by Alexa Riley
“Stop it,” she tells him, and to my surprise she reaches out and smacks his hand away.
I fight a laugh but Ford doesn’t. He barks a low chuckle as he stands up.
“I’m not your girlfriend, and stop telling people I am.”
Van doesn’t respond as he shoves another cookie into his mouth.
“Why do you keep telling people that?” I hear her ask.
I don’t get to hear Van’s response because Ford is pulling me to my feet.
“I told you I’d take you to the stables. Looks like it’s all ours if Van is here stalking Tia again.”
“Again?” I whisper to Ford.
“Not stalking, just keeping an eye out,” Van calls out as Ford leads me from the kitchen.
I have really been missing too much around here but I’ll find all of it out from Ford later. I have a feeling right now he’s going to do more than show me the new foal. I’ve been dying to meet her but I’m pretty sure Ford wants to mess around in the hay loft, and I have zero objections.
Chapter Eight
Ford
It’s the first day it hasn’t rained and it’s been a long day of activities for the kids. I’ve gone through my normal checklist and met with the heads of the departments and cleaned up the office.
Honey spent the day in the girls’ cabins helping some of them pack and organize their rooms. She had us build two new cabins and now she’s getting their bunks situated. I brought her lunch earlier and ended up christening both of them before I had to go. I left her walking funny, with a sleepy smile. I’d say my job was done, but it never is when it comes to her.
This summer has been filled with excitement, but thankfully it’s begun to settle down. We’ve talked a lot about what we see for the future of Camp Hardwood and where we see ourselves. We don’t necessarily want to shoulder the responsibility for the rest of our lives and as much as we love to be hands-on, we want to be able to step back and allow a younger crowd to help out. Van’s been telling us he’s ready to take on more, and Honey and I agreed to let him once he completes vet school. After that we’ll give him more, and eventually maybe he’ll take over if that’s what he wants to do.
I’m stepping off the porch of the office when I look out and see Honey coming toward me. I walk out onto the grass and meet her halfway. Her eyebrows are drawn together and there’s a look of concern in her eyes as she stares down at her feet. She doesn’t look up until she’s almost right at me and I catch her by the arms.
“What’s up?” She’s startled like she really wasn’t paying me any attention and looks around.
“I think we’ve got a camper missing.” Her voice is soft and full of disbelief.
“What?” It’s not unusual for a camper to get lost because our property is so big, but it is rare for Honey to be so concerned about it. If it happens, it’s almost always taken care of within a few minutes and then everything goes back to normal.
“I forgot my radio down at Cabin B and thought you might be here.” Her arm comes out and grabs mine and I can see the worry in her eyes. “It’s Zara.”
I nod silently as I take her hand and pull her toward the cabin. “Don’t worry, Honey, we’ll find her.” Once we get inside I grab the radio and then nod to Honey. “Tell me what you know.”
“Her camp buddy said she went off on a trail in the woods by herself.”
“Shit.” I shake my head and wonder why kids have to make bad decisions.
“She said if she wasn't there by dinner to tell someone and I think maybe she was scared to admit it.” Honey looks at me with pleading eyes. “We’ve got to find her.”
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say as I turn on the radio and hug her close. “We’ve got the best ranger east or west of the Mississippi. Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”
She nods against my chest as I hit the button for Moose.
After I explain the situation and give him a description, I call out to all the camp counselors. I tell them the same thing and then give her description.
“If anyone finds her, call back and make sure you notify me ASAP,” I say, then set the walkie talkie down.
Honey lets out a long breath as she looks up at me and I put my hands on both sides of her face.
“She didn’t go far. It’s only been a few hours and she went towards Moose’s place. She’s going to be just fine.”
Honey silently nods and I pull her against me as I kiss the top of her head. I know tonight will be sleepless for her unless she hears back that Zara has been found. I want to comfort her and the only way I can think of right now is to take her home and distract her.
“Come on, babe, let’s get you some tea.” I take her hand and grab the walkie-talkie, and we slowly make our way to the cabin.
We stay silent and I can practically hear the gears turning in her head. Thunder sounds in the distance and Honey tenses beside me. There’s a summer shower rolling in and I know we are thinking the same thing. Zara might be out in the middle of this and that’s not going to be good.
As we go into the cabin there’s another loud crack and Honey turns to face the mountain. I know she’s thinking about going up there and looking for her, but we both know that would be a mistake. Moose is the most qualified and he’s close to where she was last seen. If Honey went up there right now there’s a good chance she’d get lost in the process and I won’t let that happen.
I make her some tea and bring it over to her where she’s cuddled up on the couch. She clicks through the channels on the radio as I come over beside her. I take it from her and hand her the tea and she smiles at me.
She softly mumbles a thank you and at that moment static lights up the radio.
“They’ve found her!” Darius our maintenance guy calls out just as the rain begins to pour. “She’s okay.”
“Thank God.” Honey breathes a sigh of relief as I hit the button.
“Where is she?” I ask and wait for a second as more static comes through.
