by Ward, Alice
“See you in the morning, Mr. James, Ms. Willow,” Josie said with a wave as Caroline carried her to the family’s tent.
“Goodnight,” Jase added as he stumbled behind his father.
“Sleep well,” I called to them.
“We’ll see you in the morning,” James promised. He turned to Thatcher and lowered his voice. “Willow and I will turn in for the night, so you and Caroline can enjoy the stars alone once the kids are out. Let us know if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” Thatcher replied, his grin growing bigger. “This has been a great night, much better than I expected.”
“Happy to hear that,” James said with a nod. The family disappeared into their tent and James led me to ours.
He gently lowered himself onto one of the twin sized air mattresses and pulled off his boots. He lay down and I settled in beside him.
“Do you remember the last time we were here?” I whispered into his ear.
“It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we got here,” he confessed. “I’ll never be able to look at that fire pit without remembering our first time together.” He rolled onto his side. “You were so feisty, so beautiful in the light of the flames. And then, I did this.” He planted a soft, smoldering kiss on my lips and then pulled away.
I looked at him and nodded. “And then, I did this.” I kissed him again, this time opening my mouth and exploring his with my tongue. I reached for the top button of his shirt and James covered my hand with his.
“We can’t do this… not unless you can be completely silent,” he warned.
“I can do that,” I assured him, pulling his face back to mine. As we kissed, James unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall down his arms. He pulled away from me and stood up, kicking off his jeans. I pulled my t-shirt over my head while he pulled off my boots and slid my jeans and panties down my legs. He grabbed a condom from his duffle bag and started to open it as he lay back on the mattress.
“Not yet,” I whispered, taking the condom from his hand. I pushed him onto his back and reached for his stiff, throbbing cock. “I know I can be quiet, but I’m not so sure about you,” I teased as I stroked him. “And if I’m remembering correctly, our first time started like this.”
I dropped my head and circled the tip of his cock with my tongue. James’s breath quickened and he squirmed beneath me, but no sound escaped his lips. I savored the taste of his salty skin as I bobbed up and down on his prick. James grabbed the back of my head and thrust into my mouth before pushing me away. He wordlessly flipped me onto my back, his mouth enveloping my right breast as his fingers explored my slick pussy. I breathed heavily and bit my lower lip to keep from crying out.
“If I remember correctly, I teased and licked every inch of your body before taking you the first time,” James whispered, his voice rough. He planted a soft kiss on my hip bone and I grabbed his head before he could move lower.
“There’s no way I could stay quite through that reenactment,” I whispered. His fingers moved gently inside me, just enough to make me want more. “In fact, this may have been a horrible idea,” I moaned.
James pulled away from me and rolled the condom down his cock. He climbed on top of me and lowered his lips to my ear.
“Just keep your lips to mine,” he whispered as he used one hand to guide the tip of his prick inside me. I let out a deep breath and he covered my mouth with his. He pushed the rest of the way inside me and instead of crying out, I grabbed the back of his head and probed my tongue deeper into his mouth. The sensations of the moment blended with my memories of our first night on the mountain and I felt my pussy gush wet with pleasure. James pulled his face an inch away from mine.
“Did you… all ready?” he whispered, holding himself still inside me.
I shook my head pushed myself down on his cock. “No… not yet,” I gasped, returning my lips to his.
“You’ve never been so wet,” he whispered, our lips still connected. “I have to taste it… can I?” he asked, rocking into me again.
I nodded and reached for a pillow to muffle my moans. James’s cock slid out of me, quickly replaced by his tongue. He held my pussy open wide as he lapped my juices with abandon. I bit the pillow to keep from crying out.
“I could come, just tasting you,” he moaned softly, his hot breath teasing my thigh.
I was too lost in my pleasure to reply. I bucked into James’s face as waves of electrified passion coursed through my body. He rubbed my clit between two fingers and thrust his wet, rigid tongue deeper, pushing me over the edge. I held my breath and came silently, gushing more wetness onto James’s eager tongue. Suddenly, his head trembled against me and he collapsed onto the mattress.
There’s no way that just happened.
But it had. James rolled over and pulled the filled condom off of his shrinking erection. He tossed it to the floor of the tent and snuggled up beside me.
“You really just came?” I whispered, my voice full of disbelief. “Without me even touching you?”
“You were doing plenty,” he assured me. “And yes, I came… pretty hard, actually,” he finished with a surprised and satisfied grin. “That’s never happened to me before, Willow.”
I felt the oddest sense of pride. “Well, one day we’ll have to see if we can do it again,” I suggested. “But not tonight. Being quiet was a lot harder than I thought it would be.”
“I know what you mean,” he agreed. “I hate to say this, but we should probably put some clothes on. And one of us needs to move to the other mattress. The last thing we need is for Thatcher or Caroline to find us like this in the morning. Or God forbid, one of the kids.”
