Текст книги "Cherished"

Автор книги: Kelly Elliott

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

“Skip, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it when I get back to Austin. Just let me enjoy my vacation, please. Yep. I know it’s back to work on January fourth. Yes, I know our work doesn’t take a vacation. January fourth, we are heading to Columbia at oh five hundred. I’ll make sure everything is ready to go.”

I heard the buzzer for Scott’s gate go off.

“Listen, Skip, I’ve got to run. If anything comes up, I’m just a few hours away from Austin, and I can get things up within a matter of hours.”

The gate buzzed again.

“Have to run. Stop stressing. Fuck, in our line of work, how have you not had a heart attack yet? Talk to ya later.”

I walked up to the intercom and pushed a button. “Talk to me.”

“Hey, Scott! It’s Azurdee. I’m so sorry that I’m a day early.”

I smiled and shook my head. I glanced at the clock. It was nearly nine, and I was pretty sure that Scott and Jessie were going to be home soon.

“Come on up. I’ll meet you on the front porch.”

“Okay!”

I quickly walked to the front door and out onto the porch. I perched myself up against the post and waited to lay my sights on the P.U.R.E. Azurdee.

How in the hell does a girl in her early twenties stay a virgin these days?

As I saw her Toyota Camry pull up and park, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw it was a Hybrid. The moment she stepped out of the car, she stretched, and my knees about buckled. I grabbed on to the railing.

Holy fucking shit. That hasn’t happened in a long time. Get a grip, for Christ’s sake, Williams. She’s just another pussy. You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

I watched her as she took her hair down from her ponytail. She had long, wavy dark brown hair that went down to the middle of her back. She pulled it back up into a ponytail as she turned and saw me standing there. I followed her eyes as they moved up and down my body. When her eyes caught mine, she smiled.

Jesus Christ.

“You most certainly are not Scott,” she said with a smile.

It took me all of thirty seconds to get my wits about me. “No, ma’am, I am not. You must be Azurdee,” I said as I made my way down to her car.

I put my hand out, and she shook it. I was pretty damn sure she just felt the same thing I did when we touched.

She looked away quickly before glancing back at me and focusing in on my lips. “You have an advantage on me, it seems. Mister…”

“Lark Williams, old college friend of Scott’s. Going to be staying for a few days.”

I purposely licked my lips and bit down on my bottom lip. She sucked in a small breath as her caramel eyes darkened. They were breathtaking, and I swore they sparkled.

Those are the most beautiful brown eyes I’ve ever seen. I wonder what they would look like when fucking her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Williams,” she said with the cutest damn smile I’d ever seen.

“Lark, please call me Lark.”

She nodded and looked around. “Azurdee Emerson. Are Jessie and Scott here?”

She seemed nervous as hell, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“I promise I won’t bite, sweetheart,” I said with a wink.

“Azurdee.”

I tilted my head at her. Feisty. “You don’t like the word sweetheart?” I asked.

Now, it was her turn to lick her lips before biting down on her bottom lip. She tilted her head back as she said, “Oh, I love the word sweetheart. I just don’t like it coming from a guy who probably bags at least two girls a week.”

My mouth dropped open as she pushed past me. She opened her trunk and started to pull out her suitcase. Then, she stopped and looked at me.

Pure, my fucking ass.

I walked over and took the suitcase from her. I made my way into the house and up the stairs as she pulled out her cell phone and called Jessie. From the sound of it, Jessie was freaking out that Azurdee was here alone with me.

“Honestly, Jess, I’m fine. It was my fault for coming in a day early. I finished up work, and I was so excited to see you that I didn’t even think of calling.”

I made a beeline straight to the bedroom next to mine. Before I walked into the room, she cleared her throat. I stopped and turned around to see her standing outside the bedroom at the end of the hall. She smiled and pointed into the room.

Fuckin’ A.

“Yep, and Lark is being such a gentleman by carrying my suitcase.”

