Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

9. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Dixon

It gets hot as fuck in the back of my truck as soon as the sun begins to climb.

Maybe black wasn’t the best color for a Montana summer.

Kicking out of my sleeping bag, I roll over and let the last of the cool air work up my bare legs. The thin fabric of my boxer briefs sends a chill over me as the sweat is pulled away by the slight breeze.

Burying my head in the travel pillow doesn’t help. I should get up and leave. Sleeping in Char’s driveway isn’t exactly the Hilton.

But at least I know she’s safe.

It was nice to see the hint of both of her big blue eyes last night. The swelling on her face is down from when I first saw her in the ER.

The morning isn’t being friendly as I roll over, pinning my unwanted hard-on beneath me.

There’s only a soft click of warning from her front door before there’s a light knock on the side of the canopy.

Tugging the blanket back over my hips, I shift onto my side to hide myself just in time.

“Dr. McCullough? I mean, Dixon? Are you awake?” Her voice is nearly a whisper.

If I wasn’t, I doubt she’s loud enough to wake me.

Maybe if she screamed my name.

Jesus Christ. That was inappropriate.

“Yea.” I let the tired tinge my words as they echo out of my truck.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t have any coffee. The container was empty.” She steps into view carrying a steaming mug and small mason jar half full of white powder.

When she sets them on the tailgate near my feet, she points at it. “I didn’t know if you wanted sugar.”

“That’s fine, thank you.” Sitting up, my head scrapes the aluminum roof.

I don’t dare uncover myself. “I’ll be heading out shortly.”

She doesn’t need to worry about me being here.

But then I catch sight of the horses on the outside of the barn.

Scratching the fresh scruff on my chin, I gesture towards them. “Do they need a flake or two before I leave?”

Her dainty brows furrow as she glances over the shoulder of her pink shirt. “Um, you don’t need to—”

I wave her quiet with a grunt. “I’m already here. Besides, it’ll help me loosen up before I’m in a saddle all day.”

“Okay.” Her tongue pokes out, touching the healing scab on her lip as she smiles.

Pulling the cover with me, I lean forward and pick up the hot mug.

Even though I’d prefer a little sugar, I take a tentative sip of it, as is.

It’s surprisingly crisp, and lightly sweet. “This is good.”

“I’m glad you like it. It’s my own blend.” She squints, turning to let the sun hit her face. “I appreciate you coming by. Paisley didn’t have a fever when she woke up.” Her mouth purses before she looks down. “It was nice to have a night I didn’t have to worry.”

When her blue eyes move back to meet mine, I swear I see tears in the corners.

Damn it.

“Well, you saved me a bit of driving time. I’m glad it worked out.” I don’t want to hurry her away, but I’m currently stuck under my sleeping bag until she leaves so I can crawl out of here in my underwear.

And it’s getting hotter.

As if she’s reading my mind, she takes a half step away. “I have more tea if you want any for the road.” Turning on her heel, she disappears past the hood of the truck.

The click of her door is the signal I was waiting for. Sliding out of the oven my bed roll has turned into, I unfold my jeans and kick them on.

My dick is finally soft enough to tuck behind my zipper and let me bend over to put on my boots.

I don’t know what the hell that was about, but it’s been a while since I’ve woken up that hard. Must be the outside air.

I’m not sure what I was expecting going into the aging barn, but it wasn’t that everything would be neat and organized.

The tools are labeled and hanging on the wall, the saddles are coordinated by size in the tack stall.

Even the walkway is clear of loose straw.

Color me impressed.

I bet when she isn’t knocked down, she’s a hell of a worker.

Fuck, it pisses me off that her ex did that to her. No one deserves it.

She’s out here thriving despite him. It makes me want to help her even more seeing that she’s trying so hard.

A spigot just inside the main pasture gate has a timer valve. Smart.

Flipping the switch, I know it will go off in just a few minutes.

How many times when I was a kid did I forget to turn off the water?

Well, not many. But Mason and Cade sure did.

Especially Cade. He was the wildest of us three brothers.

I wonder if he ever got more responsible? I haven’t seen him since the wreck he was in when Mason lost his wife ten years ago.

Eleven?

Shit. A lifetime.

Being on shift that night, having to tell Mason that Carolyn didn’t make it, was the single worst moment in my entire medical career.

No one could have prepared me for that.

