Circle B Ranch: Volume Two

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

ELIZABETH

THREE MONTHS LATER

Although I’m only in the first semester of my second year of vet school, I’m ready to have a few extra days off for Thanksgiving break. Between going to class, driving back and forth, and working at the clinic, I hardly see my family, but I plan to spend as much time with them as I can over the holiday.

“Anything I can do to help?” My mom’s hustling in the kitchen before her evening shift starts. She’s an emergency room doctor in the next town over and wanted to spend some time with us before she leaves, so we’re having a Thanksgiving lunch with my dad and brother. Then we’ll head to the B&B for desserts. Maize makes a huge feast of sweets, and all the Bishops meet there to celebrate. It’s one of my favorite holiday traditions.

“Sure, sweetie. Your dad won’t be home from the hospital for a couple of hours, so I could use all hands on deck.” She bastes the turkey while I wash my hands and put on an apron.

“Is Ethan out workin’?” I ask, grabbing the potatoes to wash and peel. He helps our uncles with ranch duties when he’s home from college.

“I believe so. Then he was gonna pick up Harper before we eat.”

Smirking, I know it’s only a matter of time before they finally become a couple. My brother’s two years younger than me and will graduate next summer, so I only get to give him a hard time about his we’re not dating best friend when we’re both home, which is hardly ever.

“So tell me what’s new? I hardly get to see ya between our schedules.” Mom moves around the kitchen as I continue peeling. Though we text when we can, it’s not the same as talking face-to-face.

“Busy as usual.” I sigh. “The clinic is chaotic, and my classes are stressful, but I’m enjoying it. Vet school is flying by, so I’m trying to take it all in.”

“Connor’s a great vet. You’ll learn so much from him too.”

“Yeah, Dr. Wallen is a great mentor,” I say dryly, rolling my eyes.

“You’re very lucky to be working under him.”

“Yeah,” I murmur. So lucky.

“What? You don’t like it there?”

“Oh, I do,” I reassure her. “He’s so moody, though. I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells around him.”

Mom grins. “That’s kinda how all doctors are. Super sweet to their patients but hard-asses to their co-workers.”

“Why can’t y’all be nice in general? I swear, during my interview, he decided I was too young and naïve to be good at my job. Years have passed, and nothing’s changed.”

“Doubtful. He’s the quiet, brooding type. Kinda like how your daddy was when we first met.” A soft blush covers her cheeks, and I snort. “And ya know what they say? Girls tend to marry men like their fathers.”

I remember Maize telling me the same thing as I grab a knife to start chopping. “And you still married him?” I snicker. “If that’s truly the case, I’ll never want to get married.”

“Yes, you will. You’ll find the one and want to start a family with him.” She brushes a piece of my hair off my face and smiles. “Trust me. It’s in your blood.”

There’s no doubt about that, considering how large our family has grown. Grandma and Grandpa Bishop had five kids, and between them, there are twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild so far. My cousin Riley and his wife, Zoey, had a baby boy five months ago. It’s only a matter of time before the grandkids start popping out kids of their own. I snort, throwing the potatoes in a large pot.

Mom and I chat and laugh for the next couple of hours until everything is cooked and on the table. Ethan and Harper stroll in just before Dad gets home. After the guys take a shower, Dad carves the turkey, and we dive in.

“You don’t have to eat with your family?” I ask Harper.

“We’re doing ours tomorrow since my parents work today,” she says.

“That’s why Dylan was grumpy in the fields today.” Ethan chuckles about Harper’s dad, who also works on the ranch.

Dylan grew up with Uncle Alex, and when they went on vacation to Key West, they both met their future wives. Dylan and Jessica were always around, which is why Ethan and Harper have literally known each other since they were in diapers. They’re only four months apart and have been inseparable for decades. I see the way my brother looks at her, but he’s insisted since high school that they’re only friends. Regardless, I think it’s adorable.

“Everything was delicious, Mrs. Bishop,” Harper says as I help clear the table.

“Thank you. I’m glad you were able to join us,” Mom replies. “Hope you saved room for dessert.”

Ethan pats his stomach. “I definitely did. Maize bakes the best pies, and I’m having a slice of everything.”

