I stood up and went over to the window. “My mom was killed by her abusive boyfriend.”
She let out a gasp. “Oh my God Rachel, how horrible for you.”
I nodded, the tears rolling down my face now. “I made a promise to myself I would never ever be with a man like that. When he started to get like that, I made plans to leave him. The night I told him, he hit me. I waited until later that night and packed up what I could and left.”
She got up from the table and came over to me. I turned around and she held my arms in her hands. “I’m proud of you.” She reached up and wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Your mother would be proud of you.”
A sob tore from my throat and she pulled me to her for a hug. She smoothed my hair. “You’re safe here.”
“Mom! What did you do to Rachel?” Eliza came into the kitchen, done with her phone call.
I pulled away from her and wiped my eyes. “She didn’t do anything,” I laughed nervously.
“Never you mind, Eliza,” Mary dismissed her daughter. She handed me a tissue. “We were just talking.”
Eliza narrowed her eyes suspiciously at us. “Riiight.” She came closer to me. “Are you ok, Rachel?”
“I am, especially now,” I assured her. I really was ok for the first time in days, maybe even weeks. It felt good to tell Mary what had happened to me in Buffalo before I left. I didn’t tell her that when I left Seth, I’d taken about five grand from him. He was more than likely more pissed about the missing money than he was me leaving. There was no way he would find me here in the middle of nowhere anyway.
“Well, I have to run to town to do some errands. Come with me?” she asked as she walked over to her purse.
“Sure,” I glanced out the window and noticed Wyatt walking into the garage. Where was Clint? It would probably do me some good to get out of here for awhile so I wouldn’t obsessively watch for him. I wasn’t sure how things would be between us after last night. Would he act like nothing had happened? If I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.
“You girls be careful,” Mary said, going back to her dishes in the sink. She smiled at me and winked. I smiled back at her.
“Yeah, yeah, Ma,” Eliza waved a hand at her mother. “Let’s go. Maybe we can do some shopping too.”
We headed out the door to her truck. I tried to casually look around to find Clint.
“He’s way out in the fields,” Eliza said with a grin.
My face felt warm with embarrassment. Was I that obvious? “What are you talking about?” I stammered.
She laughed. “It’s ok. I could tell you were looking for my brother.” She started the truck and looked at me. “For the record, when he got up this morning, he was whistling and grinning bigger than I’ve seen in forever.” She put the truck in drive and started the drive into town.
I settled back into the seat, watching the fields go by out the window. The past few days had been a whirlwind and my life had gone in a direction I’d never imagined. I was already in love with this family that took me in with no questions asked and, if I was honest with myself, I was starting to fall for Clint.
12
Clint
As I worked all morning, all I could do was think about Rachel. I didn’t just think about how hot and sexy she was and how she’d made me come harder than anyone ever had; I also thought about her laughter and the way she brushed her hair from her face.
“Dude, wipe that fucking smile off your face. It’s disgusting,” Wyatt snorted as he walked up to me.
“What are you talking about?” He was the last person I wanted to admit to that I was having feelings for this new girl that had come into our lives.
“Your grin is so big I can see it from the house,” he teased, leaning against the tractor parked near us. “I brought you some water since you left the house in such a hurry this morning.”
“You’re so full of shit,” I laughed and stood next to him. I took a long drink of the cold water he’d brought out for me. “Thanks, bro.”
We sat in silence for a few minutes, watching the wind blow through the trees. “You like her, don’t you?” he asked.
What did I say here? Did I tell him that even though it was crazy, I did really care about her? What if he told her and scared her off? I decided I’d just tell the truth. “I do,” I admitted quietly.
“I could tell last night. Watching the way you two danced.” He turned his baseball hat backwards and turned to me. “What do you know about her though? You just met her.”
I shrugged; maybe he was right, but he slept with anything that walked. I knew very little about her, but something deep in my gut told me she was the one I’d been waiting for since Hope left me. None of the rest mattered. “I don’t know much, but I know I like her. She’s funny, sexy, and smart. We have plenty of time to learn about each other.”
He pushed himself off of the tractor. “She’s from back east right? Where was she going? Why could she just stop and settle here with us? Maybe she’s a criminal running from the cops.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “Seriously, Wyatt, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Does she look like she’s a dangerous criminal?”
He held up his hands and shook his head. “You never know man. All I’m saying is be careful.”
Maybe his suspicion of women and inability to really trust someone was the reason he couldn’t settle down with one woman. I thought he was just fond of the ladies, but maybe it was something deeper than that.
“Point taken,” I said with a nod. “I’ll be careful - just for you, baby brother. Now let’s get back to work. Lunch is soon.”
I went back to working on the fence that had my attention before my brother showed up and Wyatt stayed with me to help. We kept the conversation light the rest of the time, talking about baseball and other stuff. It wasn’t long before my phone went off with a text from Ma saying lunch was in ten minutes.
“We better head up to the main house. Ma has lunch just about done,” I told Wyatt, wiping the sweat from my brow.
“Good,” he said, clutching his stomach. “I’m starving.”
