CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Beauty: Heyyyyyy. Bad news.
Me: Uh-oh. You have hemorrhoids?
Beauty: …
Beauty: I’m not going to entertain that with a response. Anyway, I need to cancel tonight.
Me: Why?
Beauty: Just because…
Me: If you don’t give me a real reason I’ll assume it’s hemorrhoids.
Beauty: Omg. You’re ridiculous. Shawn needs to swap weekends so I have the kids. We’re going for a ride and having a lowkey night. I’ll make it up to you.
Me: I’m on my way.
Beauty: What?
Me: What?
Beauty: Why are you coming over?
Me: For our date…
Beauty: But my kids are home.
Me: And?
Beauty: That changes our plans. It’s Friday. I’m sure there’s somewhere else you’d rather be.
Me: Babe. If I’ve ever given you that impression, I owe you a grand gesture. Should I clean your gutters? Power wash the house and barn? Restack the hay? Mow the lawn? Vacuum and dust?
Beauty: You’re not my maid, trouble. But I should probably do all of those things.
Me: We can do them together.
Beauty: As a team. :)
Me: Which is why I’m coming over to enjoy quality time with you and the twins.
Beauty: You’d trade a night out for one at the farm?
Me: Sounds like an upgrade. This is what I’ve been missing. A real life. A family to head home to.
Beauty: A future.
Me: See? You remember my big speech. I want to be present always. This is just the beginning for us, beauty.
Beauty: You’re right. Of course. Not sure what I was thinking. You should be here with us.
Me: Glad to hear you admit it. Those kids are practically mine at this point. Their names are tattooed into my neck. I love it when they’re around. Believe in me, yeah? Depend on me too. I want the whole package. Forever.
Beauty: Good grief. You’re making me cry from a text message. Not sure what’s gotten into me lately.
Me: Happiness. And trust. You’re comfortable to let it all out around me. I can share the burdens and I think you feel that.
Beauty: Or I’m a sappy romantic. Either way, I love you so very much.
Me: Love you! 3
Beauty: Did you leave yet?
Me: Just about.
Beauty: Pack some extra clothes.
Me: Yeah?
Beauty: Yeah.
Cassidy is saddling Leita at a hitching post when I arrive twenty minutes later. Fire is already tacked, and the twins are perched on his back. Kenzie is in the front, weaving the Appaloosa between a row of troughs. Chester and Cheeto circle the horse as if keeping him on track. The scene raises my brows but their mom doesn’t give them more than a watchful glance.
I reach into the backseat for a couple things before strutting toward my cowgirl. Cassidy peeks over Leita’s neck as I approach, quickly doing a double take. Her gaze slides over me in a heated caress that strokes my cock. This woman gets me harder than wood from a single look.
“Nice hat,” she purrs.
I tip the wide brim at her. “Matches my boots.”
The seductive redhead bites her bottom lip while I close the distance between us. “You look ready to ride.”
“Are you offering?”
The green in her eyes smolders. “Mhmm.”
My head tilts as I swoop in for a kiss. “There are children present.”
“They’ll go to bed eventually.” Her smile promises that she’s going to do very dirty things to me.
My throat works audibly and I force myself to straighten away from temptation. “These are for you.”
Cassidy gasps when I whip two sunflowers from behind my back. “How beautiful.”
“Just like you.” I wink. “Can Mac and Cheese have candy?”
“Yes!” Kenzie is already steering Fire in our direction.
Charlie pokes out from behind her. “I want candy!”
“Shouldn’t have bothered asking,” Cassidy laughs. “Better give it to them or you’ll start a riot.”
The twins make grabby-hands at the gummy worm packages. Fire obediently stops next to me as if Kenzie’s grip is still on the reins. He’s very well trained. I open the bags and pass them up, one for each.
“Thank you,” they chirp.
“Welcome,” I return as Fire resumes their stroll. My wariness studies them for a moment as they begin shoveling the sugary treats down their throats. “Is that safe?”
“They’re not going to choke. It’s okay.” Cassidy finishes tightening the cinch and grabs the bridle off the horn.
“I meant for both of them to be on him like that.”
“Yeah, for sure. That’s going double.”
“Ah, right. I knew that.”
Her hip bumps mine. “It’s sexy when you pretend to be a cowboy.”
“Hey,” I scoff. “I’m a work in progress.”
She tugs on my straw hat. “You’ll be herding cattle before you know it.”
“That’s better.” I shift around her to improve my skills in real time. “There’s the best investment I’ve ever made. Hi, Lele Loo. Did you miss me?”
The roan sniffs my pockets, her nose wiggling across the denim.
“What did you find?” I dig out a chunk of carrot. “There you go.”
She munches happily while Cassidy clucks her tongue. “You’re spoiling her.”
“So? She’s such a good girl. Yes, you are.” I glide my palm down the mare’s long face.
“I’m getting jealous,” Cassidy mutters.
“Need me to feed you? Open wide.” I dangle a carrot in front of her mouth.
She does and I glide the piece in, only to drag it out slowly. Her teeth bite down and I wince. Amusement gleams in her gaze while she chomps on the treat.
“Yummy,” she mumbles.
