by Alice Ward
Daddy bared his teeth in a proud smile. “I was surprised when I woke up here instead of Durango. Dr. Gulley explained everything this morning. Willow did exactly what I would have done if I’d been awake.”
Renee cringed but Daddy didn’t notice. I’d felt confident that Daddy would be happy with my decision, but having him confirm it was like having a large weight lifted off of my shoulders. I’d done what I had to do, and Renee would have to find a way to get over it.
“So how long are you stuck here?” Matt asked. He uncrossed and recrossed his legs and I wondered what else he had on his mind.
“I’ll get to go home next Monday… earlier, if I’m lucky,” Daddy replied. “Though I don’t expect all of you to stick around that long.”
Matt nodded. “Actually, that’s one of the reasons I stopped by. If you don’t mind, I need to speak with Willow privately for a minute. We can just step out into the hall.”
“I can tell something’s bothering you, Matt,” Daddy said. “If something’s happened back home… something about Bradley, perhaps? I’d like to know about it. You don’t have to worry about upsetting me.”
Matt blushed and sat up a little straighter. “I’m sorry… I thought it would be best not to add to your stress right now… considering…”
Daddy raised one eyebrow. “Considering I had a heart attack right after my best friend’s son attacked our home?” His lighthearted tone didn’t reflect the severity of his words.
“Yeah,” Matt said with a matter of fact nod. “Considering that.”
“I need to be in the loop on what’s happening,” Daddy firmly declared. “So was I right? Did you need to talk to Willow about the Bradley situation?”
Matt nodded. “The prosecuting attorney’s office has been calling our office line in the barn. Lucas explained your health situation and gave them my number. Bradley was arraigned this morning. He was charged with two counts of animal cruelty and… petty theft.” The last two words came out in a frustrated sigh.
“Petty theft!” I demanded. “Thunder is worth a quarter of a million dollars, easy. That’s not petty theft.”
“I know,” Matt agreed with a shrug. “But with both of us gone, there was no one to testify to the value of the horses. I called the prosecutor after I talked to Lucas. He said we can amend the charges, but he’ll need to meet with us and see proof of Thunder’s value.”
I sighed. “Great, that’s just what I need to be worried about right now. But I guess I don’t really have a choice. As soon as we get home, I’ll pull Thunder’s paperwork and take it down to the DA’s office. Whatever it takes to keep Bradley in jail.”
Matt wrinkled his nose and shifted in his seat.
“What is it?” I asked, sensing something else was wrong.
“Bradley’s already out on bail.”
“What?” Renee gasped. “Why in the world would the judge agree to that?”
“Because he was only charged with misdemeanors,” I answered. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Of course he’s already been let out on bail.”
“Pumpkin, why don’t you and Matt go home?” Daddy suggested.
“I can’t leave you here!” I insisted. I was shocked that he’d even suggested it.
“There’s no reason not to,” he replied. “You’ve done all you can do for me here, pumpkin. You made sure I got the care I needed, and I appreciate that. But honestly, now that I’m on the mend, I’d feel better if you were at home keeping an eye on things. Especially if Bradley’s running loose again.”
I chewed on my lower lip, considering his words. Deep down, I knew Daddy was right. There was nothing I could do at the hospital, but plenty I could take care of at the ranch.
“Okay,” I finally agreed. “I’ll ride home with Matt. I just need to go back to the hotel and grab my things.”
“James is already taking care of that,” Matt announced. “He’s packing your stuff and checking out of our room. He wants to leave his truck here for Renee, so I thought we’d all ride home together.”
As if on cue, the door opened and James stepped into the room. “Hey there Cole,” he said with a smile. “You’re looking much better this morning.”
“Thanks, James,” Daddy said. “And thank you for keeping your wits when I collapsed. Every doctor I’ve spoken to has mentioned how fortunate I am that you remembered to give me aspirin.”
Renee beamed up at her son. “You are incredibly calm in crisis. I don’t want to think about how things might have turned out if you hadn’t been there.”
