My Texas Sweetheart (book one) (14 page)

Jase:
That could be anywhere. Give us a better clue.

Megs:
Green black green. Hope that’s good enough because that’s all you’re getting for now. HAHA!

She
thinks that she has one over on us, but I remember an old lane down by her house where her brothers took me a few times to have a few beers.
“Adam, remember that old lane that runs between the fields over by your place”? I ask. 

“Sure do. You think they’re in there?”

“I’d bet on it. Let’s do one more drive-by. As we go, we’ll be hollering their names, but we won’t look in their direction,” I say, smiling.
“It’s time for us to show these ladies that they can’t hide forever.” We all have evil grins on our faces. Oh, little lady, your man is going to show you his skills. Let’s see what you think about me now.

Adam does the drive
-by and we holler out the girl’s names. Turning around, we start heading back to the lane where we think the girls are hiding. When we are in a clearing just behind where we think they would be, we cut the engine and coast a couple inches closer, opening our doors so that we can bail.  Once the truck stops, we go into the cornfield to give us cover so the girls didn’t see us sneaking up on them.  Adam raises up his arm, counting to three, and we attack the truck on all sides. Jake jumps up on the back, I go for the driver’s door, and Adam goes for the passenger. We were screaming like a wild bunch of banshees…then came to an abrupt halt. The girls were nowhere to be found.

“Where the hell did they go?!” yells Jake.
“They were here when we drove by a few minutes ago! I saw Maggie hanging out the window when we drove by!”

“How the hell did they know…?”
moaned Adam. Just then, my cell goes off:

Maggie: 
Hey, boys! Did you think it would be that easy? Listen, Amy has something to say
…

Just
as I was telling the guys what Maggie’s text had said, we heard Adam’s horn tooting down around the bend, then saw a big cloud of dust as we raced towards it. They were gone again. Damn. Just then, Adam’s phone rings.  “Holy shit, is it really you, bro?...If I told you, you’d probably rub my nose in it so I’m not too sure I want to tell you, man…Hold on, I have an idea, but I wanna talk to the other guys first…Give me a few seconds.”

Bewildered
, we stare at Adam. “What’s up, man?” I ask.

With
a slight grin, he turns to me. “Chase is home. I’m thinking that, with his skills, we can put a few more on our team without letting the girls know.”

“Now that’s what I call smart. Okay, tell him where we are and get your other brothers here, too.” It’s time to show these little girls
who’s boss.

He
gets back on the phone. “Hey man, we are down on the old hidden path just past the homestead. We need you to bring the brothers as quick as you can. We have a couple of chicks to catch…None other than our dear little sister and her friend, Amy…Okay, see you in a few.” He hung up, smiling. “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

Minutes later
, Chase pulls up in his jeep. Not only were Adam’s brothers on board, but so was Nate and Todd. Just as they were all pulling in, I get another text
:

Maggie: 
Hey lover. Whatcha doin’?

Jase:
You know exactly what I’m doing, babe. When I get done doing it, your ass is mine!

Maggie:
Oh, you think you got what it takes, honey buns?

Jase
:
Enough of the sweet talk, baby. I’m coming to get you, just as soon as you give me another clue
.

Maggie
:
MMM, who would have thought that skinny dipping would be this much fun?!

There is NO FUCKING WAY that she is skinny dipping back at the river. How the hell do I get the boys down there and then explain to them that their sister is in her birthday suit
. “Um, guys, I got another text,” I say, uncomfortably.

“Why are you blushing, lover boy?”
Chase grins devilishly at me.

“Well, um…ah, just…like, um…your sister is…oh, what the hell?…She’s down at the river skinny dipping with Amy.”

“She’s doing WHAT???” Adam screams.

“She just texted me and said that’s what they are doing.” I feel the hairs on the back of my neck pricking. I’m not sure why Adam is acting like this all of a sudden.

“Okay, troops, everyone in the vehicles. We’ll show these two who claims victory,” Chase says.

We all start heading for the trucks when Jade says
, “Why don’t we just walk? It’s only over there.”

“Might not be a good idea to walk just in case they take off in my truck again.”
We pile into the trucks, taking off for the swimming hole. As we near the water, Chase texts me:

Chase:
We should leave the trucks and walk the rest of the way.

