by Lily West
Watching Tucker practice, though, was a thing of beauty. The man and his horse moved like they were of a single mind.
The power of his arm impressed her more than anything as he threw the lasso around targets, and later as he chased his own goats about the yard. It was like a cannon!
Click. BANG!
And whatever he was chasing was suddenly on the ground and tied. She wasn’t going to lie, she wouldn’t mind being tied up by him. The thought of her hands behind her back as he pulled her hair…
The days passed, and he never made a move. A perfect gentleman. Always and above all else, he made her feel beautiful, special.
The way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her. After that conversation about rudeness when she had first arrived, she was always mindful of her manners.
It wasn’t one-sided, though, which is what she loved most. Tucker always asked with a “please” and received with a “thank you.”
In all things, he was respectful and polite.
Over time as she grew more comfortable, she told him more about Roland. She told him about the way he’d yell at her for being fat, saying she ate like a starved cow and the way she chewed made him sick. It’d made her embarrassed to eat in front of anyone.
The night she’d run, he’d just finished insulting her in front of their so-called friends – none of which said anything to stick up for her – and then he wanted to mess around in the car.
When she said no, feeling too disgusted and hurt to even think about it, he became violent. All she remembered after that was running.
Even as she tried to recall that night, all she could think of was running. The exhaustion in her body, the fear. She didn’t even remember finding his house and falling asleep on the porch.
Tucker sympathized and they drank wine together. Still, even with her pouring her heart out to him, she expected him to take advantage of her vulnerability, but he never did.
A sweet kiss on the cheek, compliments about how beautiful she was and how happy he was that she did find his home, but nothing more.
In time, he shared his history. The poor man. He’d been born in this house, grew up on the ranch helping his father with everything.
When he was a teenager, his parents died in a car accident. The court had deemed him mature enough to become head of the household, and he was left here to look after himself.
Depression had taken ahold of him, and he’d gained weight. In little time at all, he’d become too heavy to compete which only depressed him more. The ranch began falling apart.
He couldn’t recall what exactly had done it, maybe the disrepair of the barn, maybe the dead vegetable garden, but he’d finally had enough. This was his family’s ranch, and he was disrespecting their memory by letting it fall to pieces. That’s when he pulled himself up by his bootstraps and got to work.
He fixed the barn, rebuilt the porch around the house, and gave everything a fresh coat of paint. The vegetable garden, as sizable as it was, had to be ripped up, tilled, and replanted.
As he took control of his life, his weight soon came back down and he was able to compete again. It was hard at first, which is why he kept all of the low ranking ribbons.
Soon, though, the long fight began to pay off. The ranch blossomed, his body worked and moved how it used to, and he began to win again.
That was the real meaning behind the trophy room, and when he steps in there, it reminds him why he works so hard.
That night, listening to his story, Colleen realized she’d fallen in love with this man. His strength and quiet nobility moved her in a way no one ever could.
For the rest of her life all she wanted was to be here, with him.
Chapter 4
After that, she took to her chores with a vengeance, and then some. It became a game to finish the tasks he’d given her and then get to some of his before he could.
They’d laugh when the porch would already be swept, or the animals fed before he’d had a chance to go out there. She cheered him on as he practiced for the upcoming competition, and in time, she realized the finer points of what he needed to do.
When he asked how he looked, she could give small tips about how he’d leaned too far, or could cut off some time on his roping.
With every passing day, her worry faded that Roland would just magically show up one day. Each day he never came, she became more secure in her life.
In weeks, she never even thought of Roland anymore. The ranch and Tucker became her whole life.
The day of the competition finally came. Tucker and Colleen got his horse into the trailer and off they drove.
She’d never been so excited! All of his hard work was about to pay off.
As they pulled up to the show grounds, she asked “Are you nervous?”
Tucker chuckled. “Every time.”
“Still?”
“Yep. Never gets easier, but that’s kind of the fun. Never gets old.”
There were so many people. It took a couple hours to settle in and get everything taken care of.
Tucker insisted she sit in the stands as he was used to taking care of the prep by himself, and needed to concentrate.
With her there, he wouldn’t be able to focus. Colleen found that oddly flattering and gave him a kiss on the cheek for good luck.
As she found a seat, she looked around at all of the denim shirts and cowboy hats. There she was in her boots wearing the same thing. It was crazy how much she felt like she finally fit in with something.
Everyone was so excited to watch, and she soaked in their happiness. The competition started with bang. In an instant she was whooping and cheering along with everyone else.
After watching Tucker practice so much, she could point out to herself what the others did right, and what they did wrong. It was like getting a special inside look at the sport. They were all so good! She thought Tucker had been gifted, but after watching the others perform before him, she started feeling even more nervous.
Then, she saw him on his horse at the gate. He was up next. Colleen clenched her hands together, her whole body tensing up.
The gun fired, the gate flew open, and he was out in a flash. It was like lightning! She’d never seen him so focused.
