Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

21. Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Dixon

My jaw tightens until my teeth grit. “I thought all that bull was over with after Trevor and Cash…” I wave my hand, not needing to go into details.

Mason nods. “I thought so too. There hasn’t been any more disappearing, but we had a whole batch abort in the north pasture.”

I try to remember which ponds are up there, but come up shy. “I thought it was mostly Deer Creek that runs through there? Which pond are you talking about?”

Lori brings out a loaded platter full of glazed pork chops that smell amazing.

Damn, she’s a good cook. I can tell why Mason hasn’t wanted to go out as often the last few months.

“Someone cut down a whole swatch of Ponderosa Pines. So we moved them to Baker’s and then lost fifty head the first week.” He grimaces as he scoops salad onto his plate. “I sent off samples and had the vet come up with Wade.”

Char’s palm covers my knuckles on her leg.

I hate that she’s here at a sour time, but I’m lucky she’s not naive when it comes to ranch life.

“What did ol’ Doc Roberts say?” Frustrated doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling.

Not only did Trevor and Cash run off with thousands of dollars worth of cattle, they put Sophia and Lori at risk.

I was sure that Mason getting rid of them would eliminate the threat.

This means more people are involved.

“Doc Roberts has a new gal working for him by the name of Noelle Ray. She came from the dairies in Oregon so seems to know a lot about cows.” Mason slices off a piece of thick pork and chews slowly.

“Did she have any insight?” I follow his lead, but make sure there’s several tiny pieces on my plate for Paisley.

She seems easily wooed with food, so I want to keep her happy.

Her mom does too, gauging by the subtle moans I hear Char loosing next to me as she eats.

Fuck, they make my jeans tight.

The corner of Mason’s mouth curls up as he watches me.

Smart man keeping his comments to himself, though.

“She said it could be a bacterial contamination. She also pointed out that there’s no way that pond would reach those levels organically since it isn’t a manure leach field. But it’s one of those things that wouldn’t flag as intentional.” Mason stabs another chunk of meat and points at me. “She’s savvy. Wade filled her in on the troubles we’ve had and she agrees it looks intentional.”

Fuck.

“Ford and Sawyer are keeping tabs on the Big Bend ponds. I bought a shitload of cameras to put out.” Mason glances down at Paisley. “I mean a bunch.” He looks down at his sleeping son in his arms. “I guess I better get used to little ears again.” Sheepishly, he grins at Lori.

“Who’s Ford?” Char asks from beside me.

It’s strange, I feel like she’s been a part of my family this whole time.

“He’s the ranch manager, and pretty much a brother.” I think Ford is as much Black Gulch as any of us.

“More of one than Cade,” Mason says quietly before stuffing a pile of salad into his mouth.

“Who’s Cade?” Char whispers against my arm.

Lori stares at me wide-eyed from across the table and Mason drops his chin, suddenly very preoccupied with his plate.

“Our youngest brother.” I’ll need to fill her in eventually, just not in front of Mason.

As if she can read my mind, Char nods and pokes another fork full of food.

Jack wakes up and begins to squirm in Mason’s arms.

“Char? Did you want to check out the garden? You don’t mind if I feed the baby at the same time?” Lori reaches over as Mason passes her my fussy nephew.

“I’d like that.” Char flashes me a small smile. “Paisley, do you want to go outside?”

Paisley grabs one more piece of biscuit from my plate and nods, letting me slide her down to the floor.

When the door clicks shut behind them, Mason stands and begins to gather the dirty dishes off the table.

“Never thought I’d see you with anyone.” He moves the stack into the sink and pauses before opening the dishwasher. “Looks good on you. It’s about time.”

I’m not sure if he’s being sarcastic, but I don’t feel like arguing. “Thanks. What’s the plan for rotations?”

Talking about myself makes me uncomfortable. It’s no one else’s business who I spend time with, not even Mason’s.

He gives me a deadpan expression then shakes his head. “Bring me the leftovers. You know, normal humans would want to talk about how they met a pretty girl. I guess I shoulda realized you’re not like the rest of us earth folk.” Grinning, he scrapes the last of the food into containers and sets them in the fridge.

He should know that Char is special to me. Her presence alone signifies that.

Mason glances up, then sighs. “Fine. Since we won the bid on that north pasture, Ford is set to take the brunt up there and watch them this winter. It’s hell up there once it snows, so unless someone is coming in a helicopter, he will see them. I just need more cameras around here I guess.”

“What day next week do you need me up here?” I’m hoping Char will want to come too.

The thought of being apart from her makes my skin feel like ants are crawling over it.

