SURGE (Kenshaw Ranch #2)

by Piper Frost

  "Are you talking to heifers?" Will laughs at me. "You're gonna be one of those old guys that lets a cow in the house, ain't ya?"

  I furrow my brows. "Who the hell does that?"

  "Old man Steve."

  I chuckle, finding it hard to believe, but it wouldn't shock me. "Help me, chew boy," I tease.

  "I don't know what the big deal is," he grumbles and starts shoving at the ass of one and she lets him know how she feels about him by defecating, almost on his shoes. "Man!"

  Of course I'm in tears again.

  "I'm done!"

  He tries to storm to the truck but I point at him. "You ain't done. I can't get around them. Help me push them to the side before someone else takes that curve and doesn't see them. I'll call the sheriff when we're done."

  "Great, so we can get run over with the cows. And screw you for scaring me about your back, Bo. That's not cool. That shit could happen. Not trying to be mean, but you're..." He glances at me, but that's as far as he goes.

  "I'm?" I fold my arms over my chest and glare at him.

  "You're hurt." He shrugs. "It's not a big deal. Doesn't make you less of a man or anything or whatever dumb thing you think your back injury makes you."

  His words sit with me, but before I go spouting big and macho, acting like my back isn't an embarrassment, I shut my mouth and we herd the cows to the side of the road. After calling the sheriff, I get into the truck.

  "I'm not hurt," I say as I pull back onto the road.

  "Yeah, it's cool. Whatever." He stares at his phone.

  "It's not cool." I push his phone down. "I do a lot of stupid things that could screw me up again, and I shouldn't. I know it scares you guys—"

  "No, I mean, I don't care what you do," he quickly says, not wanting to admit it worries him too. I know it does. I've seen him watch me closely. He often asks if my back's hurting.

  "It scares your sister then."

  "And Wendy. I know you wouldn't do anything to jack yourself up too bad." His eyes are back on the phone.

  "I might," I admit and he looks at me like I've been lying to him. "I might. I got some problems. Screws loose in my head." I smirk at him then put my eyes back on the road. "I'm addicted to thrills. The scarier, the more dangerous, the better. And that could really jack up my back. Not to mention, my whole life. I'm trying to stop because I don't want to scare your sister, and the last thing I want is to screw up my back again. I'm gonna work on it."

  "Yeah, maybe you can do some mellow things that are fun," he suggests.

  "It ain't about the fun, but that's exactly what I'm gonna start doing. More mellow things. Don't worry about my back." I ruffle his hair and he dips away from me.

  "You're kinda all we got, Bo." His words are quiet and sound like he should be embarrassed.

  "That ain't true. You got the Kenshaws. But even so, I don't plan on goin' nowhere. I know it hasn't been too long, but...we're family." I look over at him staring at me. "Right?"

  A grin pulls at his lips. "Yeah. Totally." He nods.

  "So what's up with the chew? You know that's dumb, right? It causes mouth cancer." I tried the shit when I was young and when it finally hit me how stupid it was, I never felt dumber.

  "What? No... It's not like smoking."

  Holding in a groan 'cause the kid doesn't even know what he's getting involved in, I look at him.

  "Will, that's tobacco. Leave that in your mouth like it's meant for and you're goin' to rot your teeth and put holes in your gums or cheek. Excuse my language but it ain't nothing to fuck around with. I'm dead serious. It's a nasty habit and you don't know pain until you're slowly dying from it. Just stop. It's stupid. Who else does this crap?"

  "Ryan," he mumbles and my brows pull up.

  "Huh." That's surprising. Ryan's a good kid. His family are strict, but great people. I wouldn't think they'd put up with that. Maybe they don't know. "Well pass the message onto him too. It's stupid. I don't want to tell Kinlee but if you don't stop, I will. She'll rain hellfire on your ass." I smirk.

  "I didn't know it could make holes in your mouth."

  "Internet search it." I nod to his phone that's connected to his hand.

  Turning onto the Kenshaws’ drive, I smile as we get closer and I see Kinlee standing at the horse fence. When Will starts to laugh, I look over at him, my smile still wide and chuckle.

  "What?"

