Branding A Legacy (A Silver Star Ranch Novel) (13 page)

She settles in behind me and then laces her arms around my waist, squeezing to high hell.

“You good, babe?”

“Meh, my butthole is puckered up.”

“Good hell, Clover,” I say through laughter. “I’m just going to start out in a slow walk.”

“We are only going to walk, or I’ll punch your nuts from back here.”

“Release your grip a bit there, Rambo, I’m about to pass out from your death hold.”

“Sorry.” I feel her hold release a bit and her palms splay out across my stomach. “Will we go any faster?”

“Just enjoy the ride.”

“I’m trying.” I feel her lay her head down on my shoulder, and if I was a betting man, I’d bet her eyes are squeezed shut.

I take in the silence of the land, absorbing all the positive energy floating about. It’s air that my lungs have longed for, and the sense of belonging where my roots are laid. The memories from that dreaded night flash through my mind, causing direct pain to every part of my being.

I do my best to fight them and try to focus in on something else. Saint’s laughing face is the next to flash through my mind. I struggle to escape from the downhill slope.

“Doing okay?”

I look over to Maverik and only offer him a nod. He knows me too well to take that nod to heart. He stays close to me as we both walk our horses out to the pasture. Normally, he’d be off in the lead surveying the scene. Our family has changed since Saint and his evil. It’s tainted us and the ranch, and my mind goes straight back to the darkness until I feel her squeeze my middle.

“This is kind of fun, cowboy.”

I look over my shoulder as far as I can and barely make out her profile. She’s nothing but teeth and a big ass grin.

“You like it?” I pat her leg as I ask the question.

“Whoa.” Her hand grabs mine, tossing it back into my lap. “Two hands on the wheel at all times.”

“Oh, Clover.” I try to muffle my laugh. “Have you ever been to a rodeo or anything?”

“No, just saw the stuff on TV that’s animated.”

I only nod and don’t correct her but slowly put my hand back on her thigh, and this time she doesn’t move it but lays her head on my shoulder. The further we ride the more I feel settled and at home. It’s been a feeling that’s been missing since my father left and everything else spiraled out of control.

I feel her hand on top of mine and steady myself for her to toss right back up to the steering wheel as she called it, but instead I feel her slowly guide my arm back up to the top of her head. She stops there, and I cradle her even further into me. It tugs on my chest, but I don’t say a word to her, because I think I just discovered the new meaning of home.

N
ursing has never been
mundane until now. The moment the real Marvel Slatter entered my world, he ruined everything else. It’s the best type of ruining I’ve ever experienced. It’s like he’s brought me out of my shell piece by piece and loves the awkwardness in me.

Seventy-two hour shifts suck ass, but the days off after them are like heaven in a bottle.

I rub my thighs together just imagining the tone of his voice whispering in my ear and then his touch burning my skin. I try to tell myself I’m not a love-smitten fool, but I know it’s all a lie. A big fat lie. Marvel Slatter has won my heart over again and again.

“More pink roses?”

I look up to see Sterling leaning on the counter of the nurses’ station. It still feels odd to see him and even hold a conversation with him, but I’ve been forced to since he’s practically the fourth Slatter brother. The night Marvel broke it to him after lil’ Mav’s party was severely nerve-racking, but he seemed to take it really well, which if I stop to think about it too long is kind of a shot to my self-esteem.

I shrug in response to his question and then tip my chin back down to my paperwork. I don’t ask why he’s here tonight, because it seems Sterling shows up in the oddest of places, and I’m done trying to guess with him. I’m just over the moon elated nothing is weird between us and he’s genuinely happy for Marvel and me.

“Ahhh puppy love, the honeymoon phase…enjoy it, because it’s the sweetest of all of them.”

I finally look up to him, wondering what in the hell he meant with that last phrase.

“Is something wrong, Sterling?”

“Naw.” He just shakes his head from side to side. “Just checking in on you.”

“Visiting someone here?”

“No, just you.”

My stomach sinks as his deep brown eyes stare back at me. It’s as if I can see the concern and something else he’s wanting to tell me. I raise an eyebrow, trying to open the gate for him to talk.

“Sterling, is there something you want to say?”

