Rules of the Ride: A Silver Star Ranch Novel (14 page)

T
he last few
weeks have been nothing but absolute torture. I’d relived the ten years without Ella in my life and no promise of her returning instead of the hell I’m stuck in now.

“Maverik.” Merek’s booming voice startles me, pulling me back to the job at hand. When I look up, a two-ton bull is storming down the alley right toward me. I hop up on the fence just in time to avoid a major wreck. His broad shoulders slam into the back of my legs, racking both of my knees into the panel.

“Get the fuck out here.” Merek throws his hands up in frustration.

We’re sorting cattle in the corrals and this hasn’t been my first fuck up today. In fact, there’s been several over the last few weeks as my mind only whirls around Ella.

“You’re going to get killed or get someone seriously hurt.”

“I’m fine, Merek. Let’s just get this done.”

He hops two fences before he’s right up in my face. “I refuse to stand here and watch my older brother get killed because his head isn’t screwed on right.”

“You can’t take this away from me, Merek. What am I supposed to do? Go sit in the house and rot away?” I take my hat off and scrub the top of my head.

“On her time, Maverik, on her time. Have faith.”

“I’m fucking over having faith and about to go fucking mad.”

“No shit.” Merek throws his hands up and I steady myself, waiting for the asshole to knock some sense into me. I’ve been miserable to my family.

“Get the fuck out here now, Maverik.” He steps up to my chest. “We don’t need any damn accidents on the ranch and you clearly can’t focus right now.”

“Listen to him, Maverik.” Challis steps up behind Merek.

“Fuck,” I hiss out and punch the green panel. Of course Challis would get involved. It’s how the whole last month has been. I get into it with one brother, then Challis or the other brother joins. I fly off the handle, punches get thrown, and then Granddad gets involved. I’ve been getting better about just walking away.

“By all means you’re the fucking hero, Merek.” I turn my back on him and walk away. I know he’s only looking after me, but it’s getting fucking old. And I’m even getting more frustrated with myself that I can’t control my own emotions erupting from me.

When I slam the gate to the corrals, I notice Granddad on his bottom step making his way out to us. I wave him off and head for my house. The hinges on every single door have been shattered multiple times over the last few weeks. I turn on a straight hot shower.

I don’t even recognize the man staring back in the mirror. Overgrown stubble, hollow cheeks, and sad eyes. Not one feature recognizable on me. Time is the culprit to all of it. The fucking time Ella needed. I see a monster looking back at me in the mirror and send my fist flying toward his cheek. The mirror shatters all over the place.

The hot water does nothing for my foul mood and I know whiskey is the last thing that will help. But I pour myself a whiskey on the rocks and walk over to Granddad’s porch with my bottle.

“Drink, old man?” I hold the bottle of whiskey up.

“No, I’ll stick to this.” He flashes me his soda can. “Having a rough day again, Maverik?”

“Typical.” I shrug and down the whiskey in one gulp.

“Your knuckles.”

“Yeah, didn’t like the man staring back at me in the mirror, so I took care of it.”

Granddad shakes his head. “Get your shit together, son.”

“I try every morning when I wake up, but then I’m consumed by her and it spirals from there.”

“You should be damn proud of Ella.”

“I am.”

“Then have patience, asshole.”

I pour another drink. Granddad snatches the bottle before I can even get the cap on it. “This poison won’t solve any of your problems.”

I shrug and sip on this drink knowing as a grown ass adult, my granddad just cut me off.

“Have you seen Marvel?” he asks me.

“Yeah, last night he was going out with Weston. Why?”

“He never came home.”

“Must have found a ripe bunch of pussy.”

“Must have.” Granddad rocks in his chair with worry covering his face.

“He’s fine, old man. I’m sure hungover as hell somewhere with some good stories to tell.”

“He’s not like you and Merek. He’s a homebody.”

“I know. Probably just working out some frustration he has going on.” I finish off my last drink and stand.

“Look there, old man, dust rolling down the lane. He knew you were worried about him.”

I stumble a bit on the uneven porch as I open the door and make my way to the bathroom. Thank God for Granddad. He’s been my saving grace and the only person who can calm me down by just talking to him. My knee is stiff as hell and when I pull down my pants, it’s also black and blue from the bull. I shake my head, knowing Merek was right once again.

The one thing I’ve perfected is apologizing for being a dick. I check my phone to see if Ella has texted and I’ve received nothing from her. She’s been really good about sending a daily text or calling with the boundary line drawn of no talk of moving here.

