Stetson's Storm

by Kathleen Ball

  Storm shook her head. "How?"

  "You've been running to the restroom pretty regularly now." Nellie laughed and held out her hand to Scotty. "Come on, cow-poke. I'll finish reading the book we started."

  Scotty jumped out of bed and raced out of the room.

  "Must be some book." Stetson cocked one eyebrow.

  "Oh it is. It's about cowboys. You two enjoy." Nellie closed the door behind her.

  "I don't know if I should laugh or cry. We never talked about having more children and I was leaning toward leaving and... Children are a blessing, of course I want more." He put his arms around her, pulling her head to his chest.

  "It's the middle of the day and here we are in bed. I need to get up and give Nellie a hand around the house."

  Stetson laughed. "I'm sure it's fine." Pulling back, he grew serious. "We have a few things to talk about, my sweet."

  Sighing, Storm nodded. "I always seem to be doing the wrong thing. Of course you didn't want to make love to me. I feel disgusted with myself for wanting it."

  Stetson brushed her hair back from her face. "You are a very complex woman. My woman. Don't feel disgusted. I was the one at fault. Who am I to dictate what type of comfort you should have. I was being an ass, but in my defense I thought it was the noble thing to do."

  "Noble hurts my heart. No more noble."

  Stetson heart twisted at the pain he saw in her blue eyes. "I can't promise not to be noble, it's in my DNA. I will however promise to think before I open my big mouth."

  Giving him a ghost of a smile, she seemed at a loss as to what to say.

  "I don't know what to do now. I want to be your comfort, but I don't want to cross any lines or create any more hurts." He held his breath waiting for her response.

  "I feel like I'm jumping out of my skin. I'm hurt and upset and exhilarated all at the same time." Putting her head on his shoulder, she sighed.

  "I can't believe we're having a baby." He felt his eyes tear up. "I missed everything while you were pregnant with Scotty. I can't wait to be a part of this pregnancy."

  Storm stretched up and kissed his eyelids. "The joy outweighs the misery. I'm not going to think about my father anymore today. I do know what I want though."

  Her sultry voice washed over him, making him instantly hard. "Oh yeah? What might that be?"

  "I want to have my way with you, cowboy." Straddling him, she leaned down and kissed him.

  Her lips felt so soft, and he groaned as she put her tongue in his mouth. She tasted like everything wonderful, but most of all she tasted like chocolate chip cookies. "Mm my favorite."

  "What?" She breathed the word into his mouth.

  "You taste so good." Stetson grabbed her waist, intending to lay her under him, but she put her hands over his and shook her head.

  "I can't have my way with you if I'm on the bottom now can I?"

  Stetson's hands stilled and his heart beat faster. "What are we talking about here?"

  Reaching down, she pulled the hem of her shirt up and over her head.

  The black lace bra she wore hid nothing. "Where'd you get that?"

  Smiling, she reached behind her and unhooked it, letting it fall off her breasts. "Nellie took me shopping."

  She unbuttoned his shirt, and began to kiss him up and down his chest. When she got to his jeans she unbuttoned them, continuing in her exploration of his body.

  It became obvious that having her way meant that she was going to torture him. All he wanted was to see if she had matching black panties and take them off her. "If you don't stop that I'm going to explode."

  She gave him a wicked grin. "Am I too much for you?"

  "Hell yes!”

  Storm stood up and unsnapped her jeans, pushing them down. She was indeed wearing matching black lace panties. They didn't hide much either. She turned around and he gulped. It was a thong.

  "Oh God, are you sexy. Get that pretty little ass over here. I have needs you know."

  Storm laughed and stripped off her thong. Climbing on top of him, she smiled.

  He growled loudly as he exploded. He watched as she flung her head back and moaned his name, shuddering in his arms. She put her head on his shoulder.

  "I think I like this having my way thing."

  "I like my way too." Stetson held her and turned them so that he was on top. He couldn't believe he still had enough energy, but he had to have her again.

