Made to Love Read Free

a look over Nikki’s shoulder that said what the hell. She hadn’t spoken to Nikki much at the wedding, but the woman hugging her now didn’t look much like the woman Aspen met all those years ago. “Welcome to the farm.”
    Nikki smiled and inhaled loudly. “Smells like sheer boredom.” She laughed and waved the comment off. “I’m kidding. Thanks for letting me stay. Lex said I’d pretty much have the run of the bunkhouse. I hope you don’t mind if I have company.”
    Fortunately, Aspen’s face didn’t register her surprise at the comment. “No, consider it your home away from home.”
    “Sweet.” Nikki ran a hand through her spiky purple hair. Her nose ring glistened in the late-afternoon sun. She leaned into the trunk and grabbed her suitcase. “I told a couple of friends I was out of commission for a while, communing with nature and all. They want to visit anyway. Lex said you had horses.”
    Aspen gulped. “We do.”
    Nikki slammed the trunk lid. Her brown eyes searched Aspen’s face before she laughed easily. She looked around, taking in her surroundings. “It isn’t the city, but maybe that’s a good thing.”
    “Maybe so.” Aspen met Lex’s gaze and mouthed what happened?
    Lex shrugged and shook her head from side-to-side. She glanced at Nikki out of the corner of her eye. They were both taller and on the slimmer side, but that’s where the likeness ended. Nikki’s long brown hair was now spiked and purple. Her eyes were hidden behind layers of dark makeup, and her face looked unnaturally bronzed. She was dressed like a wannabe biker, down to the metal-studded boots. Gone was the girl whom Lex had grown up with, replaced by a hardened version of her. Perhaps, this last breakup really did a number on her cousin.
    Lex tried to put herself in Nikki’s shoes and sympathize. It would be necessary if she were to tolerate Nikki for the next few months. The drive home was very telling. Two hours on her speaker phone, being regaled by Nikki’s stories about all her rich girlfriends and how easily she could get a woman into bed. She was kind enough to sprinkle in comments about getting tied down and knocked up never being on her bucket list. Needless to say, by the second hour, Lex was ready to pull her hair out. “I bet you’re tired. Why don’t we show you the bunkhouse so you can relax?"
    “Sounds good.” Nikki grabbed a second suitcase out of the backseat. “Listen, thanks again, cuz. I really appreciate you guys letting me bunk here.”
    “Sure, no problem.” Aspen waited for the two of them to go up the stairs before she attempted to climb them.
    “I got it from here.” Nikki dropped her suitcase on the porch with a thud. “I can see getting around is tough. You’re going to pop that kid out anytime, huh?”
    Aspen silently thanked Nikki for saving her from the stairs. “Another three weeks, but I’ll probably go late.”
    “That sucks.” Nikki grabbed the handle of her suitcase and waggled her eyebrows at Lex. “You know what they say helps with that?”
    Lex reddened slightly. “Castor oil.”              
    “Mm, yeah. Something like that.” Nikki turned the handle and swung the door open. “Really, I’ve got it. Take your wife home and rub her feet or something nice.” A sad look passed over Nikki’s face before her telltale smile flashed again. “I will probably hole up here a while. Think things over. Know what I mean. If I need anything, I’ll yell.”
    “Okay.” Lex watched the door swing shut then shook her head, clearly puzzled. She put her hands on her hips and watched the spot where Nikki occupied only seconds before. Shrugging, Lex spun on her heel and met Aspen, putting her arm around her and squeezing. She slipped her arm through the crook in Aspen’s arm and matched her slow stride.
    “Wow.” Aspen raised her eyebrows quizzically. “Are we sure that’s the same Nikki that came to the wedding?”
    “I was beginning to wonder that