The Stable Boy (30 page)

“Hey, Claire. What’
s up?”

“I just made the phone call to Janie. She talked to Josh.”

“Oh boy, how did that go?”

“Not too bad. She said he seemed to be an alright guy, then she asked if you and Bob liked him. I told her that you adored him and she seemed satisfied with that. She wants to get to know him better when we are all up there in a couple of weeks.”

“Good, maybe this pregnancy is calming her over protectiveness down.”

“I can only hope.”

“What time do you want to leave to go shopping?”

“I say we go about two or three.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Good. I will let Josh know.”

“Okay, and I will let Vanessa know.”

“Poor Josh is going to have to deal with the three of us.”

“He may as well get used to it.”

“I agree.”

“Okay, doll. I will let you go as I need to get lunch ready for these men.”

“Okay, I will see you in a little while.”

“Alright,” she said, hanging up the phone. The unseasonably warm weather hit me in the face as I stepped foot outside for the first time that day. The hay barn door stood open. As I made my way through it, I stopped. I found Josh getting ready to move another bail of hay, shirtless. I drank every inch of him in. He caught me staring.

“See some
thing you like, Claire?” he asked with a smile.

“Um, I just wanted to tell you that we are leaving at two or three,” I said, looking down at my feet and biting my bottom lip.

“Okay,” he said coming toward me. Wrapping his arms around me, his lips crash into mine. He licked my bottom lip. Willingly, I opened my mouth to his. His tongue playfully danced with mine. He backed me up until my back hit the barn wall. He feverishly kissed me. His needs and wants colliding with my own. He slid his hands up my thigh, under my pink and white flowered sundress. Grabbing the waistband of my white laced panties, he slid them down my legs. I stepped out of them as I fumbled with his belt buckle and the button on his jeans. Kissing him as I unzipped his pants, I felt is right hand slide up my inner left thigh. His calloused finger rubbed my swollen nub. He allowed two fingers to enter me. Moaning into his mouth, I slid his jeans and boxer briefs past his ass. I wanted him, needed him inside of me. Grabbing my hips, he lifted me up, sliding me down the length of him as I wrapped my legs around him. My breath caught in my chest. I was not going to last long. He had a slow rhythmic pace. He moved his lips to my neck. Looking up he spotted the reigns for the horses hanging just above my head. With a grin, he tied my wrists above my head.

Not being able to touch him was going to drive me over the edge. His lips met mine. His paced quickened. Kissing along my jaw line to my neck, I felt my orgasm building. I felt his teeth brush my collar bone and I lost it. Exploding in ecstasy, my body tensed around him. He growled as his pace picked up. There was no way that another orgasm was not going to happen. I felt him release inside of me. My second orgasm hit as I tensed up. Trying to catch our breath, his eyes met mine. He kissed me as he untied my wrists. I wrapped my arms around his neck, as he slowly pulled out of me.

“I am sorry for attacking you like that, but when you bit your bottom lip I couldn’t help it.”

“There is no reason to be sorry. I wanted it just
as much as you did. If you didn’t attack me, I would have you,” I said still out of breath.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I don’t know if I can walk, but I am great.”

“I’m sorry,” he said with a grin.

“You are not,” I said with my own grin. All I wanted to do was take him again.

“Maybe not,” he said, bending over to get my panties. He helped me step back into them and slid them up my legs.

“Thank you.”

“You are so very welcome,” he said, kissing me. “C
ome on, let’s get you back into the house.”

“Okay,” I said
, taking his hand as he led me back to the house. Once we were inside, he led me up stairs and into the shower. We needed to clean up in a hurry. We showered, dressed and were out the door within 15 minutes to meet Alison and Vanessa. As soon as they saw us, they both began laughing. They knew. They could tell by the look on our faces. Best friends always know.

13
CHRISTMAS

The next couple of weeks went by in a blur. A couple of Bob and Alison’s farmhands agreed to look after the farm while all four of us were out of town for the next two weeks. They were happy for Josh. They all thought the world of him. We packed what we needed, including the charcoal gray pinstripe suit we made him buy for the wedding. The hues in the suit made his blue eyes brighter. We all gasped as he came out of the dressing room in it. I was going to have the best looking man at the wedding, besides my brother, Brian, and Bob, of course. We drove over to Bob and Alison’s house in Josh’s truck. When we got there, they were on the porch waiting for us.

“Hey you two,” said Bob. “The car should be here to get us any minute.”

“Great,” said Josh.

“You nervous?”

“A little.”

“Never flown before?”

“Only when I was eight to get here, but I really don’t remember it.”

“It’s nothing. Once we are up in the air, go to sleep. When you wake up, we will be there. That is what I always do.”

“I’ll try that.”

“Josh, you are talking to a man who can sleep in the dinning room chair,” said Alison. “I have never been able to sleep on a plane. For me, it helps if I strike up a conversation with the person next to me or listen to music. It calms my nerves.”