And salt in the wound was knowing it was Cade who caused it.

Shaking my head doesn’t free it of the memories as I toss a bale of alfalfa into the feeders.

With a slip of my knife, I cut the twine holding it and yank them out.

There’s a hook where she’s been wrapping the loose strings that has a piece of masking tape over it that says “Tie me up” on it.

Cute.

It’s funny how many women joke and tease the idea, but don’t actually want it.

I wonder if Char does.

No, no I don’t. That’s a dangerous train of thought to follow.

The click of the water faucet tells me that the timer went off.

Looks full. It’s time to go.

When I trudge back to my truck, the empty tea mug and jar are still sitting on the tailgate.

Do I just leave them on the porch? Or make her come to the door again?

I squint at the flowery cup and scratch the whiskers on my chin.

They’re coming with me. It’ll be the excuse I need to stop by tonight.

She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m gonna be camping here every night until she tells me to leave.

The gallop of hooves behind me doesn’t faze me as I watch Mason giving Lori a long kiss while I lean over my saddlehorn.

Sophia is running her mare in patterns in the arena around the barrels over and over. She’s been working her ass off now that she’s just about recovered from breaking her femur last year.

I know she was worried that Misty would need more tuning up before she could run again, but that roan hasn’t missed a beat.

My own gelding tosses his head and chews on the bit in his mouth. Shadow is probably going to be a bit of a handful today, I haven’t ridden him in almost three weeks.

“I’m making biscuits tonight with dinner if you boys are back in time,” Lori giggles to Mason as he presses her lips one last time.

My newest nephew snuggles in a bright blue blanket against her chest between them, tiny fingers wrapping the edge.

“Oh, baby, I love your biscuits. We’ll be back.” He finally pulls away and pulls the reins around his own horse, who’s been standing placidly while Mason was acting like a lovesick fool.

Hank’s probably used to it.

When we’re out of earshot, I turn to my brother and raise an eyebrow. “How in the hell do you ever get out of the house with all that hoopla?”

Mason tips his hat back and laughs.

I swear he looks ten years younger. And he’s three years older than I am.

“You’re just jealous, Dix. You ever find someone that makes you happy, you’ll never want to leave home either.” He maneuvers his horse next to the gate and pulls the latch so we can ride through. “You know that might mean you’d have to loosen that stick you carry up your ass, though.” His lip curls in a smirk as he shuts the panel behind me.

“Funny. How’s Jack?” I didn’t get a chance to hold him this morning since I was late getting here.

Mason lets out a long sigh as he settles into his saddle. “Growing like a weed. Will be four months old tomorrow. Can you believe it?”

“Time flies.” I find my gaze dipping to a vague spot between Shadow’s black ears. What would it be like to have my own kids?

“You know what’s crazy? I think he’s going to have Lori’s green eyes. Sophia and Sawyer’s are blue like Carolyn’s.” Mason pauses.

I bet it still hurts him to talk about her, even after all of these years.

“Guess I’ll have to try harder on the next one to see if I can have one with our brown ones.” He turns and blinks rapidly at me exaggeratedly.

Shaking my head, I veer Shadow a half step wider from him. “Seems like a shit reason to have another kid, Mason.”

He squints at me and scratches the graying hair at his temple. “You don’t get it, do you? What better way to express the love you share with someone, then to create a life together that lives on past you?” He gestures to the dust cloud behind us where Sophia is still running her mare. “Carolyn is always here, through Sophia and Sawyer. That love lives on, bigger than either of us. I hope you can experience it someday.”

Paisley’s big blue eyes pop into my mind. “What about those who weren’t made from it?” I ask ruefully.

I know Char loves her very much. She’s a great mom.

The dad is a piece of shit.

Mason turns sideways and stares hard at me, for the first time in years looking very much like the older brother.

“Dix? What aren’t you telling me?” His dark eyes bore into me.

I can almost feel the questions behind them.

Shrugging them off, I let Shadow break into a canter to pull away. “Nothing.”

Mason prods Hank to match my pace. “I’d say, even a kid not made in love can still thrive with it and it will affect generations to come.” His teeth flash into a wide grin. “Of course, it doesn’t always work. Mom and Dad adored you, and you’re still a prick.” His words jostle as his Appaloosa breaks into a loping run.

Asshole.

But he’s right.