Chapter 5 #2
R ake filled the cab of the utility vehicle. The messenger bag was secured in the compartment under her seat. Her water bottle rocked in the cup holder every time they hit uneven ground, and she was jostled into him, her thigh brushing against his muscular one, almost as if he was doing it on purpose.
“Can't you find more level terrain?” Jorja spoke through clenched teeth, clutching the UTV’s frame. She was going to be sore later, and they had only been driving for thirty minutes. They had passed cattle, horses, and wranglers.
“This is a ranch, not a country club. I’ll slow down some.”
Behind the wheel, with Cody in the passenger position, Skye flew by, beaming. “Yeehaw!”
“I love that girl but she going to be the death of me.” He muttered, slamming on the brakes and shouting. “Slow the fuck down, young lady, or lose your privileges.”
Jorja stopped short of face-planting into the dashboard. “Dammit, Rake.”
Skye immediately slowed the vehicle to a crawl.
So did Rake. “Sorry about that. Great reflexes though,” he said to his passenger, then barked at Skye. “No faster. Hear me?” He turned to Jorja. “Why isn’t your harness fastened?”
“Because it’s not working.”
“Try again. Sometimes they’re filled with debris.”
“I did. No luck.”
“Yes, Uncle.” Skye snapped, staying distant from them, then stopping in the midst of wildflowers. She and Cody hopped out. Cody went to the back and grabbed a horse bucket from the bed of their UTV and began picking some of the blooms.
“Let me see.” Rake came around to her side of the vehicle.
Jorja noted pump jacks and drilling rigs in the distance while he worked on the harness. She recalled the maps she had studied. They were getting closer to their destination.
“It’s operational now, Jorja, but could use a good cleaning. Try it.”
It worked with effort. “Thanks.”
“This is business, ladies, not a foraging session.” He called.
“Just chill, Rake.” Cody chided, helping Skye with another bucket and several gallon-sized bottles full of water. “Five minutes isn't going to mess anything up.”
Rake grimaced and speared his fingers through the thick dark waves Jorja’s fingers itched to play with.
“Five minutes. You’re on the clock.” He retorted, earning eye-rolling from both Skye and Cody.
Lord love a duck; he sounded like a parent. “Discipline comes easily to you.” Jorja commented.
“It's a challenge, but if it involves safety, it’s far easier. She's a wild thing, like her mama was.” His gruff tone was the only way she could read his emotions since sunglasses shaded his eyes.
“Can I ask?”
“Sure.”
“What happened? Those details weren't in the property documents.”
He shifted his attention to his niece and attorney who gathered flowers. “Boating accident.” His voice dropped so low that she had to lean toward him to hear. “Nell, Luis, and his parents were off the coast of Florida, deep sea fishing. There was a collision. The boat exploded. No one survived. Fortunately, Nell and Luis had all of the paperwork in order, so I became guardian, never dreaming it would happen. None of us did. But—” He compressed his lips, then expelled a long sigh. “It's been an honor to step up and do this for my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. Luis’ family sued, but the paperwork was done properly and held. Skye inherits Nell’s third of the ranch when she turns thirty. Until then, I'm trying to teach her everything I can, including how to negotiate oil and gas leases.”
“Your parents?”
“They retired when I turned thirty. Travel all over. When here, they prefer to stay in the Creek House, the original house up front. Near where you ended up on your hands and knees.” He slipped off the sunglasses and locked eyes with her. His were full of heat. “Mm … That image of you still stirs my blood.”
Jorja squirmed in the seat, warring between the ember of desire he had kindled and mulling over all of what he had disclosed about his family’s tragedy. It was obvious that it still affected him. How could it not? If she lost Clem or her parents, Jorja had no idea how she would cope. Please God , she prayed, blinking back the tears.
“Hey.” Rake gently squeezed her knee. “It's okay.” He waved to Skye and Cody, who was behind the wheel this time, to go on.
Jorja watched the UTV disappear over a rise. “I’m good. Just very sorry about your family. She wished she had known ahead of time, was more prepared. “It’s a lot.”
“It was and still is at times. But we’re doing okay.”
She became lost in his eyes and inhaled a stuttering breath, trying to quell the sensations of longing. Of craving.
“You need a better poker face, love.” Rake canted toward her, his breath caressing the shell of her ear. “Your reaction to my touch arouses a fever pitch in me and now is not the time to deal with what we want?—”
The detector mounted above the rearview mirror beeped loudly once and lit up green.