She let out a laugh, and when I walked by, my arm brushed up against hers.

Shit! What in the hell is with the weird feelings every time I touch this girl?

I put her suitcase down on the bed, turned, and ran my hand through my hair. I didn’t like the way I felt when I was around her, and I’d only been around her for about ten minutes. When I looked up, I saw she was staring at me.

“Oh, um…what did you say, Jessie?” She quickly looked away. “Okay, I probably will because I am starving. Okay, see y’all soon.” She hit End and looked at me again. She gave me the sweetest smile. “They’re, um…they’re going to be heading back soon. Have you eaten dinner?”

My heart dropped to my stomach, and I was starting to get pissed-off at how my body was betraying me. I just needed to either fuck this girl or completely ignore her.

“Nope,” I said, cursing myself the moment the word came out of my mouth.

She nodded as she set down the two bags she’d carried up with her. Then, she turned and walked out of the bedroom. I followed her out and down the stairs to the kitchen. I sat down as I watched her open the refrigerator. She took a quick look, and then she went to the pantry and looked around. She pulled out powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and the bread. She walked back over to the refrigerator and pulled out some eggs.

“Do you like French toast? I’ve been craving it so bad the last few days.” She pulled out a bowl and began cracking eggs into it.

I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I could talk. “I love French toast.” Nikki used to make me French toast all the time. I miss her so much.

“Hey, are you okay?” Azurdee asked as she placed her hand on top of mine.

I instantly pulled it away. “Yeah. Why the fuck wouldn’t I be?” I snapped.

The hurt in her eyes made me instantly regret snapping at her. She took a deep breath and went back to mixing everything in the bowl. She got out a frying pan and put some butter in it.

“Jesus, you sure do know where everything is. Do you come here often?” I asked, trying to make up for being short with her.

She gave me a weak smile and began dipping the bread into the egg mixture.

“I’ve only been here a couple of times. I made Scott and Jessie dinner a few times. I love to cook, and I’ve been told I make a pretty damn good fettuccine alfredo,” she said as she wiggled her eyebrows. “All from scratch, I might add.”

I let out a small laugh as I shook my head. “I think maybe I need to be the judge of that.”

She flipped the toast in the pan. “You got it. I’ll make it while we’re here. When are you leaving? I’m staying until the third and then heading back to Austin.”

The feeling of disappointment washed over me. I wanted both of us to stay longer. I wanted to leave my world behind just for a few days more, so I could get to know this girl better.

“I’ll probably leave on the third.” I got up and took out two glasses from the cabinet. I grabbed the orange juice and poured us each a glass. I glanced over and noticed her watching me.

Yeah, I just need to stay away from her as much as possible.

I sat down and watched her whip out the French toast in record time.

“Will you get out some plates, please?” she asked without even looking at me as she reached and stretched to put the syrup in the microwave.

I stood up, took out two plates, and set them on the island. She put French toast on each plate, and then she took a spoonful of powdered sugar and sprinkled it on top. She turned and stood on her tippy toes to get the syrup out of the microwave.

I smiled as I looked down at her tight-ass jeans. Motherfucker, she has a nice body. No way is this girl still a virgin.

I made my way over toward her. I leaned against her as I reached up and grabbed the syrup. When I pushed myself into her, she turned around quickly.

“I never understood why they placed that microwave so damn high,” she said as a flush spread across her cheeks.

I couldn’t help myself. I reached up and pushed a piece of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear. She quickly touched the side of her face.

“You’re just short,” I said with a wink.

I backed away when I noticed her chest was heaving up and down quickly.

Yep, she felt it, too.

She let out an awkward laugh. “I guess so. Anyway, um…dig in!”

We sat down on the bar stools and ate at the kitchen island.

“Damn girl, this is the best French toast I’ve ever had.” I shoved another bite into my mouth.

She giggled. “Thank you. I’ve always loved to cook. I get to do a lot of baking with my business,” she said before taking a bite.

