Coming Home to the Mountain: Complete Edition

9. Rye

CHAPTER 9

Rye

T he next several days, we don't leave the cabin. Why would we? Everything we need in the world is right here.

We’ve got food. We have heat. We have one another. Prairie rolls over in the bed, looking up at me with a morning smile.

“Hey, handsome,” she says, kissing me then climbing onto me. “Somebody woke up in a good mood,” she teases, stroking my cock, up and down.

“Who are you talking about?” I ask. “You're the one with a smile and a wet cunt.”

She laughs. “You're the one with a rock-hard cock.” She lifts her ass ever so slightly. I run my hand over her thighs and her sweet pussy that’s dripping as I finger her, easing her down on my thick cock. “There you go, baby,” I say, setting my hands on her perfect hips as she lowers her mouth to mine, kissing me.

Her tits graze my chest, her big, round globes. I draw one to my mouth then the other, sucking them.

“Fuck,” I groan as she begins to ride me. Her hips moving in a circle, her pussy gushing, coming as she takes me.

“Oh my God,” she moans, a grin on her face, her long hair loose around her shoulders. Her eyes bright and beautiful.

The morning sun streaks through the windows and I know it's going to be a good fucking day.

With Prairie, it always is.

For a year, I felt like I was in the shadows, but a week with her in my life, and it's nothing but light.

“Fuck,” I say. “I'm so damn close.”

“Good,” she says, moaning, “so am I. Oh, oh God.” She moans, panting, moving faster, faster, faster. Until she lets out the most glorious sound. This girl can orgasm like nothing else. And I fucking love to watch her get off. She thrusts her sweet little cunt toward me as I pound her tight pussy with my willing and ready cock.

My come shoots deep inside her.

She rolls off of me laughing. “Okay, so that was a wonderful way to start the day.”

We shower, unable to keep our hands off of one another as we do, but as we dry off, she puts on my bathrobe and I wrap a towel around my waist. We head to the kitchen and I start making a pot of coffee.

She gets working on the bacon and eggs. Thankfully, there's grocery delivery in this town and we've been able to stock up that way. We haven't wanted to leave our little cocoon and we haven't wanted anyone to come around.

God knows my family has tried.

My brothers and sisters have all attempted to make appearances, but I wouldn't let them past the door. It's not that I don't want them to spend time with Prairie. It's just that right now we're in what we're calling our honeymoon stage. And we need to get to know one another first.

The moment my family gets involved, things will change. Prairie will see me differently… and I’m scared for that.

My siblings and parents have been texting for the last few days about Sunday dinner. I need to make a decision.

“Leila is coming over later with lunch, wasn’t sure if you remembered.”

“Around noon?” I ask. Prairie nods. “I’ll work in the garage or something, to give you girls space.”

I run a hand over my jaw as she pours the freshly brewed coffee into two mugs. We carry them to the living room and sit down on the couch, side by side. Of course, I quickly draw Prairie into my lap. I need her next to me, always.

“That'll be good for you to touch base with her,” I say. Leila is the only person who's come into our cabin since Prairie moved in. “Hey, it’s Sunday—didn’t you say you always have dinner with your family on Sunday?”

“Yeah,” I say with a grunt. “There's family dinner tonight.”

Prairie twists her lips. “What does that entail, exactly?”

“Well, you know everything about my family already, right?”

She laughs, not understanding the weight of what she’s just brought up. “Everything? I don't know about that. I mean, I know you have six brothers and sisters. I know you're the oldest. I know your mom named you all after the food she was craving when she was pregnant. I know that your brother Bartlett got married less than a month ago.” Prairie taps her finger to her chin. “Your younger brother Rueben's wife died a few years ago and he has a little girl named Plum.” She's ticking things off on her fingers now. “I know your parents are really nice if a bit overprotective and that you have some crazy cousins over in Burly. Right?’

I chuckle. “Yeah. Good memory, Prairie.”

“Was it a test?” she asked. “Did I pass?”

“I’m not testing you.” I kiss her. “I don’t play games, Prairie.”

“If we're going to your parents’ for dinner, are you going to tell them that you asked me to marry you?” she asks, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Course I want to. But I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable situation. Hell, I don’t want to put us in a situation that we're not ready for. We don’t have to go tonight.”

She swallows. “Do you not want me to meet your family?”

I run a hand over my beard. “I didn’t say that.”

