Rules of the Ride: A Silver Star Ranch Novel (8 page)

“Want a hand up, Merek?” I reach mine out to him.

“Not from you, you evil woman.”

I laugh even harder at the pained look on his face. He reaches up and grabs my hand and hoists himself up into a standing position. I tug hard and know none of my efforts are helping him as he bounces right back up and leans over my shoulder.

“Good to see you here, and in a better circumstance than in the bar parking lot.”

I can tell he wants to push the conversation so much further.

“I know, Merek, I know.” I pat his shoulder and cut him off before he can go any further.

Everyone disappears from the barn except for Maverik and we are left saddling and brushing Chili in silence. Neither one of us speaks or touches the other as we go about our business. I relive every single one of our childhood memories and feel the deep love I have for Mav blossom from deep within and know without asking he’s doing the same thing.

Several minutes go by before Maverik speaks up. “I’ll go get another horse for me to ride.”

As he turns for the barn door, I grab onto the top of his shoulder. “No.”

He pivots slowly to look at me and I don’t let him talk or ask any questions.

“No, I want to ride with you. Actually, I need to ride with you, please.”

Without a word, Maverik grabs me by the waist and tosses me up on the back of Chili. My hands are planted firmly on the top of his shoulders. I lean down and hold my lips out for a kiss. Maverik covers my lips with his, and in this kiss everything I have to give him is poured into it.

I feel his arm wrap tight around my waist as he reaches up to deepen the kiss. My tears fall down on his face without warning and I begin to panic. I can’t leave him again, but I can’t stay here. My life is one whirlwind of fucked up and it’s like the sick ride will never end.

Maverik pulls away. “Ella, are you okay?”

I shake my head. “Just get up here.”

I watch as he hitches one leg up in the stirrup and then pulls himself up effortlessly without kicking me. He doesn’t prod me. No, instead he nudges Chili into a walk toward the endless fields of pastures on Silver Star. My cheek finds the comfort of his protective back and I finally begin to talk to him.

“Maverik, please don’t ask questions. I’ll tell you as much as I can right now. I didn’t want to leave, but I did. I can’t come back here, but it’s the only place I want to be, and that’s because of you. It’s going to kill me when I have to leave you again.”

I lace my fingers together on top of his buckle as I wedge myself closer to him until I don’t know where I begin or he ends. I hear Maverik start to ask questions, but then he stops himself as we ride throughout the pasture. He stops every once in a while, typing notes into his cell phone and then begins riding again.

At one point he jumps off of Chili to fix a section of the fence that’s been torn down. He doesn’t look at me or try to make small talk, and internally I’m grateful since I haven’t been able to stop crying since we started riding. The back of my sleeve is soaking wet from wasted tears.

I watch as Maverik fixes the broken barbwire. He pulls it tight, closing the gaping hole in the fence just like he’s always done to me. He’s always made me complete, never leaving a hole in me.

He hops back on Chili and begins riding back to the barn. It’s still a good fifteen minute ride back and I’m finally the most honest I’ve ever been with him.

“I’m hurting, Maverik, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

He tugs Chili to an immediate stop, causing me to lurch forward into his back, and within one movement he’s off the back of the horse and pulling me to the ground with him. The look in his eye is a storm of pain, hurt, and determination as he lays me back in the tall pasture grass. His body covers mine before I can get a word out. I hear the zipper of my pants and then feel the tug of my jeans sliding down my hips.

“Let me take care of you, Ella.” I feel him push into me without warning and I cry out.

“I’ll fix anything for you and be here for you. Let me in your fucking life.”

Maverik pushes deeper inside me, and with more force than ever he begins to pound in and out of me.

“I can’t.”

“You think you’re hurting, Ella? You’re fucking killing me. I’ve never loved anyone but you. I need you and I can already tell you’re going to leave me again.”

The sound of our skin slapping together is deafening.

“I don’t want to, Maverik, but I have to.”

“I’m hurting just as bad as you and fucking need you, Ella.”

Maverik digs his arms up underneath my shoulders and grips onto the back of my head, bringing us face to face. I watch and feel his beads of sweat drop onto my skin as he doesn’t speak another word, instead he drives harder and faster into me. I can’t mask my sighs of pleasure as I tighten around him and finally let go, melting back into the tall grass.