“What do you do for a living?”

She smiled, and my breath was taken away when her beautiful eyes lit up.

“I own a coffee shop called Rise and Grind. It’s right outside of Austin in Wimberley.”

I laughed. “I like it. Cute name.”

She smiled. “Thank you. It’s been a dream come true…well, at least for me, it has. My father, on the other hand, is still upset with me for not coming and working for him. He keeps telling me that my degree was a waste of his money—even though the coffee shop has done so well this last year. This is the first time I’ve left it. My mother has a business degree, so she has been helping me out with it.”

For a moment, she almost looked sad.

What is it about this girl that is getting to me?

“What is your degree in?” I asked.

“Ocean engineering,” she said with a weak smile. “My father is a petroleum engineer, and he owns his own company.”

I let out a small laugh. “Well, hell, why open a coffee shop when you could be building dikes and flood control systems? If you worked for your dad though, I guess you would be exploring offshore gas and oil fields,” I said.

Her mouth dropped open.

“What’s wrong?” I asked with a smirk.

“No one ever knows what an ocean engineer does. I always have to tell them,” she said with a small smile.

I smiled and gave her a wink. “Well, you’ve finally met someone who knows.”

I heard Jessie and Scott come in, and I turned to see Jessie barreling through the door. She stopped the moment she saw us. She smiled when she saw Azurdee, and Jessie immediately walked over to her. She took Azurdee in her arms and hugged her.

Jessie turned to me and gave me a look. She put her two fingers up to her eyes and then pointed at me as if to say that she’d be watching me. I was just about to take a bite, but I stopped my fork right at my mouth. I couldn’t help but laugh. I shook my head and winked at her.

Scott walked up, hit me on the back, and sat down. “You behaving, Lark?” he asked with a cocky smile.

“Yes, I am. Isn’t that right, Azurdee? I’ve asked her to sleep with me only three times.”

“What?” Jessie yelled out.

Azurdee laughed and shook her head. “He has not. He’s really been a gentleman.”

She looked at me, and I gave her my signature smile that I knew drove all the girls crazy—except it didn’t seem to faze Azurdee at all. Her smile dropped, and then she turned away as Jessie held up her ring finger. They both started screaming and jumping up and down. I threw my hands up to my ears and looked at Scott, who was laughing.

Holy hell, why must girls scream when they’re happy? The only time I want a woman screaming is when I’m giving her an orgasm.

“Jesus, make them stop, Scott,” I said.

I peeked over at Azurdee. She was talking a mile a minute as she kept bouncing up and down.

Fuck, she has nice breasts.

Ugh, I need to get the fuck out of here.

I got up, walked over to the sink, washed off my plate, and put it in the dishwasher. I leaned against the sink and looked at Scott. “Is the Wild Coyote Bar still open?”

He nodded, and I noticed Azurdee look over at me.

I pushed off the counter and started to walk out of the kitchen but not before I said, “Good. I need to get laid.”

“Oh, really nice, Lark. Do not bring a girl back here!” Jessie called after me.

I took the steps two at a time and quickly changed before heading back downstairs. Jessie and Azurdee were engaged in a conversation as they sat together on the sofa. I looked over at Scott, and he shook his head. He must have known I was going to ask if he wanted to come.

I shrugged and said, “Well, thank you, Azurdee, for dinner. Y’all have fun tonight.”

Scott stood and walked me to the door. “Dude, are you sure you want to go out? Why don’t you stay here? We’ll grab a few beers, head down to the barn, and catch up.”

I smiled and put my hand on his shoulder. “Dude, I haven’t had a piece of ass since Belize. Don’t wait up for me,” I said with a wink.

I glanced over his shoulder and saw Azurdee looking at me. Our eyes caught, and then she rolled her eyes and looked away.

He slapped my back and laughed. “Yeah, ’cause Belize was so long ago.”

