Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Parker groaned.

  The drive took forever. The three of them had traded off driving as they made their way there. At the rate they would arrive in the middle of the night but that was okay. When they got there Parker sat up and watched in amazement. “This is her land.” Ryder told him.

  “You mean your mother’s property right?” Parker asked.

  “Uh no.” Ryder chuckled lightly. “Our grandpa gave it to Kelsey. I had the option of splitting it with her but I am not really much interested in it.” Ryder said honestly.

  Parker grinned and shook his head. The land was beautiful. When the truck finally pulled up to the house it was late and very dark. Howls and barks of the many dogs around sounded and a light or two flicked on inside the house. They hadn’t intended on waking anyone, actually they really didn’t even consider it until it happened.

  Ryder and Parker stood outside the truck while Hannah climbed out when the house door suddenly flew open. The racking of a shot gun made them all freeze. “Who goes there?” Someone yelled.

  “It’s Ryder, Kelsey’s brother…” Ryder announced “Drop the gun, you fool, I am welcomed here!” Ryder yelled.

  Ryder could see the shoot gun lower but the person was still skeptical. “I didn’t know Miss Lodge had a brother.” The person called again.

  It was obvious the person was new to the ranch. Ryder didn’t visit often but everyone who was here treated him like family. Ryder was about to call again but someone stepped up beside the man, pressing a hand to his bicep and whispering something. “Who is there?” The girl’s voice was low and Ryder thought it very well could be his sister, yet he knew for sure when he heard a loud screech. “Ryder!”

  It was Kelsey and she came barreling toward the truck. “Kels,” Ryder chuckled catching her in his arms and swinging her slightly. “How have you been?”

  It was dark but Ryder could make out the glimmer of the tears within Kelsey’s eyes and hugged her tight. “I brought someone.” Ryder told her.

  “Hey Kels” Hannah smiled shyly. She wasn’t fully sure her presence was welcomed here.

  “Oh my goodness, Hannah!” Kelsey cried out and nearly tackled the other girl in a hug. She missed her friend. She missed her family and she was lonely in a way. “I’ve been so alone here.” She murmured as she slowly released Hannah.

  “Ah hem.” Parker cleared his throat, trying to make himself known. He had stepped around the truck and came up behind Kelsey. “Hey.” He said softly as Kelsey turned around.

  “Parker.” She said slowly before enclosing him in a hug as well. “I am so happy you’re all here.” Kelsey said from within Parker’s arms. “It should be a dry rest of the night, why don’t we just leave your things and please come in…” Kelsey said grasping Parker’s arm and towing him toward the house.

  The group made their way to the house with the man still holding the shotgun at the door. “Dylan, put the gun away before I have to smack you with it.” Kelsey let go of Parker’s arm and turned toward Dylan. Parker could feel jealousy boiling up within him. His fists clenched and his teeth grit together as he watched Kelsey raise her hand to the man’s cheek and begin to speak. “I had a fun night, maybe we should do it again sometime, why don’t you go to bed. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Sure thing Kelsey,” Dylan said softly before he walked out of the door and into the dark.

  “What was that about?” Parker growled.

  Kelsey smirked. “He’s just a friend. Come on.” She grabbed Parker’s hand once again and tugged him into the living room.

  “You guys must be tired. And don’t lie to me; I know you two have been sleeping together.” Kelsey drawled. “Your room is still unoccupied Ry, why don’t you two head to up there.”

  “Thanks Kels.” Ryder yawned taking Hannah’s hand and escorting her toward the stairs.

  “Parker, you tired? You can sleep in my room for tonight” Parker began to grin until Kelsey continued “Until we get a room fixed up for you in the morning. I’ll just sleep on the couch…”

  “Thanks Kelsey.” Parker said lowly, he pulled her close and wrapped his free arm around her waist. “You’re incredibly sexy in the just woken from sleep look.”

  Kelsey blushed and pushed at Parker’s chest. Ducking her head down “Thanks” she answered softly.

  “Right this way,” Kelsey offered dropping Parker’s hand. Most people knew if they pressed Kelsey would run.