“Moose got her, but I think they have to stay put,” Darius says.
“Okay good. If you can get through to him on radio, tell him to stay put. I checked the radar earlier and it looks like this storm might last a while.” I look over at Honey, who is nodding in agreement with me.
“Don’t think I’ll be able to, but just wanted to let you know. Y’all be safe.”
“Thanks, Darius,” Honey calls out and I turn the radio off.
“You okay?” I say, and her eyes water as she throws herself into my arms.
“I was so worried, Ford. That poor girl could have been eaten by a bear.” I smile as I kiss her hair and hold her close.
“I know what will make you feel better.” I press her back until she’s lying down on the couch with me on top of her. Her legs spread and welcome me between them as I rock my lower half against her.
“This always makes me feel better,” she says, her lips parting.
“Just lie back and let me do all the work,” I whisper, and she smiles.
“Music to my ears.”
I move down and unbutton her shorts as I go and then slide them down her thighs. I pull the soft cotton of her panties to the side and then kiss my way up to her center. I run my fingers up her pink lips and spread them, revealing her tender clit. Gently I trace it with the tip of my tongue then begin to run circles around it. It’s soft and slow in the beginning until her body responds in kind and arousal grows.
Thunder and lightning crash around us as rain comes down on our metal roof. It’s a symphony of a storm. I push her legs open wider and bury my face in her pussy. She’s hot and tight and tastes like my most favorite thing in the world. I can’t ever get enough and I don’t intend to.
Her hips rise in invitation and I don’t wait for a second. I unbutton my jeans and pull out my cock, kissing my way up her body and then sinking inside of her. I need this connection just as much as she does and I fuck her hard against the cushions of the couch.
“More,” she moans, and
I grind against her, rubbing her clit with the hard length of my cock.
“All of it,” I agree, and my cock swells with her demands.
Whatever she wants I’m willing to provide, and if that means growing to give her more, then goddamn it, that’s what I’ll do.
It’s hot and fast and we still have most of our clothes on, but I’ll take my time later. Right now we need this to bond us together and remind her that she isn’t that little girl. That I’ll always find her, always save her, and that no matter what she won’t go missing. She’s mine and I won’t let her slip away from me, not even for a second.
“I’ve got you,” I say softly as I grab her hips and hold her steady. Her back arches and she claws at my shirt. She can’t fight it anymore.
She moans and her body tenses just as she goes over the edge and I watch as paradise envelops her. Her cheeks flush and she closes her eyes in absolute bliss. There’s nothing more beautiful than watching my wife cum and the sight of it sends me over the edge.
Waves of pleasure take me under and I fall on top of her. My cock empties into her waiting body and her pussy contracts all around me. It’s quick and dirty and we’re both a mess of combined pleasure as I wrap her in my arms.
“Let’s go to bed,” I say, carrying her into the other room.
“But I’m not sleepy.” Her eyes are heavy and I smile at her and shake my head.
“You don’t have to be awake for the next part. I’ll be quick,” I tease her, and she perks up.
“What’s the next part?” She licks her lips.
“Happily ever after,” I say as I lean in and kiss her.
Epilogue
Honey
One year later…
Ford’s hand spans over my bare stomach as we lie in bed. We’ve just finished making love and after that he fed me pancakes and bacon. There’s no way I’m going to be able to get out of this bed for a while. Maybe that was his plan to begin with. He’s been hinting for a lazy day in bed for a while, but I’m not sure you can call a day in bed with him lazy. He’ll have me worn out before dinner at this rate.
I should’ve seen this coming. Two of the new counselors wandered this way and I’m starting to think it’s some kind of initiation for the new hires. They send them out to get Ford worked up over me. They all get a kick out of it and the girls think it’s sweet. I think some of the guys are learning a thing or two from my husband.
Normally no one comes up to our cabin unless we know they’re on the way. Our son is the exception to that rule. Van’s much like his father and doesn’t just pop up on us anymore now that he knows what having his own wife is like. He knows when we’re home alone things can get out of hand.
I stepped out on the front deck to water my plants this morning when I spotted two of the newer counselors walking up the path of our driveway. I wasn’t thinking when I greeted them and I’d forgotten I was still only in my robe as Ford made our breakfast. Sunday is his day to cook and he’s so good at it.
He was out the door before they could call my name out in greeting. They both turned tail and took off back toward camp. I was fucked against the locked front door before I’d gotten my breakfast while Ford feasted on me. Then he pulled me to bed for more.
His fingers graze along the small white stretch marks that I got when I had our son. I might have gotten a few the summer I learned to make homemade ice cream too. It’s been a while since I did that and I should make a batch and take it to Van’s wife. Her sweet tooth is killer right now, but I was the same when I was pregnant with Van.
“I loved seeing you pregnant,” he says, brushing his fingers along the lines. He turns his head to kiss one.
“I remember,” I say with a laugh.
I don’t think he’s remembering clearly. He was like a bear with a thorn in his paw with the way he worried over me. He liked me round so the world could tell I belonged to him.
