33. Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Tate
T rees rush by in a blur of green as I drive back to my ranch after what feels like the longest day ever. And it isn’t even over. I’m fucking exhausted. The rodeo went off without a hitch. Well. Almost. After the events wrapped up, we had a bull get injured. The event was over, so most of the staff, including the vet, had gone. Meaning chaos ensued. Those animals are my responsibility, so it was late by the time I finally made it home which means I’m behind. On everything.
As soon as I finished morning chores, I went back over to Boulder Ranch to take a look at every gate to make sure nothing else was missed. The injury shouldn’t have happened, and it can’t happen again. It won’t happen again. I should have been home by now, but while I was still at Boulder Ranch, I heard from Grayson. Finally.
Making my way down the long private drive leading to my ranch, I’m surprised to see Joy’s car parked near the barn. And surprised again to find her sitting on my porch with a book in hand. Like she belongs here. Hell, she does belong here as far as I’m concerned.
“What are you doing here?” I ask while climbing the handful of steps leading to my porch.
My front porch isn’t as nice as Grayson’s, but it’s bigger. It runs the entire length of the house and has two rocking chairs, and a small outdoor table set. But Joy really completes it.
“It’s good to see you too,” she teases as she stands to greet me.
She’s casual in a pair of leggings and a loose-fitting top. I drag my gaze over her before leaning in for a quick kiss. The short contact is enough to boost my mood.
“I’m happy to see you. Just surprised. Reading anything good?”
She smiles and holds up a weathered-looking book. The cover is worn, and the pages are slightly bent. “Just my favorite comfort read. I saw you weren’t here, and I had it in my bag so…”
“Can you stay?”
She glances down at a large tote. “I can. If you want me to. You look exhausted, is everything okay?”
Recalling the conversation I just finished with Grayson, I nod my head. “Yeah. Actually, I think it might be.”
I laugh at the confused look on her face, pick up her tote bag, and gesture toward the door. She has no idea how loaded of a question she asked. Following me into my bedroom, she sets her book on the end of the bed, which I stare longingly at. Without a word, she steps closer to me and places both hands on my chest.
“You look about ready to fall over. Why don’t we climb into bed, and you can tell me all about it before you get some sleep.”
I step back to look at her. “It’s three in the afternoon. I can’t go to bed. There’s dinner, and evening chores and—”
Pressing her lips to mine, she interrupts me in the best possible way. I don’t even remember my arguments as she deepens the kiss, her fingers working quickly to undo the buttons on my shirt. Her hands scorch my flesh as she drags them up my naked chest and over my shoulders as she eases my shirt off.
“Let me worry about dinner. And I’ll feed the horses if that’ll help.”
I open my mouth to argue, but her glare shuts me right up. Instead of arguing, I undo my belt, flip the button on my jeans and slide my zipper down, holding her gaze the entire time.
“Don’t look at me like that. I said sleep.”
I let out a low chuckle as I slide my jeans off and give her a pointed look. She pulls her top over her head before slipping out of her leggings. She is perfection, standing before me in a simple white bra and panty set. The contrast accentuates her rich brown skin, and I immediately regret agreeing to sleep. I may be dead tired, but I’m not dead.
We both crawl into bed and I pull her into my arms, holding her close as I tell her about my day and about Gray. He asked me to meet him in town to talk. I figured he was going to finally tell me hell no he wouldn’t help, but I was wrong. I’m relieved. But I’m also worried now that it’s becoming a reality. I guess between missing last night and the bull getting hurt, he came to a decision.
“He’s going to help me out behind the scenes. It’s more the day-to-day part that I need help with, so it won’t get in the way of bull riding,” I explain.
“Wow.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I didn’t think he’d say yes, but I guess things change. The conversation went so much better than I expected. He even mentioned plans to propose to River.”
Joy’s mouth drops open briefly before she snaps it closed and grins. “Oh yeah? Damn, that’s great! I’m not really surprised, considering how inseparable they are. I’m happy for them.”
“So am I,” I muse. “Oh. And it looks like that bull is going to be fine.”
She sags against me, relieved. I felt bad sending her home, but I knew we would be a while. There was no need for her to wait around at all hours of the night. Mostly, I felt bad because I wanted to take her out to celebrate after. Or take her home to celebrate…
“I think that means last night was a success,” she says softly.
“Yeah. I mean it could have been worse.”
Shifting to look at me, she holds my gaze. “Tate, you’ve been around long enough to know shit like that happens. It just sucks because it was your first night.”
She’s right. I lean down to kiss her cheek before pulling her back to me. Her skin is soft and warm. Comforting. Thinking about her words, I allow myself to relax as I focus on the feel of her body against mine. Of course, she’s right. Shit happens. But things worked out. I’ll have help. There’s another month before I’ll have the rodeo to deal with, and by then I’ll have things settled on all the other fronts. I know how to run a ranch. I’ve done it most of my life. And now that I won’t be running two ranches and a rodeo, things will certainly be looking up. It’s that thought that finally allows me to close my eyes and relax, drifting off to the sound of Joy’s soft breathing.