Arms of a Cowboy

Stone Piece's eyes locked with the woman's for what seemed like an eternity and he took a step towards her to say hello. When she turned and took off sprinting back the way she had come, he furrowed his brows wondering what in the hell had just happened. Lifting his arms he sniffed and shrugged before removing his hat and walked into the hardware store. He had too much to do that day to dwell on strange women running away from him.

"Morning Stone," the older man that owned the store waved and Stone gave him a mock salute in response. "How's Princess feeling today?"

"She's doing better," Stone leant against the counter. "Spent the last two nights up with her.
"Well better you than me. You're young, you don't need as much sleep."

Stone laughed and was about to turn away when Mr. Hamdon spoke again, "you met the new woman up by the Deller place yet?"

That got Stone's attention because since he had returned from businessin Japan, things seemto have gone out of sorts with the small town. A new motel had cropped up over his absense and he wondered if they had planned it very well. "I think so," he replied honestly. "She strange though."

Mr. Hamdon laughed then the laughter turned into a cough and Stone shook his head before leaving to find the supplies he had ventured into town for in the first place. After getting his things, he made his way back to his ranch. He was heading to pick his things out of the back of the truck when a small body slammed into his legs from behind.

"Hiya unca Stone!"

Stone turned around and grinned before scooping up the little boy. Ruffling his hair Stone pressed a kiss to the litte forehead, "hello Jet. How are you? Where's your mother?"

"Stop encouraging him Stone," Farah's voice called from behind them. Stone turned with the six year old in his arms and walked over to his sister. He kissed her forehead and placed her son into her arms.

"Have you met our new neighbour?" Stone wanted to know.
"Not yet. I just finished baking a pie to take over," Farah replied with an arched brow, "why the sudden interest?"

"Today in town she stopped, stared at me then took off running. Really weidrd."
"You are a handsome man Stone. Maybe she was blushing."

Stone blushed and turned back towards his truck, "I have to unpack the truck."

"Hey Stone, you wanna take the pie over? I have to spend some time with Jet. I did promise to go swimming with him."

Stone knew that his sister was trying to play cupid again but he smiled and nodded his consent.

Life hadnt always been simple for Stone. When his parents adopted him and Farah, he was seven and living in Japan. He hadn't spoken a word of English when he was brought into a new country with parents that looked nothing like him. Slowly, he began speaking more english than Japanese and then he had to learn a completely different language to communicate with his sister for Farah was Arabian. At fifteen years old, their father died from a heart attach. Then it was only them and their mother and every day that went by, she blamed both Farah and Stone for their father's death.

Being the oldest, Stone now had the responsibility to protect his sister. He began taking a heavy interest in Anime and Japanese music and by the time he was eighteen, his mother was dead and he had just signed the contract to dance for a Jonnies team around the world. Life had started looking up and after a while he had to make a decision about his mental stability. He could either stay angry at his parents and be over-protective of his baby sister, or he could accept that life was strange and unpredictable and he should just face things as they happened.

He chose strange and unpredictable and soon he found he was much happier.

By the time he finished unloading the truck, he took a shower and changed into a clean pair of jeans and shirt. He hugged his sister to thank Farah for the pie and headed out to the Deller place. Clearing his throat, Stone rang the doorbell and waited.

"Can I help you?" the feminie voice questioned and Stone smiled.
"Hi I'm Stone Pierce from the Raven C ranch," he handed her the pie, "my sister and I would like to welcome you to our tiny little town."
"Erm...please, come in," she told him as she accepted the pie.

Stone walked by her and waited for her to close the door and he would follow her. Bad idea. He found himself watching the smooth swish of her hips as she led him into the house. "I'm Dani Mitchel and this is my friend Jenna, Jenna this is Stone Pierce.."

"Hello Jenna," Stone spoke removing his hat and bowing his head slightly to her. But his eyes went back to Dani. Her body had the voloptous curves that he knew he ached for. She had the delicious dark skin colour that reminded him of expensive Belgium chocolate.

"Would you like a drink?" Dani was asking.
"Ah no thank you. Farah would kill me if I ruin my apetite," Stone grinned.
"Ah I'd love to stay and chat but I should go to beat the traffic back," Jenna spoke it. "It was nice meeting you mister Pierce.
"Jenna!" Dani shrieked and Stone saw fear flash in the woman's eyes. He smiled softly.
"That's alright, I should go," he spoke. "It's almost dinner time."

As he drove back toward his ranch, he wondered what that had been about. She panicked by being around him and he wondered if he was that disgusting to her. He wondered if what they had said about African American hating other cultures was true. Why else would she freak at the thought of being alone in her own house with him? She couldn't think he would try doing anything inappropriate.

With another frown, he sped back to his place.