Wildflower Read online

  “Sure you don’t,” Ellen said sarcastically. “You’re simply drooling.”

  Aliya rolled her eyes.

  “I am not.”

  Genieva finally saw her and waved.

  “Excuse me,” Aliya said to Ellen. She left and headed toward Genieva and her family.

  “Whoa,” the one named Harry said on her approach. “Who is this lovely lady?”

  Kolby rewarded her with a shy smile.

  “Aliya Harris, this is my husband Hale and my cousin Harry Ansara. You already know Kolby.”

  Aliya shook both of the men’s hands.

  “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Aliya is Marissa’s teacher,” Genieva explained.

  “So, that’s how you know Kolby,” Harry said. “I’m surprised he didn’t mention you.” He nudged his taller cousin in his side.

  Harry wore his long black hair pulled back in a tail. All the cousins resembled each other with their high cheek bones and slender noses. Harry was shorter than Kolby by a couple of inches. Like his cousin, Harry dressed in standard cowboy fashion, jeans, plaid shirt, and boots.

  “Let’s go find a table and then we can get something to eat,” Genieva said.

  Harry found a table and then she and Genieva left the men to get some food so they could save their seats.

  “You look so cute,” Genieva said, admiring Aliya’s blue skirt and matching blouse.

  Aliya had decided to wear a pair of sandals since she’d just gotten her toenails done and the weather was warm.

  “I didn’t know exactly what to put on since we’d be in a church.”

  Genieva wore a pretty peach pantsuit and strappy sandals.

  “Everything is sort of laid back and comfortable here,” Genieva explained. “Your outfit is perfect for dancing.” She paused. “You can dance, can’t you?”

  “I have rhythm if that’s what you’re asking. And I know a couple of line dances.”

  Some of the ladies of the church manned the buffet line.

  “We need three plates for Kolby, Hale, and Harry,” Genieva told them. “Aliya and I will come back for ours.”

  It was more food than Aliya could imagine eating once she and Genieva got their plates. Harry volunteered to go over to the ice chest for drinks. He returned a few minutes later and distributed them.

  “Thank you,” Aliya said. She was lucky enough to be seated between the two handsome guys.

  “Where are you from?” Harry asked.

  “New Orleans,” Aliya answered.

  “I’ve been there,” Harry said. “It’s a nice place.”

  Although she was holding a conversation with Harry, her body was well aware of the guy sitting on the other side of her. Kolby’s cologne had her nostrils wide open and the closeness of their legs had her skin tingling.

  “Do you work at the Patterson Ranch too?” she asked Harry.

  “Yes, I’m a cattle handler,” Harry answered.

  “What is a cattle handler?”

  “I keep the cows and bulls in line,” Harry answered. “We make sure they’re fed and tend to them when they’re sick, and sometimes we drive them up the range where grass is more plentiful so they can hang out with their cow friends.”

  Aliya chuckled at Harry’s joke.

  “You have a nice laugh,” Harry said.

  Uh oh. Maybe she was paying too much attention to the wrong cousin.

  “Are you a cattle handler too?” she asked Kolby.

  “I do that sometimes,” Kolby answered. “But not as much as I used to before Marissa was born.”

  “Kolby mostly takes care of the running of the ranch now that our father has retired,” Genieva said.

  “When he’s not on the rodeo circuit,” Hale added.

  She was speaking to Kolby, yet everyone else was answering for him. Could it be that the hunk next to her was a bit shy?

  “That sounds exciting,” Aliya said directly to Kolby. “Are you good with horses?”

  “He’s the best,” Hale answered. “Kolby is a champion rider.”

  “I do alright,” Kolby finally answered. “Do you ride?”

  “No,” Aliya said. “The last horse I rode was attached to a carousel.”

  Both Hale and Harry snickered.

  “What?” Aliya asked chuckling with them.

  “You’re a greenhorn,” Harry said.

  “There aren’t many horses where I come from unless you count the ones used by the mounted policemen.”

  “Kolby can teach you how to ride,” Genieva said.