He straightened and looked around them, scowling. Suddenly the sunlight faded, and thunder rumbled in rolling echoes, that radiated in every direction. A light mist coated the windshield, quickly turning to a steady rain.
He reached for his phone and grimaced as he studied the radar. “You’ve got to be kidding. We’ve gotta get to shelter immediately. This storm is on steroids, and we’re totally exposed. We’re about to get washed out.” He gunned the gas, his head swiveling, continually scrutinizing the world around them.
“It’s here?”
“It’s close. Early.”
“What about Skye and Cody?”
“They have a detector. All of our vehicles and structures have them. Phones fail. I expect the girls have taken cover.”
The heavens opened and rain splattered the UTV like paintballs. The wind gusted, blowing the rain sideways, drenching her. Then came the sizable hail. The storm’s violence and the sudden change in temperature made her shiver. His solid presence was comforting.
Time crawled as they sped through deteriorating conditions. The utility vehicle skidded over ponding muddy water and flew over another rise. Rake turned a sharp left after passing a group of mature trees; the torque swayed Jorja toward him. He yelled over the noise. “Hold on.”
Heart hammering, Jorja death-gripped Rake’s powerful bicep, and gulped. Damn, he’s solid. She jumped when the massive boom behind them reverberated in her.
“You’re okay.”
She nodded and gulped. The detector beeped twice as it turned blue.
“Shelter’s close.”
How the hell does he know? It’s impossible to see anything through this torrential downpour.
Rake slammed on the brakes and skidded to a halt. In front of them was a UTV. Behind it was a structure that was difficult to make out through the sheets of rain and the darkness that rivaled night.
“My harness released again.”
“I’ll look at it after this passes, Jorja.”
Three beeps pealed through the rumbling storm. The detector glowed purple-red.
“C'mon!” He grabbed Jorja’s hand and pulled her from the UTV, pushing her ahead of him and toward Cody who stood in the threshold.
Jorja resisted. “My bag.”
“No time. The compartment’s waterproof. Retrieve it after this passes.”
Cody held a detector similar to the one in their utility vehicle. “It’s closing in fast. Hurry!” It glowed bright red and emitted three loud beeps, then cycled again. Three more beeps.
Overhead, charred clouds buckled and writhed. Thunder blasted and cracked, and glittering-gold lightening ruptured in a sizzling display traversing the sky.
“Cellar.” Cody urged loudly behind Skye. “This promises to be a real gully-washer.”
“Power out?” Rake briskly steered Jorja toward the meager kitchen.
“Could be,” Skye said, right next to him. “I didn’t check before turning off the breakers and the main.”
They clamored down wood steps—with Rake bringing up the rear and shutting the door—and into a cool, small cocoon of hard-packed earth. On one side, canned food, large jugs of water, and emergency supplies filled the shelves. A half-dozen votives in jelly jars and the lightning detector provided just enough light to them to see. The cabin creaked and moaned as the storm raged above them and the detector cycled three beeps intermittently.
Soaked through, Jorja shivered in the small, cool space as she dropped next to Cody. “I’ll try not to get you wet,” she said, watching as Skye scurried to her equally saturated uncle, who snuggled her into his side.
“Don’t even worry about it. I should have grabbed a towel or blanket.”
“Cody, I’m thankful you remembered where the camp is.” He rubbed Skye’s arm. “You rarely come out this way.”
“Actually, it was Skye who remembered.” Cody shared. “That one massive boom had me as jumpy as spit on a hot skillet. I missed the turnoff.”
“Well done,” he said to Skye who had her face buried in his wet shoulder. “You’re okay. We’re safe down here.” Rake murmured. “The cabin has weathered worse.”
Jorja’s heart melted as Rake continued to comfort his niece. “How fortunate that it has a cellar.”
Thunder bellowed again, but with less energy.
“All of the cabins do. Storm’s moving out. We’re already back to blue,” Rake said, glancing at the detector. Its beeping altered to a pattern of two. “We’ll wait until there’s no risk of lightning.”
After the detector had been silent for thirty minutes, Rake turned his phone back on; the radar was clear. They exited the cellar. The cabin seemed no worse for the storm-lashing. The sun was out, the temperature was noticeably cooler, and nature was back to work.
