Thunder Mountain Ranch

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “Alex, there are no wolves around here. Are you sure

  they weren’t coyotes?” Sam never heard of a black or white

  coyote, but it could happen.

  “Sam, I know what a wolf looks like. They were too

  big and had the larger nose. I’ve watched enough PBS to know

  the difference.” Alex wasn’t crazy, and she saw, what she saw. “I believe you, but they’re really out of their territory.”

  Knowing they were mostly in the North or a few had been

  spotted closer to Mexico, Sam wondered about Alex’s mental

  state.

  Looking at Sam, she had the feeling she thought she

  had lost her mind and was seeing things. Alex pulled her close. “I know I’m not seeing things. But maybe I just

  thought I did.” Wondering about her own mental health, was it

  possible she could have been sleepwalking?

  “The only other thing it could be is a sign, perhaps.

  You know, maybe Anna sent them to let you know that you’re

  being watched over by the two of them. Like the fetish she

  gave you.” Sam wanted to keep Alex from worrying about

  what might be happening to her.

  As she listened to Sam’s words, the tears came. It had

  to be the sign she had asked for. She hadn’t realized it until

  this moment. Holding onto Sam she let the tears of joy come. “I know you think I’m crazy. But you just helped

  answer my prayer. I went into the crafts room this morning and

  asked Anna for a sign if everything that I was feeling was

  right. I know that she and Ramon just answered my request.”

  Alex pulled Sam into a passionate kiss and lay next to her. Sam’s heart started to pound as she realized Alex was

  hers for as long as she wanted – which was forever. She

  needed to visit the crafts room herself and thank Anna for

  answering her prayers too.

  Chapter 25

  Alex felt a calm come over her as she packed up their plates, while Sam saddled the horses. She watched as Sam petted and talked to her mustang. The love and respect she showed this beautiful animal made her more endearing to her than any amount of gifts would ever do. Dez loved her animals too, but it was more like the animal always came first before Alex. Caring for a sick animal was understandable, but when you wanted someone to spend their life with you they needed to feel like a priority and not a possession. Alex carried the saddlebags over to Bruce and was tying them on when she felt Sam wrap her arms around her from behind. She leaned her head back on Sam’s shoulder, then turned to kiss her. Alex held on tight, as she just wanted to stop time and never lose this moment.

  “Are we okay?” It was a question Sam knew the answer to, but always wanted to ask.

  “We are fantastic!” Looking into those big brown eyes, Alex wanted to get her back to the casita and her nice warm bed. “What do you say after we get back we call it an early evening, and you come keep me warm. I want to hear more about your childhood, and I think I missed the ending to the wrestling story.” Alex wanted to know everyone and everything that was important in Sam’s life.

  “I would love to keep you warm tonight and for the rest of your life. But I know we need to take it one day at a time.” Sam hoped there’s would be a very long life together.

  “Then I won’t need to buy an electric blanket as long as I have you.” Alex had always been Dez’s electric blanket and now she had one of her own.

  Riding back holding hands, Alex thought back to the first time they had done this the night they had first kissed by the fire and the fireworks that had gone off from that kiss. She still felt the same way. As she came to know more and more about Sam, the more she wanted to spend every minute with her. But her life needed balance and she had to keep it that way. She had Cyn, her job and Beau to keep her on an even keel and that would keep the relationship healthier. She really hoped Cyn liked Sam and there would be no jealousy. But most of her time with Cyn needed to stay separate. If they went to dinner together sometimes as a threesome that would be great, but Cyn needed her one on one time with Alex and that should never change unless Cyn found her own Sam. Then Alex would totally understand.

  It was dark by the time they arrived at the ranch. The sound from the dining hall let them know dinner had been served. Taking their time putting the boys to bed, they kept bumping into each other just so they could touch. Alex started laughing at the innovative ways Sam was finding to do that and they were both almost hysterical when Jessie appeared.

  “So, I should assume that your day went very well?” She hadn’t seen Alex this happy in a very, very long time.

  “Jessie! It went unbelievably great. Anna sent me a sign.” Alex grabbed her friend and gave her a big hug.

  “Anna sent you a sign about what?” Jessie looked at Sam and hoped it wasn’t about more ghosts.

  “That Sam and I are meant to be, or at least I think that was her intent.”

  “Really! What was the sign?” Jessie couldn’t imagine what it could’ve been.

  “I saw two wolves, not coyotes, wolves like my fetish. I remembered that wolves are a sign of not only loyalty and family, but also of lasting relationships. I know it was a sign, because I asked Anna to send me one this morning when I went to the crafts room.” Alex really hoped Jessie believed as much as she did.

  “Darlin’, if anyone could send two wolves as a sign to you, that someone would be Anna. Now are you two going to disappear into your casita or are you going to spend some time with your friends?” Jessie hadn’t realized until that second that she missed her best friend and cousin and was a little jealous of all the fun they were having together without her.

  “Why, we were on our way in, but got the giggles.” Alex knew her friend well enough to know when her presence was requested and it was definitely wanted now.