  “I don’t know. I passed a couple of horses on the way to Texas. They seem awfully big.”

  Hale and Harry laughed again.

  “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” Kolby said. “I’ll start you off on Rosie. She’s one of our gentler mares.”

  “Would you ride her with me?” Aliya asked, imagining her behind him on Rosie and pressing the side of her face into Kolby’s back. She would hug him tightly around the waist.

  “Yes, at first so you can get the feel of things,” Kolby answered. “We’re having a barbeque at the ranch next Saturday. You’re welcome to join us. I can begin teaching you then.”

  “I’d like that,” Aliya said without realizing what she’d done. Kolby had his eyes on her and she got kind of distracted. “Is there anything I need to bring?” She never liked to go to a person’s home empty-handed.

  “Just an overnight bag and some comfortable clothing,” Genieva said to her. “Our barbeques normally last until midnight and it will be too late for you to drive back to your apartment.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t want to put anyone out,” Aliya said.

  “No excuses,” Genieva said. “We have plenty of room. And we all go to church together the next morning, so you might want to bring an outfit for that too.”

  All the information raced around in Aliya’s head. She didn’t have any immediate plans for the weekend so it appeared that she was going to be spending it with Kolby and his family.

  “Okay,” she said. “I’ll be there. Oh, I almost forgot. “Shouldn’t you guys clear this with Marissa first? She may have a problem hanging out with her teacher all weekend.”

  “Are you kidding?” Genieva asked. “Marissa will love having you there. She can show you her tree house that Kolby built for her.”

  Chapter Five

  “What time is Ms. Harris coming?” Marissa asked her aunt.

  Genieva made the potato salad while her mother Sonya pulled a pan of cornbread out of the industrial oven.

  “Soon,” Genieva answered.

  Marissa sat at the table playing with unshelled peas.

  “I can’t wait to show her my room.”

  “I don’t know what all the fuss is about,” Sonya said. “We’ve had guests before.”

  Genieva loved her mother dearly but Sonya had a very abrasive personality and she always spoke her mind. So Genieva wasn’t stupid enough to mention that she planned to fix Aliya up with Sonya’s precious oldest child.

  “This is Ms. Harris’s first time on a ranch. Kolby is going to teach her how to ride.”

  “Hrmp,” Sonya said. “Kolby is a busy man. He doesn’t have time to teach some greenhorn how to ride.”

  Marissa looked at Genieva for help. Her niece was smart enough not to let the cat out of the bag either.

  “He’s not busy today, mama,” Genieva said. “He’s doing it as a favor to me.”

  Sonya put the pan of cornbread on the counter to cool and then sat down at the table and began shucking peas. “Why do you want this? Is she your new best friend?”

  Genieva put the potato salad into the refrigerator. “Yes. She’s a very nice lady.”

  “What’s so special about her?” Sonya asked.

  “She’s smart and funny and she’s a teacher just like me. It’s nice to have a friend you have something in common with.”

  “And she’s pretty,” Marissa added.

  “What do you know about pretty?” S
onya asked Marissa. “Is that the only reason that you like this person?”

  Marissa shook her head and her pigtails flew into her face. She brushed them away from her eyes.

  “No, she’s a good teacher. She helps me when I ask her to.”

  “Oh,” Sonya said. “I guess I have to meet this fantastic person who everyone likes.” She paused. “Is she married?”

  “No,” Genieva answered.

  “Then keep her away from Kolby. He doesn’t need to be saddled down to some greenhorn. He needs a wife who can help him around the ranch.”

  Genieva had heard this sermon before, but what it all boiled down to is that her mother felt that there wasn’t a woman alive good enough for Kolby.

  Marissa looked like she wanted to cry.

  Genieva winked at her niece to ease her sorrow. She knew how much Marissa wanted her father to be happy.

  The front doorbell rang. Marissa hopped off the stool.

  “I’ll get it,” Genieva said, grabbing her niece’s hand and taking her out of the kitchen so Sonya couldn’t continue to question her about her teacher. They hurried through the house to the front foyer. Genieva opened the door. “Aliya,” she said. “Come on in.”