  Finally satiated, they fell asleep.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The next day, Storm felt less troubled. Watching Stetson, Scotty, and Buck all romp around the yard kept her smiling. She'd just have to get over her hurts. The past was the past. More cattle were missing, not many, but enough to make Stetson livid.

  Holding herself around the middle, she felt at peace. A baby, imagine that. What would it be like to have love and support this time around? Storm had high hopes.

  Dust was rising on the dirt road. Stepping outside, she had to shield her eyes from the blazing sun with her hand. It looked like Joe's truck. Something was wrong, he wasn't a fast driver.

  Stetson noticed too. He carried Scotty to the front porch and stood beside her.

  The door behind her squeaked as it opened and soon Nellie was at her other side. "I wonder what's wrong?" Her voice quavered, prompting Storm to put her arm around her.

  The truck came to a skidding stop and Joe practically flew out the door. "McCrory's been arrested for Smitty's death."

  "No, it can be." Storm's heart seemed to have stopped.

  "Well hell. I don't like the man, but he's no killer." Stetson handed Scotty to Storm. "I need to make a few calls."

  "Daddy said hell. You're not supposed to say hell." Scotty looked very serious.

  "You are right, kiddo. No dessert for him tonight." Storm ruffled his blond curls and put him down. He was off like a shot with Buck at his feet.

  Joe kissed Nellie. "You two mamas need to get off your feet."

  "Not until—" Storm started.

  "Just sit and I'll tell you what I know. You sure are stubborn, Storm Scott."

  Both women sat on the wooden porch chairs, looking expectantly at Joe. "Seems they have a witness. That Sam Evers, his new foreman, says he saw the whole thing. Never did like that Evers. No good if you ask me."

  "If Evers said it, then it's not true. He was one of the first to say that he might be Scotty's father. He harassed me to no end. Why though? I just don't understand."

  The screen door opened again and Stetson joined them, leaning against the porch railing. "I have an idea why. Evers has been our main suspect in the cattle rustling. I sat down with Garrett and Stamos the other day with all my father's files, and while it is true that McCrory basically bled him dry, there still are a lot of cattle unaccounted for."

  "Stetson, Chrissy is with Sam. She can't be safe with him." Storm bit her lip in worry.

  Stetson ran his fingers through his hair. "She's been fine so far. She's not my main concern. You are."

  Storm gasped. "Why me? I'm perfectly fine."

  "Now this is all rumor and Joe can back me on that." Joe nodded. "Your father put Evers in his will in the case of his and your death."

  "Who would be so stupid?" Nellie asked.

  "It sounds like some sort of blackmail." Joe stood up. "I've got to go figure out how we lost that cattle. They didn't use the canyon; I have that place guarded. Let me know if you hear anything." He pulled Nellie up into his arms and kissed her. He hung on to her for a moment before he let her go. "Love you."

  "Love you too."

  Storm scooted to the edge of her chair. "Okay, what's the plan?"

  "Plan? Oh no, you are not getting involved. I don't want either of you doing one damned thing."

  "No dessert for two nights," Scotty called.

  Storm's lips twitched. "You swore twice."

  Stetson grinned. "Darn, I like dessert. I'm going into town to talk to your father, alone."

  Storm knew when she was beat. Besides, she
could wait for Stetson to leave and she and Nellie could come up with a plan. Maybe she'd call Callie and Joy.

  Joy shook her head. She placed her teacup down on the kitchen table. "I'm all for finding out the truth, but never quote me on this: maybe the men are right."

  Callie brushed a piece of blonde hair out of her eyes. "What the heck? Joy, have you gone all girly on me? Come on, we're strong intelligent women, surely we can figure out what Sam Evers is up to."

  Joy glanced at Callie then at Storm. Finally her gaze rested on Nellie. "I just want to be sure that we don't get hurt. Nellie looks like she's about to pop."

  Nellie blushed. "I'm not due for three more months. Besides, Storm is now my sister and I want to help."

  Storm smiled at them. She felt blessed to have such good friends. She knew how lonely life could be without anyone to talk to, anyone to count on. "I'm not proposing we take any action. Well, at least not yet. Maybe Callie could happen to befriend Chrissy or something. We need more info."

