Her black sweater has flour dust on the lower half, and Gram’s red and white cherry apron covers a pair of distressed jeans.
I don’t even try to hide my feelings towards her anymore. “God, you’re perfect,” I say to her as I walk in and kiss her on the cheek.
She giggles and dips her head towards the ground. “I’m far from it. Come on in. You can help.”
As soon as we step foot into the kitchen, our mothers look at us and then back to each other, devious smiles play upon their lips. I know those smiles. Something’s up, I’m just not sure which one started it.
“What?” Presley and I say in unison.
“Oh, don’t mind us.”
“Mom? What did you do?” Presley asks, some hesitation in her voice.
“We were wondering how long it’s gonna take.”
“Take for what exactly?”
“For you two to give Tina and me grandbabies.”
Presley throws her apron on the floor with a shout, but honestly, I’d be lying if I said the same thought hadn’t crossed my mind.
“For fuck’s sake! Will you give it a rest already?”
Damn, she’s cute when she’s mad.
“Robert, I don’t think we’re needed here anymore.” She turns to look at me, fury raging behind her eyes, “Wanna go for a ride?”
“Presley, it’s like thirty degrees outside.”
“So?” she glares at her mother, “I can’t be in the same house as her right now.” She storms out of the kitchen, and as I follow behind, our mothers continue the conversation and laughter as I reach the door. I still manage to hear bits of it as I linger at the door for just a split second longer.
“Yes, she’s still a virgin. Fifty bucks say those two are at it before prom.” Really, Tina?
“Seventy-five says it’s after prom but before graduation.” Mom?
“Are you two honestly betting on your children?” Finally, someone with some decency. “I want in on this.” Jesus Christ, Gramps?
“Diane, I love your son, but if he breaks her heart, I’ll break his kneecaps.”
“You’re on.”
“You’re both gonna lose, might as well pay the old man now.” Gram too? Is nothing sacred in this house?
Chapter Ten
I’m beyond furious. Anger clouds my vocabulary to the point I can't think clearly. My mother has zero boundaries. What happens between Robert and me is that, between Robert and me. It’s bad enough that Gramps walked in on that conversation, but then for her to start it back up again with Diane. There is nothing about me that screams open book.
The cold air has little effect on me as my temper rages. I can't think straight. Standing in the middle of the driveway, I throw my head back and let out a piercing scream, snowflakes landing on my cheeks as I throw my head back, allowing my voice to fill the vast void of the countryside before taking off to nowhere in particular. Who the hell does she think she is letting everyone in on my business?
“Presley!” I hear Robert running after me. “Hey, slow down for a minute, would you?”
Robert pulls back on my arm, slowing me down from a full-on power walk to a standstill. As I catch my breath, realizing I didn’t grab a jacket before storming out of the house, I shiver against the cold northern wind as a storm system begins to make its way through our area.
“Fuck, it’s cold out here.”
“I thought you said you wanted to go for a ride?” He smirks while pulling me into him, my arms sliding under his jacket as he pulls the open flaps around me, barely covering my back. “Pres, all that in there,” he gestures to the house with his head, “it’s fine. Our mothers are batshit crazy and there’s nothing we can do to stop them. It’s just who they are. They were looking to see which one of us would crack first, and you princess, cracked like thin ice.”
I let go a deep-seated sigh, resting my head on his chest.
“I’m here, and I’ve got you, okay?”
How is it he always knows the right things to say, talking me back from the ledge I seem to tiptoe too close to.
“Here is where I’m supposed to be Presley, and nothing those two in there can say is gonna change my mind. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
I look up at him as he cradles my face in his hands. His touch is feather-light compared to the grasp he had on me moments before. As he grazes my lips, I no longer hold back my tears.
“You’re wrong, Robert. You are leaving. I’m leaving. When senior year is over then what? We chalk this whole thing up to a beautiful memory, go on with our own lives and settle for the next best thing? I can't do that! I can’t do this! This was wrong. This is wrong. I should have never gotten involved with you.” I pull away from him and quicken my pace towards the barn, snow crunching beneath my feet.
