Riley’s Downfall(51)

He began to miss the simpler times, and how rogues were far and few between. He missed the times when the only shifters he knew to exist were bears. But there was one change in Riley’s life that he was grateful for and wouldn’t change for all the world, and that was Sterling.

Even if his mate was a little strange.



* * * *



“I’m ready,” Sterling announced as he walked into his and Riley’s bedroom. His mate was standing over by the dresser, looking through a drawer.

“Okay, hon. Just give me minute to find some socks.”

Sterling took a seat on the bed, folding his legs under him, and watched his mate put his socks and boots on. He still couldn’t believe that Riley Lakeland was his. It was like his dream had come true.

Although Riley hadn’t ridden in on his horse and swooped Sterling off of his feet, Sterling still felt like his dream had become reality. The man was strong, stunning, and starting to grow a sense of humor. His once-grumpy mate was starting to show his true personality and Sterling loved it.

“You’re going to ride Buster. He’s the gentlest horse we have,” Riley said and then tossed something on the bed.

Sterling kept the grin from his face because he knew Riley would have a coronary when he saw who Chauncey had helped Sterling saddle.

He just prayed Riley let him ride.

Sometimes Riley was a tad overprotective, and Sterling loved that fact, but he was damned and determined to show his mate that he could take care of himself. Maybe not during fights, Sterling was never a fighter, but he could get by in life without Riley trying to wrap him in cotton.

He glanced down at a shiny cell phone, but knew right away that it wasn’t Riley’s.

“Just in case you need to call anyone. I programmed everyone’s number into it.”

Sterling sat there stunned. Riley had tossed the phone on the bed like it was no big deal, but to Sterling, it meant everything.

It meant Riley cared about him.

“Let’s go start your lesson,” Riley said as he grabbed Sterling’s hand and pulled him from the bed.

Sterling felt like he was a thousand feet tall when it came to his mate loving him. Riley was the best thing to ever happen to Sterling, and Sterling was damn glad he and Darcy had come to this town.

“Going out for your lessons?” Pa asked as he wiped Cole’s face. The baby was in his highchair, making more of a mess than eating. Oscar was sitting next to the towering man, dunking cookies into a glass of milk.

“My very first,” Sterling boasted proudly.

Just then Bacon ran through the small doggy door the Lakelands had made for the pig. Sterling had been so shocked that the men had done something so nice for him that Sterling had embarrassed himself and cried like a damn baby. They said they did it because any pig that defended his owner, the way Bacon had defended Sterling when the pig ran for help, deserved to live in the house and be a pampered pet.

“Sorry, girl,” Sterling said as he picked Bacon up and ran a hand over her head. “Papa’s got to ride by himself.”

“Can I play with her?” Oscar asked as he wiggled out of his chair and hobbled over to Sterling.

“You sure can. But don’t give her too many snacks. She likes to make a pig of herself.” Sterling winked at Oscar, the little guy laughing at the pun.

Sterling handed his piglet over to Oscar and then walked outside to join Riley. It was a bright, sunny day, the clouds fat and fluffy as they walked side by side to the barn.

Bryce walked Warrior out, handing the reins to Riley.

“Where’s Buster?” Riley asked.

“I’ll go get him,” Sterling said quickly and then took off into the barn. Riley was going to shit his own little pen of piglets when he saw Sterling ride out on Hell Raiser. Sterling had been coming to the barn for weeks, talking to the black stallion, getting to know the guy, and bringing him treats like carrots, apples, and sugar cubes.

He had even sat on Hell Raiser when no one was around to protest, trying his best to get the horse used to having Sterling’s weight on his back. Saddling him hadn’t been easy, and Chauncey kept telling Sterling he didn’t like Sterling’s plan, but he had convinced the bear that he was confident the stallion would allow Sterling to ride him.

He grabbed the reins, smiling up at the horse. “Are you ready to show these bears just how gorgeous you are and that you are a good boy?” Sterling asked as he opened the gate and led Hell Raiser from his stall.

“If Riley wants to skin anyone, leave my name out of it,” Chauncey said as Sterling walked the horse to the barn door. “I like my ass right where it is.”

Sterling was hoping it didn’t come to that. There was only one way Riley couldn’t stop Sterling. He mounted the horse, with Chauncey’s help, and then clicked his tongue, the way Chauncey had shown him.