Free Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas) by Codi Gary Page A

against her legs, obviously knowing where her bread was buttered.
    “Manipulative little fur-ball,” Rand muttered.
    The cats golden eyes looked at her, releasing a loud, rumbling purr and Rand moved away from her. “I don’t have time to pet you. Besides, you’ll get fur all over me.”
    The cat sniffed with indignation and ambled off towards her bedroom as she grabbed the phone off the counter.  “Hello?”
    “Hey, are you almost ready?” Jake’s voice only added to the anxiety she was already experiencing.
    “Yeah, I’m ready.”
    “Okay, I’m walking out the door. See you in a bit.” He hung up the phone and she put hers down, wiping her sweaty hands on her dress nervously. Grabbing her jacket off the back of the chair, she sat down on the couch and waited.
    Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. 
    “Since when do you knock,” she yelled as she jumped up to answer it.
    “Since I’ve come a courtin’,” he yelled back through the door.
    Her stomach fluttered at his words. She knew he was only teasing and she scolded herself for the reaction, but when she opened the door, all thoughts flew out of her head. It wasn’t like she hadn’t ever seen Jake in a suit; it was just that today, he was for all intents and purposes, wearing that suit just for her.
    Boy, did he look stunned. His jaw was slack, his eyes wider than silver dollars, and she was pretty sure he stopped breathing.
      Tucking her hair back nervously, she stepped out onto the porch and shut the door. “Geez, could you look more surprised?”
    His mouth snapped shut and he smiled. “For a minute there I didn’t recognize you.”
     “Shut up,” she snapped, feeling stupid. “I’m going to change; I feel ridiculous.”
    Catching her arm, he stepped close enough to press her back against the closed door. He leaned over her, and kissed her hard before she could say a word. When he finally broke the kiss, his breath warmed her tingling lips. “You look great.”
    She stared up at him dumbly. “As opposed to how I normally look?”
    He kissed her again. “No. Just different. And I really like your hair.”
    “Are you always so kissy and complimentary when you go a courtin’?” Not that she minded. Every time he kissed her it was like a burst of electricity that warmed her from the outside in.
    “Nope, you’re special.” He leaned in close to her neck and whispered, “And so very sexy.”
    Maybe it was the way he said it or the feel of his breath on her neck but she clenched her thighs together and didn’t even try to give him a clever comeback. When his lips trailed over her skin she whispered, “We’ll be late.”
    He pulled back with a grin. “Good. Then everyone’s focus will be on us.”
    They pulled in front of the church and Rand started to open her door, but Jake stopped her. “I’ll get your door.”
    “I can get my own door.” She hadn’t meant to snap, it was just a habit.
    He leaned towards her and said, “Not the point. You let the guy get your door. It will tell you if he was raised right.”
    She started to tell him that was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard, but he had already jumped out to get her door. She waited for him to open it, telling herself she was only humoring him, and let him take her hand to help her out. When he didn’t release it, he grinned. “It will have everyone’s tongue wagging.”
    She bit her cheek to keep from laughing. He was so ridiculous sometimes. She let him lead her up the steps to the church and once inside, she glanced around nervously as a few people turned around, including Kim and her hoard. Kim’s eyes widened and she leaned over to speak to her minions. Rand felt Jake pull her forward and she focused on where he was leading her, which was right next to a wide eyed Red and his family. Rand’s gaze met Mrs. Hansen and she could have sworn Jake’s mother covered a smile as she turned back to face the pastor. Weird.
    Rand glared at Red in warning as