  “Give us a minute to use the bathroom and we’ll be right in.” Alex grabbed Sam’s hand and headed for her casita.

  “Okay, you’ve got five minutes.” Jessie hoped it wasn’t longer than thirty.

  Entering her casita, Alex started pulling off her boots so she could wear warmer shoes, while Sam used the bathroom. Both women knew Jessie was serious about wanting to see them. Alex had the saddlebags ready so she could return the plates and containers to the kitchen and as Sam came out it was her turn. When she emerged after brushing her teeth and taking her hair out of the ponytail, Sam was pulling on a clean sweater that she had left in the room.

  “Just between you and me, I think Jess is a little jealous. Not of you and me, but of the time we’re spending together without her. Do you know what I mean?” Alex knew how much Jessie loved Dawson, but having family around all the time and then having them go off with someone else made even the most secure person jealous.

  “I think you’re right. We need to spend time with her so she won’t feel left out.” Sam hoped that she and Alex had the rest of their lives to spend together but they only had a few days to spend with Jessie.

  “What do you think about asking her along tomorrow to go shopping?” Sam wanted to be generous and figured she wouldn’t be the bad guy if Alex said no.

  “Really, it would be okay with you? Jess and I used to do it a lot, but that was before she met Dawson. I’m not going to be one of those people who forgets friends just because I’ve fallen madly in love with someone.” Raising her eyebrows several times, she hugged Sam for being so understanding.

  “Good, then you ask her, but don’t be surprised if she says yes. She may want us to spend time together alone, but I don’t think she realized how much time that was going to be.” This was going to be out of Sam’s control and either way she would be fine with it. As long as they didn’t have to spend both evenings with Jessie today and tomorrow.

  As they walked into the dining hall, Alex’s fan club spotted her and she was greeted
by several kids. Doing her best to ask how everyone was and if they were having fun, she was able to work her way through the buffet line. As the kids parents called them back to their own tables she was able to concentrate on what to have. She wasn’t really hungry as the late lunch had filled her up, so she grabbed a bowl of soup and Sam had the same. Jessie had seats saved for them at her table and sitting across from her friends she started to eat. Alex put her left hand in Sam’s lap underneath the napkin. Smiling at Alex, Sam moved closer and put her hand on top of it.

  “So what do you two have planned for tomorrow?” Jessie was asking as a friend, but was a little envious as she remembered all the great times she and Alex had spent together.

  “Well, we were wondering if you would like to go with us to do some antique shopping. I’m in need of a few knick knacks for my new place. Then we could have dinner at a restaurant Andy recommended and be home before curfew.” Alex knew Jessie didn’t spend too many evenings away from Dawson unless he was gone on business.

  As she finished her plan for the threesome, she noticed the tears in Jessie’s eyes and knew she had read her right. Alex didn’t want Jessie to feel embarrassed by this sudden showing of emotion, so she looked over at Sam, hoping she would jump in with something.

  “Yeah, Jessie you know that street you showed me with all the antique stores. Alex was telling me how much she enjoyed doing that with you.” Feeling a squeeze from Alex’s hand through the napkin, Sam knew it was what she had wanted her to say.

  “I would love to go.” Jessie was beaming as she turned to Dawson. “Can you handle this crazy place by yourself? That’s just while I’m off shopping with the girls.” Jessie knew the answer, but she always liked to ask for his blessing.

  “It’s going to be hard, but I think I’m up to the challenge. You girls go out and give those credit cards of yours heck.” Dawson knew Jessie might buy something, but it was unlikely as she was a major saver.

  “Excellent. Who’s driving?” Alex would, but she didn’t have a car.

  “I am. We’ll need the van to haul all the stuff back.” Jessie was kidding of course.

  “Great. We’ll leave after Sam gets done with work and has time to take a shower.” Alex felt that since they would be spending the day with Jessie, they could be excused from spending the rest of the evening with her and Dawson.

  Having finished her soup, Alex got up and headed for the kitchen to return the things Pablo had given them for lunch. Upon entering she was greeted with a warm welcome from him and he introduced her to his staff. After that she asked him if Anna had more family living in the vicinity she could meet. Pablo beamed with pride as he told her several other family members did live nearby and would love to meet her if she had the time. She told him her mornings were free and she wasn’t leaving until Sunday afternoon. He told her that Wednesday and Thursday were his days off and he would love to take her out to visit them. They set the date for Thursday as Alex wanted to be able to spend as much time as needed to meet everyone and tomorrow would be cutting it close as the afternoon had already been booked with Sam and Jessie. She said her good nights to everyone and came out to find Sam waiting by the door with cookies and milk for their dessert.

  Back at her casita, Alex wanted a shower and she wanted company. Spending a good fifteen minutes in the shower, both were squeaky clean and ready to climb into bed together. But first they needed to blow dry their hair. Trying to talk while blow drying two heads at the same time was impossible, so Alex gave up until she could turn the dryer off. Climbing in bed Alex snuggled up to Sam, who was still warm from the hot shower, she requested she finish the wrestling story, which she had missed the ending of, and to tell more stories about her childhood.

