Rancher's Creed (Ciaran O'Connor Book 2)

by Alyssa Bailey

The conversation became very animated. After about an hour, both decided they were too tired to continue so they rang off.

  Katie went down to check with Quinn about trails for tomorrow, as it would help her day go faster if she was hiking. However, she would just say she was going for a walk so no one got upset as it was the first part of April and there was still enough snow to make it a bit trying if she went too far. She asked Quinlan where would be the best place for her to go for a walk with some pretty landscaping. He gave her a few options and pulled out a brochure that identified several locations. He showed her the walking trails that were easy to walk and she took the information to decide which one to do. He also tweaked her nose and warned her against going up into the higher areas because of the snowmelt and she was going alone.

  "Don't go in more than about a mile or so without someone with you because you won't get into trouble just a mile in. The ground is soft and thaws easily in the afternoon so you could get stuck or a wild animal may be roaming that would like you for dinner."

  "I am going to be very careful, Quinn. I'm going to grab a snack and make sure my phone is charged. I'll need to be back by dinner so I can change to pick up Ciarán."

  "Shoot for being done by 2:00 p.m. and you'll be done by 3:00. I know how easy it is to lose track of time."

  "Right. I'll shoot for 2:00 then. I also talked to Cheyenne a bit ago."

  "You did? Guess I know what she told you, huh?" His smile was large and uncontrollable.

  "Yeah, but I promised not to say anything, about either conversation you had. When are you going to tell everyone?"

  "About which conversation would I be telling everyone?" Katie punched his arm in response. "Tomorrow after Ciarán gets here, we will get everyone on the phone at the ranch and everyone here, and then we will share it."

  "Okay, I won't have to keep the secret long. I like those kinds of secrets."

  "Night, sis," said Quinlan as he reached over to tweak her nose again.

  "Night, brother of mine," Katie answered with a feeling of belonging.

  *****

  Katie woke up early the next morning excited that she would see her husband soon. He would be there by eight tonight, and she could hardly wait. Reaching over to open her pack, she checked that she had everything including her cell phone and keys before she set off on her hike or a long walk. Ready to go, she locked her car, put on her gloves and hat, snuggled into her outerwear, and donned her pack. The walk was brisk and invigorating and Katie's body was heating up with the exertion. As beads of sweat gathered on her forehead, she took off her inner jacket and put it in her pack before she drank some water and continued.

  The sky had a gray-blue hue enhancing her appreciation of the wildlife she encountered. The sight of deer, birds, a fox with his nose out of the hole and some squirrel chasing who knew what just gladdened her heart for the day. Nature could lift her spirits unequivocably. The snow was wet in some places with rather high drifts off the path, but the path itself seemed clear. So clear that she did not pay that much attention as she finished her snack and drank more water before heading down. She had gotten to the end of the trail that she had not expected to be able to reach and realized that she was three miles into it.

  Katie checked the time and found that she was already at 1:00 p.m. so she needed to make her descent quicker than her ascent and expected to be down by 3:00 at least. She was about two-thirds of the way down when she began to feel like the ground was shifting under her feet. As she looked down, she noticed that the ground had become more thawed under the sunshine and was creating a profusion of mud. She kept her balance for a bit, but just as she was feeling she was finding solid ground, a hole presented itself and her foot took the invitation to enter.

  The pain that shot up through her calf was tremendous, taking her breath and she yelled and grunted as she went down, putting more pressure on her leg and ankle. Being a nurse, she knew that she probably didn't break it. She more than likely pulled the ligaments and sprained it pretty well. She pulled her tee shirt off and tore it so she could wrap the ankle tightly and put her inner jacket back on. She took some time to rub her calf and try to relax the muscles. Taking more water, she grabbed a stick that she could fashion into a makeshift cane and slowly continued down the path.

  After about another quarter mile, she just could not see her way down easily so she tried her cell phone and got through to the house. Sean answered the phone and Katie explained what had happened and asked him to get Quinlan to come and help her out. Sean said he would get her help, just to be still and not to walk down any further. After resting, she struggled to get further down the path anyway and was almost able to get up to a standing position after another rest before she heard the most welcomed sound of Quinlan calling out her name.

