Country Bliss (Country Love 1.5) Read online

  “She could have walked in on us,” she says, out of breath from runnin’ around the room, pickin’ up her clothes.

  “But she didn’t.”

  She looks up at me from her stooped position and lowers her brows. “But she could have.”

  I push off the door and walk lazily over to her, feelin’ sated. I take her arm, pullin’ her up and into me, my arms weavin’ around her. “But she didn’t.” I kiss her and before I know it, my tongue slides into heaven as her clothes drop to the floor. “I’ll put a lock on our door.” She nods and tilts her head, deepenin’ our kiss.

  “Mama! I’m ready!”

  We smile against each other’s mouths. “Get dressed.” I give her tight bottom a pat and walk over to get my jeans. “I’ll keep her busy,” I tell her as I put my jeans on and stride to the door. My heaven is right here, always has been. Two kids and a baby on the way. I couldn’t be happier if I tried. Life is so good.

  Walkin’ to the barn with the two girls in my life, the sun is shinin’, the birds are chirpin’, and a slight cool breeze brings the chorus of the limbs of the trees and leaves as they sway. I finally make it back to unsaddle and brush Clancy. When I walk in the barn, I find Clancy in his stall, chompin’ on hay. I leave the girls to get Evie’s pony ready and walk into his stall and start removin’ his saddle. “I’m back, boy,” I murmur as I lift it from his back. Once I’ve secured it on its rack, I grab the brush and start givin’ him some attention. “Good boy.”

  I owe Clancy more than my life. He’s gettin’ old and deserves a life of luxury. I only ride him a bit once a day. Then I massage his body with oils and brush him, and after I’m done he roams in the pasture the rest of the time. I dread the day he leaves me.

  “Papa! Look at me!”

  I step out of the barn, my eyes zoomin’ in on Evie ridin’ her pony. She’s gotten really good at such a young age and can hold the reins in one hand now. ‘Start ‘em off young,’ Pa used to say. “Pumpkin, you’re lookin’ great.” Her smile fills my heart as I walk towards the deck. Sadie is sitting on a lounge chair, watchin’ Evie.

  “Not too much longer, Evie. I need to start dinner!” Sadie yells as I walk up the steps. I head on over to the chair next to hers, sit down, and immediately find her hand, threadin’ my fingers through hers. Her long dark hair blows across her face as she turns it my way, her smile breathtakin’.

  “I can help with dinner. Some steaks cooked on the grill with some wrapped vegetables sound pretty darn good,” I tell her, givin’ her a wink. I look around and then back at her. “Where’s Jared?”

  She lets out a sigh. “He’s over tending to the vegetable garden.” Her face changes into one of concern. “Do you think something happened while I was carrying them?”

  I let out a chuckle. “Why would you say that?”

  Her teeth sink into her bottom lip and I swear my cock’s hard again. “It’s just…” She looks out at Evie, who’s havin’ the time of her life. “Evie does most things boys would and Jared loves taking care of the gardens, the flowers and vegetables, and helping me cook.” Her brows lower. “It’s like their personalities were switched while they were inside me.”

  I pull her hand, tuggin’ her over to me. She settles on my lap and I wrap my arms around her as she leans back against my chest. “Now, Darlin’. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with our kids.” I can’t help but let out another chuckle. “They’re both unique in their own way. So Jared likes to work the land and cook. Colby does that too. He’s a great cook.” She turns her head and looks up at me. “And Evie, well, she loves to ride, loves animals and also helps me around the pasture and barn. They’re both just learnin’ the life on a ranch, learnin’ what we’ve taught them about the land and how if we take care of it, it takes care of us. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.”

  She blinks at me several times, seemin’ to consider what I said. “I guess you’re right.” She looks back out at Evie. “Just seems like they’re kinda backwards is all,” she mumbles. I chuckle and hug her, lovin’ how she thinks about things.

  We sit there a while longer and watch Evie ride. She looks really good on that pony. I can’t wait to see her grow up into a fine little lady and ridin’ him when he becomes a horse. Maybe she’ll want to show horses or ride in sportin’ events. Suddenly, Sadie sits up straight and I lean forward, both of us holdin’ our breaths as Evie runs Sparkles hard, aimin’ at a bale of hay.

