When Love's Gone Country (Sequel two of the Embracing Love Trilogy) (2 page)

“Exactly.”

“Well, we’re about to find out if the dream is as much fun in real life as it is in our imagination.”

Chapter Two

“The boys are gonna kill us, you know?” Meg said as she pulled her hair through a thick dark green scrunchie and pulled it tight.

“They wanted to go with Court and Brad.”

Meg giggled. “Only because you didn’t tell them you were renting a convertible.”

“They didn’t ask.”

Meg nudged Bobby with her arm. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You complaining about spending time alone with me?” His hands slid around her waist and he pulled her close, placing soft kisses along her neck.

“Me, complain? Never.”

“I figure since we’re leading the pack, we might take a little scenic detour.”

“Really?” Meg tilted her head, enjoying the feeling of her husband’s lips on her skin. “What’d you have in mind?”

“The Grand Tetons.”

“We’re not going anywhere near Wyoming.”

“And the deep caverns.”

“Where are there… oh. Oh. Hmm… this trip is taking an interesting little twist already.”

“We should get going, so we’ll have time to explore.” Bobby raised his eyebrows as a mischievous glint brewed in his eyes.

“Bobby Zyetta! You are so bad.”

“Don’t even try to feign that good girl stance with me. I know better.” He lowered his hands until he had a firm grip on her butt, then squeezed hard.

“Using my own ass as a weapon against me. Why I oughta—”

Bobby’s mouth stopped her words as she returned his fervent kiss. Meg felt her shoulders go limp and her back arch as the heat intensified.

The ring of Meg’s cell phone brought them both back to reality with a harsh bump.

“Let it ring.”

“It could be the boys.”

“They’re with Brad and Court, they’re fine.”

“I better check.”

Bobby released his hold and Meg stepped away from his embrace, her legs feeling a bit like a fawn taking its first steps. He held her hand to keep her steady.

“It’s Courtney.” Meg answered the call.

“Sorry to bother you, but Jeremy wants to talk with you.”

“Put him on.” Meg looked at Bobby and mouthed Jeremy.

Bobby closed the distance between them so he could hear the conversation.

“Hey, Mom. Jacob says since Diego has been sitting with his butt in his face for fifteen minutes, we should make him switch. That’s not fair. I didn’t tell Diego to put his butt in Jacob’s face, he just wanted to.”

“Isn’t there room for Diego to sit without his butt being in anyone’s face?”

“Maybe. Mom says to make room for Diego to sit in the seat.”

Jacob tried to move the dog by pushing on his rear end. He was greeted with a head turn and a disinterested look. Diego didn’t move an inch.

“Ask Brad to help you. Diego obeys him.”

“Brad, Mom says you need to get Diego to move.”

“Consider it done,” Brad said.

“He says he’ll do it.”

“Good. Anything else?”

“Nope, that’s it.”

“We’ll see you in about an hour in Alene. If you need anything, call.”

“I will. Did you know this ranch brands their cows?”

“I think that’s pretty standard.”

“How come?”

“So, if one strays off and is found on another ranchers property, they know who it belongs to. Some people also steal cattle. If they’re branded, everyone knows if the person who has them are thieves or not.”

“What would you do with a bunch of cows?”

“Sell them and get money.”

“Oh. I see. It’s always about the money, isn’t it?”

“Pretty much.”

“What do you think a cow’s worth?”

“I really don’t know, honey. That would be a great question to ask at the ranch when we get there.”

“I better write it down or I’ll forget.”

“Good idea.”

“Is it lonely without us?”

“Of course. It’s like part of us is missing.”

“I think so, too, except Court let us get ice cream. You’d never do that in the morning.”

“Don’t be telling tales on me!” Courtney yelled loud enough for Meg to hear.

“I’m not getting her in trouble am I?”

“No. I trust Court and Brad completely.”

“Me, too.”

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay. Bye, Mom.”

“Bye.”

“So what was the crisis?” Bob asked.

“Diego’s butt.”

“Now there’s a butt I don’t have any desire to see or feel. You, on the other hand—”

“Hold that thought. We really need to get going. They’re already ahead of us. If we plan to do any scenic exploration, we need to double time it to Alene.”