“You don’t mean that, Presley. I know you don’t,” he calls after me.
“You’re wrong, Robert! I do!”
I hear him start to follow after me, and I quickly turn back around, standing there, watching him make his way closer to me.
“I’m going to South Carolina, and you’re going to Ole Miss. How are we supposed to make it work, Robert? You’ll have girls like Heather, throwing themselves at you, and I’ll become the jealous girlfriend. I don’t want that! I don’t want to become someone who is always questioning you, where you are, who you’re with. You’ll hate me!”
“So don’t.”
“I know myself, Robert! I love you too much to share you!”
No. No. No. My eyes widen in horror. My hands instantly fly to cover my mouth at my confession but it’s too late, the damage is done.
I told Robert I loved him. I have to get out of here. I have to run. I told myself I wanted a low-key senior year. Get in, finish, and get out. Nowhere in my plans was finding my best friend again and falling for him.
I take off in a sprint towards the barn and start getting one of the horses saddled up. I don’t care which one it is; I need to get out of here fast.
“Presley,” Robert chases after me. “Presley. Stop.” He begins reaching out for me, but I move to dodge his grasp. “Presley, don’t run away from this. Don’t run away from me.”
As I round the horse, putting some distance between us, I throw my foot in the stirrup and spur the horse forward, finishing my mount as he takes off through the open door. Between the snow and the tears stinging my eyes, I can't see anything. It doesn’t matter; nothing matters anymore.
“Mom!” I hear Robert calling out as I near the edge of the woods. “Mom! Tina!” I can faintly hear him calling for help as I spur the horse on faster, and then I’m out of earshot.
Chapter Eleven
“Mom! Mom! Tina!” I run frantically towards the house; they meet me outside, eyes wide with bewilderment.
“Robert, what’s gotten into you. Where’s Presley?” Tina’s voice is high pitched and worried as she rubs her arms in an attempt to ward off the cold.
“She’s gone!”
“Boy, what do you mean she’s gone?” Gramps’s tone is gritty and distressed.
“Exactly what I said. She freaked out, grabbed the black mare, and rode off.”
“Oh my God! This is all my fault. I should have dropped the issue when she asked me to. I wanted her to know she could talk to us about the two of you. I want her to know everything she was feeling and going through was normal. I wanted her to be safe.”
Mom wraps Tina in a tight embrace, “We’ll find her. She couldn’t have gone far.” I know just how wrong that statement is. The horse Presley rode off on is one of the fastest on the ranch; also, one of the most stubborn, and Presley’s not an experienced rider.
“Boy, saddle up. You’re coming with me. There are only two places that horse would go in this weather. You’re going to one, and I’m going to the other. Tina, you stay here in case she comes back.”
“Dad, she’s my daughter. I’m coming with you.”
“Like hell, you are. When was the last time you saddled up and
went out in those woods? Landmarks change. You don’t know those woods anymore. The last thing I need is two of you lost. You’ll stay here, and if she comes back, call Diane; she’ll radio to us.” The deep rasp in Gramps’s voice left no question who was in charge. “Diane, grab the walkies and follow us in the truck.” He looks out in the direction Presley took off in, “The snows coming down fast and heavy. It won't be long before her tracks are covered. Robert. Diane. Let’s go.”
Gramps and I quickly saddle up our horses and head out. His stoic demeanor breaks, and I see the worry in his eyes.
“Gramps, she doesn’t have anything warm on,” I say as our horses take their first steps in the fresh snow, pulling my collar up around my neck.
He spurs his horse on faster while shouting back, “Then we better get to her soon.”
Kicking my horse faster, I follow Gramps into the woods. The thick branches seem to slow the snowfall, but Presley’s tracks have already started disappearing.
