Disclaimer: I own nothing
Last one was a little short so I have made this a little longer, hope you enjoy. Posting now because apparently I have a Basketball game tonight and also have to take my puppy to puppy pre school before.
Olivia left her phone on charge and got up to see what was keeping Tyler when there was a knock on her bedroom door. Hurrying over she threw the door open and saw Tyler had changed. She still wore jeans but her green polo had been replaced by a blue check long sleeve shirt with sleeves rolled up. The gun belt was gone and was replaced by a tan leather belt with a large gold buckle. What was with that, seriously?
"Hey" she smiled at Tyler, slightly concerned about her suddenly dry throat, weirdly large belt buckle or not Tyler looked...good. Not exactly what she was thinking but all she would dare admit. "I um don't have a long sleeve shirt so I went with a thin jumper...oh and I only have hiking boots" she pointed down and the well worn but comfortable shoes.
Tyler gave her a quick once over, her mind still full of the conversation she had overheard. There was no denying the gorgeous brunette had her body humming but did she dare contemplate anything knowing that as soon as the detective's car was fixed she would be on her way? She was seriously torn. It had been so long and you didn't often get a chance for a little relief in Calling, maybe an odd tourist or two or a trip into Helena or something. Then there was the slight chance that she could get hurt, her attraction to Olivia was strong, far stronger than anyone else. That didn't sit particularly well. She sighed quietly, she'd take it a step at a time, taking her cues from Olivia and would see how they went.
"It's fine, but if you end up staying a few days you'll need your own boots"
"Boots, as in cowboy boots?" Olivia couldn't prevent a chuckle "Tex would love that, can I get some anyway?"
"Tex?" Tyler cocked her head to the side intrigued as she finally got them moving towards downstairs.
"A friend, she used to be a part time ADA before we got a permanent one many years ago. She got a job working for the Feds in Washington but we still keep in contact. She's originally from Texas"
"She sounds like a good friend" Tyler nodded in understanding "So you call her Tex cause she is from Texas right?"
"Yes and she calls me Yankee" Olivia shook her head "We are as hot headed as each other at work and argued a lot but she could drink me under the table once the day was done"
Tyler stored that one away for later tonight, she had plans to take Olivia out to the local bar and grill, show her a bit of country hospitality. Sounded like it might be right up the detective's alley.
"Common, I spoke to Cal earlier, he wants some feed taken out to the Northwest pastures. Feed out there is a bit bare of late"
"Ok" Olivia shrugged easily and followed Tyler, trying to keep her eyes from straying to the south of Tyler's belt, wow she filled out those jeans nicely.
Tyler for her part, knew exactly where Olivia's eyes had travelled, it was like her gaze was a hot laser and she couldn't help but put a bit of extra swagger in her step. On passing the kitchen she grabbed the thermos and hamper her mother had packed for their afternoon snack before leading Olivia into the mud room. She located her sister Rebecca's denim jacket, they were about the same size, and handed it to Olivia who shot her a surprised look
"You'll need it later, it starts to cool about an hour before sunset here and the temp drops rapidly" she informed and Olivia nodded and offered a grateful smile. Tyler's gaze honed onto those soft lips and she unconsciously licked her lips. Oh God she was in sooooo much trouble. "We ah need to get going, we still gotta load the truck"
Olivia blinked and wondered what the hell was wrong with her. Jesus, one look from Tyler and she forgot where she was, forgot everything hell even forgot she was straight. Although maybe apparently not. She didn't like to label herself but she now knew for sure straight didn't fit.
"Ok" she croaked then cleared her throat "lead the way" and stood aside as Tyler pulled on some tan cowboy boots (she was rather glad they weren't snake or alligator skin) then opened the door that led outside.
They walked down the gravel road from the side of the house towards the large buildings. Olivia was captivated by horses that were rolling in the paddock nearby. Tyler chuckled and told her the black one was a gelding and called Midnight, the white one was a young mare and called snow, not because she was white but because she was born in the middle of a snowstorm. Besides the horses at the mounted section of NYPD she had never been this close to one before and told Tyler so.
"Tomorrow" Tyler told her "Today we have to feed cattle"
"Ok" Olivia sent the horses another wistful look before following Tyler. She didn't really get her reaction. Although an animal lover she had felt no great need to get herself a pet let alone try to ride a horse before.