  "You're so whipped, Bo." He laughs at me, getting out.

  I pause to look at Kinlee again. It's not a lie. I'm whipped for this entire family, but Will not knowing that is for the best. Keeps him humble.

  "Hey," I slowly approach Wendy, not sure if she's still upset about selling her horse to the Kenshaws. The one she's brushing now is hers too, but I know she felt a stronger connection to Empress. Empress was worth more money and Wendy didn't hesitate to offer her up to put more toward a car for Kinlee.

  "Hi." She smiles at me, dragging the brush across Fire's hide. Will named him, no surprise he chose the name Fire, but he lets Wendy fuss over the horse more than he does.

  "How's it going out here? You're quiet today." I look around, wondering where Will ran off to.

  "No reason." She shrugs and moves to the other side of Fire.

  "Where's Will?"

  "Ryan got here." She glances at me. "They ran for the woods."

  "Ohh," I mumble, thinking I have an understanding of her docile behavior today.

  "You didn't want to run off and get lost with them?" I glance toward the woods, hoping Will brought a compass. I spent an hour looking for him a couple days ago because he lost his path.

  "Not really. Let them have guy time."

  "So Ryan." I lean against the wooden fence and her eyes land on mine. "You like him?"

  "Yeah. I mean, we're close friends. Like best friends."

  "Yeah? But you want there to be something more?" I don't usually like to get involved in these types of things, but Wendy's partially under my care now, I like to know what her and Will are up to. Including if there's a possibility Kinlee will become an aunt way sooner than she should.

  "Bo." She giggles and hides behind the horse, probably hoping I'll go away.

  "It ain't a big secret, Wendy." I chuckle and walk over to Fire, rubbing my hand down his snout.

  "It ain't?" She slowly peeks around from Fire's ass end and before I act surprised I uncovered their secret, I quickly lower my brows.

  "Naw, we noticed. You like him. He likes you."

  "He's my boyfriend," she quietly admits and looks toward the woods again.

  "Does Will know?"

  "Yeah." She bites her lip and nods, going back around the horse. That's a classic sign when she's lying.

  "You sure?" I walk around and stare at her.

  "Yeah, he don't care. He suggested it."

  I “hmph” remembering how bent out of shape he got just 'cause she was texting Ryan. "Good. If he's got problems with it, you see me. Don't let anyone get in the way of what makes you happy." I pat Fire before heading for the house.

  "Bo," she peeps and I turn back. "Do you really like us livin' here? You kinda got a girlfriend with a lot of baggage."

  "You guys aren't baggage, Wendy. I wouldn't have it any other way. Who would take care of this farm if you weren't here?" I smirk at her.

  "You wouldn't have the farm if it weren't for us. We kinda just invaded your life and money. We aren't your responsibility, Bo. You don't need to be paying for everything like you are." There's no hostility in her tone; she actually sounds sorry for it.

  "You want me to stop buyin' you guys things?" I ask and she starts to giggle.

  "I mean, no. But we don't want you to not like us one day 'cause you think you gotta take care of us."

  "Wendy, you, Will, and Kinlee are my family now. I love y'all and would do anything for ya. If you weren't in my life anymore, I'd be miserable. I never wanted to come back here." I glance at her before putting my attention on Fire. "I missed my friends. My folks. But I didn't want to c
ome back. I'm happy I did though. If I knew then what I do now, I woulda been back a lot sooner."

  "What do you know now?" She moves to stand at my side.

  "That I had a chance with your sister." I smile over at her. "She was the best thing about this place before I left, and she's still the best thing about this place. Besides you guys and the Kenshaw rugrats." I chuckle. "I'm just glad I'm back and I got you guys."

  "You do got us, Bo. So make sure you lean on us when you need to, okay? You don't have to hold us together and expect nothing in return. We're a family." She smiles up at me.

  "Family." I hold out my fist for a bump.

  Will and Ryan's laughter echoes as they come running out of the woods.

  "Bo!" Will screams, running at me full speed. "Bo, we saw a cougar!"

  "What the hell." I move to meet him. "Where?"

  "The...woods," Ryan pants, pointing behind him.