James looked embarrassed by their gratitude. “I just did what had to be done,” he said with a modest shrug. He looked back and forth between me and Matt. “So… do we have a plan?” he asked, nervously shuffling his feet.
“Yes,” Daddy replied. “The three of you are going to go home today and make sure Bradley Miller gets charged with the right crime. I trust you’ll also keep an eye on Willow for me? I hate the idea of her being alone in the house with everything that’s going on.”
James’s shoulders relaxed as he realized Daddy knew everything that was happening. “I won’t let anything happen to Willow,” he promised. “And I’ll make sure the ranch runs smoothly while you’re gone.”
“Thank you, James,” Daddy said. “Knowing that you’re holding down the fort makes it much easier for me to relax. Now, the three of you get on the road. I don’t want you to get stuck in lunch traffic trying to get out of the city.”
“You’re kicking us out?” I teased as I rose to my feet.
“Yes, I am,” he replied firmly, trying to look stern. “Call us when you get home so we know you’re safe. And keep me posted on your meeting with the DA.”
I gave Daddy a gentle hug, careful not to put any pressure on his chest. I kissed him on the cheek and then shared a tense embrace with Renee while James and Matt shook Daddy’s hand.
“Love you, Daddy,” I called over my shoulder as we left the room.
“Love you too, pumpkin. Drive safe.”
The door swung shut behind us and I reluctantly followed James and Matt down the hallway.
CHAPTER 2
The next evening, I was waiting on James’s couch when he stepped in to his cabin. A roast was cooking in the oven and I was halfway through a bottle of red wine.
“Willow, what are you doing here?” he asked as he brushed the bottoms of his boots against the doormat. “I’ve been by the barns and the main house, looking for you.” He took off his straw Stetson and hung it on the wall.
“I couldn’t stay in the house,” I explained. “It feels so empty and sad without Daddy there.”
The night before, I’d attempted to sleep in my own bed. Instead, I’d laid awake all night thinking about all of the drama that had engulfed my life.
“That’s completely understandable,” he said. “And you know you’re always welcome here… something smells good,” he added as he poured himself a glass of wine.
“I tossed a roast in the oven. We’re also having mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, and cobbler.”
James smiled. “One last forbidden meal before we start Cole’s diet?”
“Something like that,” I said, smiling back.
“How long until it’s ready?”
I glanced at my phone. “About twenty minutes. I just popped the biscuits in the oven.”
“Perfect,” James announced. He took a long drink of his wine and set the glass on the coffee table. “I have a surprise for you.”
I raised a curious eyebrow. “A surprise? What is it?”
“Put your shoes on and come see,” he laughed.
I slid my feet into my tennis shoes and quickly tied the laces. “Where are we going?” I asked as we stepped out onto the porch.
“Nowhere,” James said. He lifted his arm and moved to wrap it around my shoulders, but stopped himself before we touched. His eyes darted around, looking for other ranch workers. Since Daddy collapsed, we hadn’t talked about going public with our
relationship. I was grateful that he wasn’t pushing it, but I knew we couldn’t put off the conversation much longer.
“The surprise is in my truck,” he explained as he continued on down the steps. “Part of it, at least. I’ve already set up some of the gear in your barn.” He opened the passenger door of Daddy’s truck and pulled out a small pet carrier.
“No!” I squealed in excitement, hoping this wasn’t a joke. “Did you… really?” I gushed as he set the carrier on the ground. I rushed over as he opened the metal gate and a tiny white powder puff tumbled out onto the grass.
“I got us a puppy… the ranch, I mean,” James said, and rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.
I dropped to my knees and the puppy rushed into my lap. He brushed his head against my hand and rolled over onto his back. I rubbed his belly and looked up at James.
“What were you thinking?”
“You don’t like him?” he asked nervously.
“I love him! What is he?” I asked as the puppy rolled over, bounced to his feet, and licked my face.