I nodded and reluctantly left his arms. I fetched my pajamas from my duffle bag, pulled them on, and lay down on the other mattress. James pulled on his pajama pants, wrapped the spent condom in a paper towel, and stowed it in a small pocket of his bag.
“I love you, Willow,” he whispered as he settled back into his bed.
“I love you too, James.” I closed my eyes and longed for the day when we wouldn’t have to hide.
***
“Willow, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’ve agreed to be my maid of honor,” Renee gushed from across the lunch table. “And James being Cole’s best man just makes everything perfect. I’m so happy at the way we’ve all been able to come together as a real family.”
“I’m happy too, Renee,” I said, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. When James and I had arrived home the night before, the parents sat us down and asked us to be in the wedding. I agreed before I realized it would mean days full of errands and planning. We’d spent the entire morning at Durango’s only bridal shop and were scheduled to sample cakes right after lunch.
“You know, Willow… I owe you an apology,” Renee said with a sad sigh. “You made the right decision after Cole’s heart attack. I see that now. I also see what a horrible bitch I was,” she confessed, her cheeks turning pink.
“I accept your apology,” I said as she took a long drink of water. “But it was hardly necessary, Renee. It was obvious how frightened you were that day. And you weren’t a bitch at all.”
“Oh yes I was,” she insisted. “I was terrified for your father, Willow. But I was also terrified for myself. Gus’s death was so sudden, so tragic. I wasn’t sure I’d survive if I lost Cole too. My fear blinded me to the one thing I should have been focused on.”
“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” I said, my brow wrinkled in confusion.
“You, Willow,” Renee replied. Tears welled in her eyes as she reached across the table and took my hand. “I love Cole, but he’s your father. He’s the only parent you’ve ever known. And he collapsed in front of you. I should have been there for you, Willow, regardless of whether or not we disagreed about his treatment. I should have held your hand and been strong for you, like a mother’s supposed to.”
Her tears fell freely and I squeezed her hand. “Renee, really it’s fine. I
’m not upset. In fact, the idea that you weren’t there for me has never even crossed my mind.”
My words just made her cry harder. I could feel the eyes of the other diners on us as they tried to figure out what was going on at our table.
“It’s never crossed your mind because you’ve never had a mother,” Renee said, wiping her eyes. “I know I’ve shown up a little late in your life, and I’d never try to replace Rose, but I wanted to show you what it’s like to have a mom. I should have been sitting next to you in that waiting room. I should have held you, and stroked your hair, and told you that we’d get through it no matter what happened. Instead, I refused to even look at you. I failed you when you needed me most.”
I stared at her, speechless for a moment, moved by her words. “I wasn’t exactly on my best behavior that day,” I admitted, thinking of how I’d accused her of wanting Daddy to die. I shrank a little in my seat. “I owe you an apology too.”
Renee shook her head. “You were lashing out because you were frustrated with me. And you had every right to be. I’m the parent, but I acted like a selfish child and left you to be the adult. I want you to know that will never happen again. I really do love you, Willow, and not just because you’re Cole’s daughter. If I wasn’t going to be your stepmother, I’d still very much like to be your friend.”
“Thank you, Renee,” I said, squeezing her hand again. “What do you say we forget about the last few weeks and make a fresh start?”
“I’d love that.” She beamed back at me. She released my hand and wiped her eyes with a napkin. “I know that you and James are both adults,” she continued. “And it’s a little late in the game for a new family. But I really hope that’s what we’ll become. In my ideal world, you’ll both build on the ranch and we’ll always be together. Just think of how wonderful it would be. Your kids and James’s kids would grow up like brothers and sisters!”
Every cell in my body cringed, but kept a smile on my face. “That would be wonderful,” I agreed, desperate to change the subject. “But first, we have to focus on the wedding. What are you and Daddy thinking about as far as reception food?”
Renee started describing the new heart healthy reception menu and I let my mind wander.
This woman really loves my father. And I think she’s sincere. She wants us all to be a normal, happy family. She wants to treat me like a daughter… and I think I want to let her. James and I have to come clean soon. It’s not fair to let Renee think she’s getting her dream family. As soon as we get the paternity test results, we’ll tell them… and figure out how to be a family from there…
***
"So when are you two leaving for New York?” Mason asked as he let one of the round pin panels fall to the ground. It was Saturday afternoon, a week before Belmont Stakes, and Mason, Matt, and I were moving our outdoor equipment to make room for the barn expansion.
“I’m not sure I’m going to the race,” I said. I wiped my neck with a bandana and wished I could get away with going shirtless like the guys. The air was heavy and humid after the storm we’d had the night before, and the ranch was spotted with pools of standing water. But the sky was clear and the hot sun shone down upon us, turning nature into a steamy sauna.
“Of course you’re going,” Matt insisted. “We all are. Next Saturday could be the biggest day of our lives.”
I shook my head and helped Mason take down another panel. “Daddy can’t go. Dr. Gulley says he’s not ready to travel. And with the wedding the week after, there’s just so much to get done. I was thinking about staying home next weekend, watching the race on TV.”
