Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
DIXIE
I was awake before Tripp and as much as I wanted to stay in his bed for the duration of the day, I had to mom and work. Sneaking from his bed like a one night stand that was filled with hot and dirty sex, I wince. My boobs are rock solid, and I need Lainey to feed. Tip toeing past his door, I close it behind me. Walking quietly down the hallway, I reach for the newel post and step onto the first step when I hear a soft chuckle coming from the kitchen and my eyes cast over to where it's coming from.
Riggs.
My cheeks burn and I shake my head.
“Sneaking out his room,” he continues to laugh as he spoons a mouthful of cereal into his mouth.
“Screw you,” I smirk, flipping him off as I run up the stairs and into my room without being caught by Orla. Pressing my back against my closed door, I let my eyes flutter shut for just a moment, a soft smile pulling at my mouth as I sink my teeth into my bottom lip. I replay the memories of last night and how good it felt to be with Tripp again.
I am brought back down to earth as Lainey stirs, crying on cue.
“Shh shh,” I hush her, scooping her up and holding her close to me as she rubs the sleep out of her eyes, my lips pressing soft kisses on the top of her head. “Morning baby,” I coo, bouncing her as she begins to fuss.
Sitting on the edge of my bed, I slip my nightie down and let her latch on. My eyes flutter closed again as I sit in perfect silence thinking of what my life could be like if I didn't have to leave, if I didn't have to walk away in order to save Tripp and his family.
My breath stutters at the back of my throat at the thought and I ignore the burn that lodges itself there, making it hard to breath suddenly.
Lowering my face, my hand strokes over her brown hair, her long lashes fanned out as her hand rests on my chest.
“God, mama loves you,” I whisper, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with emotions.
Her little hums as she suckles make my heart skip a beat and I push everything from my mind as I focus on her, my world, my daughter.
Once she is fed and changed, I walk her downstairs, still wearing my nightie. I hadn't had a second to get changed because every time I laid her down, she sobbed.
Orla is standing at the sink, coffee in hand as she distantly looks over the ranch, no doubt her mind with Pacey.
Riggs sits at the table, a stupid smirk on his face and it makes sense, he actually knows what me and his brother have been up to. He didn’t just catch me sneaking out of his room after maybe accidentally falling asleep in his room.
Shit.
“Morning,” I say softly, and Orla snaps out of her trance, turning to face me.
“Morning my beautiful girls,” she smiles widely, stepping towards me and Lainey as she places her mug on the worksurface before she kisses me on the cheek and takes Lainey from me who goes willingly, arms out for Orla as she babbles away.
“I see how it is,” I smirk, walking towards the coffee pot and pouring myself a hot cup.
“She's granny’s favorite girl,” Orla dances around the large kitchen area and I just stand and watch, heart slowly disintegrating inside my chest. My fingers pinch at the delicate pendant of my gold chain. I wish my mom was here, wish she could have met her granddaughter. But I am grateful that in some weird twist of fate, my baby has Orla. Her Granny.
She sings to her, I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton and a lump bobs in my throat as tears threaten. I can feel Riggs staring at me, and my cheeks flush. Turning my face slowly to look at him, my lips turn up slightly into a small smile and he gives me a shallow, knowing nod, lips rolled into a thin line.
Bringing my mug to my lips I take a sip just as Tripp wheels himself into the kitchen.
“We need to get you on your crutches man,” Riggs sighs, shaking his head.
“Yeah, yeah,” he waves his brother off.
“The physio is due today, I'm sure she'll work me out and get me on my feet,” and my ears prick, eyes slicing across to him and Riggs laughs into his cup, not just a gentle laugh, no, a full on belly laugh that gains the attention of everyone in the room.
“What's funny?” Orla asks, Lainey's face flush with her cheek as Orla keeps swaying.
“Nothing,” I snap my lips shut and I see the glint of playfulness in Tripp's eyes.
“Little Dixie here getting jealous over the physio,” Riggs says through bouts of laughter and I step towards him, swatting the top of his arm with my hand.
