Aliya had just left the bakery when she heard a ruckus coming from a bar at the end of the street. Aliya had never been inside the place but heard it was a hangout for the local cowboys and ranchers. The noise got louder as she approached. It sounded like someone was fighting. Aliya was just about to cross the street because she’d been taught that bullets had no names and she didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire.
The door erupted open with a smash that missed her by inches and a guy landed at her feet. “Oof!”
“Ooh!” Aliya exclaimed. “Are you okay?” She looked down.
Damn, he’s cute
.
The gorgeous dark-haired guy at her feet looked up her skirt in the most ungentlemanly manner.
“Yes, sorry, ma’am.” He rose, dusted off his tight-fitting jeans, picked up his black Stetson, and hurried back inside the bar.
“Hmm,” Aliya said, marching off. He could have at least asked if she was okay after nearly frightening her to death. She pressed the button on her keypad, opened her car door, and got inside. It took her a few minutes to get her bearings before she started up the car and drove away from the curb. She was halfway back to her apartment when she realized that she was still upset with the guy. Whoever heard of men having bar brawls in this day and age?
The sun had already set but there was just enough light from the street lamps to see all the little shops and local restaurants along the way. She hadn’t eaten out much since she arrived but planned to visit them someday soon. Brazoria had a couple of universities, two public elementary schools, but only one junior high which served all the junior high school students in the Columbia-Brazoria Independent school district. But she liked a small town where one got to meet their neighbors and looked out for one another. And everyone went to the local sporting events to cheer on the home team. She loved New Orleans but she was partied out and wanted to see other places beyond her own back yard.
Aliya parked her car in her assigned spot at the complex, got out, and carried her things inside to her second floor apartment. After making sure the doors and windows were locked up securely, Aliya took a shower. Later she sat down at her kitchen table to grade papers while she heated one of the mini casseroles she’d prepared last weekend. Since she lived alone, it didn’t make much sense to cook every day. So she did the bulk of her cooking on Saturday, froze the meals in individual little pans, and then heated them when she needed them. That way she saved money, didn’t have any leftovers, and didn’t waste food. Aliya liked to cook, but until she got a boyfriend or a good buddy it was just meals for one. She sighed. That cowboy fellow at the bar was cute though. Why couldn’t she ever meet someone who looked like that, but in a business suit with a couple of degrees under his belt? On the other handsome cowboy usually came with an equally cute stallion.
Chapter Two
“What time did you guys get in last night?” Genieva asked Kolby.
She watched him plait and put ribbons in Marissa’s hair. He’d gotten real good at styling his daughter’s hair since he discovered the magic of YouTube. If he wanted to know how to do anything he just typed it in the search line and a helpful video would appear. So far his favorite style for Marissa was two long black pigtails but he could braid her hair or twist it like a professional hairdresser. He’d also spent a fortune on bows, balls, and barrettes and kept them in what he called a clear tackle box.
“A little after midnight,” Kolby answered. “There, I’m finished,” he said to Marissa. “Go get your book bag.”
Marissa skipped off to the den where she’d left her bag last night reading with her grandparents.
“Hale didn’t wake me to patch him up,” Genieva said. “Are you sure you guys went to Frankie’s?”
Kolby rubbed his aching chin. “Yes, and that’s because the guy he was fighting with never laid a hand on him. But my opponent on the other hand, landed a solid punch against my chin and knocked me out the door. I landed at some woman’s feet.”
Genieva chuckled. “What did she do?”
“She looked at me very sternly when I accidently looked up her skirt.”
“No, you didn’t!”
“I’m afraid so,” Kolby said. “She had some nice legs though and a pretty face beneath her frown.”
“I’m surprised you noticed,” Genieva said. “Did you at least apologize?”
“Yes, I did. I remembered my manners.” He sighed, “And I’ll probably never see her again.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Brazoria is a pretty small place. You might run into her again the next time you get into a fight at Frankie’s.”
“I doubt that,” Kolby said.
Marissa returned.
“Are you ready to go to school, sweetheart?” Genieva asked her.
“Yes,” Marissa answered. She kissed Kolby goodbye.
