2. Sienna

TWO

SIENNA

This is going against everything I’ve said to the girls from the Johnson ranch and how I wanted to gain his attention. Kind of hard to do that when the minute I see Trey, I sneak away like a schoolgirl would from their first crush. Which wouldn’t you know, Trey Johnson is exactly that. He’s my first everything. First crush, first boyfriend, except it’s kind of hard to put the word boy with anything related to Trey. He’s a man, all six foot plus, sinewed muscle, dark hair, and sapphire eyes. Trey gave me my first kiss, a real kiss, not the peck here or there from school-age boys. Anytime a date would try and push for more, I ducked for cover. No way did I want my first memorable kiss to be wet and slobbery like a dog or cow licking your face. No thank you.

I set my plan in action. My birthday being in April, graduation would happen the following month, and the parties would begin. All I had to do was sit and wait until Trey appeared. I knew he would. He and Amos always kept a watchful eye out in the woods. Amos being the protector and father figure in my life meant I could do more than most, but he’d be watching while I did it. He’d never supply the alcohol or drugs the kids would consume. He’d only watch to make sure nobody set the woods or themselves on fire, and truck keys were taken away when they rolled in. Amos and Trey held down the fort. They’d let kids my age and at college pitch a tent and blow some steam off.

I needed a bit of liquid courage. Beer isn’t my first choice now, and it wasn’t then. Still, chugging it back while chewing a piece of gum made the taste tolerable. My friends would make fun of me, and I’m glad Amos never figured it out, or he’d really have given me hell. Now that I’m older, I stick to my tried-and-true rum and coke.

The minute Trey made his appearance, I put my plan in action. I stood away from him but within watching distance. He’d glance my way, and I’d give him a flirtatious look of my own, and when he followed me into the woods, I knew the white crop top sans bra, tight black jean shorts, and my long dark hair loose did exactly what I wanted. I close my eyes, tipping my head back on the headrest in the beat-up farm truck and taking a deep breath. Memory lane and I should not be having a walk down past streets we’ve walked many times before. I don’t have time or energy to dredge up old memories. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even a good idea to look at Trey and his stupid handsome self, never mind talking to him. Instead, I’ve been a big fat coward and run the other way anytime he’s nearby.

“What the hell?” I lift my head. Pulling over on the side of the two-lane road is a surefire way to have someone stopping and asking whether or not you’re okay. There isn’t anyone in front of or behind me, though. Nope, there’s a dog walking on the side of the road, looking back and forth. Which can only mean one thing: he or she has been dumped. Tully warned me she’s been seeing a new trend of animals either being dumped on the side of the road or abandoned behind her vet clinic. Today just so happens to be my lucky day.

“Damn it all. I don’t have time for this today, and Amos is going to kick my ass with the menagerie of animals I seem to be collecting.” I put my truck in Park , leave the keys in the ignition, and look for a towel, shirt, or jacket to wrap around the poor dude’s body. Usually, I wouldn’t worry about what I’m wearing and not wanting to get dirty. But today, I’m on my way into town to meet up with a friend. We’ve kept what we’re doing close to the chest, worried that we’re putting money into a project that could potentially backfire. Amos has no idea what I did on the side in college. Only one friend knew what I did during my downtime. Throwing pottery is my passion project, and there’s no way I’ll ever tell my older brother he was right, and I was wrong. No way, no how, not now, and not ever. Amos wanted me out of Arrowleaf. I put my foot down so many times telling him he’s wrong and I didn’t want to leave. It wasn’t until Amos left after helping me load, off-load, and set up my dorm that I broke down and admitted to myself that I made the right decision. Of course, a few weeks later, I questioned every single thing in my life. Luckily, I met my now best friend. We stuck together like glue, and another plus is she only lives the next town over from Arrowleaf.

I grab a blanket that looks like it’s seen better days and slowly climb out of the truck. My midsize SUV stays parked at the ranch unless I’m going somewhere like the grocery store, dinner, or to meet Genevieve for our weekly girls' night out.

“Hey, buddy, what are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?” I walk slowly toward what I can now tell is a male dog. He lets out a whimper, cowering while also going back on his haunches. It’s clear as day he’s scared, and if I were worried that he’d attack, I’d go back to my truck to call Tully. But since I’m able to edge closer and the only thing he does is start to roll over, I stretch my arm out, allowing him to sniff me before pushing him further.

“That’s it. You can do it,” I keep encouraging him, talking softly, hoping to gain his trust. It’s then I realize he’s a Border Collie who's completely caked in dirt and mud. His ears tuck backwards, and I’m wondering what has his hackles raised when I look over my shoulder.

“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath. The poor boy scurries backwards. So much for gaining his trust to pick him up and put him in the truck. The whirring of an engine settles in the open air, then one cowboy boot hits the pavement, and I’d know the figure anywhere.

“No, no. It’s okay. He won’t hurt you. Neither will I. A few more steps closer, then I’ll take you to Tallulah. She’ll scan you for a chip, though it's doubtful you’ll have one. Then she’ll make sure there’s nothing wrong, and I’ll bring you home. My brother is a pain in the ass, but even he wouldn’t turn you away.” I settle him somewhat and move a smidge closer. The blanket drags across the asphalt, and wouldn’t you know it, Trey freaking Johnson chooses that moment to slam his truck door closed. I watch as the Border Collie stands up and darts back into the copse of weeds that's more lick a full-ass thicket, waist deep and full of stickers.

“Damn you, Trey.” I close my eyes while I get my feet beneath me.

“Damn me? What about you? Jesus Christ, woman. Your truck is running, the door is wide open, and all I see is you crouched on the side of the road.” Why does Trey have to be the voice of reason ?

“Fine, you can help me find him.” I start to head into the ditch when the Border Collie runs up to Trey, tail wagging and tongue lolling out to the side. “Or he can come right to you like you're god himself. Freaking figures.”

“Hey, where’d you come from?” Trey bends down to pet the dog's head.

“The sky, clearly. Can you load him up in my truck since he’s obsessed with you currently? I’m going to take him to Tully for a workup and go from there. Unless you want to?” It doesn’t matter that I’m already halfway in love with the abandoned pup or that Trey could pull a fast one on me and take over.

“Nah, got a meeting to get to. I’ll load him up for you. Though I want you to at least shoot me a text or give me a call about the fella.” He bends down and wraps his arms around the dog, and now I’m jealous of a dog. The tri-colored pup helps himself to hanging on to Trey with his front paws on his shoulders, and the two of them are making their way to my truck.

“I can do that. Thanks for the help.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to make a snide remark to say I would have had it handled without his help. I don’t because at least it’s him getting dirty, not me.

“No problem, sugar.” He gets the dog settled into the backseat of the four-door pickup, and then his finger brushes along the pulse point on my wrist. “See you around.” I’m left swallowing down my hormones and trying not to fan myself with the way he calls me sugar with a slow southern drawl. I watch as Trey saunters off toward his truck, his hand going to the back of his neck, gripping the fabric and pulling it over his head.

Life really isn’t fair today. Trey with his stupid good looks and his stupid muscles and his stupid whatever else he has going on. I take a deep breath, rip my eyes away from the show Trey is giving me. I have half a mind to turn around and head home for the day. Except Amos would take one look at another animal I acquired and call Tallulah out to the farm, and I’m already halfway to her clinic. Looks like I need to call Genevieve and tell her I’ll be getting to her place a bit later than expected.