As I walked out, I made a vow that I would not let this girl get under my skin. I sat down in my truck and threw my head back against the seat. I haven’t felt this way ever since Nikki. One good fuck, and I’ll get over it.

I spotted the beautiful blonde the moment I walked into the bar.

After three drinks, a few spins around the dance floor, and one shot, I was pulling up her dress and ripping off her panties in the backseat of her car. All thoughts of Azurdee vanished when the blonde told me to fuck her hard.

“My pleasure, sweetheart,” I said as I slammed my dick into her. Blocking everything and everyone out, I only focused on her calling out my name.

I walked into the kitchen, and Jessie, Azurdee, and my mom were all sitting at the kitchen island, looking at paint samples.

I stood there, shocked. “Mom? What are you doing here at eight in the morning?”

The fact that my mother and father had done a complete one-eighty with Jessie had freaked me out enough, and now, she was in my kitchen looking at paint colors.

“Well, we have to paint the baby’s room—the sooner, the better,” she said with a wink.

I looked over at Jessie, who shrugged her shoulders and smiled. I still couldn’t believe she was pregnant, and we were getting married. All thoughts of Trey were gone, and she seemed to be happy with the idea of staying home and raising our child.

I glanced at my watch as I walked over to pour a cup of coffee. “I’m going to head over to Gunner’s place and see if they need any help with the New Year’s Eve party. Is Lark around?”

Jessie motioned for me to walk out back with her.

“He went for a ride. I have to show you something outside. It looks like maybe one of the horses might have gotten out and made his way up to the house,” Jessie said.

My mother looked up at Jessie and giggled. Even she knew that Jessie was using a lame excuse to get me outside.

I followed Jessie outside. She smiled as she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck. I leaned down and gently kissed her soft lips.

“Hmm…” she said as she grabbed my lower lip between her teeth. “Thank you for last night,” she whispered.

I smiled. “No, baby…thank you for this morning.”

She put her finger in her mouth and barely bit down on it.

My dick was hard instantly. “Fuck, Jessie.”

“I’d like that,” she said with a wink. “Oh god, Scott, the moment you walked into the kitchen, something happened…and…and I…”

“What? You, what? Are you okay?” I asked as I put my hands on either side of her face.

“I don’t know if it’s because we were apart for so long or if it’s because I’m pregnant, but I’m so horny, and I just want you,” she said as she closed her eyes.

My stomach did all kinds of weird things. I grabbed her from behind her neck and pulled her lips to mine. I kissed her like I wasn’t going to kiss her ever again. I moved my hand up her shirt and felt on her breasts.

“Your mother is right inside.”

“I don’t care.” I picked her up and carried her around to the side of the house.

“Scott…” she whispered.

I put her down, and she pulled off her panties. I unbuttoned my pants and pulled them down. Then, I lifted up her skirt and slipped a finger inside her.

Jesus Christ…she is soaked. “Motherfucker, you’re so wet.” I removed my finger, picked her up, and slowly slid into her.

She threw her head back and whispered, “Oh god, yes. Scott, it feels like heaven. You feel so good.”

I didn’t know if it was because we could get caught at any minute or if it was the way she was whispering to me, but this was so fucking hot. I moved fast and hard, and I knew I wasn’t going to last much longer.

“Jessie, I’m not gonna last very long, baby.”

“Almost…oh god, it’s right there!”

I lifted her higher and pushed in harder. She threw her head into my shoulder and tried like hell to be quiet.

“Oh, baby, I’m coming. Ah, yeah, that feels so damn good,” I said as I poured myself into her.

I leaned her against the side of the house, my dick still pulsing inside her, as I tried to catch my breath.

“Scott? Jessie? Are you out here?” my mother called out.

Jessie brought her hand up to her mouth as her eyes widened. I smiled and put my finger up to my lips.

“Mrs. Reynolds! Oh, you have to see this crib! I think it’s perfect,” Azurdee called out.

We stood there for a few minutes before I put Jessie back down.

