Fire On The Farm (Second Chance Cowboy Romance)

by Betty Shreffler

  My cell phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down to see her name. I swallowed the lump in my throat and opened the message.

  I'm sorry for how I acted this morning. I hope you'll give me a chance to explain. If I haven't scared you off, I'd like to see you again.

  No need to explain. I'll come over tonight if you'll let me.

  Yes. Come over whenever you'd like. I'll be here.

  Getting her text gave me a renewed energy. I finished helping the guys put up the final wall, and I headed home to take care of the administrative business side of things. After a shower, shave, and clean clothes, I went to the store to buy her flowers. If I was going to make her mine, I needed to start over and do it right.

  I pulled back into my driveway with my truck after Heather and I picked it up from Stonie's.

  She hopped out of her SUV and joined me as we walked back into the house.

  "You need to get ready for him to arrive and I need to hit the road. You going to be okay?"

  "Yeah, the ride and your talk this morning helped. You're right that I'm thinking about things too much. I do want to give Brock a chance, and I need to have an open heart to do it."

  Heather hugged me on the stairs in front of the door. "You're going to be okay, Ames. I truly believe Brock could make you happy. You deserve to be happy, with a man."

  I pulled back from her hug and smiled. "So do you. You deserve so much more than Andrew. He's an idiot for not knowing how good he had it."

  Her eyes filled with tears. "I'll miss you."

  I scrunched my face. "We're going to visit more often so don't say I'll miss you like we aren't going to see each other for another two years. So, I'll say, see you later."

  We walked in and the scent of the roast I had put in the slow-cooker had filled the whole house. We both stopped and breathed it in.

  "He's going to be hooked after dinner tonight."

  A smile spread across my face as a bit of excitement danced in belly from the thought of Brock arriving in the evening. I walked out with Heather, carrying one of her bags. We hugged again, and I waved good-bye as her SUV kicked up dirt down my driveway. A knot developed in my stomach now that I was alone again. My eyes started to tear up from missing her already. I distracted myself by checking on Rick and the horses.

  Rick was getting the evening feed ready when I walked in.

  "I'm going to bring the horses in early. I have someone coming over tonight."

  "Would it happen to be that man with the bike?"

  I helped him fill the second feed bucket.

  "You saw him?"

  "Yep, had a chat with him this morning before he took off."

  He stopped and looked at me with his dark eyes and usual serious expression. "He seems decent, but be careful, Amy. I don't want to see you get hurt."

  "I have to let him in to get hurt, and I'm having a tough time with that."

  I didn't even mean to be so honest and bare my heart in front of him, but it slipped right out. He leaned against the wall and clicked his tongue against his cheek.

  "Yeah, I figure that's not easy for you to do, but it's been a long while now, Amy. There's nothing wrong with you having feelings for a man."

  Rick knew Darrell well and hearing him say that gave me relief. Rick was my connection to my past life and having his permission made me feel like maybe it was okay to have feelings for someone other than Darrell.

  "I needed to hear that. I've been struggling with my emotions."

  He poured the last of the feed into the bucket. "I can't help you with those womanly emotions, but I do think you spending time with a man is good for you. Like I said, just be careful."

  The smile on my face was probably huge. Rick glanced over at me and chuckled. "Get the horses in here so you can get ready for your date."

  I rounded them up and brought them to their stalls, saving Bella and Honey for last. I hadn't spent much time with Honey, but I could see she was doing well. In a couple weeks, I planned on starting her on her training early while she was still curious and fearless of humans.

  After the horses were fed, in their stalls, and the barn locked up, I put on a pair of shorts and went out to the garden to pick vegetables to put in with the roast. A motorcycle engine rumbled down the road. It slowed and turned into my drive. Excitement somersaulted in my belly. I hadn't expected him to arrive this early in the evening.

  I didn't waste time getting ready and getting to the store. I found a bouquet of orange and yellow carnations I thought suited her and grabbed a six-pack from the coolers. I put them in the saddlebags and got my ass moving to her place.

