The Lonely Cowboy (Trace Atkins Family)

by Carlton, Susan Leigh

  He moved a hand down to cup her breast and felt a tremor race through her body. She tilted her chin upward, and some way, somehow, his tongue found its way into her mouth, colliding with her tongue. She responded eagerly to this welcome intrusion into her body. He heard a low moan escape from her throat, coming from somewhere deep within her body. He moved his head to the tender flesh of her neck. She began to writhe against him.

  When Sarah felt her breasts touch his chest, she shivered and felt it all the way to her toes. Then his massaging the breast elicited a tingling in her stomach. She pushed herself tighter into his embrace and felt the pressure of his manhood against her midsection. She began to grind her hips against it and felt it begin to grow even more. “Get those drawers off, I want to feel your whole body against mine.” He slid them down, his erection now freed, it bounced up and down in front of her. She reached down and took it into her hand and pumped. This time the groan came from the deepest part of him.

  They moved backward toward the bed and fell against it and into each other’s arms. The next hour was spent getting more acquainted with each other and each other’s body. Somewhere along the way, their marriage was consummated. Twice.

  “Mr. Atkins, that was a most pleasant experience, one we must repeat often.”

  “I expect we will, Mrs. Atkins. I expect we will. Later today?”

  “Sounds like a good idea. Shall we see to our family?”

  “Let's.

  They dressed and went back into the living room. They found the boys playing jack straws. Thomas was a little more steady of hand than Joshua, who was also beset with eagerness causing him to jiggle the sticks almost every time. “Why don’t you boys show your Pa around. I don’t think he’s seen your ponies or your swings.”

  Joshua jumped up and said, “Come on, Pa, I’ll show you my horse. He can really run.”

  “He can’t run as fast as mine.”

  “Can too.”

  * * *

  They showed him their swing, suspended from a limb of a cottonwood tree and using part of a saddle as the seat. “Now that is a good looking swing. Could I try I it out?”

  “Sure, sit in it and I’ll push you,” said Joshua.

  “Why don’t you take turns and be careful not to let the swing hit you.” Taking turns, their yells, punctuated by Trace’s yells shattered the quiet of the evening.

  Sarah came out to see what all of the ruckus was and stood there laughing at the two boys and the man playing. Trace dragged his feet and came to a stop. “Okay, it’s my turn to push. Who’s first?” Naturally, there were two cries of “I’m first.”

  Trace picked up a small rock and put his hands behind his back and made the motions of moving his arms around behind his back. Bringing his closed fists back in front, he said, “Okay, Joshua, you’re the youngest, which hand is the rock in?” Joshua touched a hand, Trace turned it over. It was empty. Thomas, hop on, you’re first.” Thomas hopped in the saddle and Trace pushed him in the swing.

  “Higher”, he cried. After a bit, Trace deemed it was time for Joshua to have a turn.

  “Hold on tight now,” Trace said as he began to push.

  “Higher, Pa,” Higher. I want to touch the sky. After a good bit of pushing, Trace stopped and the swing slowly stopped.

  “You boys have plumb wore me out. I’m going to sit down with your mother.”

  The indefatigable boys continued with their play.

  Trace sat beside Sarah in the porch swing. “Keeping up with those two wore me out.”

  With a twinkle in her eye Sarah asked, “Are you sure that’s what did it?”

  “Well their Ma may have had something to do with it.”

  “You are very good with the boys, I was hoping it would turn out that way. Josh adores you.”

  “They’re fine boys. You have done a great job with them.”

  “It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth the price.”

  They sat down for breakfast for the first time as a family. Trace sat at one end of the table and Sarah at the other. The boys sat on opposite sides. They were served bacon, eggs and potatoes by the housekeeper.

  Sarah said, “I would like to have you sit down with the foreman and me and get up to date on the running of the ranch. Since you’re the head of the household you should know what we have. By us, I mean the family. I’ve been pretty much letting our foreman, Clint run things. You now have a voice in everything.”

