Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Nick was right. They had stopped a few times at gas stations and quick stops for snacks and bathroom breaks but Parker and Kelsey had really only had breakfast and it was already past lunch.

  “Hey.” Mark nodded.

  Parker had finally pushed himself from the car stepping out into the drizzle. “Man.” He groaned.

  “Should have woke when I told you. The rain just started.” Kelsey teased.

  “Sure it did.” He shook his head, “Hello everyone.”

  “Mister MacKay.” Annie beamed. “Nice seeing you again.”

  “Same.”

  They pushed into the house, leaving the luggage inside the car for the night. Everyone sat down for dinner, reintroducing Parker to everyone as the ‘man of the ranch’. Kelsey had told everyone of their engagement and how Parker would learn as he went how the ranch needed to be ran. They had discussed what was new on the ranch such as the twelve new calves, one litter of piglets, two litters of puppies and one set of kittens.

  James had accidently added in how Dylan was going in front of the judge next week and how the sheriff assured them that he would be getting a restraining order if nothing else. “Wait a minute.” Parker said quickly as he turned his head to Kelsey “What happened and why didn’t I know about it?”

  “Uh…” Kelsey muttered. “When you were gone… I didn’t think it mattered.”

  “It didn’t matter?!” Parker hissed. “That ass should have never been here in the first place… I never liked him and he was just looking to mess things up! I trusted you to be honest…” Parker howled.

  “Can we talk about this later?” Kelsey said quietly looking around at everyone in the dining room who fell silent and were now staring at their plates.

  “NO!” Parker yelled. He couldn’t fully explain why it had set him off so much but it down right pissed him off that he wasn’t here to protect her from that jerk. What had she done that had led her into that moment of weakness anyway?

  Kelsey glared her eyes at Parker as she angrily slammed her hands down on the table and pushed her chair back letting it clamber onto the floor. “I’m going to bed.” She snapped.

  “Kelsey.” Parker said but it was too late. She was up and out of the kitchen quickly. As soon as her feet hit the next room she bolted up the stairs.

  For some reason, Kelsey felt the need to busy herself with something. Kelsey stomped up into the master bedroom and grabbed hold of a box which was waiting to be loaded up. Angrily she shoved the unwanted items inside it. She wanted the room to be cleared out.

  Parker groaned. Everyone at the table had busied themselves and quickly moved out of the house into their own busy work. Annie and James remained. James had started the problem and he needed to explain everything to Parker, try and calm him down and rectify things. “Parker …” He said offering Parker a piece of pie as he sat down beside him.

  Parker looked up from the table. He was thinking with his head in his hands “What?” He asked.

  “Listen. She wasn’t compromising anything… Dylan forced himself into her personal space when she was mopping around about you. Dylan was drunk. Luckily, Annie was there with her gun and we had caught him before anything happened. Go on. We know you aren’t angry with Kelsey. She needs you to be the strong one in her life. She’s strong but such a sensitive girl with pain in her heart. She’s got so much on her shoulders…” James dragged on. “Go on, man up and go apologize.”

  Parker nodded. He shoved himself up from the table and made his way upstairs. When he pushed open the door to the bedroom it was silent and dark. Where was she, he thought. Parker didn’t know where to look but he tried anyway. He knew somewhat whose rooms were which so he began at the beginning of the hall knocking and pushing open doors.

  It was about time Kelsey packed the room up. She would move her and Parker’s things in here. Her grandfather would have wanted that. She thrust open the porch double doors and listened to the sound of the light rain as she boxed up the old clothing from the closet.

  Kelsey had found herself yawning and curling up on the bed once she found an old diary. As she read, she drifted off to sleep curled within her grandmother’s homemade lap blanket.

  Each room Parker went past was just as silent and dark as the one before it, until he finally came to the one at the end of the hall with a large wooden door. Light protruded from beneath the door. She had to be there. His hand knocked but received no reply. With a sigh Parker pushed the door open. Parker’s eyes fell upon the bed and the girl wrapped in a blanket upon it.

