“I got lucky.” Elise patted a nearby stool, then headed to the refrigerator and started pulling out fruit. “Would you like something to drink or eat?”
“No thanks. I’m good.” Instead of sitting, Trinity headed over to the woman’s side. “Let me help.”
Elise nodded and handed the variety of fresh fruits over. “I was going to cut them up into a fruit salad.”
“I’ll do that.” Trinity dropped the bounty off at the sink, then went in search of a knife.
“Here you go.” Elise handed one over before opening a package of meat. She pulled off a section and made it into a patty.
Trinity started peeling. “I love your house and the land. It’s very pretty. All of it.”
“Thanks. It’s home. But, I hear Heritage Farm is absolutely beautiful. Paddocks full of horses as far as the eye can see. Bluegrass blowing in the breeze. The shade trees. Even the barns are first class.”
Trinity smiled at the thought of home. “It’s so well kept and everyone loves their job. It’s easy to block out the rat race and the rest of the world when you’re there. Time slows when you spend your days working with the stallions. They’re so much fun, with their own quirks. They keep me on my toes, definitely. But, I really love it there.”
Elise studied her for a moment, then turned her attention to placing the meat on a grill pan. “How does it feel to be the barrel racing national champion?”
“Refreshing, I guess. Relieved too. It really hasn’t had that much time to sink in.” Trinity thought about the long, hard road to achieve her dream and found the steps worth the end result. “It was more Legacy than anything, but I think he’s ready to retire.”
“Do you have another barrel horse to ride, dear?”
“No.” She sighed and glanced over at Elise. “To be honest, I’m thinking about retiring too. Go out on top.”
Elise put the lid down on the grill pan. “You sound a bit unsure.”
The story of my life. Trinity grappled with the decision, torn and unsettled. “All I ever wanted to do was barrel race. Now that I’ve achieved that goal, I don’t know what to do. Initially, I wanted to move away, to start over, but…”
“But, you discovered that Heritage was home.”
“Yes.” Glad the older woman seemed to understand, Trinity started cutting up the fruit. “I guess driving up and down the road all season taught me that there is truly no place like home.”
Elise pulled plates from the cabinet and silverware from a drawer, setting all of them on the oval wooden dining room table in the window-filled nook. She returned with several cans of soda, setting one on every placemat. Condiments followed along with a handful of varieties of potato chips. “Home is where the heart is, I hear. Especially if you have a good man to fill your days.”
Trinity grinned as she carried the bowl of fruit salad and placed it in the middle of the table. “Now that’s true.”
Elise smiled softly. “Not to be nosey, but I see there’s something between you and Cody.”
Finished with the task, Trinity started cleaning up the mess. She couldn’t begrudge the old woman’s curiosity. After all, Cody was her only child, he’d been though a lot, and she only wanted the best for him. Same as any good mother. “I think there is. I love him and he’s said the same to me.”
Cody’s mother helped toss the scraps in a bucket, then rinse out the sink. Afterward, she met Trinity’s gaze. “He’s never brought a woman home before.”
Trinity blinked. “Never? Not even when he was in college?”
“Not even then.”
The fact embraced Trinity in warmth. She hadn’t doubted Cody’s love, not in the least. But, any and all reassurances helped. “He’s a good man. A hero. He’d not spoken much about what happened at war, but I’ve seen the toll it left on him. Cody sacrificed so much of himself and deserves happiness now.” She spoke the truth from her heart.
Tears pooled in Elise’s eyes before she sniffed and wiped them away. “He’s hardly said a word about the experience, probably wants to just lock it away forever. But, the scars he carries tell their own story. He’s very sensitive about those, thinks people can’t accept them.”
Trinity nodded. “He said a woman once ran out on him because she was so upset about them. That hurt him deep. But, they’re badges of courage to me. He’s no less of a man because his back is splotched with red marks. In fact, he’s more of one.”
