When he woke, he went to her door, but it was locked. He tapped lightly but got no answer.
“We’re not done, Three. We’ll never be done.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The hardest thing to do was not open the door when Wyatt knocked. She was lying there, awake. She had already been out to muck the stalls and feed the horses. Avoiding him was the only way to survive being around him. Everything about him attracted her. He was metal. She was a magnet.
When she entered the kitchen area, she found a full coffee pot made with double the grounds the way she liked it. A note was stuck to a mug left on the counter.
Three,
Let me take you to dinner. I think we can work it out. We belong together.
Love, Wyatt
She hugged the note to her chest. They could work it out. All she needed to do was leave the ranch, but until she could find a job elsewhere and a place to live, she’d have to stay here, and they’d have to stay apart. She’d made a promise to her brother, and that was binding in her mind.
When she stepped onto the porch with a coffee clutched in her hand, she saw Cade riding toward her. His hard expression would scare the average person, but Trinity was used to the gruff cowboy demeanor all the Mosiers adopted. In reality, they were impenetrable steel on the surface, but once you got past the hardness, they were soft and sweet like kittens or puppies.
He rode Scamp to within feet of the porch before he dropped to the dirt.
She acknowledged his presence with a lift of her chin.
“I left Wyatt to fence off pasture one. We’re dividing up the land for efficiency.”
She stared at him, not knowing why he was sharing the information. Currently, he had a big fence surrounding the property but little division in between. Maybe a fence that split the land in two. After seeing Lloyd’s setup, it made sense to further divide it.
“Okay. And this matters to me because?”
“It doesn’t, except to stay away from pasture one. I would have put Tom and Wyatt on it together, but after their fight last night, I didn’t think it was wise to put tools in their hands that could be used as weapons.”
She knew her expression was one of shock because that’s what she felt. “They fought?”
“Come on, Trinity. It’s the same as always. Men fight, and somehow you’re in the middle of it.”
Indignance straightened her spine.
“I wasn’t even here. I went to Goldie’s, and then into Copper Creek to get some cash. A girl needs things like tampons and deodorant. Don’t blame what they did on me.”
He shook his head. “Like I said when you showed up, you may not cause the trouble, but it follows you.”
“Why is it I have to take the blame? If they fought, it was because Tom was being a bastard. What do you see in that guy?” She raised her hands. “Why him?”
“He was available, and I could afford him.”
“Yeah, well, you get what you pay for. He may be able to ride a horse or fix a fence, but part of the worth of a man is the content of his character, and Tom is morally bankrupt.” Thinking about the guy made her mad. “Have you seen his horse? He doesn’t even brush her down. He rides in and tosses his saddle aside then leaves her salty and sweaty. She’s got abscesses all over her back. The poor thing has so many scars. Those are the ones you can see. Imagine what she’s got inside.
“That poor horse has been abused her whole life.” The burn inside her grew hotter. “Imagine being punished all the time because those in charge don’t take the time to really pay attention.” She let out a sound that was part sigh and part growl. “I give her extra care because, after years of neglect, she’s probably used to her lot in life, but I want her to know she has value. She’s important. She deserves better.”
Cade looked at her sideways. “Are we still talking about the horse?”
She stomped her boot. “Of course, we’re talking about the horse.”
“Mm-hmm.” He shook his head like there was a fly in his ear. “All I stopped by to say was this thing with Wyatt can’t happen. I want the reputation of a good rancher, and I can’t get that if my ranch hands are fighting over my sister.” He waved his hand around. “I know, you said it wasn’t about you, but you and I both know it was. Wyatt has a ripe apple on his cheek, and Tom is sporting two black eyes.”
Inside, a happy dance was in full force because Tom had gotten his ass kicked. If Wyatt had a swollen cheek, then he deserved that too. Especially if he’d fought the idiot over her. The men in her life should know she had a very long fuse, but once the fire hit the dynamite, God help them. At this point, her fuse was burning dangerously close to the wick, and an explosion was inevitable.
