by Susana Mohel
Holy shit! Is this really what’s going through his head? It never occurred to me this is how he’d see things. My anger deflates like a burst balloon.
“Come here, you stupid, stupid man,” I whisper, turning to face him.
“Did you just call me stupid?”
“Yep. Because if you can’t see that I married you because I love you, that I’ve always loved you, and that I will always love you, then you must be pretty stupid.”
Without warning, Joel picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.
“What the…? Stop acting like a caveman, Joel Sadger, and put me down!” I protest, thumping his back with my fists. He just slaps my butt in response, then carries me into the bedroom, where he throws me down on the bed.
“I think the problem here is that we’re both suffering from a helluva lot of pent up sexual frustration. So I figure we’ll both feel a lot fucking better once that sexual frustration has been relieved,” Joel grins as he pins me down on the bed.
“Oh you do, hmm?” I grin back. “Guess you might have a point. All the signs seem to back your theory.” I run my hand over the large erection pressing against his jeans.
“Uh huh, they sure do,” Joel whispers as he slips his hand inside my drenched panties, and then rips them down my legs.
I’m crazy with need for him, all I want is to feel him buried deep inside me.
My clothes quickly disappear, tossed on the floor next to his jeans and his plaid shirt.
We’re skin to skin, nothing separating us, his mouth running over my body, his lips tempting me, his fingers caressing every inch of my skin.
He flips me over so I’m lying face down on the bed, then raises my hips, and leans over me to whisper in my ear.
“You’re mine, Tara Sadger. I’ll never let you go, you’re never going to escape from me.”
I groan as he thrusts deeply into me.
“I never said I wanted to escape, Joel.”
“Good. Because you’ve met your match and to prove it, this cowboy is going to spend all night taming you.”
“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about college,” I comment later, while I’m naked and lying on his chest, playing with one of his dark nipples. “Joel, I need you to understand why I want to do this, why it’s important to me.”
“Make me understand, then,” he sighs. At least he’s prepared to listen now. Men can be such primitive creatures. Lesson learned. Just give them sex and you’ll have them eating out of your hand.
“Since finding out my illness had been misdiagnosed, I feel as if I’ve been gifted with a second chance at life. And I think it’d be criminal to waste that second chance, so now I want to do all the things I didn’t think I have time for. I know there are a lot of things I’m not physically capable of doing on the ranch that you can, but I still want to pull my weight. Once I’m qualified, I’ll be capable of taking on the ranch admin.”
“And that’s why you have to go to college.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement.
“Yes, that’s why I have to go to college.” That’s the truth, even if he doesn’t like it.
“Next you’ll be telling me you want to live in San Antonio, so you don’t have to drive over every day. You’ll make new friends, go to parties, meet frat boys. You’ll be busy immersing yourself in college life while I’ll be here alone, missing you like crazy.”
“Joel, the ranch is close enough to campus for me to commute, so I’ll be home every night. And I’m almost thirty, not a young girl who needs to party every night.” I sigh. “And as for those frat boys? Didn’t anyone tell you? I’m a married woman, and I happen to be madly in love with my very handsome husband.”
“Are you?” he asks in a playful tone. “Tell me how much you love that lucky husband of yours. Or better still, show me, since actions speak louder than words.”
“My husband is a very jealous guy, so I don’t think I should. In fact, I’d strongly advise you to behave yourself.”
He laughs. “You’re right, and I promise to behave… badly.”
Joel pulls me over to lie on top of him, and I lean up on my elbows to look down at his face.
I smile because I love seeing him like this. Joel was the boy I fell in love, now he’s the man I’ll love until the day I die. There will never be anyone else for me.
“Can’t you study from home? Do some sort of online degree instead?”
“In theory I could, but it would take much longer, and I already feel I’ve wasted too much time. Besides,” I murmur, running my fingers through his hair. “I’m only planning on studying part time, so I’ll still be around to keep an eye on you, make sure you don’t feel neglected.”
“I guess that’s not so bad, although I still don’t like it,” Joel reluctantly concedes.
“Once I’m qualified, then we can start thinking about other things,” I say.
“Oh? What other things?” Joel frowns.
“That depends on you, really. We’ve never discussed… I wasn’t in a position to even consider… you know, having a family one day.” I say hesitantly. Not all men are keen on starting a family, are they?
“You want us to make babies together?” Joel asks incredulously, as a smile slowly creeps across his face.
I nod my head shyly.
“Let me make sure I’ve definitely got this right. You’re saying you want me to plant a baby inside you?” Joel seems thrilled beyond measure at the thought of us starting a family, which is a huge relief. I want to have children more than anything, it was one of the worst things when I thought I wasn’t going to be around long enough to have a family of my own one day.
“Not right this second, but when the time’s right, yeah. Dr. Wang said I shouldn’t get pregnant for a while yet, though.”
“Tara, I would love nothing more than to have my child growing inside you just as soon as you get the all clear,” Joel beams happily.
“Which won’t be for a while yet, so you see now really is the ideal time for me to go to college,” I quickly point out.
