A Wild Raven Book 2

I haven’t traveled far. I find myself at a smaller farm owned by Wyatt Brown. I spotted his ad in town and made my way there.

This happens after Iza drops me off and I share my plan with her. As I prepare to explain my need for distance, I sense she already knows what I’m about to say. So, instead of giving into my urge to flee, I tell her I need some space to think.

Iza gets it. She makes me promise to keep my number the same so they can reach me. I give her my word.

She assists me in finding a new place to stay by showing me the community board in town where temporary work is posted. She suggests Mr. Brown because he’s good friends with Ken and Trish. They often buy horses from him.

It seems like a good choice then, to stay close while I grapple with my feelings of identity and belonging.

The truth is, my love for Coal is so intense, it’s the most terrifying love I’ve ever experienced. So terrifying, I can’t bear the thought of him ending things with me—when he finally realizes I’m nothing more than a perfect rebound. Now that the mother of his children is back in town, they might mend their broken relationship and become a happy family—a family I wouldn’t fit into.

Another part of me recognizes how irrational my thoughts are becoming. I know most of this panic is in my head, but three days have passed and Iza promised not to tell Coal where I am.

However, Iza is stubborn—but someone once told me her stubbornness is second only to Coal’s.

Iza gives in to him on the third day of my ‘escape’.

Two hours ago, she texted me saying she told Coal where I am because he was heading to Wyatt’s anyway to pick up a new saddle that Wyatt made in his workshop.

Wyatt is a much older man and very friendly. He needs me to help with the horses while he’s busy with his side businesses, which include selling homemade sauces and jams as well as leatherwork.

As I clean out the stalls in the stables, after Iza’s text, I know Coal is coming for me.

I can’t avoid the confrontation.

I hear Trish and Ken’s pickup pull in and stop outside the stables. I lean on the rake next to the feeder I filled earlier, glancing toward the open doors. Almost immediately, I see Coal stride in and stop. His hands are stiff on a new pair of light blue jeans and he’s wearing a worn brown leather jacket. He removes his cowboy hat the moment he sees me—and he’s quick.

Coal doesn’t even say my name, but now that we’re face to face—I’m frozen and speechless as he strides toward me, stopping by my stall.

“What are you doing?” Coal murmurs, now holding his hat over the edge of the stable and leaning into it. He tilts his head at me as I continue leaning on the rake. “Why’d you run?” he changes his question, clearly both concerned and worried that he might have done something wrong.

I could answer vaguely, but there’s no point—he’ll pry it out of me eventually.

I get straight to the point.

“Look, I don’t know what having a home means,” I confess my inner turmoil. “I got scared when I found out Cat was back in town. She was here long before me. Who am I? I never belonged at your ranch long term. I walked in for work, that was my place.”

“Cat and I are divorced,” Coal reminds me, painfully. “What are we?” Coal drawls. “Tell me. Did you use me?”

“No way,” I almost shout, my passion flaring. I stop leaning on the rake and stand straight. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me—and how I feel about you scares me to death. It was a week of heaven. But I’m scared you’ll realize—eventually you will—how worthless I truly am. I have nothing. One day, you’ll discard me because I bring nothing to the table. I’m literally a nobody with nobody.”

“What is this really about?” Coal was smiling when I explained how I felt about him, but he also picked up on my insecurity and now focuses on that. “Did something happen? Something unexpected?”

“Maybe… I got a call from someone who might be family…three days ago…” I whisper this and close my eyes as I lower my head. Taking a deep breath in and out, I try to compose myself. “I didn’t call back…but it…it made me realize, whether it’s real…or fake…it made me realize…I have no idea who I am—~who am I?~”

I raise my voice a bit at the end, looking up at Coal. His handsome smile is back on and it’s oh-so sweet—it makes me both embarrassed and angry, but in a good way. I trust him with my deepest secrets.

“By the way—not to mention—the only thing I ever owned you took away from me—you took away my crappy sedan—my ticket to freedom.” I whisper those last words because for the first time, I hate those words.

