4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Sutton
L eaving Maci with her friends is almost impossible. Not that it’s up to me or I don’t trust them. But after everything that’s happened, I just want to bring her home and let her rest.
At home, I shower, but it does little to release the tension lining my body or wash away the images of last night from my mind. It’s past nine when I head into The Big House.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Mama hugs me as soon as I enter the kitchen. “How’s Maci?”
I shake my head and lean against the doorframe. “She’s acting mostly normal. They stitched her up and there was no organ damage, but the muscles took a beating, it sounds like.”
Last night, I made a brief call to my dad to let him know why I wouldn’t be out at first light this morning. He may not be keeping tabs, and Mama is first on my presets, but she would panic and ask me a hundred questions. I shared as little as I could, but in typical form, Mama wants answers now.
“Oh no. Where is she? Should I make her some breakfast?”
“No. Her friends are helping her pick up meds and a new phone in town. They’ll bring her out here after.”
Mama pats my chest, her tense frame relaxing. “I know I don’t have to tell you to take good care of her.”
“No, you don’t.” I pour a glass of juice and lean my back against the counter, mulling over the last eighteen hours.
“What is it?” Mama stares at me.
“Nothing. Just…something’s off with Maci.”
“Well, of course something’s off, honey. She was attacked.”
“That’s not it.” What if she pulls back from me now? What if I can’t help her through this? She’s acting similarly to usual, but that’s just it. It feels like an act. Fuck. I’m in way over my head and I need to make this better. “She’s trying to be her stubborn, independent self like nothing happened.”
“Maybe it’s a safety mechanism.” She gives me a faint smile. “She’ll come around, honey. You just keep being there for her. Even if she hasn’t said it, she needs it and she appreciates it.”
She continues after a beat. “This may not be easy, son. Not by a long shot. In fact, it’s probably going to be really damn hard, but everything worth having is worth fighting for.”
I twitch at her use of “damn.” She’s cussed on occasion, though it doesn’t fill her vocabulary like many. It’s reserved for the most enthusiastic responses. She’s right, though.
There’s nothing else I can say right now. I kiss Mama on top of the head and take a fresh muffin with me on my way to the truck.
I park in front of the open stable door, which gives me a clear view of Jason and Cody saddling the horses inside. Kelly is checking supplies in the back of the Defender, parked at the corner of the building.
“Hey, man.” Kelly looks me over. “Heard through the grapevine that you were in the ER last night. Everything okay?”
I’ve worked with our current three ranch hands for about three years, and we get along fine, but it occurs to me now that although I’ve been courteous with them, I haven’t been especially open. Doing so feels foreign. “Yeah, thanks. It’s a bit of a story. I was there with Maci.”
Cody’s eyes widen and he turns from the horse. “Is she ok?”
I nod. “Yeah. She’s resting. I may be a little more in and out for a bit while she heals.”
“No worries, boss.” Kelly claps me on the shoulder. “Family first.”
I clench my jaw and swallow. Either they know more than I’ve let on, or I’ve let on more than I realize.
“Let us know if we can help.” Jason leads Dusty, my dad’s horse, out of the stables.
“Yep.” My eyes linger on the items Kelly gathers up. “What are you three getting into this morning?”
“Checking calves.” Kelly shows me a folder of paperwork in the front seat. Cattle are extremely intelligent, contrary to what some may think. Unfortunately, that means they get into some precarious situations. They’re also prone to certain illnesses, especially after birthing, so we monitor the herd daily. Even a little gash on a leg if they run into something or get too rough with each other can turn into a big issue quickly.
“I’ll come with.”
“Johnny’s in the pasture.” Cody motions behind the building. The stables are complete with matching front and rear doors that slide open. On the backside is access to a fenced-in area, which leads to a pasture if we open a gate inside. “We weren’t sure if you’d be out.”
“Thanks for putting him out. You guys go ahead; I’ll catch up.”
I wait for Jason and Cody to mount Dusty and Boots, and the three of them to head out with Kelly in the rear. Life on the ranch can be hard and unforgiving, and I don’t expect this team to stick around forever, but having them here is reassuring in a way I wasn’t expecting.
