“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Letting her pull up a chair at the table. Ever since then we have become like sisters, we go out together. Party and even help each other out with men. We were going to get separate places, but living together seemed to be working out wonderfully. And since the mortgage was being paid three ways, we didn’t see the point. We lived like princesses, ate whatever we want, went and did just the same. We all had our hobbies, Josie would blow god knows how much money at the best stores in town, while I bought new car parts.

    Trish was into spoiling her nieces and taking them out. She came from a good family, unlike me a Josie. Trish had a mother and father, no siblings. Her mother was a caretaker while her father was a layer for some over priced firm. He was a respectable man, and had taught his daughter the laws. We got to meet him one year for Christmas, since my family went on a trip to Hawaii, and Josie couldn’t see her self going to Christmas dinner with her father and his new fling. Trish’s family was more then happy to have us, and we even received presents, which made us blush.

    Now after so many years of being together, we don’t hide anything from each other. I look after them like I would my baby brother. If anything were to happen to them, I think I would loose it. Flipping threw the clothes, I grabbed a few long sleeve shirts. Mostly all are plaid in color, a few work jeans and a new pair of black boots. A heavy jacket, and some thermal under garments. Pulling out a new credit card, I activated it. Trish would of cancelled our normal cards, and we keep the non activated ones in case something like this happens.

    Paying I took the bags outside, dropping them next to the only pay phone in the whole town. Calling with two rings I hang up, wait a few minutes then call a different number Trish picks up on the first ring.

    “Damn I was wondering when I was going to hear from you” Sighing, she sounds tired.

    “Yea sorry, been a bit busy. You took care of the cards right?”

    “Yea, everything’s gone. I unloaded the files with Josie. When are you returning?”

    “Not for a while. Take a vacation if you will.”

    “Ha great, cause my job is so fucking hard” Giggling, I can hear Josie in the background.

    “Is that her?” She yells.

    “Yes” Trish answers as the phone is scuffled.

    “Ray what the hell happened?” Josie asks, sounding of the annoyed blonde I love.

    “Charles is what happened” She growls.

    “Hate that little prick, can’t we just shoot his ass. And be one with him?”

    “No Josie, that’s not how we work. Take a vacation. Go sun bathing or shopping. I’ll be here for a while, till I can think of a better plan.” Running my fingers over my hair.

    “Fine, but if we agree to shoot his ass I get first shot”

    “Deal” nodding as if we really would shoot him.

Hanging up I headed back to Derek’s truck. He wasn’t there yet, so I loaded everything in. He must till be ordering feed, he works on a cattle farm. Walking across the street, I open the glass door hearing the loud cow bell over head.

    “Hi can I…ohh Ray” The elderly woman behind the desk is Miss Linda.

    “Hi Miss Linda, have you see Derek?”

    “Oh yes, he’s out back love”

    “Thanks” Smiling I head to the back. The large industrially sized building holds everything from cow to duck feed. The smell of hay and bags of grain that have split open fill my nose. it’s a smell I have grown to miss, its clean and pure. Just like the animals who eat it. A few farm cats wander around, making sure no mice dare open more bags. There talking with the loader is Derek.

    “Hey girl” Smiling as he sees me.

    “Hey” Slipping my hands into pockets. it’s a little cold in here.

    “You all set?”

    “Yea” He eyes me noticing I don’t have anything.

    “Bags in truck?” I nod.

    “Well I’m about threw, so well get going.” Heading out we keep in pace with each other.

    “Bye Miss Linda he calls.”

    “Ohh good bye Derek, hope to see you again Ray” With a bright smile I nod.

The drive home was quiet, and Derek seemed to be fine with it. Pulling into my Grams driveway, I thanked him before grabbing my stuff.

    “Hey Ray” He calls, before I get to far.

    “Yea?”

    “There’s a party in four days, you should come. See all the gang” Grinning his cowboy heart out. His idea of a gang is nothing what I envision.

    “Yea, I might just do that” Waving as I head to the house. His truck pulls out, leaving a little dist trail. Opening the door, I can hear noise coming from down the hall. Sighing looks like the super nice roommate is awake.

    “I’m back” Letting him know its me, so I at least have a chance not to get shot at. No reply as the noise continues. Whatever I don’t have time for this shit. Putting my bags in the corner, out of his way I open my black bag. Pulling out my laptop, stetting it up on the kitchen table. Reheating a cup of coffee, I sit down. Frustrated to boot as I go over my statements. I make sure the screen is facing the door, I don’t need Dalton knowing anything about me.

    Speak of the devil. He walks out holding a large box, stopping to look at me. Then as if I just was not even there walks on. Putting the box in a corner, before turning around looking back at me.

    “Your rooms ready” Leaving me to do whatever. This is so pleasant….not. Getting up I move everything into my so called room. Closing the door as he walks out of his. If he doesn’t want to know me, I feel the same about him. In the room is a queen sized bed, nightstand, a desk and a burro. Folding the clothes while putting them away, I set my laptop up on the desk. Two windows bring in plenty of light. I need sheets for the bed, and frown when I see there isn’t a comforter either.

