All I See Is You

35. Cowboy Kind of Love

Chapter thirty-five

Cowboy Kind of Love

Quinn

“ I can’t believe that dumb bitch did that!” Whit exclaimed as she plopped down onto my bed. “I mean, it’s not entirely surprising because she looks like a whore, but I can’t believe she did that to Hux! I’m surprised he didn’t punch her, doesn’t he hate her?” She added with a huff.

“Right?” I laid down on my stomach beside her, propping myself up on my elbows while dangling my feet in the air behind me. “But, like, the thing I can’t wrap my head around is why? Why target Hux?”

Whit’s gaze held a sad look to it. “I mean, he’s an easier target than most because of…” Her words trailed off, like she couldn’t stomach saying the rest. Because of his blindness.

My stomach flip flopped, even as anger boiled my blood just at the thought of what Georgette had done. She was awful. Disgusting. Truly vile. Thank God she was gone.

Whit pursed her lips then added, “There’s also the fact that since you came back here the dynamic between her and your dad has shifted. I wouldn’t put it past her to try and do that to get rid of you.”

I frowned. What did she mean? “I’m not following.”

Whit crossed her legs and pulled a pillow into her lap. “Just think about it, if you thought Hux cheated on you with her, you’d break up with him, he’d get fired when your dad found out, and then there’d be no reason for you to stay and help your dad here on the ranch. She’d have been able to have him all to herself without you being there to guide his moral compass.”

I’d never thought of it that way, but I could absolutely see Georgette as the scheming type. I mean, she had to be if she’d gone and tracked Hux down to assault him. “That does make sense.”

Whit offered me a hopeful smile. “At least that dumb bitch is gone now. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was out on the town tonight trying to find her next sugar daddy. She seems like a gold digger.”

I huffed. She was right about that. How Dad could have put up with her for as long as he had was beyond me—and it hadn’t even been two full months.

Whit’s warm, dark brown gaze met mine. “How are you feeling right now, girlie?”

I let out a loud exhale and dropped my head against the mattress for a moment. “Stressed. Worried. Anxious. This entire morning has been one spectacular shitstorm. The only positive to come out of this is that Hux and I were able to talk.”

“You two were doing something…” Whit offered me a wolfish grin and waggled her eyebrows. “And it sure didn’t involve talking when I came back.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I remembered mine and Hux’s little bathroom hookup, and how I’d led him into my bedroom only to find Whit sitting on my bed, the biggest shit-eating grin on her face. “We really were just talking.”

She cackled. Like, full on cackled and smacked me with the pillow playfully. “Oh, so that’s what we’re calling it these days?”

I tore the pillow from her grip and tossed it back at her. “You’re terrible.”

A giggle escaped her before she sobered enough to ask, “So, you guys are okay now?”

I thought of everything. Of our talk after the encounter with Georgette. How he’d bared his soul to me. Told me he loved me. Just the thought of it all made tears sting in my eyes. “I think I’m in love with him,” I whispered.

I know it was crazy and sudden, but it was true. I did. I knew it deep in my bones. In my heart of hearts. He’d said that I was it for him, and I couldn’t help but feel the same. I had no doubt about it. He’d been made for me. Was he perfect? No, but he was mine, and I loved every broken, raw, shattered piece of him, and I’d spend the rest of forever piecing him back together if I needed to.

“Fuck, he’s got the body of a damn god. I’d be in love with him too.”

I sat up, swatting teasingly at her. “Oh my God, Whit! You’re horrible!” My smile faded. “I’m serious though, I love him.”

Whit reached over and grabbed my hand before giving it a gentle squeeze. “Girl, I think the only one who didn’t know that was you.”

Really? Was it that obvious?

“He wants me to meet his family,” I said, meeting her stare.

Excitement rippled across her pretty features. She clapped her hands together in excitement. “Really? When?”

Guilt welled in the pit of my stomach. This was two weekends in a row that we’d planned to be together and ended up separated. “Today. But I told him I needed to talk to you first and see what you were doing. I’m not just leaving you here when you came out here to visit me.”