  “Sarah, this is your ranch. It’s not right to give me everything. I don’t want anything I haven’t worked for. It’s just the way I’ve always been.”

  Sarah said, “Boys, go to your room and study your numbers and reading. “Your Pa and I need to talk.” Her two sons left the room grumbling. They were not ready to leave their new father.

  Chapter 5 Our Holdings

  She looked at him and was moved to kiss him on the cheek. “Trace, my grandfather was a ship captain and trader. He began buying land in the early 1800s. He began hiring Mexican cowboys to run the cattle. My father told me he had over 350,000 acres. He continued to grow the ranch in cattle and amount of land. I was an only child and when he died he left everything to me. When I married Joshua, his land and mine merged and we are somewhere between 350 and 400,000 acres. I can’t tell you how many cattle we have. We have contracts supplying beef to the army. Come out on the porch with me.”

  They walked on the porch.

  “Look in any direction and as far as you can see is our land. I didn’t say my land, I said our land. Actually, by law it is now your land.”

  “Sarah, I had no idea you had all of this. I don’t know if I can handle all of this responsibility. I wasn’t educated enough to do this. Honestly, it scares me.”

  “Well, scared or not, that’s the way it is. You’re a rich man. You can buy and sell Jess Clayton if you want to. She leaned into his shoulder and he pulled her closer. She looked up at him and smiled. He was her man. He loved her and wanted to take care of her. Her loneliness was a thing of the past. She sighed with the feeling of relief that passed over her.

  “Is something wrong?” he asked.

  No, I’m just happy with you here. Neither of us has to be lonely any more.”

  “I’ve lived here all of my life and never knew you existed before now. I thought I knew everybody.”

  “My father ‘s name was Kleburne. His family goes back to when Texas was a republic.”

  “The Kleburnes?”

  She nodded. “Not many people know that. We didn’t advertise it. When I married Joshua and Pa passed, there were no reminders of the past.”

  “I think I married above my class. I would have been scared off if I’d known.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t know. I’d still be looking at a half empty bed. I’ve had a lot loneliness. Pa sent me back east to school. I stayed with my aunt in Virginia for two years. Then they opened a school in Cimmaron and I came back here. It was different but somewhat the same. I didn’t know anyone in either place. We always had plenty of books around so I read a lot.”

  “If I can help it, you won’t be lonely any more.” He pulled her into a strong embrace and kissed her. It started off tenderly, but it deepened when she parted her lips to allow his tongue to enter. He was exploring the contours of her mouth, the taste of her tongue. She had a refreshing taste and he continued to enjoy.

  She backed off and said breathlessly, “If we are going to keep on with this we need to go into the bedroom”

  “He took her hand and led her into the bedroom. “We won’t get much done if we keep doing this,” he said.

  “Is there anything that needs done as important and as much fun as this?”

  He appeared to think about it before replying. “Now that you mention it, I guess not.” He undressed and got in the bed while she did the same. Reaching for her and pulling her close, he marveled at how well their bodies fit together.

  He kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose. He kissed the soft, smooth skin of
her cheeks and then the tender skin on her neck. He pushed her away from him a bit as he moved down, kissing her cheek. As he kissed her breast, he felt and heard a sharp intake of breath. A moan came from her throat as he took the breast into his mouth. Rubbing his tongue against the nubs on her nipple brought forth more moans. He sucked on her nipple and felt her hips arching against him and moving. Moving down to the entrance of her inner core, he massaged the sensitive lips, as he touched her most sensitive area and inserted a finger into her, she writhed and thrust her hips upward. She exploded under his touch. He held on for the ride. When she was spent, she gasped, “What did you do to me? I couldn’t control it. It just took over.”