“Have nice day, darling,” Kolby said to Marissa. “You too, Sis.”
“Don’t forget about the open house tonight at the school,” Genieva said, heading toward the front door with her niece.
Kolby grabbed the container of hair products. “I won’t.”
“The school bus will drop Marissa off around four, so you’ll have plenty of time to get ready and make it there to meet her teacher.”
“I said I’ll be there,” Kolby said, feeling a bit pissed. He wasn’t a complete fuck up when it came to being around strangers.
Genieva and Marissa finally left.
Kolby carried the plastic box upstairs and put it on Marissa’s vanity. Her bed was neatly made, her dirty clothing was in the hamper, and all her toys were stacked neatly on shelves. Kolby smiled. It was hard to believe Marissa was just a little girl. Meredith would be proud of her. He walked out of his daughter’s room, grabbed his hat off a hook in his room, and hurried downstairs. He drove to meet up with Hale who was up at the North side of the ranch working on the fence. He found his brother-in-law busy removing the planks from the back of his truck. Kolby got out of his to help. They finished mending the fence near lunchtime. They drove back separately in their trucks and got in the chow line.
The workers from the fields and the ones working with the cattle all came in for lunch. Harry helped his aunt by carrying out the ice chests filled with soda, water, and juice.
Lunch was always served cafeteria style. Sonya and the apprentice chef Tanner kept the line moving by handing out plates, utensils, and napkins while Joe placed slices of tender roast beef and gravy atop the homemade French bread. There were also individual bags of chips and pickles to go along with the sandwiches. Sonya had already sliced tomatoes and lettuce and had them on platters for the workers to add to their sandwiches along with condiments.
“Where’s dad?” Kolby asked Sonya when he made it up to the front of the line.
“He went into town for a meeting with a new client and then he is supposed to stop at the barber for a haircut.”
Since Kolby had taken over the day to day management of the ranch work, Kirk’s time was freed up so he could mingle with potential customers and suppliers.
“I picked up your clothing from the cleaners while I was in town and put them in your room,” Sonya said.
“Thanks,” Kolby said, knowing he was due for a teasing from the other guys because his mother still did things for him.
“Are you finished mending the fence?” Sonya asked.
“Yes, ma’am and the damaged trees have been taken care of too. Is there anything in particular you need me to do?”
“Yes, we got a new calf about to be born. Its mother has been in labor for a while and I think she might need some help.”
Besides being the ranch resident cook his mother also helped out with the animals. He had lost count of the number of colts and calves Sonya had assisted into the world.
“I’m finished eating,” Kolby said. “We can leave right now if you’re ready.”
“Just let me change,” Sonya said. “Joe and Tanner can handle the rest of the lunch.” She went inside the house. Moments later she returned dressed in an old, comfortable pair of jeans and a sweat shirt. “I’m ready,” she said.
“Where are you off to?” Hale asked Kolby.
“I’m going to help my mother birth a new calf. I should be back shortly.”
“Don’t forget that you have to go over to Marissa’s school.”
Kolby frowned.
“That’s hours away.” Why did everyone feel they had to remind him to do things? And what was so important about going to the school to meet one teacher. It wasn’t like Marissa had a disciplinary problem. Teachers loved her.
§§§
“Are you married, Miss Harris?” six-year-old Marissa Patterson asked Aliya as she helped straighten up the classroom.
“No,” Aliya answered.
“Do you have any kids?”
“No, no kids either.”
“Do you like kids?”
Aliya nodded happily.
“Yes, I’m from a pretty big family. I have five brothers and four sisters. What’s with all the questions?” Normally Marissa would be out on the playground with the rest of her class but today she volunteered to help.
Marissa put away the construction paper and paste that she and the other students were using just before they went to lunch.
“No particular reason. My daddy doesn’t have a girlfriend either.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t had the privilege of meeting Marissa’s father yet but she did know that he was a widower. That much she’d learned from Genieva Christian, Marissa’s aunt.
“Aren’t you lonely?”
For a first grader Marissa sure asked a lot of grownup questions.
“Sometimes,” Aliya answered truthfully. “But most of the time I’m too busy grading papers or taking a dance class to notice.”
