Kayla hit the alarm button and rolled out of bed. She went to the coffee maker and started a pot of coffee. She took another shower. She was covered with sweat already. It was going to be another scorcher today. She got out and dried off and put on a tank top and a pair of overalls. That was pretty much the extent of her wardrobe. It's all she needed on the farm. She pulled her hair back and braided it. She took her coffee and went out to set on the back steps. Champ came and plopped down beside her. Kayla wrapped one arm around him and sat there enjoying her coffee. She finished her coffee and went and rinsed the cup out and set it on the night stand. She went out the door and Champ got up and followed her. She had a long morning ahead of her.
Mark finished his coffee and looked at the time. It was 11:00am. The decorator had been here since ten. He had showed Mark his ideas for the bedrooms and Mark had agreed to them. It would take a couple of days so Bob would be in and out. He hadn't seen anything of Kayla this morning. He was figuring she would come up and fix her some breakfast but she hadn't. Mark decided to go see what she was up too.
Mark walked in the stable and seen that Kayla was busy at work mucking out the stalls and putting fresh hay in. The horses were out in the pasture getting some exercise.
He watched her work. The girl was small but she had muscles from years of hard work
Kayla looked up and seen him.
"I already took the cattle down to the other pasture. The cows been milked and the pigs and chickens fed. I'm going to finish this and I'm heading into town to get some groceries." Kayla said.
Mark was hot just watching her, it was a scorching day and she was covered in sweat. Even dirty and sweaty she was an attractive girl Mark thought.
"Mind if I come with ya, I got a few things to pick up. The decorator should be gone in a little while and we can leave." Mark said.
"Decorator?" Kayla asked.
"Yea I'm going to redo some of the bedrooms." Mark said.
Kayla turned away blinking hard to keep the tears back. It wasn't her house no more and it was just starting to sink in. Daddy was gone and he wasn't coming back. She angrily wiped the tears out of her eyes with the back of her hand.
Mark watched her. He knew this was hard for her. He wanted to go take her in his arms but he knew she wouldn't welcome any comfort from him. She would probably kick him if he so much as touched her.
"Come get me when you're ready." Mark said and turned and left.
Kayla went back to work ignoring the burning in her eyes. She didn't have time to feel sorry for herself.
Kayla took a shower and put on some jeans and an old t-shirt. She brushed her hair out and let it hang loose curling around her face. Champ was asleep on the bed. She bent down and petted him.
"I'll be back in a while boy." Kayla said.
She went out the door and headed to the house.
Kayla knocked on the door and Mark answered. He had on tight jeans and a white t-shirt that showed every rippling muscle he had. He had a bandana tied around his head and a pair of shades on.
"Kayla do you own anything besides jeans and overalls?" Mark asked.
His words pricked her. She didn't know why. What did she care what he thought?
She looked down and bit her lip. He was probably ashamed to be seen with her and for some odd reason it hurt her feeling.
"I work on a ranch, what else would I wear?" Kayla said and turned and headed for the truck.
Mark could have bit his own tongue out. He had only been teasing, but he could see he had hurt her feeling. "Big idiot." Mark said to himself.
The drive into town was silent. Mark had tried several times to start a conversation only to have Kayla grunt one word answers at him. He finally gave up and sat back and stared out the window. Kayla finally pulled in front of the grocery store and got out.
"Do you need to go anywhere else? If you do take the truck and you can meet me back here." Kayla said to Mark.
"Naw. I just need groceries." Mark said.
They went in the store and got their carts and started shopping. Kayla headed to the produce section to get some fruits and vegetables. She was getting some grapes and putting them in the cart.
"Hey Kayla."
Kayla turned around to see Josh Martin standing there. They had gone to school together. She didn't know him that well, just been in a few classes with him. Josh had black hair and brown eyes. He was good looking all the girls in school had been crazy over him.
"Hi Josh." Kayla said.
Mark was standing a couple of feet away watching. He didn't like the way that little punk was eyeballing Kayla.
"I was sorry to hear about you dad." Josh said.
"Thanks." Kayla said.
"Umm listen, when you get to feeling up to it, would you like to go to a movie or something?" Josh asked.
Kayla had never been on a date or anything. She looked up at Josh. He seemed so nice why not.
"Sure that would be nice." Kayla said smiling.
"Great." Josh said grinning.
"How about Saturday?" Josh asked.
"Okay." Kayla said.
"I'll pick you up at your place about 7:00PM." Josh said.
Kayla smiled and nodded.
"See you." Kayla said.
"Okay bye." Josh said waving as he left.
Mark was frowning. That punk looked sneaky. He didn't know if he approved of this at all. Hell she was grown he couldn't say a damn word. Mark sighed and continued shopping.
They met up back at the truck and loaded the groceries.
Kayla got in the truck and Mark hopped in the passenger side.
"Umm I got to make a quick stop if you don't mind waiting." Kayla said.
"No problem." Mark said.
Kayla pulled up in front of the local clothing store. She got out and Mark followed her.
"You coming?" Kayla asked.
"Why not, it's to hot to wait out side." Mark said.
Mark followed her into the woman's clothing section. She looked around a few minutes and then turned to Mark.
"I got a date Saturday night; help me pick out a dress." Kayla said looking embarrassed.
"Okay, but you would probably do a better job than me." Mark said.
"I doubt it; I don't even own a dress. I never been on a date before, I don't know what to wear." Kayla said.
That told Mark all he needed to know, she had never dated, the girl was a virgin for sure and she was going to be alone in the car with that little creep. Mark didn't like it one bit.
Mark looked through some sundresses and picked up one that was baby blue.
"I bet you would look right pretty in this one." Mark said.
Kayla looked at it. It was pretty. She took it and went and picked out a slip and some sandals to go with it. She paid for her things and they headed back out to the car.
They got on there way back home.
Kayla looked at Mark.
"Thanks for helping me." Kayla said.
"Anytime little one." Mark said.
He looked at Kayla her innocence was written all over her. He was going to make sure that punk knew not to mess with her.