Chapter 8 – Gemma
I couldn’t believe mom and it seemed even stranger that after all that had happened, she was more worried about what everyone else thought, than her own kids. She had apparently already talked to Braxton about selling, though I wondered if he had thought of it first. But if that were the case, mom wouldn’t have been so adamant about it I don’t think.
“I am sorry you had to hear all of that, Billy. I guess you just got slammed right into the middle of all of that the other night.”
He shrugged. “I never really had any family, so it is interesting to me. But I have never seen your brother so upset before. Are you sure everything is alright with Elna? She didn’t seem herself at the end there. I would have never thought that she would want to sell the business. She has always seemed so happy when me and Marcus would visit her in the city.”
I nodded, it was exactly how I felt, but all of us were just left there with our mouths open and wondering what had just happened. It was not like my mother at all and I had to think that there was something else going on, something else amiss in all of it.
“So when do you go back out on the platform?”
“I got another week actually. I was only going to take a week off, but I figured that the weather has been so nice and the days so interesting, that I was think of staying another week. You don’t mind do you?”
I didn’t mind. He had been a nice companion to have around and though I figured that he would be put off with the family drama, it didn’t seem to bother him in the least bit. Billy had even been helping me with some of the chores around the ranch. I had decided to go ahead and do what I had said I would do at the table. I quit my job the next day and it had afforded us all the time in the world to get to know each other.
Marcus had been pushing me towards him and even with everything going on at the ranch and Leanna, he still had time to play matchmaker, though he wasn’t very discreet about it. He kept leaving us alone, like today when we were off on a slow ride on the horses. It was getting later and the sun was starting to go down on the right side of us.
“Of course I don’t mind if you stay. I think I would rather take some more time off as well. I just quit my job and I feel like I should do something before I start work at the ranch. Is Marcus staying off for another week too?”
He shook his head that he was and that made me feel a little more relief. It meant that I would have more time with all of my brothers except one and Marcus had always been my favorite. “So what are your plans for your week off?”
“I am not really sure, but I know that I want you to be part of it.”
I felt myself blushing. He was always saying sweet things like that and I could tell that his silvered tongue was hard to ignore. Billy knew the right things to say and though we hadn’t kissed or even really touched in a way that was inappropriate and sexual, I wanted him to. He was holding back I figured because of Marcus, but Marcus had made it clear to me in his comments that he thought that we would be perfect together.
“Well I am just here at the ranch now. I have to go home eventually to get some spare clothes. I haven’t been home in days and I can’t wear Leanna’s clothes anymore.”
He looked over at me and I could feel too much of my flesh revealed. The light skirt that I was wearing was high on my thigh and I could tell that his attention was there. “Do you want to come over for a while and have some lunch or something while I change?”
“I kind of like what you are wearing.”
I sighed. “I bet, but I am tired of being afraid to move. She is a lot shorter than me, so I am sure that it fits a lot better on her.”
His dark green eyes darkened even further to a jade color and he didn’t have to say anything, I already knew what was on his mind. It was most likely the same thing on my mind. “I doubt that very seriously.”
“Me, look at you. You have become a proper cowboy since you came to stay here. I think the ranch might be rubbing off on you.”
He nodded his head. “I don’t think that it is the ranch that affects me so much.”
“Than what pray tell, is affecting you?”
Billy stopped his horse and pulled it back around so that he was instead looking at me. “You are the one that has changed my thinking.”
“And what thinking is that?”
“That I don’t want to go back on the platform. It all just seems so lonely now. I like the way things are here. You have all your family together and it is all so warm and inviting. You are warm and inviting Gemma.”
He leaned in suddenly close and I closed my eyes as I felt his lips brush ever so softly against mine. The horses didn’t like to be so close together though and mine pulled away, leaving my lips still moist from his tongue, but he was gone so suddenly and then the moment was broken. I turned to go back to the ranch with Billy following behind. I knew that he wanted to finish what we had started as much as I did.
***
We got back to the ranch around the time the sun was at the highest point in the sky. It had been a good ride, but my body was still buzzing over the kiss. It had only been for a few moments, but there was nothing that could be done. Two of my brothers were in the house when I got back in and I waved hello, wondering a little guiltily if they knew what I was just doing with Billy. He followed me to my room where I picked up a few things and then we had both agreed to have lunch at my place. Anticipation was high in my mind that something more was going to happen, but I didn’t want to say anything out loud to jinx it.
“You know, we could just stay at your place this evening too.”
“What did you want to do?”
As soon as I asked the question, I knew I couldn’t take it back. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me shiver inside. “Hey, sis!”
I sighed to myself. It didn’t seem like us doing anything else was going to be in the agenda. There was something holding us back from doing what was wanted and I was trying hard not to see it as a sign. “What Marcus?”
He looked from me to Billy and had this smile on his face that I wanted to slap off. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt something.”
“You’re not.”
“Then go.” I looked over at Billy who had said something at the same time, though his request was far different. I tried to ignore the looks I was getting. “What’s up Marcus?”
“Mom is going to be back home this evening and wants us all to come to the ranch for dinner. I just wanted to make sure that you were here as well.”
“Okay, thanks. I was going to go get some of my own clothes. Your wife’s clothes are a bit too tight and short for me.”
He just nodded. “Billy?”
“She is making me lunch. You know that I can’t say no to a good meal.”
Marcus had a look in his eyes and I wanted to slap him again. “I hear ya. Well just be back before night.”
I nodded and left the room and the strange scenario that there was. Billy was behind me a minute later and I knew him and Marcus had talked about something, but I refused to wonder what it was. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
We got in my car and I drove across town to my house. I was feeling the pressure of him sitting next to me and when we got towards the house, I had a strange feeling, but I just blamed the man next to me for the feeling and tried to ignore it.
Billy followed close behind me on the short staircase as I went for my keys.
“I don’t want to wait anymore Gemma.” He moved forward and kissed me again. This time there was more passion and force though. His body pushed me against the door and it pushed open. I almost fell over if he hadn’t been there to catch me.
When I looked behind me, I stopped. Everything in my house was broken and there was a message on the wall. “Do as you are told or next time you will be home.”
I stared at the letters scrawled on my white wall. What the hell was going on?