Page 42

Chapter forty-two

Over the river and through the woods

Lorilei

“We’ll be fine.” I wave my hand at Mason who looks at me with a half frown. “You’ll be back tomorrow night, right?”

He nods, rubbing his palm over the whiskers on his jaw.

I kind of like that he’s growing his beard out. It makes him look rough, feral almost.

I really can’t wait until it’s long enough to not chafe my thighs when he buries his face between them.

No complaints, though.

“I have to leave here at five am to get there by nine. There’s a shit ton of paperwork, and the bidding doesn’t open until afternoon. It’s still ridiculous we have to be there in person for those forestry contracts.” He leans back, rubbing his stomach. “If I was smart, I’d start jogging there to wear off those pork chops. Damn, they’re good.”

As hard as he works, I know he could eat twice as much and never gain a pound.

Closing in on the four month mark of pregnancy has my own belly starting to pooch.

It’s the persistent morning sickness that has me wanting to stay home tomorrow. Dixon said it usually fades after the first trimester. Doubt it will stop by morning. The last thing I want to do is have to make Mason pull over ten times so I can lose my breakfast on the side of the road.

“We were going to go riding once Lori’s up for it anyway.” Sophia pops a cherry tomato into her mouth.

“How is Misty doing?” Mason looks at her but drops his hand onto my lap.

His finger works up and down over the taut button on my jeans. They won’t fit soon, I’ll have to switch to leggings.

He loves to touch my little baby bump. Every morning he gets excited seeing it grow.

“She’s solid. I can’t believe she isn’t spookier after the crash. I just want to get some miles on her.” Sophia drops her fork on her plate, then stands and starts to gather everyone’s dishes.

“Who are you riding?” He turns his honey-colored eyes on me.

“Clover. She’s easier to get on and off of.” I like Hank, he has more than one speed. But, he’s huge. If we decide to get off and walk around, he’s hard to get back on without a fence to crawl up.

“I’ll tack ‘em up before we go, Dad.” Sawyer hands Sophia his plate, but snags the last of the biscuits from the bowl.

Sawyer has been excited all week that he gets to participate this year. I guess when he and Sophia turned eighteen, Mason put them on the paperwork as co-owners.

I think he’s proud to have a stake in the game now.

Mason relaxes slightly. “Thanks. If all goes well, we should be home around around dinner. Ford will be here if you need him.”

“Um, Dad.” Sophia looks at him from the kitchen with one raised eyebrow. “It’s almost Halloween. Are you sure Ford is reliable this week?”

“Fuck,” he says under his breath, but I’m close enough to hear him.

“Is he scared of it?” I don’t get why they are all staring at their hands.

Mason sighs and moves his hand up to my shoulder. He only does that when he thinks I’m stressed.

“It’s the anniversary.” His thumb works a circle at the base of my neck. “He lost someone special to him on Halloween.”

“Oh.” No one has told me what it’s all about. I probably don’t need to know the details.

“Do you think I should stay? I can always go next time.” Sawyer’s bottom lip betrays his earnest offer.

“No, it’ll be good for you to learn the ropes. Besides, they’re only every two years. This is the perfect opportunity if you ever wanted to branch off your own herd and expand the contracts.” Mason pulls the heat of his palm away from me when he digs out his phone. “I’ll just let Trevor and Russ know to hang close in case you girls need anything.”

I love how he tries to take care of us. My fingers rest on his wrist. “We’ll be okay. Who knows.” I shrug. “There’s a chance that we stay inside and eat cinnamon rolls instead.” I toss Sophia an obvious conspiratorial wink.

“Well, now I’m thinking I might stay home,” he laughs. “They taste best right out of the oven.”

“I promise I’ll save you some.” Standing, I bend and press a light kiss against his temple.

Since Sophia is taking care of the dishes, the least I can do is wipe down the table.

We’re all finding a comfortable rhythm to becoming a family.

I wonder how things will work once there’s a newborn in the mix?

A weird fluttering moves between my hips and my palm rushes to cover it. Is that what I think it is?

“Lori? Are you alright?” Mason’s voice deepens with concern. He’s by my side before he finishes his sentence.

“Yea. I think, um. I think I just felt the baby move.” There it is again. Almost like a gas bubble, but localized in my lower belly.