“I can do that.”

“Good, you will be just fine.”

“Thanks, Alison.”

“You’re welcome. What about you, Claire. Are you ready?”

“I am. It has been a long time since I have been home. It will be good to see the family again.”

“Yes, it will, but I can tell something is bothering you.”

“No, I am good,” I said as my phone beeped. I looked at the screen and laughed. “You guys have to see this.”

“What?” asked Alison. I held the phone out to her. My brother had someone take a picture of them all waiting at the airport with a huge sign with all of our names on it. Every one of them had a silly face, including my sister. Alison laughed and handed the phone to Bob, who let out a chuckle and showed it to Josh. He smiled at it and gave it back to me. He was nervous to meet them. “I can’t believe your sister is even making a face.”

“I know. It is definitely a shocker. Maybe this pregnancy is better for her.”

“We can only hope.”

“So true,” I said as Vanessa and Jimmy pulled up and the car taking all of us to the airport pulled in behind them.

“Looks like you two made it just in time,” said Bob.

“I know. We were running a little late. Sorry about that,” Vanessa said. Alison and I looked at each other, then at Vanessa and laughed. “Shut up, you two.”

Each set of couple
s carried one big suitcase, a carry on, and a garment bag. Thankfully, it all fit in the trunk of the car my brother sent to get us. We all climbed in. I showed Vanessa the picture my brother sent to me, she and Jimmy laughed.

“Hey Alison, I think you may have a little competition for Mike’s affection. Did you see the fiancé?”

“I did, and she is beautiful. I am proud of him. My little boyfriend is all grown up.”

“Now I know why he is the way he is with her,” laughed Josh.

“Exactly,” Bob said with a roll of his eyes. We all laughed.

“You know you will always be my number one, honey.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Look you two, none of this before we get there,” I said.

“Once we get there?”

“Maybe. At least, then
you can make up.”

“Making up is always the fun part,” Alison said with a raise of her eyebrows.

“Poor Bob,” Jimmy said with a shake of his head.

“You should know how she is by now,” said Vanessa. We laughed as the car pulled into the airport. We checked in and went to the gate. As we sat waiting to board the plane I could see Josh’s nerves getting the best of him. His left leg was bouncing up and down. I placed my hand on his knee. He stopped.

“It’s going to be okay,” I said leaning over to whisper in his ear.

“I know. I just don’t know which is making me more nervous, the flight or meeting your entire family at once.”

“It will be okay. They will love you as much as I do,” I said slipping my hand into his. I kissed his cheek and laid my head on his shoulder. He relaxed. We boarded the plane. We took off for our five hour flight that included one layover. At the layover stop he was a little more relaxed, but you could still see the tension in his eyes. When we landed at our destination, he was more tense. “I told you flying was not that bad.”

“No, it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Having you next to me the entire time helped a lot. Thank you for keeping me calm.”

“You’re welcome. Are you ready?”

“About as ready as I am going to get.”

“Okay, let’s do this,” I said as we stepped on the escalator to the baggage claim area. As we came down below the floor above us, we could see the family standing there. Josh laced his fingers through mine. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He returned it. “Everyone, meet Josh.”

“Finally, nice to meet you!” Mike said hugging Josh.

“Thanks, Mike. It is nice to meet you, too,” Josh said with a smile. “Janie, it is very nice to meet you.”

“It is, um, it is nice to meet you, too,” she said. Josh moved toward her with open arms. She hugged him. Vanessa, Alison and I looked at each other and stifled a laugh. We all knew what she was thinking. 

“Hi Josh, it is nice to meet you,” said Brian, sticking out his hand.

“Nice to meet you, too.”

“Claire, it is so good to see you,” Brian said planting a kiss on my cheek.

“You, too, Bri
an.”

“Big sister, come give me a hug.”

“If I have to, little brother,” I said with a laugh.

“Is this how she has become?”

“Yes,” said Josh. “She does it to me all the time. I blame Alison.”

“Hey, you shit.”

“For some reason, it would not surprise me it was Alison’s fault,” Mike said.

“You are both on my list now.”

“I feel sorry for the two of you. I have been there many times,” Bob said, laughing.

“Aunt
Claire?”

“Yes, munchkin.”

“I need to tell you something.”

“What’s up?”

“Your boyfriend is very handsome.”

“Why thank you, honey,” I said,
looking at Josh as his face began to flush.

“
Thank you, little lady. You are quite pretty yourself.”

“Thank you,” she said, as the conveyor belt begin to go around. We walked over to get our things. Josh laced his fingers through mine and Madison grabbed his other hand.

“I think you may have a little competition,” Josh said cocking his head in Madison’s direction.

“She just has good taste,” I said with a wink. Mike came over and stood on the other side of Josh.

“Hey, you have it with you?”

“Yeah, it’s in my pocket.”

“What are you two up to?” asked Janie, giving me a questioning look. I shrugged and looked over at Vanessa and Alison grinning from ear to ear.

