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“There is,” he said, taking a sip of his drink. “Except when I was a teenager, I wasn’t sure if working the land and tending to animals was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So, my father thought it best I took a job outside the ranch to figure out what I wanted to do in life.”
“He wasn’t hurt by your questioning?” I asked, taking a bite out of my own food.
“Probably a little. But he wanted me to forge my own path in life and have no regrets.”
His father sounded like an understanding man. I felt like too many times families would force their children to stay in the family business for the sake of keeping it alive and damn the kids’ happiness.
“It ended up being for the best. As much as I enjoy their food, ranching is in my blood. After a few months passed, I got bored. I missed the variety of what the day and tending to the animals provided plus working alongside my parents and the other hands. So, I turned in my resignation letter and haven’t looked back since.”
“You have no regrets.”
“No, ma’am.” He winked at me as I took another bite of food. We talked about a few other topics. He seemed particularly interested in stories about when I grew up.
“And that is why I will never take a ten-year-old’s word about hair care,” I said as I put my tray on the counter and threw out my trash. Austin followed suit, chuckling at my talks about the time I as in fourth grade and put lemon juice in my hair to make it lighter. It turned out spotty and awful looking.
“That’s good information to know. All right,” Austin said, and clapped his hands together. “Are you ready to go shopping?”
“Yes, Sir.”
He smiled and offered me his arm. I linked it in mine and we headed toward Kohl’s.
In less than an hour, we had a shopping cart filled with seven pairs of jeans, a dozen tops—mostly long sleeved—a pair of new shoes, six bras, and a dozen panties. In my haste to pack, I’d forgotten to throw in any extra bras and only one other pair of panties. I’d been wearing the same bra since I’d been at the ranch and alternating the two pairs of panties – washing whichever one I wasn’t wearing for the day. I had been embarrassed about getting my undergarments with him, but he assured me that I’d regret it if I went commando in jeans while helping out on the ranch.
We were in the loungewear/pajama section and I came across a pair of hot-pink silk shorts and a cami. “Oh, I like this,” I said, picking it up to see that it was my size. Like it had been meant for me to find.
“No way. Absolutely not,” Austin said and even shook his head as if that would make it final.
“Why not?”
“Because I said no.”
He was making me frustrated. I knew this set would look cute on me and it was on sale. “I’m getting this,” I declared.
“No.”
“Ugh.” I ground my teeth together. “Again, why not?”
“Because I said no,” he repeated.
Oh, I wanted to hit something! Yes, he was paying for our outing today, but I should have control in what I wear.
“Fine. Get me a granny outfit then. I’m going to go to the bathroom,” I said and walked away. I needed a few minutes to calm my nerves and stop myself from saying something that would get me in trouble or, worse, bent over his knee for a punishment spanking.
When Miranda was out of sight, I let out the breath of air I had been holding. I couldn’t let her get that set because if I did, anyone who saw her would want to have her.
We might not be together, and I had no claim over her, but that didn’t mean I wanted others to try and go after her. She was in a fragile state and shouldn’t have to worry about fending off pursuers. At least, that’s what I was telling myself right now.
Hoping to make up, I grabbed another lounge set with pants and a V-neck t-shirt. I also got her some flannel pajamas. It got cold at night and I didn’t want her to freeze.
I started walking toward the bathroom and bumped into Miranda as she was coming back to me.
Before I could say anything, she was talking. “I’m sorry that I zipped away for a moment. I was feeling frustrated and needed a moment alone. You’re helping me out and I should respect your wishes. So, I apologize.”
Now I felt a bit like a jerk. I didn’t want her to feel this way, so it was time to come clean.
“Miranda, I didn’t want you to get them because I don’t want the workhands or, hell, even Luke starting to pursue you. That outfit would make you irresistible looking.”
“Oh.”