“Have I told you how much I like Azurdee?” I said with a wink.

Jessie giggled and picked up her panties. She shoved them into my pocket as she gave me a wicked grin. “Now, I have to go back in there with no panties on and try to make it to our room to clean up!” she said as she hit me on the shoulder.

I pulled the panties out of my pocket and bent down. I lifted her dress and used her panties to clean her up. I looked up at her, and her eyes caught mine as she chewed on her bottom lip.

I let out a laugh. “Again?”

She nodded, and I stood up and shoved the panties back into my pocket. I grabbed her hand and walked us around to the back porch.

I kissed her quickly as I dropped her hand. “I’m heading to the barn, baby. Be good!”

I walked backward with a smile as she smiled and blew me a kiss before she turned and walked back into the house.

God, I love that girl.

I walked into the barn and saw Lark taking a saddle off of a horse.

“I thought I might find you in here.” I walked up to him.

He looked at me and grinned as he shook his head. “Damn, dude. I only have one thing to say to you.” He set the saddle down.

“What’s that?” I asked as I grabbed a brush.

“Look the fuck around before you take your bride-to-be outside!

I let out a laugh and shook my head. “Ah hell, I don’t know what came over us. My mother is in the house, too.”

Lark rolled his eyes. “Ugh…that makes it hot, I guess, but damn…I like Jessie, and I didn’t need to see that shit. I’ve never turned a horse around so fucking fast in my life.”

I threw my head back and laughed harder. As I stopped laughing, I looked at Lark. “Shit, don’t tell Jessie you saw us. She’d never be able to look at you again.”

“Trust me, I’d rather forget what I just saw.”

I slapped him on the back. “Did you have fun last night? You got home late.”

He turned and looked at me. “Yep, I had a good time. Met some girl named Monica. Well, I think that was her name.” He stopped and thought about it.

I rolled my eyes. “Tell me you didn’t…”

He smiled as he opened the stall door to lead the horse back in. “Fuck yeah, I did. Let me tell you, that girl probably gave the best head I’ve ever had.”

I let out a sigh. “Lark. Dude, aren’t you afraid you’re going to get a girl pregnant one day?”

He just looked at me like I was an idiot. “I’ve never in my life had sex without a condom. Ever. That is my number one rule. No condom? Then, she can give me head, and if she’s good, I return the favor.”

“My god…you talk about it like it’s nothing, like it’s meaningless.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “It is.”

“What if it’s not to them? What if they actually don’t want a one-night stand?”

“I never make any promises. They know that all I’m looking for is a fuck. I make that pretty damn clear, and so far, I haven’t had any problems.”

I shook my head. “Lark, don’t you want to settle down? Get married and raise a family?”

He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. “There was only one girl I wanted to do that with, and she’s dead.”

“If you just opened up your heart, dude…”

He put his hand up and smiled. “I don’t need a lecture. I got one from Miss Goody Two-Shoes last night when I got home,” he said with a laugh.

“Azurdee?” I asked.

“Yeah. She was up, reading. She came into my room and asked if I got laid. When I said yeah, she sat on my bed and began to tell me how dangerous it was.”

I smiled and nodded. “Sounds like her. She has a good heart and means well.”

“Well, I already have a mother. I don’t need another one. And that’s exactly what I told her. She got pissed and walked out. So, really, Scott, I’m good. I know you’re happy and all that shit, but I don’t want the same things you want. Plus, my job would never allow for me to be in a relationship. I travel too much.”

I rolled my eyes and pulled out my phone. “You ready to go meet Gunner and Jeff?”

He smiled. “Let’s do it.”

As we walked back toward the house, I smirked and said, “Dude, bring your gun.”

Lark looked at me and smiled. “Why?”

“I want you to fuck around with Jeff. He is always bragging about how good he can shoot.”

Lark shook his head and laughed. “Hell, this ought to be fun.”