  “EVIE! NO!”

  Sadie screams and we both jump up, runnin’ to the edge of the deck. I start barrelin’ down the steps as Sparkles jumps over the bale with Evie.

  “Oh, my God!”

  I never ran so fast in boots before in my life. I hear the runnin’ footsteps of Sadie behind me as we reach Evie. Sadie stops at the pony and lifts Evie off his back, squeezin’ her so tight I’m afraid she can’t breathe. “Evie. What were you thinking?” Sadie asks with a high pitched voice. I watch Sadie hug her tightly, my heart hammerin’ in my chest. I’ve had opportunities to see my life flash before my eyes. Hell, I’ve seen parts of Sadie’s run past in my head but to watch an accident almost happen with Evie ‘bout brought me to cardiac arrest. Sadie finally lets Evie breathe, pullin’ her back and lookin’ into her big brown eyes. “Evie. You scared me to death. You’re too young to be jumping Sparkles. Please, don’t ever do that again until you’re older and have been trained.” She squeezes her back into her chest and looks up at me. Her body is shakin’, both fear and relief in her eyes. I walk over and put my arm around her and kiss her head. Evie looks up at me, her eyes wide.

  “I’m sorry, Mama, Papa. I just wanted to fly.” Out of the mouths of babes.

  Sadie begins to sob, buryin’ her face into the side of Evie’s head. Tightenin’ my grip around Sadie, I look at my daughter and smile. “How ‘bout I put Sparkles in his stall for you and you and your mama can go get stuff started for supper?” Evie nods eagerly, not one to help cook but relieved that I changed the subject. I kiss the top of Sadie’s head. “Go take Evie to get supper started and I’ll bring Jared in to help as soon as I’m done then I’ll get the grill goin’.” Sadie doesn’t look at me, she simply nods and starts walkin’ towards the house.

  I watch them walk until they get to the deck steps then I go over to Sparkles, take his reins and lead him into the barn. Doesn’t take me long to unsaddle him and give him a once over with the brush. I make sure there’s enough hay in his trough and walk out of the barn. As I walk around the house, headin’ towards the gardens, I think about things that Pa used to tell me. He used to tell me about the scattered brained things I used to do as a youngin’ that he said scared twenty years off his life. He said that every time I did the normal rugged stuff young boys would do, he’d about tar my hide when he got ahold of me just because it made him feel better that I was still alive to be able to do that. I let out a chuckle, rememberin’ some of the stuff I put him through. Guess my kids will turn out the same, ‘specially ‘cos they have part of Sadie in their blood too. Damn, they have no hope, and we’ll be so old before our time. Lettin’ out another chuckle, I shake my head. Fear shoots through me and I stop in my tracks. Shit! I wonder what this next one will be like? Jared is more like Pa, passive, a lover of all things. He loves tendin’ to the lands, watchin’ things grow that he had a hand in. He loves to help out in the kitchen, lookin’ at everythin’ with curious eyes. Then there’s Evie. Well, she’s more of a wildcat like her mama. Hell, one time, just last year, she thought it would be fun to climb up the ladder to the hayloft and see if she could land on Clancy’s back in his stall, on the other side of the barn. Now, that almost took me to my knees in fear. Luckily, I came into the barn just in time before she jumped and pushed the barrel full of hay right to the spot for her to land in. That was a close one. I think I might have gotten the first gray hairs in my beard that day. Pa always said life on a farm is hard work but raisin’ youn
gin’s was even harder.

  God help me, I’ve got my hands full.

