14. Catalina
Catalina
I wanted to be a doting wife and accompany my husband on his ranch chores, but as soon as the smell of shit hits my nose, I’m done for.
Still, I insisted on coming. So I expect a reward once we’re done.
I’m standing at the edge of the pasture in my blinged-out boots, shorts, and one of Carter’s tees tied at my waist, watching my husband do the thing he was born to do.
He’s on horseback, hat pulled low, his voice carrying across the field as he whistles and calls to the dogs.
Yes, we have two working dogs now, blue heelers.
The cattle shift and move in waves, following his steady commands.
He looks carved from the land itself, broad shoulders, reins in one hand, as the sun reflects off his tattoos winding down his forearm.
Sooooo sexy.
I lean against the fence with my arms crossed, pretending I’m not staring like he’s the star of my cowboy romance daydream. He sees me anyway, his blue eyes locking onto mine, a slow grin spreading across his face, a smile he only reserves for me.
“You just gonna stand there lookin’ pretty, darlin’?” he calls, voice low and teasing.
“Yes,” I shout back, dramatically. “This is my contribution. Moral support. You’re welcome.”
He shakes his head and chuckles, then whistles again, guiding the herd toward the loading pens. The dogs dart and bark, quick as shadows, keeping the cattle in line.
When he finally rides back toward me, sweat soaking his shirt, his grin is smug. “Told you it ain’t glamorous.”
I push off the fence, reaching up to brush dust from his beard, my heart pounds at the way he leans into my touch like it’s second nature. “No,” I admit, softer now. “It’s not glamorous.”
Smirking, I loop my arms around his neck. “But it is sexy.”
His chuckle is low as his hand slides around my waist, leaning down to kiss me, dust and sweat and all. “Good. ’Cause this is who I am, darlin’.”
Hours have passed, and I’m sitting in the shade, wondering if I’m dehydrated or in a coma from horse shit.
Carter swings down off his horse, his boots hitting the ground hard. He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and squints at me.
“You look real comfortable over there,” he drawls.
I gasp, clutching at my chest. “Excuse me? I’m providing emotional support. Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to sit here looking this good while you’re covered in cow shit?”
He snorts, shaking his head. “You ain’t even touched a cow yet.”
“Yeah, and I don’t plan to,” I fire back, wrinkling my nose as one lets out a loud, wet moo. “They’re terrifying, Carter. Look at them. They’re huge and judgy. That one over there just gave me side-eye.”
“That one’s a steer, darlin’. He doesn’t care about you.”
I point dramatically. “He cares.”
Carter chuckles, and I want to be annoyed, but it’s stupidly hot. “C’mon,” he says, crooking a finger at me. “You wanted to see what I do, you’re gonna help.”
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes. “Define help . Because if it involves me being trampled to death, I decline.”
“Just stand by the gate, baby,” He smirks, “Wave your arms if one tries to bolt. That’s it.”
“Oh, sure, just wave my arms. Easy.” I toss my hair, climbing the fence, “If I die, tell Layla and Amelia I love them, and make sure my bow is buried with me.”
Carter groans, dragging a hand down his face. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet you married me,” I sing-song, giving him a dazzling smile.
He steps close, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his voice dropping low enough to make me shiver. “Best damn decision I ever made.”
I blush hard, then immediately cover it with a dramatic sigh. “Ugh. Stop being sweet when I’m trying to complain.”
He laughs and shakes his head as he walks back toward the herd, muttering, “My wife, ladies and gentlemen.”
I’m still standing by the gate like Carter told me, with my arms crossed, my rhinestone boots gleaming in the dust. Easy, right? Just stand here, wave my arms, keep the cows from running off.
Wrong.
One of the cows, a fucking big one, with broad shoulders and dead eyes, begins lumbering toward me.
My stomach drops.
“Carter!” I shriek, flailing immediately. “He’s coming for me! He knows I’m weak!”
From across the pen, Carter tips his hat back and stares, unimpressed. “Darlin’, that’s a heifer. She’s just walkin’.”
“Just walking? Toward me? That’s murder in cow language!” I wave my arms wildly, shrieking louder when the cow blinks at me and keeps going. “Back! Get back!”
The heifer pauses, looks at me like she’s over it, then turns away.
I sag against the gate, panting. “Oh my God. I just survived a near-death experience.”
Carter’s laughter rolls low across the field, his shoulders shaking as he shakes his head. “You’re somethin’ else, Catalina.”
Another cow tries to break for the side, and I gasp, throwing myself dramatically in its path, arms flailing. “Not today, Satan!”
The cow veers off, annoyed, and Carter whistles to the dogs, who swoop in and cut it off properly.
