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“Yes, yes,” she pleaded, opening her eyes. They were wild with need and anticipation. Shifting, I positioned myself at her entrance and gently pressed into her. She hadn’t been with anyone in over four years. I would need to go slowly for her comfort. Her eyes widened as I inched further into her. She reached up and grabbed hold of my arms.
“Are you okay?” I asked, stopping and waiting for her to say something.
“Kipp, please, I want you, now.” She raised her hips and I pushed the rest of the way in.
“You got me darlin’.” Not moving, I relished the feel of being inside her, together as one. It was like she was made for me. Pulling out almost all the way, I plunged deep within her. Nora’s moan was like an electric shock. She reached to her breasts and toyed with her nipples. Swatting her hands away, I bent over and took one of her perky pink buds into my mouth. She ran her hand up my back, into my hair, and arched into me as I moved to the opposite side.
Moving to kiss her, our fingers entwined, and our rhythm turned frantic. Breaking our kiss, Nora bit her lip and our eyes were locked on one another. “Yes, oh God. That’s it.” She panted and bucked her hips against me. Slowly, I pulled out and plunged back into her and she cried out. The birds scattered from their perches and the symphony of critters silenced. The only sounds in the meadow were that of our love making.
Having her in my arms made the rest of the world disappear. There were no stalls to muck, no business deals to address, no stress or worrying about the ranch or everyone there. It was just us.
I pulled her closer to me, loving how she fit so perfectly against my side. My very own puzzle piece. You couldn't tell where she ended and I began.
“How long has your dad been gone?” Her words were quiet. When anyone brought him up, I immediately changed the subject, but I wanted her to know.
“Close to six years.” I took a deep breath and held her tighter. “We’d been out checking cows, and he didn’t feel well, so we turned for home and about half a mile from the ranch he slumped over in the saddle. I pulled the horses to a stop and got him to the ground. He died in my arms. I begged him to stay, made deals with whatever entity there was, but he was gone. A smile on his face, and his boots on. The way every cowboy dreams, but it didn’t change the fact that he was gone. The horses ran back to the barn and the guys came looking for us. I should have done more. I should have made him stay home.” A tear fell onto my chest and Nora lifted her head to look at me.
She placed her hand on my cheek and smiled. “Kipp Miller, you gave your dad one last ride, one last day in the saddle and spared your mom a lifetime of having to relive the memory of watching her husband die. You did everything you were supposed to that day. Above and beyond any expectation of a son. There’s nothing more important than that. Take heart in it, be thankful you got to be there. He was there for your first breath and you were there for his last.” She wiped a tear from my eye, and I hadn’t even realized it was me that was crying. I’d never grieved that day, and I tried not to think about it, but as I lay here, with Nora in my arms, I felt the heaviness leave my body. It was as if she’d given me permission to drop the burden I’ve carried all these years. Lifting my head, I placed a gentle kiss on her perfect lips. A small gesture for helping me chase my demons. I wanted to return the favor. “Tell me about Cooper. Where’s his dad? Don’t get me wrong, I am not sad he’s not in the picture, but how did you get here?”
Silence hung in the air and I half wondered if she’d fallen asleep until she took a ragged breath. “I’d been out with friends. We all had fake IDs, matching wigs, dress boots, and got into a bar. I was nineteen and had never done anything like it before. We were drinking and dancing, having a great time. I’d caught the eye of a cowboy and he asked me to dance. In my drunken state, I thought he was the most beautiful man I'd ever met.” She shrugged and went silent. “Anyway, he asked me to go outside with him and I walked right out the door. Not a care in the world. I should have been smarter, but I couldn’t handle my liquor. Still can't. He took me to his truck and opened the living quarters on his stock trailer, and I willingly walked in. It was my first time. I’ll never forget it, even if I can't remember where he came from or what he looked like…” Her voice trailed off and she shook as she lay there, silently crying. I tightened my arms around her and held her as she cried. “I was still young and stupid. Hell, I didn’t even know you could get pregnant your first time, so when I found out I was going to have a baby, I panicked. My parents were not supportive and told me to leave.
“So, I did. I found a town where I could work. I took my baby classes alone, I delivered him alone, and I am raising him alone. Kipp, I don’t even know the guy’s name. When Cooper asks who his dad is, I redirect his attention. How can I tell my four-year-old I have no idea? It’s so embarrassing I want to forget it, but without that night I wouldn’t have the most wonderful little boy in the world.” She sniffled again, rolling her over onto her back. I studied her face, her brown eyes, as deep as the lakes in the mountains, her faint frown lines streaking across her forehead, and her tear-stained cheeks red from crying and the scruff of my beard.
I hated that man even more now, because of all the pain he’d caused. But she and Cooper were here with me. It would be my mission in life to protect them both and be the person they needed in their lives. “Nora, you and Cooper have been a light in my life since the day I brought you home.” She turned her head away, but I gently placed my thumb under her chin and made her look me in the eye. I wanted her to hear me. “Where he came from doesn’t matter. He’s perfect, and the ranch is a much happier place with you both around. I hate the fact that you’ve had to struggle, but that’s over. It’s my turn to take care of you.”
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me, Kipp. I’ve been doing it this long. I can keep doing it.” She shook her head and wrapped her arm around my chest.
“But you shouldn’t have to, so please let me take care of you and Cooper for as long as you’re here.” I didn’t want to think of her leaving, but I didn’t want to assume she’d be here forever, either. That was a sure way to get my heart broken.
“What did I do in my life to deserve you?” she asked, placing her hand on my cheek.
“I should be the one asking that question, because there’s no way I’m good enough for you.” Leaning down, I kissed her again. Grabbing the edge of the blanket, I pulled it over our naked bodies and we both fell asleep listening to the beauty around us.
“I’ll take the horses to the barn and brush them down.”
“You don’t want help?” she asked, looking over at me. Her eyes were sad and I felt like an idiot.
“Thought you might be sick of me.” I looked down at my leg and picked grass off my pants.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Never. I was just going to give you time to clean up.” Reaching out, I pulled a wildflower from her hair.
“How about I go find something for supper and clean up? What do you say to movie night?” she asked, sliding down from her saddle and handing me her reins.
“Sounds perfect for cuddling.” Leaning down as far as I could go, she stood on her tiptoes for a kiss. I felt like I was a cowboy in the old west leaving for weeks on end and all I wanted to do was remember her lips on mine. “I’ll be in shortly.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Getting the horses brushed down and back out into the pasture didn’t take as long as I thought. As I walked back to the house, I stopped and looked through the kitchen window. Music played and Nora danced around the kitchen, singing along to the song. It was cute and sweet and made me realize once again what I’d been missing in my life. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out.
Linc: The Fencepost tomorrow night 8:00
I didn’t have to wonder whose bed Linc had crawled into. Kristin might be mad at him every other day, but she always pulled the covers back for him. Those two just needed to figure it out and they’d be end game for sure. Linc had loved her most of his life.
Griff: Will be there
Ryder: I’m down