  He continued to move his finger around inside her and flicked his tongue against the sensitive spot again. Groans of “Ohhhh… Ohhhhh… Ahhhhh…” accompanied strong thrusts upward. She grasped his swollen member and out of breath said, In me. I want this in me.”

  Inserting his manhood in slowly and barely moving his hips, she began moving with him. He kept pushing deeper and deeper. Her undulating hips matched his rhythm and sounds that almost sounded like the low growl of a dog. They came faster and faster. As his thrusts came faster and faster. Then he was there.

  She could feel the pulsing and pumping as he sent his juices into her. More and more… then he fell back, loose and spent. He kept his arms around her as she continued her movement and brought about another climax.

  “You see what you did?” she demanded. “You have exhausted me. Never have I experienced anything like that. Where have you been practicing that?”

  “I haven’t. It was a lucky accident, but I won’t forget it.”

  “You’d better not,” she said. I have need of that. “I love you Trace Atkins.

  * * *

  “Sarah, there is no way I’m going to have you and the boys living at my place. I have a suggestion I’d like to offer though. Why don’t we hire someone to run the ranch? It was too much for one man to do anyway. That way, I wouldn’t be worried about you all the time. In the meantime, I’m going to talk to the sheriff to let him know what’s going on. I’ll also tell Jess Clayton he had better stay away from there.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

  “How often have you been getting supplies from Cimmaron?”

  “The foreman does all of that, but mostly we have everything we need right here on the ranch. We grow what we eat.”

  “No, “I think I’m going to go into Cimmaron. I need some more clothes and I want to talk to the preacher. He may have someone in mind we can get to live on the ranch. Would you and the boys like to go in with me?”

  “Whither thou go, there I go also,” she said. “When do you want to go?”

  “You haven’t met the foreman yet. They’ve been moving some of the herd to another grazing section. He should be back here tomorrow or the next day. I’d like for you to meet him and talk to him before you go to Cimmaron.”

  “Okay, you’re the boss.”

  “No, I’m not and you need to get it in your head, you are the head of the household now.”

  “Okay, you’re the boss.” She hit him on the shoulder as he laughed.

  * * *

  Clint, this is my husband, Trace. Trace, this Clint Shaw. He worked with my father before me. By the way Clint, Trace was with Josh at Gettysburg. He got hit shortly after Josh was killed.”

  “Nice to meet you Clint.” I was telling Sarah earlier I need to go into Cimmaron and get a few personal things. If you give me a list of anything you need, I’ll be glad to pick them up while I’m there.

  Also, I have a small ranch the other side of Cimmaron. I don’t want to sell it because my first wife is buried there. I’m looking to find someone to stay there and take care of the place. If you know of anyone let me know and we can work something out.

  Sarah has told me a lot about you and I’m looking forward to working with you. I don’t foresee any major changes I would make. She says no but as far as I’m concerned, Sarah is the boss.”

  Shaw smiled at the last and said, “I’ll get back to you about the supplies. I may have someone in mind to take care of your ranch. How big is it?”

  “It’s two sections and I appreciate your help, Clint.”

  The two men shook hands and Clint said, “Miss Sarah, I’m really happy for you. I know how lonely it’s been out here for you.

  “He seems like a nice man, Sarah.”

  “Oh, he is and the hands work hard for him too.

  * * *

  Sarah, Trace and the boys rode into Cimmaron on the buckboard, talking and singing most of the way. Trace’s rich baritone went well with Sarah’s beautiful soprano. After they had run through all of the songs they knew, silence ruled the day as they drove into town. Trace drove to the preacher’s house. He and his wife greeted them effusively.

  “You two seem to be getting along well together.”

  “Oh we are Preacher. We are.”

  “We came to get some supplies and just stopped to say hello,” Trace said.

  Sarah said, “I’m going to run in and tell Elizabeth hello.”

  “Preacher, why didn’t you tell me she was one of the Kleburnes?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She’s a Kleburne. One of the Kleburnes.”