  Strutting over, Parker scooped Kelsey up and into his arms. “I’m sorry” He whispered as he carried her out into the bedroom.

  Chapter 49

  Kelsey woke up the next morning to the warmth and masculine scent of Parker beside her. She sighed, she had meant to actually get something done when she was cleaning, but it was obvious she had fallen asleep. The sun had yet to rise; Kelsey leaned down and kissed Parker’s cheek.

  “Wonderful way to wake up in the morning,” He murmured wrapping her in his arms, making Kelsey squeal.

  “Are you going to go on the cattle drive with us today? We are leaving as soon as we get things packed up. It’ll be a few days before we get back, so we need to leave today in order to be back to welcome our guests for the bonfire later in the week.” Kelsey told him.

  “Of course I’m coming along.” He smiled. “You’ll have to show me what needs to be done, but I expect to learn everything that is done here so I can help you out as much as possible.” He told her as he rubbed his hand along her exposed thigh beneath the blankets.

  Kelsey sucked in a breath as Parker slowly trailed his hand upward. “We need to get ready.” She stuttered.

  He nodded, squeezed her thigh then pushed away. Kelsey moaned missing his contact then pushed from her spot on the bed as well. They took showers then set out two sets of clothing on the bed each. “Something warm…” Kelsey said putting her and Parker’s sweatshirts off to the side. “Two pair of jeans each, underwear, shirt, socks…”

  When they had each thing they needed, Kelsey dropped the items into a basket and placed on her hip to bring it down stairs. They went by Annie placing food on the buffet table and the hands getting ready for breakfast. “Morning” Kelsey said.

  “Good morning.” A few greeted through mouths filled with food.

  Parker walked to the buffet and began to dig in. Kelsey walked up to Nick and Markus, who were talking together and asked, “So how many do we have for the drive?” They turned to her and offered a smile. “Well there is four newbies who are coming, myself” Nick said “Mark, yourself and Parker, and your brother if he makes it before we leave.” Nick told her.

  “And we have meals planned out?” She asked.

  “Yeah, Annie has actually picked up some meat and dry ice, which will last in the cooler for a few days. We’ll have sandwiches and stuff for lunches, chili and hotdogs for dinners. Hopefully, everything goes well and we will be out only two nights and on our way back.” Mark explained. “I have already pulled out sleeping bags and a few tents…” He continued to explain.

  “Great, as soon as everyone’s ready and finished eating we’ll head out.” Kelsey nodded.

  Outside the house, Kelsey and Parker walked together toward the barn. Nick had given them a bag for their clothing, which Kelsey stuffed everything inside, then handed it back to him. The wagon was loaded up with sleeping bags, tents, food, and other might be needed supplies.

  “Have you ever ridden a horse before?” Kelsey asked Parker as they approached the barn.

  “Once,” He admitted. “It was an interesting thing…”

  Kelsey giggled. “Well, you are going to be riding Demon. He’s a great horse. Just remember the most important thing… don’t be nervous, horses can sense your fear.” She told him stopping before inside a stall. The beautiful sorrel snorted and pawed at the ground.

  “Great.” Parker mumbled. “A horse with a name doomed to fail.” He
grumbled.

  Kelsey let out a loud startling laugh, which caused the horse to thrust his head up. “He’s an amazing horse. You’ll like him if you give him a chance. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll let you ride Thunder…” She drawled “Maybe I’ll even change with you just for kicks. Demon is a beautiful creature and amazing to ride.”

  “I’d take her up on that one man!” Mark said stepping up behind them. “Nobody ever gets to ride Thunder, he’s only Kelsey’s.”

  Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Don’t scare him. Demon will be your horse if you like him. He is slightly high strung because he is a pure bred quarter horse stallion, but he brings me some good babies when people are looking for a smooth riding horse. He’ll be good for chasing down those cows, has a lot of strength and endurance…”

  Kelsey tugged the horse from the stall and brought him down the aisle to a hitching post. “Zeus…, now… we have Thunder.” She said bringing out the next horse and tying him up as well. They had one horse after another lined up outdoor at the posts. “Parker can you call Ryder and see when they’ll be here … I want to know if they are going to be coming along…” Kelsey asked as she tapped the wooden walls of the barn trying to think.

