I don’t wait for a response, but instead walk off the back porch, take another look at the view, and then circle the house to head back toward the barn. My abrupt departure leaves no choice for the two brothers. They follow behind me, and as soon as I get to my car, I assure them I’ll be back to check on the steer the next day.
Once I leave the Keller ranch, I know I need to do something to expend the confusing surge of energy I got upon seeing Derrick again. I decide I’m going to call it a day, and I send a group text to my friends to let them know I’m going to go work out at the gym and then go to Patty Cakes for dinner if any of them would like to join me. I welcome the company.
9
Olivia
I work out with Rose, Lacy, and Chrissy at Get Fit. Carrie couldn’t make it because she had plans with the sheriff.
“Are you trying to kill us or what?” Lacy huffs at me. “You must be really motivated. I can’t even breathe. I’m going to have to cut back on Aunt Patty’s pastries.”
Rose is walking on the treadmill and smiles over at me. She looks so pretty with the small bump of her belly. She’s going to be a great mom. “Or does it have something to do with the guy you met the other night at the Roadside?”
Our whole workout I’ve been trying not to babble and complain about my guy trouble, but since Rose brought it up, I figure it’s fair game.
“I ran into him today, and he acted like nothing ever happened between us. He was even… offish. So what? He hates me now? The last time I saw him, he seemed as in to me as I was to him.”
“Hate is a strong word, Liv,” Chrissy says.
Rose shakes her head. “And they say women are the complicated sex. What a strange guy.”
“Maybe he’s married? Or maybe he got scared?” Rose puts in.
The conversation carries over to dinner at Patty Cakes, where Carrie joins us.
“Who is it?” Lacy asks.
I roll my eyes because as soon as I say it, I know Lacy’s going to know exactly who it is. He’s her fiance’s brother; of course she does. “You don’t want to know.”
They all pounce on that. Carrie leans forward in her chair—heck, they all do. “Who is it?” she asks, gripping on to my hand.
I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what I know is coming. This is Forest Grove, after all. They probably all know who he is. “Derrick Keller.”
“Derrick Keller? Wow, I didn’t see that coming,” Lacy says, wide-eyed. “That’s Trent’s older brother. He’s a character all right, but awful cute.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agree.
“Derrick is a good man, a hard worker, honest, quiet, and rough around the edges, but I can’t see him just ditching you at the bar if you two were having fun,” Lacy says with confusion etched on her face.
I am so glad I didn’t confess that it was actually the morning after where he pulled his disappearing act. Now that I know Derrick is Trent’s brother and Lacy knows him, I want to get off the topic and out of the danger zone of having the truth come out.
“You know, maybe I’m just being silly about all this. He could have gotten an important call or something that pulled him away. I guess I just found it strange that he left the way he did.”
“I don’t know, Liv. It’s weird. And you saw him today? How did he act?” Lacy asks, still skeptical about the fact that Derrick just left me. She must have a high opinion of him, and I don’t want to mess that up or come between family.
“He acted fine. Really, I think I’m just being sensitive, that’s all. Let’s change the subject. How is Brody doing, Rose?”
She smirks at me because it’s obvious I’m grasping at straws to get the attention off myself, but thankfully, Rose helps me out. “He’s doing better. He’s going crazy not able to do anything. But he should be released to go back to work next week.”
I look at her to see how she’s taking it. “You okay with that?” They were on shaky ground not long ago, and I’ve been worried about her since.
But she doesn’t seem worried. “Yes. I’m good with it, actually. We’ve come up with a plan, and we’re going to make it work. Brody keeps saying that he’ll quit, but that’s not an option. We’re going to make it work.”
Everyone is talking then, and I join in, trying to ignore Lacy’s curious glances.
Derrick
Waking up early because of a sexy dream I had about Olivia, I am even grumpier than before. I get to work early and think I’ll check on the steer so that it’s less likely I’ll run into the she-devil that’s haunting my dreams when she comes to check on the steer and Petey.
“What’s wrong with you this morning?” Trent asks me as I step through the porch. “You’ve slammed every door and cabinet this morning and been in a crappy mood the past few days.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind. Like running a ranch for one. I’m just going to check on the steer and then head out to pasture.”
He must notice me watching the main road every time a car goes by. Our driveway is long, and you can see the dust rise and usually hear the tires on the gravel road when people come in through the gate. But it looks like the coast is clear.
“Are you trying to avoid the cute new vet? You weren’t very nice to her yesterday.”
“First of all, what do you think Lacy would think about you calling another woman cute? And second of all, I was nice to her. I’m nice to everyone,” I tell him defensively.
“Lacy doesn’t have anything to worry about, and you know it. Just admit it, you think she’s cute. I sensed some serious vibes from both of you.”
“I never said she was cute,” I growl stubbornly.
Trent smirks at me. “Really? All the ranch hands seem to think she’s got some seriously sexy curves. So I’m not really sure how you missed that.”
I can feel my ears burning with my temper flaring. “Way to objectify the vet, Trent. And you tell the guys to stay away from her,” I huff. “You know what? Forget it, I’ll go tell them. That’s the only way things get done right around here anyway.” I’m sure my comment will make him feel guilty, but it doesn’t seem to.
“Fine. While you’re in the barn, say hi to Olivia. She’s already seen to the steer. She’s with Petey now. You can still catch her.”
I look toward the barn, and sure enough, there’s her truck parked right next to it.
I hate that a huge part of me wants to go and see the woman who’s haunting my dreams, but I don’t give in to my wants. Instead I say, “I don’t need to talk to the vet, Trent. I’ve got work to do. I’m not calling myself a rancher so I can gab at every good-looking woman who passes through.”
“I knew you liked the way she looks. I knew there was something there.”
I don’t even stand there and argue with him. I stalk off the porch, and instead of going into the barn, where I’m sure to see the vet, I grab the four-wheeler to go out to the fourth pasture. If I can get out on the range and do a full day of man’s work, I’ll be able to push Olivia back into the corner of my mind where every other one-night stand or weekend good time gets filed away.