  As I came up the drive, I saw her across from the house, knees-deep in the garden. She stood, and I nearly wrecked my bike. Her hair cascaded from a tight ponytail down over the back of her white tank top and her legs extended from her cut-off shorts, glistening in the sun. I parked the bike and grabbed the flowers out of the bag. I walked to her, and she set down the basket of vegetables. She took the flowers, her smile wide and her eyes sparkling. I pulled her chin up to me and kissed the lips I'd thought one too many times about throughout the day.

  Her warm lips pressed against mine as the scent of horses, sun, and citrus enveloped me. Good God, she was beautiful.

  "Thank you for the flowers." She closed her eyes, breathing them in. "Carnations are my favorite."

  That was a good start. "I'll remember that."

  Her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at me. I leaned down and grabbed the basket and stepped in line with her toward the house.

  "You're earlier than I expected. Dinner isn't ready yet, and I need a shower."

  I put my hand on her lower back. "You look damn good to me, and I'll help you with dinner."

  She bit her lip and glanced over at me. Every time I saw that look, it hinted to a more seductive side of her—a side that I wholeheartedly wanted to discover.

  I left her to grab the six-pack from the saddlebag. I joined her as we walked into the house.

  The scent of home-cooked meat and spices assaulted my nostrils. My stomach grumbled. I couldn't wait to eat whatever she had cooking. It smelled delicious.

  "Whatever you're cooking, I'm looking forward to trying."

  I followed her into the kitchen and put the six-pack in the fridge. I set the basket of vegetables on the counter as she placed the flowers in the sink. She stretched to a higher cabinet for a vase, and her shirt lifted, revealing her toned stomach. My groin ached at the sight of her in those cut-offs and tank. I slid behind her and reached for the vase above her. Her hand gently took it from my mine as she turned toward me. I rested my hand on her hip and pulled her close. She stared at me, lust and affection filling her eyes. I claimed those lips that were begging to be kissed.

  She set the vase in the sink as my lips devoured hers. Her tongue met mine, and my body grew hungry with need. I cupped her cheeks just below her shorts and lifted her firm ass onto the counter. She clung to my shoulders as I pressed my growing erection into her warmth. She was on fire, enticing my hunger further. I moaned into her mouth. I wanted to be inside her, feel her orgasm pouring over me. My hands claimed her body, touching everywhere she let me. She responded eagerly, moaning and tightening around me.

  I moved my hips against her, thrusting into her, letting her know how much I wanted to have her.

  "Brock."

  My name escaped her lips as a whisper between kisses. My brain snapped back, regaining control over my stiff cock. She needed me to take things slow and this wasn't slow, but damn she didn't know how difficult she made it for me.

  I eased off my kisses and held her against me.

  "I'm sorry, gorgeous. You're like a drug. I can't get enough."

  I eased her out of my arms and set her feet back on the floor.

  She smiled up at me. There was no fear in her eyes and that gave me relief.

  "I like your touch." She laughed and widened her eyes. "Maybe a little too much." She let out a breath. "I just
need to go slow. Baby steps."

  Yep, I needed to get acquainted with my blue balls. We were going to be friends all night. I held her face in my hand and kissed her forehead. "What do you need me to do in the kitchen?"

  She turned on country music, and I opened a couple beers. We drank, talked, and I watched her sexy body as she cut up vegetables. She tossed them into the cooker and then came to me and nuzzled right into my arms. Dan and Shay, “From the Ground Up” came on the radio and I placed my hand in hers, wrapped my other around her waist, and pulled her to the middle of the kitchen floor.

  "Dance with me, gorgeous."

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared up at me. There was sorrow and tenderness in her eyes. I held her in my arms, doing everything I could to drive away the pain I saw. I kissed her cheek, held her against me, and sang to her as I danced her around her kitchen.

  When the song ended, tears were streaming down her cheeks. I kissed her tears and then her lips. She clung to my chest, and I could feel the weight of her emotions. Lifting her up and holding her against my chest, I carried her upstairs. I laid her on the bed and caressed along her arm and waist as I continued to give her tender kisses. The tears stopped and I looked down at her beautiful face. Bringing her hand to my lips, I kissed along her fingertips.