Elise patted Trinity’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family, Trinity.”
A bit surprised at the words, Trinity could only smile. Since she and Cody hadn’t really spoken much about the future, she didn’t know quite what to make of Elise’s words.
“Something smells good.” Roger entered the kitchen, Cody on his heels.
“It’s just hamburgers. Quick and light.” Elise grinned at her husband. “You act like you’re starving.” She picked up a spare plate, placed the hamburger patties on it, then carried it to the table.
“I am.”
Cody made a beeline for Trinity, pulling her into his embrace. “Doing okay?”
She peered up at him and returned the hug. He’d obviously picked up on her concerns about meeting her parents earlier. “Good. You?”
“Just fine.” He bent to brush a kiss across her lips. “Now.”
Her heart buoyed.
“If everyone will take a seat, we’ll get to eating before someone succumbs to starvation.” Elise pursed her lips at Roger. Her eyes sparkled as she watched him sit down and open his soda.
He just smiled.
Trinity sighed. Watching Cody’s parents proved entertaining and illuminating. She could only hope her and Cody could enjoy such a fun and loving relationship through the years.
“What is it?” Cody nuzzled her cheek.
“I was just wondering if you’ll still be chasing me around the kitchen when I’m sixty.”
He chuckled and nudged her toward the table. “I’ll do my damnedest.”
As soon as the meal finished, Cody offered to help clean up. His mother shooed both men out of her domain, only allowing Trinity to remain behind to assist. Cody resisted, but one stern look from his mother shut his mouth and sent him striding from the room after his father.
“Let’s go check the stock.” Roger inclined his head toward the front door.
Without preamble, Cody followed along, wanting to speak to his father in private anyway. Now would be as good a time as any. He stepped off the front porch and walked along beside his father. He’d been considering his business options all day and couldn’t wait to present them to his father.
“She’s quite the catch.” His father headed toward the far pasture where most of the horse herd grazed in the waning light of sunset.
“Yep.”
“Seems to have a good head on her shoulders too.”
“Very much so.”
Roger paused at the gate, rested one boot on the bottom rung, and folded his arms over the top. “She suits you. The fact that you’ve brought her here makes me think this is serious.”
Cody leaned against the old wooden post, facing his father. “It is. We haven’t talked about the future yet, but I’ve certainly thought about it.”
“What did you come up with?”
Cody drew in a breath. “She works at Heritage Stud farm in Kentucky. Lives there too. You should see the place. Gorgeous. The quality of thoroughbreds there is phenomenal. They’ve got some big name horses there, including Another Victory Gallop.”
Roger’s eyebrows shot up.
“Yeah.” Cody grinned. “Trinity lives and works in one of the barns. Victory’s barn, to be exact. He occupies the stall and paddock right next to her stallion, Legacy.”
“Damn.”
“There’s more. The staff there is great, treats her like family. Even Victory’s owner has become a surrogate mother to Trinity. I can see the closeness when they’re together.”
“Which means her roots are deep in Kentucky.”
&nb
sp; Cody nodded. “To take her away would break her heart. She’s a part of that place.”
“You’re moving there?”
“That’s the plan. Well, I haven’t told Trinity yet, but that’s what I intend to do.” He turned to lean on the fence, mirroring his father in stance. “I’ve been restless and lost. You know that. The rodeo circuit helped, but I didn’t feel at home until I connected with Trinity.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yeah,” Cody answered without hesitation. He’d meant the words he’d uttered to Trinity after their first time together.
“Show her your scars, yet?” His father eyed him steadily.
Cody met his gaze with confidence. “She called them badges of courage. Touched them, kissed them. Made me feel like one hell of a man in the process.”
Roger pursed his lips. “I can see why that would make a guy think about something more permanent.”
“It’s more than that, Dad. She’s caring and nurturing. You should see how she treats those studs, just like they’re her babies.” Cody peered out over the land. “I’m happy with her, get to be myself around her. Finally content.”