Mav wasn’t impressed when I missed his rodeo, but it wasn’t my choice. Ella asked me to give her some distance and time. And that’s just what I’ve done. I hear Jake barking on the porch and find it odd.

When I push open Granddad’s screen door, I feel my knees buckle and my head spins in confusion.

“Didn’t think you’d want to be drunk for this.” Granddad stands and pats my shoulder.

“You knew she was coming home today?”

“Sure did, son.”

Their crappy two horse trailer hitched to her, the old white pickup truck is parked in front of Granddad’s house with dust still swirling around it from the dirt road. Mav hops from the passenger seat first, waving like a lunatic. It takes Ella a bit longer to climb out of the truck and around the front of it.

“Well, go get your family, Maverik.” He slaps me on the back, nudging me forward. Once my feet start, I don’t slow down as I run down the stairs and sidewalk to Mav. I pick him up and bear hug the shit out of the boy. Overwhelming joy stings my eyes and I don’t even try to contain the tears.

“You’re here.” I set him down and ruffle his hair.

“Mom said it was time we go home.”

I look over to Ella with her rosy cheeks and smile.

“Is this it, Pinks? Is this really happening?”

She flips her hair over her shoulder and I realize that bright golden hue is my favorite color in the world. “Yes, I told you I needed time to wrap things up at our place. I’m here, Maverik. I’m here for you and only you.”

Mav walks past me, up the sidewalk, and onto the porch with Granddad. Ella and I both watch him take a seat. Granddad passes him a soda and they fall into an easy conversation.

I drop to my knees in front of Ella and raise her shirt up. Her belly has nearly doubled in size since I saw her last. Both of my palms spread out to try to cover every single inch of her flesh. I take my time placing kisses all over her. Her bleeding on the floor of her kitchen was the scariest moment of my life. I was able to leave her side when the doctors confirmed a heartbeat.

“Thank you, Ella, thank you.”

She grabs my chin and forces me to look up to her. “No, thank you for everything, Maverik. I need you and always will.”

“How’s the baby doing?”

She quirks an eyebrow up at me. “You mean babies.”

“Babies?”

“Yes, twins.”

Ella erupts into laughter and I know it’s from my dumbfounded face. “Are you kidding?”

“No, Maverik, I’m not.” She grabs her belly as she lets out more laughter. “I thought it would be a nice little surprise for you. I found out at the check up after my scare. You should’ve seen my face when they found the second heartbeat.”

I kiss her belly again then look up to her. “Boys or girls?”

She shrugs both shoulders. “I don’t know but we can find out at my next appointment. That’s why I came home. It’s going to be us from here on out.”

I stand, clutch her face in my hands, and kiss the hell out of her. I hear Merek and Challis pass us, making their way up to the porch. I nudge Ella back into the fender of her truck, deepening our kiss as my hands roam all over the place.

“Maverik, slow down.”

“I can’t.” I move from her lips down to the flesh on her neck and lick, suck, and bite. Ella tilts her head, allowing easy access and even lets out a light moan, then pushes me back.

“We have an audience.” She nods toward the porch. “And one of them is my son.”

I place my finger on her mouth, stopping her. “You mean
our
son. He’s mine just as much as you’re mine.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yes, I meant our son, silly. Now quit dry humping me in public.”

“Fine.” I clutch her hand in mine and am reminded how perfectly we fit together. “We’re having twins.”

I shout it so loud that I’m sure it could be heard two counties over.

“Oh my hell.” Challis races off the porch and wraps up Ella.

“Twins,” I repeat again, still in shock.

Granddad claps his hands together. “Good deal, this ranch needs some new cowboys and cowgirls.”

I walk Ella up to the porch and force her to sit down in a rocker. It’s clear she’s used to taking care of herself. The girl better be ready to be taken care of the rest of her life. A loud whinny hushes our conversation.

Mav sits up proud in his chair. “That’s Arsine.”

“Who’s Arsine?” Challis asks.

“It’s his Teebaby,” Ella whispers, rubbing her swollen belly.

“Mom bought him for me and we’ve been kicking…” He pauses, searching for the right word. I step up and do the manly thing and help him fill in the blanks.

“Ass. They’ve been kicking ass at rodeos. Mav is one hell of a roper. Could probably out rope all of us fools.”

“Well, let’s see this beauty.” Granddad sits up a little taller in his chair.

Mav is up and out of his seat before any of us can blink. My heart swells two sizes watching him open the trailer and unload the horse.