  "Sucker was huge!" Will looks at Ryan and they burst into laughter.

  I take a minute to study them, wondering if they were out there getting high. "Can you take me back to where you saw it?"

  "No way!" Ryan blurts and moves toward Wendy.

  "I will!" Will's eager for the danger and then I think about it.

  The sound of tires on the gravel make us all look toward the drive where Kinlee's heading down and I look at my watch. She's not off for four more hours.

  "Maybe we should just call the sheriff," I say, knowing Kinlee would kill me if I went out there, hunting for a cougar.

  "Awww, man, come on," Will groans.

  "You three go in the house." I glance toward the woods then head toward Kinlee, looking back at the kids who are making their way inside.

  "Don't everyone leave on my account," Kinlee says with a smile as she opens her car door.

  "I told them to head on in. Will and Ryan said they saw a cougar out in the woods."

  "What?" she shrieks and turns to look out into the dense trees. "Bo! Oh my god."

  "I think maybe they were confused by a deer." I chuckle. "But I'm gonna call the sheriff."

  "Oh my god, that's so scary! What about the animals?"

  "Hey, why're you home so early?" I grab her hand as she rushes toward Fire.

  Spinning toward me, she grins again. "I quit."

  "You quit?" A smile starts to creep my face.

  "Jo asked me to help out at the salon during the time Donna's gone so I put in my two weeks and Larry fired me on the spot. I guess I didn't quit, he just fired me." She shrugs and her sight drifts behind me. "Bo, I want to get inside before we're attacked."

  "We won't be attacked, darlin'." I smile and pull her against me. "That's awesome, babe."

  "I think so." Her arms wrap around me and I lean down for a kiss until Fire makes a noise, making Kinlee jump away from me. "Bo, I'm freaked out about the cougar. Please, let's get the animals into the barn and call the sheriff."

  I chuckle and quickly kiss her. "Go on in. Send Will out please." When her eyes go wide, I pause to look at her. "Darlin', I could use his help. I'm gonna grab the shotgun and arm us for the ten minutes it'll take us to round up the animals into the barn. I promise I won't let nothin' happen to him."

  "Please hurry," she groans, headed for the house and I smile.

  I love my overprotective girl, more than a healthy dose, and I wouldn't change this life for the world.

  I got five teenage boys running around this place like it's a warzone. We bought laser tag guns a week ago and Will's been dying for his sisters to leave for a day so he could have the boys over. It's been a hilarious adventure, but now I need to get dinner started before Kinlee and Wendy come back home. I never thought I'd be cooking as much as I do. Honestly I was content with invading on the Kenshaws for meals. Not that I can't cook. I can cook. I just didn't want to. Having a purpose to do something useful in your life makes the outcome more rewarding. Taking care of my family is the most rewarding thing I'll do because this is what I want.

  One of the boys collides with me and I almost dump a pot of hot water down the both of us. "Hell!"

  "Shit!" Ryan pants. "Shoot! I mean shoot! I'm sorry, Bo."

  "Alright. Take it outside. Y’all are washing these floors too!" I shout, seeing they're all tracking mud in.

  "Sorry, Bo!" Ryan darts outside and the other four follow, but I grab Will's arm.

  "Don't startle the animals. Go play by the woods. And look out for cougars." I roll my eyes at him.

  His last cougar scare turned out to be a buck decoy me and Brandt placed to attract more deer. I still swear him and Ryan were in those woods doing shit they shouldn't have been, like getting high, but I guess I'd rather he be home than off the property causing trouble. There was no point in telling Kinlee I think Will was stoned; she doesn't need more to worry about. She's already been stressing she's going to screw something up over at Jo's salon. All she does is sweep hair, answer phones, and fill out client notes. She's confident, but the last thing she wants is for her and Jo's relationship to get hurt 'cause they'll be working so closely together the next few weeks.

  I finally convinced her to get her first credit card. She didn't want to because she's got the right mindset. You have to pay it off. But she got it and I set up the app on her phone; what she doesn't know is I linked my bank account so when she makes the payment, it's from my account. She'll figure it out soon and we'll go rounds about who's going to pay that card monthly, but I'll win.