Another reassuring squeeze of my hand. “Quinnie, you aren’t skipping out on meeting his family for me.” She sat back, waving a flippant hand through the air. “I’ll probably see if the ranch hands want to go out to The Hitching Post or something.”

“Did you talk to Travis?” I asked, sitting up on the bed. God, I was a terrible friend. Not even asking her until just now about her problems.

She pulled a note out of her pocket and handed it to me. “Apparently, he left for Montana early this morning. Says it’s too hot here, and his parents need help with their ranch.”

I laughed. “So, he just up and left? Did he tell any of guys? Wyatt or Dylan, or Brooks?”

"Brooks said he left around three this morning."

"That's crazy. I can't believe he didn't even say goodbye to Hux."

“Right?” She gave me a sad, wistful look, before sighing. “No more talk about him. What am I going to do without my roomie?”

My heart tugged tightly at that. I didn’t want to think right now about Whit living basically halfway across the country. “You could always move here?” I offered hopefully.

The grin on her lips had me guessing she was already working up a plan.

“Come on,” she said, bouncing off the bed and standing. “If you’re going to meet his parents you better look your damned best. Thankfully, you have your super amazing and talented hairstylist bestie here to glam you up.”

I grinned. “Want me to make mimosas?”

She was already halfway out of the room when she turned back to peg me with a tense stare. “Quinnie, is that even a question?”

T he drive to Hux’s family ranch was absolutely gorgeous. Just a two-lane highway winding through some of Texas’ gorgeous hill country. Trees and golden fields stretched from horizon to horizon, the sky a brilliant cornflower blue interrupted by big, random, fluffy clouds that reminded me of cotton balls. It was honestly so beautiful it looked fake.

Okay, I could see why Dad bought a place here. The weather might be shit, but the land was absolutely gorgeous.

Hux held my hand from his spot in the passenger’s seat, gaze turned outward toward the window like he was imagining or remembering what it looked like.

“So, what are your parents like?” I asked over the music coming softly from the rental’s speakers. “Anything I need to know?”

A grin tugged on his mouth and he aimed his stare my way. God, he looked good in sunglasses. In anything really. “Mama will talk your ear off, and can be fussy, but she means well. Dad’s real quiet, though. He probably won’t talk much. Not because he won’t like you, just because he don’t like to talk to anyone but his horses, really.”

“Will your sister be there?”

He huffed. “She sure will. She’ll probably tell you a whole bunch of bullshit about me, but none of it’s true. Don’t listen to her.”

I laughed, wondering what their sibling dynamic was like. Honestly, what the whole family dynamic was like. “How old is she?”

“She’s about to turn twenty-one.”

“Oh wow, that’s a big age gap between you two.”

Hux nodded, a wistful look clinging to his features. “Yeah. my mom and Dad had a hard time gettin’ pregnant after me. And then the ones that did take, she lost pretty early on. They’d given up for a good long while, but then out of the blue, Walker came along.”

I squeezed his hand reassuringly. “My parents struggled too. It’s why they only had me. My mom used to call me their rainbow baby.”

“Mama calls Walker that sometimes too.”

“What else can you tell me about them?” I asked.

He told me everything. Big things, little things. Stories of growing up and everything in between. I listened in relative silence, taking in every detail I could remember as if my life depended on it. I loved how open he felt he could be with me. It was a nice change from how closed off he usually was.

Before I knew it, we were there—stopped before the most beautiful flagstone arch with an ornate wrought-iron gate. I didn’t even get a chance to ask what the gate code was, he just rattled off the numbers to me.

“Wow, this place is beautiful,” I breathed, taking in the gorgeous tree-lined road before us. Twin pastures spanned on either side of the road, and up in the distance loomed a house, though I couldn’t make out major details yet. “What kind of trees are they?” I asked, admiring the purple blooms that hung from the branches and littered the ground.

