by Amber Kelly
I watch until they are out of sight, and I look down at Woof, who has come to stand at my feet. He is looking up at me with the same expression Payne was wearing.
“Don’t you judge me too, mutt,” I say.
Damn dog actually shakes his head and walks back toward his dog bed.
Great, even my dog is mad at me.
I shut the door and head to the shower.
Elle
I call Braxton as soon as we are out of the driveway and explain that I had Walker drop me off with Bellamy last night because I was upset over my fight with Sonia and wanted to talk the whole situation over with Bells. He is not happy, but he buys it hook, line, and sinker. He knows how much I love my girls and how upset I’d be if I thought Sonia was mad at me. After giving me a thorough scolding for scaring everyone the way I did and making me promise to never do it again, he accepts my apology and says to call him if I need a ride home.
I then call and apologize to Aunt Ria and Aunt Doreen. They don’t give near the dressing-down Brax did, but I’m sure they assume they don’t have to since I called him first.
Payne doesn’t say anything as he drives me out to Stoney Ridge.
“I’m sorry you got pulled into this,” I finally say into the silent cab.
He cuts his eyes to me and sighs. His hard expression goes soft. “I was just blindsided. I had no clue Walker felt that way about you. Hell, I didn’t think Walker was capable of feeling that way about anyone,” he says incredulously.
“I didn’t either,” I admit.
“You know that he still might not be capable of it, right?” he asks.
I take a deep breath and lay my head back against the seat. “Yeah, he’s probably sitting there right now, freaking out and trying to think of a way to break it to me gently that it was all a mistake and should have never happened.”
“Would you be able to handle that?”
“Sure. It’s not his fault. He tried to keep his distance—he really did—but I wanted him, and I’m the one who initiated it all. No one should be angry with him. Not even me,” I confess.
“I don’t think your brother will see it that way.”
“I know he won’t, and that’s why I don’t want to tell him. Not until we figure ourselves out. I don’t want to damage their relationship over something that I forced to happen. I just need time to see if anything comes of it.”
“You want something to come of it, don’t you?”
“More than anything,” I whisper.
He reaches over and pats my leg with a look of pity on his face. He thinks I’m about to get my heart broken.
We pull into Stoney Ridge’s gate, and Bells and Sonia are sitting on the front porch.
“I’m going to drop you off and get out of here, so Braxton doesn’t catch me and get suspicious,” Payne says as he eases up the drive.
“Thank you again,” I say before I give him a quick peck on the cheek and exit the truck.
He backs up, and I wave as he turns around.
I do my walk of shame to the porch and sit on the swing beside Sonia.
“You were with Payne last night?” Sonia asks with her eyes wide.
I laugh and shake my head. “Walker,” I say matter-of-factly.
She blows out a breath.
“We expected that, so when we saw Payne’s truck driving up, we were confused,” Bells explains.
“Yeah, Dallas called him and told him to go see if I was at Walker’s and get me out of there before Brax stormed in.”
“How did you end up there?” Bells asks.
“After you guys left the bar, I sat for a while because I wasn’t ready to go straight home. I just wanted to get my head together. It got late, and I was about to call and see if Aunt Madeline or Doreen would come get me when Walker happened to come in.”
“Well, that was convenient,” Bells muses.
“Not really. I was trying to politely rebuff the advances of one of the guys at the bar. Walker misunderstood and thought I was drunk and with the guy. He acted like a Neanderthal and practically ripped his shirt off and yelled, My woman, before picking me up and carrying me out of there.”
“What!” they say in unison.
“Not exactly like that, but he did show his ass. I was afraid he was going to end up in a bar fight with the guy, so I left with him. Then, we fought on the way home, and it escalated. Somehow, we ended up at his place instead of Rustic Peak and …” I stop there.
“And what?” Bells urges me to continue.
“One thing led to another, and … you know.” I shrug.
“Elowyn Marie Young, you little strumpet. Did you give Walker Reid your virginity last night?” Bells asks in shock.
I bite my lip and nod.
“Oh my God, I thought you just stayed the night and maybe let him cop a feel or something. This is a big deal,” Sonia exclaims.
“I know.”
“How did you go from fighting to having sex? I feel like we are missing some important details here,” Bells inquires.
I stand. “I’m starving. Take me to breakfast and I’ll tell you everything.”
Sonia drives us to town for breakfast, and I go over the entire night step by step.
“Wow,” is all Sonia says.
“Yeah, I feel like I need a cigarette after that,” Bells says as she fans herself.
“It was pretty hot. I hope I did everything right. I didn’t tell him it was my first time but I saw the moment he realized it,” I admit.
“I bet Walker is freaking out. I’m sure that most of the women he meets and takes home from Butch’s aren’t virgins,” Bells surmises.
“Probably not, but he didn’t seem freaked out. He actually seemed … pleased, or no, maybe more pleasantly surprised? I don’t know how to explain it,” I confess.
“I think we get it. I’m sure it meant something to him,” Bells says with a smile.
“So, what happens now?” Sonia asks.