  Alex listened and wished she had, had brothers and sisters while growing up fun trips, fighting over toys, making fun of each other, snooping on boyfriends or girlfriends. Alex never realized how lonely her childhood had been. She had learned to entertain herself with television and daydreams of adventures in far away lands or outer space. Her mother was always gone and her father would come home in the evenings and only have an hour to give her. Maybe that’s why Alex was so patient with children. She knew what it was like to be ignored by adults, especially when you wanted their love and attention so much. Falling asleep in Sam’s arms she felt safe and very much loved.

  Chapter 26

  Alex never heard Sam leave to go do her early morning chores. Only the gentle caressing and the smell of coffee brought her into the conscious world.

  “Good morning, Darlin’. Are you ready for coffee and a order of cuddling on the side?” Sam had only been gone for ninety minutes, but had missed her so much.

  “Cuddling first, then coffee.” Putting cuddling with Sam before coffee was a sure sign she was hooked. “Whoa! Are you feeling okay this fine morning?” This

  was great to hear as Sam lay down next to Alex and nuzzled

  her ear.

  “I know. You must be special to get preference over

  coffee. What have you done to me?” Alex turned to face Sam

  and caressed her face.

  “I ran into Jessie while I was getting coffee and I have

  to tell you she’s on cloud nine. I haven’t seen her this happy

  for some time. She really does miss you.” Sam wondered

  about her cousin. If she had to choose between them just who

  she would choose. They had always been close since they were

  kids, but this was different. If Alex had been a man she

  wondered if she would have married Dawson.

  “She misses you. She must be thinking about losing

  you to me, and that you’ll only come to see her for yearly

  visits. She’s gotten used to having you around.” Alex was

  thinking the same thing. It was going to be very hard having

  Sam stay here when she left.

  “I know, but she always knew there was a possibility

  of me moving back to Colorado or wherever.” Moving to the

  east coast was a long way from her family. Alex would be her

  whole life. Would it be enough, or would the pull of family

  test their relationship unfairly? Sam had thought about it a lot

  and wanted her own life with Alex in it, whatever it took. “Sam, we haven’t really talked about you moving in

  with me. It would mean you move from everything you love

  your family and friends to come live with me. I’m not saying

  we would live there for the rest of our lives, but for the time

  being. Can you really be happy with just me and Smokey to

  keep you company?” Wondering if Sam had ever really

  thought about it, Alex was ready for reality to deflate her

  balloon.

  “Darlin’, I have given this a lot of thought. I thought

  about it the minute I realized how much I wanted to spend the

  rest of my life with you and asked myself those exact same

  questions. I love my family, but they have their lives and I

  have mine. My happiness depends on what makes me happy

  and being with you makes me very happy.” Sam hoped Alex

  would trust that she knew her own mind, and that this was

  what she wanted more than anything.

  Smiling at Sam and kissing her gently, Alex was

  getting that let’s stay in bed all day feeling. Knowing that they

  had a full day ahead of them, she whispered her plans for later

  that night. Sam smiled and helped her put on her robe as she

  nibbled on her neck. Alex was getting good at speed dressing

  and was ready in five minutes, but fifteen had passed before

  they left to go have breakfast.

  Having the morning to kill, Alex thought about going

  on the ride, but decided to hang around and bug Jessie. Finding

  her
in the office, she walked up to the counter and sprawled

  out on it like a bored kid with nothing to do. She had done this

  in the past when it was raining and they couldn’t ride. It

  usually meant that Jessie needed to get out the cookie sheets so

  they could bake cookies.

  “What’s you doing lady?” That question always got a

  smile out of Jessie as Alex did her best impression of a little

  kid.

  “Working. Why don’t you go outside and play with

  the other kids.” Jessie was trying not to smile too much. “There’s nobody to play with. They all went off and

  left me here all alone.” Using her most pathetic voice Alex

  could see the smile widening on Jessie’s face. “Can you play

  with me lady?” Alex was looking exceptionally dejected and

  gave out a big sigh.

  Not being able to hold back the grinning Jessie needed

  to get tough with this one.

  “We have all afternoon to play. Right now I need to

  get my work done.” Jessie looked up to see Alex using her best

  puppy dog pout and started to laugh.

  “Go away, trouble. I’m not baking you any cookies.

  Go bug your girlfriend.” Jessie had told Sam to stay at the

  ranch so they could leave before lunch. Jessie wanted to get

  out of there before the guests got back from their ride. There

  was always something that needed to be handled right that

  moment, and she was always too nice to put them off until

  later in the day.

  “Really. Where?” Perking up, she was ready to track

  down Sam.

  “Boy, you really are gone on her. She’s helping the

  blacksmith get several of the horses shod. They’re out behind

  the barn by the stock shoots. You can’t miss them.” Jessie was

  going to miss her best friend and it wouldn’t be long before her

  cousin left too. Maybe during the off season she could go visit

  them for a couple of weeks.

  “Thanks, lady. See you later.” Alex headed for the