Chapter 53 Reese
The rodeo’s packed tonight, with the youth riders things tend to be more entertaining. The stands are packed, and although I knew Lucy had to work tonight, I still wish she were here.
She will be later, but I doubt she’ll come into the arena. Not with how busy the diner’s been. Mason and Lin went back for lunch, I stayed behind with the teens, making sure they eat and fuel their bodies before tonight.
Kayce’s been more growly than usual, hanging around on the outside of the group. Kolin’s got a gaggle of girls fawning all over him, Colt and Jare seem to be working through their shit. The girls are focused, I don’t really have to worry about them.
Unless they’re fighting over boys.
A text pings my phone and Cap’s head swings my way. “You lookin’ for Goldie too buddy?”
When I look at the notification I see a number I’ve ignored more times than I can count. Just two little words, but they aren’t simple, not to me.
555-277-4653: Call. Me.
Shoving my phone back in my pocket I do what I’ve always done when it comes to my father.
I pretend he doesn’t exist.
One of the reps for the rodeo comes our way and lets us know it’s show time. The rest is a blur of lights, hollers, and stompin’ feet. By the time the night’s winding down, our teens have earned three titles and had one hell of a night.
Locking everything up, Lin and Mason head out for the night. The rodeo’s crew is cleaning the arena and all the animals have lost their spunk. They’ll rest up and be ready for transport tomorrow.
I still need to ask Goldie about tomorrow. I know she usually spends Sunday afternoons with her family, and I have no plans to take her away from that, but I’d love to show her the garden I started for her, and let her know that Mason and I agreed to have her carnival fundraiser on R&M ranch.
Dragging my body into the trailer, I find her laid out on the couch with Cap stretched out beside her. It’s so small she has to scrunch her legs in to make space for Cap to rest.
“Goldie,” I whisper, gently shaking her until she’s cracked her eyes open.
“Sorry,” she smiles sleepily and allows me to wrap her up in my arms. I may be tired, but I’ll carry her anywhere she needs.
“Shhh,” I tell her, running my hand over her hair once I’ve settled her in the bed. I don’t usually sleep in the trailer here, but I’m beat and it’s obvious Lucy is too. Stripping down, I shower off and slip into bed with her. She’s curled up on her side, knees tucked to her chest.
Snaking my arm around her hip, I pull her close and she settles with her back pressed into my chest. Her head twists, but she doesn’t wake as she murmurs something I can’t hear.
I’m so tired, I pass out not long after her breaths even out.
Sunlight streams over her hair, making the strands look like spun gold.
My Goldie, the most precious person in my life.
“You’re staring,” she says, cracking one eye open and smiling at me.
“Do you blame me?” I ask, nuzzling her neck. “The prettiest woman in the world is in my bed.”
She laughs as my hands find the parts of her sides that make her wiggle and gasp.
“Mercy!” She shouts through her giggles.
Letting up, I press kisses to her neck and lift up to look at her. She covers her mouth and rolls over to yawn.
“Hungry?” I ask as she sits up,
“Have to pee,” she says, hurrying to the bathroom.
Leaning back on the pillows, I wait for her to return. She slaps my feet and my eyes pop open. “What was that for?”
“Get up, we’ve got family breakfast,” she smirks.
“I didn’t realize I was invited.”
“You told me you love me, Reese Walker, ain’t no gettin’ outta this. Now come on.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” I say as she is getting ready, and I can say with certainty I’ve never been this content in my life.