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  “Not much,” Kolby answered. “I know she is a good teacher. Marissa likes her and so do the other kids in her class.”

  “Oh,” Sonya said. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

  “Why are you asking all of these questions?” Kolby asked.

  “Because I don’t want you to get involved with her,” Sonya said. “She’s a greenhorn.”

  “You say that like it’s something bad,” Kolby said. “Not everyone had the privilege of growing up on a ranch like we did. Ms. Harris grew up in New Orleans and the last time I checked there weren’t too many, or any ranches there.”

  “I just want you to be careful,” Sonya said. “You’re a pretty rich fellow and I don’t want some woman latching on to you for that reason.”

  Kolby sighed. He expected that things were going to go down this way once his mother met Aliya.

  “I’m just going to teach her how to ride a horse. No one said anything about me becoming involved with her. And if I do, I am a grown man and can make my own decisions.”

  “I know that,” Sonya said in her own defense. “It’s been a long time since you’ve dated. I just don’t want you to fall for the first pretty face that comes along.”

  He didn’t think his mother was prejudiced so she had to have some kind of other beef with Aliya.

  “Did she say something rude to you?”

  “No,” Sonya answered. “I just don’t know her.”

  “The only way to do that is just to spend time with her,” Kolby said. “It would be nice to have another lady around here to help you out, but I’m not recruiting anyone at the moment to do this.”

  “I need you to help me carry this pot out,” Sonya said, pointing to the counter.

  “What’s in it?” Kolby asked.

  “Gumbo,” Sonya said. “Marissa’s teacher made it. I don’t know what it tastes like but she asked to help.”

  Kolby grabbed the handles and followed his mother out the door to the picnic area. He placed the pot in a cool spot so it could be served with the rest of the food. He saw Aliya and Marissa helping out in the food line along with Genieva. Aliya was smiling at one of the guests while dishing up their food.

  Sonya came up behind him with a pan of jambalaya.

  “Stop staring at her.”

  “I’m not staring,” Kolby said. “I was just looking for Marissa.”

  “Your daughter has been under that woman’s feet since she arrived,” Sonya said. “I don’t think it is wise to let her get too attached.”

  “She sees Aliya five days a week. It’s going to be hard to separate them,” Kolby said. He spotted Hale and Harry coming towards them. They too had showered and changed. “Do you need me to help carry anything else out of the house?” Kolby asked his mother.

  “No, you go get yourself something to eat,” Sonya said as she joined the other servers in the food line. “I can handle this.”

  Kolby walked away and steered his brother-in-law and cousin in the opposite direction. He saw his father Kirk busy playing horseshoes with some of the older guys. Hale’s parents had arrived and were in the food line too. Kolby went over to speak to them. Mary Christian kissed him and Harry on the cheek and pinched Hale. Kolby liked Hale’s family. They were good people. They walked to the back of the food line.

  “Ooh, the pretty lady teacher is serving food,” Harry said as they got closer.

  “Mama said she made the gumbo,” Kolby replied.

  “I’m going to get me some of that,” Harry said. “If she cooks as good as she looks I might marry her.”

  The fact that his mother had let Aliya do anything in the kitchen surprised the heck out of Kolby. So he was going to try the gumbo too just to see if she could cook. At least if she could, Aliya and his mother would have something in common.

  “You three spruce up pretty good,” Aliya said once they arrived to her part of the table. She was dishing up baked beans, Marissa was adding cornbread to everyone’s plates, and Genieva was adding potato salad.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Harry said. “I take a lot of pride in my looks.”

  Aliya chuckled.

  “And it certainly shows. You are gorgeous.”

  Harry basked in her compliment.

  “See, I told you she liked me.”

  Kolby pushed him forward. In Harry’s world all women loved him.

  “Your riding lesson begins after lunch,” Kolby told Aliya.

  “I’ll be ready,” Aliya said, rewarding him with one of her beautiful smiles.

