Chapter 6
Wren
“What the hell are you doing?” I question myself as I descend the steps because what?
I have a whole ass stranger in my attic, in my house. He’s fine as hell but I still don’t know him. What the hell am I really thinking?
I question myself all the way into the house.
Although for some reason, I feel completely safe with him, I don’t want to take any chances.
So as soon as I’m in the house, I grab the ladder, extend it, then attach the double deadbolt to the door to the attic.
At the end of the day, I won’t put anyone over my sister’s safety and wellbeing.
Amara! Shit! What am I going to tell her?
I never, and I mean never, bring random men back to the house. I’m very protective and careful when it comes to her. It took nine months with my ex before he was allowed to spend the night here. This is different; Meleck is in the attic, but still.
With her on my mind, I walk to her door, open it, and see she’s fast asleep with her phone and math book in bed with her. I sneak in, remove her phone and book, plug her phone up, then ease back out.
As I head back to my room, I hear a door close, so I peep out and see Meleck walking with a big ass duffle on his back.
“Damn, he’s fine as hell,” I utter as I journey to my room.
Before undressing and hopping into the shower, I shoot Reece a text, just letting her know I’m home. She doesn’t respond; I don’t expect her to but still wanted her to know I’m good. We will catch up in the morning with our usual call and boy do I have some shit to tell her.
There’s a whole ass man in my attic.
Although I’m still shaking my head at how this day turned out, I can’t help but be excited.
The electrical issues in the barn have been giving me hell for months and I had a feeling it was bad.
I just didn’t have a clue how or when I would be able to get it fixed.
Him bumping into me then seeing me tonight at Forty Acres was exactly what I needed.
Taking solace in knowing he can fix my problem, I brush any second thoughts to the side, put my braids up in a bun, then take a long, hot shower. When I climb into my bed, I drift off to sleep and don’t wake until I hear a door closing hours later.
For a while now, it’s just been me and Amara and I’m always the first one up in the mornings, always. So the sound of anything other than my hen in the morning is foreign and causes my eyes to fly open. This morning is no different.
It’s fifteen after five and he’s up apparently.
My thoughts are confirmed when I trek into the kitchen after brushing, gargling, and relieving my bladder.
From the kitchen window, I see him dressed in jeans and a thick plaid jacket, trekking through the snow, heading toward the barn.
I watch him for too damn long then sigh.
Do I feed him?
My normal morning routine is being interrupted in the most handsome way and I don’t know what to do with myself.
Amara needs breakfast. I need to feed my chicks and goats, and check on my soaps.
However, because he’s here, I’m stuck on stupid, staring out a window, contemplating how many sausage links to cook.
This shouldn’t be so damn hard.
Before I drive myself crazy, I decide to call Reece.
Considering her ass was all up on Ro in Forty Acres last night and his tongue was down her throat after we danced, she might curse my ass out for interrupting what I can only assume was a night of fun.
My girl was all over that man once she left me at the bar, so I know what she had on her mind.
When she answers my FaceTime, her words throw me all the way off. Here I am thinking she was somewhere face down ass up while she thinks I was. We are both wrong.
“What’s wrong, friend?” she asks and my words fly out.
“Where the hell do I begin? I have his fine ass in my damn attic. He’s a stranger and Amara is here. I’m trying to decide what the hell to do. I really didn’t think this shit through at all. Should I make him breakfast, hide him away until she’s gone, or…”
I ramble but thankfully, she interrupts my rant and not only calms my ass but reminds me of my instincts and judgement when it comes to Amara. Like always, she also manages to make me laugh at the same damn time.
“You love your sister and you would never let dick play a factor in her safety. If he’s there, it’s because you trust that he’s not a threat to anything but your coochie, friend.”
We both laugh because she’s right. Oddly enough, I do trust him. Plus, I was extra cautious with the attic door. Amara is safe and she will be fine. We talk about everything and Meleck won’t be an exception. As for my coochie, time will only tell and it’s promising. That man is fine as hell.