  Chapter Two

  Sadie

  I swear that child will be my death. I look over at her and Jared hovering over the dough on the wax paper on top of the breakfast bar. They’re both standing up on their knees on the stools, concentration on their precious faces. The dough had been rising earlier and they’re using the round cutters making our rolls for tonight’s dinner. I look at their sweet faces. Jared looks so much like me and Evie’s looks take after Memphis. But their personalities are completely the opposite. Jared is so passive, like Memphis. I was always the “wild child.” Evie might put Memphis and me into early graves with how outspoken and rambunctious she is, just like I used to be. After bringing Evie inside, I tried to tell her that she could have been hurt or killed. Her little brows raised up high when I told her that Sparkles could have been injured as well. Then I felt bad that she felt bad. I explained that Sparkles was still young too and would have to be trained and worked with to be able to jump things. She understood and wanted to go out to apologize to Sparkles but I stopped her, telling her that Papa was taking care of that. I about had a heart attack. Flashes of the day Memphis walked into the barn just in time to push a cart full of hay over to the spot where she’d jumped from the hayloft. I almost fainted when he told me. Her excuse was she wanted to try to fly. Now, I have another one on the way? Maybe I should have gotten my tubes tied after having the twins.

  Dinner was great. Memphis made steaks and chicken on the grill. The vegetables and potatoes in foil with melted butter, garlic salt, and olive oil over them were perfection. The kids were excited to eat the rolls they helped make and I had thrown together a salad using the lettuce and tomatoes from our garden that Jared has been taking such great care of. He was so proud.

  “Is Sparkles okay, Papa?”

  Memphis and I both look over at Evie at the dinner table. She looks worried. I watch Memphis set his fork and knife down on his plate. “He’s fine, Pumpkin. Why the worry?”

  Her little face scrunches up, her brows lower, and she rubs her chin, much like Memphis does when he’s thinking. I almost have to contain my laugh. “Well. Mama said I could have hurted him because he’s not trained. I didn’t hurt him, did I?” Her lower lip pushes out as her chin quivers. Shit! That’s my fault.

  Memphis’ eyes shoot to mine then his brows lower and he leans down, looking at Evie. “Sparkles is just fine, Evie.” His eyes snap to mine then back at hers. “But your mama’s right. You’re too young and untrained to be jumpin’ and Sparkles is too young and untrained too.” She scrunches her face again.

  “When will I be old enough?”

  Memphis picks up his utensils and starts cutting a piece of steak. “Well, maybe in a couple of years we could get you lessons.”

  “Hmmm.” She puts her finger up to her temple and looks over at me. “What is a couple?”

  “That’s two, silly,” Jared pipes up. My smart boy.

  “Shush. I wasn’t talkin’ to you,” she says to Jared then promptly sticks her tongue out at him. I open my mouth to speak when Memphis speaks quickly.

  “Evie. Don’t talk to your brother that way.” He shifts in his chair, looking aggravated but softens when he looks at her. “A couple is two. But there might be a class for youngin’s your age. I’ll look into it.”

  She smiles and claps her hands excitedly. We all go back to eating except for Jared, who’s pushing his food around with his fork. He’s such a kind soul, sweet, and takes Evie’s boldness all the time. I guess it’s because I’m his mother but I feel bad for him. Memphis always says he needs to toughen up, be a boy, but Jared’s just not that way. He loves to watch plants grow, buds into vegetables, and petals bloom into flowers. He loves to feel the soil between his fingers but also loves to build things. He helps Memphis mend the fences. He loves the farm and the land. So much like his papa and Memphis’ pa. Still, I’m afraid he’ll have some hard times being so sweet and not tough like a boy should be.

  After dinner, Memphis tells me he’ll clean up. Such a good man. I take the kids upstairs and they take their baths, then I start my nightly routine of tucking them in bed. I go into Jared’s room first, seeing him lying there, covered up, and smile as I sit down next to him. “Whatcha thinking about?” He’s looking up at the ceiling. His brows lowered, lost in his thoughts. His eyes move to mine but that same look remains on his face.

  “Evie’s gonna get hurt,” he states, matter of fact. He’s worried about her.

  My head swarms of what to say to him. “She might but I hope not. Thing is – we can’t let her stop being who she is in order to protect her. All we can do is teach her right from wrong and what can happen when she does certain things, how to be careful and what can result if she isn’t.” I reach over and push some of his dark hair off his forehead. I smile, watching his face relax a bit. “All we can do is be there for her.” He looks as if he’s thinking about what I’ve said. Then his face scrunches up. A look of determination appears.

  “The boys at school tease me,” he whispers, almost so I couldn’t hear. My heart breaks for him. This little boy, so sweet and kind. Boys are so mean. “But what they don’t know they’ll find out one day.”