“Planning on popping the question?” Roger grinned slightly.
“Soon. I’ve got one more promise to fulfill first.”
“What’s that?”
Cody shook his head. “No way. I’m not saying a word. The last thing I need is for someone to ruin the surprise.”
“I wouldn’t do that.”
“Maybe not intentionally.” Cody shrugged. “Anyway, I’m going back to Kentucky with Trinity. Live there. Find a job there.”
“Which puts us back to the partnership.” Roger sighed, looked down at the ground, then back to Cody. “I knew this day would come. You’ve been antsy since you came back from the service. We thought vet school was the answer, but that didn’t seem to do more than keep you busy.”
“You and Mom have always been there for me. I know that. It’s just…Trinity is my future. She chases the demons away.” Cody’s voice faded. He rarely admitted the nightmares and flashbacks from his past, but he needed his father to understand that Trinity gave him something that no one else could. Absolute acceptance, love, and a deep passion he craved. “I didn’t know if you wanted to buy me out, sell my half to someone else, or what. I’d love to stick around and help, but I can’t exactly drive to work every day from three states away.”
“That commute would suck.” Roger waved a hand. “I’ll just buy you out. That’ll give you some cash to start out with too.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” Cody sighed. “If she wasn’t so attached, I’d drag her out here in a heartbeat.”
“We all make sacrifices for those we love.” Roger stared at him for a long moment, then inclined his head with a small grin. “Looks like we get to welcome another member of the family.”
“After I get my ducks in a row.” He pinned his father with his gaze.
“Yeah, yeah. After. I get it.” Roger wrapped his arm around Cody’s neck and gave him a squeeze. He released him, then started meandering back toward the house. “You know, the jewelry store where I bought your mother’s engagement ring is still open over in Flat Creek.”
Cody smiled to himself, thankful his father seemed to understand and accept his decision. “I’ll check it out.”
“I’ll talk to Elise. When she takes Trinity to town for their girls’ day, I’ll make sure they stay well away from there.”
Cody arched an eyebrow. “Going shopping for rings with me?”
Roger smiled big. “Hell, yeah. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Cody rolled his eyes, then laughed. He’d never imagined wedding ring shopping with his old man, but somehow it seemed right.
Chapter Thirty
Movement next to her woke Trinity. She opened her eyes, blinked, and took a moment to recall where exactly she was. Cody’s house in Oklahoma. The facts flooded her mind as her brain kicked into gear. While not late, judging by the location of the sun, the morning had gotten a good start already.
Luckily, she didn’t need to scramble around in order to feed a half dozen horses impatiently waiting for their breakfast.
Harsh breathing and a muted cry drew her attention. Flipping over, she found Cody facing her, his face scrunched up in pain, while his whole body twitched and jerked.
Nightmares. She’d expected he suffered from such. Pretty much everyone who had been to war had them, from what she’d heard. A horrible side effect of their service to their country.
He mumbled in his sleep, his lips thinning as he moaned, the sound filled with pain.
Immediately concerned, she watched him for a long moment wondering what to do. “Cody?”
He didn’t respond.
Gently, she placed a hand on his arm, then trailed it upwards to cup his cheek, trying to ease the horrors she saw in his features. “Cody? Wake up.”
His eyes remained closed.
“Cody?” She spoke louder then rubbed his cheek. “Wake up.”
Everything happened in a blink. One second she rested on her side, the next she found herself flat on her back, staring up at Cody as he pinned her to the mattress, her wrists shackled by one of his hands. Startled, but not afraid, she arched an eyebrow at him. “Don’t tell me you’re bondage kinky.”
His pupils dilated before he blinked, then appeared to wake enough to focus on her. His gaze raked her, noted his position, and instantly rolled off. “Shit. I’m sorry, Trin.” He sat up on the side of the bed and scrubbed his face with his hands.