He finally collapses on me with one final grunt, and that’s when I feel him spill into me.

“I’ll always be here for you. It may be my greatest downfall, but Ella, you’re my forever.”

And then the tornado of emotions finally rip through me without warning as I feel each of his words pierce my heart, and the realization that some things can’t be changed not even if time was stopped.

We lay together in silence for what seems like forever with only the sound of Chili munching on the pasture grass. I know this is as close to a goodbye I’ll have with Maverik and know it will break his heart, but I can’t manage to speak the truth or the harsh words of a goodbye to the man who will forever own my heart.

“
E
lla
, my heavens, you’re more gorgeous than I remember.”

I watch as Ella helps Granddad up from his rocking chair on the porch and can’t help but smile, because if one of us boys were to help him he’d beat our ass.

“Granddad.” Her face lights up and her voice is drenched with happiness.

“What are you kids up to?”

“Just showing Maverik how to ride and gather cattle.”

Ella turns, shooting me a devilish wink, and it seems we are back to our little game of pretending for the time being, and I’m still okay with it if it’s all she’s going to give me.

“About time someone taught that stubborn ass to do something. Come in, kids. I have dinner on.”

You’d never know the old man had just been released from the hospital a few days ago as he makes his way back into the house. I follow the two of them in the small house and take a double look when I see a young and very beautiful Latina woman standing in the kitchen.

“Run along, Maria. Thanks.” Granddad waves his cane.

I chuckle as I finally discover his secret to cooking and keeping up with us. Her name is Maria.

“Maria?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Does she do more than cooking for you, you old horn dog?”

“Shut your mouth, ass.” He plops down at the head of the table with a smirk on his face. “I found someone that can follow my recipes perfectly.”

“Bet she adds just the right amount of spice too.” Merek lets the door slam behind him.

“You little playa,” Challis says as she busies herself setting plates on the table.

Marvel is the only one who is silent as he walks in and hangs up his hat. He disappears into the bathroom. I settle into my chair and look around for Jake, who is always settled down at my feet. I spot Ella on the couch curled up in a ball with Jake nestled into her side. She’s reading one of Granddad’s cowboy poetry journals. She’s always been the only one who loved his writing and short stories about ranch life.

Even during our high school years, they’d hypnotize her in the same exact spot with my dog at her side. That damn dog would probably follow her if he could.

I do my best to listen in on the conversation between Granddad, Merek, and Challis as I study Ella on the couch. Granddad is making Merek and Challis have a reception on the ranch since his last health scare. It’s something he wants and will get.

“But I’m up tomorrow,” Merek says. “It’s the last rodeo close to home. I’ve told you two this several times.”

“Fine. I guess I’ll just call everyone and tell them it’s pushed back a day.” Challis slams down the jug of milk on the middle of the dining room table. “I forget so easily this fucking world revolves around you.”

My sly ol’ granddad sits back with a smile covering his face, watching the couple go at it. If I didn’t know better I’d guess the little shit knew this was going to happen and loves it just for his entertainment.

Merek stands up from the table and goes to Challis. “Baby, it’s just that I want to ride at it.”

They begin whispering and soon the sounds of sloppy kisses fill the kitchen when Marvel finally joins us.

“What’s wrong, son?” Granddad stares down Marvel.

“Nothing. Just tired.”

“You’re working too damn hard.”

“Naw, just tired, that’s all.” He takes a long pull from the cold beer in front of him. “The good news is that the feed came in and we should be on schedule to give Saint his colts at the end of the week.”

It breaks my heart listening to Marvel and the hope lingering in his voice. He truly believes once these colts are gone that Saint will be out of our lives forever, but the sad news is that the crook runs our town.

“Good work, son.”

“It’s been all of us. Lots of work, but once they’re gone we are back on our feet. Silver Star will never be in debt again.”

“You three boys need to stay strong together.” His voice is shaky, and the meaning is not lost on any of us.

“I went to the race track.”

Marvel’s words cause everyone to freeze. The race track is the cesspool where Saint reigns and the same place that got this ranch in his depths of hell thanks to our dad.

“You what?” Merek asks between gritted teeth.

“I wanted to see how our colts would measure up and what the times of the winning horses were.”

I stand and place my fist down onto the dark wood tabletop. “Marvel, never again. You stay the hell away from there. Do you hear me?”