He only shrugs his shoulders.

“Just checking on you.”

“Are you sure that’s it?” I shuffle the stack of file folders to the side of the counter. “Because it seems like it’s a bit more right now.”

My own confidence shocks me a bit as my voice comes out strong and steady.

“No, nothing else. Just making sure you’re doing good.”

“I’m great, actually.” I smile back at him.

“Good for you, Clover. You going to the rodeo tonight with Marvel?”

I shake my head from side to side. “No, took an extra shift but get to spend the whole day on the ranch tomorrow.”

“Excellent. You picked a great family, Clover, and an even better man.”

The whole conversation becomes rapidly awkward as I grow uncomfortable talking to him about my situation, which he’s not a part of anymore.

“Well, I better get back to my rounds.” I round the counter and wave over my shoulder to him. “Have a good night, Sterling.”

“Will do. I’ll tell Marvel hi for you at the rodeo.”

“You do that.”

The first time ever a creepy vibe fills me and it stems straight from Sterling. When I turn back he’s staring at me from the end of the hall with hands tucked in his pockets. I mentally note to bring this up when I call Marvel on my break.

I’d much rather be with him or around his family than feeling spooked here in the hospital. My mind begins to race if Sterling had something to do with Marvel’s accident. I watched the newscast and have read every single article on it, but nothing adds up or makes sense.

Looking down at my wristwatch, I see I have at least six more hours before I even get to think about going home and the possibility of seeing Marvel.

S
ix hours my ass
. Eight hours later, I’m finally walking out into the dark and vacant parking lot. A two-car collision called for all hands on deck at the hospital. Every bone in my body aches with each step I take, and typically I’d be scared shitless walking out in the dark like this, but complete exhaustion distracts me from caring an ounce.

My car finally comes into vision. I tuck my head and keep walking, willing my eyeballs to stay open. The night air is cool and silent, not even a bird chirping or any crickets singing. If I wasn’t so damn exhausted I might stop and take in the beautiful Texas night.

Squealing tires and loud metal crashing clang into the night, grabbing my attention, and when I look up I see a lime-green truck racing into the parking lot. The aluminum trailer it’s pulling rattles like hell over the cracked pavement and speed bumps.

I freeze in the dark, peering around, seeing no one else around me. The dim lights of the parking lot make it damn near impossible to make anything out besides the neon color of the truck. I start to walk backward, thinking it’s only about fifty steps until I could be in front of the hospital on the lit up sidewalk.

I begin backpedaling when the back door of the truck flies open and a body lurches out. It’s the final straw that causes me to whirl around and sprint toward safety. The same eerie feeling comes over me that Sterling left me with.

“Hey.”

I ignore the voice and sprint even faster toward the light.

“Clover.” The voice is closer, as is the stomping footprints behind me. An arm grips around my lower waist, and that’s when I scream, seeing it as my only option of getting any help.

“Clover, calm down, it’s me.”

I barely hear the voice as I continue to scream. It’s not until I smell the scent of the person holding me that I calm down.

“It’s just me, baby.”

I turn and look up to see Marvel. His rich hazel, loving eyes staring back at me helps me calm down a bit.

“Jesus,” I finally huff out as I turn all the way into him and wrap my arms around his waist, letting my bag drop to the ground.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to surprise you.”

“Oh, well, you did that.” I laugh into his chest, picturing myself running like a crazed lunatic across the parking lot.

“I feel like an asshole. I was just trying to surprise you.” I feel his lips on the top of my head and his arms tighten around me. “I missed you like crazy.”

“I missed you too, Marvel. Probably more than I should have.”

His grip around me loosens as his hands come up to cup my face. “How about we start our tomorrow date tonight?”

“I’d love that, but I’m starving and damn tired. I might not be that much fun.”

“I’ll take ya, toots.” He grips my hand, pulling me toward the truck that nearly made me shit my pants.

“My car.” I point to the lonely Volkswagen bug in the parking lot.

“Oh, honey, cowboys don’t do that.” He shakes his head with a slight little grin peeking out under his cowboy hat. The man can melt panties with that damn hat. I’ve noticed he wears different hats from other cowboys, with it sitting tilted on his head and different bend to the sides.

