Even my girl was laughing at me, until I kissed her that is.
Chapter 15
CALEB
I didn’t linger for too long over the kiss, though I wanted to devour her soft mouth. Instead I teased the tip of her tongue with mine, just enough to get her going, and then eased off.
Little steps. I was thinking I’d feed her just the way I’d fed the little baby bird that got hurt last fall and I had to nurse it back to life, not too much at once.
When I pulled away and headed to the sink she stood where she was for at least two minutes more, before she joined me, and I could tell she was very affected by my touch.
I pretended it was business as usual as I picked up the first pot to add to the soapy water I’d added to the sink.
“So, what do you want to do tomorrow darling?”
“Me? What do you mean?”
“I mean do you want to do something tomorrow with me? It’s a little late to plan something for today, but...”
“But don’t you have to work on the ranch? I couldn’t take you away from your work again; and besides I have to make lunch for the guys in the afternoon.”
“No you don’t, they’ve been feeding themselves pretty darn good before you came along. I thought you were only gonna cook for me?”
Okay so I was sulking. I didn’t want to share her all the damn time with them, but I knew if I stayed around here that’s just what would happen.
I can’t court her if they’re always gonna me hanging around making stupid faces and trying to make me nuts with their shit.
Her cheeks pinked up and that hair got to swinging in that way she has when she wants to hide her pretty face. I shook the suds off my hand so that I could push it back behind her ear.
“There you are. I like looking at your face, don’t hide it from me.” My heart was knocking the shit out of my chest cavity, waiting for her reaction.
I couldn’t forget that only a few short hours ago she was in flight. And that reminded me. It was going to be a while before I can leave her alone again and not worry about finding her gone when I get back. Shit, what was I going to do?
I passed her the last pan and headed for the door. “Here, I’ll be right back. I’m going to be right outside if you need me.”
I hotfooted it out to the barn where the boys were supposed to be working for the rest of the afternoon. As usual there was some kind of heated discussion going on that I’m sure none of them knew the first thing about, but were all experts on.
“Alright ladies listen up.” I looked back over my shoulder to make sure I had a good view of the house through the open door.
“I don’t want to leave her alone for the next week at least. Not that I think she’d run again, but I’m not taking any chances. One of us will always be within seeing and hearing distance of the house from now on, until she settles in.”
I didn’t receive any of the grumbles or complaints I’d expected, which told me they understood the situation completely.
“We can take shifts boss, no worries.”
“Thanks Nathan.”
“Or I could hang around the house, see if she needs help with anything.”
“I catch you anywhere near my house without me in it, I’ll shoot you on sight scamp.”
Mikey held his hands up and grinned as he backed away. “I was only trying to help boss, you know how you’re always calling me lazy, I was just trying to show a little initiative.”
“Ooh, you learned a new word.” I rolled my eyes at him before carrying on with what I was saying. “We can’t let her know what we’re up to though okay, so don’t be too obvious.
I’m thinking I’ll deal with the asshole ex later. Right now I wanna work on her, make sure she’s okay first and then we’ll think about his dumb ass.”
“Well, the fences are mended, we’ve taken care of that little problem in the north pasture so we really don’t need to be going too far for the next few days, I don’t see why we can’t do this thing boss.”
“Okay Alex thanks, I’m gonna head back up to the house if you need me you know where to find me.”
“I think we should draw straws, how come you get first dibs boss?”
“Because I saw her first.” I felt like a damn middle school kid, and of course the jackasses started laughing again.
The rest of the afternoon passed without incident and then it was dinnertime. The boys were on their best behavior for once, or at least they tried to be, but I guess getting a good home cooked meal loosens a man’s tongue.
There were more animal sounds at my table than they were out in the damn stables. She’d made lamb with some kinda fancy smancy sauce, and wild vegetables that she picked from the garden out back.