“He owes us more than we owe him.”

“What, Marvel?” I ask.

“He owes us way more than just paying off the rest of our debt, and he knows it.”

Merek steps up behind Marvel and lifts him to his feet by his collar, and I know the same worry is buzzing around all of our heads. Our daddy had betting blood in him and we are all his blood.

“You fucking stop right here. We are handing over those colts when it’s time and washing our fucking hands of him.”

Marvel’s pale face and quiet demeanor are all starting to make sense as he begins speaking again. “I know why he’s been sabotaging us. The colts we have are fucking priceless. Saint needs them.”

“That makes no sense, Marvel. If he needs them, then why is he sabotaging us?” Challis sits down next to Granddad.

I peer over to Ella and she is still nose deep in Granddad’s journal, tuning out our conversation.

“He’s sitting next to his pregnant wife weekend in and weekend out at the race track, getting his ass handed to him by the competition. He sent us those colts because he knows we are the best and now he gets the best of both worlds—the satisfaction of punishing us for our dad knocking up his old lady, and the end result of colts who make him bank.”

“Marvel, you need to stop,” I warn him.

“The colts here are running a good five seconds faster than the winning horse on the tracks and he knows it. He’s got the fucking world by the balls and we are his pawns.”

“You don’t know that he knows any of this. It’s all speculation, Marvel,” Challis adds.

Marvel blows up out of his seat and possibly for the first time in his life, I hear him yell. “I’m not the fucking baby here. I’ve been talking to one of Saint’s hired men, and I know for a fucking fact he’s had spies over here and knows exactly what’s going on.”

“Enough.”

It’s the voice that always stops us and has since we were young.

All three of us face Granddad. He rises from his chair with a pissed off look on his face.

“Saint and your father have caused enough damage. Are you willing to let them do more? Run your life and the future of this ranch. Enough.”

Granddad pauses for a moment and I know the same thought races through all of our heads…his heart.

“Marvel, you will let those colts go and everything else as well. I can read you like a book, son. You want a fair price for them. Asking for fair and good money from Saint is like trying to eat a Popsicle in the depths of hell before it melts. Let it go.”

I place my hand on Marvel’s shoulder, urging him to take his seat. He resists my gesture. The fire in his eyes is unmistakable. He finally nods to Granddad after several moments before he settles in his seat. Merek glances over in my direction and I nod back. It’s a silent message to watch out for Marvel. It seems he has the taste of blood and isn’t willing to give in.

Silently, I process Marvel’s words and try to jam the puzzle pieces together. It all slowly begins to fit into place. It’s always been clear Saint hates anything Slatter for the simple fact of our old man knocking up his wife, but the sabotage has always been a mystery piece until now. It’s Saint’s final dagger to punish our dad and also to distract us from the fact that we are sitting on a gold mine with these colts.

“Maverik.”

Granddad’s stern voice jars me from my thoughts and I know he’s reading my mind.

“Get Ella and let’s eat.”

I nod to him as I make my way over to her on the couch. From the conversation we just had to seeing the picture-perfect scene before me is refreshing. I don’t want to interrupt her or Jake. Instead, I’d rather curl up next to them and get lost in her sweet scent.

“Pinks.” I kneel down, placing both of my hands on her thighs. “It’s time to eat.”

It takes her a second to look up at me as she finishes reading a sentence.

“What?”

Her eyes twinkle with amusement and her flushed cheeks brighten up her face, and each of these features make me fall even harder.

“Time to eat.”

“You okay, Maverik?”

“I’m hurting and I need you.”

I repeat the same words to her that she told me earlier. Ella has to know how badly I want her and that I’ll do anything to keep her in my life.

“I will love you forever and do anything to keep you. Don’t say a word, because I know you’ll say you’re leaving, but I need you, Ella.”

“I need you too.” Ella’s hand lands lightly on my cheek. “But our time has expired, Maverik.”

“True love never dies, second chances are real, and you will be mine again, Ella James.” I run my hand up the side of her ribs where my name is inked and smile up at her. “Bet that pisses your boyfriend off every time he sees it.”

“What?” The shock on her face is almost cute, and I can’t help but laugh at her thinking I’m dumb.