  His dick hardened which wasn’t a good thing in tight jeans, but at least he knew he wasn’t dead when it came to the opposite sex. Kolby moved on down the line. His mother dished him up some gumbo and then he followed Harry to a table. Hale came behind him and sat down with them.

  The first thing Harry tried was the gumbo.

  “This stuff is the bomb.”

  Kolby picked up his bowl and sampled. Harry was right. Aliya’s gumbo tasted better than his mother’s.

  “And the sista knows how to use seasonings,” Hale said. “I think I’m going to get me another bowl of this.”

  “Me too,” Harry said.

  Kolby went back to watching Aliya and how she interacted with their guests, his sister, and his daughter. So far he liked everything he saw. Genieva thought that Aliya had left New Orleans to get away from someone who had broken her heart. If that was true that guy had to be nuts.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. Kolby looked up. They hadn’t had rain in a couple of days. That’s the last thing they needed during their barbecue. Maybe it was just from the heat.

  Aliya, Genieva, and Marissa finally got a chance to sit down to eat when some of Sonya’s neighbors relieved them in the food line. Aliya ate daintily, Kolby noticed. She stayed away from the fatty and the fried foods, but did get a piece of barbecue and lots of vegetables.

  After Hale and Harry had eaten their fill of gumbo the three of them went over to his father to engage him in a game of horseshoes.

  §§§

  “Are you ready for your lesson?” Kolby asked Genieva after her food had digested and his mother didn’t need any more help serving.

  “Yes,” Genieva said. “But I think we need to walk to the stable so I can work off some of that barbeque.”

  “You don’t eat much,” Kolby said.

  “That’s because everything goes to my hips,” Aliya said as they walked.

  “Big hips are an asset if you plan to ride horses,” Kolby said.

  “I would think a big butt would come in handy.”

  “That too,” Kolby agreed.

  “This is a pretty big ranch,” Aliya said once they made it to the stables. The horses whinnied when they stepped inside. “Wow, they’re big up close.”

  “Most of them are gentle,” Kolby said, feeding a couple of them sugar cubes. He showed her how to do it.

  Aliya stroked one of the horse’s nose.

  “This is Rosie,” Kolby said when they stopped at a stall with a white horse.

  “She’s beautiful,” Aliya said. The horse still seemed big to her.

  Kolby saddled up the filly and led her outside.

  Aliya followed.

  Kolby climbed aboard first and then held his hand out to her.

  “Just put your left foot into the stirrup and then swing the right leg over.”

  Aliya was afraid but she didn’t want Kolby to see her fear. She put her left foot in the stirrup, swung her right leg over, and Kolby pulled her up the rest of the way. Her body landed right behind his.

  “Just put your arms around my waist and hold on,” Kolby said.

  Aliya wrapped her arms around him like her life depended on it.

  The horse began to move.

  “Where are we headed?”

  “I want to show you our ranch,” Kolby said.

  After a couple of minutes Aliya got the hang of straddling a horse. In fact it reminded her of riding on the back of a motorcycle, without the vibration. T
he scent of Kolby’s soap and cologne made her first ride very enjoyable. She liked the way his dark hair curled on his neck. She just wanted to run her fingers through it.

  Kolby got down off the horse and let her try it alone while he walked beside them. Aliya was still quite nervous but it wasn’t all that bad. Kolby climbed back on and they rode to one of the pastures. She saw cows grazing in the tall grass. He tied the horse to a tree and they walked through a field of blue bonnets.

  “It’s so beautiful here,” Aliya said.

  “This was Meredith’s favorite spot,” Kolby said.

  “Who is Meredith?”

  “My late wife,” Kolby answered.

  “Oh and I can understand why. Wildflowers are so tranquil and beautiful.” It was the first time anyone had mentioned his deceased wife. “What was she like?”

  “I loved her,” Kolby said. “We grew up and went to the same schools. She was a great wife and mother.”

  “I’m sure I would have liked her,” Aliya said. “This field is amazing.”

  “You should see it when all the flowers are in bloom.”