  Parker sighed when Kelsey dropped his hand but followed behind her quietly. She walked up the stairs and to her bedroom. “This is my room.” She said pressing the door open. The bed was still made and the room looked as if it was untouched. That made Parker frown, maybe what he had been feared had come true. Kelsey was sleeping with someone, and that someone was most likely the big guy who stood at the door with the gun.

  “Thanks.” Parker said, stepping inside “Are you coming in?” He asked awkwardly. He didn’t know how to put it delicately that he wanted Kelsey with him, nor did he know how to ask where she would be sleeping without sounding like a creep.

  “Oh, uh…” Kelsey mumbled. “I have a perfectly nice couch down stairs.” Kelsey said quickly turning around.

  Parker sucked in a breath and took his chances; he took a quick step forward and grasped Kelsey’s hand. “That’s not acceptable, stay, I promise I won’t bite.” His voice was low and husky.

  Kelsey looked around the room nervously, then up at Parker’s eyes slowly. He was staring at her with hope filled eyes. “I…” Kelsey began.

  Parker tugged her close once again. “Please.” He whispered softly, so softly it was almost unheard.

  Kelsey took a tentative step forward before murmuring “No funny business, mister.”

  “Of course not.” Parker added with a grin.

  Kelsey watched as Parker walked over to the far side of her bed and dropped his jeans to the floor. “Uh…” Kelsey said urgently covering her eyes.

  “Jeans are too uncomfortable for bed. I’m covered now.” He chuckled.

  “You’re not going to try anything…” Kelsey asked slowly taking a step forward. She had never slept in the same bed as a man nor gone much farther than kissing and this was a new thing to her.

  “You can’t blame a guy for trying, you’re a beautiful woman.” Parker stated and watched as Kelsey took a fleeting step back toward the door before adding “I would never push something on you that you’re not ready for.” He patted the bed and lifted the covers “come here.”

  Kelsey eventually took those steps toward the bed. Once she slipped beneath the blankets Parker let the blankets fall amongst them. He curled his arms around Kelsey’s waist and tugged her close to him, earning a small squeak of surprise from Kelsey. He pressed his head into her neck and closed his eyes.

  “I’ve been meaning to ask you something…” He purred.

  Kelsey gulped, “Oh and what would that be?” She said nervously.

  “I was wondering if you would reconsider that no boyfriend thing…?” He drawled out.

  Kelsey smiled. She had been considering that very same question for a while now. She could at least do the long distance thing if nothing else for right now. She could see Parker on the weekends when she saw her family… “I might have been thinking the same thing lately…” She murmured then added “goodnight.”

  “Goodnight princess.” He said pressing his lips to her skin. It was obvious Parker was grinning like the devil.

  A shiver raked through her body and her words came out husky, “Goodnight.”

  Chapter 29

  A knock on the door didn’t even faze Kelsey. She shouldn’t have stayed up so late with Dylan and then the arrival of Ryder, Parker, and Hannah… had been so late in the middle of the night which had awoken Kelsey from her spot on the couch. She was tired.

  “Miss Lodge.” Annie’s voice said peering inside the room.

  Parker groaned leaning up on his elbow looking toward the woman “Morning.”

&nbs
p; “Oh… uh” Annie mumbled “I am sorry to interrupt.” Slowly she began.

  “It’s alright. What is it you needed?” Parker asked stretching before looking down at Kelsey.

  Annie gulped. “I didn’t know.” She grinned but backed toward the door.

  “Annie?” Kelsey finally groaned. The voices in the room were awaking her. She opened her eyes and looked over toward the door.

  “I’m sorry madam. I didn’t know you had a guest.” Annie mumbled looking past Kelsey to Parker.

  Kelsey’s eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him. She could only imagine how it looked to Annie. A half naked man looking across the room at her curiously from beside Kelsey in bed, “Annie, it’s …” Kelsey tried to explain.

  Holding up her hand, Annie grinned “It’s normal for you to want a man in your bed someday; I just didn’t expect him to be there. I just came to tell you the Sweetie is ready.”

  “Oh!” Kelsey yelped quickly pushing her legs to the side of the bed and jumping up. “Thank you for letting me know; tell the boys I’ll be there in as soon as I can.” She said hurriedly moving around her room.

