Chapter One
The next day he woke up early and after completing the ranch work, he went to the sheriff's house. He waited for twenty minutes, outside his house, hiding himself behind a wall.
Valentina came out with a big bag, walking down to the locality grocery mart nearby. He followed her with a smile on his face. His mission had started and he would win her over and make her his, come what may. He never felt so deeply for any woman. Was he crushing after her? Yes, he was, very badly. Her figure hugging denims showed off her toned legs and tight butts. The black top, tightly clung to her shapely figure. He followed her into the mall.
Going around, he came face to face with her as she collided with him. "Ow," she said as he tried to steady her, leaving her immediately like he'd been electrocuted. "Sorry, didn't see you," she said with a faint smile.
He grinned happily. "So, you come here to shop everyday?" he asked, helping her reach the items she wanted.
"Oh no no. I come only on Mondays," she said as Brody took in the information. He also would shop here on Mondays.
"Why Mondays? Don't you have college or university?" He asked.
"Ohno, I've graduated in fashion designing from Austin this year and dad called me six months back to look after mom. She wasn't well," she said.
"So, you're not working or anything?" He asked, wanting to know where he could see her everyday without fearing her dad.
"No. Where will I find work here?" She said, unhappily.
"Why, my cousin Brittany runs her boutique here. She needs staff always. You could join her or maybe start something of your own," he suggested as her eyes lit up.
"Can you give me her number?" She asked hopefully.
"I can take you to meet her if you want," he said, eager to get more time in her company.
"Yes please. When will we go?" She asked.
"Let's go after you finish shopping. You could go home, change into something formal and collect your certificates. Then we'll leave," he said.
They finished the grocery shopping and went home. Brody helped her carry the bags inside, to the kitchen. Her dad was out on duty and her mom came out and hugged him.
"You came home after so many years, Brody," she said, smiling.
"He came home before? How come I haven't seen him?" Asked Valentina in confusion.
"He's your brother Chase's friend. He and his brother Blade used to come home to meet him. You were away at boarding school in Austin," said her mom as she nodded in understanding.
"So how have you been Brody? I saw you at the get together but didn't get a chance to talk, " she said.
"I'm fine aunt Chloe, I joined the family business last year," he informed her.
"You were planning to study architecture when you last came here, nine years back?" She asked.
"I've completed my masters degree in architecture," he informed as aunt Chloe patted his cheek.
"I've always liked you sweetie. I knew you would do something with your life. I'm proud of you, standing by your family like a rock. Nowadays children don't return to small towns to their parents after studying so much," she said.
Valentina smiled leaving them to catch up. "I'll change for the interview," she said.
"What interview, honey?" Her mom asked.
"Brody's cousin Brittany owns a fashion house and boutique here, mom. She's hiring now. So Brody's taking me to see her for a job," she said excitedly.
"Oh that would be great, son. She's so bored at home and I feel guilty," said her mom as Valentina went inside to get ready.
"Please don't feel guilty aunty, I'm sure Valentina loves it here, else she wouldn't have come," he consoled her.
"Yeah, she's a good child. I wonder when Chase will be back. It's been nine long years since he joined the US Marshals Service. It's such a dangerous job that everytime the phone rings, we're scared. His dad isn't getting younger and we've been calling Chase to come back and take over as sheriff here, but he won't listen," she complained.
"Don't worry aunty. He'll come home. Just have patience," he said.
They talked about Brody's work in their construction business and also about Blade. Valentina came out wearing a black pencil skirt and a baby pink blouse. She tied her hair in an updo and putting on her black pumps, she was ready. Brody's eyes were hypnotised by her. He couldn't take his eyes away from the way she swayed up to him.
Aunt Chloe noticed everything. She liked Brody and wanted Valentina to choose the boy as a life partner. She mentally decided to push them together.
"Have you taken your certificates and credentials?" He asked and she nodded.
He took his leave and they both went to Brody's white Chevy Silverado. He and Brian had gone to Austin and bought it together, Brian a black one and he, a white one. It was his precious possession. Opening the door for her, he helped her in. Going around he seated himself and drove to Brittany's boutique. He had already called her and informed her that he would be bringing a friend for a job. She was more than willing to hire a graduate fashion designer to help her in this small town.
So, Valentina got the job, at first as a trainee for the first three months, and then to be permanently recruited as designer, store manager as well as manager of the warehouse. She was over the moon with happiness. Brody dropped her home. She kissed his cheek,"Thank you Brody, you don't know how much this means to me, " she gushed.
When she went inside he just sat there with his hand on his cheek where she left her mark. An innocent kiss on the cheek stirred his soul. Yes, he knew he was in love. A burning love that had only one cure. Valentina. He didn't want to wash his face in this lifetime.
Slowly driving away, he kept replaying the kiss again and again. The whole day he couldn't concentrate much on his work. His head was too engrossed in the kiss to churn out any new designs. Giving up he just went to his room and lay down. Tomorrow Valentina would start at the shop and he would go and meet her. Ask her out on a date and tell her how he felt. He would make her his.
Valentina liked Brody, his gorgeous looks and kind hearted helpful nature made her have a crush on him. She kept thinking about him the whole day since she met him at the get together. Her friends from Austin, Scarlett, Alexandra and Karen kept calling her but she didn't want to talk to anyone at present.
By evening, she might have received fifty calls from her friends. Giving up, she accepted Alexandra's call.
"Hey girl, are you hibernating or what?" She asked irritatedly.
"Sorry but I was crushing on someone. You just disrupted my daydreams of him," Valentina said, trying to sound cross.
"Oooooo, is it? Who's the lucky guy that's got you so worked up?" She asked with a grin.
"Oh you wouldn't know him, he lives here at Travis Springs," said Valentina.
"He should be having a name, at least tell me that," Alexandra coaxed, she never gave up. She was as persistent as a mosquito.
"Brody Summers, that's his name. Oh, and he's soooo handsome," she confessed, giggling.
"Ohno, ohno, don't tell me it's the one and only Brody Summers?" Said Alexandra.
"Why, you know him?" She asked, surprised.
"Who doesn't? He's sinfully gorgeous. I'm drooling, see," she said, much to Valentina's irritation.
"How do you know him?" She asked, impatiently.
"He and my brother studied MS in architecture together at the same university. For two years he regularly came home. He hit upon me so many times just to get into my pants. He told me he didn't do relationships or dating. Just a one time fu*k. I didn't agree. For two years he tried and then went back. He does that with all girls. Beware Valentina. Your parents will die of shame if he does that to you. Stay away from him. He's bad news," warned Alexandra as Valentina sat down on her bed horrified at what she just heard.
After disconnecting the call, she tried to process everything that Alexandra said. Oh God, she needed to stay away from Brody. Was he trying to get into her pants too? Maybe, you never know. Yes, her parents would die of shame if such a thing happened. Scared, she decided upon her mission of ignoring Brody Summers.