  “I’d like to see it then,” Aliya said. Kolby didn’t seem quite sad about his wife’s death. She guessed everything did get better with time.

  They boarded Rosie again and Kolby took her to another part of the ranch that had more cattle and farm animals.

  “This is our new calf Petula,” Kolby said. “She was born a couple of days ago.”

  “Wow, she’s big.”

  “She’s going to get bigger,” Kolby said.

  A lot of new colts ran through the range along with other cattle.

  “My mother delivered Petula and named her.”

  “Your mother is a very hard worker. I watched her while we were cooking in the kitchen.”

  “It’s her life,” Kolby said. “She was brought up to take care of the home and the family.”

  “I don’t mean to be rude, but did she grow up on a reservation?”

  “Yes,” Kolby answered. “So did Harry and his mother.”

  “The two of you resemble her. Genieva too.”

  “My father would agree with you. He’s a blond and all of us have black hair.”

  “But you all have his smile,” Aliya said. “I noticed that immediately when I met him.”

  “He retired about a year ago,” Kolby explained. “A ranch can make a guy older quick. He’s much happier now just mingling with the clients.”

  “And you now run the ranch?” Aliya asked.

  “Yes, it’s a very big responsibility. Sometimes I need to be in two places at one time. It all gets quite confusing.”

  Marissa had mentioned that her father often forgot things.

  “You have to plan your time wisely,” Aliya suggested. “Whatever is priority comes first and the rest you can take care of if time allows.”

  “Makes sense to me,” Kolby said. This time he helped Aliya on the horse just by lifting her. His big hands spanned her little waistline and then she soared up in the air.

  “You’re strong,” Aliya said, feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything.

  Kolby climbed up in front of her.

  “It comes from wrestling cattle,” he said with a chuckle.

  He took her to see the fields. Besides cattle, the Pattersons raised vegetables. The irrigation systems kept the grounds damp under the sweltering Texas sun.

  “This reminds me of Mississippi,” Aliya said. “My grandparents grew their own vegetables. I used to go there every summer as a kid.”

  “What was your life like in New Orleans?” Kolby asked as they walked Rosie.

  “Laid back,” Aliya said. “A little too laid back. All I did was go to work and then come home. Life has changed there. There aren’t very many places to hang out like it used to be. Crime is bad and makes us afraid to venture out and enjoy the culture. I wanted, no, I needed the change. I felt the walls starting to close in on me.”

  “Were you dating anyone before you left?”

  “Yeah, but we broke up before I left,” Aliya said.

  “Why, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “We didn’t have anything in common,” Aliya asked. “And he was bossy and spent a lot of time hanging out in clubs and in the casino.”

  “And you didn’t like that?”

  “No,” Aliya said. “I’m not a teenager anymore. I was ready to start a family and settle down and he just wanted to have fun.”

  “Then you did right by breaking up with him and coming here. Sometimes I wish I could leave and venture off to other places, but I can’t think about that now.”

  “Maybe you can when you retire. Marissa should be married by then and you can turn the running of the place over to your future-son-in law.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it that way,” Kolby said.

  “So why hasn’t a handsome guy like you remarried?”

  Kolby chuckled. “You’ve met my mother, haven’t you?”

  “Yes,” Aliya said. “She reminds me of my grandmother— strong willed and bossy.”

  “Controlling is a better word,” Kolby said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my mother, but she’s not very friendly with strangers. She’s run off quite a few suitors for me and Genieva when we were growing up. But she loved Meredith once she got to know her.”

  “You’ve done a good job raising Marissa. I’m sure Meredith is looking down on you and smiling.”

  “Raising Marissa up until this point has been easy since I have my mother and Genieva in the house, but I’m dreading those teen-aged years when she will want to start dating and driving the car.”

  Aliya laughed. “We’re talking about Marissa. I don’t think she’s going to change that much. She is really together for a six-year-old. I wish to have a daughter like her one day.”

