Stables (Black Gulch Ranch #2)

29. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Dixon

After Blue and Wade leave, I’m helping Char clean up the spaghetti dinner when I decide that now is the time.

“I think you should pack a bag for you and Paisley.” I pause wiping Paisley’s high chair down to watch Char’s reaction.

She stops, putting her palms on the edge of the sink, her brows knotting when she turns to face me. “Where are we going?”

“The ranch. I have my own cabin up there, and it has room for your horses.” I thought about bringing her up to my house, but I don’t have a barn yet.

And it wouldn’t take Matt long to figure out when she was there alone.

When she chews on her bottom lip, I drop my washcloth and move to her. Grasping her waist, I lift her small frame easily onto the counter so I can look into her big blue eyes.

“I, um, I don’t know…” Her mouth twists, bunching her cheek.

“Char.” I rest my palms on either side of her hips, leveling my nose with hers. “You said it yourself. He will likely retaliate. This keeps you safe, your horses, and gives me the peace of mind knowing that even if I’m not there, you’ll be looked after.”

Her frown scrunches her forehead. “I don’t want your brother to have to babysit me. It’s not right dragging my garbage into his yard. Lori’s so sweet and with a new baby, I don’t know what I’d do if—”

“Hey.” I pull her wrist up, pressing her shaking fingers over my chest. “You’re worth protecting, too. And I can assure you, Lori is tougher than she looks.”

“But, what about the hay and tack? It takes up a lot of room—”

She’s balking.

I get it.

It’s just unnecessary.

“Char. Stop. Ford and Sawyer are on their way with a stock trailer. I’ll hook up the Tundra to your slant load, and I’ll send some of the hands over tomorrow for the rest.” My gaze fixes on her eyes, hoping to catch any shadow of doubt.

Her full lips purse, then her jaw clenches. “Okay. That makes sense. I just don’t want to be a burden.”

She’s pissing me off.

Before I can stop myself, my fingers tangle in her hair, tilting her head back to expose the smooth lines of her throat. I let myself drift close enough that her rapid exhale washes over my mouth. “Char, do you think I’m going to leave you here, knowing you’re in danger? If I had my way, we’d be on a plane to the other side of the world while the Air Force levels every piece of dirt that asshole has ever walked on. So, if it means I have to hogtie you, throw you over my shoulder, and walk to the ranch with you on my back, I’ll go get the rope.”

A small smile tickles up her cheek. “You’d really do that?”

“Tie you up? It’s a promise, not a threat.” I grin before crashing my lips against hers.

Her nails move through the short hairs on the back of my head, and she moans softly when she opens to my tongue.

Tasting what’s mine.

When she spreads her knees, wrapping her calves behind my thighs, I have to pull away from her addictive flavor.

“Char?” I pant, my forehead resting against hers.

“Huh?” Her breathing matches mine.

“I might have a hard time walking now.” Dropping another quick kiss to her pouty mouth, I pull her off the counter as she giggles.

“Go pack. But leave the panties here. You won’t be needing them.” Reaching into my pants, I adjust my throbbing cock.

She does this to me.

“It’s a promise, right?” She bats her eyes before disappearing around the corner.

Paisley gets up from the living room floor from amongst her hurricane of toys and books. “Mommy?” She toddles after Char down the hall.

“Come on, baby girl. We’re going for a ride.” Her words are followed by Paisley’s little footsteps on the wood.

If I have my way, there will be a lot more tiny feet running around.

At least on the ranch, I know there’s some good folks who I trust that don’t mind keeping an eye on the kids that run around there.

The weight on my shoulders will be a lot lighter knowing that there’s people there to share the load of watching, especially when I can’t be there.

It’s like its own community at Black Gulch. As part owner, I think it’s my responsibility to help keep it populated.

And I take my work very seriously.

Gravel crunches outside, and my phone dings, all as Char brings the first full bag into the living room.

“Are we really doing this?” Her pallor has faded since a few minutes ago.

Her damn reservations.

“Yes. Is this yours or Paisley’s?” I ask, slinging it over my back.

The rattle of two trucks and trailers hits me when I open the front door.

“Paisley’s.” Char turns and disappears down the hall.

Ford kicks out of his old Chevy and climbs the porch steps. Waving away the bugs circling the light, he squints at me.

“Want me to start loading, or Sawyer?” He juts his chin toward my lanky nephew appearing from the darkness.

“Either one. I appreciate the short notice appearance.” I wasn’t expecting both rigs to show up.

This will certainly make things easier.

Ford nods, looking in the direction of the barn. “It’s what we do.”

“Uncle Dix, Dad had Elma and Petey freshen up your place. They put new blankets down and I toted some groceries over for you.” Sawyer gives me a lopsided grin, his baseball hat sitting far enough on the back of his head I wonder how it stays on.

I catch movement in the house through the torn screen. Char hesitantly places a small suitcase behind the couch, then pushes out to join us.

“Thank you both. I’m sorry you had to, um…” She trails off.

Sawyer’s face splits into a wide grin. “I’m Sawyer, Sophia’s brother.” He holds out his hand to her.

Red blazes up Char’s throat, but she takes his palm in a brisk shake.

“Man, that Misty sure is something else. Did Uncle Dixon tell you that Sophia might make it to the championships with her? I’ve been helping her go all over, and that mare is amazing.” His blue eyes glimmer in excitement.

“That would be incredible. I’m glad to hear they’re both doing well. I can’t wait to see them in action together.” Char’s shoulders soften with my nephew’s chatter.

