Chapter Seven
Harlyn
I stirred, my eyes fluttering open to find Jensen still by my side. He offered a comforting smile and gently stroked the hair back from my face.
"Hey there, sleepyhead," he said softly. "Feeling any better?"
I sighed, my eyes still heavy. "A little. It's just...everything feels overwhelming."
Jensen nodded, taking my hand in his. "I know, darlin’.
I can't imagine what you're going through right now because I was born and bred in these parts.
I understand how hard and cruel life can be at times.
I need you to understand that life out here is the polar opposite of that in the city.
Loss is a normal part of ranching, of living on the land.
It's hard, really hard, but it's something we have to accept and learn to live with because it can’t be changed. "
I looked at him, feeling a mixture of curiosity and sadness. "How do you cope with it then, Jensen? How do you keep going?"
"It's not easy," he admitted. "There are days when it feels like the weight of it all might crush you.
But you find strength in the small victories, in the community, in knowing you're doing your best for the land and the animals.
And you lean on the people around you, just like you're leaning on me now. "
I squeezed his hand, grateful for his presence. "Thank you, Jensen. For everything."
"Always," he replied. "Now, let's take it one step at a time. I’ll help you get through this and so will your men. Lean on them. As I’ve said before…they’re good men and will take care of you."
Our eyes met, a silent promise within Jensen’s. He would not leave me to face my challenges alone. I began to see the light at the end of the tunnel and knew I could face whatever lay ahead, especially with Jensen by my side and the support of my men.
“Have you eaten?” Jensen asked, taking one of my hands and kissing the knuckles.
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
“Ranching is hard work, Harlyn, and you need to eat good meals to maintain your strength. How about I make you something?”
“I’ll cook something later,” I argued.
Jensen shook his head. “Sorry, but I don’t think you will.”
“I…” I opened my mouth to protest when a loud banging sounded at the door.
Jensen released my hand and pushed to his feet. “I’ll see who that is, although my guess is it’s Elijah.”
“Probably come to check on me again,” I mumbled.
Elijah had been coming up to the house every evening, ensuring I was dealing with all that had happened. I didn’t think I’d managed to convince him I was doing fine.
He entered the living room with Jensen by his side and frowned when he looked my way. “You been cryin’, Missy?”
‘Missy’ was the nickname the men had adopted because they insisted it didn’t seem right to call their boss by her first name. I’d argued they had called grandfather by his name but it hadn’t made a scrap of difference so Missy it was.
I shook my head but when Jensen raised an eyebrow, I confessed, “Just being silly. The loss of cattle, especially the babies…” I shrugged.
“It broke my heart when our dog, Shiny, died when I was twelve and mom and dad refused to ever allow me another pet. I ended up having therapy because I wasn’t recovering from the grief.
The therapist said I feel a deep empathy for animals which is why their death hits hard. ”
Elijah settled on a chair opposite and Jensen sat beside me on the couch, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, and giving me comfort.
“I know it’s not easy for a city gal like you, Missy, but these animals aren’t pets. If you treat ’em that way you’ll spend your time here with a constant broken heart. I don’t like seeing them die for no reason but life’s not easy for any of us and we can’t dwell on the sadness.”
“I know what you’re saying is right and I accept our cattle will all end up on a plate somewhere, but it was a shock to see them not get that far.”
“Always is and don’t seem fair, but, it is what it is and there isn’t any changing that no matter how much we want to.” Elijah pushed onto his feet. “I’ll leave you in Jensen’s capable hands. Take tomorrow morning off and do some woman stuff…pamper yourself.”
“I’ll take the morning because I have a couple of office things to take care of but will help with afternoon chores. Thanks Elijah and thank the men for me. Tell them I appreciate everything they do.”
“Will do…Jensen,” Elijah nodded and Jensen acknowledged him with a nod of his own.
Once he’d left, Jensen asked, “Dinner?”
“Only if I can help,” I said as I stood.
We both made our way to the kitchen and rummaged in my painfully bare cupboards and fridge.
“Got it!” Jensen held up a package of mixed vegetables and a piece of beef he’d pulled from the freezer.
I provided a sachet of rice and teriyaki sauce—voilà, teriyaki beef ala Harlyn and Jensen.
We worked side by side—Jensen stirring the beef and vegetables in a smattering of oil and a pinch of garlic while I watched the boiling rice like a hawk.
Twenty minutes later, we sat at the table with a plate of steaming food and a glass of Enchanté 2021, a delicious red wine that I’d pulled from my grandfather’s wine collection which was surprisingly vast. The tantalizing aroma had me digging in, I’d been hungrier than I realized.
After I’d eaten my fill and was sipping a second glass of wine—Jensen having declined, instead favoring a beer, I decided to broach a subject I’d been avoiding due to its personal nature.
But…Jensen hadn’t hesitated to ask me about my past. No…
that wasn’t true. I’d volunteered the information.
Still, I was curious as to why such a handsome man with excellent prospects was unattached.
I took a mouthful of wine to fortify myself. “Jensen?”
“Yes?” He gave me a lopsided grin that had a dimple popping out in his cheek.
“I haven’t heard you mention anyone from the past…female, I mean…um, girlfriend, I mean.”
Jensen laughed. “Go ahead and ask.”
“Well, have you had anything serious in the past?”
“Two…The first was in my last year of high school and lasted about three months. Glenda was a lovely girl but…”
“But?”
“My life was here on the ranch and she wanted to attend college in the city and live the high life. We were at opposite ends of the street so to speak.”
“Did you stay friends?”
