Page 19 of Stirring Up Trouble (Saddle Up #1)

Seventeen

Robin

Jake wanted to be my friend.

No, actually, he demanded it. When the men let us loose to go get food, Jake declared I would officially be part of the group of people he collected.

“That sounds a bit creepy,” I told him.

He grinned. “It’s only creepy if you make it that way. Our friend group is huge and super supportive. There are all types of couples too, which means they have lots of different advice. It will help you as you navigate being Cousin Blaze’s boy.”

Everything came to a halt at his words.

How did he know? I didn’t call Blaze Daddy or anything. And he hadn’t explicitly said I was his boy. If this was him trying to wiggle the information from me, then he probably got his answer with how I’ve become a statue.

Jake’s hand on my shoulder broke the spell I was under. “I didn’t mean to assume if this isn’t the case. Lately, I’ve felt like I’m really good at figuring out who's part of the community. Sorry if I offended you or something.”

I shook my head quickly. “No… No, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m not sure, really. All my friends are either Daddies or boys too. Some are even Little. It’s just never been what I was into. Mostly because I’d been dating women. And now —”

“And now you’re not dating women anymore? This is all new, isn’t it?”

Biting my lip, I bobbed my head.

Jake sighed. “Oh, boy. Then I’m so glad we came. You deserve to have someone on your side. I’ll give you my number so you can text me too. No question is ever too weird. I’m besties with my brother’s Little, if that gives you any idea of how comfy I am about this.”

“I’m not sure what to say to that.”

“You don’t have to say anything. We’re going to get some food, then we’ll eat with the Daddies. I’ll answer any question you want. After lunch, I’m getting on a pony. I want a full photo shoot too. The others will be so jealous I got to be around a bunch of cowboys.”

I smiled at that. “They’d probably be even more jealous of my friend’s place. They do a market each month where they open the land up for people to come and sell things. After everyone leaves, they blow up a massive bouncy castle. There’s also a bonfire and beer for the Daddies.”

He did a slow pan my way. “Did you just say they had their own bouncy castle?”

“I did. It’s really colorful and huge. We have to take turns on it, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.”

Jake whipped out his phone as he muttered, “This is fucking unacceptable. I have to text my assistant Timothy right away. He needs to find us a bouncy castle. No! He must find us a fleet of them. I must have some for the next gathering.”

His fingers flew across the screen of the device at a rate that was kind of alarming. This was the complete opposite of the carefree, social butterfly he’d been a moment ago.

If I had to guess, I’d say Jake was a competitive person. Knowing there was someone outdoing him didn’t sit well.

When he finished, he handed the phone over. “Put your number in there, please. I promise I’m not normally so bossy. I’m just frustrated I never thought of something like this.”

Part of me wanted to tell him about Princess Aster and the stories I’d heard about the life-size playhouse he had.

It wasn’t anything I’d experienced myself.

More like lore handed down from others. I worried it would only make Jake more determined to build one himself, which might cut their visit short.

I couldn’t do that to Blaze. It was obvious he loved his cousin. The pair was close enough that the grumpy cowboy facade disappeared completely.

Thinking of them made me turn to see if they’d caught up with us. I found the three men standing not far away, their gazes on us as they smiled.

“What are you doing— ahh, I see. Yeah, they are pretty distracting. I still need your number though,” Jake said as he nudged my hand.

I put my number in, then handed it back to him. “Should we get food for them too? I feel bad ordering without them.”

Jake smiled. “Aww, you’re a sweetie pie. That’s perfect for Cousin Blaze. He needs a softie to dote on.” Before I could ask what that meant, he lifted his arms in the air. “WE NEED YOU!!”

My cheeks heated at the way he drew attention to us.

Some people laughed at the outburst, while a few gave us confusing looks.

Thankfully, no one was outright judgy. I would have hated to give Blaze any type of bad press.

He was already up against whatever happened in his past. I didn’t need to add to it.

When they reached us, Jake got pressed between his men in a hug as my own Daddy pulled me close. It felt wonderful to be all wrapped up in him like this. Like I mattered to him. Like he wanted me now and always.

I was getting ahead of myself. I knew it.

But I couldn’t stop wanting him. I couldn’t go back to my life the way it was before.

“Daddy,” I whispered. “I’m hungry.”

He smiled at me, kissing my lips hard before lacing our fingers together. “Then let’s get you fed, baby. I can’t have your stomach rumbling.”

Jake, Maddox, and Leon had already stepped up to the window. Jake was pointing at multiple things on the menu as Maddox called them out to the lady. Leon was taking cups from a worker, then he was moving over to the fountain drink trailer to fill them up.

By the time we got to order, I felt bad to add more for the workers. It seemed like Jake had ordered nearly one of everything off the menu.

“Whatever you want, baby. It’s yours. Don’t worry about those others. These folks are trained for big crowds.”

Daddy’s words were a comfort. I told the nice young person at the window what I’d chosen — a bacon cheeseburger with curly fries on the side — and asked for a bottle of water to go with it. Daddy wound up ordering the same, though he got tater tots.

I nearly pouted when I heard his choice. Tater tots sounded really good. Maybe if I was good, he’d give me a couple. And if I was really, really good, he’d give me lots.

“You don’t have to be sad, baby. I’ll share my tots with you.” Daddy’s breath teased my ear as he spoke, sending shivers down my spine.

His hands came up to my waist, steering me away from the window and towards the table the others had taken. It was a wonder I could even walk with how turned on I was.

