Chapter 3
forest
The sun was just over the horizon as I rode my horse, Triton, a little faster than usual.
Nothing like a little adrenaline to wake you up and get your blood pumping.
I led him back to the stables so Theo, Colt and I could move the herd west today.
There were reports of fires out west and that was pushing wildlife toward us.
Sighting of wolves, coyotes and mountain lions had us a little nervous and Theo didn’t want to risk the pregnant heifers and the newborns, so we were going to keep them a little closer to home.
It was almost calf season, we were just bringing them home a little sooner and I was excited for all the babies that would soon be born.
I loved baby cows. They were adorable, but birthing was rough sometimes.
It had been awhile since I had witnessed one or helped and I was sure I wouldn’t be ready for another one.
Thankfully, Theo kept his herd small and didn’t have too many pregnant ladies on the ranch.
“How the hell are you already up so early?” Colt grumbled, as I waited for them outside of the stables.
I shrugged. There was something about this place that I had no problem waking up at this hour. It wasn’t the possibility of seeing someone's brother who said they might come and help us a few days ago. Nope… it definitely wasn’t that.
“Morning.”
I looked back, seeing the man I wanted.
“Mornin’,” I said, tipping my hat as I stared at him for longer than usual because every time I did, he blushed and I lived for it.
He stopped his horse next to mine as we watched the sunrise, waiting on Colt and Theo.
“We might have to move the herd without them,” Jude said.
“Theo’s hard at work. It’s the only way Colt wakes up,” I said, as Jude snorted.
“Don’t tell me you’ve—”
“Let’s just say sometimes they can’t wait to get home,” I chuckled.
Jude shook his head as he laughed. “You’d think with the four of them they’d be exhausted from all the extra activities.”
“Nope, I think it somehow magnified their sex life,” I grinned.
I was shocked when I found out my boss was not only a queer man, but had boyfriends and a girlfriend.
“Ok, I think that's all I can handle hearing about my brother’s sex life,” Jude grimaced.
I laughed. “You sure? I got some good stories.”
“Gross, no,” he faked gagging.
“Come on, there was one time—”
“Forest, you better not finish that sentence or I swear I’ll push you off this horse,” he threatened, glaring at me.
“They were in the barn and I heard grunting—”
Jude pushed me and I laughed, which made him laugh. He was stunning as he laughed, looking more relaxed than I had seen him in a long time. I didn’t realize I had stopped laughing until he pushed my shoulder.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, a little confused.
“I hadn’t seen you laugh or look that relaxed in a while,” I said truthfully. “It looks good on you.”
Jude instantly blushed, biting his lip, opening his mouth to say something as Theo and Colt came out of the stables.
“Forest, I’m assuming you can shoot a gun?” Theo asked.
“Yeah, I’m a pretty good shot,” I said, glancing at Jude.
“Take your pick,” Theo said, holding out a pump action shotgun and a Glock.
I took the Glock and Theo gave his brother the shotgun.
“You know how to use it?” Theo raised his brow at me.
“Yeah,” I said, releasing the magazine, catching it and reinserting it.
“Great,” he said, handing me a holster.
“Let’s move this herd west today, and keep an eye out for any vermin,” Theo said. “Stay with someone at all times. Roger from up north said they saw a mountain lion and I can’t have one of you dying on me.”
Shit, I didn’t think any of us had a chance if it was a mountain lion, but I didn’t say anything.
“Well, let’s hope we move and don’t see anything,” Colt said.
“Be safe and be smart,” Theo said, and we rode out.
Colt and Theo rode in front of us. We kept a good pace until we reached the herd. The sky in the distance was hazy and while we had been hearing about the fires for a couple of weeks now, it seemed like it might be a possibility it could come towards us.
“Damn, that doesn't look good,” Jude said, looking around.
“Have you heard anything more? Theo looked over his shoulder.
“Not much other than they contained the fire in the north, but it looks like we might need to be worried about the fires in the west now,” Jude said, pulling out his phone. “I’ll message the chief and see if he has any news.”
“Alright, let’s see if we can get the herd back around lunch,” Theo said. “Colt, why don’t you ride up ahead and be a lookout for us while we wrangle the herd, and you can keep an eye on us.”
“Maybe as we ride forward, we can have Jude run up ahead and they can switch off keeping an eye on us,” I suggested.
“I like that,” Theo said. “Keep your eyes open and your radios on.”
We all murmured our agreements as we rode out.
Theo and I settled into a rhythm of riding, watching for any stragglers and keeping everyone together.
It was a little harder than usual since Sadie wasn’t with us, but yesterday, Theo decided he didn’t want to bring her if we might run into wolves or a fucking mountain lion.
I suggested we get a few dogs, that way no one fucked with us, but that required time and energy that we didn’t have right now.
Maybe another dog wouldn’t be too much of a hassle in the future.
“Watch your six and nine,” Jude’s voice came through the radio. “I don’t know what it is, but something is following us.”
“Don’t rush the herd, we don’t want to panic,” Theo called out.
I looked over my shoulder, not seeing anything right away. A new momma and her calf slowed down making me nervous when the baby wasn’t moving fast enough. I tried to get them to move a little faster, but as the sun was rising the hotter it got. The little guy was getting hungry.
“We might have to take a break, this little guy isn’t moving,” I said through the radio, as I turned around to look behind me.
