by Taryn Plendl
“Well, it looks like your fiancée finally woke up.” An older woman dressed in scrubs walked in, a friendly smile spreading over her face as she checked one of the machines and pressed some buttons.
Fiancée?
The corner of Silas’s mouth twitched.
“Did we get engaged?” I asked, wondering what else I missed.
“Yes. I asked you to marry me, and you said yes.” His mouth was a full grin now. There was more to his story, but I figured I would wait until we were alone again.
“Mirabelle, are you in any pain?” The nurse wrote down some information from the machines.
“My head hurts,” I said, touching the bandaged area.
“Well, that’s to be expected with the bump you took, not to mention that nasty cut.” Her eyes narrowed as she inspected my forehead. “The sutures should blend into your hairline, so you won’t have much of a scar showing.” She took a syringe out of her pocket and added the medicine to my IV. “I just gave you something for the pain. Glad to have you back.” She smiled and walked out.
My head began to feel fuzzy. The urge to sleep battled with the need to keep myself present with Silas.
“It’s okay, baby. Just rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.” He brushed his fingers across my cheek before sleep overtook me again.
“I can walk, you know.”
Silas ignored me as he picked me up out of the truck and carried me into the house. He deposited me on the couch in the living room before going back to close the door. Rusty jumped on the couch and nuzzled his cold nose under my arm, wanting me to pet him.
“Rusty, off!” Silas scolded when he came back, pushing him off the couch and taking his place next to me, practically begging for attention the same way as Rusty.
The warmth of his body next to mine was like sunshine. On a ranch, there was always work to do. The thought of him leaving me right now made me sad, making me question if I’d become too co-dependent.
“Well, look who’s home.” Nate grinned, walking through the door followed by Ryke. They sat across from Silas and me, stretching out their legs. I was so happy to see the two men who were quickly becoming a part of my family.
“Hi guys.” My head rested on Silas’s shoulder as I leaned into him.
“Well? What did you hear?” Ryke asked Silas.
For most of the drive from the hospital, Silas had been on the phone with the sheriff. I’d only caught bits of one-sided conversation, so I was also curious to find out what was going on with Rick.
“Well, Rick was arrested and charged with several counts of Malicious Destruction of Property and Aggravated Assault. Apparently, he admitted to tearing down our fences in hopes of us losing horses. He kept to the far pasture because we’ve always turned them out there first in the spring.”
“Except for this year,” Ryke chimed in, grinning.
“Exactly.” Silas tipped my chin and winked. “We didn’t like the results of the soil samples, so we fertilized the far pasture and changed up the rotation because of it.”
“So, what happens now?” Nate asked.
“Rick will most likely get prison time and fines. His charges are pretty serious.” Silas wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. Since I’d woken up in the hospital, he’d been very hesitant to touch me as he’d processed what had happened.
“Hey Mira, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” Nate leaned forward, his face serious. “What were you doing out by the trees that night?”
Silas had heard the story, but he hadn’t had a chance to share with the guys. I glanced at him, and he nodded for me to go ahead.
“Well, I woke up to go to the bathroom. When I was coming back, I saw lights in the distance, and could barely make out someone moving around. I turned off the flashlight and tiptoed over, hiding in the trees when I got close enough to see who it was.” Silas’s arm tightened. The next part was his least favorite, and I was pretty sure he was still angry with me.
“Rick strung a chain between his utility vehicle and the fence. I wasn’t sure what to do, and when he pulled it down, I froze. I guess I was just so shocked by what I was seeing.” I shrugged. “When I heard you guys yelling and saw Rick trying to leave, all I could think of was stopping him.”
Silas had read me the riot act for not waking them up instead of going alone. It had been stupid of me, but I hadn’t been thinking. Everything I did that night was stupid, and I was lucky it hadn’t ended worse.
Nate and Ryke stood when Caroline entered with a tray of food.
“We’ll let you get settled. Glad you’re home, Mira.” Ryke patted me on the shoulder as he passed.