  “Yes ma’am, she just laid… I assume it’ll be a bit still…” Annie smirked looking back at the man in the bed. Kelsey then realized what she had been wearing. At one point Kelsey had dropped her bottoms to only sleep in her tank and underwear. Her hair was a mess and she had been lying with Parker.

  “Please Annie… don’t look at him like that.” Kelsey groaned as she walked toward the door. “Thank you. Please, ready a tray of breakfast for me to take out.” She closed the door and turned around to see Parker eyeing her with a smirk.

  “It could be what she’s thinking …” Parker said slowly.

  “Not now Parker. Get dressed. I have to go. I have a horse ready to give birth.” Kelsey began as she pulled on an old pair of jeans and a dark tank. She looked back over at Parker and groaned. “You coming or not.”

  “Really?” Parker asked, not fully sure.

  “Well, if you would like to come with me you can. But I need to go. Annie’s got left over breakfast down in the kitchen. I can’t even believe I slept in so late.” Kelsey groaned as she pulled on a pair of socks.

  Parker stood and quickly made his way to Kelsey. “Don’t be embarrassed. You’re a woman with needs.” Parker wrapped an arm around Kelsey’s stomach and pulled her into his chest as he whispered. Kelsey’s cheeks were already crimson and they quickly turned the brightest color of scarlet she was sure.

  Kelsey pushed away. “Who said I have needs…” She muttered.

  Parker chuckled kissing her nose. “Alright, well, you better get movin.” He tapped her behind as he turned to walk back to his jeans lying on the floor. Kelsey watched Parker’s back side as he walked for a moment. He made her have feelings… and he was hers now.

  Scoffing Kelsey made her way out the door.

  Chapter 30

  Parker was sitting in the kitchen at the nook eating a cinnamon roll which Annie had heated up for him while he watched out the window, when Ryder and Hannah came in. “Morning.” Hannah cooed. “How was your night?” She questioned.

  “Good.” Parker shrugged.

  Ryder groaned. He wanted to comment but Hannah wouldn’t be happy with him if he did so he chose to go somewhere else “So where’s Kels?” He asked.

  “She said one of her horses was going to give birth. She invited me but…” Parker began.

  “She invited you to go and you didn’t!” Ryder shook his head. “I never thought she would like you… nor did I ever think you would be dumb enough to not realize she’s crazy for you.” Ryder snorted.

  Parker stiffened “what do you mean?”

  “She asked you to go out there and help!” Hannah even understood that one. “This is her life! She’s inviting you in. Now goooo…” Hannah urged.

  Parker jumped up grabbed his pop and smiled. “You think?”

  “Go on.” Ryder shook his head. Parker smiled at his friend and raced toward the door “She’s in the big barn.” Ryder called as Parker raced out the door.

  “What a bad boyfriend…” Parker mumbled.

  Parker had come through the main doors of the barn frantically looking for Kelsey. “Kelsey?” he called.

  “Shhh…” Kelsey hissed as she stepped from the tack room. Stepping out from the room Kelsey had her hands filled with blankets, buckets, and other materials. Parker nodded “Horses are sensitive to sound when their giving birth. They have been known to hold off on dropping their foals if there’s too much disturbance.”

  “Can I take those for you?” he asked.

  “Thanks.” Kelsey beamed as she dropped the blankets into Parker’s arms.

  Together they sat on the floor of Sweetie’s stall. Kelsey every once in a while would get up and nurture the horse. After a few hours Annie came out with tray. “Lunch Miss?” She said quietly.

  “Please.” Kelsey replied. “I am thirsty and I’m sure Parker here is starving.” She gestured toward Parker then back to Annie “What did ya bring?”

  “I brought sandwiches, fruit, sodas, and some snacks for later.” Annie shrugged holding out the tray.

  “Thank you.” Parker said accepting the tray from Annie’s hands.

  “Nick, will you take watch while Parker and I eat our lunch?” Kelsey asked.

  Nick gave her a knowing smirk and Kelsey groaned. “Not you too…”

  “Hey everyone has needs.” Nick commented. “Go on.”

  “Oh my goosh!” Kelsey groaned. She strode into the office, walking around the desk, and flopping into the chair.

  Parker walked in with a smirk. “Come over here.” He told her.

  “I think I’ll eat right here.” Kelsey replied watching as Parker set the tray on an end table beside the couch.