“It was fucking sexy.” He lets out a long happy sigh and I smile.
“You always think I’m sexy.” I shake my head.
The man makes me feel like I’m a centerfold at times. He can’t get enough of me and I love that he always has to touch me. Somehow I ground him and he’s done the same for me. He’s been my home since the first time we met.
“True, but I like you like this more. I’m not great with sharing your body.”
I laugh. I never thought about it like that. “God, I love you.” I run my fingers through his hair. He can take possessive to a whole new level, but that’s us and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I don’t care if some might think it’s crazy. It works for us.
He shifts and comes over to me. He uses his knees to spread my thighs and I’m not surprised he’s ready to go again. I don’t think I’ll leave this bed for the rest of the day.
“You better love me.” He kisses me and tells me he loves me too.
The phone on the nightstand rings and he grunts before pulling away. He sits on the edge of the bed as he picks up the phone and I roll onto my side. I hold my head up with one hand and run the other up and down his back. I hope nothing is going to take us down to camp. Normally on Sundays we stay in and no one calls unless something has gone wrong.
“Son?” I sit up when I hear Ford’s tone.
“The baby?” I ask.
I had no idea how much I’d love being a grandma but it’s everything.
Ford looks over his shoulder and smiles, so I relax.
“Of course, I’ll see you in a few hours.” I’m already trying to get up at Ford’s words when his arm snags me and tosses me back down onto the bed.
“I said in a few hours. He needs us to watch the baby and wants to be alone with his wife.” He kisses me again. “That gives me an hour before you go into super grandma mode to get the house ready. It’s been ready since day one.”
I say nothing because he’s right. Our little grandbaby is only a few months old, but I went a little overboard. Ford can tease me all he wants, but he’s right there with me helping me do it.
He smiles before his mouth comes down on mine, and we use up every second of our hour.
* * *
THE END
Rescued by the Ranger
Camp Hardwood Book 2
Want to know what happens with Zara lost in the woods? What about Moose and his secluded cabin? Will Van convince Tia she’s really his girlfriend? And what about Piper and the baby and that guy Hawk? So many questions are left unanswered, but don’t worry because we wouldn’t do you like that! Check out the first chapter of Rescued by the Ranger and get the whole Camp Hardwood Series this summer!
Chapter 1
Zara
“You’re so full of it.” I look over to Tessa, who is egging me on. For the past four days it’s all the girls have talked about. The big mystery man out in the woods.
“I swear. They say there’s an old cabin out there where he lives and it’s haunted. A camper went that way last year and never came back.” I roll my eyes even as I look toward where she’s pointing. If someone went missing I think that would’ve made the news. But I’m not from around here, so maybe I wouldn’t have heard about it.
We’ve been up and down trails all over here but we’ve been told that area of the woods is off limits. A path leads that way, but a simple thin rope is the only thing that marks it as out of bounds. It’s so flimsy someone could step right over it. I think I heard one of the camp counselors say it isn't Camp Hardwood property and that’s why we can't go that way.
Curiosity always gets the best of me and I have a bad habit of doing things I’m not supposed to. Hence why I’m here to begin with. The foster home I’m at thought sending me away to camps all summer and keeping me busy would keep me out of trouble. And, more importantly, they would keep me out of their way so I couldn’t embarrass them further. I would’ve protested but they have me under their thumb. Why else would an eighteen-year-old girl be at camp? I had my birthday two days ago, not that anyone knew it. I’m sure no one at t
he foster home remembered it and didn't tell anyone here. I didn’t want to point out how little anyone cared and it stung enough without sympathetic looks from the others.
“We should go check it out then.” I step that way but Tessa grabs my arm to stop me.
“Like right now?” Her eyes widen. “Why not? What’s the worst that could happen? I don’t think there’s actually someone out there kidnapping campers, but I wouldn’t mind poking around.” They could kick me out and I actually frown at the thought. I’ve been enjoying this camp. It’s my favorite out of the ones I’ve been sent to. I don’t know what comes next but I wish I could stay here with Mrs. Cyprus and her bear of a husband, Ford. They’re sweet and the kind of parents I wish I had. Everything about this place is lovely, and I don’t think my foster family planned on me enjoying my time out here so much.
Here at Camp Hardwood it doesn’t feel like every move I make is being judged. I wish I could stay forever, but right now I could use a little adventure.
“When else would we do it?” I shrug off her hold on me. Time’s actually running out for me before I leave camp and am sent back to the foster house. After that, who knows what will happen, and I’m not ready to face it.
“Someone could see us.”
I look around and no one is paying us any attention. She’s right, though. It’s broad daylight.
“You want to wait until night?” My blood runs cold just thinking about coming back in the dark.
“Night is worse!” she gasps, and she’s right.
I wouldn’t have the balls to come back in the dark. Nothing scares me more than being outside at night. It’s been a fear I’ve had since I was a little girl. I woke up alone one night with the power out because of a storm and the house was empty. I remember hiding in a closet and crying until I fell asleep. I was six or seven at the time.