  "Ha! That's the spirit!" Callie gave Joy an 'I told you so' look. "I'm on it. I have to tell you, it's an assignment I'm not looking forward to. She's loco."

  Storm stood up and paced the kitchen a few times. She'd felt as though her past, her father, would never be behind her. "Don't take any chances, but maybe we could each find out what the men are up to. You know as well as I they are planning something. We need the skinny on Sam. He has some hold over my father and I'd like to know what it is. Stetson said Sam won't be happy until both my father and I are dead. That's not happening."

  Joy jumped up and gave Storm a quick hug. "I'm in. Don't you worry, we'll get this all figured out."

  Storm smiled warmly at her friend. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

  She knew he was there before he even spoke. She could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck. She hoped he didn't hear much.

  "What's all the thanks for?" He tipped his hat. "Ladies, nice to see you. Did my wife happen to mention she's pregnant?"

  Callie smiled at him. "Of course she told us, that's what the thanks are for. Between Joy and me, we have a mountain of baby clothes for both her and Nellie."

  Storm was so glad that she wasn't facing her husband at the moment. The corners of her mouth curved upward as though she wanted to laugh.

  Callie stood and stepped on Storm's foot. That made her stop smiling. "Well I guess we should get back to our roosts."

  "Thank you both for inviting us to tea." Joy kissed both Nellie and Storm on the cheek.

  "I'll call with the info on the baby things." Callie waved as she followed Joy out the door.

  Storm turned and studied Stetson. Either he knew what they were up to or he had his own secret. Too afraid to ask, she went to him and kissed his whiskered cheek. "You are too handsome for your own good."

  Grinning widely, he took her into his arms and hugged her. "Better be about baby things," he whispered.

  "You worry too much. What happened in town? How's my father? Oh God, I can't believe I even care, but I do."

  "That's because you have a big heart," Nellie said, right before she left the room.

  Storm rubbed herself against Stetson. She could feel every hard tight plane of his body. "We're alone in the kitchen."

  "True."

  "You haven't ever wanted to have sex in the kitchen?"

  Shaking his head he looked at her adoringly. "Right now I'm thinking about it, but since we don't live alone it wouldn't be a good idea. Besides, I'm onto you. You just want to distract me with that delectable body of yours."

  Putting her hand over her mouth to stem her laughter didn't help. Finally she looked at him. "Did it work?"

  The next day, Nellie and Storm toiled in the fall vegetable garden. They wanted to get it done early in the day before it got too warm. The pumpkins were starting to turn from green to a deep orange.

  "I don't know why you insisted on coming out here." Storm glanced at Nellie. "You should be taking it easy."

  "I'm pregnant, not sick. Besides, I like gardening, don't you?"

  She thought about lying but why bother? "No, I don't like worms."

  Nellie laughed. "You spend more than half your life outside; surely you know worms won't hurt you."

  "I don't care. They are slimy creatures that pop up from the dirt when you least expect it."

  The sound of hooves riding hard stole their attention. Storm watched Nellie put her hands on her lower back and stretch. Joe's horse was easy enough to recognize, but Joe wasn't riding it.

  "What in the world. Who is that?" Nellie grabbed Storm's hand, squeezing it tight. "Where do you suppose Joe is?"

  Storm put her arm around Nellie's trembling body. "It's Benji from Stamos and Joy's place."

  Benji was known as the gentle giant. He'd been hit in the head by a prison guard and ended up mentally impaired.

  "Miss Nellie! There's been trouble. Joe sent me. Told me to say that you are not to worry and..." Benji scrunched up his face as though he was trying to think. "He wants you all to be ready when Mr. Garrett comes to get you."

  Storm's hand was now being squeezed painfully. "Benji, get down and tell us what happened."

  Benji swung down from Joe's horse. If she hadn't already known that he was a big teddy bear, she'd be frightened. Benji was a massive man.

  "Miss Myrtle, she all dead now. Mr. Garrett will keep you safe."

