Free Faded Cotton (Erotic Romance) by Lara Sweety

granddaughters had grown up the same
way. Laurel had hoped to live out her days, and grow old with the
same man, the way Grams had. It just wasn’t meant to be.
    Laurel sighed. Loving that farm might be the
death of her. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. She was
alone trying to make their dream happen—without him. She’d
kept it together in the months since he’d been gone. Her education
helped, and she knew how to network, but it was still a lot to
handle. The horses had always been hers and Jahn had managed the
row crop and hay operation. Now it was all up to her.
    On her way to town, she considered how badly
she needed a break. She was looking forward to her dinner date, and
seeing Addy. Siddy Creek Farm faded behind her; she hit the main
road and picked up speed toward the interstate. It would be good to
catch up.
    Laurel arrived at City Creek Bar &
Grill—mid-afternoon to beat the rush. The restaurant had the farm
for its namesake with a clever spelling twist. She loved that about
it. It would be a good time to chat with her sister, Adrianne
Hanson. Adrianne had been “Addy” for as long as she could remember.
Walking into the restaurant, she noted all the things she loved
about it. The place was incredibly upscale, while maintaining
rustic roots.
    She loved all the special touches she and
Addy had enjoyed designing. The stone fireplaces, the water fall,
the hand-scraped oak floors in the VIP areas, and in the bar. The
stone-look exterior with an entrance framed in large timbers had
set the tone for the entire building. The design had been the
perfect marriage of modern and rustic.
    Addy enveloped her sister in a bear hug. “Hey
sis, it’s so good to see you!”
    “Hi ya!” Laurel squeezed her tight, “How’s it
going?” She smiled brightly at her sister.
    “Good, good. Well—any hot dates? Still
single?” Adrianne teased her.
    “Geez Addy, you think we could sit down
first?” she said chuckling. Laurel had known it was coming. Addy
wanted to see her happy and it was her way of telling her it was
okay to try for love again. Her sister knew better, there was no
one special. They spoke often on the phone, but it was good to hug
and see each other face to face.
    “So, how we doin’?” Laurel pointed to the
reports in Addy’s hand, as they scooted into one of the plush red
leather booths that had become the preferred seating of City Creek
customers.
    “Good to great. Here, take a look.” Addy
pushed the reports to Laurel. They were impressive, consistently in
the black, and very profitable over all.
    “Good job, gal!” The younger sister grinned
at her sister’s praise.
    The waiter politely interrupted the exchange
so they could order drinks. When her Maralee’s Margarita arrived,
Laurel sat back and sipped it, relaxing. “Best drink in the house!”
she laughed with Addy. Laurel spent a few minutes bemoaning her
problems with the farm. Addy was a great listener with an excellent
head for business. They could always find a solution to a problem
together. The conversation soon drifted to other things.
    “Who is it this time?” Adrianne Hanson raised
her brows at her sister.
    “Ellie. Darra’s daughter.” Laurel sipped on
the drink again.
    “Good grief, you missed your calling, Laurel.
You should have been a sex therapist. Well, Dr. Ruth, is it bad?”
Addy prodded.
    “No, and you know I never kiss and tell on a
friend—or anyone. You know, ‘doctor-patient privilege’ and all
that!” She smirked. Laurel might have been open, but she didn’t
share other people’s problems.
    “I know, I know, just in the mood for a juicy
story. Where’s Grams when you need her?” The two of them fell into
peals of laughter, both knowing the depth of Grandma Maralee’s
stories.
    Ellie Tanner surprised them.
    “Oh,” a worried look covered Ellie’s face, “I
thought we...,” she looked questioningly at Laurel.
    “I was just getting up, Ellie. No worries.
The grill chef is having a fit about