As he and his horse moved and spun, she caught glimpses of his face. The set of his jaw, the hard lines of his shoulder, the keenness in his eyes. The man was a knife blade.
When he finished after roping the calf, hands up, stepping back from it, Colleen realized she’d been holding her breath the whole time.
They did event after event, and each time, Tucker pulled first by the barest sliver. She had no idea the competition would be so fierce.
When it ended, they announced Tucker as the champion.
Colleen jumped to her feet, screaming and cheering for him, knowing what each win meant to him. He grinned and waved at the crowd, his eyes hunting the stands.
When they found her, arms waving, his face nearly split in two he grinned so big. He held up the trophy for her to see, and she made a show of nodding and clapping above her head.
Eager to get his horse home and loose, they picked up a quick dinner on the way. She brought the food in while he got the horse settled for the night.
While he was busy, she opened a bottle of wine for them and poured a couple of glasses. They ate and talked excitedly about all the other competitors and how they’d performed.
After they’d eaten and the conversation had calmed a bit, Tucker looked at her and gave her the sweetest smile anyone had ever blessed her with.
“I’m glad you were there today. It really… it’s nice to be able to share the win with someone.”
“You’ve been alone a long time,” she said, studying his features as he looked at her.
He nodded. “I have.”
“But you’re not alone anymore.”
Tucker’s brows pressed together and he looked down at his wine glass.
“Are you going to leave?”
&n
bsp; “What?”
“Well, I mean the competition is over, and I, well I thought…”
“Did you think I was only going to stay until the competition was over?”
He shrugged, but didn’t look up.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No,” he said, his head shooting up. “I mean, that is, if you want to stay, you can.”
“Tucker,” she said, standing and coming to stand next to him. “I want to stay. I’m not going anywhere.”
He set down his glass and stood, taking her hands in his. “I’ve fallen for you somethin’ terrible, Miss. Every day you’re near, I just wake up with the biggest smile on my face.”
Colleen sighed, the pressure of keeping her feelings to herself coming out in a rush of air.
“I’ve fallen for you too. You’re so strong, and handsome. You’re an amazing person, Tucker, and I’m thankful for every day I get to spend with you.”
Chapter 5
In the soft lighting of night, she saw some hidden weight lift from him, and he bent down and kissed her. Colleen threw her arms around him, and the sweetness of the kiss swiftly turned carnal.
The passions they’d been denying themselves finally broke free with their confessions of love.
Without warning, he dipped for a moment, grabbing her around the rear and lifting her onto the table.
Their hands were at one another’s clothes in a heartbeat, and they ripped their shirts free. Colleen growled lustily as she ran her hands over the muscles of his chest.
“Take it off,” he said, nodding to her bra.
As she did, he undid the button and zipper of his pants, pushing them and his underwear down. Having taken off their boots when coming in, his pants met no resistance as he kicked them free.
Colleen had never seen a man so erect. It made her feel attractive to see someone desired her so clearly.
His hands were at her pants, undoing them and pulling them down her legs.
Removing her bra, she tossed it to the side and without wasting a moment, he leaned in and kissed her again.
They held to one another for a moment, kissing, feeling their skin press together. He broke the kiss for a second to lick the first two fingers of one hand, and then reached down and touched her.
A shudder shocked through her system, the muscles of her belly tightening with the pleasure.
Already wet, he spread her juices a bit and applied some to the head of his erection. She scooted her rear to the edge of the table, and after he dipped his hips, he slipped himself inside of her.
Colleen moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulder as he pressed himself deeper.
Once he was set, he resumed kissing her, his arms wrapping around her body, holding her to him as he swayed his body back and forth. The mastery he used when riding a horse gave him a powerful core, and he used it to its best as he rotated his hips.
The thick hardness of him stretched her, and each dip and sway of his pelvis tantalized new places inside of her.
She rocked herself back and forth on the table, doing her best to help, but he moved with such expert movements, he didn’t need the help.
The passion grew to such intensity so quickly that soon they orgasmed together, his knees nearly buckling entirely after.
Catching himself on the table, she held him up as they both laughed.
“That was damn fine,” he said, panting. “Damn fine.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy. What say we take this to the bedroom?”
“I think that’s a mighty fine idea, my dear.” He reached under her to pick her up, but she shook her head.
“Really, you don’t have to—oh!” Even as she objected, he hoisted her up, holding her as though she were as small as one of his chickens.
Colleen wrapped her legs around his middle, so turned on by his strength she kissed his neck and shoulders.
Those powerful legs of his strode to the bedroom where they spent the next two hours making love three separate times before finally falling into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Chapter 6
The days after that were bliss. Every moment spent with Tucker was now filled with unbridled affection. No longer feeling the need to hide their emotions, they smiled at one another every time they crossed paths.
They kissed constantly, and found excuses to make love every chance they got.