“Ella, you raised a damn good boy.” Granddad reaches over and pats her thigh.

“I tried my best. Modeled my parenting after the only family I ever had.”

“Damn, he sure is a little Slatter, isn’t he?” Merek shakes his head from side to side watching Mav walk his horse up to us.

“He sure is a gorgeous buckskin there, kid. You should be awfully proud.” Granddad beams back at Mav and his horse.

“He’s a good one.” Mav pats his neck and I can’t help but laugh at him. He’s so grown up. Challis races down the steps to love on the horse.

“When are we buying you a riding glove and rigging?” Merek asks.

“Merek Slatter.” Ella shoots him a dirty look.

Mav’s smile grows even bigger. “I’m dying to ride.”

“You’re in good hands, kid,” Merek replies.

“So is your full name Maverik?” Challis asks.

“Yes, but my mom always calls me Mav.”

“Okay, so we have Mav and Maverik.” Challis starts braiding the mane of Arsine.

“Just call him Junior,” I add as I place my hand back on Ella’s stomach, covering the back of her hand.

I
’ve never seen
Mav so happy in his life. Not even the biggest buckle he won has produced a smile like this. He never had a second thought when I pitched him the idea of moving, leaving behind his friends and childhood home. His bags were packed before mine, but I told him the house had to sell first and I had to be cleared by the doctors before we could actually make the move.

I could’ve left that day with Maverik and uprooted everything, but I fought for ten long years to get what I had and I was doing things on my terms for once. The harsh reality of life had forced every single one of my decisions up until now. I know it killed Maverik as Granddad kept me up to date on everything. I reach down and clutch the old man’s hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

Now here I know everything is right in the world. No doubts or regrets linger in my mind. It took me a long time to find the courage to love myself after being attacked. My son helped heal my broken heart, but there was always a piece missing and that was Maverik. He’s given me the courage to come back home to him. The stares I’ll receive in town don’t even threaten me anymore because I have the love of a man who’ll never turn his back on me.

“My mom wears high heels to my rodeos. It’s so damn embarrassing.”

“Language,” I warn Mav.

The Slatters erupt in laughter as I’m sure none of them are shocked that high heels and mini-skirts were one thing I kept over the years.

A cloud of dust comes up the lane and when it all settles Marvel hops out of his truck. He looks exhausted and like he had one hell of a night out on the town.

“What do we have here?” he hollers out as he walks up the sidewalk. “Holy shit, Ella James is home.”

He beelines straight for me. I stand as he wraps me up in a hug. “Welcome home, Sis,” he whispers in my ear.

“Thank you.”

“What’s this?” He takes a step back and touches my belly like it might bite him back. “Been eating too much watermelon?”

“Ass.” I smack his shoulder.

Marvel walks past me into the house, whistling a happy tune.

“He seems extra happy,” Merek says.

“Strange.” Granddad scratches his head.

I nudge Maverik on the shoulder. “We should get some stuff unloaded for tonight.”

I try to hold back my yawn, but the damn thing wins the battle. Carrying twins is way more tiring than one baby. It’s nearly kicked my ass.

“Now, I knew Ella was coming tonight. I have your mom and dad’s place ready for you two with new paint and everything,” Granddad announces.

“No, you don’t have to.” I clutch his hand a little tighter.

“Now, no bullshit here. You two get that house. You’ll have three kids and need the most space.”

“What about our mom?” Maverik asks. Sadness drenches his voice.

“She’s not coming back, son. Now do as you’re told. Merek, go help them unload and gather up a few men.”

His words are final and no one argues with him. Merek, Marvel, and Maverik start packing up his house while Challis, Mav, and some hired hands start unloading the cab and bed of the truck. Every time I get up to help, I get yelled at by Challis, followed by the death glare and threat of getting Maverik.

I finally talk her into allowing me to unload boxes while sitting down. I start in Mav’s room. When I push open the door, I’m amazed at what lies before me. Granddad had it painted a burnt orange with all sorts of western pictures hanging on the wall. He has one of Maverik and me on the back of Chili above the dresser and a large Silver Star brand above his bed.

I begin unloading his clothes, refolding them and tucking them away in his dresser. Knowing my son, he’ll never use the damn drawers; he prefers to live off the ground, digging through piles of clothes. I come across a crumpled piece of paper that falls out of one of his old pairs of jeans. When I open up the paper, I see his writing all over it. It’s dated a month back.