“Your guess is as good as mine. It’s not like we had time to discuss anything this morning. I’m just going to act like everything is normal when I get to the ranch today and follow his lead. I have to work with Sophie this afternoon, and I’m giving her the same story Braxton got.”
“I’m so sorry, Elle. I feel like this is all my fault. If I hadn’t left you at the bar by yourself or if Ricky hadn’t picked up the phone when Ria called this morning, none of it would have happened.”
“I’m not upset about it,” I tell her.
“You’re not?”
“Nope. I think it was going to happen eventually, and I don’t regret it—even if Walker pulls the same old shit he always does and acts like it wasn’t a big deal. I would have done it anyway. I wanted it, and I wanted it to be him,” I assure her.
“So, can we talk about the other elephant in the car, please?” Bells asks.
“I’m sorry, Sonia. I should have been more supportive last night. I do want to be happy for you, and I’m sorry I spoiled the announcement like I did. I just think you are beautiful and smart and the best human, and I think you deserve the moon. A good man who will love you, support you, and work to build a life and family with you. I don’t think that Ricky meets my high standards for you. To be fair, maybe no one could. But I have to trust your judgment, and if you love him and think he’s the one, then I’m on board. I promise to make more of an effort with him.”
She sniffles behind the steering wheel. “I really appreciate that. I hate it when we fight. I’d rather fight with my man any day over either of you.”
“Look at my girls. One lost her independence, and the other lost her cherry. You two are getting so mature on me. I’m like a proud momma bear,” Bells squeals.
“Shut up!” I punch her in the shoulder from the backseat.
They drop me off after breakfast, and Walker’s truck is in the drive. I quickly look around before I head up to the office, but I don’t see anyone.
Sophie starts the interrogation the second I ope
n the door. I feed her the same story I did Braxton and Aunt Ria verbatim. She suspiciously looks at me but finally accepts it as truth. I hate lying to her. She is like my sister, and I want to confide all my secrets to her, but I can’t ask her to keep something so big from her husband, so I don’t.
She frowns. “Dallas is going to be so disappointed when I call her.”
“Why is that?”
“We were hoping for something a bit more scandalous than a slumber party at Bells’s,” she admits.
“Seriously? You two hoped I’d gotten myself into some kind of trouble?”
“Not trouble, but maybe a little mischief. Don’t judge us. We are pregnant, we can’t drink, and we are too dang tired to go out much. We’re boring as hell right now, and we have to get our thrills vicariously through you girls.”
“Whatever. You two could never be boring,” I disagree.
“Oh well. We didn’t have to wade through a bloodbath this morning when Walker arrived. I guess that’s good at least.”
“You’re horrible,” I cry.
Walker
Braxton didn’t grill me about last night. He had taken Elle for her word, and the only mention he made of it this morning was to thank me for making sure she got safely from Butch’s to Bellamy’s.
Yeah, I feel like a piece of shit. Not only because I’m lying to him, but also, because of me, Elle has to lie to her brother, who obviously trusts her.
I try to shove it all to the back of my mind and keep my head in the game as Braxton, Jefferson, Silas, and I mount up to drive the herd out into the new pasture. The ride out is about five miles, and it takes us nearly all afternoon to get them herded into the fencing. Once there, we ride the perimeter to make sure there have been no breaches before riding back.
It’s a good day.
As we approach the ranch, Braxton breaks off in the direction of the lower pasture to ride that perimeter. Silas takes his and Jefferson’s horses down to the stables to unsaddle and brush them down, and I take mine to the main barn.
I get him settled and put away and walk over to the sink to fill my canteen when I hear the door to the office above open.
I make my way to the door and see Elle coming down. Just as she hits the last step, I reach out, catch her by the waist, and tug her into the barn.
She lets out a surprised yelp, and I have to cover her mouth with my hand to stifle the sound.
When I get us tucked into the shadows and she sees it’s me, she relaxes, and I let my hand fall from her mouth.
“You scared the crap out of me,” she whisper-shouts at me.
I grin at her annoyed expression. “Sorry, baby. I didn’t want to call out to you and get anyone else’s attention. I just wanted to see if you were okay.”
Her face softens. “I’m good,” she says.
I walk her back deeper into the corner of the barn, behind the doors.
“Are you sore?” I ask.
Her cheeks turn the sweetest shade of pink.
“Don’t get shy on me now, woman,” I whisper against her ear, and I feel her shiver all the way to her toes. “Are you? Can you still feel me inside you every time you move?”
She moans.
“Elle, answer me,” I command. I want to hear her say it.
“Yes, I feel you,” she manages to choke out.
I plant a kiss on her neck just below her ear, and she fists my shirt and pulls me in closer as she lifts her mouth to mine.
She is wild. I only meant to steal a quick moment with her, but she clings to me, and that same fire that was blazing between us last night ignites.
I tear my mouth from hers and rest my forehead to hers.
We’re both breathing hard. I feel the peaks of her breasts rubbing against my chest with each inhale.
“Before we were rudely interrupted, I had every intention of kissing that soreness away this morning when you woke up,” I tell her.
She whimpers at my words.