“I don’t need people to throw fists for me.” She leaned forward. Standing on the porch, she was inches taller than Cade. “What I need and have always needed is someone to have my back. It’s really too bad the only person willing to step up, is a man I’m not allowed to like.”
Cade took off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “It never works, Trin. Remember, don’t mix mattresses and money.”
She looked to the side to see Abby’s cabin. “Tell that to your woman.” She tossed the cold coffee left in the bottom of her cup to the ground. “Anything else you need?”
He pressed his hat on his head. “No. Contrary to your belief, I do have your back. It’s why you’re living here. In a way, I’m protecting you by demanding you stay away from Wyatt.”
“No, big brother. You’re protecting yourself. If you truly had my back, you’d be happy I found someone I could love.”
“It would never work.” He looked to the sky. “Weatherman says it could storm again today.”
“That’s what they say every day.” She turned to leave but stopped. “Can I take Sable for a ride? She’s getting antsy. I know Abby usually rides her when you two tour the property, but you’ve been busy.” It was her way of telling him not to neglect everything. She was his sister, so it’s not like she could change that, but Abby didn’t have to put up with him.
His eyes grew concerned. “Did my Beeleesi say something to you?”
“Beeleesi?” She found it charming that her brother had also chosen a nickname for the one he loved. Too bad he was the only one allowed to love on the ranch. His ranch. His rules.
He blushed. “I know it’s silly, but she’s the queen of bees.” He narrowed his eyes. “Seriously, Trin, did she say she was unhappy?”
“No. All I’m saying is, you’re happy with a place to sleep at night, a warm body curled up next to you, a hot meal, and your horse. Women … sometimes they need more.” I need more. “Remember my eighteenth birthday when you took me to dinner and bought me that fancy purse?”
“Damn thing cost me over two hundred bucks. Coach or some shit like that.”
“I still carry that purse, but it wasn’t the gift that mattered. It was that you paid attention. You saw me look at those magazines and earmark the stuff I liked. Pay attention to the women in your life, Cade.”
He shuffled his feet in the dirt. “Got it. Coach purses and shit.”
She waved a dismissive hand at him. “You’re hopeless.” He was a man, so he probably wouldn’t get it unless she spelled it out. Women needed love. Lots of love. They needed validation too. Most of all they needed to know that the people in their lives would see them. Truly see them and love them anyway.
“I gotta go. I know you hate Tom, but he’s a hard worker, so try to be cordial. I know you like Wyatt, so try to be less cordial.”
“You’re such an asshole.”
He tipped his hat and swung back into the saddle.
She went inside in search of breakfast.
Abby had kept her promise. The cupboards were stocked with everything from canned chili to peanut butter. The freezer was filled with meat and frozen waffles. To the average person, a place to sleep and food in their belly would have been enough, but Trinity wanted more. She wanted Wyatt.
; She popped a waffle into the toaster and ate it on the way to the stables. She spent several hours straightening the tack and oiling the spare saddles. When her phone rang, her heart lurched. She was torn. She wanted it to be Wyatt, but she didn’t. Hearing his voice was like putting a peanut butter cup just out of her reach.
It wasn’t. On the other end of the line was Tom.
“How did you get my number?”
“Come on, darlin’. I’m in tight with your brother.”
“What do you want?”
“I’m starving, and I left my lunch in the refrigerator. I called Cade and asked if he was coming this way, but he said no. Told me to call you. Said you wanted to take Sable for a ride. Would you mind bringing me my lunch?”
She knew he was telling the truth because he knew about her desire to ride Sable.
“Where are you at?”
“I’ve got the herd in the area outside the shelter. I think once it gets fenced off, it will be pasture five.”
She considered his request. It wasn’t as if it was unreasonable. If he left what he was doing, it would take him an hour to ride back and another to return to the cattle. She had nothing to do until the horses came back from the range.