D
ear Mom
,

I know the moving thing is hard on you. The babies are sucking up all your energy and decision making skills. Let me make it easy on you. Let’s move to live with Maverik. I’d love to live on a ranch.

You are the best mom in the world, but sometimes a boy just needs a guy in his life. You know to pee on trailer wheels without getting yelled at and when I need to talk.

If we move with Maverik and you marry him, can you promise me one thing? I want my name to change when yours does. I want to be a Slatter with you. I probably won’t give this to you because I don’t like it when you cry. And it seems that’s all you do anymore.

I will love my life here or there. But I vote there.

Your best son in the world,

The Mav

“
W
hat’s that
?”

Maverik’s voice startles me, causing me to jump a bit and squeal.

“Sorry, babe, thought you heard me tromping up the stairs.”

“Read this.” I pass him the letter and lay my head on his shoulder as he reads it.

“Wow.” Maverik tips his hat back. “So, you’re basically asking me to marry you.”

“Shut up, asshat.” I slap his chest.

“I’ll take care of this and talk to him.”

“I know you will.” I crawl into his lap, facing him, and tap on his nose. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

“It wasn’t easy, Ella. Do you know how many times I almost cracked?”

“I do. But I had to do it my way, and now all I have to worry about is being the princess in my own fairy tale.”

“You mean queen.”

“God.” I let out a breath and lightly kiss Maverik on the lips. “I never thought this day would come.”

“Me either.” He leans forward and kisses me back.

“I never want to fight again or rehash the past, Maverik.” I copy his kiss he just gave me.

“Fuck the past. All I see is our future.” He kisses me again and I can’t help but smile back on his lips.

“You’re really going to give me the world, aren’t you?”

“Damn right, baby.”

“Mom.” Mav rounds the corner. “I was thinking, can we have pizza for our first night here?”

I turn to see his face and before I can respond, Maverik does. “Sure can, bud. What kind do you want?”

“Oh, I have a feeling that you two are going to be a handful.”

Mav plops on his bed. Maverik’s back is resting against it and I can’t miss the huge grin still covering my son’s face. I try to move from Maverik’s lap but he pulls me back down. Soon Challis and Merek join Mav on the bed as they all discuss the pizza order.

“Call it in, Challis.” Maverik hands her his phone.

“Have you two looked at your room yet?” she asks.

“No, why?” I raise an eyebrow in her direction. “Did you have a hand in all of this?”

“Maybe.” She shrugs.

“Let’s go look.” Maverik holds his hand out for me to stand up. “Mav, go over and grab Granddad for dinner.”

“Got it.” Mav takes off out of his room, leaving Merek and Challis on his bed.

Finally getting up to my feet, I wave a finger at the two. “Don’t be christening my son’s bed by bumping uglies.”

“You’re still no fun, Ella,” Merek replies.

As we walk down the hall, I hear Challis yell. “We left the nursery alone. Thought you might want to do your own thing.”

“Thanks, because when these two girls come, it will be raining pink and glitter on every surface.”

I hear Maverik groan and really hope I get one little girl out of the deal. He pushes open the door to the master bedroom and I’m taken aback. Pictures line the entire border of the room. Matching western frames with turquoise and bling decorating the corner of each frame. Our elementary school pictures are in the frames and I get a good laugh at Maverik’s kindergarten one. His face was so chubby and he’d already lost both of his front teeth from getting kicked by a calf. The boy was toothless until the third grade.

“You better not be laughing at me.” He slaps me in the ass.

“You’re so damn cute though. I just want to pinch those cheeks.”

“Oh, I have some cheeks you can pinch.”

The further we walk into the room the older we are in each picture. Both of us rock the awkward middle school stage. Rodeo pictures and pictures of us out on the ranch are randomly scattered about. Then it’s high school pictures, more rodeo ones, and dance pictures. Lord, I had big hair and obnoxious dresses in each one. Several frames hold pictures of us on Maverik’s tailgate before a rodeo. Me in my damn skirt and him prepping to ride.

My favorite one has to be of him and his first champion buckle. He stops and studies the picture for a long time. I wrap my hands around his waist and kiss his back.

“It’s my favorite of you.”

“I miss riding.”

“I know you do, baby.”

I let him take as long as he needs before moving on. When we come to my senior picture, I cringe and immediately feel sick.

“Take it down now.”

“Why?” Maverik turns to me.

“That’s the girl who…”

“Stop.” He clutches my face and forces me to look up at him. “That’s the girl who owns my heart and I love with all my soul. I look at that picture and see nothing but you. Don’t let anyone ruin you, baby.”