“Why don’t you help Mom clean up and load the dishwasher?” I push. “I bet Maize needs some extra hands settin’ up, and I need a few minutes with her before the B&B fills up.”

“I can help,” Harper chimes in, pushing out her chair and getting to work. “And so will Ethan.” She bumps him, giving him a look that says he better get off his a*s. It causes me to laugh because they already act like a couple.

“Thank you. I’m gonna wash up, then head over. I’ll see you guys there!”

“Make sure to save me a pumpkin pie.” Dad winks, giving me a quick hug.

“You don’t need a whole pie!” Mom scolds.

“Aw, c’mon. It’s a holiday.” Dad pouts, and Mom shakes her head, not giving in.

“Nice try,” I tease.

“Hide one for me. It’ll be our little secret,” Dad whispers with a wink.

“I heard that, Evan Bishop.”

“Sorry, Dad.” I chuckle.

When I enter the B&B, I’m immediately hit with the sweet aromas. It smells like pure heaven, and my stomach growls even though I just stuffed my face full of turkey and potatoes.

“Maize, it looks so good in here,” I squeal the moment I see her in the dining room.

“Elle! It feels like it’s been forever.” As she gives me a hug, a burly man walks out of the kitchen. I can tell he’s older than us, and by the way he’s staring at Maize, I realize I might’ve disrupted something.

“Came to see if you needed help, but I see now that I’m interrupting.” I scan my eyes up and down, noticing how tall and big he is. He reminds me of a lumberjack or mountain man.

“No, no. Gavin’s training horses with Jackson and Kiera. Mom invited him to dinner,” Maize blurts out.

“Mm-hmm.” I meet her eyes, knowing damn well we’re talking about this later.

“Nice to meet you, Elle. I’m Gavin.” He holds out his hand, and I shake it.

“A pleasure. I’m Elizabeth, but only our grandmother calls me that,” I explain.

He chuckles. “Noted.”

“Elle works with Dr. Wallen,” Maize tells him. “Which is why I hardly ever see her anymore.”

“Yeah, well…” I sigh, inhaling sharply. “We don’t call him Dr. Dickhead for nothing.”

Gavin’s brows shoot up as if he’s shocked to hear that.

“Speak for yourself.” Maize crosses her arms. “The rest of us call him Dr. VetDreamy.”

“Do not call him that,” I warn with a scowl. The last thing I need is for that nickname to get back to him. “Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t take away the fact that he makes my work life miserable.”

“It can’t be that bad.” Maize waves me off.

“Not for you, maybe. You have a great view.” I smirk toward Gavin. By the way he’s looking at Maize, there’s definitely something going on between them. Maize’s furrowed brows and tight lips confirm I’m right.

“Glad to see someone appreciates me ’round here.” Gavin steps next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“Is Maize being rude to you?” I ask, playing along.

“If by that you mean she ignores and tells me off, or straight up groans any time I speak, then yeah, I guess so.” Gavin shrugs with the most pathetic look on his face. It’s obvious he likes her.

“Maize Bishop!” I scold, folding my arms over my chest. “I know your mama taught you better than that. Be nice to the new trainer. He seems sweet.”

“I’m plenty nice.” Maize says between gritted teeth. I can tell her head’s about to explode.

“That’s you being nice? s**t, I’d hate to get on your bad side then,” Gavin says with amusement.

“Keep talkin’, and you will be,” she snaps.

“Okay, I’m sensing some kind of…tension here, so I’m gonna go find me some pie,” I quickly say, then walk away.

They’re either secretly hooking up or will be soon. I’m calling it.

It doesn’t take long for the B&B to fill up with family. We stuff ourselves full of Maize’s delicious desserts and catch up. Of course, Grandma Bishop interrogates me about who I’m dating, and when I tell her I don’t have time for a relationship, she calls BS. I laugh because she got married right out of high school and enjoyed being a housewife and stay-at-home mom. She’d cook huge meals for all the ranch hands and loved raising her kids. I want to get married and start a family someday too, but not anytime soon.

