Cowboy Bikers MC #10 by Esther E. Schmidt
CHAPTER THREE
– REDDING –
I hit the throttle and chase after a Longhorn calf straying from the herd we’re guiding into a new pasture. Decker comes up from my right, his horse easily outruns my bike and guides the calf back.
The fucker tips his Stetson with a grin and I shake my head. Asshole. It’s not a competition but more like a friendly challenge to make things easier when we’re herding cattle.
Some prefer to ride their horse; others grab their steel one. Our livestock is used to both so it doesn’t really matter. Spiro closes the fence and locks in the Longhorn herd. Roper is leaning his forearms on the horn of his saddle and is glancing at us while we come to a stop near him.
“Your work is done for the day, Redding. What are your plans for tonight, eh? Back to your fake old lady or is she gonna come by here for a change?” The smirk he gives me is a taunting one. “I mean, it’s been a week since you two wrapped an imaginary ball and chain around each other.”
I do regret spilling this shit to my brothers but on the other hand I won’t lie to them either. It’s a harmless lie and yet for me it’s something I’d never do. Besides, I had no choice if I want to find out who hurt her in the bathroom back at the bar the first night we met.
“I’ll probably think of a way to end up at her house again.” I shoot him a grin because the fuckers also know I’m playing along with this fake shit because I want for things between Fenna and I to become real.
“Well,” Decker quips. “I think you just found your reason trotting along on our property.”
I follow his line of sight and notice Fenna’s stallion has escaped. Again. The little shit is an escape artist and it’s no wonder they named him Houdini and sold him fucking cheap.
“Take the reins,” Decker tells Roper as he dismounts. “Roper will take my horse along with him while I ride your bike.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“You’re gonna need this.” He takes my bike while I in return grab hold of the rope he’s offering.
“Still nothing about the ex?” I ask Decker, he’s former FBI and still has the right connections to run background checks and such.
He gives a firm shake. “Dude is still following his work to home routine and hasn’t met up with the guy he cheated on her with. And based on the amount of texts he’s sending her, I’m guessing he wants your girl back. Probably because he went through all the money he took from her, covering all his debts, and knows she inherited a shitload.”
“Fuck,” I grumble. “Thanks, brother. Appreciate you keeping tabs on the asshole.”
I stroll toward the miniature horse while Roper chuckles and says, “See you tomorrow. Oh, hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
I turn to face him but the fucker keeps his horse walking toward the stables when he simply asks over his shoulder, “Do you guys have fake sex? You know, being in a fake relationship and all. I wonder how that works…kinda like dry-humping I guess.”
“Motherfucking asshole,” I grumble, his booming laughter filling the air as I jump over the fence.
I let the rope slide through my fingers without looking down, keeping an eye on the little shit darting away without a care in the world. It’s a pretty stallion, impressive bloodline, but the stress of hunting him down every time he escapes is something Fenna doesn’t need.
It’s only been one week since she got him but he’s managed to escape each and every day since. And she texted me earlier how she caught him in the act of escaping but managed to catch him and made sure the pasture he’s in was still secure. So, I know for a fact it’s the second damn time today.
I easily catch him and it’s good the little shit doesn’t put up a struggle. It’s easy enough to bring him back home. I’m thinking the whole great escape he’s been keeping up is because he’s lonely or something; going out to seek company or something to do.
Walking in the direction of Fenna’s home causes a smile to spread across my face. I should be thankful Houdini escaped; it gives me an opportunity to linger and hopefully she’ll accept my dinner invitation…again. Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve shown up on her doorstep more than a few times this week.
But in all honesty, she was the one who called me over the other days. Tiny things happening around the ranch where she called or texted about for advice. Living close to one another, it’s easy to just come on over and help her out. We both enjoy each other’s company and it’s why we’ve spent each and every night of this week together.
We do have the whole fake relationship in place and yet it’s more like we’re fast friends because there hasn’t been any kissing, touching, or so much as handholding. I’ve been sleeping in my own bed like a perfect gentleman. Like I mentioned, we have mutual interests and like to spend time together. This entails watching movies, easy chitchat, and sharing a meal.