She sighs, thinking I’m hesitating over the proposal, but really it’s Luke. It’s the past. It’s the last damn year catching up to me. When I brought up marriage before, Prairie said she wasn’t ready to say yes.

“I know I didn't give you the answer you wanted the other night,” she says, her hand on my chest.

I shake my head. “That's not it. I know me blurting that I wanted you to marry me and make you my wife right after we had sex for the first time wasn't the best way to go about making a proposal. But I still intend on marrying you. Sure, I need to give you some space. Make sure you know what you're getting into.” Prairie smiles. “But I know what I want . And that's you.”

“Rye, I don't need space. I just?—”

“You need a ring on that finger?”

Prairie laughs, shaking her head.

“It's a more traditional approach to an engagement, I suppose,” I tell her with a chuckle. “I know I'm a dumbass. I need to get you a ring and properly propose, and yeah, you should meet my family because, well, they're family. But I’m warning you, Prairie. They're also a lot.”

“When you say they're a lot , what does that mean?” she asks. “I'm only asking because I don't exactly have experience with family. I haven't really had one since, well, forever. It was my mom and me until I was about seven years old, and then she died and I was just placed in home after home. But those were just houses. There was never a place I belonged.” She looks around my cabin. “I never felt like I belonged until I met you, Rye. And I have a feeling your family might not understand that. We just met, they think I'm damaged goods, and?—”

“Hey,” Rye says, cutting me off. “Don't say that. You're not damaged anything. You're perfect. You're my everything. Prairie, you’re light itself. So don't say you're damaged. My family believes in good intentions and purity of heart. I don't want you to go into tonight thinking you have anything to prove, all right?”

She nods. “I’ll try to remember that,” she says softly.

I take her hand. “So, with that settled, when you imagine getting married, what kind of proposal are you hoping for?”

Prairie shakes her head, laughing. “Rye, you may be the oldest brother, but you did miss a few things. You're not allowed to ask a girl what kind of proposal she wants or what kind of ring she wants. Those are things you have to figure out yourself. I was locked up for four years and yet somehow, I know that information. Go ask your younger brother Bartlett. He's the married one, right? I bet he could give you some pointers.”

I groan. “I’m not asking Bartlett for advice.”

Prairie laughs. “Well, I better go figure out what I'm going to wear tonight because I have no clothes and I can't exactly show up at your parents’ house wearing rags or this robe.”

“Maybe Leila could take you shopping?” I suggest.

At that, Prairie perks up. “You wouldn’t mind if I went out for a few hours and went shopping with her?”

“Hell, it’s probably good for you. Treat yourself. I’ll get some cash and make sure you’re set up. All right?”

“All right,” she says. “Thanks, Rye.”

“Anything for you, baby.”

Later, when we're driving up to my parents’ house, I admit to being nervous like I never am.

It's not because I think that they're not going to approve of Prairie. I could care less if anyone approves of her, of us. I’ve only seen her mostly naked since the day we met, but right now she's done up like a princess. Leila did her good. They went shopping this afternoon, which put her in a good mood, and I realized Prairie has some making up to do. She has lost some time.

She didn't get to go shopping with friends and get coffee at the cafe in the last four years. She didn’t get to go out to restaurants and movie theaters. Or go to birthday parties like most people. She’s been traumatized deeply.

And the fact that she and Leila are becoming friends is a good thing. Leila is a smart, sensible person. And that's the kind of friend Prairie needs right now.

“You sure I look all right?” she asks.

“You look beautiful,” I say and she does. She has on a pair of jeans and boots that are brown leather, a sweater that's the color of marigolds, and a plaid scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair has been curled ever so slightly, and she has makeup on her face, which I've never seen her in. Basically everything about her is her own beauty magnified.

“I don't want to mess up today is all,” she says.

“You're not gonna mess up,” I promise her as I park the car at my parents’ house.

“Wow,” she says, taking in the family home. “This whole property is incredible.”

“My dad built this place,” I tell her, opening her door.

“When are you going to have to go back to work for your father?” she asks.

“I'm guessing in a week.”

She nods, taking in that information. I don't exactly know what Prairie is going to do if I'm gone, working all day, and it worries me.

When we walk into the house, not everyone in the family is there yet. And I'm glad that we're not the first or the last. It'll help ease Prairie into the situation.

Mom and Dad are in the kitchen with Fig and Mac, my two youngest siblings.

