His Reluctant Cowboy

by A. D. Ellis

  “Remember, not because I don’t want you there, but wait for my word so I can rest easy knowing you’re coming when it’s safe,” Walker reminded.

  “All the better reason to kick you out so you can get back to the ranch and sort it all out.” Rachel’s eyes sparkled. “I need to give notice on this place, get boxes, inform doctors, inquire about another branch at my bank…oh my, there’s just so much to do.” She clasped her hands. “You two have made an old woman very happy.”

  “Old, right,” Reid scoffed before pulling her into a hug. “Text or call if you want to make plans or have questions. You, Norma, and I should set up weekly lunch dates or something.”

  “Perfect,” Rachel returned his hug before turning to embrace Walker. “Be careful, you hear? Don’t try to be the hero. I know you love that ranch, but you and the humans working and living there are a thousand times more important than the land or animals. Remember that.”

  “Will do.” Walker hugged her tight. “Let me know if you need help with anything here. I can come over or find someone to help.”

  Rachel whispered, “He’s amazing, I love him, and I love you. Seeing you happy makes my heart happy.”

  Reid took his leave and walked to the door. “I’ll be in the car.” He left Walker in his grandmother’s arms.

  “I love him so damn much,” Walker choked out. “I don’t even know how it happened. I wasn’t even looking, had no plans to love someone again. He wasn’t even pursuing me, didn’t even know I was gay. It all just hit so suddenly.” He shuddered. “I tried like hell to fight it, but my heart wouldn’t let go.”

  “Our plans are nothing when it comes to love and what the heart wants.” Rachel kissed his cheek and wiped away a tear. “Love him, be happy, and live your life. Be blessed.”

  “Thanks,” Walker said. “Love you and see you soon.”

  “Drive safe,” Rachel ordered as he walked to the door.

  “Lock up behind me,” Walker commanded.

  “Always.” Rachel gave him a little shove out the door and turned the deadbolt before watching out the window as they drove away.

  “I love your grandma,” Reid whispered as he crawled completely naked into the hotel bed and straddled an equally naked Walker, “but I love you even more.” Quickly slicking himself with lube from the bedside table, Reid reached behind himself, grasped Walker’s throbbing length, and pressed the head against his hole.

  “Funny,” Walker gritted out as Reid’s tight heat engulfed him, “I love her too, but I love you even more. Or at least differently.” His breath caught on a grunt as he rocked his hips and slid the rest of the way into Reid’s ass. Walker gripped Reid’s hips and held tight as Reid rode him slowly and sensually. “God, I love to watch you ride my dick. Come for me,” Walker commanded.

  Reid grasped his cock and jacked himself in rhythm to his ass on Walker’s length. When Walker’s speed increased, Reid stroked himself faster until he moaned and painted his release all over Walker’s chest before collapsing, letting Walker piston hard and fast until Walker roared and filled Reid’s ass with his load.

  16

  "Wes?" Walker's gruff voice rumbled into the phone as he roused from sleep the next morning.

  "Boss, we got a problem," Wes answered.

  Reid rolled over to listen to the conversation as Walker flipped the phone to speaker.

  "Figured as much since you're calling so early." Walker sat up. "What's the problem?"

  "One of the horses has gone down," Wes replied. "Vet's here, sitting with the animal now. He thinks it may be poisoning of some sort."

  Walker and Reid shot from the bed and began throwing their belongings into bags as the conversation continued.

  "Which horse?" Reid asked as he pulled a shirt over his head.

  "Buttercup," Wes stated.

  Reid and Walker shared a distraught glance.

  Reid accepted the soft hand on his shoulder and dropped his chin to his chest.

  "We'll be on the road within thirty minutes," Walker advised. "Keep us updated if the situation changes." Walker disconnected the call and tossed the phone onto the bed. “Fuck,” he whispered into the silence of the room.

  "How often does a horse recover from a poisoning?" Reid asked with a frown as he finished dressing, packing, and then headed to the bathroom.