  He shook his head and walked around the desk. Standing directly in front of Kelsey, Parker gripped her hands tugging her up to him. “Come with me princess.” He breathed.

  Kelsey gulped but allowed Parker to take control. He gently tugged her to the couch and sat down pulling her with him. Parker grabbed at a sandwich and passed it to Kelsey then took a bowl of fruit in his hands.

  “Are you going to eat all the fruit?” Kelsey questioned shyly.

  “Of course not, I am going to feed them to you.” He grinned.

  Kelsey rose an eyebrow as Parker poked a fork into a piece of strawberry then held it up to Kelsey’s lips. Slowly Kelsey opened her mouth and Parker pushed the fork inside. His eyes watched every movement as Kelsey slowly closed her lips around the utensil and her eyes slipped shut. “Mmm.” She moaned softly.

  Parker’s grin widened. “I could watch this all day.” He murmured.

  They continued this way until half of the bowl was emptied. Kelsey grabbed for the bowl, Parker smirked and shook his head. “Nah uh.” He told her swatting playfully at her hand.

  “You would love them… they are from our garden.” Kelsey pouted.

  “Yes, I am sure they are but you are enjoying them so much.” Parker shrugged as he handed her the bowl before gripping her hips and pulling her into his lap.

  “What are you doing?” Kelsey yelped, trying to squirm from his lap.

  Groaning a bit Parker spoke lowly “Princess you’re pushing my control with that.”

  Kelsey froze as her eyes slowly looked down at Parker’s crotch. “Oh.” She sucked in a breath. While Kelsey’s hands were occupied holding the bowl, Parker gripped Kelsey’s jaw tilting her up to meet him as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips.

  “You are amazing.” He murmured.

  Neither dared break the kiss. Kelsey enjoyed the sensation of Parker’s lips on her lips, and Parker was elated with this opportunity. That was until there was someone clearing their throat at the door. “Ah hem.” Nick said.

  “Oh uh… Nick, it’s not what you …” Kelsey mumbled.

  Shrugging “Doesn’t quite matter at the moment darling, just kiss him and come out her
e. Sweetie’s starting to push.”

  Kelsey smiled softly and pressed her lips to Parker’s before getting up quickly, grabbing Parker’s hand, and tugging him toward the door.

  “Come on girl” Kelsey cooed rubbing Sweetie’s thigh. She was tugging on the foal as Sweetie pushed it out. “When I get this baby out I need you to wrap it in that towel and get the stuff off its nose and out of its mouth. Okay!” She demanded.

  They had recently discovered there was more than one foal within this momma. She was lucky to have twins. The first was almost out completely but the second she was eagerly awaiting for. With one last push and tug the foal tumbled to the ground. Kelsey quickly lifted it toward PARKER who was waiting with a blanket and Nick who was waiting with a suction device and some other cleaning supplies.

  “Wow,” PARKER breathed “you’re amazing.” He murmured. He gently rubbed the baby cleaning it along with Nick.

  When they had finished and the baby was cleaned up, the two carried it into the stall off to the side and waited until Kelsey offered them the last one. Accepting the last foal the guys cleaned it up as well. Kelsey pushed the first foal toward the momma who had quickly stood up.

  “Well momma” Kelsey smiled standing up making sure the foal was suckling “you definitely gave me some cute babies.” Kelsey beamed. Sweetie was a dark brown horse with a nearly black main and tail and she had a white patch down her forehead.

  “Yes she did.” Parker admitted towing the second foal to the momma. “Did you expect two?”

  “No.” Kelsey said turning toward Parker. She was filled with blood and dirt from the stall. Dusting her hands across her pants, she came up to Parker’s side “Julio had set up the breeding and was taking care of the care. I didn’t have time to check the records.”

  Parker smiled grabbing her chin in his hand pulling her into a kiss. “Hey.” Kelsey squealed. “I need a shower.”

  “Well…something about the miracle of life makes one want to share their love.” He smiled. “Don’t look so tempting.” He teased pecking her lips once again.

  Kelsey flushed and turned to look at the foals. “Nick, can you make sure they finish their meal and then send them into another stall so this one can be cleaned up? I would like them to stay inside for the week.”