“Okay, I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Thanks, Trin.”
She hated that he used her family’s nickname for her, but she let it go.
When she got to the house, his lunch was in the refrigerator. At least he wasn’t lying about that.
She packed up a few extra items like bottles of water and saddled Sable.
The ride was relaxing. Cade’s spare horse was a sweetheart. Riding a well-behaved horse was like kicking back in a luxury car. She didn’t require much. In fact, Sable almost seemed to know where they were going.
The herd moseying about was her first clue she was close. Her heart rate ticked up a few notches. Not the way it did when Wyatt was near but that feeling a person got when they were watching a horror flick, and the guy with the chainsaw stood behind the unsuspecting victim. Tom always put her on edge.
She moved around the cattle. The sky seemed to grow darker. The first drop of rain fell, hitting her like a bullet, right between the eyes. She looked up and cursed the universe. “Couldn’t you wait another hour?”
The answer came with a crack of lightning and the boom of thunder. Like yesterday, the heavens opened up, and a deluge of rain poured down. She got a glimpse of Tom moving toward the shelter.
“Take cover,” he yelled.
She wanted to scream to the gods. Life was so unfair. It was too soon to enter the last place Wyatt had made love to her. Too soon to relive the embarrassment of being caught, but what choice did she have? She gave Sable a nudge and galloped to the shelter. She pulled Tom’s lunch from her pack and let Sable loose to find refuge.
The first dings of hail sounded on the roof as she dashed inside.
“What a mess.” She shook the rain from her shoulders and looked up. “Wow.” Tom’s face looked like he’d been hit by a truck. “Piss someone off?” She thrust his lunch into his hands and stepped back.
“Your boyfriend rearranged my face, but I got a few in. Seems like I’m always fighting for you.”
All she wanted to do was get out of there, but the noise grew louder, which meant the hail was growing bigger.
“Don’t lie to yourself. You’re not fighting on my behalf. You’re fighting on yours.”
“Why is that, Trin?” He took a step forward. She moved so her back was against the door. “Why do you share your goodies with everyone else and not me?” He grabbed his crotch. “I’ve got a lot to offer.”
“Not interested.”
“Yes, you are.” He tossed the bag to the table and pinned her between his body and the door. “You’re like a dog in heat. You’re not particular. Just needy. I’ve got what you want.”
“That’s your problem, Tom. You think you’re a damn wizard and know what I need. Right now, I need you to step back.”
“If I don’t?” He ground himself against her. The hard rise of his arousal pressed on her hipbone. “You gonna tell your brother? He won’t believe you. You’ve got a reputation.”
Bile rose in her throat. This wasn’t the time to be weak. Her fuse had burned through, and the gunpowder had ignited.
“One you gave to me. Thank you for that. You’ve got a reputation too.” The man had to be a masochist since he continued to torture himself over her. She moved her hand between their bodies and cupped his bulge. “I hear you like it rough.” She gave it a squeeze.
He leaned in until his mouth was at her ear. “I’ll give it to you any way you like it.”
She made sure she had a good grip before she twisted. “The thing is, asshat, I don’t want what you’re offering. I’d rather superglue my vagina shut before I ever let you in.” She twisted until she heard a pop. She was certain she’d fractured his junk. He let out a howl and stumbled back.
It wasn’t smart to enter a storm unprotected, but it was her only chance. She took off out the door into hail the size of small apricots. Each one came at her like a fastball. On the edge of the property near the fence, she curled into a bush, head down, hugging her knees, and rode it out.
Ten minutes of it beating against her back felt like an hour. When the storm passed, she was afraid to look at the damage, afraid that she’d look like she’d been flogged.
With the last of her energy, she whistled, knowing Sable would come. When she did, she swung into the saddle, turned the horse in the right direction, and cried all the way home.