“Jacaranda,” Hux replied. “Mama’s favorite color's purple, so Dad had ‘em planted.”

I glanced at him, noting the soft, almost contemplative look on his face. It’s almost like he was remembering it all in his mind.

My heart clenched as I thought of how hard it must be. Remembering all of these places and sights, but not getting to see them anymore. Even then, I couldn’t imagine it. Grabbing his hand, I squeezed it gently. He squeezed back before lifting my hand up to his lips and kissing the back of my knuckles.

The main house came into view as I drove further down the drive—a pretty flagstone ranch style home with large windows and a red tin roof.

I hadn’t even fully put the car in park when the front door opened, three figures gathering onto the front porch. A wave of nervousness settled around me. I wasn’t usually so anxious meeting people. Maybe it was the fact that his parents had seen me in videos online. I wondered what they thought about me? About the fight? Had they seen it? I’m sure they had.

As if sensing my anxiety, Hux reached over and wrapped a hand around the back of my neck, pulling me towards him. “They’re right outside, aren’t they?”

I blew out a breath. “Yeah.”

“Figures. Mama’s probably been watchin’ the drive for the last half hour.” He brushed his lips against mine softly. “They’re gonna love you, Quinn. I promise.”

The way he said my name sent a shiver through me. “How do you know?”

“Because I love you.”

Okay, well, heart completely melted and worries mostly eased. How did he know exactly what I needed to hear in that moment?

An I love you of my own nearly tumbled out of me, but I bit it back. It wasn’t because I didn’t feel that way or I was afraid to say it, but the helpless romantic in me wanted to drop that little bombshell back on him at the perfect moment.

So, I kissed him instead, with enough intensity and love that I hoped showed what I hadn’t repeated aloud.

If the appreciative hum that rumbled from him was any indicator, I’d say mission accomplished.

We got out of the car, and I found my way to his side once more as we walked toward the house. It’s like he knew exactly where everything was and didn’t have any trouble navigating across the gravel drive to the porch steps.

We’d only barely made it up the last step when Hux’s mom exploded from her spot by the front door, wrapping Hux in a tight hug. “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she said, before pulling back to hold him at arms’ length and look up at his face. “My goodness, look at you. You look like a grizzly bear with all that hair and scruff. When are you gonna cut it all off, Huxson?”

Hux laughed. “Hi to you too, Mama.” He looked my way and held out his hand. I grabbed it reassuringly, intertwining my fingers. “This here’s my girlfriend, Quinn…. Quinn, this is my Mama, Dorothy.”

I smiled. “Hello there, Mrs. Lane. It’s nice to meet you.”

She was a pretty, petite woman with shoulder length dark brown hair streaked with golden highlights and warm honey-brown eyes that glinted like they were always happy. The complete opposite of her husband, who shared Hux’s tall, strong build, hooded gaze, and a stern look on his face.

Like father like son, I guess.

But that wasn’t exactly true. Hux was almost a perfect blend of the two of them.

“Oh, no need for the formalities, sweetheart. Call me, Dotty. Everyone does.”

She surprised me, reaching out to wrap her arms around me in a tight embrace. I choked on a surprised gasp as I hugged her back. “Thank you for having me.”

She released me, waving a flippant hand in the air, a soft smirk on her lips. “The pleasure's mine. I couldn’t miss the chance to meet Huxson’s girlfriend.” Gesturing at her husband, she added, “This is my husband, Paul.”

Mister Lane's amber gaze met mine, and he removed his hat as he stepped forward, holding out a hand. “Hi, miss.”

I offered him a soft smile. “Hello, sir. It’s nice to meet you.”

He nodded once more and replaced his hat on his head.

“I’m Walker. And you’re even prettier in person,” the brunette standing next to her father said. She wrapped me in a hug before I could even utter a reply.