  Will comes running into the house not fifteen minutes later. "Bo, can I show the guys the bull?"

  I turn to look at him like he's lost his mind then chuckle. "You joking?"

  "What's the big deal? We won't go by him."

  "No. Stay out of the bull's barn. Will, that bull ain't in a petting zoo. You heard what that guy said last week; there ain't no training this animal to make him less aggressive. Leave the bull alone," I call out as he mopes his way out the door. "I'm serious!"

  I should really get rid of the bull, but I can't let go. Kinlee jokes daily about selling it, or maybe it's not a joke, but she's not selling my bull. It's like this is some sort of closure I need to let go of my career. Not like I'll ever think about riding it again, but I like to fool myself into thinking the option's there.

  We're feeding four extra boys today and yet they're nowhere around to help set the table. I shake my head and stare toward the back door. I haven't heard them in quite some time, which is unusual because they're like a stampede. Taking my phone to the back door, I dial Will's number 'cause they're probably in the woods. When I hear his phone on the counter behind me, I shake my head and head outside.

  First thing I notice is the bull's barn door is open and I jump off the porch, skipping the steps. The impact when my feet hit the ground jolts my back, but I don't stop running.

  "Will!" I scream.

  The bull's not in his pen, or the chute, he let it out into the corral. The only problem with that is he's standing on the fence. This was his great idea he came up with to avoid getting hurt when letting the bull into the corral. It was a stupid idea and I told him that the other day, and I also told him the only one that'll deal with the bull is me.

  "Will!" I blurt, startling one of the boys and he jumps, bumping into the fence.

  Will wobbles and I dash toward him but he's already tumbling into the corral. Letting out a scream, I see the way he lands on his ankle and I waste no time jumping over the fence. Grabbing him, he hops on one foot, holding me tight.

  "I just wanted to let him out," he groans.

  "Okay. Come on." I glance over my shoulder and make eye contact with the bastard that wants to kill me this time. "Get the hell out of here!" I toss Will toward the pen and turn, needing to distract the bull until Will climbs out.

  "Bo!" The way Will screams my name makes me look back at him and in those few seconds, I realize my mistake, but I thought Will got hurt again.

  I twist to run because I lost my window to distract the bull, but the sharp twist makes me take
a knee before I can dart. Those moments I had to possibly jump this fence are gone. It's like the bastard’s breathing in my ear over my shoulder. Taunting me. Mocking me. I look up to see Will trying to fight out of his friends arms to get back into the pen, and Jesus, I hope he's not that stupid. And then the impact. Like I had a bullseye painted in red on my back, the bull connects and I flip into the air, staring down at the hard dirt as I propel downward, but I close my eyes. Possibly for the last time in my life.

  "You take the bags in, I'm gonna pull this into the garage, it's supposed to rain tonight." I pop the trunk for Wendy.

  This new car is awesome, and the fact that I have a garage to park it in now is even better. I may treat her more like my baby than Bo does his truck, but I'm not too proud to admit it.

  I've tried calling Bo the closer we got to home, making sure he didn't need anything from town, but he never answered. Not too strange for him, especially when Will has a clan of boys over. They were going to use the laser tag guns Bo bought last weekend. I just hope he's being careful with his back and not chasing after them.

  As I'm heading inside, I smell the burning dinner and cringe. "Bo?" I call out, dropping my purse at the table in the foyer. "Babe?" I head into the kitchen and the pot's boiling over, the oven's smoking, and the food on the counter is only half prepared. "What the hell?" I turn everything off then rush to the stairs and yell, "Guys?" Wendy pokes her head out her bedroom door. "Where is everyone?"

  "No clue. No one's up here." She shrugs and heads back into her room.

  I huff. Bo wouldn't just leave dinner like that. And typically there's some type of life going on here. I glance out at the horses and don't see anyone so I make my way out back.

  "Guys?" I yell, heading toward the horse barn.

  That's when I hear them. The screaming. It's not a scream of boys having fun. That's a scream of sheer terror. My stomach turns and I can feel my anxiety kicking in. I turn toward the one barn I don't even like to look at and take off in a run. My heart's beating so hard because this is it. My worst fears are coming true.