“I don’t know how much you’ve been told about who I am or why I’m here, but last year, I was undercover on an assignment that required me to make people believe I was a spy for another country.”
I turned my head to look at him. “I saw your arrest on television.”
“That was part of the assignment too. Anyway, the way people treated me then was something I never want to experience again in my life. When I was in the thick of it, I dreaded the look in people’s eyes when they saw me, or even just their expressions. They had so much hatred for me, and there was nothing I could do or say to defend myself.”
“That must’ve been awful.”
“It was harder than I thought it would be. Much harder, in fact.”
“They’re nicer now, though, right?”
“For the most part, although there are still people who see me as a traitor.”
“But you’re not.”
“Can’t turn those feelings off with a switch, though.”
“That makes sense.”
Paxon studied me, but I wasn’t ready to tell him what I lived in fear of. It was too humiliating to say I feared people calling me “heifer” and him or anyone else hearing it. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to flip a switch on seeing me that way himself.
I stood and put my hands in my pockets. “I have to get back to work. I hope my brother figures out a way that you and Stella can go to the Flying R with us tonight.”
“I hope so too, Flynn.”
I loved the way he looked at me, and at the same time, I hated it. I so wanted to believe he was attracted to me, but I was sure he was no different than any other man who saw me as fat and dumpy.
21
Irish
Flynn’s pain sat so close to the surface that it seeped from her pores in the same way her tears did from her eyes.
I wished she’d talk to me, confide in me, let me comfort and reassure her, but why would she? We’d only met earlier today. If I thought about it from that perspective, what made me think I had any right to ask?
I was still on the porch when Buck stalked out of the cabin next door. He walked over to his pickup without a word. When he threw stones driving away, I laughed.
Evidently, the honeymoon was over with Stella. It wasn’t surprising that it hadn’t lasted long. She was a fucking bitch as far as I was concerned.
Not long after, Rock drove up.
“Trouble in paradise?” I shouted.
“Something like that.”
“Heard there was a band playing at one of the neighboring ranches tonight.”
“Right. We’ll head out at about five thirty.”
The happiness I felt over hearing we were going, stunned me. Maybe it was just having a semblance of normalcy, even with bodyguards, that buoyed my spirits.
I met Stella and Rock outside when it was time to leave, somewhat surprised Buck wasn’t with them. I offered to sit in the back, like I would’ve anyway, pleased when Rock said we had one more to pick up, hoping it would be Flynn.
When she got in the truck, beside me, she sighed and fidgeted enough that it led me to believe she was uncomfortable. She hadn’t been that way with me before, so I wondered what was causing it.
When she twirled her hair with her finger, I reached out and touched her hand.
“You look very pretty.”
Instead of smiling or even blushing, Flynn looked perplexed.
“What?” I asked.
“You don’t have to say that,” she mumbled.
I moved my hand to her chin and turned her head so I could look into her eyes. “Flynn, you look very pretty.”
“Thank you,” she said, trying to turn away, but I wasn’t ready to release her gaze. Her eyes darted toward the front seat, making me realize this wasn’t the time or place to have this conversation. Flynn was already uncomfortable enough.
When we arrived at the other ranch, I realized we’d been traveling as a caravan. “Wait there,” I said to Flynn, jumping out and coming around to open her door. She smiled and took my hand when I offered it.
The band was already playing when we walked into the barn. I was surprised to see so many people dancing.
“What first?” I asked. “Drink or a dance?”
“Do you really want to dance?”
I pointed in the direction of the couples. “I don’t know how to do fancy stuff like that, but I would like to dance with you.”
We were headed in that direction when another man approached us.
“Flynn?” he said, looking her up and down.
Her eyes scrunched, and she shook her head as though she didn’t want him to say anything else.
“Where did you get that dress—”
“Porter, have you met Paxon Warrick? He’s a guest at the Roaring Fork. Paxon, this is my brother Porter.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, holding my hand out.
“Nice to meet you too.” Porter looked at his sister and then at me.
“We were headed out to the dance floor, if you’ll excuse us.”
I put my hand on the small of Flynn’s back, and she flinched. When we were far enough away from her brother, I asked her about it. “If you’d rather not dance, it’s okay.”
“Would you rather not?”
I looked into her eyes and smiled. “I asked you to, which means I’d very much like to.”
Flynn was stiff as a board in my arms, but that wouldn’t stop me from holding her. I kept my grip loose and, as she relaxed, gradually pulled her closer to me. We didn’t do much more than step from side to side, even when the song went from slow to fast.
“Did you want to get a drink?” she asked when we were on our third song.
“Not as much as I want to keep dancing.”
“Oh. Uh. Okay.”
I chuckled, took her hand in mine, and led her over to the bar.
We were getting close when another man—based on how much he resembled the first one, I guessed he was another brother—approached us. “Flynn?”
“Yes, it’s me. God, do you really have to make such a big deal out of how I’m dressed? Cord, this is Paxon Warrick. Paxon, this is my brother Cord.” She pointed toward the stage. “The guy with the red shirt is my brother Holt. I’m sure if the band takes a break, he’ll be equally shocked by my attire as Cord and Porter were. Oh, and Buck will be too.” She spun on her heel and stalked off, but I was right behind her.
“Hey, what about our drink?”
“I’m sorry. I think it would be best if I just went home. This was a terrible idea.”
I took Flynn’s hand in mine and led her outside. I waited until I was sure we didn’t have an audience before speaking.
“I don’t know what the deal is with your brothers being surprised by your attire, but as I said earlier, I think you look really pretty.”
“I don’t usually wear stuff like this.” Flynn waved her hand in front of her dress. “In fact, I never do.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed it.” I took her hand and twirled her in a circle. The dress she wore looked like any I’d expect to see on a girl who was also wearing cowboy boots.