She followed, needing to soothe and comfort the man she loved. Make him understand that she would stand in the trenches with him, through thick and thin. Scooting over to sit just behind him, she kissed the old scars covering his back. “It’s okay, Cody. Really.”
He twisted to look at her. “No it’s not. I could have hurt you.” Remorse and worry dulled his eyes.
Smiling softly, she shook her head. “No you won’t. First of all, I’m not a frail doll you have to worry about breaking. Secondly, even when you woke up, you went for containment, not violence.”
“So?”
“So, I’d worry if your initial reaction was to start throwing punches. You didn’t do that. You just held me down until you could figure out what was happening.”
“Which scared you.”
“Not really.” She traced his earlobe with her tongue while lightly running her hands over his back.
For a long moment he stared at her, as if trying to evaluate her level of truthfulness.
Boldly, she ran one hand up his thigh and lightly stroked his rapidly rising cock. “I thought you’d gotten a wild hare and your kinky side came out to play.”
A ghost of a smile hovered on his lips. “You think I have a kinky side?”
“Uh-huh.” She measured his length, impressed as always by his thickness and size. Granted, she didn’t have much experience in the sex department, but Cody still appeared above average to her. Amazing that they fit together as well as they did.
He turned around to face her, reaching up to cover one of her breasts, then strum the nipple. “You’re not upset?”
“Upset that you have some interesting fantasies you haven’t mentioned to me yet? Nope. I figure those little rewards will pop out now and again.”
He snorted. “I meant the way I manhandled you.”
She grinned. “Manhandle me all you like. I love the feel of your body pressing against mine, the feel of yours hands petting me.”
A quiet moan escaped from his lips. “You’re deliberately changing the topic.”
She tilted her head. “We’ve already established that you didn’t hurt or scare me. I trust you. I love you. The fact that you have nightmares now and again isn’t going to send me packing. Ever.”
Concern flashed across his face. “You say that now…”
“Cody Winters. Hard-headedness is not always a good trait.” She nipped his shoulder, then met his gaze stea
dily. “I love you. We’re in this for the long haul. The fact you have nightmares, maybe even flashbacks, isn’t a surprise. We’ll work through them. Together.”
For a long moment, Trinity feared Cody would turn away, heap the whole load on his shoulders, and try to shield her from the aftereffects he suffered.
He bracketed her face and stared at her with an expression so intense, so filled with love and want, her stomach flipped in delight. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
Trinity leaned into his touch. “Ditto. Get this through your thick skull. You’re stuck with me.”
He smiled softly. “Okay.”
“Good. Now that we have that settled…” She pressed her fingertips to his lips, smiling when he kissed them. “So, Mr. Kinky, what ideas did you have in store for this morning?”
His eyes sparkled. “A few of them.” Hunger filled his tone.
“A few?” She drew a line from his chin, down his chest, and straight for his jutting shaft. “Going to draw straws or what?” She peeked up at him from under her lashes, outrageously teasing him. Never before had she considered herself a flirt, but Cody, naked in the bed, brought out her hussy side.
“Nope.” He pushed her gently back until she lay supine on the bed. “Stay there. Just like that.” With a nifty move, he sprang off the bed, opened a bedside table, grabbed a foil packet, and rolled on the condom. Task complete, he returned, covering her completely with his body, careful to keep his weight off her with most dispensed to his forearms on either side of her shoulders.
His chest rubbed her aching breasts with every breath, the sensation so titillating, she immediately went into libido overdrive. She lifted her legs, wrapping them around Cody’s hips in an effort to get even closer. “Oh, my.”
Cody’s lopsided grin added fuel to her fire. “Like?”
“Oh, yeah. The only thing that would make this better…”
Lazily, Cody pressed into her body, joining them inch by slow inch.
Trinity sighed, then whimpered as he kept going. And going. He finally lodged at the deepest recesses of her core, farther than he’d ever been before. The newfound feeling of complete fullness notched her that much higher.
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