  "Here, Quinn. You are almost to me." Within a couple of minutes, his face came into view and short of it being Ciarán's, which would have been impossible but perfect, she could not have seen a better vision. Tears began to prick the back of her eyes and she felt her breathing catch. Quinn reached down and hugged her before he pressed on her ankle. She jumped and cried out. Quinn grabbed onto her again and quieted her.

  "Shh, a stór, you are okay. Here, can you stand?"

  He helped her up and had her lean heavily on him as he helped her meet the EMS workers that were heading up the trail. They put her on a litter, and for safety, pulled her down the path. Once out onto the trailhead, she tried to get up and was pushed back down by Quinlan.

  "Oh no, deirfiúr beag, you stay down, little sister, and we will get you to the acute care so you can get your ankle checked and wrapped." Katie was comforted but could also hear some irritation in his voice.

  "Quinn, no, I can do it. I am a nurse, Ciarán is coming in at eight, and I have to pick him up. Please, Quinn, please. Don't make me go. I promise I will be fine."

  Tears began to fall and her pleading look was all Quinlan could handle. He spoke to the EMS and they talked for a few moments before he walked over and waited while they pulled her out of the ambulance and helped her to her feet. She signed the refusal form.

  Katie was still wiping tears as they continued to fall and she leaned into Quinlan's arms. "Hang on, Sis, I have you. I will take you home. You are definitely an O'Connor, stubbornness and all."

  They were driving home when Quinn asked how he was going to explain to Ciarán that he did not make his wife go to at least the acute care so that she could get her ankle looked at. Katie said she would tell him and not allow him to be angry with Quinn. If they could stop at a drug store, then she could tell him what to get and she would be able to wrap her own ankle very well. They did that and she had to hear the complaints once again after arriving home.

  "Son, you should have just ignored this young lady and taken her anyway," stated Sean, and in answer to his statement, Katie began to cry again. "Katie, ghrá, don't cry. You are home now, it's okay. We are not going to take you in. But, lass, Ciarán is going to have our heads."

  "Ciarán. Oh my gosh. What time is it? He will be coming in soon. I need to go get him." Katie began to get up gingerly when both O'Connor men pushed her back down into the chair.

  "Oh, no, my girl, now you are begging for your spanking," informed Quinn. "You are going to stay right here. One of us will go get him. He doesn't land until eight o'clock. We have plenty of time."

  "But I told him I would," Katie persisted.

  "And if you even attempt to go, I will toss you over my knee, young lady. I would not be surprised if Ciarán repeated the exercise for good measure because you can't believe he would think it a good idea. Cheyenne is on her way soon so she and mom can keep you company while I go and get Ciarán." Quinn was adamant.

  "Be still, girl. You listen to your old Da and brother here, and for once, you better heed someone other than yourself." Da was obviously irritated.

  Katie began to protest again. "Katherine O'Connor, not another word about it, do you understand?" responded Sean O'Connor.


  "Yes, Da," she answered in a much more subdued voice this time, but with a bit of pouting.

  "I don't want to be you when your husband finds out that you did not get medical care. Just be prepared for some explaining, my dear," added Sean.

  "I know, but I am a nurse and can figure out if I should go get medical care or not. Can't I please go with you, Da? Quinn?" Two shaking heads was her final answer.

  When it was time to go, they did not even answer her pleading look verbally. Quinlan's raised eyebrows told her she was not to say another word about it. Period. Katie understood that nonverbal communication and knew that was the line in the sand. She knew better than to say another word in this family. Therefore, she accepted tea from Siobhan, allowed her to prop her leg up better, and was soon dozing off. The next thing she knew she heard the door shut and her name being called out.

  "Shh, she is sleeping," said Siobhan but Katie was already waking up from the familiar sound of her husband.

  "Ciarán." As she spoke his name, she began to move towards getting up, which drew several responses, but the only one she really heard was Ciarán's voice.