The man talking about tater tots should not have had me feeling this hot. But I found anything he did sexy.

I sat across from Jake at Daddy’s insistence. He moved between me and Leon, which put him facing Maddox at the round table. Once we were all in place, Daddy cracked open the water bottle he’d managed to grab when I’d been lost in my thoughts.

“Awwww. Y’all are precious. I’m so happy you found each other and that we got to visit,” Jake said. “And I can’t wait to see the horses.”

“Heaven help the animals. My boy might be a tad too eager.”

Leon’s words made us all laugh. The moment hit me hard. It felt like I belonged. Like I was supposed to be here. I’d never found that bond anywhere else. It made me wonder just what else being with Blaze would bring me.

“I really think you’re overreacting about May. Why should we bother someone else’s horse for me to take a ride? Besides, aren’t all of them needed for the stuff?” Jake tried to reason with Blaze the entire way to the stalls. When that didn’t work, he attempted to charm his Daddies.

Maddox shook his head. “I’m not letting you anywhere near that beast, Jakey. She’s far too mean to people. And I won’t be able to focus if you get hurt. You want me to be able to work and stuff, right?”

Jake pouted but nodded. One look at Leon told him he’d get the same answer. Especially as Leon added on, “You know I trust Maddox with this more than anyone. He’s got the experience I don’t.”

“Fine. Then who the heck am I supposed to ride?!”

Bobby Allen popped around the corner at that exact moment, which sent Jake jumping at his men and screaming. “Sorry! Didn’t mean to startle you. I was just looking for Robin.”

“Me? What did I do?”

He chuckled. “It wasn’t that you did anything. I wanted to let you know I wound up purchasing a couple of horses. We’ll have to bring them back to Blaze’s ranch tonight and then when the rodeo is over, they’ll come home with us.”

I’d have been less affected if he’d punched me in the face.

Bobby Allen’s reminder that home wasn’t the Anders Ranch and this life hurt. I wanted to be with Blaze. I wanted to be by his side planning the rodeo, feeding his animals, and building his family ranch back to the greatness it once was.

I loved my friends at the Coleman Ranch. I loved my job and my partnership with Griffin.

But there was more to life than being an observer to other people’s joy.

“Which horses did you go with?” Blaze asked when I didn’t immediately speak up.

“Majesty and Poison, though I imagine we’ll change their names. I can’t see those sticking around on the ranch. Elton is thinking up new ideas now.”

“Daddy Maddy, do you think this nice gentleman here who knows future-cousin-to-be Robin might let me ride one of his horses?” Jake said, voice slow and clear. He obviously didn’t want there to be any confusion about what he was suggesting.

Bobby Allen frowned as Maddox shook his head and pinched his nose. Blaze cleared up the confusion.

“Sorry about him, Bobby Allen. Let me do introductions. This is my cousin Maddox. Next to him are his partners Leon and Jake. They surprised me with a visit today. Jake wants to ride a horse, which is why we were headed this way to find a suitable mount for him.”

“Oh, I see. Nice to meet you all.” Bobby Allen tipped his cowboy hat in greeting. “As for the horses, I’d say Majesty is probably the best bet. Poison might not be as gentle at first.”

“Would it make me royalty to ride a horse named Majesty, Daddy Lee? I think it does! Then you two can be my jesters. Or my concubines! That would be fun.”

Bobby Allen smiled at Jake’s ridiculous words. He turned to me. “He reminds me of Beau.”

“Holy cow, you’re right! I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection before.”

“Who is Beau? Are you saying he’s as handsome and funny as me?” Jake pressed.

“He has no filter like you do. And he is pretty hilarious to be around. I can’t say there's ever a boring moment when he’s around. Robin has seen enough of his antics to know what I mean.”

“Bobby Allen is right. I really should have realized it when you first started talking.” I smacked my forehead.

Blaze immediately pushed my hand away as he smoothed a thumb over where I’d hit myself. “No hurting yourself, baby. Gotta be gentle.”

His words nearly distracted me from everything. If Jake hadn’t started doing cartwheels, then I might have stayed locked in the pull of Daddy’s gaze. Instead, I turned to see what my new friend was going on about now.

“I’d apologize for him, but that would imply I don’t love his chaos,” Maddox said.

“Same. He has a lot of energy and is worth it all. Thanks for allowing him to ride one of your new horses, Bobby Allen. Anytime you happen to be in Bellport, we’ll get you tickets to a game.”

“To a game?”

“A hockey game. We play for the Bellport Bears.”

At the blank stare his words brought, Leon laughed. It was quite clear the other man had no interest in sports.

“Then we can just take you to dinner or something. Our small city boasts a lot of fun things to do. And we’ve got a great group of friends who would welcome you right along.”

“I’d have to make sure my boy was good with it first,” Bobby Allen replied. “If Elton is interested, then I’ll reach out through Blaze or Robin. One of them can help set it up.”

“Fair enough.”

Jake finally ran out of steam, which was perfect timing. Bobby Allen led our group down to his newly acquired beauties. I looked over the animals just to make sure there wasn’t anything that would prevent a safe ride.

“She’s good to go. Let’s get her saddled up for Jake,” I told the men.

I was crushed in a hug by Jake, then just as quickly pulled back to Daddy’s chest. We stood to the side watching the four men discuss how to properly place everything. It was a serene moment where the different pieces of me overlapped in real time.

By the end of the rodeo, I’d have to decide which path to follow: Returning to the clinic and working with Griffin or leaving the life I knew behind to be with Blaze.