The Barn-Dance Page 6
How empty all his other relationships had been. How much he hated his dad’s ranch. How he’d wanted to follow her the first time, and he probably would have gone after her if his mom’s stroke hadn’t come shortly after Mindy left.
Leo had thought for the first little while she was here that he could ignore her, that he was over her. But last night proved to him just how much he’d wanted her all along. Something exploded in his heart last night, and it wasn’t about the sex.
Or at least, it wasn’t only the sex. There had been a moment when everything felt so perfect, and he knew this was it. This was the girl he wanted to marry.
Leo showered, and whistled while he did. He dried off and dressed, then made the trek down to his mom’s room. He found the chest quickly. His dad told him about it after Mom died. Where all her jewelry were kept, where Dad had put all her rings. He was after one in particular. The engagement ring his mom had always worn on her right hand. One big ruby.
His mom loved the color red, and insisted on a ruby ring when Cal proposed. But ruby was Mindy’s birthstone. It had been just before her birthday six years ago when she left, and every time July 7th went by, Leo thought of that ruby ring. It was already passed this year, but next time it came around, this ring would be on her hand.
Mark my words. He wouldn’t be deterred this time.
Six years ago in a passionate moment, she said she loved him and he hadn’t said it back. He was nineteen, and not very wise to the world. Truth be told, he thought she was messing with him, and until he saw her again last week, he always wondered if he’d been right.
But she hadn’t been, and he’d seen it in her eyes that first time he saw her on his property again. Leo had been a boy then, and he’d been in love with her, he just didn’t know how to say it. This time would be different. He was a man, now, and he wasn’t about to hold his tongue this time.
Leo tucked the ring into his pocket and went down into the kitchen to get Mindy. It was just about time to leave for the Barn Dance.
Instead of Mindy, Leo found his dad at the sink, running water into a kettle. “Dad. When did you get back?”
“Just now. We finished moving the last of the herd. Joel and Kyle are gonna stay out tonight.” His dad flipped on one of the burners and put the kettle down with a louder thud than Leo expected. “I hope you’re happy.”
Leo stepped back, startled. “Happy about what?”
“I know you weren’t too keen on Mindy taking this job in the first place, son, but your distaste for her has been a little over-the-top.”
Leo almost laughed. His father might be going crazy. Maybe he should call the doctor. “My distaste for her?”
Dad leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “You ignored her, then you tried to be as far away from her as you could. You practically snapped at her last night when she spilled water on you.”
“That’s not what that was about.”
“Well, whatever it was about, she’s gone.”
Leo stopped breathing. A tight shock of anger split his head open. “Gone?”
Dad pointed at the kitchen island where a piece of paper lay unfolded next to an envelope that had been ripped open. “She quit.”
Leo grabbed the counter, steadying himself. “What?” He moved to the island and picked up the letter, but couldn’t bring himself to read it.
“I know I said ‘no fraternizing’, but I thought you’d be a little bit nicer to her.”
“I was trying…” Leo stopped. He didn’t even know where to start with his father. “When did she leave?”
“She was just driving out of the yard when I pulled in.” Dad picked up the gently whistling kettle and poured himself a cup of hot water. “If I’d have known she was leaving for good, I would have stopped her and gotten the house key back.” He stirred in a spoonful of instant coffee and sighed. “I think she took it with her, cuz I don’t see it. But we’ll have to advertise for that job right away.”
Leo was still frozen, unable to read the letter, unable to think or process information. His dad kept talking. Some bullshit about Min not being right for the job. Fuck that, Dad. She was perfect for the job. She belonged here. With him.
Where in the hell would she go?
“And that’s that.” Dad slurped his coffee.
“What’s that?”
“We’re not having a girl her age do this job again. The boys couldn’t concentrate with her around.”
Leo laughed. He remembered Mindy’s pink shirt where her nipples peaked through the thin fabric, and them running their hands under the water together. No one could concentrate when she was anywhere in a twenty-mile radius. At least, Leo couldn’t.
“So she’s gone.” His dad sipped the rest of his coffee and filled the cup with water again.
“She’s gone,” Leo repeated. He shook his head. He wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. This time, he was going after her. He’d keep driving until he found her, or until it killed him.
She’d been working in Portland until she got fired. She didn’t have anywhere else to go, with all her family gone and no house left. Of course, she’d have to head back to Portland. And the quickest way back to Portland was to head down to Glendive and get on the Interstate. That would be the way she’d go. He was sure of it.
“I’m going after her.” Leo headed for the door.
“What the hell, Leo?” His dad walked after him, his voice irritated. “We can find another cook, or you can do the cooking.”
“I don’t give a shit about the food, Dad.” Leo stopped at the door. “I’m in love with Mindy.”
Cal Fortiss chortled as Leo pulled the door open. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it, son.”
When his dad was right, he was really right. And Leo had a lot to make up for. But first, he needed to find the one that kept getting away.