  I tilt my head in confusion. “What do you mean, Jared?”

  A smile appears on his sweet face. “Nothin’.” My brows lower, wondering what he’s talking about. “Night, Mama.” He rolls over onto his side, his smile never leaving.

  I sit here and watch him for a moment, curiosity taking hold. Finally, shaking my head, I stand, lean down and kiss him then walk out the door, closing it but a crack. Walking across the hall, I open Evie’s door, finding her in bed on her side, facing the window. I walk around her bed, picking up toys from the floor as I go and setting them in her toy box in the corner of her room. I make my way to her bed and sit down on the mattress, looking out that same window to see what she could be looking at.

  “Mama?” I look down at my precious little girl. She’s turned her head looking up at me and I smile.

  “Yes, Pumpkin?”

  She frowns and tears well up in her eyes. “I didn’t want Sparkles to get hurt.” I brush back some of her long hair.

  “I know, sweetie,” I answer her tenderly.

  “I just wanted to jump with him. I love ridin’ and I love him. I wouldn’t want him to get hurt.” Her little chin quivers as a tear rolls down her cheek. I lean over and rub it away.

  “I know,” I whisper. “You just have to be careful. When you ride Sparkles, he’s carrying the most precious thing in my life.” She looks at me in wonderment. “You.” I touch her nose and she smiles. “We have to take care of our animals as well as ourselves, make right decisions about everything we do. What we do affects others.” She nods. I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Right now, it’s time to go to sleep.” She nods again and turns her head back onto the pillow, folding her hands underneath her face. I look at her for a moment, watching her eyes close.

  I hear a creak and turn my head, seeing Memphis standing in the doorway. I stand as he walks in the room, and I walk towards the door but stop and turn, watching him lean down and kiss Evie’s head. He stays there for a moment, watching her like I did, then he stands and walks towards me, taking my hand in his, threading his fingers through mine. I let him lead me from the room. He closes the door but a crack behind us, then he takes me down the hallway to our room. No words are spoken, none are needed, as he closes our door. I turn and face him as he releases my hand, silently undressing me.

  Everything I’ve ever wanted, ever needed, is in this house, on these lands. I watch as he removes my shirt, reaching around to unclasp my bra. The straps are pulled over my shoulders and down my arms by his gentle fingers. Those same fingers and hands that work this land, giving us everything we could ever need. He begins ki
ssing the skin on my neck, the area between it and my shoulder, then my shoulder, making his way over to my chest. When he sucks a nipple into his mouth, I let out a moan, hoping I’m quiet enough not to wake the kids. He leaves it wet. The coolness in the room makes it pucker and peak as his mouth travels down my ribs until he stops.

  I look down, my eyes half-mast and my breathing accelerates, wondering why he suddenly stopped. He moves down to his knees and without looking up at me he begins to unbutton my jeans, lowering the zipper, then pulling them off with my panties. When he gets them down around my knees, he looks at my almost flat stomach, stretched from having two kids. I’d be embarrassed but he looks at it reverently, like it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. He splays his hand over it then leans in and kisses it, lingering there. The baby. Never before had a boy or man looked at me the way he looks at me, wanting me the way he always has. He makes me feel so beautiful.

  I don’t know how long we stay like this. Could be a few minutes or only seconds but it’s the most intense, most loving thing he’s ever done. My heart feels lodged in my throat, my body already forming a light sheen of sweat, and I can feel the pounding of my heart and the sound filling my ears. He hasn’t even really done anything yet but pay homage to my body. He may appear to have a rough exterior but he’s so gentle, so caring. He melts me.

  Finally, when I feel as if I could explode, he pulls my jeans and panties down the rest of the way. I step out of them and wait anxiously. He grasps my hips, kissing up my legs, leaving goosebumps in their wake. I try to squeeze my thighs together, the wetness building intensely, but he put his hands on them, holding me firmly. He’s killing me, slowly, but God, I love it. I love him. So much. Visions of when I first came here play in my mind, stepping off the train and seeing him for the first time. God, I thought he was hot! I was so young, naïve, but I thought I could live life by partying and getting into trouble. Memphis showed me the lands, taught me that I was on the fast track to an early grave. He was so right.