Now that Thanksgiving break is over, I’m back on campus. Since I have no classes on Wednesdays, I picked up a side job. My friend Lydia hooked me up with a position at the strip club she works at. Since I was against pole dancing and have limited rhythm, I was hired as a shot girl. It’s easy work for big tips, especially when I wear next to nothing. It helps pay for the gas it takes to drive back and forth every week.

“Hey, Elle.” Mark smiles at me. He’s the owner’s son and keeps tabs on all the servers. He gives me the creeps with his beady eyes and the way his hand conveniently falls on my bare back. “How’s it goin’ tonight?”

“Just fine, thanks.” I grab another tray of shots and head back out. Walking around in four-inch heels took some getting used to. My calves burn by the end of my shift, but I like to think after a couple of months of being here, I no longer look like a newborn calf learning to walk.

As I go around the room, offering a variety of shots, four tall men enter and take one of the bar-top tables in the back. The dim lighting in the room makes it hard to tell their ages, but I’d guess at least mid-thirties to early forties.

When they’re settled, I approach the table and lay on my thick accent. “Can I talk y’all into starting with some shots?”

“With an a*s like that, you can pretty much talk me into anything, darlin’,” one of the men says, l*****g his dry, chapped lips.

“In that case, doubles for everyone.” I flash him a wink, and he hands me a hundred.

“Keep ’em coming, sweetheart.”

I set down half the shots, then walk around to the other side of the table and set the others down. As I’m making my way around, a chair slides out and causes me to trip over my heels. I manage to tighten my grip on the tray, but I stumble right into one of their laps. Large hands grip and squeeze my waist, holding me against him. I’m about to elbow him in the chest if he doesn’t release me, but when he brings his lips to my ear, I freeze.

“Are you okay, Elizabeth?”

My body shudders at the deep, familiar voice. His hardness presses into me, and I wonder if I’m imagining this because there’s no damn way Connor is here. He has no idea I work here. No one from my hometown does.

Glancing over my shoulder, I meet his intense gaze. He looks pissed—even more than usual. His sharp jawline clenches, and his fingers dig harder into my skin.

“I’m fine. Let me go now,” I tell him firmly.

As if he’s just realizing his erection is pressing into me, his hands fly off my waist. Carefully, I stand and walk away with my head held high. Since they’re sitting in my section, I can’t avoid their table. However, I make sure to avoid eye contact with him the next time I deliver another round.

The same guy from before hands me more money, and I purposely flirt with him in front of Connor. It’s a childish move, but it’s also part of the job. The more I sweet-talk my customers, the more they tip.

“How’s your night goin’?” Rhia asks from behind the bar.

“Not bad. My feet are killin’ me, though.”

“Put them in a bucket of ice when you get home, or you’ll regret it.”

I chuckle, grabbing the next tray of shots. “I always do.”

As I weave in and out of men getting lap dances and hollering at the dancers on stage, I can feel Connor’s deep blue eyes on me. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing I’m bothered by him being here, so I ignore him every chance I get. I have a million questions, the first being, what is he even doing three hours away from home at a strip club? Did he know I worked here? Did someone tell him? Was it a coincidence? And finally, how awkward will work be on Friday?

My guess is extremely unless I luck out, and he pretends he never saw me.

Doubtful.

I’m not ashamed to work here because the extra cash is great, but my parents would flip. They’d throw their wallets at me and tell me not to degrade myself. But the truth is, I’m twenty-three years old, and I want to pay for things myself. I’m grateful for my parents and the things they do for me, but they need to let me grow up. If having financial independence means walking around and offering creepy old men alcohol, then that’s what I’ll do. No one ever said working my way through vet school would be glamorous.

“Cleared out already?” Rhia’s brows shoot up when I return the tray only ten minutes later. “You’re makin’ big money tonight.”

I snort with a shrug. “I need a bathroom break. Can you cover for me?”

“Yes, girl. Of course. Take as much time as you need. I’ll tell Mark you’re dealing with lady cramps, and he won’t question it for a second.”

Laughing, I flash her a grateful smile. “Thanks. I won’t be too long.”

I head to the single-stall bathroom down the dark hallway. Most customers don’t realize it’s there, and I’m hoping to hide out until Connor’s table leaves. They seem to be wrapping things up now.

