Beyond Appearances

Girl's Night

A/N: I'm not so great with pulling off time changes, so bear with me. It's my first attempt at writing, so please if you have any advice or comments share with me.

I wake to the sound of my phone buzzing next to me. I groan. Who is calling at 8:00 in the morning? I look at the screen, and see the goofy contact photo of Hunter. I immediately sit up, and answer.

"Hello?" Sleep evident in my voice.

"Hey Ron."Of course he sounds awake. He gets up at the crack of dawn everyday.

"What's up?" It's unusual for him to call so out of the blue.

"Well, I recently hired some extra hands at the ranch. I was hoping I could drive out and stay with you for a day or two." He chuckles nervously. I know he's itching the back of his head, it's a nervous tick.

"Are you serious? Of course! Get your ass here ASAP!" I can't contain my excitement.

"Alright. I will. I gotta get back to work so I can finish here sooner. But I'll see you soon." He hangs up.

I run down the stairs, not bothering to brush my hair, probably looking like Medusa. I run to the kitchen in search of Sarah. I run straight into a shirtless Johnny. Does he ever wear a shirt?

"Slowdown! Where's the fire?" He's chuckling completely unfazed by being hit with my whole body's force. "Where's Sarah?" He points at the laundry room.

I walk fast, not running anymore. Don't want to run into any more shirtless hot guys. "Sarah! Is it okay if Hunter comes and stays for a couple days?" She just looks at me, and laughs. "Good morning to you too." I roll my eyes. "But yes. He can come." I do a happy dance.

I walk back to the kitchen in search of breakfast. Instead I find Johnny, making a plate of scrambled eggs and toast for Valentina.  "Geez V, you should really go brush your hair, and brush your teeth. The whole morning breath, combined with the Medusa hair is likely to scare the kids." I punch him in the arm, and steal Valentina's plate from his hands. "Make me a plate, would ya?"I shout from over my shoulder, as I bring the adorable little girl her breakfast.

Johnny brings me a plate full of bacon and eggs. I thank him before digging in. His face has lost its bright smile. He's sporting a straight face. I wonder what got into him.

"So you got company coming?" He must've overheard me ask Sarah. I tuck the hair behind my ears. "Umm... yeah. My best friend from back in Georgia." He just nods, but Valentina looks upset. "Does this mean we can't have a tea party?" My heart breaks. How many times has this little girl been let down by her mother.

I grab her hand, trying to reassure her. "Of course we are going to have a tea party! We just might have an extra guest." No way in hell am I going to break her heart. She smiles and squeals.

I finish breakfast and bring out our plates. When I go to walk to the living room, Johnny grabs my hand and leads me to the porch. "V, I know I threw you into this fast, but please don't make promises to her you can't keep." I look at him straight in the eyes, hoping to convey just how much I mean what I'm about to say.

"Please trust me. I meant what I said to her. I may have just met her, but she has me wrapped around her finger." Then I point at him. "And you, you are friend I've needed. You've been there for me. I'm not sure what exactly we have going on, but you both mean the world to me. I love y'all!"

I go to walk away, but he pulls me back to him. "I'm sorry, what? You love me?" He starts to tease me. No way, am I going to let him get away with this. "Get your hearing checked old man. I said y'all, as in you and Valentina. You're like an addition to my long lost family." He nods, but has a goofy smile plastered on his face. "Yeah. Sure."