  Parker walked off pulling his cell from his pocket. By the time he had returned Kelsey had pulled out another two horses, each different in their own beautiful way. “He said they’re an hour out still.” Parker said as she approached with the fifth horse.

  “Typical.” She groaned. “Can you pull Morning Star and Demon from their stalls? I will get Prince, Ginger, Comet, Cobalt, and Brownie from the pasture.” She questioned him. Parker looked at her questioningly. “Just open the door, grab their halter, and pull gently. They’ll walk easily. I believe…” She droned as she looked around. “Oh there he is…” Mark and Nick were walking out of the pasture’s gate with two massive Clydesdales. They were fully dressed in reining gear ready to pull their wagon. “Nick and Mark are getting the wagon set up. If you have any trouble they’ll help when their done.”

  With that Kelsey disappeared into the barn once again. Parker turned and watched her leave before walking into the barn. He wondered how he would know which horses were those she requested. Then he noticed the plaque on the doors with a labeled name. Sure enough, Morning Star was one of the labels. Slowly he opened the door. The friendly mare walked forward and whinnied as she pushed her head out toward him.

  “Hello,” Parker said quietly as he reached out to grab the horse’s halter. He then turned to push the door open the rest of the way and before he could tug on the horse, she pushed into his back and continued forward.

  “Hey hey stop whoa…” He hissed as he tried his best to tug the horse to a stop. She was a big mare, strong and sturdy, and headstrong. The horse continued down the aisle practically dragging Parker along until they came to the exit of the barn. She whipped her head to the left slightly then turned toward the right and continued right up to the hitching post, which was a relief to Parker.

  He quickly snapped the strap to the silver steal ring, which he had watched Kelsey do to the other horses then moved away to get the next. There was already two more horses attached to the posts outside and he wondered if those were some that Kelsey was getting, if so she worked fast.

  Re-entering the barn he made his way down the aisle looking for his next horse. Some of the stalls were left open and obviously didn’t hold anything any longer. When he arrived to the back of the barn and still didn’t find the right stall, Parker groaned and turned to go back up the aisle on the far side. In the direct center of the far side of the barn he finally came to Demon.

  Peering inside he sucked in a breath at the beast he was about to pull out. “They can sense your fear.” He mumbled. The massive quarter horse raised his head up and Parker sighed as he slowly reached for the horse. “Easy boy,” He muttered.

  The horse huffed stepping back slightly before lowering his head and pushing forward into Parker. Parker chuckled, “Good boy, you’re not so bad are you,” He murmured as he petted the horse’s big head.

  He was beautiful. Shiny, slick black body, crimped main and tail, and extremely massive hooves with long flowing hair down covering them. Parker tightened his grip and gently tugged the horse forward. “Okay boy, easy…” He purred.

  As Parker and Demon exited the barn, getting along very well, Nick chuckled shaking his head. “That horse is not going.” He told Parker.

  “Huh?” Parker asked. “Kelsey said…”

  “Nope, I don’t think he’d be a good choice.” Nick replied.

  “Nick…” Mark started. “Kelsey told him to get the horse. He’s riding him.”

  Nick let out a bursting laugh “What’s so funny?” Kelsey asked as she placed her hands on her hips and glared at the man.

  “Kelsey really?”

  “Do you question my judgment?” She scowled.

  “Oh uh… no…” Nick stated “but I think you might want Parker there to see your wedding day.” He laughed again.

  “There is nothing wrong with Demon.” She snorted. “If he doesn’t work well with that horse I’ll ride him, but don’t you dare…” She snarled. “Now get the saddles out. Where is the other hands?” She snapped.

  “Boys!” Nick called and turned to watch as the remaining hands came from the wagon. “Get saddle up. We’ll be heading out soon.”