“Welcome back, Mira.” Nate kissed the top of my head, quickly jumping away when Silas swung at him. He chuckled all the way to the door where his brother shoved him onto the porch before shutting the door behind them.
“Asshole,” Silas grumbled.
“Watch your language, Silas.” Caroline set down the tray and smacked him upside the head.
“Ow!” His yelp made me giggle. Silas frowned and rubbed his head, looking like a pouty little boy.
“Eat up, baby girl. Get your strength back.” Caroline brushed my hair out of my face, and I leaned into her hand, enjoying the comforts of home.
“Thank you, Caroline.” I picked up the sandwich and took a bite, closing my eyes and moaning at how good it tasted. So much better than hospital food. When I opened my eyes, Silas’s lust-filled gaze burned into me. “What?” I asked after swallowing.
“I’m going to work. You’re very distracting.” He stood and adjusted the bulge in his jeans before planting a chaste kiss on my lips. When I moaned again with my next bite, he hurried out the door.
S I L A S
The creaking of the barn doors shutting brought such a sense of contentment. I owed Nate and Ryke huge thanks for covering me after Mirabelle had been hurt, so when they mentioned something about a band playing in town, I’d urged them to enjoy a night off. The evening chores were a big job for one person, but I’d never minded hard work. Truthfully, it gave me the much needed quiet to get my head back where it needed to be. Exhaustion dogged me, but it was exactly what I needed.
After lounging around for several days, a restless Mirabelle had gotten mad when I’d told her she shouldn’t be in the barn. She ended up in the paddock with Snickers, and I figured I’d better keep my mouth shut, knowing that every one of us on the ranch would feel the same way if someone said we couldn’t be around the horses. Although she excelled in stubbornness, she didn’t do lazy well, that was for sure.
The air was damp and cool, smelling of fresh hay and rain. The trees and shrubs stood silhouetted in the darkening sky, shadows twice as long with the light of the moon. I strolled slowly to the main house, enjoying the tranquil sounds around me. Peace resonated through the ranch at night. It was a special place. From the moment I’d set foot on it as a kid, it had been like coming home. There had never been any doubt this was where I belonged, and now, with Mirabelle home, my life was complete.
The main house was still and silent. As I locked up and turned out the lights, memories of Dalton and me doing this same thing every night hit me out of nowhere. Mirabelle’s presence filled a huge void left when we’d lost Dalton, but some things would never be the same. He would forever be missed.
The small lamp cast a soft glow around my bedroom. Dark curls tumbled from beneath the comforter where Mirabelle slept, filling my heart with warmth. As I walked into the bathroom, I caught the reflection of my goofy smile.
Shrugging out of my work clothes, I stepped into the shower, gasping at the cold water. With Mirabelle in my bed, waiting for the water to warm took too much time. By the time I rinsed my hair, steam filled the bathroom. The hot water beating my sore muscles soothed the aches as it washed the soap off my skin. Perfection.
As I walked to the dresser while wrapping a towel around my waist, flickering light broke through the tired haze in my brain. I froze, and no m
atter how much I blinked, nothing changed.
Candles covered several surfaces, filling the room with soft light. Mirabelle sat in the middle of the bed in a cream-colored lace top and matching panties, her dark curls falling over her breasts.
Was I dreaming? God, I really hoped not. The towel I wore was nowhere near large enough to hide how hard I was.
“Fuck,” I groaned.
“I hope so.” Her mouth curved into a smile
Days of nothing but soft kisses weren’t exactly easy on me, but Mirabelle had needed time to heal. The thought of hurting her had stopped me. A couple of times, she’d tried to push me further, but I’d managed to convince her we should wait. From the looks of things, avoiding sexual contact had been challenging for her, too. It was easy to guess the waiting was over.
“Come here.” She quirked her finger at me.
Without hesitation, my feet moved on their own accord. Denying her again was not an option. I needed to be buried deep inside her as much as I needed my next breath.