Now that I’m cool and back to my damn senses, I turn the conversation to her. It’s clear that she’s not in her house. From the beams in the background, I can tell she’s in her foreman’s cabin. She’s also wearing a very big and very manly shirt.
“Let me get the details, Reece. The way that man tongued you down definitely means he was willing to let you ride ’em cowboy,” I tease.
“You saw that?”
“Yes, I did and so did everyone else at Forty Acres last night,” I say and she scrunches her face.
As I take sausages out of the fridge, she gives me the not-so-freaky details of her night. All the shots she had at the bar were her downfall. Ro, being a complete gentleman, didn’t take advantage. Although she’s in the foreman’s house, she woke up in bed alone. He slept in the room next to her.
“Then take your ass in there and hop on his dick,” I tell her.
“Yeah no,” she sighs. “How awkward would it be to hit him with a so I crashed on you last night but I’m up, refreshed, and ready to try again. Fuck me please, sir,” she says and I can’t hold my laughter.
Her intent is there but her word choice is what’s sending me. So as I place the sausages in the air fryer, I offer an alternative way to beg for the dick. We go back and forth until she gets a text about her Christmas tree. We end the call and I have just what I need to act right.
I take six eggs out of the fridge, scramble them in a bowl with seasoning and a splash of whipping cream.
Then I take three bagels from the bread box and split them in half before I start my pot of hot chocolate.
While it warms, I trek to the living room and turn on the fireplace.
It’s a gas one that burns actual wood. The heater is on but I think the temperature dropped last night and I need to get this fresh chill out of the house.
When it roars, I head to Amara’s room to wake her up.
To my surprise, she’s up and sitting on the side of her bed reading a book.
“Hey,” I say, truly in awe that she’s awake without my assistance. “You’re up,” I comment.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “I think we got a coon in the attic. I heard noises,” she says in a scared tone. She is petrified of raccoons.
“No coons but we do have a guest,” I tell her as I join her on the bed. “I found someone to work on the barn and the lights out there,” I say and await her response.
“Is he going to put the lights and reindeer up?” she asks with excitement and I just smile. I worried for nothing.
“I can ask,” I say and she beams. “He’s going to be here for a few days. The door to the attic is closed so he won’t be in here unless I invite him.”
“What’s his name?”
“Meleck and I want to invite him in for breakfast if you’re cool with that. If not, he can eat after you go to school.”
“Wren, he can eat with us. I don’t care,” she says matter of factly, then stands. “Is he in here now?”
“He’s in the barn.”
“Okay,” is all she says before walking into her bathroom.
I’d truly worried about her reaction for nothing.
With an amused smile on my face, I head back into the kitchen.
After turning the sausages over in the air fryer, I slip my boots on by the door, grab my coat from the hook and put it on, and pour some hot chocolate into a mug.
Then I trek out of the door through the snow to the barn. He’s on the floor.
“Good morning,” I say in greeting to grab his attention and he turns to face me.
God, this man even wakes up looking good.
My sight is perfection. Some women like brothas in suits and men behind desks but not me.
Never them. I’m a cowgirl and I love Black, hardworking, God-fearing, fine ass cowboys.
Give me a man who starts his day with manual labor.
I want a man who uses his hands and loves every moment.
If his hands aren’t slightly rough to the touch, I don’t want him.
As I appreciate my view, he does the same. His eyes travel up my entire frame and I damn near want to turn to give him the full three-sixty view. His facial expression and the lust in his dark eyes let me know he would truly appreciate it if I did.
“Good morning,” he says when his eye tour is over and his gaze lands on mine.
“You’re up early,” I say as I step closer.
“I’m always up before the sun,” he says, then stands.
“I see,” I say and hold the cup out for him. “I thought you might like something hot.”
“Thanks,” he says as he takes it. As he sips, I stare at the floor to see what he’s got going on.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Measuring so I can know how much I need for the rewiring.”
“Well, if you want a break, my sister is up, and before I take her to school, we have breakfast. It’s nothing special but I cooked enough for you. You hungry?” I ask and he blesses me with his smile. I love a man with pretty ass teeth.
“I never turn down food. Can you cook?” he asks and I hear the playfulness in his deep tenor.