Once I lock the door, I glance in the mirror and notice how flushed my face is. I know deep inside it’s because Connor’s presence is getting under my skin. Every time we’re close, he sets off butterflies in my stomach, and I hate that he does. If he wasn’t such an arrogant jerk who snaps at me every chance he gets, my heart and head wouldn’t be constantly battling.

I know I can’t like him. Hell, I shouldn’t even be attracted to him, but when I see him, my traitorous body has a mind of its own.

Then my brain snaps back to reality the moment he acts like I’m the biggest inconvenience of his life.

After ten minutes, I decide to go see if his table’s empty. I peek out of the hallway just enough and only see three men sitting at the table. Where did—

“Elizabeth.”

His deep voice interrupts my thoughts. I spin around and immediately smell his cologne.

“What’re you doing here?” I ask as he stalks toward me with his shirtsleeves rolled up, showing off his tattoo sleeve.

“I was about to ask you the same damn thing.”

His dark stare pins me back against the wall. “I work here. Not that it’s any of your business.”

He arches a brow, challenging me. “When you’re dressed like that and have every man in this place staring at your almost bare a*s and t**s, I’d say it’s very much my business.”

My eyes widen as I cross my arms, daring him to scold me like he’s my father. “You aren’t the boss of me here, Connor.”

“I beg to differ.” He takes a step toward me. “You represent my clinic no matter where you are, and this…” He lowers his gaze down my body, lingering on the bare areas. “Isn’t the image I want others to see.”

“You sound more like a jealous boyfriend than a boss,” I counter.

Connor takes another step toward me, removing the much-needed space between us. He’s so close, I can smell the whiskey on his breath. “Don’t put that thought into my head.”

My mind spins. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Not wanting him to see how flustered I am, I straighten my spine and act unfazed. “As if it wasn’t already there.”

I smirk when he blinks and swallows hard as if my words have pushed him off his axis. As his eyes lower to my lips, I feel his erection press into my bare stomach.

He’s drunk and not thinking clearly.

That’s the only explanation for his behavior.

Connor’s never given me any inclination that he’s attracted to me. Considering how rude and arrogant he is ninety-nine percent of the time, his actions tonight are giving me whiplash. Not to mention how close he is.

My mind wanders, and for a moment, I let myself dream.

“You want to kiss me, don’t you?” I say confidently.

“Since the day you walked into my office.” His hand wraps around my neck, and he pulls us closer until our lips fuse. With his other hand, Connor grabs my waist, then slides it down to my a*s. He moans into my mouth, and I fist his shirt, tangling my tongue with his. Heat explodes between my legs, and I’m dying for him to touch me there. I can’t risk someone finding us, but when he whispers my name, I no longer care about getting caught.

I release a throaty hum as the kiss deepens, but before I can suggest we go into the bathroom to continue, I’m forced out of my fantasy and back to the present when Connor says my name, bringing me back to reality. “Elizabeth?”

I blink hard, shaking my head at the inappropriate visual that took over my mind. One where I was making out with my boss.

Rather, a hot and heavy make-out session.

Shit.

“You okay?” he asks, and I hope like hell he can’t see how flushed I am by the fantasy that almost made me do something I might regret.

“I need to get back to work,” I tell him abruptly, pressing my hands against his chest so he’ll back up. “You need to take a cab.”

“I’m staying at the hotel across the street,” he says.

“Great, then walk safely.” I move around him, but he grabs my wrist to stop me. The image of his lips on mine is still too vivid.

“You’re too good for this place,” he murmurs. Though I take offense to his words, I know he means well.

Turning to face him, I snap, “I’m serving drinks to make some extra money. Whatever you think happens outside of that is in your head.”

I’m aware that the daughter of two brilliant doctors who’s also a vet student isn’t your typical shot girl at a strip club. However, it doesn’t mean the others who work here are any less for trying to make ends meet. One of the girls is going to nursing school, and the other is on the road to becoming a dentist. There is no shame in being independent, and the sooner Connor realizes that, the better.

Finally, he releases me, and I walk back to the bar, hoping he goes to his hotel and forgets he ever saw me here.