I groan loudly at the thought of having to deal with the whole rental car insurance thing.
Plus having to cope with my dad, who I know won’t have slept a wink if he isn’t on his way here already.
Taking a deep breath, I try to relax, thinking happy Ben thoughts which aren’t hard.
The memory of him is still so fresh, and yes, that pleasing ache I have is a gentle reminder that apart from a few hurdles, I think everything is gonna work out just fine.
I relax in the shower as long as I dare, knowing although Ben said ‘whenever I’m ready’ I don’t want to hold up his day or his job.
Feeling fresh and actually loving my new hand-me-down outfit, I don’t have to look far for Ben, he’s on the phone and the radio at the same time while typing emails.
One of the voices apart from his is familiar, and it sounds like the car rental agency guy on speakerphone.
“We can’t discuss anybody else’s agreement with you, sir,” the voice says in a monotone.
Yep, that’s the same guy alright.
“…and what’s more, even if we could, you’d need the agreement invoice number, which you don’t have either,” it continues dryly.
Ben murmurs into his radio and after signing off he hangs up his phone too, finishing an email before turning in his chair to look at me.
“Well. You look… just beautiful,” he says, meaning it, as he stands to come over to me, taking my hands in his.
“Sorry about the clothes, but they are clean, fully disinfected and the best ones I could find—” He tries to say before I cut him off.
“The best ones in my size, you mean?” I ask, feeling hurt but only because it’s what I’m used to hearing.
“What does that mean?” Ben asks, confused. “Yeah I was worried they wouldn’t fit, but I don’t know anything about women’s sizing. I have enough trouble trying to get clothes that fit me. All this?” he adds, running the back of his hand down his shirt and pants. “Custom made because nothing fits off the rack,” he says, shaking his head and looking at me askew.
“I did wash your underwear, by hand,” he admits, taking in a breath and nodding with supreme satisfaction.
“We can go get your things now if you’re ready?” he asks and I have to let it go.
No point trying to have the ‘poor fat me’ discussion with Ben. I know he doesn’t see me like that. It’s part of why I love him so much.
Next to him, I’m tiny by comparison.
Being a National Forest without houses, it’s hard to tell how much actual damage there is as we drive across rough dirt tracks.
Ben goes off-road more than once or twice, avoiding fallen trees, but as he says himself, “It could’ve been much worse,” I’m not sure if he means the park or if he’s still thinking about me staying in that rental car that I guess we’ll see soon enough.
Tossed like a candy wrapper.
Following the coordinates Ben got from the sheriff who used their influence to get the rental car company to comply, we both see it at the same time and I gasp loudly.
Ben slows his truck, shaking his head and I know somehow he’s still blaming himself, even though I’m fine.
The sleek, sporty coupe I remember is on its roof. Totally wrecked.
Next to it is a police patrol car, with what looks like a leggy blond dressed as a cop, complete with a state trooper’s hat and gun belt.
It’s a weird image and hearing Ben groan, I figure this must be the ‘Deputy Barbie’ he spoke about.
As we slow to a crawl in his truck and get closer, I notice her heavy make-up, nails, and big hair under that huge hat.
To me, she looks comical, but I also know that most guys would gladly commit a crime to be man-handled by her.
She’s the typical ‘perfect’ blond, with tits, legs, and ass that most men would eat broken glass for.
I feel a little stab of hurt inside again, wondering against my better judgment just how much time my ranger and this ‘Deputy Barbie’ have actually spent together.
The look on her face changes as soon as she sees me, and Ben murmurs to me in a low voice.
“Sorry in advance for this one, she’s a little different. Let me do all the talking.”
Chapter Fourteen
Ben
I’m all for women in uniform and equality all ‘round. But seriously?
Dressing like a Barbie doll in uniform isn’t my idea of professional, let alone the turn on she thinks it is.
I know it might give old Sherriff Digby a twitch in his trousers, but it’s a bad look for the troopers, I think.
In fact, I personally find it disrespectful, but if Sherriff Digby can’t be here, I’ll do my job and deal with the law in whatever capacity it presents itself.