“But your doctor has no objections to us just keep practicing baby making for now?”
“None whatsoever.”
I gasp as he pulls me down for a deep long kiss. But just as things are getting interesting, a phone starts ringing somewhere in the room. At first, we ignore it, but whoever is calling is very persistent, as they call back repeatedly.
Finally Joel moves away, cursing like a sailor. He looks in the pocket of his pants until he finds his phone, answering without even looking at who it is.
“What?” he barks.
I sit on the bed, dragging the sheet up to my chest, enjoying the sight of his naked body, his strong legs, his strong arms. His strong, naked everything really.
“Where are you?” He listens intently while whoever is on the other end of the line gives their explanation. “Of course you can come over, we’ll be waiting for you.”
Joel begins to dress quickly, and despite not knowing what’s going on, I do the same.
“It’s Cassandra,” he says, putting on a pair of gray sneakers. “She’s been having some problems with her husband. She was very distressed and upset, so I told her she should come here.”
I just nod, not knowing know what to say. I take Joel’s hand when he offers it to me and we go downstairs together. I keep my thoughts to myself for now, especially as I don’t really know all the circumstances, but what I do know is that I don’t feel comfortable about Cassandra coming over to our home at this late hour. I don’t like her, and I don’t trust her.
My instinct is that our little bubble has burst and our problems are just beginning.
ღ
A few minutes later, we’re outside the house waiting for Cassandra. As we see the lights of her car snaking up the driveway, we walk down the porch steps together to greet her, my hand in his, our fingers closely intertwined, and I’m happy we’re presenting a united front to his bitchy friend, since I’m very dubious about her motives i
n coming here.
It’s cool out, and the clear night sky above us is festooned with a multitude of twinkling stars. The air smells clean and fresh, and as I gratefully breathe in the tranquility of our surroundings, I suspect this is just the lull before the storm.
Cassandra gets out of the car and I have to concede that she does look very upset, with her tear stained cheeks and eyes shimmering with further unshed tears. She dramatically throws herself into Joel’s arms, forcing him to let go of my hand and step back from me.
“Hey, hey, easy now,” he murmurs, placing his arm around her shoulders. “You’re safe here.”
“Steven… he…” she sobs. “We had a fight… and he got violent... everything was so ugly, so… awful… I was so scared.”
Still with his arm around her, Joel turns an apologetic look my way, and I know what his pleading eyes are asking of me.
As much as I don’t like Cassandra, I try my best to be a decent human being. If she’s been abused by her husband as she claims, then of course I’m not going to argue about letting her stay.
“Are you hurt? What about the baby?” He pulls back to look her over.
She shakes her head, then goes to embrace him again, but this time he stops her.
“Let’s go inside,” he says. “Did you call the police? You have to file a complaint against him, Cassie. He abused you, you can’t tolerate that behavior.”
She stiffens instantly.
“No… no, I don’t think that’s necessary,” she quickly responds. “I just need a place to stay for a few days, while I look for somewhere else to live, something suitable for the baby.”
“Don’t worry, this is your home for as long as you need it, for however long it takes you to find somewhere,” Joel assures her.
Excuse me? What did my husband just say to the bitch? My tolerance does have its limits, and this most certainly is not Cassandra’s home. I can just about stomach her staying for a few days, but as long as it takes? No way.
I glare pointedly at Joel and he just responds with a ‘what else can I do?’ shrug.
“Let’s all go inside,” I suggest, feeling it’s time to make my presence known and take back control on what is my property. “Joel can make you some herbal tea to calm you down, while I prepare a room for you.”
Cassandra nods, noisily blowing her nose with more drama than I feel is necessary. I suspect she’s a pretty good actress and is putting on quite the show for Joel’s benefit. She’s behaving more like a grieving widow than a woman who’s had a spat with her husband.
“Take her to the kitchen and tell her to calm the fuck down,” I mutter to Joel as we walk into the house. “For the baby’s sake,” I hastily add, when he frowns at my less than sympathetic attitude.
I wish I could insist that he mustn’t spend too long with her, but I don’t want to seem callous and uncaring when Joel obviously feels duty bound to support his friend. I remind myself that Joel reined in his jealousy and tolerated Fermin staying in our home. If he can do it, then so must I.
I put Cassandra in a room on the second floor, on the east side of the house, separated from ours by a long corridor. Left up to me, she’d be in one of the most remote ranch worker’s bunk houses, but I don’t think would go down too well with the bitch and she’d only go complaining to Joel.
The room I allocate her is spacious and airy. When my grandmother was alive, it was the room she used when she came to visit us. And although it has no access to the terrace, it still has a very pleasant view over the grounds.
As I didn’t see any luggage, I can only assume Cassandra didn’t have time to pack anything before she left, so I put out a rather plain and definitely unsexy cotton nightdress for her to wear tonight. We’ll have to figure out how to get her things later.
When she and Joel come upstairs about half an hour later, I notice the slight bruising on her cheek and some scratches on her left arm as I show her to her room.
