by Vi Summers
“Bran.”
I flicked my eyes up to find Jake watching me closely with a hardened expression.
“For what it’s worth, you’d make one hell of a stepfather.”
Nodding, I took a deep breath and stood, taking my drink with me. I needed to clear my head. Today’s events had rocked me more than I initially thought. Waking with Louisiana in my bed, meeting her son, then wanting them to stay out here with me hit me like a charging bull at the rodeo, and left me equally breathless.
Sure enough, I found my phone in my truck with a couple of missed calls and a voice message. Leaving it on the porch railing to grab later, I made my way to the barn. Inhaling the familiar scent never failed to restore a sense of calm when nothing else helped.
The sun had begun to set, and while the calving herd in the far pasture had been checked, the mares in foal hadn’t.
Making my way out the rear door of the barn, I sipped the remainder of my moonshine as I slowly strolled through the field without disturbing the horses. One caught my attention at the far end, pacing a little and frequently stretching.
Striding back to the barn, I snagged a bridle and lead off the wall, left my empty tumbler behind, then quietly approached the birthing mare.
If it had been morning, I would have left her out here in the field, but with nightfall not too long away, she and the foal would be safer indoors tonight.
Murmuring softly, I encouraged her back to the stables and got her settled in the largest stall specifically designed for foaling.
The drama of today fell away as I got back to basics—maintaining a visual over my livestock. I switched on the battery-powered lanterns and got fresh water while the mare shifted restlessly around the stall.
When she finally laid down, I leaned over the wall and watched for signs of distress, completely forgetting that life wasn’t as simple as this moment, until scuffing footsteps behind me brought it all back.
Chapter 22
Louisiana
I woke slowly and reached for Brandon, only to find the bed empty. Sitting and glancing around, it took a few moments to blink away the head spin before I pushed out of the plush blanket.
I felt like death, and I bet I looked just as horrific.
Drawn downstairs by the smell of dinner cooking, I found Jake working over the stove. I sidled up to him and awkwardly leaned against the bench. Neither of us spoke until Jake broke the ice.
“He’s in the stables, jailbird.”
“Jake, about this morning-”
He held up a stirring spoon. “Didn’t see nothin’. Besides, I can’t talk—seems like we both got a little much-needed action last night.” He smirked and chuckled as my cheeks heated.
“He’s sweet on you, Louisiana. I just hope you ain’t giving my boy false intentions.”
While I appreciated Jake being upfront, the unintentional edge to his words stung.
“You think I don’t know what’s at stake for both of us?” I snapped. “After today, I’m even more confused.”
“About?”
The pounding within my head sidetracked the conversation, and I rubbed at my temples. “Do you have painkillers? I’ve got a killer headache.”
Jake wordlessly found me the medical kit, and after I’d downed two tablets, I explained. “I’m confused because I like him. But this isn’t just about me; there’s Ollie, and no matter what I want, he’s got to come first.”
Jake’s unwavering brown eyes bound me to the spot. “And what do you want, jailbird?”
“In the perfect world?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“For Brandon to want me enough to want us to stay, and grow to love Ollie as much as I do, and that I wouldn’t have to choose between them. In the perfect world, I could have them both.”
A smile lifted one corner of Jake’s mouth as if he’d known that all along. He loaded a dinner plate with food, then handed it to me.
“Here, take this out to the stables. I believe you’ve just solved your own problem and now you need to have a conversation with my boy.”
Blinking like I couldn’t believe how straightforward the epiphany seemed, I diligently slipped on my boots and traipsed across the yard with a hot plate of steaming dinner in my hands, unsure of what I would find in the stables.
Snorting came from the far stall, and my steps faltered when I saw Brandon leaning over the dividing wall. His shirt stretched across the expanse of his back, perfectly outlining the muscles as if the fabric was wet.
When the toe of my boot scuffed against the floor, Brandon whirled around as if he’d seen a ghost—complete with a hissed curse.
“Hey,” I said quietly.
He relaxed immediately. “Hey. What are you doin’ out here?”
I held up the plate and shrugged. “Jake said to give you this.”
The chuckle I’d grown to adore rolled my way, and Brandon waved me closer. “Did he now?”
“Yeah. And it smells really good,” I admitted as the aroma created hunger pangs in my belly.
Brandon’s eyes locked with mine. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll grab something when I head back inside.”
Brandon plucked the knife from between my fingers and scooped up a wad of mashed potato. He paused with it half-way to his mouth and indicated to the fork.
“We’ll share. Dig in, sweetheart.”
Rustling and a couple of snorts sounded, and I studied the side of Brandon’s profile as he peered over the wall while casually chewing his mouthful as if we were sitting at the dinner table.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“Daphne is birthing,” he replied, without looking my way.
There was something about Brandon being totally at ease in any environment, around both animals and humans, that sang to me. A sense of calm hung in the air around him and I found myself inching closer just to feel the full effects of the goodness he radiated.
I took a peek at Daphne to find her resting in the hay. The unintentional brush of my arm against Brandon’s made him turn, almost expectantly. The softness in his gaze visibly heated when his attention dropped to my mouth.
