Southern Belle

“You are in room number 436. I hope you enjoy your stay and welcome to King’s Ranch Bed & Breakfast!” I said happily as I handed them their room keys.
I yawned as I picked dirt out from under my chipped nails. That cow with a breeched calf this morning messed up any hope of my nails looking good.
“Liam! Thank God! I can hear Opal calling my name,” I said as I caught sight of him, making him chuckle.
“Your dad wants to ride with you.”
“Who died?” I asked.
“Why do you always assume the worst?”
“Because he only rides with me to tell me unwelcome news. He says that riding apparently lessens the blow.”
“He needs to change his tactics. I know the news though. It isn’t anything out of the ordinary for you all.”
That only confused me further as I walked out of the building with a goodbye to Liam.
When I saw my brother, Cole, and my father standing there together, I immediately knew what was going on.
“So, when are you leaving this time and how long?”
“The Texas Rangers signed me. I will be in Arlington.”
“That’s not too bad. That’s a weekend trip!” I said, smiling.
We then skipped riding and spent time with Cole, as he was leaving in a few days. Mom had cooked his favorite meal- vegetables fresh from the garden.
“So, we only get this on special occasions?” I asked, teasing Mom.
Dad and Cole chuckled as Mom rolled her eyes. We do this every time she makes vegetables because she makes them so rarely, even though we all love them.
I piled the fried squash, pinto beans, fried okra, tomato sauce, and cornbread high.
“Honey, when does the summer semester start?”
“Two weeks and then I’ll be done with college for good!” I said, smiling.
Cole smiled at me, knowing that I was sick of going to school, as I had been going non-stop for three years. I love my parents, I do, but they have my life planned for me. I’ve always wanted to run the ranch, and I still do… I just want to be able to act like I’m twenty-two before I run it.
“Em, can you pick up Liam’s shift tomorrow? Bear has a doctor’s appointment and baby momma refuses to take him.”
“I seriously don’t understand how he’s so at ease with this and hasn’t fought for custody yet.”
“He can’t afford it.”
“Give him a raise, he deserves it. I mean, it’s not like he doesn’t work his ass off for it.”
“Ember! No swearing at the dinner table!” Mom scolded, making Cole snicker.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Liam. We both never had feelings for each other, still don’t, it’s just he stuck around and his baby momma treats him like absolute shit when he could’ve just up and left.
After eating, I was looking for my textbooks that were needed for my classes when I felt my cell phone vibrate beside me.
“This is Ember,” I answered.
“Look at the caller ID,” Harry said, making me smile.
“What can I do for ya, Haz?”
“I’m coming to your house with alcohol, ice cream, and rom coms.”
“Uh oh. You and Jake have a fight?”
“Worse. A lot worse. I caught Jake cheating… with a woman,” he said, making me gasp.
“I’ll meet you at the door, babes. We’ll lock ourselves in my room,” I said.
“This is why we’re best friends.”
I stopped shopping and rubbed my head. I then went downstairs and started baking Brookies, knowing Harry’s comfort food was needed. I also heated up leftovers from supper tonight, knowing full and well that Harry hasn’t ate yet.
“What are you making all of this for?” Mom asked, appearing in the kitchen.
“Harry is coming over. He just caught Jake cheating with some girl,” I said, making her gasp.
“You get those in the oven while I heat up the food,” Mom said, nudging me over.
“Ooo… Brookies!” Cole said, rubbing his hand together.
“No, Cole. They’re for Harry.”
Everyone knew what happened to Harry before he even got there. When he arrived, I grabbed the ice cream and alcohol from his hands in trade for the plate of veggies.
“You people are going to make me fat,” he grumbled.
Everyone laughed. It wasn’t long of watching rom coms when Harry refused to watch another second of it.
“We’re watching Texas Massacre Chainsaw,” he yelled, making me groan.
I eventually agreed due to Harry’s broken heart and the promises of snuggles, which is the perks of having a gay friend.
“Ember, how did you get over it?”
“You never get over it, Harry. It always hurts. You just got to restore your faith in humanity. After being cheated on, I couldn’t trust anyone except my family and you. I grew on that though, I realized that not every guy is the same, I can trust guys now.”
He nodded.
“So, what you’re telling me is that this is going to take time?”
“This is going to take loads of time, Harry. Nobody can force you to be ready to get back out there either.”
When I saw the start of a smile on Harry’s face, I smiled as well. No, it wasn’t a full-blown, cheeky, dimpled smile. It was a start though… and could I really expect anything else? He did, after all, just get cheated on by a man who swore he was 100% gay.
Harry would have even been okay with bi-sexual. He doesn't care... just tell him the truth.
It hurt for him to hear that he was just some asshole that was curious.
Once Harry fell asleep, I snuck downstairs to get a glass of water. I saw my dad on the phone, making me stop.
He never took calls this late. Must be his friend from Ireland.
“Yeah, Bobby. Send him on out. We could use another set of helping hands out here.”
That only further confirmed my thoughts, but who is he sending out here?
“Ah. Don’t worry about her. They argued the last time y’all were here.”
I immediately knew exactly who he was talking about… and if he was coming here, I was going to Arlington with Cole.
“Alright. I’ll call you when he arrives, thanks, Bobby.”

Notes

Hello, everyone!! Fluffy_Gru here!!
I apologize it has taken me so long to put this up... my life has been crazy, and it only slowed down when I was sick.
Thank you all for reading this! It means a lot!!!
Let us know what you think. :)
Melissa's chapter is next!!