She was young and beautiful, and reminded me so much of Hux it was crazy. They were like carbon copies of each other, but, like, not in a weird “they looked like the same person" way, it was more so that the features they shared were perfectly suited to their genders. They had the same dark, warm-toned hair, but Walker’s long, wild waves were tipped in blonde like they’d been dipped in sunlight. They had the same complexion, the same eyes even. But while Hux’s whiskey-colored gaze always seemed more pensive, Walker’s swam with amusement and a hint of mischief.

“I’m Quinn,” I replied as I pulled out of the embrace. “And you’re the pretty one.”

She flashed me a smile before launching at Hux. “Hi, Huxie,” she giggled into his chest.

I didn’t miss the way his body tensed for a minute, but just as quickly as the tension appeared, it disintegrated, withering away like dust on the wind when he hugged her back. “Hi, sissy.”

“Well, come on in, y’all. Dinner’s almost ready. Quinn, sweetie, would you like a tour?” Mrs. Lane said, ushering us toward the front door when Hux and Walker finally broke apart.

“Oh, I’d love to Mrs. L—I mean, Dotty,” I replied with a smile.

Hux huffed as he settled beside me once more, slipping his hand into mine. He leaned into me, the scruff of his shadow beard tickling against my neck as he whispered, “I hope you’re ready for this, darlin’. She’s gonna take you into every single room in this house and have a story to go with each.”

I bit back a chuckle as I looked up at him and whispered, “Really?”

“Oh, I guarantee it,” he replied.

I followed Walker and Mrs. Lane into the house, making sure to thank Mr. Lane, who held the door for us. Surely, Hux was being just a tad bit dramatic. A story for every room?

H e hadn’t lied.

His mom did have a story for each room. And turns out the house was a lot bigger than it looked. But it was fine, all of the stories made me laugh, sometimes hard enough to bring tears to my eyes. Though, it was probably only so funny because Hux and Walker teased each other relentlessly. And when they weren’t teasing each other, they were ganging up on Mrs. Lane for being so fussy or remembering things wrong.

Being around them made me long for the days when Mom was still here, when we’d been a family. But the memories were so old, it was hard to remember a time when Mom wasn’t sick.

My face hurt from laughing so hard by the time we finally made it back to the kitchen.

It was a pretty kitchen, with warm-hued granite countertops, rich cherrywood cabinets, and chicken and rooster decorations everywhere. Chicken valances, rooster salt and pepper shakers, oven mitts, hand towels, soap dispensers…you name it, it had a chicken on it.

“Oh, perfect. Cobblers are done.” Hux’s mom bustled around the kitchen, grabbing the over mitts before pulling the pies out of the oven.

“Cobblers…?” Hux asked, “As in plural?”

“Well, I didn’t know if she’d like peach or mixed berry more, so I made both,” Dotty said matter-of-factly as she sat them on the long, rectangular island directly in the middle of the kitchen.

“You could've just called and asked,” he huffed.

“Speak for yourself, Huxie,” Walker said, leaning toward the delicious-looking peach cobbler with eyes full of excitement. “There’s always room for more cobbler.” She reached out a finger, like she was going to swipe some of the filling that had bubbled over, but Mrs. Lane swatted her hand away.

“Now, you stop that, Walker Rose. You know damn well to wash them hands of yours.”

Walker scrunched up her nose and made a pouty face at her mom, the motion accentuating the dark freckles flecking her nose and cheeks. I nearly burst out laughing when Mrs. Lane made the same face right back at her.

“Go on, go wash them hands and make sure the sweet tea set up well.”

Mr. Lane, who’d remained so quiet this entire time that I’d completely forgotten he was here, finally spoke up, his voice gruff and stilted, like he wasn’t used to talking. “Maybe, uh, Miss Quinn can, uh, help you.” He shared a look with his wife before training his gaze on Hux. “Your mother and I need to speak with you, Huxson.”

I could feel the tension ripple through Hux at my side. It was like a shift in the air. He seemed to straighten a bit as he let go of my hand. “Yes, sir.” To me, he said softly, “I’ll be right back.”

“Be right here,” I offered.

