“You got it, boss. I’ll give Toby a call on the satellite phone.” He stands from his crouched position and tips his hat to Dixie. “I swiped your personal things from the truck before we left. I dropped them on the porch before ya’ll came out.” Then he jogs off toward his bed. As soon as he’s gone, I’m at her side.
“Can you put me in there with her?” She asks gently. I do as she asks and sit her down in the hay, next to her best friend, she wraps her arms around the animal’s neck and sings. The thick accent I’ve gotten used to, softens a bit and I’m completely captivated.
You and me, through mud or dust. My steady friend,my heart’s only trust. Yours is the beat that keeps mine alive, together we ride—forever we ride.
Her song washes over me as much as it does Blaze. I stare in awe as her lips brush the bridge of her horse's nose, a tear falling with her kiss. “I love you.” She murmurs as she caresses the animal’s neck. Then she lifts her gaze to me and says, “I’m ready to go inside.” I oblige her as I bend another time to help her up. She wraps an arm around my neck and applies pressure as I lift her off the ground and out of the hay. I close the door to the horse stall and carry us both back toward the house.
“What do you sleep in, blondie?” I ask as I walk up the porch steps, then inside.
“I don’t need anything, I can sleep in the recliner in my clothes. I didn’t pack any pajamas for the drive, so there aren't any in my bag.”
“Nope. Not a chance. I planned to put you in my bed and there’s no way you’re going to be comfortable in this cattle drive getup. You probably want a shower first too.”
“I don’t need a shower, or pajamas. I’m too damn tired. You got an old T-shirt and shorts I can borrow?”
“Mmhm.” I rumble as I stride to where she’s going to sleep. I’ll just pretend the thought of her wearing my clothes to bed does absolutely nothing to me. Sitting her on the edge of the bed, I go to my closet and retrieve one of my oversized Army T-shirts. They used to give us a new one every year and I just never opened them all. Then I move to my dresser and pull the top drawer that holds my boxer briefs and basketball shorts.
After my wife died, I got a new mattress. Every time I slid beneath the covers, or looked at it made up from thedoorway—I relived it all over again. So I got a new one. My first step in letting go to pursue healing. I hold on to her other places, but not in my bed.
I take a few steps forward to where she sits, lay my clothes next to her, then bend down on one knee. “Let’s take this boot off.” She lifts her foot with a slight wince and I unfasten the velcro. One by one I loosen each strap before opening the fabric padding and gently removing the device from the lower half of her leg. As I do that, she takes the hat from her head and places it to the side.
“Thank you.” She breathes. I see her staring at the shirt I placed next to her. “You were in the military?” She asks with a small lift in her tone. “I’m not surprised.” One side of her mouth tilts up as she breathes a small laugh. “It suits you… Army ranger turned rancher?”
I lean an elbow on one knee as my hand smoothes down my beard and chin when I say, “Green Beret.”
“Oh wow. One of the big dogs.” She lifts her eyebrows. “Actually, that doesn’t surprise me either.” She pauses, contemplating. “Before I met you the other day, I didn’t know who was in charge here. But the second I heard your voice, I knew.” She huffs a laugh and shakes her head. “Sorry I’ve been such a nuisance since I got here. I don’t know what's wrong with me.”
“It could’ve been any of us. No apologies.” I look her up and down, then pause before I say anything else. She’s going to need help with all these clothes.“I’m sure you can switch your top by yourself, but I can help with your lower half if it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”
“I trust you.” She says confidently. Then holds out her hand for me to help her stand. Once she’s up, herfingers move to unfasten her belt. I hold her waist to help her balance.
“Can I remove your weapon and put it on the nightstand?” I ask with respect. I know enough about this woman to know, she needs that.
“Yes, please.” I lift one hand from her body and remove the gun from her hip, stretching my arm to lay it down gently on the mahogany wood. Once her belt is off and the button of her jeans too, she uses one hand to wiggle the denim down her hips. When they’ve dropped to her thighs, I help her sit back down on the bed, then I drop to the floor again on one knee. She still has her cowboy boot on her left foot, so I reach behind the heel and pull it off.
Now that both feet are dangling free, I grip the hem of her right pant leg first. I know it might be awkward pulling it off because her ankle is so swollen, but I tug slowly as she pulls it back. I don’t need to see her face to know the pain has it scrunched into a ball. Once her leg is through and out the top, she wiggles her toes on the opposite foot. My lips tug into a slow grin. “You still need my help?”
She nods and again; I oblige. Sitting in nothing but her top and those sweet pink panties, she buttons down her shirt. I immediately stand and turn around. I can look at a body without sexualizing it, but I’m not bulletproof. Today has proven that apparently I have feelings for her. She’s fuckin’ gorgeous with ten layers on. If my eyes witness her with barely any… I know my dick will have thoughts about it, and I need to keep my composure. What feels like more than a minute passes and my throat clears, “You good?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Yes, I’m done. Thank you.”
“Need help with the shorts?” I’m still facing the wall.
“I think I got it, they’re big and loose. Just give me a minute.”
Jaw clenched, I stand and wait.One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi…Feels like I’m six years old on the playground again waiting for Dave to fuckin’ pick a hiding spot. But I know I’m not. I’m a forty-five-year-old widower waiting for the woman behind me to finish putting onmypajamas.
“Okay, boss. Come tuck me in. I’m ready.”
I turn around, and damn—she could be my next meal, completely drowning in my clothes. A quiet growl rumbles deep inside my chest and her eyes shoot up to mine. I instantly catch myself and clear my throat to hide the fact I almost sunk my teeth into her.
“You think I look funny?” One eyebrow raises and her arms stubbornly fold over her chest.
I wonder if her bra is pink too? Damnit, don’t be a fuckin’ schmuck, Chris.
“No.” I inch toward the bed. “I think you look kinda cute.”
A dramatic eye roll proceeds her next words. “Just help me to the headboard, and fix the damn blankets.”
