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“Sounds good to me,” Jack said, jumping out of his chair. “Looks like a lot has changed since we were last here.”
I linked my arm with his and we made our way outside. We spent an hour or so showing Jack what was new on the ranch, from the new log cabins to the extra horses in the stables. We bumped into Brody in the stables. I’d kept an eye out for Mason but never saw him. I asked Brody if he knew where Mason was, he told me that he wasn’t scheduled to work today. Apparently, he’d asked if he could borrow one of the trucks for an hour or so and had headed out. Maybe he was getting something for the rodeo this afternoon.
After showing Jack around and catching up a bit with him, we made our way back to the house to eat lunch before Mason was due to pick us up. Brody came back with us so that he could shower and change. We found Josh waiting for us on the porch swing and he wasn’t alone.
“Hey man,” Brody said to him, pulling him into a one-armed hug.
“Hey, Brode.” He greeted him back. He turned to the girl standing next to him. “This is Averi, Averi this is Brody, his sister Savannah and their cousins Libby and Jack.” He gestured with his one hand to each of us, his eyes lingering a fraction longer on Savannah than everyone else. His other hand was wrapped around Averi’s waist.
“Nice to meet you.” I heard Brody say.
I looked over to Savannah who was as white as a sheet, her eyes fixed on Josh. I said a quick hello to Averi and Josh and then turned to Savannah. “Hey Sav, can you help me with something inside?” I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house leaving everyone else still on the porch. I led her straight upstairs and into my room. “Savannah, are you okay?” I asked her concerned.
“Why would he bring a girl with him.” She whispered, tears tumbling down her cheeks. “She’s gorgeous as well.”
I couldn’t deny that Averi was beautiful, she looked a lot like Savannah, long brown hair and green eyes. Why would he date someone who looked like Savannah but not be interested in her? I pulled her into my arms and let her cry. “She’s not as beautiful as you Sav,” I told her truthfully. “Josh is an idiot. I can’t believe he’s brought someone when he knows how you feel about him. Especially someone who looks like you. Please don’t cry.”
“I just don’t understand him. He goes all caveman on me last week in the bar just because I was dancing with a guy, then brings some girl to flaunt in front of me. God, I wish I could hate him right now!”
“We’re still going to have a great time,” I told her, passing her a tissue to wipe her eyes with. “Once we get there, we can leave them and do our own thing.”
She laughed. “Libby that’s kind of you, but Mason will be pissed if I drag you away from him.”
As much as I wanted to spend time with Mason, Savannah needed me, and I wasn’t going to see her hurt and upset just so that I could be with Mason. We’d arranged a date for tomorrow night, and we’d be alone then, pissed or not, he’d have to deal with it. “Mason will be fine Sav,” I told her waving my arm.
“Mason’s going to want to know why we aren’t staying together as a group, I really don’t want him to know. I can deal with Josh and Averi. Maybe I’ll find myself a rodeo cowboy.” She winked at me, a small smile on her lips. She wasn’t fooling me, though. I knew she was hurting.
She wiped her eyes just as a knock sounded on my door, Brody poked his head in. “Jack’s making some sandwiches if you want to eat before we go?” He asked, looking between Savannah and me.
“Is everything okay? Have you been crying, Savannah?” His brow furrowed in concern.
“Everything’s fine Brody. Come on let’s eat, I’m starving.” She said to him, smiling widely. Brody looked at me, shrugged his shoulder and followed her out.
After eating lunch, we headed out onto the porch to wait for Mason. Savannah ignored Josh as much as possible, which was probably a good thing as Averi was all over him. I didn’t want to judge her, as I didn’t really know her and I’d made that mistake with Mason, but I was struggling to like her. She’d only just met us, but thought it was appropriate to straddle Josh on the bench and shove her tongue down his throat while we all watched! Josh was an idiot for bringing her. Savannah was in a different class completely to this girl.
A horn sounded from the driveway, and I looked up to see Mason parking the minivan. He jumped out and made his way up to the porch. He slapped Brody on the back as he passed him and shook Jack’s hand, his eyes fixed on me. He looked as gorgeous as ever, messy hair, jeans that fit like a glove and a crisp white t-shirt stretched tight across his chest. I smiled at him as he approached me, my heart beating out of my chest.
“Hi, sweetheart.” His eyes scanning down my body. “You look beautiful.” He bent his head and caught my lips with his.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, my stomach fluttering with nerves. He pulled his lips from mine and curled his arm around my waist pulling me close to him.
“Am I missing something?” Brody asked, looking at Mason and then at me. “When did you two become an item?” He looked over at Savannah. “Did you know about this?” He asked her.
Before Savannah could respond, I heard Mason say. “We’re dating Brody, it’s pretty new. She took some convincing, but we’re giving things a go.”
“I like you Mason, but you’ll have me to deal with if you hurt her. She’s been through a lot.” Brody warned.
“I know what she’s been through and I don’t plan on hurting her. I’m glad you’re looking out for her, though, I wouldn’t want it any other way.” He pulled me even closer into his side, and I felt him kiss me softly on my head.
“That’s enough macho behaviour,” Savannah exclaimed. “Let’s go!”
“Everyone ready?” Mason asked. There was a chorus of yes’s, and we made our way to the minivan. “My girl’s up front with me.” He announced, as he held the door open for me and I climbed in, smiling gratefully at him.
Everyone else climbed in, and I noticed that Josh and Averi went for the back seats, no doubt to carry on what they’d started on the porch swing. Savannah, Jack, and Brody sat on the seats behind Mason and me. I turned and caught Savannah’s eye, she gave me a small smile before focusing her attention on the view from her window. My heart broke for her; surely Josh knew that bringing Averi would upset her. I felt Mason reach across and take my hand, pulling me from my thoughts.
“You okay?” He asked, his brows furrowed with concern. “You look like you’re miles away. Are you worrying about the drive up to Burnet?” He spoke quietly to me, making sure that no one else could hear our conversation.
“I’m okay, a bit nervous. I think I’ll be alright if you’d hold my hand again…that really helped me last time.” I smiled shyly at him. I didn’t want to betray Savannah’s confidence by telling him about her feelings for Josh, and I wasn’t lying, I was nervous about the drive.