He shuts the door and hits the button to start the wash cycle. “All week if you can. We’re running through probably two thousand head and can use all hands on deck.”

“Char can ride. I’ll see if she wants to join the fun.” I don’t think I’ll come up at all if she doesn’t want to.

“Why does she look familiar?” Mason leans against the counter with his hip, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Sophia bought Misty from her.” I’m betting he went with to pick up the horse.

His eyebrows rise. “Ah yea.” Then they fall. “I met her husband—”

“Ex.”

Mason nods. “Yea, I can see that. He was a jackwagon. She looked like she was ready to pop.” His hand waves in front of his belly. “Lazy ass just stood on the porch yelling at her.”

Anger surges through me making my fist clench at my thigh.

I can’t wait to get close to that dipshit again.

“Poor girl has shitty taste in men.” He flips me a lopsided grin before clapping me on the shoulder. “Kidding. Don’t kick my ass. She did a damn fine job on that mare. Maybe she can whip you into shape too?”

“Funny.” I’d do just about anything for her, but I’ll never admit that to my brother.

The main entrance opens to a swirl of giggles as Lori and Char run in with a black and white blur of a dog dodging past them. Their hair is plastered to their foreheads, and Lori pulls the blanket away from Jack’s face.

Caesar trots into the middle of the room near his bed and shakes, mud and water flies over the wall and floor.

“No puppy!” Paisley shrieks as she gets sprayed, but she’s laughing so hard she nearly falls over backwards.

I need to get Char one.

A big breed to keep her safe if I’m not there.

Fuck, if I can ever handle her being away from me.

“I’ll get some towels.” Mason disappears for a moment down the hall, then returns with a fluffy armful.

Char unfolds one and wraps Paisley in it, rubbing some of the excess droplets from her cheeks.

I take one and drape it around Char, my palms working up her arms as she takes care of Paisley.

Mason does the same with Lori.

I don’t mind that I’m getting wet, only that Char could be cold.

This is what it’s like? Having someone who you care more about than yourself?

It’s foreign, but it feels right.

When she turns to me smiling, I don’t miss the rigid peaks of her nipples poking through her thin shirt before she nestles against me.

They rub against my stomach as she buries into my arms.

I’m not sure if I’m ready for her to brush the bulge in my jeans. My control is becoming tenuous. I might just rip off her clothes in front of everyone and rut her like a stallion.

“Ready to go home?” I ask her quietly.

Her cheek moves in a nod against my ribs.

“Mason, I’ll bring your towels back.” Keeping my girls dry until they get to the truck is my priority.

Paisley just got over being sick, no need to tempt fate.

Holding one over Char while carrying Paisley is a feat I didn’t know I could do. But I get them both loaded in record time.

The rain turns into a constant drizzle as I drive through the dark. It isn’t long before the heater catches up sending Paisley to sleep in the back.

Char threads her fingers into mine and leans against her seat with a lazy smile. “That was nice, thank you.”

Heat blossoms through my chest. I was hoping she’d have a pleasant time.

“Did you want to come help next week? Mason was thrilled you could bring your own horse.” I pull her hand up to kiss her thumb. “He said you did such a good job on Misty, there’s hope you’d whip me into shape.”

Char snorts, then giggles softly. “It’d be good for Whiskey to get some more experience in different settings. Maybe Juniper too if it’s all day. He’s not used to cattle, so that would be a great way to desensitize him.”

Pulling up to her dark house feels more comforting than when I go to my own.

Maybe I need to make a point of bringing over more clothes?

The downpour has lightened enough I don’t need the towel. Tucking a sleeping Paisley into my shoulder, I carry her up onto the porch, waiting for Char to unlock the door.

There’s a thumping sound coming from the barn.

“I’ll go check on that if you want to put her in her crib, please? There’s a gate that always blows loose in the wind.” She drops her purse just inside onto the end table, and begins moving across the yard.

My guts turn watching her walk away, but there’s not much I can do with a toddler in my arms.

Gently, I tug the damp coat off her tiny body, then lay her down on the small mattress.

With a sigh, she rolls onto her side and curls around a stuffed teddy bear, then settles back.

Char should have been back by now.

I’m torn between leaving Paisley alone in the house, and checking on Char.

I have to know.

Jogging through the renewed rain, water cascades from the brim of my hat until I reach the overhang of the heavy door to the stable.

“Char?” I can’t see her. My heart begins to race.

“Where are you? Answer me!” Fighting the panic from my voice, I try to glance into each stall as my pace quickens.

Then I see her, crumpled in the mud near the water trough, bowed over her knees clutching a piece of paper, her back shuddering in sobs.