The hoofbeats behind her made her push Sable faster. When she got to the stable, Wyatt was on the porch.
Tom rode in a minute later with a smirk on his face. “You got to love that shelter. Cot’s a little stiff, right, Trin?”
Wyatt looked at her with a question in his eyes.
“If you think that,” she said, “you’re as big an idiot as he is.”
“She couldn’t wait to get her hands on my junk,” Tom bragged.
“That part is true. I grabbed his junk and twisted it so hard he should piss blood for the next week.”
Wyatt winced. He turned to Tom and flipped him off before he stepped off the porch on his way to her. “Three, we need to talk.”
She held up her hand. “Not now. I don’t have it in me to say another word to anyone.”
Painfully, she led Sable into the stable. It took all the strength she had left to pull off the saddle and give her the care she deserved. When she finished, she walked past the bunkhouse and Wyatt, and went straight to Abby’s.
Everything hurt, including her heart. She raised her hand to knock, but Abby opened the door before she connected her knuckles to the wood.
“Oh, holy hell. You got caught in it.” She pulled her inside. “Take off your wet shirt.” Abby ran to her bedroom and came back with jars of cream, a dry shirt, and a pair of sweatpants. “Let me see.”
Trinity winced when she pulled at her blouse. Thankfully it buttoned in front, so all she had to do was shrug it off, but the shrugging was hard. Each time she moved, the feel of a rusty blade dug into her back.
“Oh, honey. Why didn’t you go to the shelter?” Abby dipped three fingers into a jar of gold-colored cream and applied it gently to Trinity’s back.
“I did, but …” She choked back a sob. She was always calm in the storm and waited until she was by herself to fall apart. Only this time she couldn’t postpone her anguish. “The shelter posed a bigger threat than the storm.”
“You need to tell Cade.”
She shook her head. “That’s not our way. I’m a Mosier. I own my shit.” Or I run from it. She thought about Blain’s offer. It looked more appealing each moment. “I handled it.” She hoped to God she’d made Tom a eunuch.
“This is serious.”
Trinity laughed. It was a defense mechanism when things got to be too much. “Seriously good stuff. What are you putting on my back?”
“Go
lden Salve. It’s like magic bee cream.” Abby finished applying the miracle salve and was helping her pull on the dry T-shirt when Cade walked in.
He stopped and stared. “What the hell happened? Tom said you sheltered under a tree with him?”
Trinity grabbed the sweatpants and gave Abby a hug. “Thanks for the help.” She turned to Cade. “Yep, that’s exactly what happened. He hovered over me and protected me because he’s that kind of guy.” She walked out and went straight to the trailer, where she locked the door and cried herself to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Two
He’d sat in the living room all night to make sure Three got home safely. She never returned. He thought maybe she’d slept in the trailer, but the lights never went on. All of his text messages went unanswered.
His last hope was that she’d spent the night at Abby and Cade’s.
Wyatt rose from the weathered chair in the corner and pushed past Tom, who limped into the room. No doubt Three had done a number on him like she’d said.
He shoved him into the wall on his way out of the bunkhouse.
“You’re lucky I don’t kill you. You don’t touch what’s mine and live. Out of respect for Trinity and her brother, I’m holding back.”
Tom stood his ground, but his stoic expression gave way to fear as Wyatt passed. “If I were you, I’d be looking for another job.”
“Don’t forget your place. I’ve been here longer than you.” Wyatt marched toward the cabin, trying to formulate his thoughts. This wasn’t going to work out. Like Three, his loyalties were being tested. A man couldn’t be a servant to several masters. He really had to think about himself. At his age, things weren’t getting easier; they were getting tougher. If he didn’t watch himself, he’d be another Jimmy, throwing himself on the mercy of others. He didn’t fault the old guy for displacing him. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Often the doors you’re not supposed to walk through are closed, leading you closer to the door you are.
One Hundred Choices (An Aspen Cove Novel Book 12) Page 15