  "When a big animal goes down, it's hard to get it back up. Injury to a horse is near lethal at times." Walker shook his head. "Don't know about poisoning. Never had an animal poisoned, but I'd have to venture the outcome isn't great."

  "I thought as much," Reid murmured and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  The men loaded the truck and headed toward Pine Ridge.

  “You want to stop for food?” Walker asked.

  “No, not even hungry,” Reid answered quickly. “Just want to get home and see Buttercup.”

  Walker reached for Reid’s hand. “Babe, I know you bonded with Buttercup, but you probably should prepare for the worst in this situation.”

  Reid sighed. “I know. I just want to be with her.”

  They were silent for several miles.

  “God damn it, this is all my fault,” Reid muttered as he bounced a fist off the window.

  Walker shot a look his way. “Whoa, how do you figure that?”

  “If I’d refused the ranch, sold it to my dad, sold it to anyone, none of this would be happening.” Reid ran a hand over his face.

  “Stop,” Walker commanded. “Don’t think that for even a second more. I don’t think you had the option of refusing the ranch based on Jack’s wishes in his will. Selling to your father would have guaranteed the death, literally and figuratively, of most of the animals and employees. Selling to anyone else would have had the same outcome. You staying on at the ranch likely gave the whole place and all the people the best chance at making it through the loss of our beloved owner. So stop that blame shit right now.”

  Reid gritted his teeth and leaned forward, head in hands. “I’m just so fucking mad. My dad is not a good person, but I never thought he’d stoop to killing animals to get his way.” He moved his hands to grip fistfuls of his hair. “The fact that he likely knows he’s hurting me in the process is just the icing on the cake.”

  “I’m sorry,” Walker offered. “What’s happening sucks, but it’s not your fault, and I’m glad to have you by my side through it.”

  They arrived at the ranch and met a barn full of concerned faces.

  Norma hugged them both and Wes stepped forward.

  “Doc thinks Buttercup got into some wilted Red Maple leaves,” Wes explained.

  “Not possible, all the Red Maple trees on the property were cut down.” Walker shook his head. “We keep an eye out to make sure that type of tree doesn’t grow where the horses can get to the leaves, wilted or not.”

  Wes nodded. “I agree.” He glanced toward the area where the vet was set up to diagnose, observe, and assist Buttercup. “We all know wilted Red Maple leaves are extremely toxic to horses, but there aren’t any around here, so where did it come from? Buttercup was lethargic, pale yellow gums, refused to eat, breathing heavy. I didn’t know what was up, but Doc ran through the list of signs and symptoms and it fits Red Maple.”

  “What’s the prognosis?” Reid crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Doc said as little as a pound or two of the leaves can be fatal, but he’s not sure if the animal ingested that much,” Wes explained. “He’s started intravenous fluids. Blood transfusion isn’t out of the question, but not for sure right now. Doc says we likely got treatment early enough Buttercup could survive.”

  “Where did she pasture last?” Walker asked.

  “That’s just it, Boss,” Wes continued. “She didn’t go out to pasture. I rode her to check the fence line one day, definitely no Red Maple. Took her out to round up some of the cattle another day. And yesterday we exercised her in the arena before a storm rolled in. She’s not been out to pasture in at least three days.”

&nbs
p; “So that means someone fed her the leaves,” Reid concluded.

  “Seems like it,” Wes agreed.

  “Call the police. I want them here for statements, photographs, everything.” Walker reached for Reid’s hand. “Let’s talk to Doc, see what he knows right now.”

  Doctor Litel didn’t have much more to tell the men than what Wes had shared. “I am pretty sure we caught it early enough that she could pull through. Pretty much a wait and see right now. She won’t be out of the woods for a day or so. We’ll keep the fluids running and have blood on standby if needed.”

  “Will she recover completely if she lives?” Reid asked.

  “Really no way of knowing that,” Doc shrugged and ran a hand over Buttercup’s nose as they both sat on the floor. “She’s a strong animal, so she has that going for her.”

  “Tell us what to watch for,” Walker commanded, “then go grab some food at the house. Norma will fix you up.”