Sophia squeals and almost drops a glass into the sink. “Oh my god, I can’t wait!” Mason grins, covering my hand with his as he slides behind me. “Me neither,” he murmurs, touching his lips to the sensitive spot beneath my ear.

The warmth of where he slept has long faded when I wake up. I remember briefly rousing when he kissed me goodbye, but fell back asleep.

Nausea is my new alarm clock.

“Little one, I hope you decide to calm your tiny britches.” Pressing my hand over my belly doesn’t make the queasiness abate.

Only after dry heaving into the toilet does the wave of cold sweats finally fade.

I’ve heard that the second baby is the opposite of the first. Please let that be that way with morning sickness also.

“That good, huh?” Sophia pulls a ginger ale from the shelf and hands it to me before I can say a word.

I grunt my thanks and pour myself into the couch.

She perches at the other end, entirely too chipper this early. “I was thinking we could go out towards the north pasture. There’s a pond up there at the top end of the creek.”

A blank stare is the best I can muster while I sip the warm soda.

The thought of completely canceling our ride flits in my head.

No, she’s been excited about her and I having some time, just like Sawyer was excited to be treated as a partner.

“Sure. In a little while? I’m not sure I can move until my stomach figures out level again.” Groaning, I run to the bathroom before the half of a can I drank comes back up.

I think Dixon said this ends soon as some sort of false hope. That’s the secret no one wants to share, the ill feeling lasts the whole time.

“I’ll make us some lunches. You’ll be hungry later,” Sophia calls from the kitchen.

She’s right. Every morning is grueling, but by afternoon, I’m better.

Today is no different.

After the rest of the ginger ale, some crackers, and researching crazy baby names Sophia found online, I’m up to joining her.

“I’ll radio the guys and let them know we’re leaving.” She grabs one of the hand held radios from the charging port near the door.

“Russ? Are you there?” She clicks the button as she talks.

Staring at me, her eyebrows raise expectantly while she waits. “Maybe we should just go ahead and get the horses. This’ll reach the pond.” She slides the walkie into the top pocket of her shirt and opens the door for me.

I can’t even see a limp when she matches my stride down the stairs.

“Misty has been doing so good in the round pen. If I take off in a gallop with her, don’t worry about trying to keep up. I want to see what she has.” Sophia’s smile exudes confidence.

The fact that she isn’t hesitant to get back on her horse after her accident says so much about her personality. She’s healed and is ready to try again with new determination.

“I admire the heck out of you,” I admit. “Did you really sign up for a rodeo after Christmas?”

“Of course! It’s the start of the next season. If I don’t, I might not accrue enough points to make it to Vegas next fall. Oh!” She dances sideways as she walks, her steps bouncing with excitement. “We should totally go together if I make it!”

“I hate to burst your bubble, but I’ll have a four month old around then.” I try not to grimace, but can feel one eye squint when I look at her.

“Oh. Yea. I didn’t forget, I just wasn’t thinking. Well, I bet Dad would want to go, too. We could all go, then you’d have help. Sawyer is used to holding his video game controller all day, he can help hold his little sister.”

That cracks me up. “Uh huh. They’re totally the same,” I giggle.

Sawyer has both of the horses fully saddled. They’re happily dozing in their stalls when we reach them.

I’m glad the temperature is so much cooler. They won’t be as sweaty under their blankets.

“Russ? Trevor? Are you there?” Sophia glowers at the radio, then glances up at me. “What are they doing?”

“No idea.” I lead Clover out ahead of Sophia leading Misty.

Misty is bigger than Clover, and a lot more energetic. I’ve learned to give Sophia tons of room when they’re working together since her mare can be a bit wild.

Static crackles through the air. “I hear you, Sophia.” Trevor’s voice comes through the tiny speaker.

“We’re heading to the pond in the north pasture. Just so you know.” She drops the handheld into her pocket without waiting for a reply.

Finding the low step near the gate, I pull Clover close enough so I can climb onto her easier.

She stands patiently, only flicking her ear once while I find the stirrups.

The bulge in my belly is starting to make my hips rotate out. I’ve seen some women who can ride all the way through their pregnancy.

They’re stronger than me. I’m not on horseback often enough to be comfortable with it.

Misty prances up, her mouth working the steel bit as she tosses her head.

“You good?” Sophia asks with a breathless smile.

She’s in her happy place, and it shows.

“Yep!” Pressing my heels into Clover’s flank makes her move into a slow trot following Misty.