“It’s hard, Maverik.”

“I know, but I’m here now. We’re together.”

I move on, knowing I won’t win the fight and take in the rest of the room. A large cow hide is centered on the floor. The headboard is huge with a Silver Star Ranch brand burnt into it.

“It’s gorgeous.” I flop down on the bed, rolling around on the red paisley comforter.

“Get up,” Maverik growls.

I smile up at him. “Why?”

“Because if I crawl in that bed with you, we won’t be leaving the rest of the night.”

“Did you see these?” I sit up in the bed with my legs dangling over the side. “My boobies are huge.”

“Fuck, Ella, put your shirt down.” Maverik scrubs his face and I don’t miss the bulge growing in his pants.

“Look how perky pregnancy has made my nipples.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Maverik rips down my shirt, nearly decapitating my poor nipple. I laugh at his response and know damn well he’s fighting hard to contain himself from pouncing on me.

It feels amazing to be carefree, in love, and finally at home. Maverik drags me to a standing position, whirls me around to face the door, and slaps my ass.

“Go.”

“Geez, so damn bossy already.”

“I ought to bend you over my knee and blister your ass, you little tease.”

“You know I’d enjoy that too much.” I turn around and send him a little wink.

When we make it downstairs, the whole family is gathered around the wrap-around bar that borders the kitchen. Pizza boxes cover the counters.

“Guess you never agreed on what kind to order?” I begin lifting the lids to each box and decide on a meat lovers before sitting down.

“Need a drink, Ella?” Maverik ask as he piles his plate high with pizza.

“Yeah, I’ll take a vodka and orange juice.”

Maverik nearly drops his plate. “What?”

My comment definitely gained the attention of the whole family and I can’t help but laugh to nearly pissing myself.

“My hell, this is going to be a fun five months.”

“You little shit.”

“Thanks for dinner. We’re off for the night.” Marvel makes his way to me and hugs me.

“Damn, did you even chew your pizza or just inhale it?” Merek asks him.

“Weston has a hot date tonight and I guess she’s bringing along a friend for me.”

I watch Maverik eye Marvel and just like when we were young, Maverik knows Marvel is lying.

“Where you meeting these ladies?” he asks, staring down his brother.

“Over at Sliders on Fifth Avenue,” Marvel answers without pausing or stumbling.

“Thanks.” His friend Weston waves, getting up from his seat. I barely recognize him. Weston and Marvel were attached at the hip when they were younger. He’s sure filled out to be a handsome young man. I really thought he was going to be forever an awkward beanpole.

Merek and Maverik follow the two men out the door.

“What’s that all about?” I point to the front door, knowing something is wrong.

“Nothing.” Challis waves me off.

I make a mental note to grill Maverik about it later tonight. Granddad and Mav start up a game of UNO once they’re finished with their pizza. Nearly an hour passes before Merek and Maverik show back up. Challis insisted on cleaning up the mess and putting the pizza away.

“Everything okay?” I wrap my arms low around Maverik’s waist.

“Yeah, fine.”

“Are you lying to me?”

“No, babe, as far as I know, everything is fine. Marvel’s been struggling a bit and we’re just watching him really close.”

“Okay. I love you.” I reach up and kiss his lips. I’ll never get tired of kissing him.

We enjoy the rest of the evening as a whole family unit. The UNO game turned into a wrestling match once Merek and Maverik joined. The competitive asses couldn’t handle it. I thank Granddad over and over for the house, being my rock the last month, and accepting us back here.

“Merek, we can move the rest of the shit in the morning.”

“I’ll be there to help.”

“You didn’t get everything?” Granddad asks.

“Naw, but plenty for tonight,” Maverik responds. “Junior and I are going for a ride first thing in the morning, then I’ll come grab you.”

“Sounds like a deal.” Merek nods as he throws Challis over his shoulder. “Think we’re going to go practice making babies.”

“You horny bastards walk me home.” Granddad stands up and steadies himself.

“We can walk you home,” I offer.

“No need, sweetie.”

The house is quiet when everyone leaves. I nudge Maverik with my elbow and point to the couch where Mav has already passed out.

“Been a big day for the kid. I’ll carry him up to bed,” Maverik whispers.

I snag a bottle of water from the fridge before starting the trek upstairs. I can already tell these stairs will quickly become my nemesis the bigger my belly gets. As soon as I enter our room, I race into the shower to wash away a bit of sleepiness and grime from traveling and unloading our stuff.