  “Gentlemen, my legs are so fast asleep I will definitely take you up on that.” Doc Litel scribbled down some numbers on a chart before unfolding himself from the barn floor. “If her heartrate goes up or down more than five to ten points, get me back in here. If she gets agitated or looks like she’s seizing, give me a call. Other than that, she’s got about two hours left on that fluid before I’ll start more. I’ll be back in a bit. Gonna eat, make some calls, and do a little more research into Red Maple.”

  “Don’t leave without speaking to the police,” Walker told Doc. “Wes is calling them. I want this all reported. Along with the two cattle found with their throats cut. We reported that incident, as well, but I want to make sure it’s all connected in the reports.”

  Reid gently lowered himself to the floor, talking quietly to Buttercup. “Hey, baby girl,” he cooed as he softly rubbed her velvety nose. “I’m so sorry, sweet girl.”

  Buttercup snorted softly and nudged Reid’s hand. By the time Walker joined them on the barn floor, Reid had maneuvered himself so that Buttercup’s head was on his lap.

  “That can’t be comfortable,” Walker murmured.

  Reid shrugged. “She’s uncomfortable thanks to my dad, least I can do is let her lean on me.”

  “Well, here, let me sit behind you so you can rest on me,” Walker ordered as he moved behind Reid.

  When the men and their horse were situated, all three gave a somewhat contented sigh.

  “Look at you,” Walker teased. “You were scared to death of horses when you first came here and now you’re snuggling with one.”

  Reid chuckled. “Okay, so not all horses are evil. Cinnamon and Buttercup are my girls.”

  “Are those the only ones?”

  “The jury is still out on that,” Reid replied. “The bigger and more fierce a horse looks, the more likely I am to be scared to death of them.”

  “We’ll keep working on it.” Walker nuzzled his nose again Reid’s ear. “No ranch owner, boyfriend, or partner of mine is going to be scared of horses.”

  Reid snorted. “Whatever. We’ll see.”

  “You’ll see, I’m right,” Walker claimed. “You wouldn’t even walk in the barn not long ago. You’re making massive progress. I’ll convince you that horses are kind and gentle if you just give them the chance.”

  They were silent for several moments, seemingly lost in thought.

  “What’s your read on Doc? Seems that he’s worried, but has hope.” Reid lay back on Walker’s chest, but his hand didn’t stop gently rubbing Buttercup’s snout and neck.

  “I agree.” Walker kissed the side of Reid’s head. “I don’t get the feeling Doc thinks she’s completely out of the woods, but he seems sure that it was caught early enough that she could recover completely, or at least survive.”

  “Don’t get me wrong, I want her to survive,” Reid whispered, “but what type of life does a horse have if they aren’t completely recovered?”

  “We’d make sure she’s comfortable.” Walker rubbed Reid’s arm. “Whatever level of recovery she reaches, we’ll make sure she feels needed and reaches her potential. She’ll have a good life no matter what.”

  Reid was quiet for a moment. “That’s one of the reasons I love you, you’re so very good all the way to your core.” He turned his head and looked up at Walker. “Animals, people, they’re all so lucky to know you.” He used his free hand to pull Walker’s lips close to his before whispering, “And I’m the luckiest of all to call you mine.”

  “Always and forever,” Walker murmured, his lips touching Reid’s gently.

  When the kiss dissolved, Reid asked, “Will the police take this seriously?”

  “Yes, without a doubt,” Walker assured him. “There’s not a ton of crime around here, so they’ll be very interested for one. Plus, I’ve got several friends on the force. And I’m friends with a lot of very influential people in town. No one will be okay with this. We stick together around here. Doc Phips is probably already organizing an angry mob.”

  “I hope they can catch the person or people responsible quickly.” Reid shuddered. “I can’t stand the thought of more animals being hurt. Or what if they move to hurting people?”

  “Exactly. That’s why we have to up the security until we get to the bottom of this.” Walker wrapped an arm around Reid’s chest. “I won’t stand for my animals or people to be endangered or hurt.”

  The police and Dr. Litel found the men and the horse asleep an hour later.