R ake wiped down the seats of the utility vehicle with towels from the cabin, then reexamined the harness. He fiddled with it, shook it, then wiped it down with one of the towels. He tested it again. “All good. The retractor had enough shit in it that it stopped workin'. Happens.”
“So, I’ll no longer be in danger of flying out of my seat and into you?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. The corner of his mouth hitched upward. “Unfortunately no, but you will be safe.”
A thrill chased through her. “Thanks.” Not really. If she was being honest, a part of her was disappointed that being safely strapped-in meant she would no longer be jostled against him enjoying his intoxicating man-scent.
“We lost time with the storm. I’ve a lunch appointment that can’t be changed. We’ll take one of the ranch roads to the tract. Not as pretty of a drive but a hellava lot faster.”
During the overview of the parcels, Jorja noted the additional provisions Rake wanted in the lease, with the understanding that other considerations could come up during negotiations. Only one could be a sticking point.
“It’s only fair, Jorja. I comfortable dealin' with you, but behind you is Ogden-Keller. If your father balks, well, let Jamison know that I, as the representative of the Carpenter Ranch LLC, will negotiate with you only, not him. We all know there are other outfits interested in the ranch. We’ll go with one of them if our demands aren’t met. That’s my leverage. All the cards are out on the table. You fight for me and for our ranch. For our families. For you and me. Do I have your word?”
“Yes,” she said, ecstatic, committed to ending the fruitless hostility.
She and Rake could do this, yet nervousness circled like brackish water. Her father’s reaction and the guarantee of her mother piling on—influenced by his domineering personality—guaranteed an ugly fight. But you can win this, and you will.
Rake drove one of the paved ranch roads back to the main entry of the property, with Cody and Skye following. He chuckled as they passed the spot where Jorja had made her first impression. “Woman, how we met is seared into my brain forever.”
Jorja looked away from him, once again experiencing discomfiture. You need to get over it or you can’t move forward.
At the main house, Cody waved goodbye and left.
Skye trotted over and hugged Jorja. “I’m leaving tomorrow but hope to see you before I go to college.” She side-bumped Rake and trotted off.
He stared at Skye as she ran up the stairs and disappeared into the house. “Well, that was subtle.”
Jorja snagged the messenger bag after climbing out of the UTV. What a wild morning—a massive storm, sheltering in a cellar under one of the hunting cabins, hours of close proximity with Rake, and the tentative agreement on an enormous lease.
Rake looked up from his phone. “It looks to be all clear for your drive. The gas is topped off? Your phone is charged?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, Skye was back and between them with an insulated lunch bag. “Here,” she said, thrusting it at Jorja. “For the drive. Four iced waters, two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on sourdough. Ruffled chips. They’re my favorite. Carrot sticks. They’re from the garden, which my uncle promised to tend while I’m gone. Oh, and Rake’s to die for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, which is why I packed the extra water. Eating only one cookie is impossible.”
Jorja couldn’t remember the last time anyone had packed her a meal. “Skye. How on earth?”
“I had it ready for tomorrow’s trip, well, except the water because you know, you can’t take full bottles on planes. I figured you can eat and drive. It might make the time go faster. You can get the bag to Rake sometime later this week.”
Jorja hugged Skye and watched Rake, who was rubbing the back of his neck and gazing out at the distance. “Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Skye stepped back and looked from Jorja to Rake. “Okay … I’m really going. See you Jorja. Soon.” She raced to the house.
Rake laced his fingers with Jorja’s and walked her to the truck. “This is how I want to proceed. Cody will handle things on my end. Thanks for your time and for hangin' in there. Be careful goin' home.”
Not so happy with his farewell, she pulled her hand from his, pivoted on her heel, and reached for the truck’s handle.
A broad hand covered hers, stopping further movement. “Jorja.” Rake cupped her shoulder, turned her about-face, and pressed her to him. His eyes searched hers and then dropped to her lips. The kiss lingered. Slow and soft.
Wanting more, she surrendered to his kiss, its warm passionate energy, and their shared breath until he drew back, breathing heavy like her.
He and planted a kiss on her forehead. “I've been clear that I want you, Jorja. You want me, too, but there’s a generational dissension to address and the lease to finalize. I’m not comfortable with anything more until all that we discussed today is settled. It would feel wrong, and I want us to start on a clean slate.”
I want us to start on a clean slate. Yes. His words rang true. She wanted the same. “Okay.” Jorja hoped upon hope.