Jensen sucked down a mouthful of beer before putting the bottle on the table. “For a while but long distance and the fact we wanted different things was a recipe for disaster.”
“Then?”
“Hmm, I dated a couple of ladies but as you can imagine, there isn’t much of a choice here in Grantin, and I didn’t see myself being with any of them for the rest of my life.
About four years ago, Clara moved to town from Montana and I employed her as a ranch hand.
She was a damn good worker and fitted in like she’d always been one of us.
It wasn’t long before we started dating and for a while, we looked headed for something permanent. ”
“What happened?”
Jensen shrugged and took another mouthful of beer.
“Wasn’t meant to be I guess. Being together all day and then spending time together every night…
we got sick of each other I suppose. We both admitted that, although we liked each other very much, we weren’t in love.
After we split, I suppose you’d say, we thought we’d go back to being friends.
Clara eventually admitted that she had feelings beyond friendship and when I couldn’t reciprocate, we decided it would be best if she moved on to somewhere else. ”
“How long were you together?”
“About two years.”
“Anyone else?”
“A couple of dates but nothing serious.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
Jensen reached over and ran his fingers lightly down the side of my face.
“Until now,” he mused, causing my eyes to widen. “It might be best if I went home.”
I stood and rounded the table to where Jensen sat.
He pushed back his chair and I stepped between his legs.
Taking his face between my hands, I leaned over and pressed my lips to his.
It took less than a minute for our passion to go from zero to sixty and a few seconds after we finished attempting to devour each other’s mouths, I showed Jensen through to my bedroom.
In the dim glow of a lamp on the nightstand, shadows danced on the walls, painting a portrait of love and longing.
Jensen’s fingers feathered the contours of my face and our eyes locked in a silent conversation of unspoken desires.
The world outside ceased to exist as we hovered on the precipice of passion.
With a delicate grace, we began to undress each other, layer by layer, baring not just our bodies but our very souls.
Each touch was a promise, each kiss a testament to the depth of our connection.
The cooler air of the night had infiltrated the bedroom and caressed our skin, heightening the sensations and making every moment more profound.
Jensen's arms, strong and reassuring, swept me into an embrace that spoke of protection and devotion. He carried me to the bed, laying me down with a tenderness that belied the intensity of the emotions I knew were swirling within him.
With reverence in his eyes, Jensen's hands roved over my body, each touch deliberate and worshipful, as though he were memorizing every curve and contour.
His lips followed a path down my neck, shoulders, and beyond, leaving a trail of heated kisses that sent shivers through me.
The very air seemed to vibrate with the intensity of the emotions swirling between us.
Our love-making was a symphony of whispered promises and tender embraces, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. With every touch, every kiss, Jensen made me feel cherished and revered, as if I were the most precious treasure in existence.
My pussy throbbed in anticipation, impatient to be filled. When Jensen pushed his dick to my entrance, I sighed with relief.
He held me close as his dick thrust within.
Our lips met with a passion that I’d only thought real in books or movies.
My hips met his, thrust for thrust, carrying me higher until lights exploded behind my eyes and an orgasm crashed over me.
I became limp, drained of energy. My fingers scraped at Jensen’s back as he fucked me into the mattress and with an almighty shout, he found his own release.
I felt the warmth of his climax flooding inside as he held me tight.
Eventually, I pushed at his chest and he lifted so I was able to take a deep breath.
Our eyes met and there was something in his I couldn’t quite figure out.
Was it adoration…appreciation…wonder? Or was what I saw love?
Love like I already felt for the man who had rapidly burrowed his way into my heart.
We climbed beneath the bed covers and as we lay entwined, the room seemed to pulse with the rhythm of our heartbeats.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a silvery sheen over the room.
I reflected on how we’d found solace, joy, and an unparalleled connection in only a matter of weeks.
It was a connection I’d never known in all the time I’d been with Finn.
Time became a fleeting concept as I lay awake in Jensen’s embrace while he softly snored in contentment. Minutes stretched into hours, but the night seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
The soft light of early dawn began to filter through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room.
Jensen stirred beside me, his eyes slowly opening to meet mine.
A sleepy smile spread across his face, and without a word, he pulled me closer, our bodies fitting together as though they had been designed for this very moment.
“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice husky with the remnants of sleep.
I smiled in return, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Good morning.”
Reluctantly, we untangled ourselves from the warmth of the bed, showered and dressed.
The air was cool and crisp in the house…
it wouldn’t last long. Even though summer was at an end, within a few hours, the heat would be stifling, and rivulets of sweat would bathe our bodies, drenching our clothes.
Jensen’s hand found mine, and after a sensual kiss, we made our way to the kitchen.
I flipped on the coffee maker and within seconds the scent of freshly brewing coffee filled the space, mingling with the early morning air.
I busied myself at the stove, flipping pancakes while Jensen set the table.
It was a simple, domestic scene, yet it felt profound, as if the night we’d spent together had placed our lives on an unexpected trajectory.
As we sat down to breakfast, the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. We ate in companionable silence, the only sounds the clinking of cutlery and the occasional chirping of birds welcoming the new day.
Jensen reached across the table, his fingers intertwining with mine. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, his gaze steady and warm.
I looked at him, taking in the lines of his face, the depth of his eyes. “I’m thinking about us,” I replied honestly. “About how right this feels.”
He nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Me too.”
We lingered over breakfast, savoring the moments of tranquility before the world fully awoke.
The dawn had broken, pushing the darkness of night to the edges and bringing with it the promise of a new day, a new beginning.
And as we sat there, hand in hand, I hoped that whatever lay ahead, we would face it together.