The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,85
be your usual irresistible self. How come you guys aren’t hitting the sheets?”
“We’re fooling around,” Zach admitted. “We’re having fun. Now drop it, unless you want me to discuss how often over the past five years I had to listen to you moon about Karen.”
They were good enough friends that they listened, or at least pretended to for a moment.
Many hours later, Lisa and Karen, both clearly amused, appeared beside them at the fire.
Lisa laid a hand on Josiah’s shoulder. “Hey, honey. You and the boys tying one on?”
Josiah waved his empty glass in the air before catching hold of her fingers and toppling her into his lap. “No rope involved. We could do something about that, if you’d like.”
She pressed a finger over his lips, laughing as she chastised him. “Don’t embarrass me in front of my big sister. She doesn’t need to know what kinky games we play.”
“And on that note, before somebody says something I’ll regret hearing, let me take this tipsy one home. Or these tipsy two,” Karen corrected herself as she tugged Finn to his feet and crooked a finger at Zach. “Come on, you wild men. I’ll drive, and we’ll pick up your truck later. You’d better get some sleep, Zach. Julia’s going to want you in tip-top shape for her party tomorrow night.”
“He doesn’t get to party. He’s partiless. Which is sadly not the same as pantie-less.” Josiah’s words were barely audible, his lips buried against Lisa’s neck.
She giggled. “What?”
Zach considered slapping a hand over his friend’s mouth but decided he was just tipsy enough it was possible he would miss and give Josiah a black eye instead. It would probably hurt.
Ha. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea after all.
Zach didn’t remember the details, but he was still in bed when Julia made it home from her shift. That part was crystal clear because she came flying into his room and bounced excitedly on the mattress.
“I’m done. I’m done. I had a good time, and I’m glad I had the apprenticeship, but I am so looking forward to working at Red Boot ranch.” She paused, perched on her hands and knees beside him as she examined him closer. Her amusement rose. “Do you have a hangover?”
“Don’t be cruel,” Zach whispered.
Sheer mischief flashed across her face. She knelt upright and pretended to hold a microphone to her mouth. “To a heart that’s blue.”
When she continued to sing Elvis at him, rather poorly and with increasing volume, Zach gave up. He enveloped her in an enormous hug and rolled her under him. Nibbling on her neck and tickling until she screamed with laughter.
He finally let her go, rolling away and pulling her to her feet. He kissed her forehead then turned her firmly toward the bathroom. “Congratulations on your final day. Now go get some sleep. I hear there’s a party tonight in your honour.”
It took a whole lot of coffee and a couple of Tylenols, but by the time he escorted Julia in the door of Rough Cut, Zach was back to one hundred percent.
It was a bit of a low-level party, with people generally showing up whenever it worked for them and coming to offer Julia a handshake or hug as appropriate.
In between, Zach and his friends took turns dancing with their ladies, music and energy rising as the evening wore on.
When Brad arrived with his wife, Hanna, Julia squeezed Zach tight and hauled him across the floor to where they stood waiting.
“Good to see you guys,” Zach offered. “Thanks for training my new employee of the month.”
Hanna winked then turned to Julia. “I’m glad you’ll still be nearby. It’s my turn to host girls’ night out next month. I wondered if you’d help me.”
“That would be great. I’ll get in touch this week,” Julia said with a smile.
Brad offered his hand. “It’s been a privilege working with you. And ditto, I’m glad you’ll still be nearby.” He shook her hand then offered a squeeze when Julia went in for a hug. He stared over her shoulder at Zach. “It’s good to see you settling into the community.”
“Heart Falls really feels like home,” Julia said as she backed up.
Zach glanced around, but no one seemed to be paying any negative attention. Still, being proactive wasn’t a bad thing.
He gave Brad his own hand clasp and hearty pat on the back. “Thanks for being such a good mentor to Julia. It’s made a difference.”
He wanted to say something about everything else he was thankful