  “Do you like kids?” Kolby asked.

  Aliya nodded.

  “Marissa asked me the same question. I wouldn’t be teaching school if I didn’t. And anyway I think having kids would be nice. I heard they keep you young.”

  Kolby removed his Stetson.

  “I don’t know about that. I’m starting to grey at the temples.”

  Aliya looked up to check out his hair and Kolby kissed her. He had the softest lips and a great technique.

  “I couldn’t resist,” he said once the kiss ended.

  “You’re a great kisser,” Aliya said as they headed back toward the ranch house. It started to rain.

  Chapter Six

  The thing about Texas is that they did everything big. So when the rain started to fall, it came down in buckets. Kolby had to make a decision fast or he and Aliya were going to get soaked. The only shelter they could possibly make it to was the old cabin. Kolby turned Rosie and headed her toward it. They were both pretty wet when they arrived. He tied Rosie to a tree since she’d probably enjoy the feel of the rain and then he and Aliya entered the cabin. His cell phone rang just as soon as they made inside. It was Genieva.

  “Are you two okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” Kolby said. “How is Marissa?”

  “She’s dry and the men moved the picnic inside.” She paused. “Where are you?”

  “At the old cabin,” he said. “We were on our way back when the rain came up. We’ll be back as soon as the storm passes.”

  “Okay,” Genieva said.

  “Don’t tell mama where I am. She’ll probably do something silly and try to drive here to rescue me,” Kolby said. “Just tell her we’re safe.”

  “Will do,” Genieva said. She disconnected the call.

  “I need to build a fire in the hearth in the den,” Kolby said to Aliya. “We can dry our clothing.”

  Aliya followed him through the cabin to the den. Luckily he kept the place stocked with firewood. Kolby lit the fire. Aliya was drenched from head to toe.

  “I’ll go see if I can find you something dry to put on.”

  “You too,” Aliya said. “I wouldn’t want your mother angry with me f
or getting you pneumonia.”

  The only thing he could find was one of his shirts for Aliya. “You can change in the bathroom.” He pointed out the direction. “Bring your clothing out when you’re done and I can hang them by the hearth.”

  Aliya disappeared into the bathroom. He had gotten out of his shirt when she returned. He let his gaze have its way with her. She had long shapely legs and filled out the top of his shirt much better than he did. Aliya handed him her wet clothing. Kolby took his eyes off of her long enough to hang them up….first the pants, then her shirt and then her bra. Finally he held her bikini panties in his hand.

  “Everything got soaked,” Aliya said unconsciously trying to squeeze her legs together.

  Kolby put the tiny piece of lace closest to the hearth so it could dry quicker.

  “You better get out of those damp pants,” Aliya suggested.

  Kolby dashed into the bedroom and changed into a pair of shorts that he kept there before returning to the den. Aliya had taken a seat and was trying her best to cover up her assets. He still had a pretty good view of her hips and thighs. And just the thought of knowing she was nude beneath his shirt made his insides quiver.

  “This is very cozy,” she said.

  “It was my parents’ first home,” Kolby said. “My father built the ranch house right before I was born. Would you like some coffee?”

  “You don’t have to go to any trouble just for me,” Aliya said.

  Kolby needed an out. She had no idea how beautiful she looked seated on the sofa with the light from the hearth bouncing off her face. His fingers itched to wade in all that thick black hair.

  “No trouble at all. I’ll be right back.” He went to the tiny kitchen and began pulling out coffee mugs and putting the coffee on to perk. Moments later he poured it in the cups. He added creamer and sugar and carried it back to the den.

  Aliya had gotten off the sofa and was looking at some of the things on the bookcase. She had to stand on her tiptoes to do it. It made his shirt ride up a little and he got more than a healthy view of her big behind. Kolby gulped. Maybe bringing Aliya to the cabin wasn’t a good idea.

  She turned around.

  “Ooh, I didn’t hear you return. I was just admiring the wedding pictures. Your parents were a handsome couple.”