Sitting down for lunch, I shake my head reading Dakota's message, I was hoping to see her for lunch. That's the downside for chasing after a busy woman, I chuckle and slip my phone away as the two couples head for the table, everyone pleased to be able to get away for food. "I'm starved! It's so good to be back to work." Sarah groans as she drops into the booth, Snake chuckles and shakes his head.
"It's great to have you back, Kelly was nice, but she isn't you, I missed working with my bestie." Angel giggles and I shake my head at the pair. The gossiping girls love working together.
"Sorry it took so long, they made us wait." I chuckle and raise my hands.
"No worries, I haven't even ordered drinks."
"Is Dakota coming?" Snake asks, Axel gets a disgruntled look, as he rolls his eyes, I don't know his issue with her, but it's starting to piss me off. I know she doesn't care, but I sure as hell do. She's done nothing to him, not that I can see, she doesn't even get mad at his attitude, just shrugs it off.
"No, Kota's stuck working today, can only afford to take a day off every once in a while." He chuckles and the waitress walks up, smiling at everyone, the look in her eyes changes as she looks at me.
"How's Dakota feeling today?" I have to arch my brow at the older woman.
"Fine? Why?" She shakes her head at me.
"Last night she came in looking like she just got into a fight, said it was because of a horse. I know what it looks like when she fights, her knuckles were bruised." My heart stutters to a stop. What? I don't respond as I stand and head for the door; the fuck happened? I pull my phone out ignoring the guys and girls calls as I dial her number. It rings and goes to voicemail, I hang up and get on my bike; I need to see her. My bike roars to life as I rip out of the parking lot heading for her ranch. What the fuck happened?
My heart races, dirt spews into the air as I skid to a stop, spotting her father coming out of the barn. I cut my bike and headed his way "Where's Dakota?" He looks up, a cigarette hanging from his lips.
"S'cuse me?"
"Dakota, where is she? I need to see her; was she in a fight?" He stares at me for a moment longer before he shakes his head with a sigh.
"Damn girl. Yeah, she was in a tussle last night, there's nothing you need to worry about, she's fine." I shake my head at his words.
"Sir, I need to see her, I need to make sure she's fine." I can't believe she didn't tell me. Why the hell didn't she tell me?
"Alright, we have to ride out to her, you up for that?" I don't hesitate to nod, swallowing as he walks back into the barn to grab a set of keys. He jerks his head and I'm left to brew; why the hell didn't she tell me? I follow along feeling like a lost dog who just got nailed. Climbing in the gator I sit in silence as he starts it up and drives, somewhere. "Don't take it out on her."
"What?" I look over at her father, confused.
"She didn't mean anything by it, Kota's not used to having someone else in her life; she's not used to sharing things. Hell, she only told me because I saw her busted lip." I stare at him and shake my head.
"Why the hell would she keep this from anyone? Doesn't she trust me; hell, you?" I can understand her not trusting me, we just met, but her father?
"With Dakota, it's not about trust, not in that situation. With her it's about pride; she doesn't want to be dependent or needy; that's not the kind of girl she is." Pride? This all boils down to pride? What kind of pride does she have to get injured? I don't understand, I doubt anyone could damage her ego; her confidence if I'm honest. She doesn't have an ego, she's confident and has every fucking reason to be. Dakota is one of the most badass women I've ever met. Who the hell could've or would've fought her?
"Pride? You've got to be fucking with me." A thought pops into my head, I know one person dumb enough to fight her, willingingly. Crazy bitch.
"Dakota is a special girl; headstrong with the will of an ox. She's not afraid to go toe-to-toe with any opponent; friend or enemy. Kota means well, always has and always will. With everything on her plate; she's still juggling, working to juggle anyways." Her father sighs, I look at him surprised.
"Juggling what?" He chuckles, shaking his head as we drive out into the pastures.
"She still has some healing to do; from her discharge, to the training of horses. And all the shit going down with that Isobell chick, whatever her name is." I stare at the man for a moment; she has her plate full at all times.
"How much does she handle around here?" With how little time we can spend together, I know she's almost always wide open.
"Boy, that's one thing you'll have to learn about her. She's all about work; she's a provider, a giver, a generous soul; she hates accepting things. Kota runs this place nowadays; from the paperwork, right down to mucking out stalls. I'm too old for this shit; she wanted to take this bull by the horns, and she conquered it." He lets out a series of coughs and I stare at him. "Are you serious about her?"