We finished up a few things and he hopped on the four-wheeler he’d driven out to meet me. I got on the tractor and we headed back to the house. I got butterflies in my stomach the closer I got; I couldn’t wait to see Rachel again. I hoped things weren’t awkward and strained between us.
I noticed Eliza’s truck wasn’t parked outside when we got there and my heart sank. What if Rachel was gone with her? I wouldn’t see her until dinner tonight.
Wyatt reached out and smacked my arm. “Eliza’s gone. Are you worried she’s with her?”
I grinned sheepishly and he shook his head. “Oh man, you’ve got it bad, don’t you?”
I didn’t even answer him and headed inside. We were greeted with the wonderful smells of my mom’s cooking and my stomach rumbled. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I smelled her fabulous cooking. Everyone was sitting down at the table already except for Wyatt and me.
“It’s about time you boys get here,” Ma said with a grin and shooed us to our seats after we washed our hands. As I sat down, I looked for Rachel, but I didn’t see her.
I dished some chicken up on to my plate. “Where’s Eliza?” I asked, trying to be nonchalant.
Wyatt snorted and I kicked him under the table.
“Ow!” he cried out muffled, his mouth full of food.
Ma glared at both of us. “What is wrong with you boys?” She scolded. Neither of us answered and she turned back to her plate. “Eliza and Rachel ran into town for some errands and some shopping. She called to say they were going to catch lunch in town.”
I tried not to hide my disappointment at not seeing Rachel but I was glad she and Eliza were getting along so well. “Shopping, huh? Oh boy,” I laughed. Eliza was a shopping queen.
Ma laughed. “I know. They assured me they’d be back for dinner tonight. She said something about getting Rac
hel some boots or other suitable footwear for kicking around on the ranch.”
My cock twitched in my jeans at the thought of Rachel in cowboy boots. There was nothing sexier than a hot sexy girl wearing cowboy boots. Maybe she’d have to model them for me later - wearing nothing else.
“What are you grinning about?” Wyatt asked, nudging my elbow.
“Oh nothing,” I retorted, hiding my smile. Maybe it would be worth not seeing her until tonight.
The rest of lunch went by quietly, just talking about the weather. There was a storm predicted in a few days and we had to do the usual check to make sure everything was safe. We would be busier than usual to prep for it. Severe storms out here were nothing to take lightly.
When we were done with lunch, everyone cleared out except for Ma and me. I usually helped her a bit with the dishes at meal-time, especially if Eliza wasn’t there.
“I talked to Rachel a bit this morning before they left,” she said quietly.
My heart started to race. God forbid they talked about the sex that had happened the night before. “Oh yeah, what about?” I asked as I brought some plates to the counter.
“I’m not sure if it’s my place to tell you, but I asked her a bit about her past.” She wiped her hands on her dishtowel. “Just be careful with her. I know you like her, but despite her tough exterior, she’s actually pretty fragile underneath. Don’t toy with her and hurt her. And don’t push her. I’m sure she’ll tell you about her past when she’s ready.”
I ran my hand through my hair. I wanted to press Ma for more details about Rachel’s past, but knew it didn’t pay. Ma wasn’t going to break her word to Rachel. “She told me her mom died when she was nineteen and before that it had just been the two of them, but that’s it.”
She leaned her hip against the counter. “There’s more and she’ll tell you when she’s ready, but again, just be careful.”
“I will, Ma,” I said, leaning down to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you tonight. Call or text if you need me.”
“See you in a bit,” she said, turning back to the mess in the kitchen.
I walked out to the tractor, thinking about what Ma had said. Whatever had happened to Rachel in her past, I was determined that from now on, she would be safe and never hurt again in any way, not if I had anything to do about it.
I jumped onto my tractor and drove back out to the fence. Once that was done, I had to try to get all the animals nearby so we could get them into the barns before the storm. It was going to be a long afternoon.
There was so much work to do I didn’t even make it back to the house for dinner. I was bummed again I didn’t get to see Rachel, but there was just too much to do.
It was dusk when I saw the light from a four wheeler headed my way. I was way back in the far corner of the property and wondered who would be coming out to get me now. I’d already let Ma know where I was and what I was doing, so what could be going on?
I grinned from ear to ear when the ATV finally got to me and I saw it was Rachel on the back. She stopped with a jerk, laughing. “Help me!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never driven one of these things before and I have no idea how to turn it off. I’m surprised I made it out here.”
I laughed and reached across her to turn off the key. I took deep breath, breathing in the scent of her hair and laundry detergent. I wanted to take her hair out of her ponytail and bury my face in it.
As happy I was to see her, I was surprised they’d let her out here all alone, especially if she had never driven a four wheeler before. I’d hate for something to happen to her, especially on my watch.
“Thank you,” she mumbled and I took her hand, helping her off the seat. She pointed to the basket on the back. “Eliza was going to bring you some food since you missed dinner, but I offered.” She smiled shyly at me before turning around and taking out a plate covered with aluminum foil. She handed it to me and reached back in to grab silverware and a soda.