I pulled up behind Josh’s truck and smiled. “Awesome. Josh is here, too. You’re going to like him. Down-to-earth guy and good with his hands. He made the desk in my office.”

“No shit? He’s the one with the twins, right?”

I snapped my head and looked at Lark. “You were actually listening to what I said?”

“Of course I was, dickhead.” He opened the door and got out.

I walked around the truck as Ellie came out and smiled at us.

“That’s Ellie, Gunner’s wife.”

“She’s beautiful. Lucky bastard,” Lark said.

Ellie made her way down to us. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

She turned and held out her hand to Lark. “Hi, you must be Lark. It’s a pleasure. I’m Ellie.”

Lark smiled and took her hand. “Ellie, the pleasure is all mine.”

Ellie looked back at me. “Gunner, Jeff, and Josh are all out back. I don’t know which one of them is the most excited. They actually went into town and took trees from the recycle pile,” she said with a giggle.

I would never get over how sweet and innocent Ellie was. I glanced down at her stomach and smiled. Ellie and Jessie were probably going to give birth within a month or so of each other.

“How are you feeling, Ells?” I asked.

She smiled bigger and put her hand on her stomach. “Wonderful.”

“Congratulations, Ellie,” Lark said.

“Thank you so much! Now, y’all go around back. I have to get to my garden before Alex wakes up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I tipped my hat.

Lark and I walked around back.

Josh looked up and smiled. He walked up and reached out for my hand. “Congratulations, dude. I couldn’t be happier for you and Jessie.” Josh flashed me that smile of his.

“Thanks, Josh. I’ve never been happier in my life. Hey, this is my buddy from college, Lark. Lark, this is Josh Hayes.”

They both shook hands as Lark said, “Lark Williams. It’s a pleasure.”

We repeated the process with Gunner and Jeff. We stood around for a few minutes, shooting the shit, and then Lark went in for the kill.

“Are those targets back there?” He glanced around Gunner’s shoulder.

Gunner turned and then looked back at Lark. “Yep.”

Jeff smiled and said, “You like to shoot?”

Lark nodded. “Love it. I even brought my gun, hoping to get some target shooting in.”

Jeff took the bait. “Hell yeah, dude. Go and grab it. Let’s see how good you are.”

I felt kind of shitty. Gunner shook his head as he smiled and made his way into his house to get a gun. Gunner had never met Lark, but Gunner knew Lark had been in the Marines and was a sharpshooter.

Lark walked out to my truck to get his gun as Gunner came out with his Remington Model 700.

Then, Jeff started talking shit. “Damn, dude, I hope I don’t embarrass your friend. You probably should have told him that I kick your asses in target shooting every time,” he said with a wink and a smile.

It took everything out of me not to start laughing. I smiled and looked at Gunner as he busted out laughing.

“Jeff, you might want to pull back on the smack talk,” I said.

Lark came walking up and put his gun case down. He glanced up at the targets. “Three hundred yards?”

Gunner nodded. “Give or take.”

Josh took Gunner’s Remington and shot first. He was about three inches left of the center. Gunner went next. He shot just a bit better than Josh, but then again, it was his gun.

I smiled as I stood there and watched Jeff. God, I love fucking with him.

He glanced over at me and winked, and I just smiled back at him.

Cocky bastard.

Jeff was next. I had to admit that Jeff could shoot a gun. He was probably the best I’d seen since Lark. Jeff shot and was about one inch to the left of the center.

He smiled and looked at Lark. “Don’t know if you can get any better than that, dude.”

Lark smiled as he bent down and opened up his case. He pulled out a custom Nemo Omen .300 Winchester Magnum.

“Jesus H. Christ, that is one bad-ass gun,” Josh said.

Jeff just looked at me. I shrugged my shoulders and smiled at him.

Lark glanced at Josh and smiled. “Thanks, dude. She’s my baby.”