  "I know you want to go slow, but I want to soothe the ache that's here." I pointed to her heart. Another tear slid down the side of her face. "Will you let me take the pain away?"

  She closed her eyes and let out a breath. "Yes," she whispered between tears.

  Putting my hands in hers, I raised her arms above her head. I laid above her, kissing her as tenderly as I could. I lifted her shirt and placed kisses across her stomach. Undressing her slowly, I eased her out of each piece of fabric. She laid beneath me—bare, beautiful, and broken hearted. I undressed and laid above her, tucking her under the comforter with me. I held her face in my hands as I gave her soft kisses.

  She wrapped her leg around mine, and I lowered my hand to find her warm and wet. I slid my fingers inside of her and slowly worked the moans from her lips. She leaned into my touch, and my cock ached to be inside of her. I removed my hand and lowered her hip. Slowly, I eased inside of her and that fire and warmth spread around me like a glove. I took it easy and offered her the tender love she needed. I kissed her over and over as I thrust deep inside her, filling her, giving her all of me.

  I laid my head in the crook of his neck, running my fingers over his hard chest. He'd given me incredible tenderness, soothed the heartache burning my chest. He'd made love to me, and I wanted to cry because it meant the world to me, but I refused to shed any more tears. If I didn't stop, he'd think I was a fragile, unstable female.

  I leaned up and kissed his delectable lips. He held my face in his hand and turned onto his side, still kissing me.

  He pointed to my chest. "Did I take away the pain?" His hand caressed along my arm.

  He had. He'd taken it away and filled it with something stronger—love and affection.

  I nodded. "Will you stay the night with me, so if it comes back, you'll be here to take it away again?"

  He leaned forward and kissed me, bringing his tongue between my lips and driving more passion into his kiss. Our lips parted and my sex ached with arousal.

  "I'll stay every night, if you'll let me."

  I was grateful I'd been able to soothe her troubled mind and aching heart, but I wasn't done loving her yet. I watched her start to dress, and I couldn't stop myself from touching her again. I came behind her and wrapped my arms around her. My growing erection slid between her thighs and feeling her warmth on it deepened my arousal. I licked her ear and slid it between my teeth before kissing along her neck.

  "Would you like to shower with me?"

  A breathy moan escaped her lips before she said, “yes.”

  "C'mon gorgeous. I'm going to clean you so I can make you dirty again."

  She started the shower, and as soon as it warmed, she stepped in. I joined her, tucking her ass into me. I reached around her and grabbed the bottle of her citrus soap. Pouring some into my hands, I slowly lathered her body. My hands worked in circles across her stomach and up to her breasts, massaging them and lingering over her hardened nipples. Her breathy moans stiffened my growing erection.

  I slid it between her warm, wet thighs and continued to rub my hands over her arms and down to her abdomen. Rinsing my hand, I lowered it, stroking against her clit. She pushed her ass into me and leaned her head against my chest. I kissed along her neck as I massaged her. She wrapped her arm around my neck as my strokes grew in intensity. She held me tight, legs weakening as her body convulsed through her orgasm.

  I took her hands in mine and placed them on the wall of the shower. Stepping back, I tugged her ass to me. I eased in and held my hands tight to her hips as I thrust deep within her. She clenched around me. Her tight, wet folds and her eager, breathy moans fulfilled the hunger inside of me.

  He held my trembling legs steady. The warm water trickled over my sensitive body. His beautiful hazel-green eyes stared down at me, piercing mine, making my heart beat faster.

  "I can't get enough of you, Amy."

  My breath was heavy and all I could do was remind myself to breath as he kissed me. When he let go, I gathered my soap, filled my hands, and then worked it over his solid muscles.

  He closed his eyes as he breathed in the scent of my body wash and took pleasure in my hands massaging him.

  "You're not allowed to ever buy another soap. Your scent is forever branded into my mind by this body wash."