“Oh, no, not again,” Fenna grumbles, wiping her hands on a dishtowel as she strolls out of the house. “Let’s lock him up in the stable for the night.”
“Maybe we could install a camera to see how he escapes; it might give us an idea how to fix the fence to keep him in. Though, I have to say, there might be a reason why he’s escaping. He could be lonely or bored. Maybe you should get him a goat or something to keep him company in the pasture.”
Fenna nods at my suggestion. “Both the company and a camera are great suggestions. I can’t put him with the mare and he obviously wants company if he keeps escaping.”
“I have the next two days off,” I quip. Totally lying here but I will text Roper to get one of the prospects to cover my shifts. “I’ll head over to the store and pick up a few things, start working the perimeter of the pasture. I’ll add a chain link fence to the wooden one, it will solve the escaping part for the little dude.”
“Are you sure?” The grateful tone in her voice is soothing as is the look she’s giving me.
“Absolutely. And you’re picking up the new mare tomorrow, right? Maybe we could buy a goat at the fair that I know is being held in another town. I already offered to come along with you to pick her up so we could make a day of it. You know, leave early, road trip, you and I.”
Her face lights up and it’s the reason why this fake bullshit we agreed on was just a lifeline the both of us grabbed onto in an effort to eventually get what we subconsciously wanted; a real relationship. Funny thing is, we have a relationship already, we’re friends for sure.
She sucks her bottom lip into her mouth and nibbles on it. I can tell she’s thinking things over and is worried about something. Her gaze goes to the stable and back at me to eventually pop her lip free and release a deep breath.
“Out with it, Fenna. What’s on your mind?” I gently ask.
“Are you sure the club doesn’t mind if we borrow the trailer for the day? I know you already mentioned it wasn’t a problem but you’re helping out each day and I really don’t want to impose.”
This woman. I’ve quickly discovered she has a big heart; cares and worries about everything, making sure she’s not a bother to anyone. It pisses me off even more how her ex cheated on her and the added insecurity fueled by her parents to make her doubt if chasing her own dream isn’t too big of a risk.
“The MC is like one big family. We all work together and this also means it’s a healthy give and take balance. If the MC needed the trailer, I wouldn’t be able to borrow it. But truth is, we have several and one is always available. Don’t worry so much, I wouldn’t offer it if it was an issue. So, you and I, road trip? We could lock Houdini up in his stable to make sure he wouldn’t be able to get out if we’re gone for the day. Though, he was on club grounds each time he escaped which means if he runs again my brothers would be able to catch him and keep him safe.”
She nods in agreement. “The stable would be able to keep him safe for the hours we’re gone. Come on, let’s put him in there right now.”
I follow her toward the stables and we put Houdini safely inside.
Strolling back toward the house Fenna suddenly says, “Pierre texted me again. He said he would show up in town, this way I couldn’t ignore him like the way I’ve been doing with his texts and phone calls.”
I come to a stop and wrap my fingers round her forearm. “I just checked with Decker, he’s still in his hometown. If he shows up here, we’ll deal with it, okay?”
“Maybe you could stay the night just in case,” she offers and I’m liking the sound of that but her eyes suddenly widen. “Oh, shit. I didn’t mean…I did…it’s not.” Her cheeks heat and I’m having a hard time keeping the laughter inside.
I give her forearm a gentle squeeze. “I know what you mean and I’d like to keep you company. We could do another movie marathon and leave early for our road trip. It’s perfect actually. Wanna come with me to the store? We can pick up a few things for the new fence and some food and shit for our trip tomorrow. I do need to get my truck for the supplies first. I’ll text a prospect to drop it off, I’m sure he’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Definitely. Let me get ready and grab my purse and I’ll be right out,” she quips and rushes inside.
I grab my phone and text a prospect. By the time she locks up the house the prospect arrives with my truck. Our trip to the store is uneventful but we’re both wearing smiles and balance easy chitchat when we’ve managed to find everything we need for the fence and have it loaded in my truck.