  Storm gasped. She'd known Myrtle all her life. She'd been like a mother to her, except for when she'd been kicked out of the house. When they'd see each other in town, Myrtle would give her a look of longing and then turn away. It had hurt. It just reinforced that she was a throw away person.

  Nellie let go of Storm and grabbed Benji's arm. "Joe is all right?"

  "Of course he is. He sent me. Let me ride his horse and everything!" Benji flashed a big smile.

  Storm grabbed her cellphone from her pocket and hit speed dial. It rang a few times and then went to voicemail. Of all times, she hung up without leaving a message.

  Garrett's truck could be seen in the distance. Storm wondered what happened. She prayed fervently that Myrtle died in her sleep, but her gut told her she hadn't.

  Garrett parked in front of the farmhouse. Getting out, he put a smile on his face. It was easy enough for Storm to see past the smile to the worry he harbored.

  "Good job, Benji. Where's the munchkin?"

  "Scotty is napping." The slamming of the screen door and robust barking soon disputed her claim.

  Garrett crouched down until he was at eye level with Scotty. "I'm here to take you to my house for a bit."

  "Yeah! Can Buck come too?"

  "You bettcha. Nellie, I need you to come with me too."

  Storm was surprised. "Not me?"

  "Would you come?"

  "No."

  "Stetson told me you'd refuse. He'll be here in a few." His gaze locked with hers. He looked upset.

  Storm longed to question him, but didn't. She didn't want Scotty to know something was wrong. Instead she picked up her young son and put him in the truck with Buck at his side. Kissing him, she hoped all would be fine.

  "You be a good boy and have a ton of fun."

  "Bye, Mommy." He giggled as Storm kissed his neck.

  Storm and Nellie exchanged worried glances and gave each other encouraging smiles. She stood in the yard waving. Storm's heart tightened excruciatingly, and she felt as though she couldn't quite catch her breath.

  Running inside, she headed straight for the gun safe in Stetson's office. Luckily she knew the combination. She opened it, grabbed a rifle, and checked to see if it was loaded. Grabbing more ammo, she shoved her jeans pockets full.

  Now it was time to wait. Storm went out the front door, and sat down on one of the wooden porch chairs. Her hands trembled as she thought of the possibilities. Damn Sam Evers! He probably killed Smitty. What had happened to Myrtle?

  Slowing her breathing, she tried to calm herself. She wouldn't be able to shoot Sam full of holes if her hands wer
e shaking.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Staring down the drive, Storm finally calmed herself. The not knowing what happened to Myrtle scared her. She tried to call Stetson, but all she got was his voicemail. What in the world could be going on? Damn her stubborn hide! She wished she'd gone with Scotty and Nellie.

  She needed to change her thinking. Somehow she equated needing or accepting help with weakness. She was standing in her own way. It was a necessary way to be when she was alone and vulnerable, but she was married now. She had Stetson, and many friends.

  So lost in thought, she failed to hear an approaching horse until an arrow just missed her head. She ducked and dropped to the ground. She could still feel the swoosh of air on her cheek that the arrow had made before it became embedded into the house.

  Now she heard the sound of a horse galloping away. Still, she waited on the porch floor. Just because the horse left didn't mean the rider left too.

  Saying a quick prayer, she slowly rose up enough to barely see over the bushes, her rifle at hand. Her heart beat so hard she could hear its echo. Scanning the yard, she failed to locate anyone. Staying low, she slowly made her way inside.

  With rifle in hand, she checked the doors and windows. She pulled a chair into the hallway that led from the front door to the back door in the kitchen. She'd be able to guard both doors at once.

  She refused to think about how close that had been. She needed her thoughts on survival. She had so much to live for, especially Scotty and the baby.

  The waiting became unbearable. Finally, she heard a truck pull into the drive. She didn't dare leave her post to see who it was. She'd have to wait until they were at the door. She took a deep breath and bit her bottom lip. Please, please let it be Stetson.

  Opening the front door, Stetson was shocked when he was greeting by the barrel of a rifle. He immediately grabbed it, and aimed it at the ceiling instead of him.

  Storm looked awfully white. Her eyes were wide open, and she appeared terrified. "I'm glad you're alright."