The simple life on the ranch had become a paradise for Colleen.
It was a gorgeous Wednesday afternoon as Colleen worked in the garden. The sun was shining above, some of the goats nearby watching and bleating happily at her.
Tucker was out in the pasture tending to weak point in the fence. It wasn’t a problem yet, but if he didn’t see to it soon, a good storm could break it.
Dust from the private drive alerted her to someone approaching. Colleen thought it curious. They’d never had a visitor before.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she took a few breaths and walked toward the house. If they were having visitors, she’d have to clean up a bit.
Dirt covered her arms, and she knew for a fact she’d had to scratch her face a couple of times, so she probably had dirt on her face as well.
As she walked, she glanced toward the drive. The car was moving awfully fast, kicking up a thick dust cloud behind it as it wound the along the road toward the house.
As it looped around the side of the house, she caught a glimpse of the car itself.
Blue sports car.
Colleen froze, her every muscle tightening. It wasn’t possible. Why now? How?
Of all things in this world, Colleen recognized Roland’s car when she saw it.
Seeing it barreling down the road, she remembered the smell of the interior, equal parts body odor and air freshener.
As the car came around the final curve and headed right for the house, the terror in Colleen finally broke the dam of her paralysis, and she fled inside the house. The tires ground to a halt, scraping across the dirt.
“I saw you,” Roland shouted from the car before even opening the door.
Colleen ran to the front door, slamming it closed as he got out of the car. Her shaking fingers wouldn’t grip the locks.
“I saw you, cow! Don’t you hide from me!”
His boots pounded up the wooden steps to the porch, and the screen door flew open, the hinges squeaking.
Colleen gripped the doorknob with both hands as Roland tried to turn it.
“No,” she screamed, the sweat of her hands betraying her hold.
“Open up, you bitch.”
The tears came hot and fast and she shook her head frantically. As the doorknob slipped from her hand, she reached up and finally got her fingers around the latch, and slid it into place.
The door pushed, but hit the lock, and stopped.
When he let go of the doorknob, she quickly locked that and stepped away.
Bang, bang, bang! His fist beat against the door like a maniac. “Open this up,” he shouted.
“Do you know what I’ve had to go through to find you? You think this door is going to stop me?”
“Go away,” she shouted. “Why are you even here? Just go away!”
“I said open this door!”
Suddenly, the whole front of the house shook as Roland threw himself against the door. The windows shook in their panes, rattling as though they’d break.
Colleen screamed, reaching up and grabbing her hair with both hands. She couldn’t run again. She was so tired of running.
Another slam, this one shaking in her chest. Colleen folded over herself, screaming.
Wood popped as it broke and split into pieces, the door swinging open. There, filling the doorframe was Roland, his face as red as a roasted pig.
Colleen backed away from him, her hands out in front of her. “No, Roland. No!”
“You’re coming back with me.”
“No I’m not.”
“You’re not listening,” he said, and stepped inside. “
I’m not asking you.”
“’Scuse me, friend. That’s my door you done busted down.” Tucker’s voice was an angel’s trumpet, and Colleen’s heart soared to hear it.
Roland spun to face the newcomer, but Tucker continued on, undaunted.
“Now, who would pay for that, I wonder.”
“Look pal,” Roland said, taking a step toward Tucker.
As Roland’s body blocked her view, Colleen wasn’t entirely sure what happened next. It’d all happened so fast.
She thought she saw Roland try to throw a sucker-punch, but then Tucker had him forward and in a headlock. In a quick spin, Tucker slammed the top of Roland’s head into the side of the house, punched him in the gut, and then threw him off the porch.
“I got a shotgun inside,” Tucker said, “and forty acres. I doubt anyone would even notice you were missing. You got as long as it takes for me to come back out. I were you, I’d run real fast.”
“I’m not afraid of you buddy,” Roland said as he shakily got to his feet, but Tucker was already inside.
As he walked by Colleen, he gave her a wink and disappeared down the hallway.
Did he actually own a gun? She’d never seen it, and he hadn’t mentioned it.
Roland stood there, confused, unsure what to do. Then, from down the hall, Colleen heard the unmistakable sound of a shotgun chambering a shell.
“Oh shit,” she laughed.
Then, looking to Roland through the remains of the front door, she said, “You’re dead.”
Dread overcame Roland’s eyes, and he started to back away.
Tucker marched back down the hall, shotgun in hand.
“I love you,” she said as he passed her.
“Right back atcha, darlin’,” he said.
The second he was out the front door, the gun fired. Colleen cried out in surprise, but then giggled as Roland shrieked.
The car engine started, and Tucker fired again. Roland was screaming something now, but over the roaring of the revved engine, she couldn’t make it out. Tires peeled out on the dirt road, Tucker firing again.
Roland’s blue sports car peeled away, disappearing back up the drive.
“Did you hit him?” she asked hopefully.