Mike nodded and waved his hand, trying to get me to leave.
I took the hint and clomped my way out of the kitchen. Buck followed close behind.
I sat myself down on the porch of the house; a swinging bench was tied up along one of the rafters and was by far the best seat for watching passing storms.
Buck must’ve had the same idea because he took a seat right next to me.
“You know he likes you,” Buck said.
I rolled my eyes like always.
“Buck, that man would like a 600-pound gorilla if it could solve all his financial trouble. I’m neither. I might be the only woman on the ranch, but proximity is no excuse.”
Buck started rocking slowly; I took a moment to kick off my boots. I thought of the first time I put those things on, and they killed my feet, but now it was like wearing a cloud if a cloud weighed my feet down like a brick.
Mike bought those for me the day I started working here. I don’t think he approved of my hiking boots; he wanted me in real solid leather that wouldn’t wear out after a couple of weeks of real labor. He was right, and I knew it. My old hiking boots wouldn’t have lasted past the first week with the amount of walking he had me doing.
“Hey Buck, why does Mike keep going out to that old drill in the yard? Does he really think he’s goin’ to strike oil out here?”
Buck thought for a moment.
“I think Mike has a lot of hope. Fella came through here about five years ago, telling him his land might be ripe for the picking. I think they were trying to buy the plot off him for cheap, so they could bring in some big equipment and get it out themselves.
“Hell, the neighbors to the north sold off their plot. For a while we saw truck after truck of heavy equipment driving through, dropping off drills and all that junk for digging. They must’ve dug up every inch of that land and didn’t find a dang thing.”
“So Mike just keeps thinking he might get lucky, and the professionals missed something?”
“Well, from what I hear, it’s a bit of a tricky business. People miss things all the time around here. I always bet on Mike, he’s a good guy, knows what he wants. That’s better than most.”
“As long as he doesn’t ask me to work the thing, I won’t get in his way.”
I sat for a while and watched the storms pass. The twilight turned to darkness, and the only light that could be seen was that distant light of the barn.
Rain came down in pellets, soaking everything that wasn’t covered in seconds. I listened to the rain pelt against the old wood siding on the house, and the thunder that roared its way over the plain. It was a peaceful raucous.
As the rain settled into a constant drizzle we were all called in for supper, Buck and I met up with a drenched Larry and filed in around the table.
Mike pulled a couple steaks off the stove top and served them up. He knew how to cook them well, and it tasted like I could still hear the cow mooing. I can’t say I liked it at first; he always made me try something a few times before giving up on me. I would usually cave in and give it a try, and then hate it for a while. That was just how life was on the ranch. Larry and Buck felt like the brothers I always wanted, and Mike was always the responsible caretaker.
It brought up memories from the city; nasty old thoughts that would consume me for a while before fading away. I started thinking about my sister and wondered what she might be up to. It was too soon to call, though. I needed more time to leave the old life behind before letting them know where I was.
“Alright, tomorrow is a big day. Jennie and I gotta head into town and fix a few things with the bank. Buck, you and Larry check the fields and make sure this storm hasn’t destroyed anything we need. We should be back before noon.”
I nodded and finished up supper, being careful to leave a little behind for Rusty. I set my plate to the floor, and Rusty jumped up like she was a puppy, and the old dog lapped on the plate, being careful not to spill a thing.
“Rusty, why can’t you just eat the food I buy for you?” Mike sighed.
I pulled the plate off the floor when the pooch was done with it and tossed it in the country basin that had dishes already piling up inside.
“I’m goin’ to get a shower before bed, G’night guys,” I said.
“Night, Jennie,” they all replied.
I stripped off my dirty shirt while walking up the stairs; I doubted any of them would be staring at me from the kitchen. My muscles were tender, so I rubbed them as I walked to my room.
It was smaller than I was used to, but plenty of space for a dresser and a bed. Although, that’s about all I had, I barely had use for the dresser to be honest.
I grabbed my towel and headed off to the bathroom. The room was a bit cramped, with the ceiling angling low and at places, you had to duck under a beam. But, the claw footed tub was perfect for showers and soaking. Granted, I had to work my hardest to avoid it becoming a peep show for the boys downstairs.
I always gave a quick look for any new holes that may have popped up in the walls since I’d last been in. For the most part, they stopped, but it never hurt to double check.
The water warmed me to the bone. And, I took a little extra time for myself in the shower. I could feel my muscles were getting stronger in all the right places, my skin seemed firmer than when I first moved out this way. I maybe have been a bit curvier than most women, but I don’t think anyone ever minded a little extra curve.
I wasn’t overweight by any means, though, just rounder. I liked my body, though, even though I always found a new bruise that would need nursing or a new cut that needed bandaging.
I tugged at my towel on the nearby hook while shutting off the water. It was quite steamy in the bathroom, so I took my time drying off. I heard a knock at the door.
“Jennie, you almost done,” I heard Buck ask.
“Gimme one second, Buck,” I replied.
I wrapped my towel around me as best I could, and gathering up my things, exited the bathroom. I swear Buck’s eyes grew three sizes while he stared.