“He’s an Australian Shepherd,” James said. “A cattle dog. They’re great for protecting livestock and I thought, with everything that’s been going on around here…”
“He’s exactly what we needed!” I finished, already in love with the little fuzz ball. “What’s his name?”
“He doesn’t have one yet. I thought you should do the honors,” James said, scratching behind the puppy’s ears. “I figured we could all love him, but he’ll be your guard dog. He’ll keep you safer than any security system. I didn’t know how Cole feels about animals in the house, but I figured if nothing else, he could live in your barn.”
“He’ll do no such thing,” I insisted. I wrapped the puppy in my arms and carried him towards the cabin. “He’s my little buddy. He’ll go where I go.”
I’d grown up with a handful of mutts running around the ranch. Daddy had always allowed them in the house, but after the oldest died while I was away at college, no one had thought to replace him.
I stepped into the cabin and set the puppy down on the floor while I checked the oven. The biscuits were just starting to brown, so I turned off the heat and closed the door. I looked up to see James step inside carrying the pet carrier and a large plastic bag.
“I have puppy chow, chew toys, a collar… everything this little guy needs. My buddy, Waylon, has his parents. He’s been working with him, said he’s nearly housebroken already. Which is amazing, considering he’s only ten weeks old,” he added as he offered the puppy a large beef bone.
I crossed the room and wrapped my arms around James’s neck. “Thank you so much, baby.” I gave him a long, soft kiss and hoped he realized how much I appreciated my surprise.
“You’re welcome,” he said as our lips parted. He held me by the hips and stared down at me with tired but happy eyes. “I have another surprise for you,” he confessed. “More of a suggestion, really, but I think you’ll be surprised by it.”
“Oh yeah? What’s on your mind?” I asked with a seductive smile. It felt so good to be in his arms again after days full of panic and stress, and making love was all I could think about.
“I was thinking that we should wait,” he said. “To tell everyone about us, I mean. I know Cole insisted that he doesn’t want to be treated with kid gloves and kept in the dark, but…”
“You don’t want to shock him,” I finished. I was so grateful that James felt the same way I did.
“Exactly,” he agreed. “I hate hiding how I feel about you, but if the truth makes Cole have a setback, I’d never forgive myself.”
“Do the old rules apply?” I asked, pressing my body into his. “Does everything have to wait until we’ve told the truth?”
Back in Baltimore, James had insisted that we shouldn’t have sex again until we’d told everyone about our relationship. The rule had gone out the window when I agreed to tell Daddy and Renee as soon as we got back to Colorado. But so much had happened since then, and I didn’t know where we stood.
James didn’t reply with words. Instead, he leaned over, shoved his hands into the back pockets of my jeans, and dropped his face to my neck. He licked and teased a trail to my ear.
“What about dinner?” he whispered before sucking my lobe.
“I turned the oven off,” I said breathily. “Nothing will burn.” I wrapped my hands around his head and turned his face to mine. “Dinner can wait… I can’t.” I planted a soft, teasing kiss on James’s lips. He lifted me in his arms and carried me to the bedroom. I pulled off my t-shirt and bra and he gently lowered me to the mattress.
“I love you, Willow,” he said, diving for my breasts. He teethed on my left nipple while I wrapped my legs around him and pushed into his erection.
“I love you too,” I moaned.
James traced circles with his tongue from my breast to my navel. I melted beneath his touch, my whole body burning with desire.
“God, I want you,” I gasped as James tugged at my yoga pants. He slid them down my legs and slipped two fingers into my wet, waiting pussy.
“You have me, baby,” he said as he probed and teased me. He dropped his head and gave my clit a long, firm lick. I let out a long sigh of pleasure and ran my fingers through his silky chestnut hair. I tugged on it and he pushed his fingers deeper inside me.
“Oh God… James…” I gasped as he closed his lips around my clit and teased it with his tongue. He teased and sucked as his fingers worked their magic and in a matter of moments, my body exploded in release. James wiggled out of his jeans, his face still buried in my dripping pussy. The waves of my first orgasm subsided and the beginning of my second started burning in my loins.
