Omega’s Refuge (Rambling Cow Dude Ranch #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

Jack planned to stay three days at the ranch. That gave him time to visit with Rex, but also iron out the details of our contract. Jack’s art business was thriving and there was plenty of work for his roster of artists to earn a decent income. I was ecstatic that he wanted me to join his team. That meant, for the first time in a long time, I’d have a consistent income.

While Jack was visiting, he stayed at the ranch. A few times, I observed him trying to flirt with Seth after dinner. Despite Jack’s good looks and considerable charm, Seth didn’t seem interested. He was his usual standoffish self, but that seemed to intrigue Jack instead of discourage him. I suspected Jack wasn’t used to being turned down and saw Seth as a challenge. Jack probably thought all omegas should fall at his feet because of his wealth.

The last night of Jack’s visit, Rex and I joined him for drinks in town. Because of my pregnancy, unfortunately, I was stuck with lemonade. Jack drank a lot, and I couldn’t shake the feeling something was eating at him. I got my answer when Rex went to use the restroom.

Jack leaned over and asked, “Are you close with that red-headed omega named Seth?”

Called it .

I hesitated. “I don’t know him well. We’re friendly, but he’s not easy to get close to.”

Jack appeared pleased with my answer. “So maybe it’s not me so much as he’s careful about getting close to anyone.” He finished off his beer and signaled the waitress for another. “I tried talking to him a few times, but he just shuts me down. Do you know his backstory?”

“Not really. You should ask Rex. He’s known him much longer.”

Scowling, Jack shook his head. “Nah. He wouldn’t want me to hookup with anyone who works on the ranch.”

“You want to hook up with Seth?”

Jack leaned back in the booth, laughing. “Well, why else would I be asking about him?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you wanted to actually get to know him. Develop a friendship with him.”

“Uh, no. I have all the friends I need.” He sighed. “He’s fucking sexy. I kind of like that he plays hard to get. Makes it more of a challenge.”

“I don’t think he’s playing,” I murmured. “I think he really is… er… hard to get.”

“Tell me about it,” Jack mumbled, pushing his empty beer bottle to the edge of the table. “It’s my last night here. I was hoping for a little fun, but Seth just ignored my hints.”

“Can’t say I’m surprised. I don’t think he dates much. He keeps to the ranch mostly. ”

“Yeah, he acted like I’d asked him to fly to Mars when I suggested he join us for drinks tonight.”

I smiled. “That sounds about right. But there are plenty of omegas looking for a good time here.” I glanced around the bar, eyeing the crowd of omegas and alphas. “Maybe ask one of them if they want to dance.”

“I don’t really like to dance.” Jack took his full beer from the waitress, with a smile. “Thanks, darlin’”

“You bet, handsome.” She walked away, swishing her hips.

He sighed. “If only I were into women. I could probably get laid by the waitress.” He took a big sip from his bottle of beer, once he’d swallowed, he said, “But I really wanted a taste of Seth.”

The conversation was a bit awkward for me. I liked Seth, and I didn’t want him getting used by Jack. But I couldn’t just come out and say that. Not only was Jack Rex’s brother, but he was now my boss. I assumed that Seth was difficult to get close to for a reason. He’d probably been hurt in the past. Getting involved with an alpha like Jack would only make Seth retreat even further into his shell.

I cleared my throat. “It’s probably best nothing happened between you and Seth. After all, you’re leaving tomorrow. ”

Jack snorted “That’s exactly why it would have been perfect. Leaving town after sleeping with someone takes care of all the awkward stuff that follows.”

“You don’t think maybe Seth would feel used if you slept together, but then you just go back to Dallas?”

He lifted one shoulder. “We’d have been using each other. What’s the problem?”

I studied him, trying not to give in to my irritation. “Because Seth isn’t like you. He’s not the type to sleep around.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I thought you didn’t know him well?”

“I don’t, but I can tell that about him. I’ll bet you can too, but you don’t seem to care.”

