Chapter 17
Wes
Working on Jameson’s family ranch has me seriously considering getting my own. Maybe not this big, but a small one. It’s a good way to fill my time and the work distracts my mind. Bruno seems to like it too, other than the horses which he’s still unsure about.
If I had a place like this I might be able to keep him. Maybe he would have enough freedom to be happy since I can’t give him enough of myself as it is. Just like with everyone else.
I swing another hay bale around to the spot in the hay loft, making it easier to grab the flakes and feed the horses. As I drop some food down to the animals below, I hear the sound of footsteps entering the barn. I look down to see Emily petting Bruno, so I climb down to see her.
“Good morning, Wes,” she greets, cheerfully.
“Good morning, Mrs. Turner.” I wipe my hands on my jeans, though the ache from where the baling twine dug into my skin is still there.
“All of you like to be so respectful.” She waves her hand around like it’s ridiculous. “I hope these ladies aren’t giving you too much trouble.”
I huff out a small laugh. “They’ve been on their best behavior.”
There’s only one lady in my life giving me any sort of trouble, but I like it.
“Good. The dogs are currently running my house, but if Bruno wants to come visit he’s more than welcome.”
I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to add more onto your plate. Your hands are clearly already full.”
“I like being busy. Jameson acts like I need to sit around all the time, even now.”
“It’s probably just because he cares.”
“I know he does.” She smiles softly. “Now, please tell me you’ve officially adopted this sweet boy.”
Bruno wags his tail once, it’s the one thing he does to show excitement. He doesn’t run around, jump, or act overly excited like I’ve seen Bennet and Duke do. Bruno’s more reserved. Nervous but still sweet.
“No, I haven’t, we’re still waiting for the perfect home for him.”
“Hm,” she hums, bending down to pet the German Shepherd. “And why don’t you think you’re the perfect home for him?”
“He needs more than I can give him.”
She hums again, and I can tell she wants to say something else. I raise an eyebrow waiting to see if she will.
“You can give him more than you think, but what do I know I’m just an old woman.” She shrugs, and I let out a small laugh. “I’ll leave you to this and deal with the hellions back at my house. I may make them a nice meal, just don’t tell my son.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“What about you? Any secrets you want to share? I’m a vault.
” She smiles widely and I shake my head.
Emily is nice, and I can see where Jameson gets his sense of humor from.
Even after she lost her husband last year she seems to be doing well.
Not that I’m any sort of professional when it comes to grief and coping.
We all have our own way of handling it. Mine is avoidance. There’s no point in dwelling on things you can’t do anything about.
I think about what she’s asking. If there are any secrets I want to share.
I debate bringing up Bailey for a moment.
It’s not like my mom is around to talk to, I’m not sure I would even if she were.
I never talked to her about much anyway, but that was just the nature of our family.
Everything felt so surface level with both my parents.
I shake my head, not even sure what to say. “No secrets.”
“If that changes, I’m here. Or you tell the horses, they never share anything I tell them.”
“I’ll remember that.”
She heads back to her house, and Bruno joins me as I feed all the other animals around the property, sticking close to my side just like he always does. None of the other animals get close enough to him that he freaks out like he does with the horses.
After I’m done, I make sure to say goodbye to Emily so she knows I’m leaving before driving away.
On my way home, I pass Bailey’s coffee shop and decide to stop by. I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker, but I won’t give up the perfect chance to see her. To remind her I’m around before the next time either of us decides to cross that line again.
Which may be sooner than later for me. She’s always there, so close.
Just right next door. I can see her movements through her window.
I know when she leaves for work, when she comes home.
I know she watches me, too. I can feel when she’s got her eyes on me.
I’m always overly aware of my surroundings.
I’ve had to be with my history in the military, so even when she thinks she’s being sneaky, I know she’s watching.
I pull up to the window, and her back is turned, but when she faces me her expression instantly hardens. Her dark blonde hair is pulled up in a ponytail that tempts me to wrap my fist around it, and yank her head back while I bury myself in her heat.
Her mouth parts in surprise before she quickly closes it, and my eyes can’t help but fall to those pink lips that were wrapped around me just days ago.
With the way she let me take full control, I know that’s exactly what she wants.
She wants to fight and be a brat, but at the end of the day, she wants to be at my mercy.
“What’re you doing here?” she snaps, folding her arms across her chest.
“Getting a coffee, is that a crime?”
“You’re actually on our banned list, so you can just move along.”
I smirk. “What did I do to get on the banned list?”
“I’d go get my list, but it’s long and neither of us have the time it’d take for me to go through the whole thing.”
I sit back, adjusting in my seat. While I love having a sleek sports car, I’m a big guy and it doesn’t leave a whole lot of room. “I’ve got all the time in the world. What else are you doing today?”
“Working, and doing anything else that isn’t talking to you.”
“Right. You prefer to do other things with me that aren’t talking. Last time we were together your mouth was a little full.”
Her face flames and she drops her gaze, looking around like she’s trying to busy herself.
“That is one of the reasons you’re banned,” she mumbles.
“Fine. Is Bruno banned, too?”
“Of course not.”
“Great, then he will get a large Americano.”
“Dogs can’t have coffee.”
“Are you a vet?”
“Don’t need to be, I’m just not an idiot.”
“Are you saying I’m an idiot?” I lean out the window.
She shrugs.
I press my tongue to the inside of my cheek, biting back a smile and shaking my head. “Damn, Angel, you really are asking for a punishment, aren’t you?”
“And that’s another reason,” she murmurs, as she works on getting the coffee. I also notice her grab a smaller cup and fill it with whipped cream.
She hands me the small cup, and nods toward Bruno. “He can have a pup cup. And you can fuck off.”
I let out a chuckle, taking the cup from her, covering her hand with my own, and pull, making her gasp as our eyes lock on each other’s.
“Keep testing me, Angel. You know the consequences. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done here.”
I take the cup, and hold it in front of Bruno as he sniffs and takes a tentative lick from the top.
When I turn, I see she’s handing me the large coffee, and I trade it for more cash than I know it costs. Before she’s able to give me change, I pull away and drive the short distance home. When I get there I pull out my phone to send her a text.
Wes: Come to my house when you’re done. Don’t even try to hide in your room. It’ll only make things worse for you.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, and I know exactly how she wants to be handled.