I tell Adam and Jake
what Chase texted. Adam stops, throws it into park, we all get out, and head to the river. Looking around, I don’t see Maggie or Amy. Dammit, they did it again! How in the hell are they always one step ahead of us? I look over at Chase, who has a big grin on his face “Should have known they wouldn’t be here. Brats are being smart right now. I would bet that they are back in that cornfield, laughing their asses off. That or they already left to go somewhere else.”

“How did they know we would check here? If they
are watching us, then they know that you all are here, too.” Just then, my phone beeped:

Maggie:
Hey, sexy. Why don’t you boys cool off in the water? You’ll need it
.

“What did she say?”
Creed asks.

I look around
.
“She said that we should all cool off, and that we’ll need it.”

Creed and Chase both
shake their heads and laugh. “They better enjoy this while it lasts,” Chase declares. I text Maggie back:

Jase:
Nah, baby. We don’t need to cool off. We’re going to find you soon. How about another clue?

Maggie:
Aww, do the big boys need clues? Okay, baby. We’re about four miles away from you and to the left. We’re near some big, handsome men. Hurry up, sexy, or I might just leave you for them.

What…the…hell?!
She better not even think about leaving me for any other guy. “Bro, what’s with the face?” Jade asks.  I’m pissed.

“Maggie gave us another clue. They’re four miles away from here, to the left and near some big, handsome men,” I tell them. Chase and Jade raise their brows at me, and Adam shakes his head. I am trying really hard to reign in my temper, but I’m finding it hard.

“Well, four miles to the left is near Nana’s, but what guys would be there at this time?” Creed says.

“Don’t know, but we need to get one step ahead of them,” Chase says. We head back towards the trucks and jump in, all following behind Chase. He sends me a text:

Chase
: I sent a text to everyone involved. Keep your eyes open just in case they’re playing with us again.

We
keep our eyes open on the way there. We didn’t see them or Adam’s truck. As soon as we are at Nana’s, everyone gets out and heads for the door. “Why don’t you boys all stay out here and keep watch, and I’ll go in to see if the girls are in there,” Chase says. We all spread out as Chase goes into Nana’s.

A few
minutes later, he comes back out without Mags and Amy. Well, fuck, where are they? This is really starting to get annoying. “Text your girl and see what she has to say now,” Jade grumbles. It looks like everyone is starting to get pissy about this.

Jase:
Alright, enough of the games. Where the hell are you?

Chapter 24 (Maggie)

Wow, this has to be the best day I have had in a long time. Not only have we been getting the best of Jase, Adam, and Jake, but now my other brothers and the Navy SEALS, too. This shit is too funny. Amy and I have not been able to stop laughing since this started and, once the others joined, it got funnier. Watching all their reactions is the best. “This has to be driving them crazy,” Amy says. Yeah, I bet it is, but they need to learn that girls are smart. 

“No doubt,” I tell her.

I had to keep
myself from jumping out the minute I saw Chase. I was so happy to have him home, but I had to remember that he was helping the boys. Amy and I have been playing around with them for the last three hours, and it’s so fun!  We are watching them at Nana’s right now. Some of them looked pissed. I look over at Amy and smirk, “Damn, do they look pissed,” I say.

“All but Chase and his buddies. They seem to be having fun,” Amy says. My phone goes off with a text:  

Jase:
Alright, enough of the games. Where the hell are you?

Yeah
, he’s pissed, but whatever. I’m not coming out and giving up. They have to catch us first. “What did he say?”

I look back at Amy
, then over at Jase. “He said enough of the games and asked where the hell we are,” I told her, still looking at my man.

I glance over at the other boys and
see a huge smile on Chase’s face. I wonder what my bullheaded brother is thinking. “It looks like Chase could be planning something, Amy.” I look over at her and see that she is studying them, as well.

“Yeah, and you know we’ll be in deep shit so I say we keep this up a little bit longer.” She beams at me.

I smirk right back at her
. “I think that’s the best thing I’ve heard all day,” I tell her.

Maggie:
Aww, is my baby getting a little pissy? Come on, Jase.

Smiling at
Amy, I show her the text.
“You should start sending them in mass texts to everybody,” she laughs.
Huh, that sounds like a good idea. I attached them all to the next text:

Maggie:
So, boys, how is it standing in Nana’s parking lot? I said that you should cool off at the swimming hole! Love, Mags and Amy XOXO

I beam over at Amy
and we both start laughing. We look over to see the guys looking all around to see if they can see us. My phone starts beeping like mad. Amy and I laugh.