I couldn’t help but giggle. I tip-toed quickly back to my room, trying to keep my feet from freezing on the cool wood floors.
Once back in my room I clicked the lock, and threw off my towel, collapsing into my comfy bed. I wasn’t in the mood to do anything else, I was relaxed, and the sound of the rain pattering against the roof of my bedroom was like a melodic choir, drumming me off to sleep.
2.
“Alright Larry, you’re in charge of the ranch for the day. We’ll be back before noon.”
We rode out in Mike’s old pickup. I was amazed the thing still ran as well as it did; it looked like it had been put through its fair share of paces.
About an hour trip from the ranch was a small town, maybe a couple of hundred people in total lived inside and most only lived there to take care of their shops.
I enjoyed the charm of the small town, nothing of note really happened, so it was relaxing. It was nothing compared to home.
Mike parked beside the road, and we walked for the most part. The first stop was the bank, and I didn’t want to go in at first, but Mike said it’d be better than waiting around outside. So I followed him to meet with the manager.
Mr. Grant was quite lenient when it came to paying back loans and was always looking to make things right, rather than make money. I took a seat next to Mike, opposite Mr. Grant.
“Mike, I’m not seeing much in the way of revenue here, ya got three extra hands doing the work of one, and they’re bleeding ya dry.”
Mr. Grant still liked to tell it how it is.
“They’re family; I can’t let ‘em go. Besides, it’s almost time for harvest, and I’ll need the extra people.”
“Ya don’t need three people to work your farm, Mike.”
“Okay listen, how much do I owe you.”
Mr. Grant went quiet; he was still a shrewd businessman.
“Mike, I’ve been lookin’ over your accounts. I don’t think you�
��ll be able to handle the fee this month if you still want to be able to eat.”
Mike let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. I could see he was forcing back a headache.
“Can you give me a little more time to get the money together then,” Mike asked.
“I can see what I can do, but at this rate, you have about two months before someone is going to send you a notice.”
“They’re going to foreclose on the farm?”
“They’ll do just that, Mike. It’s everything you got anyway.”
“Then I’ll just have to find a way to come up with the money. Don’t suppose you know any rich ladies lookin’ to pay for a poke, would you?”
“Ugh, you’re as incorrigible as ever, Mike. Get outta here.”
With that, he ushered us out. I kept my mouth shut as best I could, but I doubt it really helped anything.
“What else are we in town for, Mike,” I asked.
“Well, I need a couple things for dinner for the next week, let’s get that and head on out.”
I nodded and followed along like a baby duckling following its mother. The sun was starting to take away all the rain from the previous night; I liked the smell that lingered in the air. It was all so fresh.
A few minutes later and we were back in the truck, ready to return home with our spoils, and possibly bad news. A short ways down the road, off the beaten path, Mike pulled over.
“Don’t tell the boys about the bank meeting,” he said.
He wasn’t even looking at me, almost like he was ashamed to say it.
“I don’t talk about what you do in town, and I’m sure they’d be jealous to find out what we do on the way back.”
I unbuttoned the top of my shirt, showing a little more skin and hoping that Mike would look over.
“You got that right, Jennie,” he said, turning toward me with a hungry look in his eye.
I hopped from the truck with a blanket in my hand and threw it out over the tall grass beside me. I doubted more than two people used this road on a weekly basis, us being one of them.
I tore off my boots and threw them aside while Mike started pulling his still buttoned shirt over his head.
I remember the first time we did this, I was a little drunk still a month back, but I knew that I wanted Mike the moment I saw him.
He was blessed with good looks that he didn’t realize he had. His chiseled jaw could cut glass, and his muscular build would always make me a little wet when he would walk by.
I even liked his tousled hat-hair when he threw off his cap. And I knew I liked him even though I did like to take poke fun at him for his reading glasses. It was a surprise when I found him peeking at me through a hole in the bathroom one day. I remember confronting him about it right away, but I never covered up the hole.
I felt like I couldn’t undress fast enough, and I never minded the help. I undid the clasp on my jeans, and he struggled to pull them all the way off.
I didn’t bother wearing underwear today since I knew we were riding into town. I liked to surprise him when I could. He could tell how turned on I was with just a glance.
I leaned up and decided to help him out of his pants as well, but not before I stopped for a quick snack. I pulled his jeans down just far enough to pull his throbbing member from his boxers. He was already hard and ready for me, which was perfect because I didn’t know how long I was going to last.
I licked along his shaft before pulling him into my mouth. I could tell he was enjoying it by the way he moaned softly. He got a little weak in the knees as I ran my hand along with my mouth.
He clenched hard, and I could feel him start to squirt his seed down my throat. I suppose I’m too good at this, or he was just more turned on that I thought.
I thought he might want to wait a minute, but he was still as hard as a rock. He rubbed along my slit with his hand, and I could feel myself oozing out for him, ready to take him in.
“Don’t wait too long,” I said.
He lay down on top of me, pushing my legs aside. I could feel him rubbing up and down my wet slit before he started sliding his beast into me.
He felt enormous when he was inside, I wasn’t exactly a big girl, but I didn’t think that would make a difference. I felt both tense and relaxed at the same time. My muscles grabbed onto his member, trying to choke every last bit of his seed out of him.