“You go to the cave at Chisolm Pass. I’ll go on up further to the old mining caverns. Radio if you find her.”
“Yes, sir.” I pull the reigns to lead down another path and spur my horse, allowing her to go as fast as she can. The cave’s opening is in a low valley with mountains surrounding it. Hopefully, if she went there, the snow should be a little lighter and the wind not as strong.
Forty-five minutes later, I come across Presley’s horse. I dismount and tie mine up before slowly walking over to it. The last thing I want to do is spook her horse and have it take off in this weather.
I grab the reigns and pat the mare’s neck, looking around, scanning the horizon. “Hey girl. Hey, where’s Presley?” Spinning in circles, everything is white and untouched. “Come on, girl. Where’s she at?” I look down and see a couple drops of blood. Quickly looking the horse over, I don’t see where it could have come from. There’s nothing there. Not even a scratch. It has to be Presley’s.
I follow the drops a little further, stopping at the edge of a steep decline. The ground’s been disturbed. Holding onto the mare’s reigns, I make my way slowly down the bluff. Where is she? She should be here. I look to my left, nothing. I look to my right; she’s lying on her side in a small stream that hasn’t frozen over yet. Her clothes are soaking wet, and she has a deep gash on her head.
“Presley!” Dropping the reigns, I rush over to her. She’s ice cold. Her lips are a blue hue, her breath is slow, and she’s unconscious. Picking her up out of the stream, I look around and know there’s no way I can get her up the hill by myself, but I need to get her out of the cold.
This place looks familiar, though. Sure, it’s been a couple of years, but I’m almost positive this is where Marcus and I used to play together, catching frogs and looking at Marcus’s dad’s Hustler magazines that he would sneak out of the house when we got older.
“Come on, where is it?” I frantically search for the cave opening I know should be close. “Fuck!” It’s taking too long to find, and Presley continues to be exposed.
As I’m about to give up, I see an opening about forty feet away. Yes! Thank God. Carrying her bridal style, I run into the cave and immediately strip her down, making sure to be careful of her head.
“I’m sorry, Presley. I always figured the first time I saw you naked would be because we both wanted to take that next step. Now I’m trying to save your life beautiful.”
I pull my beanie off and pull it down tightly over her head. My frozen fingers fumble with the button on her jeans and trying to untie the laces on her snow boots is excruciating. As soon as she’s out of her clothes, I place my jacket over her. I sit down in the dirt as far back in the cave as I can go, shirt unbuttoned, and pulling her into me. Cradling her as best as I can, I pull her knees into my chest and rest her head in the crook of my neck, throwing my jacket back over us again and start to rub her body, creating any friction I can.
Dear Lord, if you’re out there, please don’t take her. Please don’t take her from me. I promise always to make sure she knows how much I love her. Please give me another shot at this. I just got her back. Please don’t take her from me.
“Come on, Presley. Hang in there. I love you, Presley. I love you so damn much.”
I don’t know how long we’ve been in the cave, but I eventually hear yelling.
“Robert!” Gramps. Thank God, he found us.
“Robert! Where are you, boy?”
“Here! Help!” I can only hope my voice was loud enough to make it out past the cave opening. I hear the sound of ice crunching; the stream was freezing over.
“Help! We’re in here!” Gramps’s head peers around one of the outside rocks.
“Sweet Jesus, boy!”
“She’s alive.”
“You saved my peanuts life, boy.” I see him wipe away a tear.
“Radio Mom. Tell her we’re in the cave Marcus and I used to play in. She’ll know where we’re at. Make sure she brings blankets and has the heat on high.”
He nods and makes his way out of the cave to get a better radio signal. Several minutes later, he comes back with Mom.
“Oh, my baby boy! I was so worried about you.”
“I’m fine, Mom.”
She rushes over to us, blankets in hand while Gramps hangs back at the entrance. “I’m sorry Gramps, but she’s kinda—I didn’t know what else to do; her clothes were soaking.”
