Free Joshua Healy (Mitchell Healy Book 10) by Jennifer Foor Page A

“What are you doing this weekend?”
    She shrugs. “My schedule is open. I mean, I probably have to work for a bit on Saturday at the dealership, but afterwards I’m available.”
    “I’d like to take you out if that’s okay with you.”
    “It’s okay with me, Josh.”
    I kiss her on the forehead and close my eyes as I do it, holding my lips there for an extended amount of time.
    Her arms come around to my back and hold me near. We remain this way for quite some time, neither of us speaking. Then I back away so I can look into her fearful eyes. “If for some reason you change your mind, at least shoot me a text. I can handle rejection much better from afar.”
    She manages to smile. “Should we call each other tonight, or did you want to just wait to speak again this weekend?”
    I take her by the chin and plant a much needed kiss on those pouty lips. “I’ll call you tonight.”
    I start walking to my truck when I hear her call my name. “Josh…”
    I turn and see her standing in the same position as before. “You will call me, right? I mean, this isn’t goodbye?” She shakes her head. “Sorry. This is so new to me. I’m not really sure how to date, if that’s what you’d call this.”
    I don’t move closer when I reply. “Is that what you want to call it?”
    “Is it too soon?” She asks.
    “Would you rather say we’re fucking?” I announce while a guy our age is walking by.
    She covers her mouth with one hand. “I can’t believe you did that.”
    “Ashamed of me?”
    She hurries toward me, getting on her tippy toes to be able to kiss me on the cheek. “Overwhelmed is more like it.”
    “I’m like a storm. I come rolling in with little warning, and when I’m done there’s usually a mess to clean up. You may want to take that warning and run while you still have the chance.”
    “It’s my decision to make.”
    “That it is, beautiful.”
    “I’ll text you my gaming name tonight. Maybe you can hit me up on Xbox.”
    “Damn, hook, line and sinker, woman.”
    She’s laughing when she climbs into her car. I wait for her to back up before proceeding to mine, waving as I watch her driving away.
     
    I catch hell back at the ranch. We’re tilling the field to plant winter wheat, so thankfully I hop on a machine to drown out the wise cracks for a while. My father, Uncle Ty, and cousins, Jake and Jax already know I’m involved with someone new. The twins have done a bang up job spreading the word throughout the family. I’ve even gotten text messages from my other two sisters, Callie and Cassie. They’re all the same.
    Be nice to this one.
    Don’t screw this up.
    When can we meet her?
     
    After my work is done, I head to my mom’s hair salon to get a trim. I can already tell she and my aunt are ready to gossip.
    I sit in her chair and wait in anticipation, because unlike the other women I’ve involved myself with, she’s an exception.
     
    “Where did you stay last night?” My mom asks while messing with the top of my head.
    “I was out with someone. I thought once I hit my twenties I could come and go as I please.”
    “We’d still like to know what you’re doing. I’ll never stop worrying.”
    “I’m seeing this new girl.”
    “The one from the dealership?” My Aunt Miranda inquires from across the room.
    “You must have seen one of the twins if you know about that. They’ve got big mouths, and Wes never should have told everyone about it.”
    “Your Uncle Ty told me about it last night.”
    “Is it serious?” My mom interrupts.
    I keep my head still while responding. “I only just met her a couple days ago.”
    “You should bring her to Sunday dinner,” Aunt Miranda suggests.
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    My mom is shocked. “It would be great, especially if you plan on bringing her around the ranch again. We don’t have secrets here, son.”
    “So I’ve gathered.”
     
    Then I’m bombarded with questions.
     
    What does she do for a living?
    Who are her