My stomach tightened a bit, but I pushed it away. I’m sure this was about last night, and wanting to get the facts straight before we sat down for dinner and wasted the whole time talking about that. And it’s not like I couldn’t spend a few minutes getting to know his sister. She seemed nice, reminding me a little bit of a younger, somehow more playful Whit.

Hux followed his mom and Dad out of the room. Leaving me alone with Walker. She pounced quicker than a cat on a mouse.

“So, you and my brother, huh?” she asked over her shoulder as she washed her hands.

I probably should wash my hands too. Walking around the island, inhaling the mouth-watering scent of the cobblers, I replied, “Yeah.”

She turned to take me in, her whiskey eyes appraising. They still held a playful edge to them, but there was a seriousness in the depths that hadn’t been there earlier. “He’s never brought a girl home before.”

I scoffed. “What? I don’t believe that.”

A playful smirk pulled on her lips as she faced away from the counter and rested her elbows back on it. “I’m tellin’ the truth. He has this rule about girls and meeting Mama.”

“What is it?” I asked, stepping up to the sink and nodding to it, silently asking permission.

She dipped her head and looked toward the hall her family had just disappeared into. “Mama gets attached to things real easy and she feels things a lot deeper than most. She don’t deal well with loss. He promised her he’d never bring a girl home unless he intended to marry her.”

My chest squeezed. For, like, so many reasons. First, because that was so precious and considerate of him. And second, that meant… He wanted to marry me?

We’d hadn't even been together a few weeks. People would think we were crazy. Like totally crazy. But, I mean, it’s not like bringing me to his parents was literally him getting down on one knee and asking me right here and now. It just meant that someday, maybe a few months or a year or two from now, he intended to.

I washed my hands in silence for a long moment, trying to get a hold of the wild beating of my heart against my ribcage.

“Are you that serious about him,? Or is he just a few minutes of fame, or better yet, a charity case?” she asked, her tone full of accusation. Like she had me all figured out.

“What, no?” I rocked back at her words. “I would never.”

“You’d be surprised how many girls tried to weasel their way into his heart for all sorts of reasons. You seem different—you’re kind and warm and you don’t look at him with any sort of expectation or pity. I just…he’s my big brother—” Her words wobbled a bit. When I looked at her, I noticed how glassy her eyes were. “He spent so much time when I was growin’ up watchin’ over me. I wouldn’t be a good sister if I didn’t do the same for him.”

I grabbed the hand towel and faced her fully, meeting her dark stare. “I’ve never felt something like I feel with your brother. I don’t need money, I don’t want fame. I didn’t even know who he was when I first met him. And while that part of him is amazing, it’s not the part of him I fell for.”

A single tear slipped down her cheek, even as a bright smile pulled on her lips. She moved with lightning fast reflexes, drawing me into a hug. “I knew I liked you,” she whispered into my hair.

A blanket of relief settled around me, easing my worries, as I let out a giggle. “Thank God.”

She pulled back, the seriousness in her gaze that had been there only moments before vanishing entirely, warmth and excitement replacing it as she hopped up onto the counter and said, “So, not gonna lie, I kind of insta-stalked you. Your entire aesthetic is such a vibe and I’m so here for it.”

I laughed once more. “You sound so much like my best friend.” I leaned against the island opposite her. “So, what do you? Are you in school?”

“I just graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelors in Kinesiology. Probably gonna take a semester off then go back for my Masters.”

“That’s awesome. What made you choose that?”

She glanced once more toward the hall Hux disappeared down. “Him. I took him to therapy a lot after his accident. I wanna be able to help others in situations like him.”

My chest tightened at the love and thoughtfulness in her tone and words. “I love that. I think you’ll be amazing.”

She smiled. “Thanks. And what about you?”

“I’m an event planner. It’s how I met your brother. Well, not exactly how I met him, but the reason why I am here in Texas in the first place.”

Her face lit up. “You have to tell me how you met. I want every. Single. Detail.”

I laughed. Well, I’d probably spare her quite a few, but since Hux and his parents still hadn’t come back yet, I had nothing but time.