“Mommy?” Paisley calls out, her little body pressing against the wall as her gaze flicks between Ford and Sawyer.

“It’s very nice to meet you.” Char turns to urge Paisley to follow her. “Come on baby girl, we’re almost done.”

“Go ahead and back in your trailer.” Ford pats Sawyer’s arm.

“Right. How many total?” Sawyer glances up to me, one leg on the ground, the other on the top step.

“There’s sixteen. The one in stall eight is close to popping, so put her near the front.” Reaching down, I grab the bag and toss it in the bed of my truck.

“A kid too? I never woulda believed it if I hadn’t seen it.” Ford chuckles, clapping me on the back as he passes. “It’s about fucking time, Dix. Thought you were gonna be one of those ‘confirmed bachelors’.” His white teeth flash in the night air before he fades into the darkness.

“You’re next, Ford.” I know he’s had a hard life, but he deserves happiness too.

There’s a long pause, and I can hear his footsteps drawing away from me.

Maybe he didn’t hear me.

“I had my chance.” His words echo through the summer air like a hammer striking an anvil.

I know he did.

I helped him try to clean up the mess of it.

With a deep breath, I stop dwelling on the past, and go inside to find my future.

“Dix, I thought you said this was a cabin?” Char’s eyes shine like crystals beneath the hanging antler chandelier in the broad living room.

The place is a miniature version of the main lodge, and not near the square footage of my house nearer the clinic.

“Will you be comfortable here?” I genuinely want her to be.

“It’s huge!” She drops her backpack on a bare spot off the cow hide rug.

“You said that last night.” I can’t resist teasing.

Seeing her smile and in awe makes something in my chest ache, in a good way.

Her light giggle bounces off the split log walls.

Ford enlisted two others to unload the horses into one of the empty barns while we moved in.

Paisley mimics her mother’s exclamations with both of her arms held out over her head. “Wow!” she yells loud enough to echo into the high ceiling.

But when she does it again, Char is quick to shush her. “Okay now. Once was enough.”

A knock startles them both.

I was expecting it.

“Lori, come in.” Stepping forward, I take the cardboard box out of her hands and hold the door open.

“Hi,” she says breathlessly. “I have these toys that Jack isn’t old enough for yet, so thought maybe Paisley would enjoy them?”

I set the container down just in time to see Char’s eyes well with tears before she hugs Lori.

“Thank you.” Her words are muffled against Lori’s shoulder.

All I have to do is pull out a neon green elephant, and Paisley runs over to peer inside.

“Do you want this one?” I offer her the stuffed animal, but she shakes her head.

Reaching for one of the stiff books, she tugs it out and sits with a thud, spreading the cardboard pages over her little lap.

“Oh, she’s a reader!” Lori lets Char go, looking over my short woman to watch Paisley. “Sophia does, she has a huge pile. She was going to swing in tonight, but she’s in some book club meeting online.”

That makes my brows raise. “I didn’t know Sophia liked to read that much?”

Lori shrugs, moving towards the door. “She picked it up last summer when she was laid up with her broken leg. I think they keep her occupied when she’s going to all the different events.” Her palm rests against the frame and she flashes a sweet smile. “Have a good night. I’m glad you’re closer, Char. Maybe you can come over for coffee tomorrow?”

“I’d like that.” Char waves as Lori climbs into the side by side in the driveway and disappears into the night.

“Did you want to see the rooms?” I lean back on the couch, weaving my fingers behind my head.

My view is exceptional. Her flushed cheeks, the sway of her hips, even the way her t-shirt snugs over her breasts with every step.

Her lower lip rolls between her teeth, then the pink triangle of her tongue works a glistening path.

“Absolutely.” Her voice is husky as she draws near me, holding out her hand as if she would help me stand.

Cute.

I tug her onto my lap, wrapping her with my body until she’s trapped against me. My mouth rests near her burning cheek, and I let my mustache tickle its way up to the soft skin beneath her ear. “Do you want to know a sad truth?” I whisper, then take her dainty lobe between my lips.

“What’s that?” She exhales, arching her body against my chest. Her palms work behind my neck, drawing embers with her touch.

“That I had this house built over ten years ago, but it’s never been broken in.” Working my way down her throat, I nip and taste my way to the tender hollow below her jaw.

She swallows hard, then pulls back, fixing me with her hooded blue eyes.

“And how exactly do you do that?” A smile dances over her full lips, enticing me to devour them.

“By making love to a beautiful woman in every room. Of course.” Scooping her up, I stride across the room to the master suite.

With a gasp, and another of her melodious giggles, her arms wrap my neck.

But I no sooner have her pinned on the king sized bed when we both freeze as Paisley’s shrieking cry pierces after us, followed by her rapid footsteps. “Mommy! Daddy Dixon!”

Rolling to the side, I give Char the space to reach for her frantic daughter.

“It’s okay, baby girl. We’re right here.” She glances over to me. “I’m sorry.”

My cock is the only thing that’s sad, but it will live to see another day. “Don’t be. We have all the time in the world, and a lot of rooms to work through.” I help her lift Paisley onto the bed so she can snuggle against Char, who curls against me.

Letting my hard dick press against her ass, I pull her flush, then prop my head to look over her shoulder as she soothes Paisley.

“What do we do when all of them are broken in?” She turns, placing a gentle kiss against my chin.

Nuzzling into her neck, my palm rests on her hip. “Then I build you a house with a thousand more.”