I don’t want unlimited freedom anymore.

I want a home. But it’s hard to wrap my head around it, how my wants and needs are changing.

“You angry I’m giving you a home, darlin’…?” Coal asks. “What did I say, Raven? What did I promise you?”

“To never let me go,” I murmur, looking at him.

“Where am I?” Coal asks quietly.

“There.” I look from his cowboy hat in his strong hand, to his stony face and dark eyes.

“Right next to you,” Coal corrects me.

“You here to pick up a saddle?” I ask, wanting to change the subject just for a minute. Coal’s whole demeanor is screaming possession, and it’s so intense as we’ve ~barely~ interacted with each other since Christmas Day.

“Mmhm, that’s right…and something else.” Coal’s eyes roam over me, making his intention known.

“You taking back Wyatt to be a farrier for the horses?” I ask, knowing Mr. Brown does that too.

“I am a farrier too, you brat.” Coal has the nerve to look offended for a moment, his brow furrowing.

“… I know you meant you also came to collect me, I was just being annoying on purpose…” I smile a little bit, feeling oh-so silly, but also a million times better now that Coal is here.

“Sweetheart, I’m taking you home,” Coal says, holding the door open for me. He extends his hand and I drop the rake to take it. He pulls me out of the stall and into his chest, his arm wrapping around my waist. He leans down, his lips hovering near my ear. “Three days, Raven… I’ve been searching for you. My sister kept your location a secret… You know my values, right? What I expect in a relationship?”

He loosens his hold on my waist just enough for me to lean back and look into his eyes.

“You’re traditional and expect your woman to obey you,” I reply, a playful smirk on my face. I’ve never been one to simply comply because I’m a woman and he’s a man. “You’re in charge. You’re on top,” I say, pursing my lips as a reminder to us both.

“So, you remember, yet you broke the rules,” Coal concludes.

“Rules? What rules?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“You’re mine,” Coal states, his voice warm and final. “My kids have finally settled down. They know the rules of the ranch, they feel secure. It seems you’re the one who needs some guidance now. In love.”

“I wouldn’t mind that…lessons in love,” I say, softening. But I stand firm on the next point. “But, Coal…I can do whatever I want. Whether I’m with you or not.”

“Really?” Coal’s eyes spark with a challenge. “Explain that to me.”

“I’m free,” I tell him. “I can take an odd job if I want. Relax.”

“You need to tell me if you’re going to do that. Show some respect, give me a heads up,” Coal says, his voice tinged with annoyance. “Not just disappear without a word.”

“I told Izabella—”

“Who didn’t tell me a damn thing,” Coal interrupts, his voice harsh. But instead of feeling scared, I feel a surge of heat. Especially when he takes my arm from my side and holds it behind my back, gripping my wrist firmly. “For ~three~ days, Raven. That’s not fair to me.”

“Fuck… I was wrong, you’re right,” I admit, awkwardly. “I panicked. I’m sorry. But how can I make it up to you? I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Good,” Coal says, calming down a bit. “Do you remember when I tied you up in my cabin?”

“Mmhm.” I nod.

“I’m going to do that again,” he says, causing me to blush. “Not for pleasure,” he adds, frowning at me. “I’m going to punish you. If you still want to be mine, that is.”

“Coal, I love you and your strict ways,” I tell him honestly. “And I truly am sorry. But I need to tell you this…I think it’s just who I am. I can’t stay in one place for too long. I don’t think you can tame me.”

“Want to bet?” Coal smirks.

“I’m yours, but I need to be able to…to leave, if I need to think, to feel okay. I need to be able to move around,” I whisper.

Coal’s brow furrows. He pulls me closer, studying my face. “Not anymore, love,” he says softly. “I’m going to show you what it’s like to have a home. And unless you break up with me, this is how it’s going to be… I’m tying you down, love.” His voice is gentle, filled with deep love.