Maci’s time in town is shorter than expected, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. Before lunch, Izzy’s car heads up the drive. After they park in front of The Big House, I open the back door, where Maci peers through the window. She extends a hand, expecting me to help ease her out. Instead, I scoop her into my arms.
“I can walk,” she grumbles.
“Just let me do this, Firecracker.” I press my lips to her temple. “Thank you,” I say through the backseat to Leah and Izzy, who wave our way before I knock the door closed with my hip.
Inside, I set Maci gingerly on her side of the bed.
Her cheeks warm with color before it disappears. “You can’t keep me locked up here for the next two weeks.”
I stuff another pillow behind her and fluff them to prop her comfortably. “I don’t plan to. But even if I have to tie you to the bed, your ass is chilling out today.”
“That could be fun.” She grins with a coy tone.
The corner of my mouth tugs but I push it away, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Not what I mean, and you know it.”
“I know playing protector comes naturally to you, but in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I can’t sit here all day. It’s not possible.” She runs a hand through her hair, but it gets stuck and she makes a face, untangling her fingers from the knotted strands. “I need a shower.”
“You weren’t listening during your discharge, were you?”
“Oops. Must have left those instructions in Izzy’s car.” Her lips pull together in a tempting purse, and she blinks rapidly at me.
Again, I try to smother a smirk. Her safety is important, no matter how frustrated she is or how irresistible I find her. “No problem. I was listening for the both of us. No showers ’til tomorrow night.”
Her green eyes go vacant for a split second before they scan the bed and side table. She leans to her right, reaching for a hair tieshe’s spotted. A tiny grunt follows as she gets stuck trying to sit upright again.
I’m already moving and grip her ribs, adjusting her back onto the bed. “You trying out diving, Firecracker?”
She breathes a small laugh, even though her face drops in annoyance. “I just want to pull my disgusting hair up.”
I keep my hands to myself. They itch to help her, as stubborn as she is. I don’t want to reiterate that she’s had surgery and it’s ok to accept help. “Let me guess; you don’t want my help with that either.” The weight of my feelings for her settles on me, and this time I don’t hide my gentle smile.
“It’s gross, but if you insist.” She presses the black band between her pointer and middle fingers and lifts it to me.
An unexpected win, but I maintain my stoic face. “Ponytail or bun?”
She stares at me with her mouth slightly agape.
“They’re the only two styles I’ve seen you wear besides a braid, and I’m not going to embarrass myself by attempting that,” I explain.
A light blush dusts her skin, reaching up her neck to her face. “A bun.”
“Full disclosure,” I stand and move to her side, “I’ve never actually done this before. This may come as a surprise to you, but my sister never asked me to help with her hair.”
She breathes another laugh. “I wouldn’t know if that’s normal or not. But don’t worry. Nothing can be worse than it is now.”
“Good. You’re setting your standards low.” Dirty or not, her dark hair still feels soft between my fingers, which I use as a makeshift comb, transferring everything to one hand. I’m not actually sure what to do from here. “Now what?”
Mirth coats her voice. “Twist it and then wrap it around itself. Like…like you’re making a cinnamon roll.”
My brows tighten. “A what?”
“Ok, that wasn’t a great analogy. Sorry, I’ve never taught anyone how to do this before.”
Gently, I pull the fist full of hair back, encouraging Maci’s face to look up at me. “We need to work on your teaching abilities.” She swallows.
I grip her hair tighter, keeping her in place as I plant a soft kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry, I think I’m good.”
“You are,” she mumbles as I right her head and begin twirling the hair. Her posture softens, and she seems to relax as I work.
“How’s that?”
“Perfect.” She doesn’t touch the bun. Maybe can she tell some other way.
“Good. Are you hungry? I can grab some lunch.”
“Not really.” She chews her lip.
“Ok. Well, you’re on bed rest. Stay put. Play on your phone, text your friends, take a nap…I don’t care, but stay here.” I pin her with my don’t-try-me look.
Her eyes hint that she’s considering an argument. “Fine. But I’m not going to like it.”
Before turning to go, I kiss her softly once more. “I’ll make it up to you later.” I’ll never be able to put into words how glad I am that she’s still here.
Her returning look is hungry. It’s hard to leave, but I do.