“Thanks, babe,” I said, removing the foil from the plate. It was Ma’s pot roast and as usual, it smelled amazing. I found a patch of grass to sit down on and motioned her to sit next to me. She sat down next to me and I noticed her cowboy boots right away. “Successful shopping with Eliza I see,” I said, nodding to her boots.
She smiled self-consciously and reached down to touch them. “Yeah. What do you think?” She straightened her legs out in front of her, showing off the dark brown cowboy boots.
“I love them,” I replied. “I think you look great in them. Maybe later you can model them for me with nothing else on,” I winked at her and I could see her cheeks redden under the floodlight I was using so I could see.
“Maybe,” she shrugged. She looked around and turned back to me. “So what are you doing out here so late.”
I set my plate down. “We’ve had some issues with the fences back here. The animals can mostly wander free, but way back here is the end of the property line plus it gets steep back here. I don’t want to lose any animals. There’s a storm brewing that will be here in a day or two and I want to make sure nothing falls apart. We get some pretty high winds out here.”
She nodded. “Do you leave the animals outside?”
“Usually, but I think with this one I’m going to try to round them up tomorrow so they’re closer to the barn. We have corrals all over the ranch we can herd them into. That will be on the agenda for tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”
She hugged her knees to her chest. “I think I would. That sounds amazing to watch.”
“It is,” I said, picking up my plate to eat again. Growing up on the ranch, I’d taken all of these things for granted. With Rachel here seeing these things for the first time, it made me appreciate it all.
We sat together in silence while I finished my food. When I was done I stood up and helped her up. “Thanks for dinner, babe. I’m going to finish up out here and I’ll be inside in a bit. Think you can make it back ok?”
She packed up my dishes and nodded. “I think so. Just go straight that way?” She pointed out in front of her.
“Yep, the lights of the main house should start appearing in the distance.”
She started to get on the ATV when I stopped her. I pulled her into me, my hand cupping her face and the other around her waist possessively. I leaned down to kiss her. It started as a slow gentle kiss but it wasn’t long before we were both breathless and panting. I was tempted to go back with her but this had to get done. I pressed my forehead against hers. “When I get in, I’ll knock on your door if it’s not too late.”
She nodded and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. I helped her climb onto the four wheeler and started it for her. “Thanks again for dinner.”
She smiled and drove off. I watched her until I couldn’t see her anymore, adjusting my erection in my jeans. I turned back to what I was doing, thoughts of her naked underneath me filling my mind. I better get my ass in gear and finish so I could go back to her.
13
Rachel
I woke up to the sound of thunder crashing outside of my window. I sat up in bed and looked at the clock. It was three AM. My heart sank with disappointment when I realized Clint hadn’t come to me when he came in. Maybe it had been too late and he was tired. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to work like he did; it must be exhausting.
I jumped as another clap of thunder rang out. It sounded like it was right outside of my bedroom window. I got up out of bed and walked over to the window, slowly pushed open the curtains. When the lightning flashed, I could see the trees bent way over by the howling wind. Guess that storm came sooner than expected.
I could make out the sounds of people talking so I threw a t-shirt over my tank top and headed out to the kitchen. Mary and Eliza were both sitting there and the looks on their faces instantly made my stomach drop.
“Storm wake you up, my dear?” Mary asked with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I nodded and walke
d over to the coffee pot, grabbing a mug and pouring myself a cup. “Yes, I’m not used to storms like this.” I joined them at the table. Eliza looked so different with her make up off and her hair up in a messy bun. She was chewing on her bottom lip and she twitched with each boom of thunder.
I looked around, not seeing Wyatt or Clint anywhere. How could they sleep through this? “Are the boys still sleeping?” I finally asked. “They must be hard sleepers.”
Eliza shook her head and Mary sighed. “No, they are out in Clint’s truck, checking on a few things. This storm snuck up on us and they wanted to make sure the animals are accounted for since they didn’t get to herd them in like they had wanted to.”
The room lit up with flashes of lightning so fast it was like a strobe light was in the room. “They’re out in this?” I asked, my voice filled with shock. No wonder Eliza looked so nervous.
Mary reached over and patted my hand. “They’ll be fine. We’ve had a million storms like this here. They know what they’re doing and they’ll be careful.”
At that moment the whole house shook with the loudest rumble I’d ever heard. Eliza and I both screamed as the house got black. “Girls, calm down!” Mary said, turning on the flashlight I was thankful she had with her. Obviously she had been through this before and was prepared.
She turned on the radio, listening for news about the weather. I didn’t really listen though, my thoughts on Wyatt and Clint out in this horrible storm. I tightened my hands into fists and had to fight the urge to get up and pace around the kitchen. I wasn’t going to be happy until they were both back safe and sound.
“Let’s move to the family room,” Mary said, getting up with her flashlight and radio. We followed close behind as she let us to the family room off of the kitchen. The three of us sat on the couch next to each other, with me in the middle.
Clint: A Hidden Lane Ranch Cowboy Novel Page 7