Annoyance fluttered through Jack’s eyes. “Seth is a grown man. He can make his own decisions.”

“Of course.”

Jack huffed. “Are you sticking up for him because you’re both omegas? Is this like omega solidarity?”

I frowned. “No. It has nothing to do with him being an omega. I care about people. I don’t enjoy seeing them hurt.”

“I don’t want to hurt anyone.” Jack rubbed his jaw, looking muddled. “I just thought it would be fun to sleep with Seth.”

I sighed. “It really is that simple to you, huh? ”

“Yes.” He shrugged. “It’s just casual sex.”

“If all you want is casual sex, then you shouldn’t fixate on Seth.” I gestured to the crowd. “Go for one of the many available omegas who are here tonight. You’ll have a lot more success and no one will get hurt.”

Jack sipped his beer and then set it down with a bump. “You’re a bossy little thing, aren’t you?”

My cheeks warmed. “I’m just looking out for my… sort of friend.”

He studied me, nodding. “Yeah. I know. You’re compassionate. It comes through in your work.” He stiffened when he noticed Rex returning to the table. “Hey, do me a favor. Don’t say anything to Rex about me being interested in Seth, okay? I don’t want to hear his lecture tonight.”

“I won’t say anything.” I saw no harm in making that promise. Seth was safely back at the ranch, and the odds of Jack seducing him were slim to none.

Rex slid into the booth beside me, and he put his arm along the back. “What were you two talking about?”

“Nothing much,” Jack said swiftly. “Just art stuff. You wouldn’t understand.”

Rex laughed. “I see.” He smiled at me. “Did you miss me?”

I gave an exaggerated sigh. “Horribly. You were gone a whole five minutes. ”

“It was rough on me too,” Rex said. “Five minutes without you is like a day without sunshine.”

I nodded, trying not to laugh. “Let’s never part again. It was way too painful.”

“Deal.” Rex grinned. “I won’t let you out of my sight from now on.”

“Thank goodness.”

We both laughed.

Jack groaned. “Oh, god, you two are disgusting.”

“What?” Rex smiled. “We’re just playing around.”

“Yeah,” muttered Jack, “But it’s obvious you two are really into each other.”

“So? That’s a good thing.” Rex shrugged. “Tanner is my omega. I’m supposed to be into him.”

“Sure, but do I have to suffer through watching you two? Can’t you argue like a normal couple? It’s unnatural to see two people so happy. I mean, Tanner, you’re pregnant. You’re in a noisy bar, but you can’t even drink. You should be miserable right now.”

I smirked. “How could I be miserable with my alpha by my side?”

Rex laughed loudly. “Nice.”

Jack shook his head, but he was smiling. “You two deserve each other. ”

Rex pointed at his brother. “You’ll fall for an omega on day, Jack. Just you wait. Then you’ll understand.”

Jack made a cross with his fingers, as if warding off vampires. “Take it back.”

“No way. It’s the truth,” Rex said. “It’ll happen one day.”

Jack shook his head, looking amused. “Stop. I don’t ever want to be tied down to one person. I can’t think of anything worse.”

As he finished speaking, Vance appeared at our table. “I couldn’t agree more, Jack.”

It was hard to hide my annoyance at Vance’s sudden appearance. Not only did I dislike him because he’d tried to break Rex and me up, but his presence was doubly annoying because he looked sexy in skinny jeans and a pink tank top. Even though I was only three months pregnant, my skinny jeans didn’t fit me at the moment. My body was already changing, and the last thing I needed was Vance flaunting his perfect body.

“Although,” Vance continued, giving me a challenging look as he placed his hand on Rex’s arm, “I wouldn’t mind being tied down to one alpha if that alpha was you, Rex.”

Jack had been taking a sip of beer and he started coughing at Vance’s brazenly flirtatious comment. He covered his mouth, face flushed, watching his brother .

