A Wild Ride (Jessica Brodie Diaries #3)(8)

Pause. Still silence.

“You might have to stud him out, or whatever, to Adam a couple times for helping. We had to use his trailer and he said you had a good eye for ani...”

William had turned around to look at me. His eyes were glassy and he was looking like I was water to a man lost in the desert.

“Can you ever forgive me?” he said sorrowfully.

Me, having turned into a mushy girl somewhere along the way, starting crying and ran to hug him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t just tell you! I almost did a million times, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise! I worked hard to get it here and I wanted to give it to you Christmas day.”

He held me fiercely. “I will never distrust you again. I am so sorry, Jessica. I keep doing these stupid things. What a fool I was this past week. I thought you would leave me. I truly did.”

He was breathing deeply, trying to maintain control of himself. He started laughing then and pulled away.

“You are a piece of gold,” he said, stroking my hair. “How did you do this? Wait, let me go have a word with Adam first then we’ll talk about your bull.”

“Your bull. The papers are back at the house. It hates me. I don’t want it.”

William smiled, kissed me tenderly, then stalked off toward Adam.

Lump came back over. “Well, it worked out in the end.”

We started walking toward the bull when we heard Adam yelling. We both turned as one to see Adam’s fist connect with William’s face, sending him flying. We both ran toward Adam yelling for him to stop.

Adam stood looking down at William, William’s arms out to the sides in the dirt.

“Are you sure I deserved all that?” William asked through a cut lip. He was grinning, of all things. “You might have knocked a tooth loose.”

“Yeah, you deserved that, you egotistical ass**le. If Jessica were smart she’d kick you in the nuts and leave your ass.” Adam's chest was rising and falling in a fast pant.

“She would at that. She had to deal with more than you. Don’t know why she didn’t leave me, just glad she isn’t as sensitive as you.” William chuckled.

“Yeah,” Adam said, bending down to help William up.

Lump just shook her head with a grin. “You did deserve that, Willie. I think Adam gave you one for him and Jessica, though.”

“Adam pull a punch? It would be nice, but it ain’t gonna happen,” William said, staggering.

We walked over to the bull.

“He’s a beaut, Willie,” Adam praised after a second. “I tried to talk Jess outta gettin’ it for ya, thinkin’ it was some harebrained idea.”

“I’m glad she’s stubborn then,” William responded, putting his arm around me. “News of me trying to get this little guy reached Donnie in Colorado. I heard he was going to come out and try to get ‘em. That’s why I thought it went to him when I couldn’t find the two sluts with four heifers between them.” He winked at Lump, who rolled her eyes.

“Thank you, love,” William said softly down to me. “This is the best present you could have given me. Too much, way too much, but better than anything. Donnie would have gotten him for sure if you didn’t act. And thanks, Lump, thank you Adam. This is huge.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” Adam stated, obviously still sore. “I did it for Jess. And after seeing him, I did it for a couple waved stud fees.”

William nodded in joy. “I can’t believe you got him!”

We walked back to the house, William having a split lip but a hop in his step. He was like a little kid excited about his new toy.

Once in the house I ran out to get the gifts for Lump and Adam. Lump also had gifts to give and handed those out. Adam went into the back room and got gifts as well.

“Am I the only one that showed up empty handed?” William asked, befuddled.

“Yup.,” Lump said as she handed him a package.

Lump was delighted with what I got her and was thinking of places to hang the bag. I opened hers and it was this perfume I wanted when I was back in L.A. I had forgotten all about it. I opened it immediately and sprayed everyone, much to the chagrin of the boys.

“Jessica.” Adam's voice was filled with awe. He was handling one of the boots like it was made of porcelain. “These are handmade... These are made by... How did you get my measurements?”

“Your girlfriend. She wasn’t happy to do it, but I explained that it had to be done, and unless she wanted me to drug you and take them myself, I would be much obliged if she would help me out.”

He laughed loudly. “That’s why she suddenly don’t like you. Did you try to strong arm her?”

“Yeah, sorry. I needed those measurements.”

“Jesus, Willie, she’s as bad as you when she wants something.” Adam laughed harder as he was slipping his foot into the boots.

“Ohhhhh Jessie girl! These are niiiiiice.” He took two steps and whipped me up into a hug, then planted a wet kiss on my cheek. Still hugging me, he turned to William in a defiant look. “I have half a mind to take her to the bedroom.”

“Ew, Adam. And you are squeezing too tight.”

“Oh sorry.” Adam gently put me down, mussing my hair.

I huffed. He grinned back and play kicked at William, who was shaking his head and admiring whatever Adam had given him.