  I laughed and praised him with a kiss. I stroked my hand over his lower abs then over him, cleaning him from base to tip. He opened his eyes, pulled me close, and then placed his lips on mine.

  "I don't know how it's possible to feel this strongly for you already."

  Butterflies flapped in my stomach. I had already grown strong feelings for him too. His beautiful smile spread wide.

  "Turn around, gorgeous. I'll wash your hair."

  His strong hands were like heaven on my scalp. I leaned into his touch, taking pleasure from every stroke of his large, calloused hands. I moaned beneath his ministrations. I could hear him smile. He leaned in and kissed my collarbone before turning me around so the water could rinse out my hair. As the water streamed down over my hair and face, his lips touched mine. He kissed me as the water flowed over both of us. I leaned forward and his tongue slipped in to meet mine.

  He pulled me out of the water and wrapped his arms around me. "We should get out of this shower or we never will."

  He stepped out and wrapped a towel around me and dried me before himself. I tossed my hair into a wet bun above my head and walked into my bedroom. I put on a pair of pajama shorts and also slipped into his flannel.

  I was downstairs in the kitchen, getting two plates ready, when he walked in. He leaned against the archway and admired me in his shirt. A satisfied, possessive look filled his eyes as he watched me move around the kitchen. He stepped in and grabbed the plates I'd prepared and took them into the dining room.

  When I walked in, the plates were right next to each other. I moved over to them and he pulled me into his lap. Apparently, that's where I was eating.

  He fed me a bite and then moaned when he took a bite himself.

  "Amy, this is amazing."

  "I'm guessing you don't get home-cooked meals often."

  He caressed his thumb over my thigh.

  "No, I can't call my throwing of food together home-cooked. I can get home-cooked if I dare step over the threshold of my mother's house, but I do that sparingly."

  "Why's that?"

  "Don't misunderstand, I love my mother, but she's a nagger and a gossiper, and I can only take so much."

  I laughed at his wide eyes and the expression on his face. "My mother is the opposite. She's very quiet. My grandmother is much more outgoing, but neither are gossipers."

  "You were blessed, then. I was the only m
ale in a house full of loud-mouthed women. Luckily, I had my grandfather, or I would have lost my mind."

  "Where was your dad?"

  "He left after my younger sister was born. Took off and didn't leave a way to find him. My mom raised me and my sister and then, after my grandfather died, my grandmother moved in with my mom. My baby sister, Bethany, is actually getting married in a couple weeks."

  "That's wonderful. Have you met her fiancé?"

  "Yes, and I approve. He's prepared to take care of her. Has a good job, a level head, and I know he loves her. They've been together for four years."

  "How old is she?"

  "Twenty-four."

  The thought crossed my mind that Bethany was now the same age as when I lost Darrell. It left an ache in my chest.

  "You should come with me to the wedding."

  My body tightened and nerves bunched in my stomach. Brock set his fork down, wrapped his arm around me and rubbed his thumb over my lower back.

  "Don't do that. Don't get freaked out and clam up. We would have a good time. I want to take you. I want you to meet my family, as nuts as they are."

  He rubbed his hand along my back and looked at me expectantly with those stunning hazel-green eyes that were becoming too good at reading me. Even though the thought terrified me, I couldn't bring myself to say no to him. I knew if I did, it would hurt him.

  "All right. I don't have a dress, though. I'll have to go shopping."

  His tense muscles relaxed. "I'm glad you said yes." He kissed my cheek and then picked up his fork and dove into the remaining roast and vegetables.

  After dinner, he helped me clean up, then responded to a few emails on his phone. I slipped into my boots, still wearing his flannel and my shorts, and walked out to the barn.

  When I found her in the barn, she was wearing cowgirl boots with her tiny shorts and my flannel. It was the prettiest sight I'd ever seen. I watched her nuzzle and talk to each horse. Her love for them was apparent, and they responded eagerly to the sound of her voice and the touch of her hand. I knew the excitement they felt when she neared. It was a feeling I was becoming familiar with myself.