“Don’t worry about it, big sister. You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Should I be worried?”

“No,” Josh and Mike said in unison. We grabbed our bags off the belt and headed to the rental car counter. We rented a van that would suit all six of us and headed to the hotel. We checked in and went to our rooms. Thankfully, we were all able to get rooms on the same floor.

“I am going to shower and change before we head to dinner,” I said. “What to join me?”

“Um, no. I will take one after you get out.”

“Okay,” I said. I went into the bathroom and closed the door. ‘What is he up to? I hope the family did not scare him already,’ I thought. I quickly took my shower and got out and wrapped a towel around me, leaving the bathroom to get dressed.“Your turn.”

“Thanks, babe,” he said with a smile on his face. “I am starting to think I should have gotten in the shower with you.”

“Too late,” I said returning his smile. He grabbed his clothes and went into the bathroom. I heard him turn the shower on and I grabbed my phone. I texted Alison and Vanessa to see what was up. I needed to know if Josh was okay coming here. I did not want him to run. They obviously knew what was going on. Waiting for their texts to be returned I got dressed. Thankfully, the mirror and sink were outside of the bathroom and I could brush and blow dry my hair and finish getting ready. My phone beeped. Both of them claimed Josh was fine being here and that it was probably the flight that made him that way. I replied that they were probably right and left it at that. Josh got out of the shower and came out in just his pants. ‘Damn,’ was all I could think. I was pulling my hair up when he placed his lips on the back of my neck.

“You ready?”

“Yes, you?”

“Yes,” he said pulling his black t-shirt over his head. We left the hotel and met everyone at the elevator. Alison and Vanessa gave us a smile. They looked like they were ready to burst at the seems.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing, we are just excited about being here. We can’t wait to get to know you brother’s fiancé better. She seemed nice.”

“She does and I am happy for Mike, but I can’t help but to think that there is something else going on with all of you. You have all been weird since we landed.”

“It’
s nothing. Mine is nerves. I am nervous about getting to know everyone. From what you told me about your sister, I am waiting to be led to the slaughter.”

“The way she stuttered and hugged you earlier, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“That was great,” Alison said.

“Yes, it was,” said Vanessa. “The look on her face was priceless.”

“You know she is thinking you are one lucky girl, Claire,” said Alison. “Can you imagine the thoughts that ran through her head?”

“Alison, not everyone thinks like you do,” Bob said.

“Did you not see the look on her face?” asked Vanessa. “She took the Alison route.”

“That is so wrong,” Josh said. We all laughed as his face reddened. The elevator dinged and we got out. When we arrived at the restaurant, everyone was waiting on us. We all walked in together. Josh was carrying Madison.

“I like you, Mr. Josh,” she said.

“I like you, too, Miss Madison.”

“Hey Josh,” said Nathan.

“Yeah, buddy.”

“Do you love my aunt?”

“I do.”

“Good.”

“Why is that good?” I asked.

“Because I just want you to be happy, Aunt Claire. I like it when you are happy.”

“Thank you, sweetie.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I agree, buddy. Aunt Claire deserves to be happy,” piped in Mike. Walking past us, he patted Josh on his shoulder and kissed Madison. ‘What in the world was going on between these two?’ We sat
at the table. Josh pulled out my chair for me and placed Madison on the other side of him. He went around to help Janie get in her chair.

“Thank you, Josh.”

“You’re welcome, Janie.”

“So, Josh, now that I have had a chance to meet you. You seem nice enough, but please expand on my son’s question.”

“What do you mean expand on it?”

“He asked if you loved my sister and you said yes. Why do you love her?” she asked. Mike shot Janie a look, then looked at Josh.

“Just do it now, man, so she quits her shit. This is supposed to be a nice dinner, but she won’t let up. Go for it, buddy.”

“Well, Janie. I am going to tell everyone at this table exactly why I love this woman,” he said, getting off his chair. Taking my hand, he got down on one knee. I stared at him, open mouthed. “Claire Phillips, you make me the happiest man alive. I would still be lost in this world had I not found you. Being with you these past few months has brought me a lifetime of happiness. I want to spend the rest of my life on this planet with you and only you. I love you, so much. Please, will you marry me?”

“I love you, too, Josh,” I said through tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”

“Yes!” shouted Alison, Vanessa and Mike. My sister sat there staring. Everyone was clapping except Janie.

“Hey, Janie, you now have a lifetime to get to know Josh. Can you stop with the questions for tonight and let us eat in peace?”

“I am sorry, Janie. I planned on asking, Claire for her hand while we were here tonight. I wanted all of you to be a part of it. I know how much family means to Claire. I grew up with just my grandparents. I lost everyone early on. I never really had a family like this one. I hope you can accept me into the family. I promise, we will sit down before we leave and I will answer any questions you have for me. Just please understand that I love your sister with every fiber of my being. She is the best thing to ever happen to me.”