“I don’t see anything anymore.” Jude’s voice came through.
“Did we forget a cow?” Colt asked.
“I’m counting,” Theo said immediately.
I stayed close to the mama and baby in case we were being stalked.
“It’s a donkey,” Jude said, as I strained to see where he was seeing the animal.
“It’s Fred,” Theo said exasperated. “He gets out and decides to leave for weeks and just come back like nothing.”
I laughed. That damn donkey was the local donkey. We had heard about him showing up at ranches and farms all over the area, just casually making his rounds.
“Little shit, scared me,” Jude laughed.
“Let’s take a little break and let the little ones get a drink,” Theo said. “Colt and Jude, stay ahead and watch out for us.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we stayed together?” Colt asked.
“No, stay there,” Theo said, grabbing his water bottle and taking a drink.
“We can switch, you guys can keep a watch and—”
“No, we are fine here,” I said, as Theo reached for his radio. “Just keep an eye out for us.”
“We got it,” Theo said.
I grinned realizing Theo and I were keeping them away because it was safer. We finished moving the herd a little after lunch. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat was really getting to me as I made one last round to make sure we didn’t have any stragglers.
“Go home and rest a bit,” Theo called out.
“I will!” I said, my eyes roaming over the herd.
I double checked the troughs to make sure they were full and almost brought out hay for the heifers to keep them well-fed.
“You gotta take a break, Forest.” Jude rode up to me, handing me a water bottle.
“Yeah, I just want to make sure the mamas are doing ok,” I said, making a checklist in my head.
“Yeah, but you need a break, come on,” he said, pulling my arm. “I have some sandwiches and I also brought dessert.”
“Give me like twenty—”
“If you don’t come with me now, I’ll eat the strawberry shortcake I got from Mae’s Diner,” he said.
I turned around and glared at him.
“I bought it just for you, but if you don’t want it, I’ll just eat it.” He shrugged and trotted off like he didn’t just threaten to eat my favorite dessert.
That little shit.
I looked out and knew that I had time, I just liked taking care of my mamas and their babies.
I sighed, clicking my tongue to follow Jude.
He was probably going back to his brother's old house that we used as a breakroom.
He was removing the saddle when I returned, cooing at his horse and giving him kisses as he gave him a carrot.
Was I jealous of his horse?
Maybe.
I could neigh for Jude as he fed me.
I think I would look great in a harness too.
He looked up at me, blushing, before hiding behind his horse. Jude was an anomaly sometimes. He could be such a tease, so confident and then he would clam up, like all of his earlier confidence had disappeared. Sometimes I wondered what Jude would be like in bed. Was he shy? Or was he a brat?
God, I hoped he was a brat.
After taking care of Triton and giving him some love, I wandered into the house. Jude was then laying everything out: a sandwich, sweet tea and my slice of strawberry shortcake.
“Wash up,” he said, glancing up at me as he set down napkins.
He blushed again and if he kept this up, I might just push him against the counter and see how dark I could get his blush.
I nodded, watching him as he set out some chips for us as I washed my hands. We ate at the island next to each other in silence, exchanging glances. I stayed quiet enjoying his company. Being a ranch hand was a lonely job and while I did prefer to be alone, Jude was that exception.
“I hear you're moving into Nova’s home soon,” he said.
“Yeah, they had some repairs that they wanted to do before letting me move in even though I said I would take care of it,” I said, grabbing some chips while I eyed the shortcake.
“It will be better than living across town in those small apartments,” he said, pushing the cake away.
I shook my head. “It will be nice.”
I finished my sandwich quickly, pulling the cake towards me.
“I’m still shocked by the sweet tooth you have,” he chuckled.
I groaned as I ate the first bite. “Why would you be surprised?”
“Cause you look like this,” he said, waving his hand up and down at me.
I cocked an eyebrow at him, leaning closer and deepening my voice a bit. “Please elaborate."
“You know what I mean,” he said, pushing my shoulder.
“I don’t,” I said, taking another bite of my cake, slowly and sensually.
At least I hope it looked good. How sexy could you be with a spoon in your mouth?
“You… you know your body looks good,” he said, glancing down at my lips.
“Does it? I've never noticed.” I smirked before taking another bite of my cake.
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t be fishing for compliments.”
“Open up,” I said, holding the spoon against his lips, getting some of the cream on his lips.
Need curled in my abdomen, wondering how easy it would be to lay him on the counter and have my way with him. Jude opened his mouth slowly and just as he took a bite, a look of need crossed his face and then his phone rang.
The spell broke as he quickly reached for his phone.
“Hey, Chief,” he said, licking the cream off his lips. “Shit, yeah I’ll be there in ten.”
I took another bite of my cake, hating that this moment was over.
“I… I gotta go,” he said, standing up as I noticed he didn’t lick off all the cream.
“I’ll clean up, go,” I said, nodding to the door assuring him he could leave.
“Sorry I—”
“It’s fine, duty calls,” I said, cleaning the little bit of cream with my thumb and licking it off.
Jude grew red again and I had to stop myself from doing very bad things to him.
“Thanks,” he said, walking to the door. “I’ll see you later.”
It wasn’t a statement, but a question.
“Yeah, be careful out there,” I said as he left.
I took a deep breath and ate the rest of my cake, telling myself that sleeping with my boss's brother was a bad fucking idea.