  "Do not get up, mo chroí." She continued to try to wiggle around. "Katherine O'Connor, I said stop. Now. Anois." That voice, in that tone, stilled her movements. "Hear me and sit back down." He was using his 'do not defy me' tone, but one laced with a generous portion of gentleness and concern.

  "Kie, I so missed you."

  Ciarán leaned down to gently pick her up to resituate her on his lap while being careful not to bump her ankle. "Why didn't you go get medical care, mo ghrá?" He spoke sternly but warmly in her ear.

  "I am a nurse I know what to do with a sprained ankle. There is no need going to a doctor. I will be fine."

  "We are going to talk about this later, but right now, I think there is something else about to go on. You are not off the hook by a long shot, bhean." He added the translation and punctuated that warning with a thoroughly commanding and assaultive kiss that left Katie breathless and Ciarán with a grin on his face.

  "Oh," whispered Katie when she had recovered and snuggled in his arms. "I had almost forgotten."

  Shane and Caoimhe's families had young children making it too late to take them out so they were conferenced into Quinlan's cell. Cheyenne got the rest of the family at the ranch on the house line and had it set up for Kelli to also be at the ranch. To all and sundry, they announced their engagement. Everyone began talking at the same time and the noise level seemed to triple. Once off the phone, everyone had an evening snack to celebrate and Ciarán declared his wife needed to go to bed.

  The EMT had spoken to their doctor who had a script for a few pain relievers faxed to the O'Connor drug store and Quinlan had picked them up on his way to the airport. Ciarán gave a dose to Katie and carried her up to bed, despite her protests that she wanted to talk to Cheyenne longer. The family laughed, as they knew Ciarán had his hands full with that one.

  "It's good for him to understand early what it will take to keep that young lady in line and what he needs to keep her happy and content. Sometimes, it is a fine line between happy, content, and staying within acceptable boundaries. That boy up there dotes on his wife and she is already relying on him desperately when she needs something she can't readily supply, like support and guidance when she is feeling weak. Now, if she will only relinquish household control a bit easier. That will come. They will do fine." Sean looked at Quinn as if to make sure he was paying attention. "You two will figure it out well enough and soon, we will hear the strains of love and irritation blend in your conversations," predicted Sean as he leaned over to place a kiss on his Siobhan's lips.

  "Sha, I know you're right, mo ghrá, because we have raised ours right and they pick well."

  After climbing the stairs with Katie, Ciarán began to talk to her about her stay.

  "Are you asking me what I enjoyed or what I did?"

  "Are they two different questions?"

  "Mmm, maybe. Did Quinlan talk to you about anything while you were coming home?"

  "Well, he said you were a delight to have here and that he has gotten to know you better. That Cheyenne has gotten to know you and that Mom and Da loved to share the pictures and history with you. Oh, and that you called him 'brother', and that made him happy."

  "Anything else?"

  "Like what?"

  "I don't know, just wondered."

  "Katherine," his voice was warning as he sat her on the bed.

  "What?"

  "You know I am not in the habit of asking more than once," Ciarán said with a grim, determined voice. He raised his eyebrows, which shouted his displeasure, threatening dire responses if Katie ignored his question.

  "Oh, I guess I thought he might have said something about Cheyenne and me going to a club."

  "And?"

  "And nothing, we went to this club she likes, talked and went home."

  "And that is all? So why would he want to tell me about that? Unless there was another part of this story that you are not telling me. And I will repeat myself this one time only, mo chroí, so be clear because if I do not get the whole story, I will assume you were jeopardizing either your health or safety, both of which will bring unpleasant side effects."

  "Ciarán, I am getting sleepy." When she saw him begin to rise, she reached out to stay him and quickly added, "Really, I don't see what the big deal is. We talked and had something to drink and went home."

  "What was Quinlan upset about? And listen, if I ask one more question to get the whole story, no matter whether it is 'no big deal' or not, I am going to roast you're cute little behind a glowing shade of red because I am out of patience. You decide. Do we bring out the leather?" Ciarán stood up with his hands on his hips and began to reach for his buckle.