Matt raised an eyebrow. “What does Cole think about that plan?” he asked.
I frowned back at him. “I haven’t told him yet,” I admitted.
“Because you know he’ll tell you to go,” Matt finished. “I know you don’t want to go without your Dad. But how will you feel if Mondo does it? What if he wins the Triple Crown and you’re not there to see it?”
“You and I both know the chances of that happening are slim to none,” I said, wiping my neck again. I shook off my leather work gloves and fetched a bottle of water from the nearby cooler.
“Last week, you were convinced he could take it all,” Matt reminded me. He and Mason dropped the final panel and joined me at the cooler.
“Why the sudden loss of confidence?” Matt asked as he dug through the ice for another bottle of water. He found two and tossed one to Mason, who turned to me with a knowing look.
“You’ve seen the final race list,” he said without a hint of question in his voice. “How bad is it?”
I sighed. “Denver’s Pride and Jupiter’s Starlight are both running, and they’ve both been resting since the Derby. The rest of the horses didn’t compete in either of the other races.”
Mason nodded, his eyes sympathetic. “This always happens when a horse wins the Derby and Preakness. For the other owners, Belmont isn’t about winning this year. It’s about Mondo losing. But for what it’s worth, I think he still has an excellent chance,” he finished with a grin. He gulped down his water and tossed the empty bottle back into the cooler.
“I’ll go get the Bobcat and move these panels to the far fence line,” Mason said as he walked towards the barn. “When I finish that, I’ll start taking the walker apart.”
“Thanks for working late today,” I called after him. “With all of the storms in the forecast, this may be our only chance to move things before the expansion starts.”
“No problem, Willow,” he replied over his shoulder. “And if you change your mind about going to New York, I’ll be happy to cover for you while you’re gone.”
“You have to go,” Matt said again, begging me with his eyes. “I know you don’t want to leave your dad. What if we fly in Saturday morning and come home Saturday night? It’ll be great, like a very expensive double date.”
“I’ll think about it,” I agreed just to get him to drop the subject. I took another drink and then poured the remainder of the cold water down the legs of my jeans, which were clinging to my skin, drenched in sweat. I breathed a sigh of relief as the cool fluid rushed over my boiling skin.
Matt looked me up and down and I realized that I probably looked ridiculous. “The weather is killing me this year,” I said. “And I think it’s only going to get worse.”
He nodded. “I went for a ride last night. The creek running off of the mountain is about to come over the bank. Dallas said if it gets much higher, we may have to sandbag it.”
“All the more reason to get this done today,” I said, gesturing to the walker. “I need to sit down and cool off for a few minutes, and then we can start breaking that down.”
“Mason and I can take care of it,” he offered. “You look like you’re going to melt if you stay out here much longer.” The idea made me so happy I would have hugged him if we weren’t so sticky and hot.
“You’re not going to hear me argue with that today,” I said with a grateful smile. “Thanks, Matt.”
Normally, I’d insist on staying and helping no matter how miserable I was. But the heat had exhausted me and all I wanted to do was take a cold shower and sit in my air conditioned kitchen with a giant glass of iced tea.
“You’re welcome. Get some rest,” Matt said. “I’ll see you on Monday… and think about Belmont,” he called after me as I made my way to the barn.
I walked through the barn, checking on all of the horses as I passed their stalls. I was just about to leave for the house when I spotted a dark blue pickup truck coming down the driveway.
God, who in the world could this be?
My nerves danced in my stomach as I remembered the last unexpected visitor who showed up at the house.
It can’t be Katelyn… surely she can’t afford a car and a truck. Definitely not a truck that nice…
The truck grew nearer and I realized that a man was behind the wheel. I still had no idea who he was. All I could make out were broad shoulders and a large
black cowboy hat. I leaned against the doorframe as the truck slowed to a stop in front of me. The driver’s door opened and one of the sexiest men I’d ever seen stepped out. He had on khaki linen slacks, leather loafers, and an immaculate white button-up.
“Hi… can I help you?” I greeted him. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t place where I’d met him.
“Yes ma’am, I hope so,” he replied with a thick, Southern accent. His green eyes sparkled with confidence and he carried himself like a man who was used to hearing the word “yes”.
“I’m looking for Willow Rogers,” he continued. “Do you know where I could find her?”
What could he possibly want with me…?
“I’m Willow,” I said. I did my best to sound confident, but I was suddenly even more aware of my appearance. The man in front of me looked like he’d just walked off a yacht and I looked like I’d just climbed out of a pig pen.
The man stared at me, an amused smile on his face.
“How can I help you?” I asked. I crossed my arms over my chest and stared just to the side of his face. When I looked directly at him, the thoughts that raced through my head made me feel like I was cheating on James.
“My name is Colby Spencer,” he said. The smile on his face changed from amused to cocky and he continued. “I’d like to talk to you about buying some horses.”
That’s where I know him from! We haven’t met. I’ve seen him on TV.