When my knees touched the comforter, I stopped, anxious to see where she was going to take this. She rose to her knees, running her hands over my chest before leaning in and brushing her soft lips against my nipples. Goosebumps covered my skin as her tongue darted out just enough to tease each one.
Her tongue trailed a heated path down my abs, like matches stroking my skin with flames. She stopped just above the base of my cock. Her warm breath made me twitch in anticipation, and my breath grew shaky. Gathering her long curls in one hand, I lifted them out of the way so I could watch her every move.
Eyes locked on mine, she traced the underside of my engorged arousal, tasting and probing, then teasing the head. The warmth of her mouth, sucking hard as she lowered all the way before pulling back, made my heart thunder in my ears. The grin on her face when she let me go with a loud pop, was too much for me.
With care not to hurt her, I eased her back until her head was on the pillows, and her knees bent and spread. Starting at her ankles, I grazed my fingers up her legs, pausing when I got to her upper thighs. She threw her head back and moaned when I flicked my finger over her clit.
“Oh, Silas, please,” she begged.
I lowered between her thighs and dragged my fingers through her arousal before plunging my tongue inside her. Her taste flooded my senses, driving me to give her more pleasure. When her legs were shaking and her thighs trembling, I moved to her clit, swirling, sucking, and stroking until she shuddered her release.
“I need you, Silas.” Desperation coated her voice, and her hands reached for me.
The hot intensity of her gaze made my arms shaky as I settled my body between her legs. The head of my cock nestled against her opening.
“I don’t want anything between us, Mirabelle. I’ve always been safe. Please tell me you’re on the pill.” My voice was frantic. Barely able to hang on, I needed her now.
“I am.”
Those two words were all I needed to hear. I buried my length in her sweet warmth. Her hooded eyes glued to mine, I glided in and out of her. Thoughts of the past and future were pushed away. I was only in the present, our connection so fierce, I was sure nothing would ever even come close. Never had something ever felt more fucking perfect than her walls gripping me with each thrust.
“God, baby!” I grunted. My movements quickened as I closed in on my climax. Refusing to go without her, I found her sensitive bud and firmly rolled it between my fingers.
“Silas!”
Watching her in the throes of a trembling orgasm—back arched, chest heaving, skin flushed—was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Her walls clenching around me sent me tumbling over the edge. I emptied into her, shuddering, unable to get close enough to her.
I rolled my weight off her, holding her hand between us as we fought to catch our breath.
“Wow.” Mirabelle was the first to speak, making me chuckle.
“My thoughts exactly.” Gathering her into my arms, I placed a tender kiss on the bandage covering her stitches.
“I love you, Silas.” Her voice softened as she nuzzled closer.
“I love you, too, Mirabelle. So fucking much.”
M I R A B E L L E
Snickers whinnied as I tossed the blanket over his back, preparing him for our ride.
“Here, let me help you.” Silas swung the saddle onto the back of my horse, adjusting it and making sure it was snug. His bulging biceps trapped my attention. I could admire him all day; however, him catching me doing so would make him unbearably smug.
“You know, I’m very capable of saddling my own horse.” Inching back, I crossed my arms as Silas dealt with Snickers, trying my best to seem annoyed. I’d spent so many years running from my feelings for Silas, the need to prove I could take care of myself was vital. It was hard to let go of that control, but knowing Silas loved me and wanted me to be happy, made it easier to let some of my insecurities go. Besides, I got sidetracked watching the way he moved. With his tight ass and mouth-watering muscles, the man was seriously distracting.
When he finished, he wrapped me in his arms and planted a kiss on the tip of my nose. “I’m very aware of what you’re capable of, but sometimes, I just want to do things for you.”
How could I argue with that?
“Ready?” Silas asked as he mounted Sable and walked her outside.
Giving him a thumbs-up, I led Snickers behind them before climbing in the saddle.