“Well, hello, Prairie,” my mom says.

Dad gives me a handshake and a clap on the back. “Missed you this week, son. Cash is good to have around, but he is a Rowdy through and through.”

I chuckle. “Yeah? Wondered if you’d replaced me.”

Dad laughs quietly, as is his nature. “You know Cash. He belongs on that ranch of his—he needs to wrangle a horse or cattle. He’s too wild for a hammer and nails.”

I grin, appreciating the sentiment that I haven’t been completely forgotten by my old man.

Dad walks over to Prairie. “How you doing, sweetheart?” he asks her politely.

She smiles, her hand in mine. “I'm doing all right. It's been a good week, actually. Thank you.”

“I love your outfit,” Fig says. “I'm Fig, by the way, Rye’s littlest sister. Did you get the outfit at the clothing boutique down on Snug Street?”

Prairie nods slowly. “Yes, I did. I went shopping there today with Leila. She's a social worker in town.”

Mom's nods along, taking the information in. “Well, Leila is a very wonderful woman. I always had a good feeling about her. She has a good head on her shoulders.”

Prairie nods. “Yeah. We met when I was first admitted to the hospital. She gave me my evaluation, but I guess we're friends now.”

“Well, that's lovely,” Mom says, stirring a big pot of her Sunday sauce. She’s wearing an apron, and Fig is spreading garlic butter on loaves of French bread. Mac has been relegated to the dishwasher, where he is unloading it.

“I’m Mac,” my brother says, a stack of clean dinner plates in hand. “Rye’s youngest brother. Though I’m twenty-one and not that young.”

“It's good to meet you,” Prairie says. “I've heard so much about everyone.”

I look around. “Where's everyone else?” Just as I say that, Bartlett and his wife Abby come through the door with Rueben and his little girl Plum. Introductions are made as Lemon and Graham come in too. Soon after, they're arguing about some speeding ticket Lemon got, and Graham, being the local cop, tells her if she doesn't want a speeding ticket she shouldn't go over the speed limit.

Prairie is quiet, listening, and I wrap my arm around her shoulder protectively.

I know Mom and Dad are watching every move we make.

But I'm not going to change how I treat Prairie to make them more comfortable. She's my priority now. She's going to be my wife.

Bartlett's wife Abby comes over to Prairie, introducing herself. “I'm so happy to meet you. I'm an outsider to the family too. I just married into this lot about a month ago. Lucky me.”

“Well, congratulations,” Prairie says. “Where did you get married?”

“In the barn here at the back of the property. It's a gorgeous place. I’ll have to show you sometime.” She gives Prairie a wink.

Bartlett gives me a long look.

Graham comes over and asks Prairie how she's holding up.

“I'm well, thanks. It's nice to see you out of uniform,” she says with a smile.

Plum comes over too. “Hi Prairie. My name is Plum. I'm the granddaughter. The only granddaughter. What's your favorite kind of insect?”

Prairie smiles widely. “I would say a butterfly.”

Plum nods, taking this information in seriously. “Perfect choice. Mine too.” Plum laughs, skipping away.

Lemon takes her spot. “So how's it going, Prairie? You doing all right? I heard you've been up in the cabin with my brother all week.”

Prairie’s eyes widen, looking over at me for help, but before I can drag her away from an interrogation, Mom interrupts.

“Anyone hungry? Dinner is served!”

As we walk to the table, Prairie pauses at some family photos on the wall in the hallway.

“Who's that?” she asks.

Lemon is right behind her. “Oh, that's Uncle Luke. He was my dad's best friend. He died about a year ago. He was the most wonderful man in the world. Well, right next to my father. That's all of us out at Stout Lake. Our family has a lake house out there. It's about 90 minutes away.”

“Wow,” Prairie says. “Sounds nice.”

At the mention of Luke my body tenses, head to toe. I don’t want to think about him, think about what happened to him, right now.

“What's wrong?” Prairie asks, taking my hand.

I shake my head. “Nothing. Let's just go to dinner.”

We sit at the table and I force myself to forget about Luke's picture as I attempt to put on a smile.

“Why are you scowling?” Fig asks me.

Mac laughs. “Probably because Rye’s always in a bad mood.”

Prairie, though, looks over at me with a frown, not understanding their words.

I hold her hand protectively under the table.

Not wanting her to understand at all.