We just stand there, silently holding on to each other, until we hear the sound of horseshoes hitting the gravel.
I back away from her and move back to the sink, trying to calm my body so my excitement isn’t on display.
Elle stays tucked behind the door.
Braxton rides in and dismounts.
“Want me to put him up for you?” I ask.
“Yeah, man, I’d appreciate it. I need to run in and hose off real quick. Sophie has an obstetrician appointment in an hour, and I promised I’d go with her,” he says as he hands the reins off to me. “We get to hear the baby’s heartbeat today.”
“That’s cool, man. Congratulations,” I say.
The happiness and pride beaming from my friend is contagious. It’s like the whole damn ranch is gaining a new little one.
A sharp pain hits my chest. I felt that once. It’s been over sixteen years, but I still remember it like it was yesterday.
Braxton heads to the house, and as soon as he is out of earshot, I call to her, “Coast is clear.”
She steps out from her hiding spot and walks to me.
“Can you get away tonight?” I ask.
“Sure. It’s bingo night down at The Old Depot. I’m usually the DD for Aunt Ria and Doreen. I drop them off and then pick them back up a couple hours later.”
“They need a designated driver for bingo?” I ask.
“Oh, yes. Don’t let those sweet Christian ladies fool you. When it comes to gambling to win quilts or boutique gift certificates, they are quite competitive, and they tend to get tipsy and rambunctious by the end of the night.”
I chuckle at the thought.
“So, I’m all yours between, say, six and eight tonight.”
“I’ll take it. Meet me at the shack?”
“Okay,” she says and then turns to leave.
“Elle?” I call.
She spins back around and waits.
“Come here,” I beckon her as I point to the spot in front of me.
She slowly walks over and stops.
I look over her shoulder and out into the drive before I put my hand in her hair at the nape of her neck. She tilts her head back, and I give her one deep kiss before I let her go.
“See you tonight.”
“See you tonight,” she repeats, and then she hurries out of the barn.
The horse beside me whinnies. Obviously impatient and ready to be brushed down and fed.
“Don’t you rat us out,” I say, and he gives me an offended snort.
I skip supper at the ranch and head straight to Mom’s because it’s been a few days since I visited.
When I pull into the drive, she’s sitting on her front stoop, talking with her neighbor.
She waves as I park and get out of the truck.
“Hey, Walker,” she calls as she stands. She’s wearing a long-sleeved brown corduroy dress with a yellow-and-orange-patterned scarf around her neck.
I give her a quick hug and then hold her at arm’s length.
“Don’t you look pretty?” I compliment her.
“Do you like it? Sonia and I went to the general store, and we thought it looked perfect for the season,” she says proudly.
It’s been a long time since she has cared anything about her appearance.
“I like it very much, Momma.”
She smiles huge.
“You remember my neighbor George Reynolds?” she introduces.
I shake his hand. “I do. Nice to see you, Mr. Reynolds.”
“You too, Walker. Edith and I were just reminiscing about when you were a little boy.”
“Were you?”
“Yes. He brought me those gorgeous mums for the porch, and we started chatting about when we first moved to this house.”
“That’s wonderful,” I tell her.
“Well, I’ll let you two visit. Edith, I’ll be here tomorrow for that squash casserole,” he says before he walks back across the cul-de-sac to his home.
I raise an eyebrow at Mom. “What’s happening
tomorrow?” I ask.
She blushes. “Oh, I’m just going to make him dinner tomorrow to thank him for the mums. He requested my squash casserole. He says he still remembers when I used to make it for church potlucks, and it was always his favorite.” She beams.
Yes, Edith Reid is beaming about a gentleman caller. And I’m excited about Elle coming to hang out with me for a couple hours on a Monday night.
It’s like the universe has turned on its axis.
“Are you okay, Walker?” she asks, concern in her voice.
Concern for me?
“Yes, ma’am. I was just thinking what a great day today has been.”
“Hasn’t it?” she says as she looks up and breathes deeply. “I love this time of year. I think I’ll bake us some gingerbread this week. Come. Let’s have a cup of tea, and you can tell be about your trip.”
She walks into the house, and I follow. And for the first time in a decade, I sit while my mother makes me tea, and I tell her about my weekend in Fort Collins.
Elle
“You two behave tonight,” I yell out the window as Aunt Ria and Doreen walk toward the door of The Old Depot.
“We make no promises,” Doreen says as they giggle and walk in the door.
I drive out to Walker’s cabin. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I loved it. It could use a little tender love and care but it has a large welcoming porch that overlooks a massive yard full of trees. His piece of land is private and serene. The grass has been overtaken by weeds but it’s obvious his grandfather took care of it back in the day. The telltale signs of flower beds and landscaping stones, the bones of a once gorgeous space, are still visible.
Walker is standing out on the porch when I arrive.
Woof comes bounding up to me as I step out of the truck.
“Hi, Woofie,” I say as I scratch behind his ear.
I stand and grin at Walker.
“Come on, dog,” he calls to Woof.
He toddles up the steps to him, and I follow.
“Hey,” I say when I reach him.
He wraps his arm around my neck and leads me inside.