Every part of me wants to argue, to insist that I’m independent and deserve to run whenever I feel the need. But my heart is melting, filled with yes-sir’s, please-forgive-me’s, and sighs of peace. Home. He’s home. I’ve found home. We’re meant to be together.

My mouth hangs open, my tongue numb. I can’t find the words to argue. My mind and heart are at a standstill, and I let Coal take control. I lean into him, he releases my wrist, and I hug him tightly.

He hugs me back, placing his cowboy hat on my head. For some reason, this small gesture brings tears to my eyes.

“I’m sorry, Coal,” I whisper into his chest, enjoying the warmth of his embrace.

“I know,” Coal says, squeezing me tightly. He strokes my hair, his voice soothing. “I’m right here, Raven.”

“I was wrong not to tell you,” I admit, letting out a sigh.

“That’s why I’m taking you on a date tonight,” Coal promises, his voice playful. “Then…you’re getting punished by your dom.”

“Oh, my dom?” I ask, chuckling nervously. “So you’re my dominant?”

In response, Coal wraps my hair around his fist and pulls my head back to look into my eyes. The brim of the hat hangs low over my forehead, but I just grin at him.

“That’s right, and you’re my little sub-in-training,” Coal confirms. “Yes?” I nod immediately.

I’m suddenly excited for whatever punishment he has in store. I trust him.

“I trust you,” I say. Coal leans in and kisses me, slow and romantic. I open my mouth against his, but we’re interrupted by the sound of Wyatt’s boots crunching against the cobblestones.

Coal releases me and I step back as Wyatt enters the stable.

“Coal,” Wyatt greets him with a grin. “How are you?”

“Can’t stay long, Wy,” Coal replies, grinning back. “I have a date with this sweetheart tonight.”

Wyatt chuckles as he walks past us to get a saddle. “And how are your parents?”

“Working hard, as always,” Coal answers, his eyes never leaving me, as if he expects me to bolt for the door.

I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow at him. I mouth ‘What?’.

“One more thing,” Coal calls out to Wyatt. “Raven’s coming back to our ranch. She won’t be able to help out here anymore. I can pay you for the trouble of her leaving so suddenly.”

“There’s no trouble here, no worries,” Wyatt calls back from his workshop, as relaxed as ever.

“Think I could call the shots with my new boss?” I murmur to Coal, just for his ears. “What if I decide I want to work here?”

“Not likely,” Coal murmurs back. “Unless you’re up for daily punishment for defying me, sweetheart. If that’s the case, feel free to show up here every day.”

“You’re eager to dish out that punishment, aren’t you?” I tease back. “I’ll be the one to decide if I show up here each day, boss.”

“Depends on how much you want that kind of attention.” Coal grins, looking downright intimidating. I’m clearly in over my head.

Wyatt returns, lugging the heavy saddle. “Here you go, son.”

Coal immediately steps forward to relieve Wyatt of the burden. “It’s amazing, thanks,” he praises the new saddle crafted for Galvin. The attention to detail is remarkable. “Hop in the truck, sweetheart,” Coal begins to order me around, testing my compliance with a simple command.

“I need to grab my things from the house,” I mutter, starting to move away.

“Make it quick,” Coal calls after me. “Two minutes, or I come find you.”

“Something wrong?” Wyatt inquires, watching me storm out of the stable.

“Raven took off, had us all worried,” Coal explains candidly. “No problem. I just need to know she’s safe.”

“Ah, to be young and wild and free. Coal, you won’t be able to tame that one,” Wyatt responds, coming to my defense. “It’s in her nature. She’s a wanderer.”

I can’t help but chuckle.

I skip the rest of the way back to the house, a smile on my face.

Thanks, Mr. Brown.

See? I wasn’t completely out of my mind. At least someone recognized my need for freedom.

It wasn’t just a result of my troubled past.

Being wild is a part of who I am.

I can’t stay still for long.

Even so, I’ll do my best for Coal. I don’t want to leave him again.

I have a feeling he is going to give me even more reasons to stick around.

I am looking forward to it.