  "Ciarán, wait. I guess it was because he said she had two drinks and I had one. Cheyenne and I had not eaten, and then she drove home." She watched her husband resume unbuckling his belt encouraging her to continue. "We checked to make sure she was under the limit to drive. She was, honest. The thing was, Quinlan said because she had not eaten, and it was right after she had the second drink, she might have been over the limit by the time she had gotten home. Honestly, Kie, we didn't think about that. We thought we were being careful."

  Katie had fat hot tears rolling down her cheeks and she whispered, "I'm sorry. Really, I didn't mean to put myself at risk or let Cheyenne do risky things and we got home fine. Quinn was mad because I guess Cheyenne had a similar type of incident with friends but they were falling down drunk and he guessed she didn't get the full message the first time. Cheyenne said he, 'talked' with her pretty intensely after they left here."

  Katie waited a few moments, and then looked up to Ciarán and asked, "Are you going to talk to me intensely?"

  Ciarán ran his hands through his hair in that characteristically O'Connor way and sighed heavily. Then he sat next to Katie and pulled her close, careful to not hurt her ankle. "Not tonight. I am irritated that you made me work so hard to get this story out of you and that is just not going to happen anymore. You will tell me the whole story the first time I ask, and that is that. I respected you by not jumping to conclusions, but tomorrow we are going to have a conversation about driving and having anything to drink, and that includes being the passenger of a person who has had a drink." He traced her bottom lip before kissing her deeply.

  "Then we will be discussing your decision to come here without calling me first to allow me to weigh in when you knew I was not okay with Jocelyn doing it. Granted, she was pregnant and knew it, but knowing how strongly I felt about it you should have hesitated and asked me long before you did." He leaned in to fondle his wife's breasts and kiss her deeper before lifting his head.

  "Finally, tomorrow, we will talk about how you made it too difficult for Quinlan or Da to get you to medical help. Sleep well because your mind will need to be in full form to explain yourself out of that one. And do not even think that the fact th
at you are a nurse will be enough reason to defy the men in your family who are trying to do the right thing."

  Katie answered with a moan as Ciarán plunged his seeking tongue into her mouth to duel with hers. Her pain pill had taken effect and she stifled a yawn. She settled comfortably into Ciarán's strong arms and gingerly propping her ankle, she cuddled into his warm, hard chest and was quickly asleep.

  Ciarán looked down at his lovely bride and thought how he wanted to give her as much independence as he could without her running roughshod over his standing as her husband. He leaned down to kiss her lips lightly. They would figure it out, but it was obvious that they would need to figure it out soon. There were too many close to the line events this time for there to be no retribution and it would be the first time since they were married. He sighed. Sleep came a bit harder for him as he worried about tomorrow.

  The next morning, Katie felt a lot better. Her ankle was sore, but it wasn't swollen anymore. While it was wonderful to have her husband carry her down the stairs, it was probably not necessary. Siobhan was excited to see that she was much better and Katie decided to save the two doses left of pain pills for tonight and the drive home tomorrow if she still needed them.

  Breakfast over, Ciarán and Quinlan went to the shooting range to try out Quinlan's new rifle. Katie asked if she could tag along and both men said no. She was a bit pouty and attempted to get them to change their mind until Ciarán leaned down and spoke with a quiet growl in her ear. "You, mo ghrá, are already in hot water, are you trying to bring it to a boil?"

  Katie shook her head and Ciarán smiled, planting a possessive kiss on her lips before he patted her bottom and walked out to meet Quinn. The rest of the morning was spent baking cookies with Siobhan for the children's spring gala at her church. When Cheyenne came over to enjoy Quinlan's company, he was still gone with Ciarán.

  "Are you kidding me? He told me not to be late and he would be ready by 11:00. It's almost half past and he is not here. What is the matter with this picture?"

  "Maybe you can have a conversation about punctuality and keeping his word," Katie said with a giggle. "I can't imagine that would go over well, but it might be nice to just bring it up."