  Her friend had on a pair of jeans and a button-up plaid shirt and she carried a small overnight case and a garment bag.

  “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.” To be on the safe side Genieva would put Aliya in a room on her side of the second floor where Hale’s mother stayed when she visited. It had its own private bathroom too.

  “Hey, Marissa,” Aliya said to her student.

  “Hey, Ms. Harris.”

  Genieva took Aliya up the stairs to the room. Marissa followed.

  “Ooh, this is pretty,” Aliya said looking around the room.

  Genieva took her garment bag and hung it in the closet.

  “Thank you.”

  “I want to show you my room,” Marissa said.

  “Sure.”

  Aliya and Genieva followed Marissa out of the door. Genieva pointed out another bathroom as they walked.

  Marissa led them down the hall to the other side of the house and opened a door.

  “Ooh, this is a very pretty room Marissa, and so clean,” Aliya said stepping inside.

  Kolby had given Marissa the princess bed when she turned five and she had outgrown her other bed. And her niece always kept her room neat and orderly.

  Aliya walked over to a shelf to look at Marissa’s doll collection.

  “I used to love Barbie when I was a little girl. Believe it or not I still have all of mine.”

  “Me too,” Marissa said. “Maybe you can bring your dolls over to play with mine.”

  Aliya chuckled. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Mine are boxed up in my parents’ attic waiting for my future daughter.”

  “Are you going to give them to her?” Marissa asked.

  “Yes. They are special to me so they deserve to go to a special little girl who would take care of them and cherish them.”

  “I think I’m going to do the same thing,” Marissa said.

  “You have a very nice room, Marissa.”

  “Thank you,” the child said. “Daddy’s room is next door but I can’t show it to you without his permission.”

  “That’s okay, sweetie,” Aliya said.

  “I guess we need to go down now,” Genieva said dreading introducing Aliya to her mother. The three of them walked downstairs and headed toward the kitchen. Genieva opened the door. Her mother was still busy cooking.

  “Mama, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  Sonya looked up from what she was doing. Surprise registered clearly on her face.

  “Oh!”

  “Mama, this is my friend Aliya Harris. Aliya, this is my mother Sonya Patterson.”

  Sonya wiped her hand on a towel.

  Aliya walked over to her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Patterson. You have a lovely home.”

  “Thank you,” Sonya said, shaking Aliya’s hand. “Where are you from?”

  “New Orleans,” Aliya answered.

  “What are you doing in Texas?”

  Genieva shook her head. Her mother could also be rude at times.

  “Teaching,” Aliya answered.

  “You couldn’t find a job in Louisiana?”

  “Yes,” Aliya answered. “But I wanted to come to Texas.”

  “Why?” Sonya asked.

  “Because I wanted to see a cow.”

  Genieva couldn’t help but laugh. Aliya was standing up to her mother— something not too many people did.

  “Lunch will be ready in about two hours,” Sonya said to them.

  “Do you need some help?” Aliya offered.

  “Have you ever cooked for a lot of people?” Sonya asked.

  Aliya nodded.

  “Yes, ma’am. My father owns a restaurant and I’ve helped out from time to time. What do you need me to do?”

  “The gumbo still needs to be prepared. Do you think you can handle that?”

  “I’ll do my best,” Aliya said politely.

  “I’ll start on the cakes,” Genieva said. “Marissa can help me.” Before she started she took out the big pot they used to make stews and soups and handed it to Aliya. She showed her to the raw ingredients and handed her an apron. Moments later she peeped over and Aliya was busy cutting up seasoned ham, chicken and hot sausage into bite-sized pieces. Afterwards she made a roux from scratch. Genieva never saw her mother look so impressed with anyone before. Score one for Aliya.

  §§§

  Kolby decided to take a dip in the creek. He, Hale and Harry had been busy all morning branding cattle and he was seriously sweating.

  Hale and Harry jumped in and joined him, splashing water liked they used to do as kids.