    Could of gotten all of that at in town, had I known. Sighing I’ll borrow one from gram. Opening my door, I head to her house. Dalton is drinking another cup of coffee, when his eyes look me over. Ignoring him I open the front door, no shoes on. Feeling his eyes on me, I keep walking to grams house. Opening her door, I see her at the kitchen table.

    “Morning love”

    “Morning, you wouldn’t happen to have a set of sheets and a comforter I can borrow till I buy one?”

    “Ohh didn’t Dalton give you one?” Getting up. I scoffed.

    “I’m not asking that grumpy old cowboy for a thing” Folding my arms, gram gives me a interested look.

    “Oh did something happen?”

    “Nothing I can’t work around.” She walks to the linen closet, pulling out a pair of brown sheets and a pillow case. Handing them to me, I follow her to the back room. Where she stashes everything, like a damn pack rat. Handing me a new comforter, still in the bag. Shaking my head just to laugh.

    “Keep it, I don’t need it.” Its black with white swirls.

    “Fine” giving her a kiss as a thank you. Walking back out, she smiles sitting back down.

    “Did you go into town today?”

    “Yea, Derek gave me a lift half way there, then brought me home.” Nodding.

    “Derek’s a handsome man” Winking at me.

    “Gram get those dirty thoughts out of your head.”

    “But why dear. You know how I love my men” Snickering.

    “You’ve gotten worse in your old age.” Waving her by. Walking back into the other house, Dalton had taken seat at the table. Looking over a paper, when he heard the door open. My eyes kept true to me, as I closed the door and walked past him. Hearing him grunt, as if he found it funny I had to go to my grams for something. Jerk! Pushing my door open, pushing it closed with my foot. Making my bed, and feeling as though my room finally felt more like a room.

    Returning to my laptop going over a few more things.  For the next few hours, I staid as far away from Dalton as possible. Never making eye contact with him, when we were in the same room. I had made some dinner, and because I was raised better then some in breed Yankee, I made enough for him. Taking my dinner into my room, locking the door.

~Dolton’s POV~

Work was long, all I want to do is go home and sleep. Opening the front door, to warmth. Huh I don’t remember leaving the wood stove on. Turning to get a glass of water, the dishes are all done. Did Miss Sandy come over? A light groan from the couch, has me turning around. The smallest woman, is curled up sleeping. Who the hell is she? Why is she in my house? Reaching to wake her, I find myself on the floor at knife point.

    Reverting back to my training I twisted her around, pinning her smaller arms above her head. She was built nicely, a thinner hour glass shape. Bright emerald eyes wide as she was trying to figure out what happened. That trick might work on some, but not me. Taking her in a little more, she looked familiar. Dark hair spread out over the floor, looked like satin. Evenly tanned skin, begged to touched.

    “Who are you, what are you doing in my house?” Glaring her down, her frighten face chocking out an I.

    “Answer me” Pushing harder on her. Shouldn’t of pushed so hard, I might break her.

    “Ray, Sandy’s granddaughter” Her face flushes. Easing up on her, I had thought the girl was coming tomorrow. How’d she get here so fast?  Slowly getting off her, I let her know she wasn’t to be expected till tomorrow. A nod is all I get, must of frightened her. That’s usually the reaction out of most people when they see me. Something about her as me seeking to protect her, I need to get out of here. Heading back to my room, closing the door. Breathing a sigh of relief when she’s no longer in my vision.

    Watching a bit of tv, before I feel hungry. Groaning I’ll have to face her again. Biting the bullet, I toss on a pair of sweats before walked out. Its deathly quiet, as I flick on the hall light. Walking into the living room, the body of Ray sleeps. Her head tucked into the couch, while a long tan leg holds the blanket down. Walking to her, looking at her carefully.  Long lashes hold the emeralds captive, as twisted rolls of chocolate cover the almost flat pillow. Quietly as I could I made a sandwich always taking a look over at her. Not once did she stir, either she was more tired then I thought or she was faking it.

    Walking past her proved to be harder, I wanted to scoop her fragile looking body and guard her. Something was clearly wrong with me. Closing my door, the feeling passed allowing me to eat in peace.

    The next morning I was going to ask her if she needed anything, to find the couch made and empty. The coffee pot was half filled with still hot coffee. An empty mug in the sink, where she had cleaned all the dishes. She might come in handy. Pouring myself a cup, the taste of French vanilla filled my mouth. Somehow she had added the perfect amount to the pot, making it just strong enough. My growing likeness for Ray was growing with every small things she did.

    A few hours passed and I decided that her room, should be put into order. I had promised her grandmother I would take care of it. Pulling out boxes and relocating them, while putting the bed together. The front door opened, and right away I knew it was her; even before she voiced herself. Walking out with a box in hand, we looked at each other. Her looking like she had something to say, but never did. Putting the box down, I spoke.

    “Your rooms ready” Walking back to mine. Not a word came from those soft looking lips. Frustrated with both myself, and the lack of gratitude she gave me I paced behind my door. Her sounds were light, as a few bags were placed in the room. Draws from the dresser where opened and closed. Feeling caged I wanted another cup of coffee. She again walked out, not even sparing me a glace, as her bare feet walked into the harsh weather. If she gets sick, I’ll throw a fit. Sitting down to read the paper, she came back a little later holding sheets and a comforter.