“No I’m not,” my cheeks turn red, blazing fucking hot and my ears feel like they're on fire.
“You are darlin',” Riggs says softly, shrugging his shoulder up. “It’s okay to admit it, we won’t judge.”
“Don't you have cows to sort out?” I snap back in a lame ass attempt of a comeback.
“Waiting on you sweet cheeks, I'm two men down... I need all the help I can get ahead of the branding in a few weeks.”
“Oh shit, I forgot about that,” Tripp grunts, wheeling closer to me smirking.
“Morning,” I whisper as I turn quickly and reach for a mug and place it under the coffee machine.
“Morning little dreamcatcher,” he winks then looks over at my mom. “Morning ma.”
“Morning my angel boy,” she smiles sweetly at her son as she places Lainey into the highchair.
Riggs coughs, “Do I not get a morning?”
“Morning sweetie,” Tripp teases and Orla rolls her eyes.
“I said morning to you this morning mama's little cherub,” she walks over to Riggs, pinching his cheek and he laughs before she grabs a yogurt out for Lainey and some mushed-up blueberries.
“Thanks ma,” Riggs beams, draining the rest of his coffee and sliding from the stool before placing his empty cup into the sink. “Dixie, go and get ready, we've got a full day,” he huffs, reaching for his hat off the coat stand. “I'll meet you in the bunkhouse,” he gives me a nod and my heart thumps a little louder.
“Riggs,” Orla calls out, her voice timid.
“Yeah?”
“I need to go and see Pacey...” she trails off, eyes bouncing between me, Lainey and Riggs.
“Oh shit,” Riggs rubs his beard and sighs as he steps back towards the kitchen, heavy boots echoing around the large space.
“It's fine, Riggs, can you find som?—”
“I'll watch her,” Tripp says, and all eyes are on him.
“Tripp,” Orla says softly, head tilting to the side.
“I'm more than capable,” and his tone is sharp.
“Of course you are...” she looks at me, eyes widening slightly.
“It's just a lot for you, plus you have physio...” I try, my voice soft.
“I can manage,” he softens his tone as he looks at me.
“I won't be long,” Orla says placing Lainey's breakfast in front of her, her little lips pursing into a pout as her little fingers grab a handful of smashed blueberries, lifting them to her mouth and I smile as she tries to fit them all in one go.
“And I’ll be just on the ranch,” peeling my eyes from my daughter and back to Tripp.
“I know,” he nods then averts his gaze to his mom, “and I’ll be fine.”
“You better let that physio work you hard man, gonna need you on them crutches sooner rather than later…” and Riggs' eyes are on me the whole time.
The bastard knows what he is doing.
“Riggs,” Orla shakes her head as she steps outside the kitchen for a moment and Riggs follows her before his eyes are bouncing between me and Tripp.
“Surely you want to be able to... you know... without being in a cast. Can't be ideal,” he says a little louder from across the kitchen, rubbing his hands together and Tripp glares at him.
I cover my face, shame painting my cheeks.
“Fuck off Riggs,” Tripp reaches for a dish towel from the side and launches it towards his brother who just laughs.
“Fine, I am leaving,” he rolls his eyes. “Dixie, go get dressed. We've got a lot of work to do,” he tips his cowboy hat and begins to walk away. “Oh and Dix,” he calls back.
“Yeah?” I answer him all whilst Tripp’s fingertips are brushing against mine.
“You're gonna learn to ride today, become a proper cowgirl,” and then the door slams.
“You know how to ride,” Tripp wiggles his brows in a playful manner and I smirk down at him.
“Horses baby... I don't know how to ride horses,” and the smile falls from his lips.
“I want to teach you,” he sucks in a breath, and I clasp his hand in mine, bending down so I am kneeling.
“I know... but I need to help out, so I need to learn now.”
“How about...” he leans in close to me, “later on, you climb on top of me and show me what you learned,” and he winks at me, causing me to laugh. “Most beautiful sound,” he hums.
“You, Tripp Rivera, are a very dirty man.”
“You love it,” he presses a kiss to the back of my hand, and I sigh.
“I do,” I whisper, “I really do.”