Tyler led her into a large building which pretty much turned out to be a bloody large garage for all manner of vehicles. At this point in time she was being led to a enormous red F350 that had all the trimmings, ariels, spotlights, side steps, extra high suspension and serious wheels. She whistled softly. Fin would get a hard on.
She stood back and allowed Tyler to get her door then clambered up, glad for the side step, before Tyler shut the door again and hurried around to the driver's seat. The V8 engine growled and Olivia shivered as it sent vibrations through her.
In short order they were heading towards the feed shed and her eyes bugged at the size of it and how much hay was stacked up there in neat square bales. Tyler laughed and told her they'd just about get through most of it before it was time to cut this year's hay. Olivia was starting to get the idea that this spread was quite massive. Tyler reversed the truck right up against the stack and stopped.
They jumped out of the truck, Olivia not waiting for Tyler, which brought a scowl and earned a cheeky smile in return. Tyler was trying to be a gentleman and she was going to keep her on her toes.
Sighing Tyler climbed into the bed of the truck and with a false start Olivia followed her.
"Alright, you can either climb the stack and throw down the bales or you stay in the bed and stack them" Tyler informed her.
Throw them or stack them. She figured throwing them would probably be easier and was soon scrambling up the stack, ultra aware of Tyler's gaze on her ass. She paused and looked over her shoulder and before she could stop it a little imp in her had her shaking her ass.
Tyler's darkened gaze shot to hers and her teasing smile soon fled. Oh boy, she was playing way out of her league here.
"Quit staring at my ass" she tried for a jovial tone but it sounded rather husky to her ears. She watched as Tyler mentally shook herself
"Can't help it" she grinned "Always did appreciated fine pieces of art"
Olivia groaned, that had to be the worst line she'd heard, and she thought men were lame. Rolling her eyes she turned, grabbed the first bale she could find by the string and heaved. Hell that was heavy. She just about fell off the stack as she turned to throw it into the truck bed but caught herself in time.
"Hey careful" Tyler dodged the bale and flew up the stack to steady her, hands on her shoulders "You OK?"
"Sure" Olivia nodded "I wasn't expecting it to be quite that heavy" she admitted, highly aware of the hands on her shoulders. More particularly how good they felt on her shoulders. The knowledge that she wanted them on her bare shoulders left her dazed and confused.
"We need to keep stacking, I'll be more careful" she turned away and Tyler let her hands drop, shaken by her own emotions. She had better keep a bit of distance between them for now.
"Ok" she husked "Use your knees more, then balance yourself before you throw" she demonstrated on the closest bale and Olivia nodded, just wishing Tyler would move away before she did something really stupid.
"I'll head back down" Tyler stated pointlessly and Olivia nodded watching her take a step down before she paused. She never ran off like a chicken in her life. She was interested in Olivia, Olivia was interested in her. She had to grow some balls. "To hell with it" she muttered
"Tyler?" Olivia asked unsure
"Liv, I'm a little confused here OK." She pulled off her Stetson and smacked it against her leg showing her nerves "I mean we only just met" she muttered to herself but Olivia heard. She sighed, if Tyler was planning on being brave, open and honest then she figured she'd give it a go.
"I know" she gave a wry smile
"I'm attracted to you" Tyler let out a breath, relieved to have it out there
"Yes" Olivia assured her with one word that it was mutual however another thing nagged at the back of her mind, several things actually
"You leave on Monday, maybe midweek if the problem with the car is serious. Bob may be slow but he's seriously good" Tyler resumed slapping the hat against her thing and wouldn't quite meet Olivia's eyes. Olivia had to smile at that
"Maybe, maybe not." She shrugged and Tyler's head shot up "I'm on 6 months leave before I need to decide whether I go back. I've got no plans other than to drive. If I want to stop in one place for a while I can." She admitted which earned a small smile. "If I have the right incentive"
"Oh" Tyler blinked a bit shocked by the forthright comment "Have you ever...?"
"No" Olivia shook her head "Never, you're the first. Surprisingly, after 43 years you'd think you know yourself"
Tyler swallowed that bit of information, she'd suspected it but having Olivia confirm it didn't help. Then again she was 43, she should know her own mind.
"Have dinner with me tonight?" she asked, deciding to take the bull by the horns
"I'd love to" Olivia smiled which belied the panic in her stomach. Oh God, what was she doing, she just accepted a date. With another woman!