  “Trace, I don’t know what you mean. I only know her as Sarah Bartlett.”

  “Her grandfather owned one of the biggest ranches in Texas. The Kleburne Ranch.”

  “I didn’t know that. I just know she is a really nice lady and was a widow and I knew you were a good man that had lost his wife and was lonely.”

  “I’m glad you did. She’s the nicest thing that has ever happened to me and I thank you for it.” He grabbed the preacher’s hand and shook it heartily.

  “Do you know if the sheriff is in town?”

  “I believe he his. If he isn’t in his office, you can probably find him at the saloon.”

  “What about Jess Clayton?”

  “I saw him this morning, so I know he’s in town too. You’re not going to make trouble are you?”

  “No, nothing like that. I’m just going to make sure he understands my ranch isn’t for sale.

  Let’s go in and let me say hello to your missus.”

  Chapter 6 Trace’s Ranch and Good News

  Clint Shaw had knocked on the door to the kitchen and invited into the house. “What’s on your mind, Clint, asked Trace?

  “I have someone in mind you might like to live on your ranch.”

  “Good, tell me about him,” said Trace.

  “Well, actually, it’s my nephew and his wife. They’ve been trying to make it on a good for nothing piece of land that won’t grow nothing but rocks. They’re having a pretty hard time of it. He’s a hard worker and not a Hellraiser. They have a baby on the way, and need another way to go. It’d kinda be a favor to me if you could help him out.”

  “Tell him to come in to see me and we’ll talk about it.”

  “Thanks,” Mr. Atkins.

  “Just call me Trace, Clint.”

  Thank you, Clint. I’ll go see him after work this afternoon and he can come in tomorrow, if that’d be all right.”

  “That’ll be fine, Clint.”

  * * *

  The sun was barely over the horizon the next morning when someone knocked at the back door of the big house. Sarah was in the kitchen and answered the door. “Well, hello. Clint. Come on in. Would you like some coffee?”

  “No, ma’am Miss Sarah. I spoke with Mr. Atkins yesterday about someone to stay on his ranch and he told me to have him come in to talk. This here’s my nephew, Rance Williams. He’s my sister Mary’s son.”

  The young man had removed his hat and was nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Without meeting Sarah’s eyes, he mumbled something.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Rance. Come on in and I’ll let Trace know you’re here. He’s trying to make sense of the books and will be glad for a bre
ak.”

  “Maybe I can help him figure them out, Miss Sarah.”

  Sarah left the room and returned, followed by Trace. “Good morning Clint. How are you this morning?”

  Clint made the introductions and the young man said an almost inaudible, “Howdy.”

  They talked for a while and Trace stood and extended his hand. “I think you’ll do fine Rance. When would you like to go see what you’re getting yourself into?”

  Rance said, “As soon as possible, sir.”

  “Let’s do it tomorrow. Clint, can you ride along? You need to see it too. It’s part of the Bar S now. Let’s get started about sunup.”

  “Trace, Miss Sarah said you might need some help with the ranch books. I’m available any time. Most of the entries are mine.”

  “That sounds good, Clint. Let’s do that when we get back.”

  “See you tomorrow morning,” Trace said.

  “Sarah, did you meet Rance Williams?”

  “I did.”

  “I think he might be the answer to someone living on my…our other ranch. He seems like a nice young man. Pretty shy though.”

  ”I noticed that. What are we going to pay him?”

  “We didn’t talk about that. You have any suggestions?”

  “We pay the hands here $35 and found. (Note from the author: “Found” is room and board.) I think he should get more than that. We have accounts at all of the stores in Cimmaron. We could just add his expenses to it.”

  “He’s married and they’re expecting a baby. Do you think $45 would be OK?”

  “You might even want to say $50. He’s going to have to make decisions out there that the cowboys here don’t have to make,” Sarah said.

  “Good idea. I knew I married you for something other than your beauty and body.

  “Speaking of which…”