Walking downstairs, I grab my cowboy boots from the boot cupboard and slip them on. I am wearing my Levi's, white tee and my cowboy hat that matches my boots.
I hear a wolf whistle and I turn around, Tripp staring at me all hungry eyed.
“Hey you.”
“God, I wish I could be with you today,” he wheels himself over, “I would sneak you away in the stables,” his voice is low, “and fuck you against the wall, making you see the stars as you come all over my cock.” My breath hitches, chest rising and falling.
“That's not fair.”
“No?” he pushes his tongue into his cheek.
“No,” I whisper.
“I promise to let you come later on tonight when you ride me, cowgirl,” and my cheeks burn as Orla steps into the room, and I move backwards.
“You sure you're going to be okay?” I ask, nerves engulfing me.
“I'll be fine, and if there are any problems, I'll come find you,” and I raise a brow. “Fine, I’ll call or shout and someone will come and get you,” he smiles, “I promise, we will be okay,” he nods at me and I find myself nodding along with him.
“I've brought Lainey's cot down and put it back up in your room Tripp,” Orla says as she grabs her purse from the hook.
“Okay.”
“She will have a bottle around two, I have already made it up. It's in the refrigerator so just get it out around twenty minutes before she's due it and she'll drink it at room temperature.”
“Milk, refrigerator, room temp... got it,” he nods as if making a mental note in his head.
“Then she will eat lunch around noon, again, all prepped in the...”
“Refrigerator,” he smirks and I nod.
“If it's too much getting her in the highchair, I have a little seat and tray that I have left in the lounge on the sofa... obviously—” he cuts me off.
“I won't leave her alone. I'll have eyes on her the whole time.”
“She will be due a nap around ten, then again at three. But don't let her sleep any longer than an hour.”
“Morning or afternoon nap?” he asks, looking over at Lainey who is sitting playing blocks.
“Afternoon.”
“Okay, cool. Well, that works well because my physio is due at eleven... should be gone for twelve.”
And jealously swarms in my stomach.
“Don’t be getting jealous little Dreamcatcher,” he smirks and Orla hovers behind me.
“I should be home before she goes down for her afternoon nap anyway,” she smiles at her son and walks towards him, placing a kiss on the top of his head.
“Okay ma.”
“Any problems...” she goes to speak but Tripp smiles.
“I'll call,” he nods at her and she steps towards the door, blowing us both a kiss before she disappears.
“I promise I'll be okay,” he reassures me, nerves still building as the seconds pass.
“I know,” I look over at her, guilt shaming me.
“She will have the best time, we will have lots of fun,” his voice pulls me back around to look at him and I stare at him with adoring eyes.
“I know,” I beam at him, “I just feel guilty.”
“Well don't. Get used to this Dixie, get used to me being here, used to me showing up for both of my girls, because this is how it's going to be,” and his fingers lace through mine, pulling me closer to him as our lips hover over each other’s. “I love you Dixie Walker, this is your life now. Our life. Now go, before my brother drags your ass out of this house,” he kisses me quickly and my blood pumps loudly in my ears as I smile against his mouth.
“I'm going,” I whisper, lips still locked.
“Good, go,” he smiles back.
“If your physio gets too handsy...”
That has him pulling away, laughing loudly.
“Baby, I’m pretty sure I told you last night that it's only ever been you...” And I nod. “But, if she does...”
I swat him and pout, sticking my bottom lip out as I sulk.
“I'm joking baby, if she gets too handsy, I'll let her know that I belong to my beautiful Dixie Walker.”
I smirk, leaning in for one more kiss before I reluctantly pull myself away from him and walk over to kiss Lainey on the head. Turning, I move towards the front door when he grabs my attention.
“Dixie?”
“Yeah,” I breathe, a permanent smile on my lips.
“Wear the cowboy hat when you ride me tonight.”
“Tripp!” my body flames in heat, my stomach knotting at the thought, but I have to calm myself down and I rush out of the front door and run until I am at the bunk house.
Tripp Rivera.
Hot as fucking sin, and he is all mine.