“More?” I offered the plate.
Brandon plucked the plate away and set his palm in my hand. It was equally as warm as the crockery, yet his simple touch heated the rest of my body on contact. That heat squeezed my lungs and weakened my knees.
With a gentle tug, Brandon gracefully folded to sit in the hay-filled stall and held my hand as I dropped down beside him. He bent one knee and rested his forearm on it while holding the plate between us, though food seemed far from his mind when he finally replied to my question.
“I definitely want more.”
Each drawled syllable was laden with undertones that soared above the rustling around us. The longer I stared into his hazel eyes, the further I got lost in the fantasy of us actually being able to find our happy ending. He was too good to be true, and I almost talked myself into finding imaginary faults just to stop my heart falling that little bit further.
Today had been rough. I was emotionally spent. My heart was battered and bruised. Yet, as Brandon reached to cup my face, I melted into his warm palm like the single touch gave me all the strength I needed.
“More… food?”
One corner of his mouth tugged. “Among other things.”
His gaze dipped downward, then lifted with amusement crinkling the corners. My mouth opened and closed wordlessly until he carefully set the plate aside and leaned closer with his weight braced on one arm. I welcomed his nearness, his smell. Despite the dull light in the barn, up close I could see the fine lines that fanned from the corner of his eyes and the barest hint of stubble after not shaving for a day or two. His hat was discarded when I came into the stable, but his dark, almost shaggy hair held the same shape it always did straight after he removed it.
The alluring smile slowly slid from his mouth, then disappeared entirely with one lick of his tong
ue.
“I want to kiss you again, Louisiana, but don’t want to-”
Hooking my finger in the collar of his shirt, I tugged his mouth to mine before the excuse not to kiss me came.
A single beat of shock had us both pausing. My eyes stayed open to gauge Brandon’s response, and our sight locked as if he was doing the same to me. Without looking away, Brandon’s tongue began to coax my lips open further. A crinkle formed between his brows, as a satisfied groan vibrated in his chest.
The sight was more than enough to have my eyelids fluttering closed. Our breath synced while our tongues danced and teased. Effortlessly luring the other, the fuse that relentlessly crackled between us combusted with a flash dazzling enough to remove the memory of how I ended up on my back. Brandon rolled above me and nudged my knees open with his. His weight pressed me into the fresh hay as he settled between my thighs and kissed me deeply.
His touch glided down my waist before slipping under my hips, lifting them with ease. While propping himself on one elbow and tangling his fingers in my hair, the subtle rhythmic roll of his hips grew more intentional. His jeans did little to hide his erection, and each time it grazed over the perfect spot, I couldn’t help the breathy, sharp inhale that fleetingly broke our kiss.
I was almost to the point of instigating clothing removal when a snort, then a grunt from the next stall, broke our intimacy.
Everything clarified; our dim surroundings, the high exposed-beam roof of the barn, how scratchy the hay was needling its way through my clothes.
Brandon sprinkled a few more kisses on my mouth and claimed one more taste before sitting back on his haunches. Equally breathless, I propped myself up on my elbows and my eyes pinged wide when another grunt came through the stall wall.
It sounded as if the horse was much closer to giving birth than she was when I arrived.
Brandon stood and offered his hand. He pulled me to my feet, then adjusted himself within his jeans with a wicked smirk. I coughed away a snigger, because hell, while there was no need to rearrange myself, I was still fighting off the pulsing arousal between my legs.
Brandon rested one elbow on the dividing wall and peered into the next stall, seemingly happy with what he saw.
“Lou, come see. It’s time,” he whispered and drew me close.
I was in no way prepared for what I saw. Brandon wasn’t kidding when he said it was time; the mare was on her side and pushing out her baby with an effort that made my eyes water.
The memory of giving birth to Ollie flooded back. How the cord was wrapped around his neck. How we had almost lost him. How rough the doctors were during his resuscitation.
I dashed away the tears that sprang and tried to quietly swallow through the knot in my throat. As if hearing my memories, Brandon’s arm wove around my waist and held me secure.
“Do you need to help her?” I asked when the anxiety wouldn’t ease.
“No,” he murmured, his voice low and vibrating against my shoulder. “She’s doin’ great. We’ll just stay until she begins to clean him up. She’s a second-time mom; she knows what to do.”
“It’s a boy?” I whispered back.
“I dunno. Just easier than sayin’ him or her.”
I nodded and let out my held breath when the final push came, and the foal slid onto the bed of hay.
Despite my stomach being slightly squeamish, I found myself in awe of the beautiful moment. Momma horse stood and immediately turned to check on her new baby, and as I dashed away welling tears, I let out a relieved exhale when the foal responded to her. He—or she—was alive and seemingly strong.
Brandon murmured a few encouraging words to his horse. Only once satisfied she was taking good care of her baby, did he kiss the side of my head.
“Ready to head back inside? They should be fine overnight now, though I’ll sneak out later and check before we head to bed.”
