Daddy's Pet

5. Scarlett

5

SCARLETT

TWO DAYS LATERI sat on the couch, at Roxy’s insistence, a fake fur throw wrapped around me and my slippered feet curled up under my thighs. Toby lay dutifully in front of me, gnawing on a rawhide. My bossy friend hadn’t allowed me to lift a finger during my two days of mandatory recovery, and this third day was just for good measure according to her. A steady dose of Tylenol kept the forehead throbbing at bay, and I didn’t have other symptoms, which left me plenty of time to ponder the unfamiliar way that my skin tingled every time I remembered Sir-Hunk-a-Lot carrying me into the hospital. “So, what d’you think of Dr. Holly, anyway? I’ve been dying to ask but wanted to respect your recuperation period.” Roxy’s eyes lit with a twinkle of mischief while she wiped down the counter. Her ability to sense what I was thinking was uncanny.

I considered her question and realized, for the first time in a very long time, I experienced the heady sensation of being appreciated as a woman. Me— – Ms. Rubber Boot Wearing, animal feeding, dusty jodhpur sporting, Scarlett had been admired for the first time in a very long time, and it made me imagine the kinds of delicious things he might do to me. Instead I said, “He was nice to admire and all, and hey, I have nothing against p*****s in general,” I waved my hand in a circular motion, in the general direction of all the p*****s in existence, “It’s just all the complications that go along with what’s attached to that p***s is all. No thanks.”

“Oh oh.” She stopped wiping and drew her elbows into her sides like a chicken standing in the rain. I recognized that expression, and her words rolled out so fast there was no interrupting her, “I knew you needed help around here this weekend so I asked if he was available. Not to worry. I had Buck check his record at the station. Clean as a whistle. Aiden also has a sister who used to be on the force with Buck. She was in a terrible shoot out and Aiden cared for her for years. That has to say something about a person’s character, don’t you think?”

“Gee, thanks.” I flicked my gaze at her. “No criminal record. We have a real prince charming on our hands.”

“Listen, no big deal,” She raised both hands in the air, “If you’re not comfortable with it, I can find someone else to do it. Move a few things around with the kids so Buck can help out. I don’t get it though. I mean, how much more innocent can you get than feeding the animals together? What’s the worse that could happen?” She stood in front of the sink, and sprayed the faucet fixtures with glass cleaner, wiping it down until it shone.

The long hibernating s*x kitten inside of me stretched and purred, “I can imagine a thing or two. They don’t call it ‘rolling in the hay’ for nothing.”

“Why Scarlett May. I’m shocked.” Roxy held her sides, “Rolling in the hay. Why I never.”

Much as it smarted to admit it, I was looking forward to seeing him again. And I had to ask. Roxy was my friend. I could be real with her, “How did he sound when you talked to him?” I pulled my knees together, up under my chin.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s kind of random, making a house call for a colicky horse and suddenly being asked to do chores for your client.”

Roxy waddled over and awkwardly placed her behind on the couch next to me. “Well, I may have helped things along just a little.”

“Roxy…”

She at least had the good sense to appear sheepish, biting her lip, “He called to check on you yesterday while you were napping. I didn’t want to wake you but guessed I might as well play Cupid since I watched the way he practically made a meal out of you with his eyes and he found it very hard to leave the night you were clocked in the head. The sparks were flying off of him.”

“Come on, Roxy. I’m just a client with a horse that had colic.”

“Nope. Way more. I’m sure if you batted those gorgeous brown eyes at him, he’d do anything you asked. He was smitten.”

“We spent exactly a few hours together, and not under the best of circumstances.”

“At any rate, he jumped at the chance. He’ll be here seven a.m. Saturday to help you with feeding, as instructed.”

He was coming to visit me. Just the idea made me fluttery inside.