  Each person saddled their own horse, with the exception of Parker. Kelsey saddled that beast and her own horse Thunder. She secured the saddle bags filled with snacks, and various other items onto the back of the saddles and made sure their clothing bag was dropped into the back of the wagon before hoisting herself up.

  “You might need these…” Nick said. Kelsey smiled over at the two men. Nick had been asked to pick up a pair of brown cowboy boots for Parker, a heavy rain slicker, and a hat.

  “Thanks.” Parker said slipping the hat on his head. He rolled the coat up and attached it to the back of the saddle then took off his shoes and pulled on the boots. “How did you know my size…?” He asked before turning to a grinning Kelsey. “Thanks.”

  “Ah… it’s nothin’ just had Nick pick some up. You can pick out something fancier later; right now we need something just for functionality.” She beamed to him.

  Parker nodded and slipped his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself up onto the horse. The horse huffed flailing his head around, smacking its body. “Hey?” Parker complained.

  “Bug,” Kelsey chuckled. “He’s just fly swattin’. Everyone ready?” She called out.

  A few dogs barked and Mark whistled for their attention; they were the cattle herding dogs, which would help wrangle up the cows. The horses were all mounted or at least attached with lead ropes to the back of the wagon. Kelsey had explained how they brought a few extra horses in case something happened while they were out. “Everyone’s ready!” Nick called back as he yelled, “gitty up,” to the two massive horses leading the wagon, the wagon jerked and people surrounding Kelsey and Parker kicked their horses into gear.

  Chapter 50

  Mark had let out the cattle which were in their field waiting to rejoin the herd. It took half the day to meet up with the herd of cattle which needed to be moved. They were sprawled around the range in small groups. The remaining cattle which had babies and needed to rejoin the herd mooed and frolicked as they met up with the other cattle.

  Mark’s quick whistles alerted the dogs into action, Kelsey and Parker took off toward the right while two other people on horseback took off to the left and rounding up from the behind.

  “We need to herd them toward the gorge entrance!” Kelsey yelled. Nick had continued on with the James, whom decided at the last moment to ride along on the wagon. They were going to set up camp early at the normal half way mark they could take a short cut.

  Once the cattle got pointed in the right direction the groups pushed them into the gorge. The gorge was actually just a smaller indentation between two large hills but the cows didn�
��t normally like going up the steep incline so they stayed in a tight group through it.

  The ride was long but eventually they made it to the halfway mark, they pushed the cattle to the far side of the river and hopped off their horses for the night. “Wow, James you two work fast.” Kelsey grinned at her uncle. Nick and James had already set up camp tents and a makeshift fence for the horses they were riding to rest in.

  “Yeah it seems Nick knew about what time you were to arrive. So he started up the large stew pot with dinner.” James admitted.

  “Wow, this is pretty nice.” Parker grinned.

  Kelsey chuckled. “We stop here twice every year when driving the cattle.”

  Parker looked around at the campsite, there was a fire pit in the center, the horses at the fence to the far side, logs scattered around for sitting on, and four tents set up. “So who gets to share a tent?” He grimaced as he looked around at all the men. He hoped he would get to cuddle with Kelsey alone and not have her being by herself.

  “Why baby?” Kelsey cooed stepping up beside Parkers, “you getting some ideas?

  Parker gulped and looked over to the men, who were now choking back laughter. “I was just…” Parker stuttered.

  “We get our own.” She smirked as she rubbed past his body and toward the campsite.

  Parker let out a heavy breath and slowly followed after “Anyone in for a dip?” Kelsey called as she strut toward the small river. She was still hot from the day’s ride.

  “I am, if you are!” Mark called as he raced after her followed by multiple other guys. Everyone around their age was stripping as they ran into the water.

  “I don’t think so.” Parker groaned. “I don’t want them to see you like that…” He shifted his head toward the guys who were only in there boxers in the water.

  Kelsey smiled but took off her top anyway. Hoots and whistles erupted and Kelsey rolled her eyes as she dropped her jeans to the ground. “Catch me if you can PJ.” She called as she raced out to the water.