Lark got settled and started shooting. I peeked over and watched Jeff’s face fall. When I turned back and looked at the target, Lark’s grouping was tight, and it looked like one bullet was inside the other in the dead center of the target. He was barely nicking the hole, making it bigger. He took a step to his left and started shooting the next target with the same results.

When he stopped, he looked over at Jeff. “I think that’s better, dude. This was baby’s play. I’m used to shooting at a thousand yards.”

“Motherfucker. Where in the hell did you learn to shoot like that?” Jeff asked.

Josh and Gunner both started laughing.

Lark let out a small laugh. “My father owns a hunting lease in south Texas. I think I had a gun in my hand as soon as I turned five.”

“Holy hell, I’m impressed,” Gunner said.

Lark smiled as he put his gun back in the case. He closed it and stood up. “I was also in the MSOR, Marine Special Operations Regiment.”

Jeff quickly looked at me. “You motherfucker, you set me up.”

I laughed and held up my hands. “Hey, you were the one talking shit.”

Jeff just shook his head. “Fucker.”

Lark laughed as he turned and headed back to my truck to put his gun away.

We spent the rest of the afternoon setting up for the party and just having a good time while hanging out. Ellie brought out a few beers and set them down before going back in. We took them to the barn and talked for another hour.

I looked around at my friends. I’d be lost without them. They were more like brothers than friends.

I finished off my beer and stood up. “Alright, I guess I better get back.”

Gunner stood and reached out for Lark’s hand. “You’re staying for tomorrow night, right?”

“Hell yeah. It’s the only reason I’m here. Scott went on and on about the New Year’s Eve parties y’all throw. I’m not due to go back to work until the fourth, so I’ll probably be leaving on the third.”

Josh and Jeff both stood and shook Lark’s hand and then mine.

“It was great meeting you, Lark. You’ll have to come out more often to target shoot,” Jeff said with a smile.

“Damn, I wish I could. I travel a lot for my job,” Lark said.

“You still in the Marines?” Josh asked.

Lark shook his head. “Nah, medical discharge.”

Gunner looked at me and then back at Lark. “What do you do?”

Lark smirked. “Contract work for the government among other things. My boss dabbles in a few different things—all legal.” He glanced at me and winked.

Gunner laughed. “Fair enough.”

Lark hadn’t uttered a word ever since we left Gunner’s place.

“What’s on your mind, Lark?” I asked.

He smiled. “I like your friends. They are a good group of guys. They seem really happy.”

I nodded. “Yeah, they are a good bunch, and yeah, they’re all pretty happy.”

He nodded as he looked out the window. I knew Lark wanted what we all had—someone to wake up to every morning and lie down with every night.

“You ever think of changing jobs?” I asked.

“Fuck no. I love my job. I live for my job,” Lark said quickly.

I sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “You don’t ever think about settling down, Lark? Ever?”

He shook his head and smiled as he looked at me. “Nope. It would have to take an act of God to get me to settle down with one person.”

I nodded my head. As we drove down the driveway, I saw Jessie and Azurdee both riding horses. They were walking along the road. I pulled to a stop and rolled down the window.

“Damn, girl. You sure look good sitting up there on my horse,” I said with a chuckle.

Jessie smiled and let out a small laugh. “Your mother wouldn’t leave. She went from paint to baby furniture to wedding plans. I think I liked it better when she didn’t like me and never talked to me,” she said as she made a funny face.

Azurdee laughed, and I heard Lark suck in a breath of air.

“How about we go out for dinner tonight?” I asked.

“Azurdee has plans for a home-cooked meal tonight,” Jessie said as she looked over at Azurdee.

“Yep, pasta,” Azurdee said as she ducked her head down and peeked into the truck at Lark.

“Pasta, it is. Y’all need help with the horses?” I asked.

“Nope. We’re enjoying our girl time. We won’t be long, I promise,” Jessie said.

I slowly drove away and glanced over toward Lark. He was looking out the window as I smiled to myself.

Azurdee Emerson could very well be the act of God Lark was talking about.