Page 22 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

“Just like that?”

Dru cuts a pancake that is soggy with syrup, basically slurping it into her mouth. “Just like what?” She washes her giant mouthful of food down with a sip of coffee.

I can’t help but be mesmerized by how she eats. She isn’t afraid of the mess she’s making. Syrup is on the countertop, on her cheeks and chin, and bacon crumbles are sticking to her. It’s adorable. I’ve always loved it when a woman has an appetite.

“I expected you to fight me on leaving. I would have understood too. You just agreed to stay with a stranger. I’m surprised. Unless you plan to stake me in my sleep, then I’d very much prefer if we talk out any issues you might be worried about.”

She snorts, a piece of hashbrown flying from her mouth, and it lands on my chin.

Dru slaps a hand over her mouth, her eyes so wide and unmoving. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry. I’m just a mess right now! I can’t believe I did that.”

I chuckle, plucking the piece of potato from my chin, then popping it into my mouth. I lick my finger, wanting to show her I will happily eat her food, whether it’s on a plate or not. “Still tastes good too.”

“Kentucky,” my name, shy and suggestive, falling from her sweet, syrup-coated lips.

“Don’t bother me none, Darlin’.” I curl my fingers around the handle of my mug. “I love a woman with an appetite.”

She wipes her mouth with a napkin. “I was hungrier than I thought and forgot where I was for a second.” She wipes the corners of her lips, placing the napkin on her lap.

“And to answer your question, I don’t know why I’m not fighting you about leaving.

I just know I can’t. Not yet. I would like to check in with my friend Carmen, though. I can tell her not to worry.”

“She won’t believe you. She will think you’re being held hostage.”

She lifts her fingers up and presses them together until they almost touch. “I am a little bit. Just a little, though.”

We fall into a comfortable silence while we finish our food, smiling and taking quick glances at each other when we think the other isn’t looking. My mind begins to drift to the plans I had of dying, a part of my soul still torn on the decision that needs to be made.

I’m unsure if I can damn Dru to forever since forever is an awfully long time to live. It might not be a big ask for most, I know. Some humans would kill to have this opportunity, to live for all eternity and build wealth so they can have anything and everything the world has to offer.

Humans, and I’m allowed to say this since I used to be one, have become greedy in nature. Nothing is enough. They always want more, and sometimes, they will even kill to get it. Everyone thinks money is what makes the world go round. In my opinion, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

It’s what is right in front of me that keeps my world spinning. I’ve been a poor man and I’ve been a wealthy man, but I’ve never been as rich as this.

“My name is Kentucky. I love chasing sunsets and love guns. Pew. Pew.”

I groan, hanging my head in defeat. I’ll never have a moment of peace when it comes to Lorcan.

“I do not sound like that, Lorcan.”

“Hate to break it to you, bucko, but you do sound like that. Pew. Pew. I’m dangerous and have a big horse. Pew. Pew.”

I glance up to see him in the exact same cowboy hat I own on top of his skull, cowboy boots with the spurs, and a gun holster around his waist. Luckily, and I mean that with all my heart, he has a fake gun in his hand. I can’t imagine what Lorcan would do with a real one.

Dru is dumbfounded, staring at Lorcan as if she is seeing a ghost. I suppose, in a way, he is, since he comes and goes as he pleases.

“You must be Dru.” Lorcan hooks his fingers in the holster, stomping his boots hard on the ground so the spurs create noise. “Nice to meet you, pretty lady.” He pinches the brim of the hat, giving her a head tilt.

I’m the only one allowed to give her a head tilt.

Sneering, I’m in between them, blocking her from him. “Don’t even think about flirting with my m—her,” I correct myself, not wanting to spill the secret too soon.

I know lying isn’t good to do, especially so early on, but is it so bad that I want her to love me first before she feels like she has no choice because she is my fated mate?

She deserves a choice, and if she’d rather die than be with me, I’ll respect that and die beside her.

“Meow, kitten. Claws are out.” Lorcan scratches the air and hisses. “Okay, okay, sheesh. Relax, will you? I’m only poking fun.” He slings the hat across the room, hooking it on the coat rack.

Impressive.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Dru. I’m Lorcan.” He holds out his hand in greeting.

I stand there, crossing my arms over my chest with an eyebrow lifted.

“Ugh, seriously? She can’t even shake my hand? You’re one of those types of…”

I pinch my mouth together, my jaw curt and tense as I stare at him.