“Want to grab a burger and fries?” I point at the diner across the road.
She bobs her head. “Brilliant plan. No dishes and we can start movie night early when we get home.”
The corner of my mouth twitches. When we get home. How easy it is to fall into a routine when there’s an instant connection between two people.
“We still have to pick up a few things at the grocery store. Ice cream and popcorn, right?”
“Yeah, no. Popcorn stinks. Chips, ice cream, whatever, fine. No popcorn,” she says with a stern voice.
“Fine,” I fake grumble as we cross the street.
Entering the diner, I guide her to a table near a window.
Fenna glances over her shoulder and says, “Bathroom break, be right back but if you can order? I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
Simple and easy, another thing I’ve learned about this magnificent woman; she doesn’t fuss, nag, or demand shit. Except for the popcorn thing, she really hates the smell but I can do without if it means I get to have her sitting right next to me on the couch. I watch her fine ass sway away from me until it’s blocked by someone wearing jeans and a candy cane pink shirt.
“Hey,” the woman says.
I recognize the woman as the one with the spare change from the bar.
She steps closer. “I missed you.” Her cheeks turn a shade of red. “I mean…you haven’t been working at the bar this week.”
I feel fucking awkward. Not only is it the first time I don’t like female attention because I only crave one special woman, but also because I feel like she’s stalking me.
“I haven’t been at work since I’m enjoying some time off with my girlfriend,” I bluntly tell her.
A soft, “Oh,” tumbles from her lips.
Fenna strolls back from the bathroom. The woman notices her and anger slips over her features, face turning red along with it.
A man with some similarities to the woman appears next to her and grabs her elbow. “Come on, Kayla. Time to go.”
The woman’s brows furrow and she softly struggles against his hold but reluctantly lets him pull her away.
The man locks eyes with me and grunts, “Stop flaunting women around my sister. Have some decency to tell her it’s over before you jump to another chick.”
“What the fuck?” I growl and rise from my seat.
“No, no, no. Sorry for the misunderstanding,” the woman squeaks and jumps in front of her brother to try and push him away.
We glare at one another for a few breaths before the fucker turns and takes his sister along with him.
“What the hell was that about?” Fenna gasps, the both of us staring at the door where the two people just walked out of.
“I don’t know but I’m going to find out,” I vow and grab my phone. Jabbing Decker’s number, I hear him pick up on the second ring. “Decker, hey, it’s me. Listen. There’s this chick showing up at the bar every single night I’m working. She was also there the day Fenna entered my life, when she was attacked in the bathroom. We don’t know who attacked her because she was grabbed from behind. The chick and her brother just showed up at the diner in town and made a scene. It’s fucked-up, she’s acting as if we’re together or something, her brother insinuated as much. I’m getting the feeling the chick or her brother hurt my old lady. Check with either Dinand or Ewald, I’ve pointed her out to them so they know what she looks like.”
“I’ll check the tape from the security cam of the bar’s parking lot and see if I can pull some details from facial recognition. Talk later, brother,” Decker says and hangs up.
Fenna’s eyes are on me when I put my phone back in my pocket. “Your brothers…aren’t they going to be mad when they find out what we have is fake?”
I can’t help the slight wince.
She catches it and gasps, “They know? You told them about our arrangement?” She buries her face into her hands and grumbles, “Great. Forget about the barbeques and other parties you want me to attend, I can never show my face to those guys.”
“Hey.” I reach out and wrap my fingers around her wrist to pull her hand from her face. “I told them the truth because I can’t lie to my brothers, no matter how small or harmless the lie is. Besides, I’ve also mentioned I want this between us without the fake shit. They are aware I’m in this for real. If I have to walk the trial run path with you first? Fine. But you do need to realize we’ve already become friends in the past few days. This has already gone past the point of being fake.”
The waitress shows up and I take this moment to rattle off our order. Fenna stays quiet until our food arrives and we eat in comfortable silence, both processing the next step we might take because like I said; I’m all in when it comes to this woman.