***
Mindy dried more tears on the way out of town than she cared to count. All day, she’d jerked when the door opened, wondering if she’d have to face Leo. More than anything, she wanted to work Friday and then take off. They’d make it through the weekend no problem, and maybe she could even talk Cal into giving her a reference when she got back to Portland and started looking for work.
But only if she did her job the best she could.
She’d cleaned the kitchen like a mad person, baked enough of Leo’s buns to last them through Halloween, and froze them. They’d even turned out okay.
In fact, she kept a bag of them with her. And every time she started to cry, she’d pull one of those buns out of the bag and sink her teeth into it. The rich, buttery flavor reminded her of Leo, and pain shot right through her with each memory.
But it was a good pain. A pain she needed to remember. Plus, those buns were so damn good.
She’d been on the road for about half an hour when she passed through her first town. Mindy considered pulling off and throwing the buns in the garbage, or picking up some more comfort food, but more than she wanted comfort, she wanted to get away from Leo.
He wouldn’t be able to hurt her if she was gone.
Cowboys couldn’t hurt you if you hurt them first. They’d cower and self-protect, and eventually leave you alone. She’d learned that much in her years in the city. A city more full of Montana boys than most small towns back home.
And she had a thing for cowboys.
Mindy palmed her face again, catching the tears. Much as she hated to admit it, she was going to miss Leo Fortiss. It almost would have been worth it to open up and let him hurt her. Almost.
Some idiot behind her was flashing his lights and honking. And speeding! Holy cow. The guy was gonna pass her. Maybe it was some off-duty cop trying to get to an emergency. Or a fireman.
Mindy kept her speed and continued driving. The idiot could pass her and get to wherever he was in such a hurry to get.
But instead of blowing past her, he got right up on her tail. Mindy’s heart raced. Was there something wron
g? Was she getting arrested? Should she pull over?
The guy was so close to her tail, she couldn’t do anything, so she slowed, hoping he’d get frustrated and just go around her. He didn’t. His honking intensified. In the shadow of his lights, she could see him gesturing to her.
Maybe her purse was on top of the car or something.
Mindy slowed to a stop and pulled over. It was still pretty light out, and this was a high traffic road. There weren’t any cars behind them now, and the two lanes stretched across the horizon, empty in both directions. But someone would come along. If this was some kinda scam, she could handle herself.
When the car stopped, she threw it into park, but left it running. She exploded out the door. “What the fuck, buddy?”
She came face-to-face with Leo Fortiss.
Leo’s chest rose at the sight of her. Her face was pink and a little wet. She’d been crying. But she was pissed! He hadn’t known what else to do, once he spotted her car. He wanted to call her, but he didn’t have her number. Leo was just glad he found her.
He almost took her in his arms right here, even with her red face, screaming at him. He’d never been so glad to see another human being in his whole life.
“Jesus, Min. You took off.”
That quieted her. She leaned against the car and crossed her arms. “It was just a matter of time before your dad fired me. I figured I’d get a head start.”
“You mean you figured you’d get a head start on me.” He knit his brows. “Like last time.”
Her face softened. “I just needed to leave.”
“I felt this last night, Min. I felt you check out.”
Mindy straightened, her light hair bouncing against the back of her neck. He wanted to thread his fingers through it and pull her mouth to his. But she wasn’t giving off the vibe that he was okay to touch her again. Mixed signals much?
“Some scars never heal, Leo.”
“What the hell?”
She looked at the ground. “I wasn’t gonna be the one putting myself out there with you anymore. You were just in it for the sex, so I gave you what you wanted.”
A sharp pain lanced through him. That’s what she thought of him? “Mindy.” Leo shook his head. He wanted to argue with her, but a quick pass over her face told him that she wasn’t really angry. She was hurting.
Still.
This wasn’t about last night. It was about last night and the last six years and six years ago. All of it. He could get angry, defend himself. But she didn’t need that.
He took a step toward her. “I’m sorry, Mindy.” He put a hand on her trembling arm and continued. “I’m sorry for six years ago, for not telling you I loved you. I’m sorry for yesterday, for being so worried about what my dad thought, for not fighting for you.”
She tried to stay stiff and distant, but he could see her resolve melting. That quiver of her beautiful lips, the nervous bite at the bottom one to stop it. “And last night, I wanted to stay with you. Not for sex. For you.”
Mindy’s big eyes stared at him, wet with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”
Leo exhaled a short laugh and put his hand into his pocket. He could feel the ring between his fingers. “I had a big plan for tonight.”
She nodded. “The barn dance.”
“The barn dance.”
“I see.”
“You did promise to go with me, after all.” Leo’s mouth curled into a smile and he coaxed a small one from her as well. There it was, she cracked.
Mindy’s arms relaxed. “I do owe you.”
“No.” Leo pulled her toward him and slid his arms around her. She didn’t touch him, but she didn’t stop him either. “I don’t want you to go because you owe me.”
“Then why would I go?”
He smiled, his cheek resting against her forehead. “Because you love me. You can’t live without me.” He exhaled through the pressure that built around his heart. “Like I love you, and I can’t live without you.”