Jase:
Yes, baby, I’m getting pissy because the last text you sent said something about running off with other men. STOP TOYING WITH US, WOMAN!!

Adam:
For fucks sake, Maggie, where are you?

Chase:
Are you having fun, baby girl?

Jade:
You’re a brat!

Creed:
Come on, sis. Come out, come out, wherever you are!!

Jake:
Shit!! Maggie, you two get your asses out here!

Nate:
Damn baby girl. Keep going this shit is funny as hell!!

Todd
: I think you’re my new hero…. baby girl!!

Laughing
, I show Amy all of their messages. “Oh, my god, Maggie. That’s funny shit!” It sounds like the poor babies are tired of playing with us.

Maggie to Jase:
Lover boy, I was only joking about the men. I would never leave you for anyone else, and baby…?

Maggie mass text:
Come on, boys! Are you really going to let two little girls beat you at this game? And, Chase Nate and Todd, I’m having a blast!!

Amy and I sit there
, watching them all look at their cells. “Think we should move to the school football field now?” I ask. Amy nods and we start crawling away. As soon as we are a good ten feet away, we both stand and run to Adam’s truck. As I start it, my phone beeps with messages:

Jase:
What’s your question, baby?

Chase:
Keep up the good work, baby girl.

Adam:
You’re not gonna beat us so give it up.

Jade:
You and Amy are having way too much fun here
.

Creed:
Bring it on, baby girl.

Jake:
I’m getting really close to hating you two.

Nate:
Lol no worries baby girl, some of us are having fun!!

Todd:
Glad you’re having fun tormenting us…. LOL!!

“This is sweet. The dumb asses didn’t even know we were right there,
” Amy says. 

I peel out and head towards the school
, which is only five minutes from Nana’s. As I park the truck in the trees so the boys don’t see it, I say, “Time to give them another clue.”

Maggie to Jase:
If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll give you something XOXO.

Maggie mass text:
So, my dear loving boys, here’s your next clue. If you like getting down and dirty by playing sports, which might be where to find us.

I grab Amy’s
hand and we run close to the truck, but out of sight. “Now we wait,” I say.

She looks at me and smiles
. “You know they’ll show up. They’ll probably try even harder to corner us this time. So where are we going after this? It’s almost dark.”

I look out at the field
. “Yeah, I know. Plus I have pills I gotta take soon so I say we go back to the ranch and hang with the old folks. We can have a bonfire. When we get there, I’ll send another clue that will take them back to the river, or maybe the fields.”

I grin at her and she laughs
. “You are so evil and I LOVE IT!”
She says, grinning.

Just then
, we hear trucks coming.
“Damn, they are gonna be pissed when they find us back home later,” I say.

We watch as they jump out of the trucks and start looking around for us
, but we’re nowhere to be found. It doesn’t take long for the texts to come in:

Jase:
What are you gonna give me, baby? And, seriously, where the hell are you two?

Chase:
Damn, sis, hats off to you
.

Shaking my head
, I watch as they all gather around each other. Nudging Amy, I signal to her that we should leave before they find us. “Looks like they might be coming up with a plan,” I whisper.

“Yeah, it’s probably a good idea to get out of here.”

We
start to walk/run towards the truck. Getting in, I have one last look at the boys and notice that they are still standing in a circle. I start the truck, leaving the headlights off so they won’t see them, and start backing away. As soon as we are a good distance away, I turn the headlights on and head towards my parent’s ranch.

When we get there
, Amy and I run up to my room and put on yoga pants and t-shirts. Heading back down, we see dad and Quinn sitting at the table. “Hey, Daddy, wanna have a fire and roast hot dogs tonight?”

He looks
over at me and nods. “Sure, baby girl. I’ll go start the fire; you can go get your mom and Carol.”

I
start back to the living room, sending a mass text to the boys. I grin:

Maggie mass text:
So, boys, here’s your final clue. We could be between two fields, or we could be cooling off. Have fun!!

Amy and I walk into the living room.
“Hey, Mom, Dad’s starting a fire so we can roast hot dogs. Would you tow like to join us?”

Mom and
Carol smile at me, nodding. “Yes, baby girl. We’ll come join you.”

I smile
when my phone starts buzzing:

Jase:
It’s too dark for swimming so you better not be “cooling off”.

Chase:
Alright, you two outsmarted again but, this time, it’s not happening. We’ll find you.

