‘I'm so glad Asha is getting the attention she deserves, I was a bit skeptical about the political storyline and I still am but I am enjoying it so far. I really love that each LI in BSC has an arc in Bk 2. Asha - Politics, Sawyer - Following his passion (Rodeo), Dallas - Clearing his Name, Julliete - Inheriting the Ranch. Fingers crossed for the rest of the book.’
POST/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE MOD’S PERSONAL OPINIONS!
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Kerry wrapped her arms around Sawyer's neck, pulling him down from his lofty height so that she could smother his face in kisses,
"I love you, I love you, I love you, and I'm so exciiiiiited!!"
Sawyer chuckled, an easy grin spreading across his face as he wrapped his arms around Kerry, lifting her off the ground,
"You deserve it! I'm sure you girls will have a great time!"
Brooklynne's birthday was coming, and if she'd mentioned the new day spa that was opening in Billings once, she'd mentioned it forty times. Kerry and Sawyer had already agreed that they would buy her a spa day there for her birthday, but Sawyer had just announced that he wanted to treat Kerry, and send her for a day of pampering alongside Brooklynne.
Kerry had been on a spa day with her mom back in Boston years ago and it had been amazing. But these sort of treats were helluva pricey, and Kerry just didn't have that much spare cash to fritter it away on pampering herself. She always looked presentable, sure! She exfoliated her skin and did a hydrating facemask every once in a while, she learned on the internet how to gel polish her nails - which was a good thing given how wrecked they got working on the ranch! But the idea of lying back relaxing while an actual proper beauty therapist gave her a facial, with spa music and candles in the background, well it just sounded like bliss!
Sawyer gave Kerry a tender kiss as he put her back on the ground,
"Hey just a thought, up to you, but why don't you make it a real girls day out? Ask Juliette and Asha if they'd like to join you? I'm sure us fellas can take care of things in Sweetridge for a day?"
Kerry beamed at Sawyer as she answered,
"That is an amazing idea!! Not just a pretty face, Oakley!"
Sawyer tipped his Stetson wordlessly as he winked at his girl.
- - -
A week after Brooklynne's birthday, the ladies organised themselves for their spa day. Duke had some business to see to up in Billings so he was happy to drop them off and bring them home afterwards - which meant that no one had to play designated driver. With Kerry, Brooklynne and Juliette all in his truck, Duke pulled up outside the General Store. Asha came bustling out, calling back instructions to Miles as Brooklynne blew him a shy kiss from the window,
"Miles remember, if you have any trouble, you've got Charlie's number, I've told him you might call, ok? So don't be worried about disturbing him, I'll be back ar-"
Miles looked flabbergasted as he spoke,
"Aunt Asha, I'll be fine! Honestly! I'm in complete control, go have some fun!"
Asha nodded her head firmly,
"Of course you are, Miles, I'm sorry for stressin'. I'll see you this evening."
Jumping into the vehicle, Asha waved goodbye to her nephew and hugged the girls as Duke set off for Billings.
- - -
Emerging from the changing rooms, Kerry squeaked as she pulled Juliette into a side-on hug,
"Juliette that is the most gorgeous bikini! You shoudl wear turquoise more often, it suits you so much!!"
Juliette's cheeks coloured prettily as she smiled,
"Thanks, Kerry! I really like it, I think it's quite flattering."
Juliette gesturing towards the high-waisted bikini bottoms with pretty military-style button detailing.
Brooklynne nodded as they headed into the swimming pool area,
"Totally! They're very 'Forties' Juliette!"
Juliette laughed as they sunk into the Jacuzzi beside Asha,
"You've got to accentuate your best bits!"
Asha quirked an eyebrow as though to ask what she'd missed. Kerry quickly filled her in,
"I was just saying that Juliette's suit is gorgeous, and she's saying how flattering it is."
Juliette interjected,
"It camouflages my hips and showcases 'the girls'..."
She winked at her friends, laughing as she shimmied her shoulders.
Brooklynne sighed,
"You have a lovely figure Juliette. I wish I had curves."
Kerry rolled her eyes jokingly as she splashed a little water at Brooklynne,
"You and me both, kid..."