Ah, there it was. Contentment. Happiness. Home. There was nothing like being on the back of a horse to bring peace and clarity to a mind. As Snickers began to move, I patted his neck. Remembering how flawless it was for him to become my horse made me smile so big, my cheeks hurt. We’d needed to come together to deal with the loss of Dalton. Little Darren had been so right when he’d said horses mourn the loss of a companion. I truly believed that of all animals.
“Hey, I’ve been meaning to run an idea by you.” Because of all the craziness caused by Rick, talking to Silas had slipped my mind. I figured while we were riding was as good a time as any. Chances were no one would disturb us, since our saboteur was in jail.
Silas slowed Sable until we were side-by-side.
I recalled my conversation with Gayle and Darren in the store, the way little Darren’s eyes lit up when he saw Molly, and how she’d taken to him, too. But it wasn’t just that. Something magical had happened when he’d sat on her back. His posture had straightened, and his flapping hands and repetitive talking had stopped. He was like a different kid. It was as if he and Molly spoke through nothing other than pressure and movement.
Gayle had been speechless and cried. It was suddenly clear to me how to make a difference using horses and my education as an occupational therapist.
“So, I think I’d like to start an Equine Therapy Program here at Sutton Ranch.”
Other than narrowed eyes, Silas’s face was unreadable, like a blank sheet of paper. He was quiet for so long I worried he didn’t think it was a very good idea. The longer he didn’t respond, the more I squirmed.
When he finally spoke, I almost fell out of the saddle.
“We’ll need to do some research, but I can’t think of anything more perfect for you to be doing.” He grinned at me.
Waves of happiness and relief washed over me. I giggled out of sheer joy.
“Come on,” he said before clicking his tongue and taking Sable up to a gallop. Snickers followed close behind.
The wind blew through my hair and across my face, and I couldn’t help but feel free and excited for what the future held.
After a few minutes, we slowed the horses. Silas came to a stop and dismounted, letting Sable graze as he walked a bit further. Shoulders slumped, he stared at the ground.
Releasing Snickers, I walked over to Silas.
“Are you okay, Silas?” His sudden change of mood filled my stomach with knots and my chest with dread.
“I made him a promise right here.” Silas spoke so softly, I alm
ost couldn’t hear him.
When my gaze followed his, I knew who he was talking about. A large rock, jagged and grey, stuck out of the ground. My stomach dropped.
“This is where he died?” My knees wobbled, and I grabbed Silas’s arm in case my legs gave out.
Silas nodded and then dropped to one knee. At first, I thought his own legs gave out, then something gleamed in the sunlight, sending rainbows of sparkles over the grass.
“I made him a promise,” Silas said, gazing up at me. “I told him I would bring you home and take care of you. He knew I was in love with you, and he knew I would do right by you, Mirabelle. This may seem like a weird place to do this, but this was the last place he was. I felt it was only right for him to be here when I asked you to marry me.” Silas held out a ring, waiting for my answer.
I knelt at the rock and ran my hand over the sharp point. All remnants of blood or anything else had been washed away by the rain. Something so unassuming had changed my life forever. I wanted to be mad, but I couldn’t. I felt a sense of peace out here, and I had to believe that was Dalton. He had made it his mission to take care of me all his life, and even in his death, he had made it possible for me to be cared for.
Silas bowed his head as he waited for me to do what I needed to do. This was one reason in a million why he was perfect for me. Patience. The man had it in spades.
“Silas?” His eyes met mine, his face serene. “Nothing would make me happier.”
I held out my shaky hand, and he slipped the beautiful ring on my left ring finger. Then the crazy man stood up, scooped me into his arms, and spun me until I was dizzy. When he was sure I was steady enough to stand, he walked a few feet away and tilted his face to the sky.
“DALTON, SHE SAID YES!” he hollered at the top of his lungs. He tossed his hat into the air and laughed.
In that moment, I saw true happiness. Together we would move forward with confidence, knowing our future would be even better than the past.
Even when it seemed like nothing would be there for you in the end, hope was what kept you alive. What gave you strength. What kept you moving forward.