Coal’s lips are trailing kisses down my neck and shoulders, his hand threading through my hair as he rolls off me. I’m left gasping, my body still trembling from the pleasure of our quickie, when our moment is abruptly interrupted.
“Hey, what are you two up to in here?” a voice echoes from the barn doors below.
It’s Timothy.
Damn it!
Coal and I scramble to the left, hiding behind the uneven stacks of hay bales at the top of the pile. I’m hastily pulling up my jeans while Coal springs to his feet with an agility that surprises me.
“Just playing a game of hide and seek!” Coal shouts back, his voice filled with feigned innocence.
“Oh,” Timothy replies, his voice filled with delight and not a hint of suspicion. “We’ve all used the top of the bales for games at some point. Raven! Are you staying at the ranch now?”
“Yes, I am! I love it up here!” I call out, popping up next to Coal and waving down at Timothy. “It’s a great hangout spot,” I add, stepping into view and grinning down at him. Behind him, Haline peeks in, cradling Vader in her arms. Her eyes are wide, a hint of embarrassment in them.
Oh, please don’t let her suspect anything. “How’s Vader?” I ask, hoping to distract her.
The moment I say his name, the puppy wriggles out of Haline’s arms and bolts toward the bottom of the bales. He’s yapping and jumping, begging me to come down.
The tri-colored terrier is a bundle of energy, his tail wagging furiously as I leap down ahead of Coal. Coal follows at a more leisurely pace, trying to look cool as he jumps down—only to nearly trip on the last bale. He stumbles into me, causing me to twist my ankle as I fall onto my side.
As I wince in pain, Vader showers me with kisses, his little tongue lapping at my face.
“Nice one, Coal,” Timothy teases, his hands on his hips as he watches his brother’s clumsy fall.
“It’s just a twisted ankle,” I assure them, trying to downplay the pain. “I’ll be fine—”
Coal looks devastated. Before I can protest, he scoops me up into his arms and stands, carrying me out of the barn with Vader trotting alongside us.
“I shouldn’t have rushed,” Coal admits to Timothy, Haline, and me.
“You were swaggering around with your hands in your pockets, trying to look cool. No wonder you stumbled,” Timothy retorts, grinning up at his brother. “Idiot.”
“Watch it, Tim,” Coal warns.
I’ve been trying to hold back my laughter, but the image of Coal trying so hard to look nonchalant only to trip and fall is too much. I snort, then burst out laughing.
Coal looks at me, his expression softening. He holds me a little closer as we make our way back to the homestead.
“I can walk, you know,” I tell him, only to be met with a stern look from my overprotective cowboy.
“Let’s head to the cabin early. I’ll take care of you,” Coal suggests, his voice low. “I’m really sorry, sweetie.”
We’ve all made it back to the homestead.
Coal carries me to the laundry room to grab more blankets, setting me down gently. “Stay off your ankle,” he instructs.
“Yes, boss,” I sigh, leaning against the wall. I rest my elbow on the washing machine as Coal rummages through a cupboard. “I should fall more often,” I joke.
“Don’t even think about it.” Coal chuckles, shaking his head.
“Dad?”
I turn to see Jonas standing behind me, looking up at me shyly. He quickly runs around me to Coal’s side, grabbing his hand and tugging on it.
Coal turns to him immediately. “What’s up?” he asks gently.
“We found a caterpillar outside. Do you want to see it?” Jonas asks, his voice filled with concern. “It’s big. It’s going to be a giant butterfly.”
“Is it on the front porch?” Coal guesses.
“Yes.” Jonas nods.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Coal promises, ruffling Jonas’ hair before sending him off.
Jonas smiles at me but looks too nervous to speak.
“Can I see it too?” I ask before he runs off.
Jonas pauses, his eyes lighting up.
“Come look now!” he insists, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from Coal.
“Okay, let’s go!” I agree, limping slightly as I try to keep up with Jonas.
I glance back at Coal, who’s watching me with a wool blanket slung over his shoulder.
“Joey, she’s hurt. Slow down!” Coal calls out, his voice stern.
“Are you hurt?” Jonas asks, looking up at me with concern as we near the front door.
“Just a little,” I assure him, squeezing his hand. He seems satisfied with my answer.
“Don’t worry, Raven. Caterpillars don’t bite. At least, I don’t think they do?” Jonas looks to me for confirmation.
