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Granny looks up at me and whispers, “Delete my text.”
“I didn’t get a text from you,” I whisper back, confused.
“Huh?” She takes her phone out of her back pocket and starts punching buttons like a teenager. “Oh damn, looks like it didn’t send.”
She frowns. Then grins as she pockets the phone.
“Of course, I didn’t text him, Tory! He came freely and he’s of sound mind, so get your butt out here,” she calls.
Tory comes around the corner just then with wide blue eyes.
“Quinn?” She looks at me and frowns. “What are you actually doing here?”
“Granny’s right.” I step forward, throwing her an easy smile. “I came to see if you wanted to hit the rodeo. Biggest night of the summer. Didn’t you get my text?”
“Weird, no. I didn’t get a text from you.” Tory eyes me critically.
“Shoot. Maybe I forgot to hit send. You know how these phones are…”
Granny snickers as she walks over and grabs Tory’s arm. “Go put on your shiny new outfit. We bought it special just for tonight. I’ll serve Quinn a glass of strawberry rhubarb wine while he waits.”
Tory’s face flushes red and she looks down, an adorable wrinkle of confusion across her brow.
“But…I just cut up the eggplant,” she says quietly. “It has to be cooked, Gran. It won’t keep.”
“Oh, well, what’s one eggplant? Hardly a tragedy.” Granny says to her before looking at me with sparkling eyes.
“Kenny’s Taco Truck will be at the rodeo,” I say, clearing my throat. “I hear they have a damn good burrito.”
“A burrito off a truck?” Tory asks, cocking her head. “Sounds like a bad case of indigestion to me.”
“Would you forget eating like a bird for one day? I have some Pepto chewables in the cupboard you can take with.” Granny stomps over and pushes Tory into the hall. “Go. I’ll get some for you to put in your purse while you’re getting ready.”
I should feel sorry for Tory being forced into a rodeo trip, but the excitement of spending the evening with her and saving Granny from a miserable dinner wins out.
“Edison’s performance starts in about an hour, I think,” I tell her, trying to make it easier. “We don’t want to miss that opener.”
“No, sirree, you don’t!” Granny sings.
Tory looks at me and then, shaking her head, hurries down the hall.
“Thanks, lady.” I pull out my wallet and hand Granny a ten. “Your burrito’s on me tonight.”
“Ahh, well. You always were one of my favorite people,” she says with a wink, taking the bill and stuffing it in a pocket. Then she pulls out her phone. “I’d better text Velma to wait up. They’re my ride and now I know I’ll be going to the rodeo after all.” She shakes her head while texting with both thumbs. “I could kiss you right about now, young man. But how about that wine?”
I walk around her while her thumbs are still flying. “I’ll take a beer instead, if you don’t mind. Got some in the fridge?”
“Yep. And go right ahead and toss that heinous eggplant in the trash while you’re at it!”
I don’t touch the eggplant, but I do grab us each a beer.
We’re still drinking it when Tory reappears.
She’s dressed to slaughter.
White shirt with fringes across the yoke, rhinestone and sparkling pearl buttons, black jeans, and black-and-white boots.
My cock almost explodes in my pants.
Her hair hangs around her shoulders in soft waves, this sweet mess of cinnamon-auburn I’m sure feels as sweet as it smells. All my filthy thoughts from the shower come rushing back.
I can’t even look at her without imagining that hair in my fist.
I know. I know.
Now I’m completely screwed, blued, and tattooed.
Somehow, I manage to hold in a wolf whistle—barely—but Granny lets one rip for me.
“We’ve got ourselves a hot tamale tonight, don’t we, Quinn?” The old woman turns toward me, her eyes lit with pure mischief.
“Gran!” Tory hisses, laughing shyly.
“No joke.” Setting my beer on the table, I stand up. “You’re stunning, Tory.”
Tory shakes her head, that fiery pink burst on her cheeks glowing, then looks at Granny. “Will you please wrap the eggplant and try to save it from—”
“Uh-oh, look at the time! You two run along,” Granny interrupts. “Don’t you dare miss Edison. He’s a special creature.”
Owl, who’s been sprawled out on the sofa, lifts his head and lets out an offended woof.
“Oh, hush. Not as special as you, and don’t we know it,” Granny says to the dog before waving at us with both hands. “Get. Don’t make me find my broom and shoo the two of you out of here.”
It’s more likely she’ll throw the eggplant at us.
Grabbing Tory’s hand, I pull her gently toward the door.
“She’s right. No telling what Edison will get up to tonight. Drake said they had something special planned,” I tell her.
“Everything with that horse is special,” she says with a laugh. “So did Granny text you or not? I want the truth.”
