden one, it will solve the escaping part for the little dude.”
“Are you sure?” The grateful tone in her voice is soothing as is the look she’s giving me.
“Absolutely. And you’re picking up the new mare tomorrow, right? Maybe we could buy a goat at the fair that I know is being held in another town. I already offered to come along with you to pick her up so we could make a day of it. You know, leave early, road trip, you and I.”
Her face lights up and it’s the reason why this fake bullshit we agreed on was just a lifeline the both of us grabbed onto in an effort to eventually get what we subconsciously wanted; a real relationship. Funny thing is, we have a relationship already, we’re friends for sure.
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nibbles on it. I can tell she’s thinking things over and is worried about something. Her gaze goes to the stable and back at me to eventually pop her lip free and release a deep breath.
“Out with it, Fenna. What’s on your mind?” I gently ask.
“Are you sure the club doesn’t mind if we borrow the trailer for the day? I know you already mentioned it wasn’t a problem but you’re helping out each day and I really don’t want to impose.”
This woman. I’ve quickly discovered she has a big heart; cares and worries about everything, making sure she’s not a bother to anyone. It pisses me off even more how her ex cheated on her and the added insecurity fueled by her parents to make her doubt if chasing her own dream isn’t too big of a risk.
“The MC is like one big family. We all work together and this also means it’s a healthy give and take balance. If the MC needed the trailer, I wouldn’t be able to borrow it. But truth is, we have several and one is always available. Don’t worry so much, I wouldn’t offer it if it was an issue. So, you and I, road trip? We could lock Houdini up in his stable to make sure he wouldn’t be able to get out if we’re gone for the day. Though, he was on club grounds each time he escaped which means if he runs again my brothers would be able to catch him and keep him safe.”
She nods in agreement. “The stable would be able to keep him safe for the hours we’re gone. Come on, let’s put him in there right now.”
I follow her toward the stables and we put Houdini safely inside.
Strolling back toward the house Fenna suddenly says, “Pierre texted me again. He said he would show up in town, this way I couldn’t ignore him like the way I’ve been doing with his texts and phone calls.”
I come to a stop and wrap my fingers round her forearm. “I just checked with Decker, he’s still in his hometown. If he shows up here, we’ll deal with it, okay?”
“Maybe you could stay the night just in case,” she offers and I’m liking the sound of that but her eyes suddenly widen. “Oh, shit. I didn’t mean…I did…it’s not.” Her cheeks heat and I’m having a hard time keeping the laughter inside.
I give her forearm a gentle squeeze. “I know what you mean and I’d like to keep you company. We could do another movie marathon and leave early for our road trip. It’s perfect actually. Wanna come with me to the store? We can pick up a few things for the new fence and some food and shit for our trip tomorrow. I do need to get my truck for the supplies first. I’ll text a prospect to drop it off, I’m sure he’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Definitely. Let me get ready and grab my purse and I’ll be right out,” she quips and rushes inside.
I grab my phone and text a prospect. By the time she locks up the house the prospect arrives with my truck. Our trip to the store is uneventful but we’re both wearing smiles and balance easy chitchat when we’ve managed to find everything we need for the fence and have it loaded in my truck.
“Want to grab a burger and fries?” I point at the diner across the road.
She bobs her head. “Brilliant plan. No dishes and we can start movie night early when we get home.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. When we get home. How easy it is to fall into a routine when there’s an instant connection between two people.
“We still have to pick up a few things at the grocery store. Ice cream and popcorn, right?”
“Yeah, no. Popcorn stinks. Chips, ice cream, whatever, fine. No popcorn,” she says with a stern voice.
“Fine,” I fake grumble as we cross the street.
Entering the diner, I guide her to a table near a window.
Fenna glances over her shoulder and says, “Bathroom break, be right back but if you can order? I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Simple and easy, another thing I’ve learned about this magnificent woman; she doesn’t fuss, nag, or demand shit. Except for the popcorn thing, she really hates the smell but I can do without if it means I get to have her sitting right next to me on the couch. I watch her fine ass sway away from me until it’s blocked by someone wearing jeans and a candy cane pink shirt.
“Hey,” the woman says.
I recognize the woman as the one with the spare change from the bar.
She steps closer. “I missed you.” Her cheeks turn a shade of red. “I mean…you haven’t been working at the bar this week.”
I feel fucking awkward. Not only is it the first time I don’t like female attention because I only crave one special woman, but also because I feel like she’s stalking me.