Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(20)

Neither of us get much sleep. In the morning, Tamsyn checks out of the hotel room, and I treat her to a pancake breakfast at a local restaurant before she needs to head to class, while I have to show up for work on the ranch. I’ve already gotten a few calls wondering where I’ve been, not that I’m worried about it. It’s not like they can fire me. My mom wouldn’t have it. She’d raise hell to my father and I’d be back in the fields after several days. I know this, because it’s happened a couple of times before. I suppose it’s to teach me a lesson, not that it has.

At breakfast, I sit across from a gorgeous blonde I want to know better. We talked for hours, which is something I’m not used to doing, with anyone, much less a women. She’s interesting, and aside from her recent breakup, she’s pretty damn fun. We like the same music, and when I heard she’s into video gaming I swear my dick got hard. Every once in a while we catch gazes and all I can think about is her being naked in my arms.

I actually like this girl. What started as some kind of ridiculous conquest could turn into something neither of us expected and it excites me, especially when there is nothing left to fall back on. Liv isn’t going to show up and give me more false hope. That part of my life is over, and like my parents have been telling me for years, it’s time to grow up and take responsibility of my life. I can’t depend on other people to be happy, or find some sort of independence. I don’t know where this relationship will go, but I’m willing to give it a try if she is. Knowing we’re both in a bad place, it worries me, though I’ve never done anything by the rules, so why start now?

It’s a little discouraging when we stand next to our two vehicles in the parking lot of the diner and have to say goodbye.

I run my hand through her wavy blonde locks as I speak. “What are you doing this weekend?”

She shrugs. “My schedule is open. I mean, I probably have to work for a bit on Saturday at the dealership, but afterwards I’m available.”

“I’d like to take you out if that’s okay with you.”

“It’s okay with me, Josh.”

I kiss her on the forehead and close my eyes as I do it, holding my lips there for an extended amount of time.

Her arms come around to my back and hold me near. We remain this way for quite some time, neither of us speaking. Then I back away so I can look into her fearful eyes. “If for some reason you change your mind, at least shoot me a text. I can handle rejection much better from afar.”

She manages to smile. “Should we call each other tonight, or did you want to just wait to speak again this weekend?”

I take her by the chin and plant a much needed kiss on those pouty lips. “I’ll call you tonight.”

I start walking to my truck when I hear her call my name. “Josh…”

I turn and see her standing in the same position as before. “You will call me, right? I mean, this isn’t goodbye?” She shakes her head. “Sorry. This is so new to me. I’m not really sure how to date, if that’s what you’d call this.”

I don’t move closer when I reply. “Is that what you want to call it?”

“Is it too soon?” She asks.

“Would you rather say we’re f*cking?” I announce while a guy our age is walking by.

She covers her mouth with one hand. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“Ashamed of me?”

She hurries toward me, getting on her tippy toes to be able to kiss me on the cheek. “Overwhelmed is more like it.”

“I’m like a storm. I come rolling in with little warning, and when I’m done there’s usually a mess to clean up. You may want to take that warning and run while you still have the chance.”

“It’s my decision to make.”

“That it is, beautiful.”

“I’ll text you my gaming name tonight. Maybe you can hit me up on Xbox.”

“Damn, hook, line and sinker, woman.”

She’s laughing when she climbs into her car. I wait for her to back up before proceeding to mine, waving as I watch her driving away.



I catch hell back at the ranch. We’re tilling the field to plant winter wheat, so thankfully I hop on a machine to drown out the wise cracks for a while. My father, Uncle Ty, and cousins, Jake and Jax already know I’m involved with someone new. The twins have done a bang up job spreading the word throughout the family. I’ve even gotten text messages from my other two sisters, Callie and Cassie. They’re all the same.

Be nice to this one.

Don’t screw this up.

When can we meet her?



After my work is done, I head to my mom’s hair salon to get a trim. I can already tell she and my aunt are ready to gossip.

I sit in her chair and wait in anticipation, because unlike the other women I’ve involved myself with, she’s an exception.



“Where did you stay last night?” My mom asks while messing with the top of my head.

“I was out with someone. I thought once I hit my twenties I could come and go as I please.”

“We’d still like to know what you’re doing. I’ll never stop worrying.”

“I’m seeing this new girl.”

“The one from the dealership?” My Aunt Miranda inquires from across the room.