Adam:
GET OUT OF THE DAMN WATER AND CORNFIELDS!!

Jade:
I’m going to kick your little ass, sis
.

Creed:
How the hell did you two get away from the football field?

Jake:
Oh, my god. Seriously?

Nate
: Shit, you should see how much this is pissing them off baby girl!

Todd:
Not, even gonna ask how you got away…. AGAIN!!

I burst out laughing and double over,
showing Amy the texts. She starts laughing as hard as I am. “Alright, girls. What’s so funny?” Mom asks, but I can’t catch my breath.

When I
can talk again, I explain to her what we have been up to for the last four hours. When dad and Quinn walk into the living room, all of us are laughing. Dad gives us a weird look. “Alright, what’s this about?” he asks. We tell him what’s going on and they start laughing along with us.

When
we finally pull ourselves together, we head outside. Mom and Carol grab hot dogs and all the stuff to make s’mores. “I can’t believe you two have those boys running all over,” Dad laughs.

Amy and I giggle
.
“We’re just smarter,” I say. After a couple of hot dogs and some s’mores, we see three rows of headlights. Oh, shit. I bet they are going to be fuming.  “Here they come, girls,” Dad laughs.

I look over a
t Amy and say, “Do you want to run now? Because they’re going to kill us.”

They get
to the house and park. Getting out of the trucks, they all look over at the fire and I know the minute they see us because they look even more pissed. Scrambling out of our chairs, Amy and I run over and hide behind my dad. Dad laughs and puts his arms around us. “Scared, girls?”

“Hell, yes, we are,” I say, panicking. “We had them running around for five hours. They’re going to kill us.”
Dad and Quinn can’t seem to stop laughing. “Stop it! This isn’t funny!” I snap.

“Yes, yes it is, baby girl,” Dad says.

All of
a sudden, we hear feet pounding the ground. “You little brats are in so much trouble,” Creed growls.

Amy and
I try to push ourselves closer to dad. I grab on to Quinn to make him stand in front of us, but the bastard won’t stop laughing. “Stop laughing, damn it!” I snap, which only causes the adults to laugh more.

I
look over at Amy. “They’re not helping. We should have just made a run for…” Why is she looking like that? I raise a brow at her.

“Watch out, Mag…!” That’s all I heard before being picked up. I scream.

“So, baby, it was funny for the last five hours, huh? It’s not so funny now, is it?” Jase says in an eerily calm voice. I hear Amy scream, but I can’t see who has her.

“So that last clue was bullshit, huh?” Creed asks.

“Yes. We were here when I sent that last clue,” I squeak.

“You two brats may have won today, but we’re gonna have fun now,” Chase says. “Dad, you suck at protecting.” He shakes his head, still laughing. Dammit, it’s not funny anymore.

I look over
at Amy and see Adam holding her over his shoulder. “Hey, it isn’t our fault that we’re smarter then all of you. Jase, put me down!”
I snap.

Jase just laughs. “Nah, baby, not yet.”

He
starts walking and I hear the rest of the boys following. Oh, shit. Where are they taking us? I look at Amy, who’s looking right at me. She mouths,
what are they doing?

I shake my head at her
.
No clue,
I mouth.

Next thing
I know, I’m thrown in the air and land in freezing cold water. “Oh, you’re such a BASTARD!” I yell at Jase. Amy is yelling and cursing, too.

“I think we’re even,” Jase says, smiling.

I glare at the bastards
. “You think so?” I say.

Mom walks
over to help both Amy and me out of the water. “Why don’t you two go change?” She says.

I nod
, still glaring. “This is so not over,” I growl, and they laugh.

“Yeah, laugh it up now, bastards,” Amy
says. I grab Amy’s arm and we start walking towards the house.

“I gotta shower, too. I don’t want to smell like river water,” I tell her.

We head
up to my room and I pull out a pair of yoga pants for Amy and a pair for myself, then grab two tank tops. I pass the clothes to her while I head out the door to go shower. “You gonna shower after me?” I ask. She nods and sits down with my iPad.

I jump
in the shower and quickly wash.   I get out and dry off, then pull out the hair dryer. When I am done, I put on my yoga pants and tank top. I hear somebody come into my room. “Where’s Maggie?” I hear Adam ask.

Opening
the bathroom door, I see Jase, Adam, Jake, and Chase standing there. “What do you want, Adam?”