“My daddy likes to dance,” Marissa said. “My uncle Hale said he’s the best line dancer at Frankie’s.”
“Oh, is he?” Aliya asked, finally catching on to the real reason Marissa had stayed behind to help her. “What’s Frankie’s?”
“I think it’s a dance club in town,” Marissa said. “But I think they have beer there because sometimes Uncle Hale comes home drunk and Aunt Genieva fusses at him.”
Aliya tried not to laugh. She’d heard about Hale’s antics from Genieva too. She’d called Hale a jackass a couple of times.
“Is your daddy coming to the open house tonight?”
Marissa nodded. “He promised.”
“And does he always keep his promises?” Aliya asked.
“Yes,” Marissa answered. “But sometimes he forgets things and my grandmother has to remind him.”
He forgets things
?
“Does he do that a lot?”
“Not really,” Marissa answered. “My grandmother says he’s just too busy to remember everything since he took over running the ranch. She says he has a lot on his plate.”
Oh, a responsible guy
. She hadn’t run across one of them, ever.
Chapter Three
“Ms. Harris, this is my daddy.”
Aliya was too busy putting folders on the children’s desks to look up at the moment but she did recognize Marissa Patterson’s voice.
“I’ll be with you in just a second, Marissa,” Aliya said. She wanted to make sure every parent got to see their child’s progress folder. She looked up slowly after she finished, taking in the black cowboy boots, the black denim jeans, and the black chambray shirt that stretched across wide shoulders. She straightened up abruptly to see the total package. “Hello, I’m Aliya Harris.” Ooh! She recognized that face. He was the guy who was fighting at the bar. “I’m Marissa’s teacher.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Ms. Harris,” the guy said, extending his hand for a shake. “My name is Kolby Patterson. I’m Marissa’s father.”
Those pretty blue eyes twinkled merrily and seemed to beg her not to give his secret away.
Aliya shook his hand. It wasn’t soft and smooth like she expected but he had a strong grip. Besides the almond-shaped, long-lashed eyes the rest of Kolby’s face was simply scrumptious. He had a slender nose, high cheekbones, and kissable-looking lips that made her damp with desire and wet between the legs.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Patterson.”
“Call him Kolby,” Marissa said. “Everyone does.”
“I don’t think I should,” Aliya said once she got her hand back. “It wouldn’t be proper.”
“It’s okay with me,” Kolby said.
The man had a seriously deep voice and a Texas drawl— a very deadly and sexy combination.
“You have an amazing daughter. She completes all of her assignments. Marissa, show your father your folder.”
Marissa’s desk was on the other side of the room. She took her father’s hand and led him over.
Aliya couldn’t help but notice how well Kolby’s pants fit in the front and in the back. The man had a great ass. She imagined gripping it with both hands and squeezing.
Other parents came in to visit, which took her mind off the cowboy. Fantasizing about him throwing a saddle on her and riding her butt bareback didn’t help.
Genieva peeped into her class to see how things were going.
Aliya stepped out in the hall to talk to her.
“So what do you think of Kolby?”
“He’s gorgeous,” Aliya said low enough so only the two of them could hear.
Genieva nodded. “I told you. And he’s single.”
“Yeah, you did mention that a couple of times.”
“I better get back to my class,” Genieva said happily. “I’ll talk to you later.”
Aliya reentered the class and caught Kolby watching her from across the room. She nodded and tried to appear unaffected. The man had a dazzling smile to go with that fine body she’d been checking out since he arrived. So far she liked what she saw but wondered why he hadn’t been scooped up by some cowgirl. The man had to have some kind of fault.
Kolby winked at her and Aliya blushed and then winked back at him. That got a shy blush out of him. She hoped that meant that he was interested in her.
Marissa and some of the other students helped her serve juice and cookies to the parents while she told them her educational plan for the rest of the school year.
Even with all the other parents in attendance, she could still feel Kolby’s presence. At six feet tall the man had the height thing going for him that she dug immensely. Her evil little mind wondered what he’d be like in bed. Of course, she shouldn’t be thinking such things during an open house but that smile of his was making her very horny.