“Darlin’,” Carter calls, laughter still in his voice, “you don’t gotta throw yourself in front of ’em.”
“Yes, I do,” I huff, brushing dust off my shorts. “This is life or death. I’m basically a hero right now. You’re welcome.”
He rides closer, sliding off his horse, that damn grin tugging at his mouth. “Hero, huh?”
“Yep.” I stand taller. “I saved your cattle. Without me, this whole operation would’ve collapsed.”
He steps straight into my space, smelling of leather, sweat, and sunshine, his blue eyes burning with amusement. “You’re lucky I love you,” he mutters, pulling me into a kiss before I can argue.
My heart flips, my grin smug. “No, you’re lucky I love you.”
Another cow drifts too far from the herd, and instead of calmly waving like he told me, I take off after it in my rhinestone boots, across a pasture.
“Catalina!”
“I’ve got it!” I holler back, sprinting. Dust flies everywhere, my bow threatens to fall out of my hair, and the cow? Yeah, she doesn’t even speed up. She glances back like, really, this girl?
“Hyah!” I yell, clapping my hands on her butt. “Move!”
The cow flicks her tail and lumbers back toward the others, mostly because she feels like it, not because of me. I stop, panting, hands on my knees. “See? Natural cow whisperer.”
Carter rides up on his horse, glaring down at me. “Darlin’, you just chased her in a circle.”
I straighten, brushing my hair out of my face. “Circle or not, she went where I wanted. That’s called ranching.”
His jaw flexes, like he’s trying not to laugh. “You’re gonna drive me insane.”
Before I can retort, another one tries to slip past the dogs. I shriek and wave my arms, but it's too late, and it bolts. Carter whistles, the dogs dart, and in two seconds flat, the cow is back in line.
I glare at the dogs. “Okay, rude. I had it under control.”
“They did the job you were supposed to be doin’,” Carter says, deadpan.
I stomp my boot into the dirt, dust puffing up dramatically. “Excuse me? I’m putting my heart and soul into this! I almost got trampled, I broke a nail, and I inhaled cow particles.”
He swings off the horse, strides toward me, sweat dripping down his temple, eyes dark with amusement. “Cow particles, huh?”
“Yes.” I shove at his chest, though he doesn’t budge. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
He smirks, cupping my face in his calloused hand, thumb stroking my cheek. “You’re the biggest disaster out here.”
I grin, smug and unbothered. “And you love me for it.”
He kisses me right there in the dirt, cows bellowing in the background, the dogs barking, and for a second, I forget I’m covered in sweat and dust.
One of the cows lets out a long moo that echoes across the pasture. I break the kiss, wrinkle my nose, and groan, “Ugh, he just ruined my moment.”
Carter throws his head back and laughs before tugging me back against him.
Okay, maybe I’m not the best ranch hand. But at least I’m entertaining.
My fingers work carefully, pinching the edges of a grape leaf around the mixture of rice, lamb, and spices.
Each roll is small and precise, snugly tucked beside the others in the pot, just as my nene once showed me.
Steam rises upward, carrying the rich scent of tomatoes and mint, filling the air with a comfort that feels like home.
Behind me, boots softly scuff against the tile.
The sound alone makes my chest tighten, and then Carter’s presence appears—solid, unavoidable.
His chest presses against my back, broad and steady, his warmth soaking into me until the chill in the kitchen vanishes.
His beard brushes the edge of my temple, rough against the softness of my skin.
“What’re you makin’, baby?” His voice is low, a gravelly whisper against the shell of my ear.
“Dolma,” I say quietly, smoothing another leaf, tucking it with careful hands.
He repeats it, slower, “Dolma.” A hum follows, deep in his chest. “Don’t know what the hell that is. But it smells like heaven.” His lips graze my skin as he speaks, as though he’s breathing the word straight into me. “Smells delicious, baby.”
I suck in a breath as the leaf slips between my fingers.
He doesn’t pull away. Instead, he closes the space further, his arms sliding around my waist until his palms rest against my stomach.
His nose brushes along the curve of my jaw before his mouth begins its slow descent down my neck, featherlight kisses pressed one after another, his beard scratching tenderly against me.
“Carter,” I whisper, but it comes out like a plea.
“You look so damn beautiful like this,” he murmurs, voice rough with sincerity. His lips find the spot just below my ear, lingering there. “Cookin’ somethin’ I don’t even understand. All focused. All mine.”
His words settle into me until my chest feels too full to contain them. My fingers tremble as I place the last roll into the pot. The simmering broth hisses when the lid meets the heat, but the sound barely registers over the hum of his voice in my ear.