“You did good, boy. You help your momma, and I’ll get the horses ready.”
“I’ll ride back with you.”
He nods and walks back into the snow. Mom and I wrap up Presley tight, and I carry her to the truck; with Mom’s help, I lay her down across the back seat.
“Robert?” Presley whimpers out.
“Shhh—rest baby girl.” I kiss her forehead and close the door. “Mom, I’ll see you back at the house. Be easy with her, will you?”
“I’ll make sure she gets inside safe and sound. Be careful young man.”
“I will.”
Chapter Twelve
Gramps and I make our way slowly back to the ranch. The snow has tapered off, and we’re both exhausted.
“You love her, don’t you.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Does she know?”
Shaking my head. “No, sir. I don’t think she does.”
“Then you better not waste any more time before you tell her.”
“Yes, sir.”
We ride in silence a little while longer, tension thick between us.
“Sir?”
“Boy?”
“When did you know you found the one? How old were you?”
“Is that what you think she is? The one?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Boy, age has nothing to do with it. I found Presley’s grandma when we were five years old. I had the flu, and she begged her momma to teach her how to make chicken noodle soup so she could bring me some. She’s been taking care of me ever since. Today you put her life before your own, boy. Not many men would do that at your age.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You’re a damn fool, but a fool I would love to see my granddaughter marry one day. Sure, she’s stubborn, hardheaded, and has a temper hotter than chili pepper.” He chuckles a little, and I nod my head in agreement with his description of her.
“Are you trying to sell me on her?” I laugh.
His tone sounds serious again, “But that girl will give you more than you could ever dare to dream of.”
We finally break through the woods, and the house comes into view.
“Go on. She needs you right now, and I can tell you need her as much. I’ll put the horses away.”
I walk into the house, past both our mothers who give me knowing glances, and quietly open her bedroom door.
She’s been cleaned up and dressed. A gauze bandage covers her injury, and she’s resting under a multitude of blankets. I remove my wet clothes, and eased my way under the blankets, curling myself around her body as she curled into
me. “I love you, Presley Elizabeth.”
“I love you too, Robert Lucas.”
Gently kissing her bandage, I breathe her in as I fall asleep to the murmur of her heartbeat.
*****
I awake and feel a set of strong arms holding me. It’s light outside, and I can vaguely make out the sun’s position through my closed blinds. I roll over, and my heart skips a beat as I stare at the overprotective man holding me as if his life depended on it. How did I get here? Why is he in my bed?
The last thing I remember was telling Robert I loved him and then running from my admission. It was snowing, and I couldn’t make out the trail in front of me. A tree branch caught me off guard and I fell off my horse. I touch my head where a dull pain lingers letting out a whispered curse. Robert begins to stir but doesn’t wake up. He only moves to pull me closer into him, draping a leg over mine.
My mother is going to kill me, and Gramps, oh Gramps is going to murder him for sneaking into my room. “Robert!” I whisper as I shake him. “Robert, you have to get up. My mother is going to kill me if she catches you in here, and you don’t even want to know what Gramps will do.” I push on him harder with more urgency. “Please, Robert.”
“It’s fine,” he mumbles, his voice cloaked in sleep.
“It is not fine. This is not okay.”
“Presley, I saved your life yesterday. The things I could get away with now—” He grins and rolls his body on top of mine, settling in between my legs; his erection presses hard against my thigh; my mind drifting to a place it’s never been before. He places open-mouth, sucking kisses against my jawline, working his way down my neck and across my collarbone. Goosebumps appear everywhere his lips touch and I giggle as his rough stubble tickles me. His weight against me feels incredible as his hand dips under my sleep shirt, slowly inching up my side, as his thumb rubs the underside of my breast, igniting a fire in my core as I spread my legs wider for him, allowing him to settle deeper against me.
“Presley, honey? Are you awake?” My mother knocks on the door and I push Robert off me and onto the floor.
Tag You're Mine Page 6