Mindy laughed. He hadn’t expected that. “One night, Leo. We had sex one time, one night, and suddenly you’re in love with me?”
Leo pulled away and held her chin so she’d have to meet his gaze. “I’ve been in love with you for so long. I just couldn’t tell you.”
Her face softened and she breathed into his fingers, closing her eyes. “If you were in love with me then, why did you let me leave?”
“I was young and stupid.” Leo tugged on her chin again, trying to get her eyes to open, but she wouldn’t open them. He leaned down and kissed first one, then the other.
When she finally looked at him, tears ran down her face. “You never came after me.”
“You didn’t invite me.”
She laughed. “You didn’t want to leave your precious ranch.”
“That’s not true. You left for the city and never looked back.”
Mindy averted her eyes, a sad expression crossing her face. “I looked back all the time. But you weren’t there.”
Leo leaned down to catch her lips with his. “I’m here now,” he breathed into her. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
He pressed his kiss deeper, waiting for her to respond, but she held back. He backed her up against the car and pushed his tongue between her lips. Mindy’s mouth opened and her tongue met his.
She slipped her arms around his neck and held him to her, prolonging the kiss. When he finally pulled away from her, there were more tears on her cheeks than before.
Leo swiped at the tears with the back of his finger. “Don’t cry, love.”
Mindy laughed. “Love? I just don’t know if I can trust that.”
He kissed her again. “I know I messed up six years ago, but I’m not the same man I was then. I’m not going to lose you again.”
She relaxed her arms. “I’m not the same woman I was six years ago.”
“You’re exactly what I want.” He leaned down toward her mouth, but something inside wouldn’t let him go all the way. He hovered above her, their faces almost touching, and waited. “I love you, Mindy. I’ve loved you since I was a kid.”
“That’s less hot than it sounds, honey.” Min laughed against him, the vibration thrumming through his body.
“Well, it’s true.”
She didn’t pull away. Mindy looked into his eyes and waited. “What if I tell you that I love you too?”
Leo smiled and studied her lips. He wanted to taste them again, but more than anything else, he wanted her to cross the distance between them and show him that she forgave him, that she trusted him, that she loved him back, still.
“What if you do?”
She moved the slightest bit toward him. “Would you believe me?”
“Depends.”
He was teasing her now, and he knew she knew it. A wry smile spread across those luscious lips and she pulled him down to her. This time, Mindy sought out his tongue. Leo growled deep inside and pressed harder against the car. He wanted to take her right here.
But he didn’t want to repeat last night, either. That had been too fast. From now on, it would be long and slow. And she would come many times before he did. And with him. And after him. He wanted to make her come over and over again, maybe forever if he could manage it. She was so beautiful in her orgasm.
Who was he kidding? She was beautiful all the time.
“Do you believe me?” she asked, smiling coyly.
Leo stepped away from her and held out his arm like some old country gentleman. “I think we’re missing our barn dance, love.”
“Love,” she repeated. She took his arm and dipped into a deep curtsey that would have galled him if he hadn’t been able to see straight down her shirt when she bent over. “I could get used to that.”
Leo scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to his truck. He couldn’t wait to get her to the barn dance and show her off, but first, he was going to spread the blankets in the back of the truck, put up the tailgate, and make love to his Min,
right and proper this time. Lots of orgasms, then dancing and rings and proposals.
“You’d better get used to it, love. You’re gonna be hearing it for the rest of your naturally long life.”
Leo’s Buns
This is a recipe my grandmother taught me, and the inspiration behind this story. It’s also the same recipe that Leo walks Mindy through to help her save her job. I guarantee this: Leo’s are the best buns you will ever put in your mouth. ~Camryn
1 qt. milk
2 pkg. yeast
¼ c. lukewarm water
1 tsp. sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
1 c. sugar
3 tsp. salt
1 c. oil
13 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
KITCHEN NOTES FROM LEO: Sift your flour and baking powder, very first thing. Then boil 1 qt. milk or use 4 c. water or potato water. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve 2 pkg. of yeast in ¼ c. lukewarm water and 1 tsp. sugar. Let stand while yeast proofs—it should bubble and froth; kinda smells like beer when it’s ready.
Put milk, water, beaten eggs, oil, sugar, salt, and proofed yeast into a big bowl and beat hard until bubbles come up. Put enough flour in to make a mixture that isn’t too thick, because you are going to beat this until bubbles show. Let sit 10 minutes.
Then add more flour and the baking soda. Stir in all dry ingredients a little at a time until you have a ball of semi-sticky dough. Spread flour on the table and place your dough on the floured surface. Cover with your bowl and let rest 10 minutes. Then knead for a few minutes.
Grease the bowl and the top of the dough after you put it in the bowl. Let rise for 1 hour, then beat it down. Let it rise again (covered) for 1 hour, then form into buns and put buns on greased pans. Let the buns rise for 2 hours in a warm place. Bake at 375 on the middle rack for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen dinner-roll size buns. Good luck! I hope these buns bring you the happiness they brought us.