  Kolby shook the water from his face and then swam around. Hale and Harry did the same. Once they got back to the ranch house he’d take a proper shower but this was just to cool off. Even though it was April it was hot as hell in Texas.

  “Do you think our guests have started to arrive yet?” Hale asked as they floated.

  “I suppose,” Harry said. “It should be close to noon.”

  “What time is that pretty teacher lady coming?” Hale asked Kolby.

  “I don’t know. Genieva was supposed to tell her to come around twelve.”

  “Do you suppose she’s here?” Harry asked.

  “What are you getting so excited about?” Hale asked Harry. “She’s Kolby’s date.”

  “She is not my date,” Kolby corrected. “I’m just going to teach her to ride Rosie.” He had been looking forward to Aliya’s visit too, but he wasn’t going to mention that to these two.

  “If you don’t ask her out, I will,” Harry said. “She and I can make some seriously pretty babies.”

  Kolby splashed water on his horny cousin. “There will be no baby making at this barbecue.” And he wasn’t about to let Harry get within ten feet of Aliya Harris. There would be plenty of women at the barbeque to entertain him.

  Kolby hopped out of the creek, pulled on his jeans, and laid down on the ground in the grass while Hale and Harry continued to play in the water. Trying to soak up a little sun and even out his tan.

  “So this is what cowboys do?” someone said behind him.

  Kolby recognized that southern twang. Aliya.

  §§§

  Kolby had the best looking ass she’d ever seen. Imagine her surprise when she and Genieva walked upon the three young men swimming and sunbathing. Kolby lay on his stomach with his jeans riding low on his hips. The crest of his butt and his back were exposed. He looked so delicious she felt like smacking her lips.

  Hale and Harry were in the creek. Their jeans lay on the ground. So either they were swimming in their skivvies or naked.

  “Their bodies have grown but they’re pretty much kids mentally,” Genieva teased. “Have you no shame, Kolby Louis Patterson? We can see your butt cheeks.”
/>   Kolby rolled over while trying to button up his pants and zip them.

  Aliya saw a patch of black pubic hair. Young master Kolby was commando under them there jeans.

  “Sorry,” he said, standing up. “We were just cooling off after branding cattle all morning.”

  “No need to apologize,” Aliya said to him. “I was just admiring the view.”

  Kolby wiped the grass from his chest.

  Aliya brazenly ran her eyes over Kolby’s body. Besides a broad chest, Kolby also had abs of steel. She just wanted to run her tongue all over him.

  Genieva caught her staring.

  “Aliya, you are so bad.”

  “Babe, can you hand me my pants?” Hale asked Genieva.

  “Mine too,” Harry said.

  “Ooh, I better turn around,” Aliya said as the other two guys began getting out of the creek.

  “You can turn around now, Aliya,” Genieva said to her. “They’re decent.”

  Aliya turned to face them again. Apparently decent to Genieva meant that all three of them now wore pants. To Aliya they were still shirtless, muscular, and very tanned.

  Kolby put on his shirt first.

  Aliya smiled at him. Shoot. Just when I was having a good time.

  “We better get back to the house,” Genieva said. “Mama sent us to call you guys for lunch.”

  “We’ll be there shortly,” Hale said.

  “It should be illegal for you to wear jeans,” Harry said to Aliya as she walked away from them. “What a caboose.”

  Kolby punched Harry on the arm.

  “Ouch. I was just paying the lady a compliment.”

  “Thanks,” Aliya said laughing. Some kids definitely don’t grow up.

  §§§

  Kolby showered and dressed and finally walked down the stairs. He ran into his mother in the kitchen when he was about to go out through the back door. The air in the room smelled faintly of seafood.

  “Have the guests arrived yet?”

  “Yes,” Sonya said. “Marissa’s teacher is here too. Did you invite her?” Sonya asked.

  “Yes,” Kolby said. “Both Genieva and I did.”

  “Why?” Sonya asked.

  “Because it’s the neighborly thing to do,” Kolby answered. “She sat with us at the church social and it would have been rude not to include her.”

  “What do you know about her?” Sonya asked.