No matter how much I dislike the woman, no one should ever have to endure such treatment. Whether it’s the first time or not, her situation was impossible and she was right to leave.
Joel and I don’t talk much when we finally get to bed, and because I know he’s still brooding and angry about what’s happened to his friend, I just let things be. I’m sure it’ll be more productive if we wait to discuss the situation when he’s feeling a bit calmer.
When I wake in the morning, the bed’s empty and cold beside me. That’s not surprising since it’s already past eight, and Joel will have been up for at least two hours already. Ranch life is relentless and demanding, always starting before the sun rises, and Joel never shirks his responsibilities. He and Connor make a great team, but I know Joel always likes to keep his finger on the pulse and hates being over reliant on anyone.
I take a shower and get dressed, then make my way down to the kitchen, where I find Cassandra drinking a glass of orange juice and making herself right at home. When she sees me, she looks up and smiles weakly.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your home,” she says. “It was very good of you.”
“You’re my husband’s friend,” I shrug. “It was the least I could do.”
“I wouldn’t want to cause any problems between you,” she smiles fakely. Because I know that’s exactly what she’d like to do.
“You won’t,” I say curtly “But this can only be a temporary arrangement, so I trust you’ll get on with finding somewhere else to stay as soon as possible.”
“I’ll try my best, but it may take a little time, especially as I’m pregnant,” she sighs dramatically, placing her hand on her still flat belly for emphasis. “Joel’s already insisted he wouldn’t me moving anywhere that could put the baby at risk.”
“Well, I’m sure being pregnant shouldn’t be too much of an obstacle in finding a decent place, Cassandra. And I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in your delicate condition, as Joel and I are newlyweds with very active love life and well... two’s company, three’s a crowd. You know what I’m saying?”
And without waiting for her response, I turn my back and start fixing my breakfast.
“Tara,” Joel shouts as he enters the house.
“I’m in the den,” I call back. I’ve been going through my father’s book collection and all kinds of other things that need sorting. It’s been keeping me happily occupied and away from the bitch, who’s thankfully taken herself back to her room and out of my sight.
It doesn’t take Joel long to find me.
“Baby, I have great news!” he exclaims, clearly excited. “Next Monday, some of the ranchers I told you about have agreed to come here to discuss the practicalities of the organic farming methods we’re implementing at Redlands. This is exactly the kind of interest I was hoping for, and this meeting will be really important for us in forging important links and contacts. My plan is that eventually, this group will form the cooperative we need to branch out and move forward.”
I throw myself into his arms because this is really great news, and exactly what we’ve been hoping for. As he showers my face with kisses, his excitement is contagious.
“I have to go talk to Connor, get him to call a meeting with the ranch workers, get everyone up to speed. We need to make a really good impression, so I want everything to be perfect for this visit, and we have less than a week.”
“I’m so proud of you,” I say truthfully. Joel’s been working incredibly hard since he took over the ranch, and I’m really impressed with how much he’s already achieved in such a short time. He’s totally validated my faith in his ability to rescue Redlands and proved I made the absolutely right decision the day I went looking for him.
“Well, my love, wear something nice tonight, because we’re going out to celebrate.”
“Yay! That’s music to my ears.” I’ll finally have a break away from the ranch. Much as I love this place, a change of scenery will be wonderful.
“Oh, but what about Cassandra?” I’m only asking to be pol
ite, I certainly wouldn’t want her tagging along and ruining our evening.
“I’m sure she’ll be just fine,” he says. “Cassie knows she’s safe here, especially as I can ask Connor to check in on her.”
Perfect. If he’s not worried, I’m certainly not worried.
“Another thing,” he says before leaving. “I want you to call in a catering company to provide lunch for the meeting on Monday. This is a really important deal for us and I want to make a good impression. Something simple but classic.”
I have a better idea.
“Joel, we don’t need to go to the expense of bringing in a catering company. I can handle a lunch—I have done a catering course, you know.”
That one course my mother agreed on me taking because every woman needs to know how to be the perfect hostess. Well, at least we can take something from one of her ridiculous ideas.
“Are you sure?” he frowns. “Wouldn’t that be a lot of work for you?”
“Of course I’m sure, I’d really enjoy it actually. And don’t forget, we have Mrs. Sanchez, the cook Fermin arranged to come in three times a week, and I’m sure she’d be more than happy to help out. What do you think about chili? Maybe we could have okra for the entrée, I could make pecan pie… how many will we be catering for?” My mind is already going nineteen to the dozen thinking about suitable dishes.
“There won’t be more than ten people. I guess with Mrs. Sanchez helping out, it shouldn’t be too much for you to handle,” Joel reluctantly agrees. “Make a list of what you need and I’ll get it delivered.”
“No need for that, I can go shopping,” I point out.
“I don’t want you taking on too much, as you’re still meant to be convalescing since the doctor hasn’t signed you off as fully fit yet,” he kisses me on the cheek with a loud smack. “So, no arguing, just give me the list and I’ll get it fixed.”
“Fine, have it your way,” I smile, not bothering to argue.
“See you tonight, I’ll be home by six,” Joel smiles back.