He leans in towards me, and I know what’s coming. I slap my hand over my mouth and scurry to the other side of the truck. He wasn’t using that trick on me again. He throws his head back and laughs loudly. His laugh is deep and rich, and I have to clench my teeth to keep from smiling.
“You’re unreasonable.” I grab the door handle, but stop when Cash’s hand comes down on my thigh.
“I know you’re mad, sweetheart, but let me help you down.”
“I can get out of a truck by myself, Cash.”
“No, you’ll wait for me to help you, and you just proved my point.”
“What point was that? That you think I’m a child?”
“There’s nothing childlike about you.” The hand on my thigh slides a little higher, his thumb running little circles, making my skin break out in goose bumps even in this crazy Texas heat. “That even if I ask nicely you’ll still fight me, so I might as well just manhandle you.”
And that’s what he does as he pulls me from the truck, then throws me over his shoulder.
“Not that I don’t like doing it. Keep fighting me. I like picking you up and putting you where I want you.”
I wiggle in his hold like I’m trying to get free, just glad he can’t see my face and the stupid smile I’m sporting when I should be yelling at him for a list of things.
“Cash?”
The sound of a soft female voice stills my movements.
“Miss June,” I hear Cash say, stopping in his tracks. I push some of my hair out of my face and try to see where the voice came from. That’s when I see a girl who looks maybe a few years older than me standing on the porch. I have no idea how I missed her when we pulled up. Maybe she came from around the house or something.
Her eyes go to me, catching me sneaking a look at her. They narrow for a flash, so quick I’m not even sure if it happened. But one thing is clear. She’s been crying. Her eyes are a little red, but the make-up she has coated on still looks good.
Everything about her is put together. She looks like the country girl next door. Pink cowboy boots lead up to legs that seem to go on for days, ending in a pair of short jean shorts. I wouldn’t be surprised if she turned around and I could see her butt cheeks.
Even with her toned long legs, she has hips and a bust. Some women have all the luck. I had some curves before, but nothing like she has.
“Hey, Cash, I wondered if we could talk for a minute.” She sniffles again, and a pang of guilt runs through me. Something is clearly wrong. “Alone,” she adds.
“Busy with my wife at the moment,” is all he says, clearly dismissing her.
“Cash, she’s crying,” I whisper quietly so only he can hear me.
He just lets out an irritated huff like he couldn’t care less.
“Don’t be a jerk.” This time it’s not a whisper. He pulls me off his shoulder, sliding me down his body. His eyes train on mine. He reaches up and brushes a few curls out of my face. The act is so gentle, so incongruous coming from a hulk like him. I get lost in him for a minute, almost forgetting there’s a woman behind me watching us.
“I’m Clare,” I say, turning to face her. I go to step towards the porch to shake her hand, but Cash’s hands go to my waist to keep me in place. I roll my eyes.
“Don’t mind him. I’m still teaching him manners.” I try to joke to lighten the situation. Then June’s eyes turn a little colder, making me wonder if I had been wrong in thinking she’d been crying. Am I standing in the middle of a lovers’ spat?
That makes my blood run cold. She’s stunning, and it’s hard not to compare myself to her. I wonder if she’s his type. If they’ve dated before. Both of us are blonde, but that’s where the physical similarities end.
Even with her curves, she still looks like she’s built for farm life. I might blow over with a good wind.
“I’m June Johnson, but everyone calls me JJ, don’t they, Cash?” she finally says, a sweet smile melting away the cold I’d seen moments ago. She steps off the porch, reaching out and shaking my hand.
I can feel Cash just shrug. His indifference couldn’t be clearer.
“What do you need, June?” His tone is flat.
“Your mama would roll over in her grave if she heard you talk to a lady like that.” That’s when it clicks. Johnson. The farm next to Cash’s. The one he’d just told me about. These two probably grew up together. A montage of young, sweet, first love flickers through my mind—first kisses, dances, and other things I don’t want to think about. Cash will be my first everything, and I hate to think this woman in front of me is his first everything. I instantly dislike her for something that isn’t even her fault, but I just can’t help myself. I’m getting a taste of the same jealously Cash was feeling minutes ago. Wow, karma sure works fast.
“Yeah, she probably would roll over in her grave if I didn’t get my woman into the house, out of this heat, and fed. I bet you didn’t even have lunch, did you?” He says the last part softly and next to my ear, his concern for me clear.
“I…” I can’t even think what to say here. I’m too busy trying to figure out what’s going on with Cash and June. “Why don’t I go in and make us a few sandwiches while you talk to June?” I offer.
“I’m not sure there’s much to talk about. June, if your father needs something he can call me. I’d planned to call him tonight anyways about Sammy getting out.”