22. Movie Night

MOVIE NIGHT

" T ell me about your first week at work." Drake draws lazy circles on the inside of my wrist, sending sparks of electricity shooting through my nervous system with his feather-light touch.

I'm relaxed, more relaxed than I've ever been.

We're back at the farm. Or is it a ranch?

Wherever we are, it's the most romantic place on earth.

Just like last time, he ties a sheet between two trees, anchoring the bottoms to rocks on the ground to form our movie screen. Despite my thoughts on whether we'll make it through the movie, we move along nicely.

Like every boy on the planet, Drake confesses his obsession with Leia after that scene with Jabba the Hut and her skimpy outfit. It brings a smirk to my lips that stays a beat too long. I have fantasies too, but I'm not brave enough to voice them.

At least, not yet.

The Ewoks annoy me. Never understood why they had to put that in what is otherwise a fabulous ending to an amazing trilogy.

As far as our outdoor theater goes, it's a balmy night. A bit on the warm side, but it's a pleasant warmth rather than an oppressive heat. Give it a month or two, and it'll be almost too hot to be outdoors.

The herd is closer than the last time. Their dark-brown, soulful eyes stare at me from the other side of the barbed-wire fence.

Every now and again, they huff, blowing sharply out through their nostrils. There's silence for a bit, then one of them lets out a long, lowing sound. Others follow, until the herd says what it needs to say.

Overhead, a heavy dusting of stars fills the heavens. Without the light of the moon to wash out millions of stars, the Milky Way takes center stage. I understand why that swath of stars earned its name.

It's majestic.

"Where are we?" My fingers twine with Drake's as I take another sip of wine.

Drake copies me, only he drinks whiskey rather than wine. We disagree on which is better.

"We're right where we're supposed to be." His warm dark eyes are pools of simmering desire. Although, he seems to be in no hurry to move things along.

Last time, we had a fire and he cooked steaks. Something I don't think the cows behind us knew about at the time. Today, we dine on smoked salmon, cream cheese, crackers, and other finger foods.

"You know what I mean, silly." I playfully punch his arm.

I've learned not to hit him hard. The man is a solid wall of muscle. Hitting him is like slamming my fist against granite.

"Do I?"

"Is this your land? Or Bert's?"

It could belong to the Bureau of Land Management with free, public access to all. There are millions of acres of public land in California. I assume the same goes for Montana.

Unlike last time, there's no blindfold and no assist from Bert setting up our spot for the night.

"Did you recognize anything from the drive up?" Drake turns to me, eyes simmering with banked heat.

Without the blindfold, I enjoyed the drive more than I thought possible. Something about the rolling plains settles in like a long-lost friend. This place feels like home.

"Not really." I bring his hand to my lips and flutter my lips over his knuckles. "Did you know I have land up here?"

"City girl, everyone knows that." His brows pinch together, confused. Not the expression I expect.

"They do?"

"Of course. You're the last McPhearson woman, with thousands of acres under your care."

"I didn't realize it was common knowledge."

"Remind me to take you to the Town Hall. I think you're going to enjoy it."

"Really? Why's that?"

"Your family is a local legend. That's all I'm going to say for now."

"Is that good or bad?"

Legend?

There's definitely a story there.

"It's good. Strong. Resilient. Charitable." He winks at me. "Not to mention how much that land means to those who farm it and run cattle on it."

"I need to figure out what to do with it."

"Do with it?" He shifts in his seat. "What do you mean?"

"I think I should sell it."

"You're kidding, right?" He leans back and folds his arms across his chest. His dark brows knit together, concerned and confused.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with it. It's a lot to deal with."

"Before you make any decisions, you should talk to the manager."

"The manager?"

"Yeah, the guy hired to take care of the land." He shifts away from me, almost as if my words wound him.

"That's a good idea. I'll talk to my uncle about setting up a meeting. Although, I have to tell you, I'm nervous about what it entails."

"How's that?"

"I know nothing about land management."

"I'm sure the manager has that all figured out." There's a look in his face I can't figure out, almost as if Drake's having fun with me.

"No doubt. I'm overwhelmed enough settling in with the day job. Adding the management of ten thousand acres? I think my head is going to explode. How will I know what he tells me is the truth? I'm so afraid of being taken advantage of."

"Don't be." Again, I sense something. "No one is going to take advantage of you, and you'll get nothing but the honest truth from the manager."

"How do you know that?" I'm overwhelmed.

I knew moving to Peace Springs would be challenging. I know nothing about owning a medical practice. I was an employee at the place I worked at before. I went to work. Saw my patients. Went home. The next day I did it all over again. I didn't have to worry about billing, scheduling, payroll, malpractice insurance, or any of the other things I don't know.

"You're smart as a tack, city girl. You'll figure it all out."

"What scares me isn't what I don't know."

"That so?" His brows tug together, concerned and worried.

The way he cares about me comes as a shock. More so, because I'm not used to it. Scott never cared about what bothered me. I had to deal with that all on my own.

Drake cares.

More than cares.

He's deeply invested in me.

I would try to explain where I'm coming from, but that's impossible. How is he going to understand the pressure I'm under?

"Here's my problem."

"Go on, city girl."

"I'm not afraid of what I don't know." I begin with the obvious. "It's a long list, but I'm willing to learn. It's the things I don't know that I don't know that worry me."

"Wait a second…" Drake leans back, pulling at his chin. "The things you don't know that you don't know?"

"Exactly. Those things will slip through the cracks, and I won't even be aware of it."

"I can see how that could be troubling, but you don't need to worry."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I know Sara. She's tenacious and OCD when it comes to the business. Your uncle set you up for success. He surrounded you with quality people. Good people. Honest and hardworking people. And I know the guy who manages your land."