Asha turned to Brooklynne,
"You're still young darlin', and you're absolutely beautiful just as you are. And Kerry? I ain't ever heard Sawyer complainin'..."
Kerry blushed as Brooklynne started to laugh, trying to compose herself as she mouthed,
"Ew."
Kerry stuck her tongue out at her 'niece',
"Everyone's got a best asset that someone else would probably kill for, and something they hate and would like to change."
Asha nodded,
"It's true! I'd kill for your legs Kerry, but I really quite like my stomach."
Kerry laughed,
"Thank you, Asha. I think my legs are probably my best thing. I'd kill for your teeth."
Asha flashed her a wide, white grin as Kerry gestured to Juliette and Brooklynne,
"See??"
Juliette agreed with Kerry, nodding vigorously,
"You do have gorgeous teeth, Asha. I'd love hair like Brooklynne's. And eyebrows. They're so perfect."
Brooklynne's jaw dropped,
"Are you crazy?! My hair is a nightmare, it has no volume, I have to wash it every day because of all the product I have to use to get it to look half-respectable, and all the styling splits my ends... And it's so difficult to get good hair products that are vegan-friendly.. Your hair is so thick and shiny, and healthy looking!"
Juliette ruffled her curls,
"I guess I never really thought about how lucky I am, I wash my hair, scrunch some mousse through it and just let it dry naturally, that's literally it..."
Asha ran a hand through her hair, a nostalgic look on her face,
"I had my hair curled for a family wedding, it took forever and I loved it, but a couple of hours later, poker straight..."
Kerry shrugged,
"Guess it just goes to prove that you always want what you don't have! Just think, if we took my legs, Juliette's boobies, Asha's teeth and your Brooklynne's hair, we'd have us America's Next Top Model!"
As they laughed, two beauty therapists appeared at the entrance of the leisure area, calling for Asha and Juliette. Their treatments were scheduled first, then Brooklynne and Kerry's, then they would have afternoon tea with cocktails, and mocktails for Brooklynne.
Kerry and Brooklynne shifted from the hot tub into the sauna. As they sweated, Kerry revisited the earlier conversation with the teenager,
"Brook, you know no-one is one hundred percent happy with how they look, right?"
Brooklynne nodded, so Kerry continued,
"It's important to talk to yourself kindly, you know? Don't ever put yourself down because someone has better hair, or a bigger bust or whatever? And don't ever let anyone knock your confidence either. You're beautiful inside and out. And there's only one YOU. "
Brooklynne smiled back at Kerry,
"Thanks Kerry... It's kind of reassuring to hear all of you all saying you're self-conscious about things."
Kerry squeezed the youngster's hand, her voice sincere as she spoke,
"Listen, I'm not trying to step on your mom's toes, but if you ever need a girly chat, face to face, away from all those dumb cowboys? I'm here ok?"
Brooklynne chuckled,
"That means a lot."
- - -
A few hours later, massages had been had, faces had been exfoliated, toned and moisturised, and nails had been painted. The conversation had become more sedate than earlier, given that everyone was so relaxed they could have used a nap. When Duke arrived to collect them, he wrapped an arm around his daughter as they walked to the car,
"How was your girly day? Your skin looks... Nice and shiny."
Juliette face-palmed,
"Hydrated and glowing, Duke..."
Winking at her, he retorted,
"Yeah, hydrated and glowing, what did you think I said...? My girl is just beautiful."
And I'm sure a woman (fem!MC) will save the Oakley Ranch for these three fully capable men who could have done it by themselves but are too busy bickering about their own manly pride 🤦🤦
‘I wish Leah, Asha, Jackie, Hana, Aster, Sabina, Mona and Holly were in a different book that actually treated them better. They're great characters if the writer's stopped being lazy and try to erase them from the story just so they can force the male LI on us. It's 2019 and it's sad PB hasn't grown from hiding the majority of the female LIs behind a paywall. Is it really THAT hard to have equally treatment with all the love interests? HSS and It Lives actually respects all of their characters.’
POST/CONFESSIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE MOD’S PERSONAL OPINIONS!