I'm stunned into silence with his question; am I serious? Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing where this, us, could go. "I want to explore the possibility of us, yeah." He turns to stare at me before nodding slowly.
"Good; I want to see her with a man that fits her. If you do stick it out; I hope you know you'll be getting more than an old woman. This place is a major part of who she is, if you can't accept not being her soul focus day in and day out; maybe it's best you walk now." I shrug and look out over the land; enjoying the scenery that's offered.
"I'm not a man afraid of a challenge, or one that needs his old woman's undivided attention. I know my place, I'll be happy as long as she's happy and I can hold her at night." I like Dakota, a lot, hell maybe I'm on the fast track to loving that crazy ass girl. I'd love to be the center of her attention for what she can spare me; the world doesn't revolve around me, or us. The days she can stand by me will be the best, the days she can't; we'll be able to manage, I know we will. "I want her to stand by my side, in person and in distance; your daughter is an amazing woman. I'm lucky to have her attention." He chuckles and shakes his head as we crest a hill I see her standing by a gator; working on some project.
"You say that now Son, you will have a day where she unleashes her Marine, if you're a witness, good, if it's at you? Boy, pray to God almighty himself; you'll need it." I chuckle and stare at her form; she's a beautiful sight; sweat, dirt and all, I'm loving it.
"I've always been a risk taker." He stops and looks at me.
"I'll leave you two to bitch and moan; then make up." I snort at that and get out, yeah, we'll make up alright. I climb the uneven terrain; Kota stands with a pair of safety glasses over her eyes, pencil hangs from her mouth as she turns on a circular saw. Cutting a piece of lumber, my eyes look towards the fence, a few sections are looking a little rough for wear, the top board on one is completely missing.
The saw cuts off as I stop and stare at her; she's something else, her muscles flex as she sets the saw down and picks up the board. "What shit broke now?"
"Your communication." Kota must've thought I was someone else as she stops and looks at me for a moment with a raised brow; I get my first glimpse at Isobella's handwork. This bitch is going to be handled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She continues walking towards the fence, and I shake my head following her.
"What do you think it means? Why the hell didn't you tell me you got into it with the bitch when we talked last night?" Kota snorts as she pulls the hammer from her tool belt and I hold the board in place.
"Because it's nothing you need to worry about; I handled her just fine." She drives two nails in before she switches to a drill.
"Little Lady, I know you can handle yourself; I'm not worried about that. I'd just like to know that you feel comfortable to come to me when shit happens. I'm not afraid to back you in a fight." She shakes her head a scowl on her features.
"No offense Digger, but we aren't official yet. I don't put this shit on a bed warmer; that's a sure fire way to get a cold bed." Not official?
"No offense; I didn't think I needed to be a caveman on your sweet ass. I figured you would've accepted us without the official teenage claim. I can fix that now if you'd like." She stops and stares at me with an arched brow; she rolls her eyes at me.
"If you ain't serious; then don't waste my time. I like you Digger; but right now I don't have time to waste on playing in a fake relationship. Hell, I don't have time for any relationship." She shakes her head and continues on towards the gator. No, I'm not accepting that one.
"I didn't take you for a girl who would walk away when shit got tough." I walk with her, it's probably not smart to piss her off; but I'm not about to let her walk on me. She turns, her hand slams into my chest; I like it when she's feisty.
"Walk away? Who the hell said I was walking? I don't know if you know but I have a storm headed my way, I'm not about to be unfair to any man who I'm saddled up with, I don't have time to dote on their asses." I chuckle and wrap my arms around her, pulling her close.
"I hope you aren't about to saddle up to someone else; I like being your bed warmer. Have you ever thought that maybe I don't need extra time to be doted on? Little Lady, I like you; I'm not afraid to stand back and let you be. I'm also not afraid to stand next to you and fight with ya; I know you don't need anyone fighting for ya. Do you think you can give this roughneck a chance to hang around?" She chuckles and shakes her head before she drops it to my chest.
"Yeah, I'll let you hang around. I hope you know that we will be tested; I've entered battle, I'm not about to lose either. Shit will get nasty." I rub her back in thought; shit's going to be nasty. We've seen how Isobella fights; this isn't something I'm looking forward to.
"I'm not backing down Little Lady; my ass is comfortable backing whatever play you make." I hope Axel doesn't let his feud get in the way of supporting her; shit might be changing.