Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

28. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Char

“I don’t know,” I stammer.

Matt will retaliate. He always does.

“Too tight.” Paisley wiggles, her little face turning red as she struggles to get off my lap.

“Sorry, baby girl,” I whisper, letting her slide down.

She doesn’t take a step before she turns to Dixon and holds up her arms.

He picks her up where she nestles against his shoulder, then blows me a sloppy kiss. “Love you, mommy.”

Dixon’s mustache sneaks up at the corner as his caramel eyes fix on me.

They’re all watching me.

The sheriff clears his throat, shuffling his notebook in front of him. “Miss Char. When was your divorce finalized and were the horses discussed in it?”

“Um, five months now. But they were only lumped in as part of the farm.” I should have known better. If I had detailed them all out, none of this would have happened.

Shit. If I never hooked up with Matt, things really might be drastically different.

Dixon’s large hand flattens on my thigh and he gives me a gentle squeeze.

Blue tilts his hat back and crosses his arms over his arms over his lean chest. “Sounds like they belong to you, then.” His eyes are the color of the sky and it feels like he’s looking straight through me.

Shifting my feet, I prop them on the bottom rung of Dixon’s chair so I can find comfort in my knees pressing against his leg.

It helps to keep them from shaking so badly.

“Then we can get him for horse theft, breaking and entering, trespassing, assault…” Dixon focuses on Wade and gestures at him to start writing.

“I, um, all that is going to make him mad.” I try to clench my jaw to keep my chin from quivering. There’s a heavy weight in my stomach making me feel nauseous.

I just know Matt is going to do something. It’s not an “if”, it’s a “when”.

Wade chuckles. “Well, I don’t know too many criminals that went to jail that didn’t get angry.” He jots down a few lines then stops. “So, are you ready to press charges?” His dark brown eyes peer at me through a tousled lock of copper colored hair.

I think I’m going to be sick.

How can I do this, knowing that at any moment, Matt could show up?

Next time, I might not just be me that gets injured.

He could hurt Paisley.

Bile rises in my throat.

“Excuse me.” Rushing from the room, I narrowly make it to the bathroom in time to lose my breakfast into the toilet.

Guilt floods me when I flush the wasted food.

Damn it. I’m so lost.

I can’t let Matt keep dictating my choices.

But trying to fight back means that he will keep doing everything he can to make my life miserable.

“Here.” Dixon’s soothing deep voice cuts through the turmoil as he hands me a cool damp washcloth.

Paisley is perched on his arm, her sapphire eyes wide watching me.

The brisk touch of the rag doesn’t calm the fear racing through my body.

“Give me your hand.” He holds out his palm.

He’s rock solid when he pulls me to my feet, guiding me towards the bed. Sitting on the edge, he tugs me between his legs, cradling Paisley between us.

“Char, you need to tell me what’s holding you back. I can’t solve a problem I don’t know about.”

My mouth feels gross when I run my tongue over my teeth. “It’s just, well, I’m scared.” I know it’s the truth, but it doesn’t fully encompass the cavernous void that my mind is plunged into, bombarded by every worst possible outcome if I try to stand up to Matt.

Paisley wiggles from his arm and sprawls herself across the comforter.

Dixon takes the opportunity to pull me closer. “I know you are. It’s okay to be. But I know you’ve stood up to him before.”

Tears threaten to well in my eyes.

Distracting myself, I let my fingers thread through his hair and trace my nails down the back of his neck. “I was just trying to survive him.”

Fuck, it sucks to admit it.

I’m not brave. I can’t fight. All I can do is hope each time is the last.

Paisley twists across the mattress and kicks her legs over the edge to lower herself. Watching her move in front of the mirror to pose and make funny faces brings a small smile to mine.

“Char, you have an army now,” Dixon says softly, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I’ll do anything it takes to keep you safe, and those men out there would too.”

My jaw clenches. “I wish—” Taking a long breath, I bare all. “—that he was gone forever. That I could put him in the ground and never have to be afraid of him again.”

Dixon’s mustache twitches. “That’s my girl.” His broad palms cup my ass, pressing me against the bulge of his jeans. “You’re stronger than you realize.”

His confidence in me is intoxicating.

Pulling his chin between my breasts, I let my lips touch the bridge of his nose. “Thank you for having faith in me.”

The tip of his nose drifts from one of my nipples to the other, rubbing them through my shirt and making them poke out.

“I’ll be your monster rock.” He leans back, pulling me to straddle him on the bed.

“You got a monster something.” Riding his stiff crotch makes a fire kindle in my belly. “And it’s hard as a rock.”

He grabs my hips, churning himself against me, a grin flashing his white teeth below his dark mustache. “It’s a thing my dad did for my brother when he was little. Cade was afraid of the dark, so Dad found a shiny black stone and told him it was magic. He said as long as Cade held it, it would keep the boogie man at bay.”

His fingers dig into me as he kneads himself with my pelvis. “It wasn’t the pebble that kept them away, it was Cade’s confidence in himself.” He works his burning palm up and cups my cheek. “But I’ll be Matt’s worst nightmare if the rock doesn’t work.”

Heat builds within me, both at his words, and the rhythmic gyration he pulls me into.

I want to get lost in him.

Paisley’s chunky hands land on the bed. “Uppie.”

Dixon tangles his fingers into my head and pulls me down for a hard kiss. “Let’s get the ball in motion, I’ll reward you later.”

In a single movement, he sits up and pulls me with him before letting me slide down his muscular body.

He makes me feel special.

“Okay, let’s go talk to the sheriff.” I’d like to get this over with so I can have Dixon back to myself.

He nods, reaching into the waist of his jeans to adjust himself.

I just catch a glimpse of the top of his thick cock hiding beneath the band of his boxer-briefs before he smooths his jeans.

I don’t know why it makes it even hotter seeing him so turned on for me.

Paisley gives up on the bed, running ahead of us down the hall before skidding to a stop as she rounds the wall to the kitchen and falls onto her butt.

“I think she forgot we were here.” Blue’s arms are crossed over his chest, but his grin makes his eyes light up.

Wade lets out a chuckle. “I don’t think she’s the only one.” He leans back and yawns. “Was gonna gather the posse to find you, but didn’t think you wanted to be disturbed.”

Oh god. The rush of fire arcing up my cheeks could light up the darkest night like a beacon.

Dixon claps the sheriff on the shoulder while he sits. “See Wade, I always knew you were smarter than you looked.”

This draws a full bellied laugh from Blue.

I help Paisley get to her feet, grateful that Dixon diffused that for me.

“Would you like anything to drink? I’m sorry I didn’t offer before. I think I’m willing to move forward with a full statement.” I lean against the counter hoping the flurry of queasiness fades once we get going.

“Char makes the best tea in the world.” Dixon stands, grabbing the teapot. “All I know how to do is boil water. She knows the special concoction.” He throws me a quick wink before turning on the sink.

“Sounds good.” Blue raises his finger then drops it against his arm.

“I’m glad you’re ready to start, Miss Char. I’d be mighty grateful for a drink. This may take a while.” Wade thumbs a fresh sheet of his notebook, and pushes his hat across the table out of his way.

My jaw sets as my palm brushes Dixon’s lower back before pulling out the dried leaves.

For the first time, I can say I absolutely believe my own words. “I’m ready.”