“I need you inside me,” I begged urgently. He pulled away from me and dug through the bedside drawer, retrieving a condom. I sat up, my fingers fumbling with the buttons of his long sleeved work short as he rolled the rubber down his shaft. He tossed the shirt to the floor, pushed me onto my back, and climbed on top of me. He slid his arms beneath me and balanced his weight on his elbows as he nuzzled his lips against my neck. The tip of his cock found my eager opening without guidance and he pushed into me with one swift motion.
As our bodies joined again, everything that had happened since the last time we’d connected faded from my mind. Nothing mattered, nothing but that moment and the glorious man on top of me. Our skin stuck together as James rocked his hips slowly, his cock stirring and sliding deeper and deeper inside me.
“God Willow, you’re so tight,” he gasped. “You feel so amazing.”
He let out a long sigh as I tightened my pussy around him like a vice. I rocked my hips in the opposite direction his were moving and arched my back into his body. His pelvis pushed against my clit and I knew I wouldn’t last much longer.
“You’re going… to… make me come… again,” I gasped through waves of pleasure.
“Yeah?” he asked, his tone encouraging. “Should I stop?” He pushed into me harder and bit my earlobe.
“No,” I begged, gripping him tighter. “Don’t stop… don’t ever stop.” I dug my nails into his firm, muscular shoulders as spasms of ecstasy took over my body. I came loudly as his thick, solid cock impaled me over and over again.
“Oh God, Willow,” James moaned. “Oh God… I’m so close.”
“Give it to me, baby,” I gasped. “However you want to.”
He pulled his arms out from under me and rose to his knees, pushing my legs back and driving even deeper into me. After six long, hard thrusts, I felt his cock tremble and explode inside me. James cried out and collapsed onto my chest. I cradled him and kissed his head as our breathing slowed to normal.
“I know it’s only been a few days, but it felt like forever since the last time we touched,” I confessed.
“I know,” he agreed. “Sitting on the other side of that waiting room was torture. But things will settle down soon. Cole will get strong again and we won’t have to hide anymore. We’l
l find a way to settle in to our new normal.”
The puppy whined from the living room, reminding us he was there.
“Speaking of our new normal, it sounds like someone wants some attention,” I laughed.
James rolled off of me and pulled on a pair of sweat pants. “I’ll take him outside, if you’ll check dinner,” he offered, passing me my clothes.
“Deal,” I agreed with a smile. He left the room and I heard the front door open as I pulled on my yoga pants and t-shirt. I padded barefoot into the kitchen, turned the oven to warm, and then stepped out onto the porch. James was sitting in the grass holding a tug-of-war rope while the puppy danced around him with the other end in his mouth.
“Who’s a big strong boy?” James baby talked. The puppy let out a playful, high pitched bark and pulled on the toy. “That’s right,” James continued. “You’re a big strong boy. You’re our little buddy.”
“Careful, or he’ll think Buddy’s his name,” I teased from the porch. James turned and realized that I was outside. I sat down on the swing and he joined me, the puppy weaving in and out of his legs as he walked.
“Maybe we should name him Little Underfoot,” he suggested with a smile. The puppy put his front paws on my legs and I lifted him into my lap.
“No, he needs a strong name. Something meaningful,” I insisted. “He’s a cattle dog… and he’s solid white. Why don’t we name him Frost?”
The puppy let out an excited bark, as if he was giving his approval. The side of James’s mouth turned up in a smile and he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Frost… like Lane Frost?” he asked. I knew that the bull rider was James’s ultimate hero.
I nodded. “He’s your puppy too. I think the name is perfect.”
James rubbed the puppy behind the ears and leaned down to his face. “What do you say little buddy? Do you want us to call you Frost?”
The puppy barked again and licked James’s face. “I think that’s a yes,” James laughed.
My stomach rumbled and Frost’s ears perked up. James took him from my lap and carried him towards the door.