  “Looks like resting with the two of you is good medicine,” Dr. Litel stated as he checked Buttercup’s vitals. “Her numbers are better than they were when I left her.”

  Reid and Walker switched places with the doctor so they could give their statements to the police.

  Thirty minutes later, Officer Toweler closed his notebook. “Thanks, gentlemen. We’ll get the S.O.B., I can promise you that. The type of people that would do these things are usually acting on the part of someone higher up. Once we find the ones responsible for the actual crimes, all we have to do is work our magic to get them to blab. They always do. We just have to find the right key.”

  “Thanks, Mark,” Walker thanked the officer and shook his hand.

  “Thank you,” Reid copied the action. “I’m one hundred percent sure you’ll end up tracing this whole thing to my father, so whatever needs to be done to keep an eye on him I’d say do it.”

  “We don’t have the jurisdiction to do anything from here without concrete evidence that he’s involved, but I’ll call the departments around where he lives and does most of his work, just so they can have him on their radar.” Officer Toweler tipped his hat and gave a wave to the other officers to take their leave. “Best wishes on your animal, Corrigan. Shameful to see such a gorgeous horse brought down.”

  Once the officer left, Walker and Reid checked on Buttercup once again.

  “Go have some food before Norma sends out a search party for you,” Dr. Litel told them.

  They all laughed. Even Buttercup snorted as if she knew the truth behind the statement.

  “Will do.” Walker nodded. “We’ll be back in a bit. You can go home after. We’ll stay with her overnight.”

  “Sounds good.” Dr. Litel prepared more IV fluids for Buttercup. “I’ll start this one and show you how to switch it out before I leave. I’ll be available through the night if needed. I’ll come check on her tomorrow morning. If her numbers look this good or better by then I think she’s got a really good chance of pulling through.”

  Walker followed Reid to the house for food. “Damn, I didn’t realize how hungry I am until just now.”

  “Same,” Reid agreed. “I wasn’t at all hungry when we left this morning or when we were in the barn, but now I’m starving.”

  Norma met them at the door. “I hope you’re hungry. I’ve been worried, and I cook when I’m worried. I’ve made six pies, a cake, and a week’s worth of food.”

  Walker and Reid laughed and snuggled Norma between them as they walked to the kitchen.

  �
�I can likely eat at least one of everything right now.” Reid rubbed his hands together and glanced around the room. “Holy shit, lady, you weren’t kidding. This place looks like a professional kitchen preparing for a party of five hundred.”

  Norma shrugged. “Better than smoking or drugs or other negative habits when I’m nervous.”

  The three sat down to visit and eat.

  “You two should rest for an hour or so before you go back to the barn,” Norma suggested. “Doctor Litel said he could stay until evening, so take a nap before he leaves.”

  Reid and Walker glanced at each other and nodded.

  “That actually sounds like a great idea,” Walker said.

  “Agreed,” Reid stated. “Now that I’m not so hungry, I realize how tired I am.”

  17

  The next morning, Reid sighed in relief when Doc Litel declared Buttercup wasn’t one hundred percent out of the woods, but she was well on her way to a full recovery. You’re getting teary eyed over a horse? Will wonders never cease?

  “We’ll need to keep her hydrated and fed,” Doc said. “She should probably stay down and rest today if you can keep her down.”

  “Have you ever tried to keep a horse down if they want to get up?” Walker snorted.

  “If she’s wanting to get up, let her.” Doc smiled and winked. “She’ll know if she’s feeling up to it.”

  “Keep her in the barn today or walk her if she gets herself up?” Reid asked.

  “If she’s up, I’d walk her, but only a couple laps in the arena and no faster than a slow human walk. She will likely wear down easier. Have lots of water and food readily available.” Doc ran a hand down Buttercup’s neck. “If she gets up today and does okay with a short, slow walk, you can do the same tomorrow. I wouldn’t add more walking for a couple days. But, if she shows she’s wanting to go longer or faster, let her.”

  “Sounds good, Doc.” Walker shook the doctor’s hand. “Can’t tell you how much we appreciate you being here and getting her through this.”