Warmth exploded through my chest. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but his words implied we would be going to bed together.
A chuckle resonated off the stall walls. “I can hear you overthinking it, Lou. You’re welcome in my bed, but if you would rather your own space, then I’m not gonna be offended.”
He stooped to pick up the discarded meal and paused, half-turned for the door. When I didn’t move, he angled further toward me while I bit my lip nervously.
“Do you want me in your bed?”
“Of course,” he replied without a hint of doubt.
I let free a smile, practically seeing hearts, when a reciprocating smile appeared on Brandon’s face. Goddamn, he was gorgeous.
Since arriving at the ranch, my heart and personality had softened. Trust formed without him forcing it. And, while I believe his intentions were true, we owed ourselves one hell of an honest conversation.
“Jake said we need to talk,” I blurted.
That got Brandon’s full attention. “Did he now? About what?”
“Us.” I wasn’t sure that he’d heard me until he set down the plate and reached for me.
“What do you want to know?”
Looking up into his earnest expression gave me strength. There was no agitation or frustration, just pure intent of hearing what I had to stay. I just hoped I didn’t royally screw it up.
“You know I like you, right?”
Brandon dipped his head. “Likewise.”
I nodded. “And there’s Ollie.”
“I like him, too.”
“I just…. I need to know what’s going on in your head, because if this thing between us is just a passing phase while I’m here, then I need to stop, as of now.”
Brandon swallowed thickly as his gaze searched mine. “You’re not a passing phase, Louisiana. If I had my way, I’d remove you from the program and ask you to date me officially. Ollie and all.”
My throat grew tight. “So, after I’m released?”
Brandon put the barest space between us to look at me better. “I hope you stay. You and Ollie. With me.”
An ugly wash of emotion contorted my face as exhaustion and relief hit me all over again. I had no idea that I needed to hear those words from him. The weight of knowing that Brandon’s path ran parallel with mine created a crushing wave of reassurance to hit me right in the feels.
He encased me in his arms. “You don’t need to decide anything right away. Though I’d like you to tell me you’d stay, I can’t force you to, sweetheart.”
“I want to,” I breathed out. “I really do.”
Tension ebbed from his face and erased the worry from his eyes. “Well, I guess we’ve got some important things to discuss, you ‘n I.”
I nodded, then rose onto my tiptoes to press a kiss to his mouth. I liked being able to kiss him whenever I wanted. We’d already burned the rule book until it became ashes, and now I didn’t feel like the risk had been in vain.
Walking across the yard hand-in-hand, I looked up at the full moon and felt buoyancy lift my soul. For the first time in my life, I was thankful for the events in my past catapulting me to where I was today.
My shameful history had shaped my fairytale future.
A future where each tomorrow was infinitely brighter than I ever imagined it could be.
My past had led me to Brandon.
Chapter 23
Brandon
After leading Louisiana inside, I found Jake relaxing on the couch, watching TV. I leaned against the door frame while Lou went to get more food.
“Hey, thanks for dinner.”
He muted the show and flicked his dark eyes my way. “No probs, boss. You two sort some shit out?”
A puff of a laugh came out of my nose. “Some of it, sure. We’re gonna see how it pans out.” I shrugged, even though I wanted to whoop at the top of my lungs and punch the air.
Louisiana and I made some major headway tonight, and now that we’d leveled with each other and laid out how we truly felt, all I wanted to do was recklessly fall headlong into seeing where it took us.
Chuckling to myself, I headed back to the kitchen and hesitated when I didn’t see Louisiana. Walking through, then hooking left, she wasn’t in the dining room either. I frowned and retraced my steps. When I entered the hallway again, my eyes drew to the top of the staircase and widened.
Louisiana stood looking down at me with a look on her face that made my entire body roar to life. I didn’t need more of an invitation to take the stairs three at a time before coming to an abrupt halt in front of her.
“Hey,” I breathed.
“Hey.” Her eyes heated and dropped to run over my body as if I was already unclothed.
A single beat pulsed between us when her gaze reconnected with mine, and it had me throwing caution to the wind.
“Oh, fuck it,” I hissed, grabbing her waist and pulling her hard against my chest.
Louisiana’s mouth opened with a gasp, and I wasted no time in claiming her parted lips with my own.
Urgent. Careless. Insatiable.
She matched my hunger, pouring herself into the kiss, and Lord help me, I groaned. Without stopping, I boosted Louisiana into my arms, gripped her ass, and strode to my room.
The door banged shut from my single kick. Pain burst across the back of my neck as her fingers wove into my hair, and an unhinged growl tore from my throat when she raked her nails over the sensitive skin.
“You’re teasing a bull, darlin’,” I snarled, getting more worked up than a bull chasing a red cape.
“I know,” Louisiana whispered against my mouth before kissing me hard and senselessly.
She’d just set the tone, and I was going to honor it.
Spinning to sit on the bed with Louisiana grinding on my lap, I roughly pulled the hair tie from her hair, then fisted the cascade of blonde locks as it fell. The angle exposed her neck, inviting me to lick before latching onto her smooth skin.