I could tell he really liked it as he began to thrust harder and harder with each passing moment. My chest became flush, and my sex was burning hot as he continued to pump.
I couldn’t last much longer, he grabbed my butt and with one final thrust, I could feel a release. I felt waves of passion overwhelm all my senses as he shot more of his white fluid into me.
Rarely in life have I ever felt such passion from a man or from anyone for that matter.
“Tell me, Mike, why don’t you want the other guys to know?” I asked.
“Jennie, those guys are like my brothers. Do you want to live in a household where your sisters know that you’re having sex with the only man in the house? I didn’t think so. It’s just best to keep it quiet.”
I giggled, thinking about being with my sister again. She might be a bit of a prude, but I still wondered what she was doing from time to time, I’m sure she thought the same of me.
“Mike, we’re running late. We should probably cut the pillow talk and get back,” I said while trying to hunt down my pants.
Now dressed, and back in the car, we made it a quick trip back to the ranch.
3.
Buck and Larry stood at the front porch with expressions on their faces that didn’t instill confidence. A sour feeling came into my stomach as we walked toward the front.
“What’s going on, Larry,” started Mike.
“We lost almost half,” he replied.
Mike’s mood seemed to switch almost instantly.
“Are you kidding me?!” he shouted. A strew of expletives flew from his mouth for what seemed like a minute before he calmed down.
“Okay, let’s have a look,” was all he added.
The four of us hiked out to the field in the back. They weren’t lying at all. It looked like a good amount of the crops were uprooted and destroyed.
I could feel Mikes rage building as he crouched down to inspect the ruined field. He looked defeated; there wasn’t any way to get out of this. I was sure that Mr. Grant’s words were weighing heavily on his mind.
“What can we salvage?”
“That’s just it. Buck and I have been working on that all morning. It’s slow going, but we might be able to get about a quarter of that back in the ground. A good sum of it is just too far gone to be of any use.”
“Alright, guys get your hands in the dirt, let’s get this done.”
I slopped around in wet fields, with fairly uncomfortable jeans for the rest of the day. I didn’t have any time to sneak off to change, even when I had a quick bathroom break. This field meant a lot to Mike, and I figured it meant a little more than my own comfort.
I wanted to console Mike as only a woman could. But, I wanted to respect the distance he kept between us. I didn’t want to force anything.
As night fell across the ranch, the hum of the lights inside sprung to life. Without any light, it was almost impossible to do much else. We all headed back inside for some food and shut-eye.
I ate more than usual; I hadn’t worked that hard since my first day on the ranch, and it showed. My bruises had bruises, and I was still a bit weak in the knees from earlier. I waited for Buck and Larry to head off to sleep before I confronted Mike.
“What are you goin’ to do, Mike,” I asked plainly.
“I’m fixin’ to do what I always do, Jennie,” he replied.
“Yeah, and what’s that?”
“Pray to God for a miracle, and another month,” he let out an uncomfortable chuckle.
I walked over to his side, and now that nobody was looking, I gave him a long embrace. I knew he needed it. He
just leaned into my breast and held me in turn.
After a few minutes, I let him go.
“I’m headin’ off to bed. Lot of work waitin’ for us tomorrow.”
He just nodded and leaned back in his chair.
With the comfort of my bed and the weariness in my bones, I nodded off to sleep almost instantly.
The next day was the same. We would wake up and eat as much as we could for breakfast before returning to the grueling work of repairing the field.
For the next week, my muscles ached and begged me to rest, but I never gave in. I could see the rest of the group feeling the same way, and I didn’t want to be the only person to give in.
Once we finished with the field, I could see a bit of hope return to Mike’s sullen face. I was glad that he was starting to get back to the way he was.
The month flew by, and I could tell that he was still incredibly nervous. I started to get nervous as well when I was late for my period. When we went into town at the beginning of the next month, I ducked into the pharmacy store and bought a pregnancy test.
I rode silently all the way back to the ranch house. I think Mike could sense my nerves.
“You doin’ alright, Jennie,” he asked.
“Oh, I’m just fine; I think it was the eggs Larry made for breakfast.”
Mike laughed and understood. But, when we arrived, I rushed upstairs to the bathroom. I didn’t know what I was hoping for, positive or negative.
Mike was an amazing guy, so having his baby would be an experience like none other. But, the idea of giving birth was scary. I wouldn’t be much help around the ranch, aside from being the cook and cleaning lady. Then to top it off, we’d have to tell Buck and Larry that we had been sleeping together for quite a while, which might rile them up a bit.
I let out a sigh; I would accept whichever the outcome with a happy face and figure it out from there. I shook as I plucked the test off the countertop and looked.
I was pregnant.
I can’t say that I was sad in any way, just nervous. I couldn’t figure out what I would say to Mike when I told him I was having his baby. I wondered how he would react to me telling him. I wanted so bad just to slink away again, maybe be a waitress in a highway diner somewhere so I wouldn’t have to deal with this.
Romance: Teen Romance: Follow Your Dreams (A Nerd and a Bad Boy Romance) (New Adult High School Sports Romance) Page 19