“Spoilsport!”

“Hey, I’m doing you the favor here, buddy. This was your idea.”

“All right, let’s get going, but let the record show I’ve been ready for half an hour. It’s you who’s been dilly-dallying.”

“Dilly-dallying? We’re going to be gone for two weeks and I need to make sure we have everything we’re going to need.”

“We can pick-up whatever we don’t have.”

“You say that now, but wait until your favorite robe comes up missing, then you’ll be singing a different tune and wishing I’d taken five minutes to make sure it was packed.”

“That reminds me, did you pack my hunting socks?”

“Are those the ones with the bright orange bands around the top?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes, I did.”

“And the long-sleeved t-shirts? I don’t want to get ticks while we’re there.”

“Packed ‘em.”

“And the—”

“Packed it.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“Bobby, I packed the whole damn house. Look around. The drawers are practically empty and there’s nothing on the counters. Why do you think Pure and Alex are carrying that trailer behind the pick-up?”

“I didn’t really think about it.”

“It’s mostly our stuff. Court and Brad filled four suitcases between them and at least one was full of art supplies, probably two, knowing Courtney.”

“I think this makes reason number eight hundred and fifty-two why I love you.”

“Because I’m neurotic?”

“Because you love everyone so much and want them to have all their belongings at their fingertips.”

Bobby placed his hands on opposite sides of Meg’s face. “I love you more than anything else in the whole world.”

“I love you, too. You’ve made me happier than I ever dreamed I could be.” Meg ran her hands through Bobby’s unruly sand-colored hair. “Your face is like the ocean.”

“What?”

“Did I say that out loud?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Meg chewed on her bottom lip. “I didn’t mean to. I was just thinking that your hair is the color of warm sand and your eyes are this amazing sea green. You’re like the ocean.”

“Then you must be the breeze that carries the sea birds aloft so freely. You’re like a welcoming beacon to all the ships, giving them hope that mermaids are real, and kind.”

“That’s a lovely thing to say.” Meg felt tears prick her eyes and she sniffed to keep them at bay.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Good tears, happy tears. You are my heart.”

“And you are mine.”

As they stared into one another’s eyes, Meg’s cell phone rang.

Bobby chuckled. “I’ll get it.” He read the display. “Court again.”

“You mean Jeremy again.”

“It’s for you. Jeremy wants to tell you that Diego is now sitting in the seat like a good dog.”

“Tell him we’re glad and we love him. I’m going to make one last check around, then we need to get out of here.”

“Mom says she’s glad Diego doesn’t have his butt in Jacob’s face anymore. We’ll see you in an hour.”

“That’s not what I said to say.”

“Eh, close enough.”

Chapter Three

“Maybe we shouldn’t go on the trip,” Alex said, eyeing Purity with a worried expression.

“Of course we’re going. Everyone’s been looking forward to this for months. I can throw up somewhere fun just as easily as I can here. I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know.”

Pure sat on her husband’s knee and put her hands around his neck. “I love that you’re concerned about me, really I do, but you’re going to have to get used to the idea that I’m the one who’s pregnant. You’re going to have to trust me that I’m not going to do anything that will hurt me or the baby.”

“I trust you. I’m just—”

“I know. You’re a proud papa and you want the very best for your family. This trip is a good thing. And, just think, while the baby’s brain or toes or whatever is being formed, he or she will be surrounded by all the people we love.”

“We really need to read those books about the baby’s development.”

“We will. We have lots of time.”

“Only eight months.”

“Alex, you’re going to have to learn to relax. You’re driving me crazy.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Trust the process. Women have been getting pregnant and having babies forever. It’s going to be okay.”

Alex nodded. “I’ll quit worrying. I promise.”

“I don’t need you to quit worrying. I worry, too. I just need you to be a little more patient and allow me to be sick or have swollen ankles or eat pickles and ice cream without trying to fix everything. This can’t be fixed.”

Alex took a deep breath. “Here I am trying to help you and I’m making things worse.”

“You’re not, sweetie. I love how much you care about me. I’d much rather have someone around who loves me than someone who just leaves me alone to be sick all by myself.”