Page 13 of Rancher’s Healing (Flying Diamond 5)

Blinking slowly, I stared up at the monitors watching to make sure nobody had strayed onto the property in the night. Since Griff’s accident, we were watching the perimeter like a hawk. Rather, I was watching it like a hawk, since I had the set up at my place to watch.

One entire wall of my office was set up with screens so I could easily check on any part of the ranch. I watched the feed every morning, and night to make sure there wasn’t anyone wandering around.

Reaching for my coffee cup, I leaned back in my chair and flailed as I thought I would tip over.

Scalding coffee landed in my lap, and as if I had an eject button under me I jumped off the chair, and quickly undid my jeans, kicking them off.

My underwear was next, because there was nothing worse than cold soaking wet boxer briefs.

Well I suppose a burned cock would be worse.

Thankfully my jeans absorbed most of the heat.

“Hey, how do things look?” I heard Linc’s voice calling from down the hallway.

“Fine, hey give me a…”

“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I looked up as my business partner and friend walked into my office. Grabbing my chair I yanked it over and stood behind it.

“Spilled my coffee,” I grumbled as I looked at the mess all over the floor.

“Well, that’s better than what I thought you were doing.”

“Fuck off,” I huffed at him. “Get out of my house. Nobody was in here last night, since that’s why you came barging in here.”

“Okay, good to know. Are you heading to town today?”Linc asked.

“Yeah, I’m going to go now, need something?”

“Swing by Kristin’s place, she’s not returning my calls.”He ran his hand through his hair, and let out a sigh.

“What’d you do now?” I asked as I shuffled toward the door keeping the chair in front of me.

“Nothing, why is it always my fault?”

“Because it usually is,” I called back as I headed for my room.

“I asked her not to ride this season. See if we could finally have a normal relationship.”

“You’re an idiot.” I replied as I walked back down the hallway doing up a new pair of jeans.

“Funny, that’s what she said.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Is it so wrong, I want to see her more than a few times a month?” He asked as I shoved my chair back into my office and went to the kitchen.

“No, it’s not but this is her life. I mean it’s not like you didn’t know this was her career when you met her.”

“I get that. She doesn’t need to ride, I’ve got more money than she could ever spend.”

“She’s a horse girl, I’m sure she could spend it.

” I said flatly as I grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and poured coffee in each one, handing one to Linc.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the thrill, the buckle and at the end of the day the world championship.

” Pulling out a chair, I took a seat at my dining room table.

“I know,” Linc sighed as he took a seat across from me.

“Heard they had to take Wes Paulson to the home last week.”

“Deflecting your discussion to a discussion about my ex-wife’s family is weak.

” The hot liquid burned as I took too big of a gulp.

I fought spitting it back out and swallowed it down, groaning as it made its way to my stomach.

“Yeah, Kate couldn’t keep him at home anymore.

She’s moving to Everton, so she can be closer to him. ”

“Think Lexie will come home?” He set his cup on the table, and I watched him arch his brow at me. I’m sure he was waiting for me to launch myself over the table, and beat the shit out of him. Because that’s what I usually did when people brought up my ex-wife, but I didn’t move.

“Don’t know. Strange thing about an ex-wife, she doesn’t keep me updated on her comings and goings anymore. And I don’t care what she does.”

“That’s why you still have a picture of her by your bed then?”

“Get the fuck out of my house.” I yelled, as I pointed at the door.

“Well that’s better than getting my face smashed in. Thanks for the coffee Ryder.” Linc stood, and walked toward the door. He hesitated, and I wondered if he was going to open that big mouth of his again but instead he pulled the door open and left without another word.

Linc wasn’t wrong, I did care what Lexie did. I wanted to know what she was doing, not to keep tabs on her in a psychotic way, but I was still absolutely in love with her.

Three years ago I signed divorce papers because it was what she wanted. I wouldn’t hold her hostage in a marriage she didn’t want, no matter how much I wanted her.

Grabbing my truck keys off the counter I pushed the door open and walked away from my house. I didn’t need to lock it. There were more security cameras around this ranch and I’d have an ID in a matter of minutes, even with the door unlocked.

Town was quiet today, it usually was in the fall. Kids were back to school, ranchers in the area were getting their fall work done and the farmers were busy racing the clock to get crops off before it froze or snowed.

“Well I didn’t expect to see anyone from the Diamond today.” Fred said from behind the counter. The balding man smiled like I’d given him a million dollars as I walked toward him. At one time he was the ranch boss.

“Hey Fred. Just needed to get away for a morning. I’m sure I’ll be run off my feet when I get back.” I leaned against the counter.

“How’re my grand girls doing?” He asked as he grabbed a cup and poured black coffee into it.

“You were out there last night, pretty sure they’re the same.” I chuckled. He was such a proud grandfather to all the kids running around the ranch now. It didn’t matter that only one was his biological grandchild; he had more love in his heart than anyone I’d ever seen.

“I just hate missing anything, they make my life worth living.” He beamed and held out the cup to me.

“Are you talking about the girls again?” His fiancee Wanda asked as she put her arm around him and smiled sweetly.

“You know it Darlin’” Fred’s laugh was infectious and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

The bell above the door chimed, and we all looked to see who was coming in, and my heart plummeted to the floor.

Her long molasses colored hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her brown eyes locked on me instantly.

“Come on Alexandra get in the cafe. There’s no reason to stop in the doorway.

” Another woman’s voice said from behind her and she popped out beside her.

“God, what’s wrong with you?” She asked before noticing me. “Oh.”

“Thanks for the coffee Fred.” I said and tossed a five on the counter.

Turning, I walked toward the door, I tried to just look at the floor.

“Lydia.” I nodded at her as I got closer and I finally looked up again.

“Lex.” I snuck around the women, and walked to the door, hearing the bell again as the door closed behind me.

Don’t look back. There’s no reason to look back, just get in your truck and leave. My brain yelled at me and I managed to get to the truck and get in, but my eyes moved across the street and I looked through the cafe window and my eyes locked on her.

Once again my heart ripped in two. The truck roared to life when I turned the key, and I pulled out of the parking spot like I was a teenager in high school trying to impress my friends. The tires squealed as I sped off down the street.