Jonas releases my hand to search for the caterpillar on the porch railing, but it’s gone. “Willem!”
“I’m not outside!” Willem yells from the living room.
“River…” Jonas marches around the porch until he spots his little brother showing the caterpillar to Aunt Jean.
“Put it on one of the trees,” Jean suggests.
Jonas looks angry at first, but he bites his tongue when he sees how carefully River is holding the caterpillar.
“Don’t squish it. Now, come with me,” Jonas instructs, placing his hand on River’s shoulder to guide him. He turns to me. “Follow me, Raven.”
“Just like Coal, aren’t they?” Aunt Jean comments, watching the scene unfold.
“Absolutely, yes. Good to see you,” I respond, turning to follow Jonas. We make our way to a newly planted apple tree near the dirt drive, where Jonas and River engage in a lively debate about the best spot for the caterpillar.
I hang back, my attention diverted by the sound of the front door opening. I expect to see Coal, but instead, Izabella peeks out. She blushes when our eyes meet and quickly retreats, shutting the door behind her.
After a moment, Izabella reappears, striding out with her hands on her hips and a narrowed gaze. Meanwhile, Jonas and River have scampered back inside to share their bug news with Coal.
“Hey,” Izabella begins, stopping a few feet away. Her tone is frosty and uncertain.
“H-hi,” I respond, waving at the feisty sixteen-year-old.
“You came back with Coal, so you’re staying now, Raven?” Izabella asks. “Did you finish working for Wyatt early?”
“Something like that.” I nod. “Mmhm. Thanks for recommending him.”
“Uhuh.” Izabella circles me, arms crossed over her new leather jacket. It’s not Adam’s anymore, but her own. “So, you’re not scared anymore?”
“Scared?”
“Of me, duh.” Izabella smirks, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m—I—wasn’t…uh…”
“I’m joking, Raven, relax. I’m glad you’re back.” Izabella smiles. “Anna actually cried last night, she thought you weren’t coming back.”
“Oh, shit.” I scratch behind my ear. “Sorry…I just needed to think.”
“I told her that! She’s just a cry baby,” Izabella explains. “So, we’re going to adopt Vader—but we’re going to take him to the vet first. Did you want to come with us? Mom is taking us in a minute.”
As Izabella finishes her question, Coal emerges from the house, a bag filled with supplies in hand. He spots his sister talking to me and strides over, prompting Izabella to retreat.
“Get lost, Iza,” Coal teases. “We’re busy.”
“You’re so rude,” Izabella retorts, flipping her hair over her shoulder before stomping back inside.
Coal reaches me. “Ready?” he asks, slinging the duffle bag over his shoulder. “I got all we need.”
“I’ll grab a few things from the guest house, a spare change of clothes,” I suggest.
“All right. Walk slow,” Coal advises as he follows me across the dirt. “Joey was quite taken with you.”
“I’m taken with them. Your kids are fierce,” I compliment him. “Passionate, protective and kind. They thrive with this ranch lifestyle.”
“They do. And I have to work hard for this dream, but it’s worth it,” Coal says, looking different than when I first met him. His confidence has grown since his children returned. “Why you looking at me like that, darling? What’s that look mean?”
“Hmm…but I wasn’t whole…for the three days that just passed,” Coal muses, thinking back to my sudden departure.
“You think you need me, huh, cowboy?” I ask, hoping for a sweet response.
“I need to fuck, desperately,” Coal replies bluntly. “So I guess there’s that. Had to fetch my pussy back.”
My mouth falls open. I stare at his serious expression until I see the wicked glint in his soft, black eyes. He grins, amused by my reaction.
“There’s that,” Coal agrees. We’ve reached the guest house and I rest my hand on the door while Coal hangs back. “You grab your clothes, I’ll go saddle up Galvin,” Coal suggests. “He’s anxious for a ride out—and I’ll take him back before the sun sets.”
“Okay,” I agree, appreciating his concern for my ankle. “See you soon,” I say, smiling at Coal.
Coal walks away, but not before throwing a casual wink over his shoulder. My knees go weak.
It’s corny as hell, but…Coal is my kryptonite. I’m a weak paper plate around him. I have no strength, I crumble, I break. He makes me submit naturally to his energy.
And I kinda really enjoy it.