I cough into my fist. “You’re way too good at that.”
“Shouldn’t tease me.”
“Lesson learned,” I chuckle.
“Okay, buckaroo.” She swats my ass. “I thought we could go for a ride through the back forty. Maybe watch a movie afterward.”
My boots kick across the gravel as I return to her side. “Can’t think of anything I’d rather do. But who am I riding?”
Cassidy pats the space behind her saddle. “Right here, trouble.”
I freeze. “We’re going double?”
“Double trouble,” she croons. “Why didn’t I think of that sooner?”
“I don’t love the sound of that when it comes to me and horses.”
“You’ll be safe. We’re just going to walk.” Cassidy puts the hackamore on Leita and tosses the reins over her neck.
A noisy exhale sputters from me while I prepare for this challenge. “What if I fall off?”
She shrugs. “Tuck and roll.”
My eyes bulge. “What?”
Her laughter isn’t reassuring. “Drake, I won’t let anything happen to you. I’m pretty attached, if you couldn’t tell.”
“Doesn’t hurt to hear it,” I grumble.
“Just put your foot in the stirrup and swing your leg over. Like every other time you’ve done this.” Cassidy holds onto the mare while I fumble through the motions.
“Okay. Now what?”
“Hold on.”
“Got it.” I lift my arms and wait for further instructions.
She hangs her head, shoulders shaking. “I meant literally. Grab the back of the seat.”
“Just testing you.” My fingers grip the raised portion she gestures at, leather creaking from my efforts.
Cassidy hoists herself into the saddle without kicking me in the face, which seems very considerate. “You good, trouble?”
“So far.” But we haven’t started moving.
“Ready?”
My heart kicks. “Sure.”
Her palm rests on my thigh, giving me a gentle squeeze. “Just relax.”
“I’ve heard that before.” My dick twitches at the reminder.
She drifts her hand along my leg. “And how did that go for you?”
“Blew me away.”
“This won’t be quite as explosive,” she muses. “But still enjoyable. Just sit back and take it all in.”
“That sounds familiar too,” I chuckle.
Cassidy urges Leita forward and we’re off. My stomach lurches, but settles into the horse’s smooth gait. Kenzie and Charlie ride ahead of us, following the dirt path around the barn. Chester and Cheeto race beside us to guide the way. The goats wail as we leave them behind. Serves them right for taking advantage of me.
We reach the pastures and the rest of the herd. Several horses perk up at our approach, but they don’t cause a ruckus. I breathe a bit easier after that. There’s a section between the two fenced areas that creates a grassy trail. My accelerated pulse slows to a trot. A deep inhale grants me a burst of fresh air. The smell is clean and comforting, allowing a calm energy to find me. I rock into Leita’s steady motions while appreciating the scenery.
“This is incredible,” I voice aloud.
The view of Cassidy’s land stretches in front of us. Green prairies lift into rolling hills. Sections of leafy trees offer spots of shade. Sunshine dapples the earth, highlighting the natural wonders. It could almost make me emotional.
Cassidy’s right palm still rests on me while the left steers us through paradise. “Nothing like being on the back of a horse.”
“Especially with you,” I exhale. “And the kids along for the ride. I could get used to this.”
She twists slightly to catch my stare. “Good thing I plan to keep you around.”
The twins start singing a familiar song and my ears strain on a certain word. “Is it just me or does it sound like they’re saying fucks?”
“Funny you should mention that.” Her hum matches the tune. “That’s how their version used to go.”
“No shit?”
“It was ‘ducking’ hilarious.” She nudges me. “Get it? I didn’t tell them but they figured it out on their own.”
“They’re such amazing kids.”
“Yeah, I got lucky.”
I grow bold, removing a hand from the saddle to grasp her hip. “Thanks for sharing this life with me.”
She nods, a grin curving her mouth. “I’ve made a decision. A few, actually.”
My patience waits for her to say more, but she dangles that tidbit like bait. “Okay, I’ll bite. Put me out of my misery and tell me, woman.”
Her laugh carries on the breeze. “First, how would you like to move in with us? Make Greener Pastures your home.”
I jolt and almost slide off Leita’s ass. “Fuck yes. I’m in. Where do I sign?”
Cassidy drops her head back against my shoulder and taps her lips. “Right here.”
I give her a fast peck but she isn’t satisfied, staying reclined against me. “Watch the road, beauty!”
Instead of listening, she releases the reins. “Oh, look. No hands.”
“You’re getting a spanking later,” I warn.
“Don’t threaten me with an orgasmic time,” she fires in return.
“About to call you trouble for a change.” The strain in my chest loosens when she reclaims the reins. “What else have you decided?”
“There’s a competition of sorts next weekend.” Her tone is nonchalant, but I can feel her squirm. “I’m thinking about entering.”
My grip on her tightens. “Really?”
Cassidy fidgets, her thoughts churning loudly. “Would you come with me?”
“Wild horses couldn’t keep me corralled.”
“That’s not quite right,” she giggles.
I scoff and take a risk, looping both arms around her waist. The tattoo on her forearm glows like a beacon. My thumb traces the new ink while unconditional love pumps into me. “Everything is the way it’s meant to be so long as we’re headed for home together.”