I was sitting close to Rex and felt his body stiffen. I gritted my teeth, frustrated and not sure how to react. As usual, Vance was trying to get my goat, and I had no idea how to respond. I didn’t want to make a scene, but Vance was definitely out of line.

“That’s flattering and all, Vance, but I’m afraid Tanner is the only one allowed to tie me down these days,” Rex said nonchalantly, slowly moving his arm away from Vance’s hand. He used the pretense of grabbing his beer, but it was obvious he wanted Vance to stop touching him.

Relief washed through me because Rex had handled the situation without me having to say a word. Not only had he shut Vance down, he’d also made it clear he was loyal to me. I’d been through similar situations with Steve in the past and he’d usually flirted back with the omegas, and then been pissed at me later if I’d dared to be upset.

But Rex had put my feelings first.

As usual.

My heart ached with emotions so strong, it was a bit overwhelming. In that moment I realized I loved Rex. I didn’t just feel grateful to him for coming to my rescue in the hospital. I truly loved him. All of him. He made me feel safe and cherished. He was the most respectful, sexy, kind, alpha I’d ever known. And he was mine . He wanted me. Not Vance. Not anyone else. He wanted me.

I slipped my hand into his, and he turned to look at me. As our eyes met, I think he recognized what I was feeling. He squeezed my hand and the smile he gave me made my toes curl.

Vance watched us with a pinched face, but instead of addressing Rex’s snub, he turned to Jack. “It’s been a while since you visited. How’ve you been, gorgeous?”

Jack had recovered from almost choking on his drink. “I’ve been absolutely fantastic.” He showed off an expensive looking gold watch on his wrist. “Still making bank and dominating the art world in Dallas.”

Vance bit his bottom lip. “Nice. I think I went after the wrong brother.”

Jack laughed. “I tried to tell you that years ago, but you were fixated on my big bro.”

“Hindsight is 20/20, right?” Vance murmured. “Rex isn’t fun anymore now that he’s hogtied himself to that city boy over there.”

Jack nodded. “Rex never was as fun as me. He doesn’t know how to let loose.”

Rex frowned. “Hey, I do too. I can be plenty… you know… loose… when needed.”

“Yeah.” I spoke up to defend him. “Rex can be super loose.”

Vance gave me a peevish glance. “You have no idea what he was like before. ”

“Well, I… I like the version I know now.” I hooked my arm through Rex’s. “He’s perfect.”

Rex smiled at me. “I ain’t perfect, but I appreciate the compliment.”

I shrugged. “You’re perfect for me. That’s what matters.”

Vance gave us a disgusted look and he addressed Jack. “Jack, if this lovefest gets to be too much for you, I have a table at the back with some friends. You can come party with us. It probably sucks to hang out with these two lovebirds.”

Jack hesitated. “I would, but I’m leaving tomorrow and I want to spend more time with Rex. Who knows when I’ll be back in town again?”

Vance frowned. “I guarantee, our table will be a lot more fun. I’ll make sure you have a good time.”

“Tempting but, maybe next time?” Jack smiled up at Vance.

Vance’s mouth thinned. “Your loss, Jack.” He turned and strode away, back stiff as a rod.

Jack waited a few seconds, then gave a furtive glance over his shoulder as if to make sure Vance was gone. When he saw the coast was clear, he let out a long breath. “Vance is cute and all, but I don’t go where my brother has been.” He shuddered. “That isn’t a line I’m willing to cross, even for a fine piece of ass. ”

I scowled. “He was so shameless. Where does he get off hitting on Rex right in front of me?”

“That’s just how Vance is.” Rex grimaced. “He doesn’t take rejection well.”

“I keep hoping he’ll fixate on some other alpha,” I murmured. “His dislike of me makes it awkward to come into town in case I run into him.”

“His ego is hurt,” Rex drawled. “He’ll get over it eventually.”

Jack laughed. “He was definitely pissed. He acts like you gave him your bite, and then reneged.”

“Hell no, and I never made him any promises,” Rex said firmly. “If he read into things, that’s on him. I made sure he knew things were casual with us. But sometimes people don’t want to hear what you’re saying because they want what they want.”