"You do?"

"Yes, Abby, I do." There's an odd twinkle in his eye. He cocks his head, as if waiting for me to say something, but then he shakes his head. "Luv, I manage the McPhearson land."

"Wait a second." My jaw literally drops. "You're the manager?"

"Have been for years. It made sense when your aunt first got sick. My homestead abuts McPhearson property. Your aunt hired me to take care of the land until you came into your inheritance and could take over."

"Take over. I have zero experience managing land."

"I can teach you everything you need to know."

"Did you not hear me when I said my brain's going to explode?" I tilt my head back and stare at the stars overhead. "I'm so out of my element."

I know enough about medicine to guess at what else is involved in managing a thriving medical practice, but land? I'm clueless as to what I need to worry about.

But I have Drake.

Why didn't Uncle Pete mention that when he told me about the McPhearson land? Kind of an odd thing to leave out.

"My uncle didn't tell me you managed the land."

"I'm not surprised by that."

"Really? Why?"

"He knows you have a lot on your plate, but I'm here to teach you everything you need to know."

"I appreciate that."

"How are you handling his illness?"

"It's tough."

Drake takes my hand. The warmth of his fingers wrapping around my hand comforts me.

"When I found out, I didn't know what to think, but after talking to him and watching him, I can tell he's tired. He's ready to move on."

"Ah, luv." Drake pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. "I know we're still getting to know each other, but I'm here if you need a shoulder to cry on."

"Thank you, but I need your brain more."

"My brain?"

"It's a relief to know you're the manager for McPhearson lands. I don't know where to begin. Who are the tenet farmers? The ranchers who lease the pastureland? What agreements are in place? Do they pay rent? I don't even know the right terms to use when framing my questions. I'm certain rent is the wrong word. Not to mention, I don't remember where that land is."

"Slow down, city girl, and take a breath." He grasps both my hands and forces me to stare into his mesmerizing eyes.

There's strength there. Comfort. Control. And a willingness to help.

"I must be the biggest joke in town."

"Why would you say that?"

"I inherit ten thousand acres and I don't know where that land is." I shake my head and vent a frustrated sigh. One more thing to add to my to-do list.

Drake stares back at me, then the corners of his mouth twitch. From the mirth in his eyes, he barely holds back from laughing.

At me.

I watch his efforts slowly fail as he tries to keep a straight face, but it's a complete loss. Drake finally breaks and laughs his head off. I can't help but smile. He laughs with the entirety of his being.

It's infectious and I join in, laughing at the silliness of a landowner who doesn't know where her land is located. Overwhelmed doesn't touch on how I'm feeling about all of this, but the best medicine truly is laughter.

Sure, I spent my summers playing in the streams and rivers on that land, but I was a kid. I never paid attention where we drove to get to our picnic place.

"You think too hard, city girl." Drake's laughter dies down as he pulls me into his lap. His touch brings me back to the present as he wraps me in his protective embrace. "We'll figure all of it out together. Is that okay?"

Okay? It's more than okay. I trust Drake, which means it's easy to extend that trust to helping me take care of ten thousand acres.

"Sorry. I'm stressed."

"Come." Drake lifts me off his lap.

He stands, then offers me his hand. I take it, feeling comforted by his touch as he leads me to the fence line where a dozen cattle on the other side chomp contentedly on the grass. Or are they chewing their cud?

Is that the right word?

I'm so not a farm girl.

"Look." He stretches his hand while one of the cows closes in to nuzzle his palm. After they say hello, Drake rubs the side of the cow's face.

"They scare me." I step back, staying out of reach.

"No need to be scared." Drake takes my hand, pulling me forward. He lifts our joined hands up to the cow's face. There he places my palm alongside the cow's muzzle.

The hair is softer than I thought it would be. The cow flicks its ears and the tag punched into its ear flaps. The cow snorts, which makes me yank back my hand in surprise.

Drake gives a soft laugh and guides my hand back up to the cow's face. I stroke it from cheek to nostril and back again.

"They're gentle creatures. Nothing to be afraid of." Drake's voice resonates deep in my chest, settling in and making itself at home. "This fence line is the boundary between my land and yours." He points to the cattle. "They belong to one of your tenet ranchers. We'll find time to introduce you to everyone. Your uncle asked me to wait until you got settled with the medical practice before overwhelming you with all of this."

"Thank you." And I mean that in the most honest and basic way possible.

Things no longer feel as overwhelming as they did a few moments ago. I've got good people working with me, helping me. I no longer feel so alone. Off in the distance, the long howl of a wolf pierces the air. Drake stiffens beside me.

"I didn't realize how much of a nuisance they've become," I admit my lack of knowledge.

After my wolf encounter, I looked up everything I could regarding wolves. Turns out Drake is right about them no longer being endangered. With a permit, he's able to cull up to a hundred wolves a year from his lands.

I'm simply a softie at heart. I don't want the wolves killed, but I don't want one of these gentle cows taken down either.

Or one of Bert's llamas.

We stay with the cows while the Empire falls and the Rebels prevail. The projector cuts out, plunging us into near-total darkness. Drake and I don't move, silently, absorbing the moment while we do nothing other than stand side-by-side.

Drake grabs my hand and leads me back to his truck.

"Drake …"

"Yes, luv?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure thing, city girl."

In the darkness, the ragged scar on his face is hard to see. I need to know more about the man standing beside me.

He walks us around to the back of the truck where the tailgate is down. Before I know what's happening, he grasps my waist and lifts me up onto the tailgate. He jumps up to sit beside me. Like last time, blankets spread across the truck bed.

Tonight, however, feels different. Instead of a fuckfest we take things slow. Which is good. It lets me ask about something I'm curious about.

"Will you tell me about your scar?"