“Vampires…?” He ends up sounding like he’s asking a damn question. As long as he doesn’t spill my secret, we will be good. Lorcan has a big mouth, one that vomits words when he isn’t supposed to.

“Kentucky, I’ll be okay. You said this is Lorcan, right? The Void?” Dru asks, peeping around me. “I’ll be okay if he is as nice as you say.”

He can be nice.

When he wants to be.

“Aw, he said I was nice? That’s so sweet.” He grins, holding his hands together over his heart, and if he had eyelashes, I know he would be batting them at me.

Begrudgingly, I step aside to let them meet. I suppose it was only a matter of time, considering he is my only friend.

Dru plasters a big smile on her face, shaking his outstretched hand. I can smell how nervous she is. She pushes through the unknown, willing to meet a paranormal she knows nothing about.

I love her courage.

“Your hand is bone,” Dru points out, staring at it like a kid glaring at a stranger.

“I do have another form that is nicer to look at. I prefer this one, though.”

“Do you want a plate? We were just going to talk about vampire stuff. Kentucky was going to answer any questions I have.”

Lorcan doubles over with laughter, wiping away a fake tear since he can’t cry.

“He was going to answer your questions? He was?” He jabs his thumb at me.

“It’s a good thing I make myself at home.

He doesn’t know anything about vampires.

He couldn’t tell you anything. Oh, that’s funny. Oh my god. My cheeks hurt.”

“You don’t have cheeks,” I grumble, flicking his cheekbone.

“Ow.” He rubs the spot I intentionally annoyed. “And if I did have cheeks, that would have actually hurt, thank you very much.”

Dissipating into smoke, he emerges on the couch with his legs crossed. “How can I help ease your curious mind, Dru?”

“You’re too comfortable here.” I pick up my coffee, checking the glowing time on the stove. I need to leave soon to finish the chores on the ranch. “I only have a few minutes before I need to go.”

Dru takes Lorcan in stride, practically skipping from the kitchen to the living room to sit next to him.

I don’t like that.

“Are you from Hell? What’s it like? Is Lucifer, you know, real? And if he is, is he mean? And?—”

“—I thought you had questions about vampires?” Lorcan interrupts her excited curiosity.

“Excuse you. You owe the lady an apology for cutting her off like that, Lorcan. She’s been very calm and collected about the paranormal world so far, minus being kidnapped by shifters and two different vampires.

Cut her some damn slack before I have one of my barn kittens scratch your skull.

” I take the open spot next to Dru, setting my mug on my knee while keeping a firm grip on the handle.

I can already tell my coffee is cold. “Lorcan.” I hand him the mug.

“I swear, sometimes I feel so used.” He touches the mug, warming it in an instant.

Steam billows from the top just how I like. Bringing it to my mouth, I sip. “Ah, thank you, buddy. See? Such a good friend.”

“You’re welcome.” He turns to Dru. “I’m sorry for being so rude and cutting you off.

Your interest in me took me by surprise.

Hell is real, so is Luci, but he hates to be called that, so don’t do it.

He isn’t anything like humans have turned him into.

He’s a cool dude. I’m created by Death, the number one grim reaper, and we are his junior reapers, I guess?

I’m trying to figure out how to explain it to a human—no offense or anything.

” He winces. “Can we change the subject? I hate talking about myself.”

“I never would have guessed that,” I mutter into the mug, earning myself an elbow jab from Dru.

In a move I haven’t done since I was a teenager, I stretch my arm to the ceiling and drop it across the back of the couch. When Dru doesn’t catch on, I slide down, draping my arm across her shoulders.

She nestles against me, getting comfortable by pressing her back against the nook of my shoulder and chest.

Is this what peace is? I glance up at Daphne, noticing for the first time that the glass of her picture frame is cracked. I wait for rage, for resentment, or even guilt. With my fated mate so close, I don’t feel any of those emotions.

Daphne was another time, another life, and I know this is exactly what she wanted for me. She is, after all, the reason I lived long enough to meet Dru. She made sure I never missed an opportunity to find happiness.

“Kentucky,” Dru asks. “Why do you do all the ranch work alone? And why don’t you do your zippy blurry thing to get it done faster?” She moves her hands as fast as she can to show what she means by ‘zippy blurry thing’.

“Well, the more energy I use, the hungrier I become. Plus, I’ve always liked honest work. That’s what life is all about. I enjoy what I do. There’s no reason to get it done quicker.”

“Why can you go out in the sun without burning?” She’s fast with her next question, staring at me with those big, curious hazel eyes.