I sipped my lemonade, meeting Jack’s gaze over the rim of my glass. He looked sheepish as he pulled his gaze from mine. Maybe he felt guilty because he was doing that exact thing with Seth: not paying attention to the things Seth was saying because he wanted what he wanted.

“I think I’m going to go dance with some sexy omega,” Jack said, rising unsteadily.

“I thought you wanted to spend time with me.” Rex teased .

Jack sighed. “I do, but watching you two together is making me feel extra lonely.” He grimaced and his expression softened. “I shouldn’t say that. Truth be told, I’m happy for you two. While what you have isn’t something I want, I know Rex wanted it. I’m happy he met you, Tanner.”

“Thanks,” I said, pleased to have his blessing.

“Plus.” Jack’s cocky expression returned. “I’m going to make a shit load of money off of your boyfriend, Rex.” He turned and walked away toward the dance floor.

Rex sighed. “He’ll wake up one day. I just hope it’s not too late when he does.”

“Yeah.” I watched Jack dancing with a slender omega. “I think he’s afraid of getting hurt.”

Rex glanced at me. “You think that too?”

“Well, from what I gather, he dates really superficial types? He doesn’t want to get close to anyone.”

“That’s it exactly. He’s only ever been serious about one omega when he was in college. Perry was his name. He dumped Jack for a alpha with money. It really hurt Jack. He thought he was going to claim Perry and live happily ever after.”

“Damn,” I said.

“Yeah.” Rex studied his brother as he flirted with a group of omegas. “Perry made him feel like he wasn’t worthy. I don’t think he’s ever been able to shake that feeling.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is. He’s not going to find what he’s looking for chasing omegas who only want him for his looks and money. But talking to him about that is like talking to a wall.”

“Can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.”

Nope.” Rex gave me a warm look. “I’m pleased you can see through all his bravado, Tanner. Not everyone can.”

“Thanks.” I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling content. Now that I knew the depths of my feelings for Rex, I felt more settled. I instinctively knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. “I hope you’re right and he wakes up one day because this right here, it’s everything.”

Rex sighed and he took my hand in his. “It sure is.”

****

Jack returned to Texas and two weeks passed uneventfully. My morning sickness had finally stopped, but I felt more bloated than usual. My body was changing quicker than I’d imagined it would. All my pants fit tight around the waist now, and my back ached sometimes. My stomach was gently rounded, but not so much I couldn’t hide it if I wore a big shirt .

Rex and I continued to grow closer. I hadn’t said the L word out loud to him, and he hadn’t said it to me either. But I felt like it was understood. I hoped it was. But I felt shy about being the first one to say it, so I didn’t.

It was a nice morning and so I decided to go for a walk. The doctor had stressed exercise was good for both me and the baby, so I did my best to get a walk in every day. Rex and I usually took a walk in the evening, if he wasn’t busy with the guests. Unfortunately, he’d left early this morning for an overnight trip with the current group of visitors.

The sun felt warm on my back, and the scent of damp prairie grass filled my nose as I ventured out for my walk. I headed away from the ranch, mostly because I didn’t feel social this morning and didn’t want to run into anyone. I especially had no desire to come face to face with Mrs. Rodwell.

Even though we lived on the same ranch, I’d done my best to avoid being alone with Mrs. Rodwell. After what had happened with Steve, it was too awkward being around her without other people as a buffer. If I did see her at a meal, she was perfectly polite. I assumed that was because Rex was always with me. I still didn’t know what he’d said to her, but she did seem more conciliatory these days .

Unfortunately, when I returned from my walk, my luck ran out. As I headed in the direction of my cabin, Mrs. Rodwell was coming toward me in the opposite direction. We both stiffened when we spied each other, but it was too late. It would have been extremely rude to change direction suddenly. Instead, I had to keep walking toward her, and she did the same.