Passing the turn off to the creek, we cross over a broad prairie until we get to a low rise.

The warmth of the afternoon sun is just strong enough to make me loosen my coat.

“It’s so beautiful up here.” I’ve never seen this part of the ranch before. There are some days I feel like I could ride forever and not reach the edges.

“I love it up here. One day, I want to build a house overlooking that ridge.” She points to our left where there’s a flat point of land jutting above the valley. “The living room would point to the west so I could watch the sunset every day over those hills.”

The distant mountains are sporting a skiff of snow at the peaks.

Winter comes a lot sooner up here. I can’t wait to see when the ranch has a fresh layer of snow.

“I could come and visit you here every day.” It would feel empty at the main house without her.

She waves her hand. “You’re the one that’s going to have all the kids. I can come to you.”

“You don’t want any?” Why have I never asked that before?

“Of course I do. But it takes two, girly. Didn’t my dad teach you about the birds and the bees?” She snorts and shakes her head. “Please don’t answer that.”

Rounding a gentle bend, the meadow featuring a broad, still pond appears.

Complete with a frog, sunning himself on a flat rock.

Idyllic.

“I like it here.” I’m careful when I dismount not to drag my belly down the side of the saddle. It’s probably not necessary to worry, but I can’t help it.

“Here, I’ll tie them up. Want to spread out the blanket in that smooth spot?” She hands me her bag and takes the reins for Clover from me.

“Oh! You brought me crackers!” I love her for thinking of me.

“I brought other stuff, but those are just in case.” She ties the horses well apart so they don’t tangle, then pushes through the tall grass back to me. “I hope the snow holds off. Look at all this browse the cows could still eat before winter.” She sweeps her arm like the show host of an infomercial.

“But—” She sits next to me and pulls out a small bag of chips. “—if Dad wins that bid today, we won’t have to worry about it. The Basin has enough grass for the whole herd.”

She crunches noisily.

Exceptionally loud.

Wait. It isn’t her making that sound.

“What the heck?” Sophia jumps up, her leg doesn’t slow her down.

I’m slower to rise, my belly already becoming an obstacle.

Hoofbeats race towards us.

“Oh, I think it’s Trevor. But who’s with him?” She shades her eyes watching the two riders approach.

“Cash?” she yells. “What the hell are you doing here?” Her fists find her hips.

Why do both men look so agitated? Their faces are red and puffy with deep frowns.

“Came to find you, sexy.” Cash’s mouth turns up in a lascivious grin. “And her. While the cat is away, the mice will play.”

Sophia crosses her arms and scowls. “Trevor? He isn’t supposed to be here.”

Trevor leans his elbow on his saddle horn and tilts his hat back. “Actually, he is. It’s our job to keep you girls…occupied.” His wink at her makes me uncomfortable in his brazenness.

“No, Trevor. It’s your job to keep us safe.” Sophia turns toward me, crumbs from her snack still sprinkled on her shirt. “Let’s go. Obviously our party has been crashed.”

Trevor taps his horse to trot over to Misty where he reaches over and grabs her bridle, then threads the lead rope up into his palm. “Yea, you’re leaving. But you’re coming with us.” His head jerks towards the mare. “Go on, I’m leading.” He makes a show of wrapping the line through the ring by his thigh.

“The fuck?” Sophia yells. “Leave her alone!”

Everything shifts when I see Cash pull out a pistol.

My fingers find her sleeve and I tug her hard enough that she looks at me.

She must see the paleness in my face, because her own features drop as she turns to Cash.

“What are you doing?” she stammers with less bravado than before.

“We’re taking you to the top gate so you can tell Mason what you’re up to. It isn’t in his best interest to get that bid.” Cash waves the barrel at us, ushering us towards the mares.

I feel sick.

After a few faltering steps, I lose control of my nausea and stop to puke in a sticker bush.

“Gross. See, Sophia? This is why I don’t want children with you. So you don’t get sick.” Cash sneers as he watches me wipe my mouth.

“Fuck you, Cash. You’ll never have the chance.” Sophia wraps her arm around my elbow and guides me to Clover. “Are you okay?” she whispers.

“Yes, but scared shitless,” I say back in a hushed tone.

“Me too.” Her blue eyes are so wide, they seem to bug out of her head. “We need a plan.”

I give her a fast nod before my fingers find the cool leather of the saddle.

What the hell can we do?