“I’m not an idiot. I get it. There’s another man at home, and I’m glad he has to look at my name every time he fucks you.”

“Maverik.” She tries to swat my shoulder, but I catch her wrist before she can and pull her into a standing position, pressing her back into my chest.

“You feel that,” I whisper into her ear and then press my hardened need into her ass.

“Stop,” she hisses as I guide her to the dinner table.

Using my hands, I grip her hips and pull her back into me until it’s nearly too painful. “That’s all yours.”

She breaks from my grip, and if I thought her cheeks were flushed before, they’re crimson red now.

“Over here, Ella, in your chair.” Granddad pulls out the one to his left that is typically empty. It was my grandma’s, then Ella’s throughout our high school years. I watch her settle easily in next to him and don’t miss her sideways glances over to me.

I have her shook up and right where I want her. I remember Granddad’s advice to give her the chance to explain herself. I thought she was going to out in the pasture. It took everything inside of me to keep my mouth shut and just listen while giving her time. One thing is clear. Ella is in a very dark storm and I just hope she lets me in to help her out.

“So, this wedding dinner shit is going down not tomorrow but the day after. We’re going to need help. Between Granddad and his connections, he has everything set up.” Merek shovels in a spoonful of dinner and continues to talk around it. “It will be out by the pond with food, music, and booze. Everyone is welcome.”

Granddad sits like a proud king at the end of his table, smiling from ear to ear with pride radiating from him. I’d almost bet he staged that damn heart attack just to make this happen.

“I’m kind of getting excited.” Challis leans over and kisses Merek.

“After all that bitching, woman?”

Challis then leans over and smacks him in the back of the head.

“Now, I just need great-grandbabies.”

We all freeze at the words, and Challis even drops her steak knife on the table.

“What? I’m not getting any younger and need a baby to spoil.”

“You’re quite the old demanding ass,” Merek blurts out and then abruptly changes the subject. “Rodeo tomorrow night in Fernly. You coming, Maverik?”

“I’ll be there.”

Merek shovels his food in so fast I’m shocked he doesn’t choke, and it seems the baby issue may be a sensitive subject in his household.

“You want to go too, Ella? Since my asshole husband is so rude and didn’t ask.”

I watch as she shrugs her shoulders and nods her head. “Yeah, since Maverik is my babysitter for the next few days.”

It rings in my head that just a few days is all I have with her. Tomorrow rodeo, the next day burying her mother, and then her estate sale is the following two days. My knuckles tense and I bite my lower lip until the taste of blood fills my senses and it will come down to just that…blood. I will stop at nothing for Ella.

“I’ll help with the dishes.” I watch Ella bounce up to give Challis a hand.

Granddad leans in on his elbows. “How’s it going, son?”

Marvel and Merek both turn to look at me as if it’s understood what the question is about.

I shrug. “It’s going. I’m done fighting and being angry. I’m just trying to keep her.”

“Good boy.” Granddad nods with an approving smile. “It will all work out.”

I don’t share how against the idea of staying in town Ella is or mention the fact she more than likely has a boyfriend back at home.

“You bone her yet?” Merek smiles as he takes a long drink from his beer.

“Asshole,” I mutter.

“Is it as sweet as your first time when you lasted all of ten seconds?” Merek never knows when to stop. Granddad and Marvel erupt in laughter.

“What’s going on?” Challis asks, drying her hands off on a dish towel.

“Your asshole husband happened.”

Pushing in my chair, I go to Ella and wrap her up in my side with Jake next to me.

“Imagine that.” Challis rolls her eyes.

“Well, you kids get out of here. This old man needs his beauty rest.”

We all take our turns saying goodnight and giving Granddad a hug. We may be rough and tough cowboys, but family always comes first, and I’ll never be too proud to love on the old man.

We trail out of the front door. I snag my hat on the way out and stare up at the night sky with stars splattered about and the big ol’ moon hanging high up. Going back to the bunkhouse and fooling around with Ella sounds perfect, but there’ll be moments of silence and chances of break downs from both of us, either about the past or future. I come up with a better idea and hope to hell my brothers back me.

“Let’s go across the tracks into Sutter County to their boot scootin’ bar.”

“Uh?” Challis asks.

“Why not the bar here?” Marvel asks.

“Oh, dancing,” Ella squeals. “Let’s do it!”