She had packages in her arms, and she appeared to be struggling with them. As we neared each other, she gave me a polite smile, but she didn’t make any attempt to stop and chat. That was perfectly fine by me. I dreaded the idea of trying to make idle chit-chat with her.

But just as she passed me, I heard her swear under her breath, followed by the thud of one of the boxes hitting the ground. I stopped walking and turned around to find her staring at the offending package on the ground, clearly unsure how to pick it up without dropping the rest.

I hesitated, but then walked back to her. I picked up the package, dusting it off. “Doesn’t look damaged,” I said, smiling stiffly.

“Thanks.” Her voice was brusque. “You can just put it on top of the other ones.”

I grimaced. “Won’t it just fall again?”

“I don’t have much farther to go. I’m sure it will be fine.” Despite her words there was the sheen of sweat on her face. It was obvious she was struggling trying to carry three boxes at once. But I got the feeling she’d rather die than admit that to anyone. Especially me.

Despite my feelings about her, it felt wrong to make her carry three boxes when I could help. “How about I carry this one to wherever you’re headed?”

“No, really,” she said breathlessly. “It’s okay.”

“I insist.” I turned, facing the direction she’d been headed before she dropped the box. “Where are we going?”

“Well, I was headed to the laundry shed.” Her voice was stilted. She started walking again. “Seth was going to help me but he was running late and I got impatient. I figured I’d just handle it myself.”

Why does that not surprise me?

“Lead the way,” I said brightly.

She started walking again, and I fell into step beside her. The silence was awkward as hell, but I couldn’t think of anything to say. It was hard to make polite conversation with a person who’d tried to destroy my relationship with Rex.

There was only the sound of our feet on the gravel road for a bit, then she cleared her throat. “I… I wanted to apologize to you, Tanner.”

Shocked, I glanced over at her. Her face was flushed and she kept her gaze straight ahead. There was a prideful tilt to her head, but her next words seemed to contradict her body language. “I was wrong to tell Steve where you were that day. ”

I couldn’t believe the words coming out of her mouth, but I was grateful. Never in a million years had I expected an apology from Mrs. Rodwell. I had to say something. “It… it’s okay. I mean, it was a shock at the time, obviously.”

Her jaw clenched. “Yes. I’m sure.”

Since she was being so open, I decided to do the same. “Do you really believe I’m such a horrible partner for Rex?”

She grimaced, shifting the boxes in her arms. “No.”

“But you still tried to get me to break up with Rex and go back to Steve,” I murmured.

She sighed. “You probably won’t believe me, but it wasn’t really personal.”

I chuffed. “It felt personal. Steve ambushed us and caused a lot of drama.”

“Yes. I didn’t realize what a hot-head he was.” Her voice wobbled. “When Rex told me what happened to you, well, I felt sick. Horrified.”

“But, why did you tell him where we were and about the baby? If it wasn’t personal, why did you try to split Rex and me up?” I frowned. “You had to know that sending Steve over to the apartment that day, knowing about the child, would be a volatile situation.”

We’d reached the laundry shed and she dropped the boxes she held onto the ground with a thud. Breathing hard, she stood with her hands on her hips, watching me warily. Her brown eyes held both guilt and stubbornness.

“I simply felt your boyfriend had the right to know about his unborn child.” She grimaced. “But I never wanted anyone to get hurt. I just see things differently from you. I believe in my heart that you should be with the father of the child, and that the two of you should raise the baby together.”

“You know nothing about Steve. You know nothing about how awful our relationship was.”

“Still, he’s the baby’s father.”

“He didn’t want children. He said that to my face.”

She sniffed. “Be that as it may, he’s still the father of that baby. He’s the one who should raise it.”

I shook my head, feeling frustrated. “That’s ridiculous and antiquated thinking.”

Annoyed, I moved into the laundry shed and placed the box I held on a long table that was on the far side of the room. There were four commercial sized washers and dryers, and two of the machines were rumbling nosily. Mrs. Rodwell joined me in the shed, carrying one of the other boxes. I went out and grabbed the last box, and once all the boxes were stowed on the table, I faced her .

