The Country Duet(44)

It kills me to break apart from the kiss, but being caught by her dad was enough for me. My arm wraps low around her waist then I pull her into a dance, singing the words to her. Teale erupts in laughter at the wrong words and my horrible voice.

“Got good news,” I tell her.

“You’re taking me to your apartment for a lunch quickie?”

“I am now.” I kiss her. “Got a job offer today at the university feedlot. Will be making lots more money and hope it will free up some time.”

“You’re quitting here?” There’s a hint of disappointment in her ocean blues. “No, you won’t leave Dave.”

Her bottom lip pops out, making a pouting gesture. “I won’t get to see you as much.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I lean in, catching her bottom lip and suck on it for a beat. “I think the hours are going to work out better for us.”

“Promise me?”

“I do.” I dip Teale back, making her squeal and cuss all at the same time. “Will you come home with me this summer? I don’t care if it’s a week or a month…come home with me.”

“Always.”

The damn shop phone rings interrupting our dance party. Teale pushes away from my chest, answering it all professional. I lean on the counter, enjoying the view of long, tanned legs and tight little ass in her shorts. Her laughter and friendly tone as she chats with a customer is the cherry on top of the sundae.

Teale hangs up and saunters right back over to me. She’s mere steps away when the door to the office swings open. The bells above the door shatter our privacy. Both of our heads whip to whoever just walked in. Teale’s sharp inhales of breath sends me into protective mode.

“Mommy.”

Teale steps away from me transfixed on the little girl. She kneels down in front of the counter just in time to catch the little girl in her arms. Matching auburn hair, the same piercing blue eyes, coupled with beauty…I can’t move.

“Mommy, I missed you.”

One blink. Two blinks. Three slow blinks. The same scene lies before me. A man clears his throat, and that’s when I look up to a six-foot-tall, blond man in a suit and tie. He reaches in a methodical manner straightening his tie, and that’s when his gold band on his wedding finger blinds me.

My knees go weak, pain attacking every single surface of my being. Her past is colliding into her future, leaving me destroyed.

“Teale,” the man says.

“Jerico,” she replies, standing up with her daughter in her hands.

An angelic face peers over Teale’s shoulder. She may be the sweetest sight I’ve ever seen. She’s a miniature version of her mother.

“Thank you,” Teale whispers to her husband.

He smiles, pulling me back to my reality.

I’ve loved this woman like there’s been no broken heart in sight. Our end was never an option until now. Our days are shared, reel in slow motion. Every touch, shared kisses, and laughter, are all disappearing before my own eyes.

My feet catch up to my brain and move. Rounding the counter, Teale glances over to me. There’s sadness in her eyes, but even more, there’s joy and happiness that I can’t compete with. It’s the final nail in my coffin.

“Excuse me,” I say to Jerico.

He moves to the side, but not without eyeing me from head to toe. I glance over my shoulder one more time at Teale, praying like hell she’ll stop me. She doesn’t.





The End


Wild Country, Country Duet- Book 1





Acknowledgments-


I’d like to thank the family who has shared this story with me. It’s been an amazing journey. Thank you for being great friends to our family. To many more stories and adventures.

This story is very special to me for many reasons. I love small towns and am a farm girl at heart. It was so fun to write about my passion.

Thank you to all my readers who support me on this journey. Your encouragement means everything to me. It’s your word and support of encouragement the fuel me.





Playlist


Beautiful Drug- Zac Brown Band T-Shirt- Thomas Rhett Dirt on My Boots- Jon Pardi Girl Crush – Little Big Town My Church- Maren Morris Redneck Crazy- Tyler Farr Better in Boots- Tyler Farr Die A Happy Man- Thomas Rhett Vice- Miranda Lambert Ready Set Roll- Chase Rice Make You Mine- High Valley Blue Ain’t Your Color- Keith Urban Road Less Traveled- Lauren Alaina Body Like a Back Road- Sam Hunt Bar at the End of the World- Kenny Chesney Roller Coaster- Luke Bryan Point At You- Justin Moore American Country Love Song- Jake Owen Loving You Easy- Zac Brown Band Tin Man- Miranda Lambert For Her- Chris Lane If I Told You- Darius Rucker Pain Killer- Little Big Town





Back Country

Dirt, Passion, and Heart



HJ Bellus





Back Country

Copyright ? 2017 by HJ Bellus. Small Town Girl Books, LLC.

Edited by: Emma Mack, Ultra Editing Formatting: HJ Bellus

Proofread By: Alissa Glenn Cover Designer: Dana @Designs by Dana Photographer: Golden Czermak, Furious Fotog Model: Andrew James

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