“I appreciate your apology,” I said gruffly. “But if I’m honest, it doesn’t mean much since it’s obvious you feel you did nothing wrong.”

She frowned. “No, I know I made a mistake by sending Steve to the apartment that day. I made a mistake by telling him about the child. Whether I think he had a right to know or not, that wasn’t my place.”

“I guess I’m not sure how your apology makes any sense, if you truly believe I should be with him no matter what. If that’s your stance, why apologize?”

“Because you fell. You almost lost the baby because Steve was so emotional. I’m sorry I said anything because you could have lost the child.”

“So, if I hadn’t fallen down the stairs and almost lost the baby, you’d see nothing wrong with what you did?”

Her face twitched.

I studied her, taking in her flushed cheeks and the obstinate tilt of her mouth. “You know, I have a right to be happy.”

Her gaze flickered. “Did I say you didn’t?”

“Yes. By insisting I should have stayed with an alpha who cheated on me and treated me poorly.”

She sighed. “Tanner, alphas aren’t always perfect. Sometimes they make mistakes—”

“He didn’t just cheat on me once,” I snapped. “I told you before he’d cheated multiple times. ”

Uncertainty fluttered through her eyes. “Still, he came back to you.”

I raked a hand through my hair, feeling frustrated. “And you think that makes it all better? You saw how he abandoned me here. He took my car and ran off with Tony. That was publicly humiliating for me. Do you really think I should just forgive and forget because I happen to be pregnant with his kid ?”

“Well, the child has to be considered,” she said softly.

“What about me? Don’t my feelings have to be considered too? He promised he’d never betray me again, but he did. You really think I should just suck it up because I’m pregnant? I should go back to an alpha I can’t trust because you and society think that’s best?” I couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice.

She winced. “I’m just thinking of what’s best for the baby. It’s always optimum for the biological fathers to raise the child together.”

“Even if one of them is a cheating, hot-headed, immature jerk?”

“Well… perhaps with his omega’s calm guidance, he could change.”

I laughed harshly. “I tried to help him change. I gave it my all, Mrs. Rodwell. But I’m tired. I’m exhausted from trying. And I finally came to the conclusion that it’s not my responsibility to make Steve a better man. That’s on him. ”

“Well, I… I agree he has to want to change.”

“Yeah, and he obviously doesn’t. I’ve given him all the chances I have left in me. I just want to be happy like anyone else.” I swallowed hard. “Rex makes me happy and I make him happy. What is so awful about that? Why wouldn’t I want to be with Rex instead of Steve? I deserve some joy in my life. Rex will be a fantastic father to this baby.”

“I don’t doubt that for one second.” Her expression softened. “Rex is an amazing alpha.”

“But I’m not worthy of him?” My stomach churned. “I’m somehow tainted now because my ex-alpha cheated on me and abused my trust enough that I gave up trying. So now I’m less than.”

Guilt shifted over her tense features. “I think you’re a wonderful person, Tanner. I’m not saying you’re less than.”

“But you are.” My voice broke and I turned away from her. There was a lump in my throat that made speaking difficult, but I figured I might never have this frank of a conversation with her again. I needed to say all I had to say. I faced her once more and forced myself to say, “I love Rex.”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“He… he isn’t just a meal ticket to me. I love him. I respect him. I… I need him.” I cleared my throat. “And I’m here to stay. I’m not giving him up because you think I should. Rex makes me happ y. We’re going to raise this child and many more together. I’m claiming my joy. I’m staying with Rex. You can either be a part of our happiness, or you can be on the outside of it, Mrs. Rodwell.”

I left the shed then. I didn’t see the point of going around in circles with her. She’d made her feelings clear. It would be awkward having her disapproval, but I’d been through worse things. I wasn’t giving up the alpha I loved because of the old fashioned ideas of others.

So long as Rex wanted me, I wasn’t going anywhere.