I only shrug, already able to tell he’s determined not to ride in my car.

“Marvel, kiss me.”

My words stop him dead in his tracks, and he doesn’t hesitate as he turns to me and devours my lips. I rub my hand over his jawbone, letting the stubble tickle my palms.

“Let’s go. You can bang out your uglies when you get home.”

The new voice startles me, and once again I bite down on Marvel’s bottom lip. He doesn’t say anything as he rubs it. I squeeze his hand and let him drag me over to the truck, and once we get closer I feel silly for not recognizing it. Challis’ lime-green truck is one of a kind—bright, bold, and always has a trailer hitched to it.

“Hey.” I wave to them as Marvel shoves my ass up in the truck, and I don’t miss that he takes his time caressing it and leaves me with a stinging slap. “How was the rodeo?”

“Fucking amazing.” Merek pulls his hat down low on his head and lies back in his seat.

“Ignore his ass, Clover. He’s tired and pitching a fit.”

“Oh.” Marvel pulls me in closer to him and kisses the top of my head. He’s never been so handsy and quick to show his emotion. I adore each time he runs his hand up my arm or lays a tender kiss on my cheek.

Challis continues to talk from the front seat. “Merek won tonight with a rank ride of ninety. Lil’ Mav won the junior calf roping. It was a great night.”

“Real fucking great you two wouldn’t even let the champ go out and celebrate.” Merek folds his arms over his chest.

“I told you I’d make up for that when we get home.” Challis stretches her arm out over the console, snagging one of his hands, and then lacing her fingers in them.

“Where is lil’ Mav?” I ask.

“He went home with Ella and Maverik after the rodeo.”

I nod in the dark back seat, watching streetlights fly by my vision and mentally focusing in on each of Marvel’s touches. Something real has happened over the last few weeks with Marvel. I’m really going to live out a fairy tale or really have my heart shattered and bruised. But unlike Marvel’s healing wounds upon his skin, the ones he’ll leave behind on my heart will be permanent and never heal.

“You ready for another riding lesson, Clover? I’m free tomorrow morning,” Challis chirps out.

“A what?” Marvel asks, sitting up and forcing me to face him.

“Shit, I forgot it was a secret. Sorry, Clover.”

“You sneaky little shit.”

I only shrug and climb into his lap, gauging his face to see if I’m causing him any pain. Since he was released from the hospital he doesn’t do anything slow.

“I’m not good enough to teach you to ride?”

I lie back on his chest and rest my head on the top of his shoulder. He nips at my earlobe while I try to explain my reasoning.

“I just feel more comfortable with Challis, and she doesn’t make me feel dumb for asking questions and being scared.”

“I made you feel dumb?”

I don’t miss the hurt in his voice with just the thought of making me feel dumb. I reach back and rub the other side of his face while I pepper his other cheek with kisses.

“You don’t make me feel dumb.” I pause and point to Merek, who is now soundly snoring. “And I have no friends here, so I thought it would be perfect.”

“She’s doing great, Marvel, learning real quick. I think she’s a natural.”

“It was just hard getting over the fear of the horses, but I actually love them.”

“My little Californian nurse is turning into a cowgirl.” Marvel squeezes me tighter in his arms.

“I have her on Dolly and they’re quite the pair.”

“Well, when you’re ready, baby, I’d love to go on a ride with you.”

“Deal. It’s almost, like, therapeutic for me when working with the animals, and makes me realize that I’m just fine the way I am.”

“Yes, you are,” Marvel whispers.

“Being around you guys has made me realize how horrible my mom is.”

“And your dick uncle who kicked you to the curb.”

Merek’s phone goes off in the front seat. A steady stream of curse words flow from him as he sits up to answer it.

“Is he really pissed?” I whisper.

Marvel shakes his head up and down. “He really wanted to go out tonight.”

“But you came to get me?”

“That and the FBI agents said it wasn’t a good idea to be in such insecure locations.”

“I’m sorry.”

I don’t need him to go into great detail about the rest of the story or ask why he sounds so depressed. His accident has put a toll on him and the rest of the family, and I know every second of the day Marvel allows the guilt to eat him alive.

“You dumb motherfuckers. We are almost home and will be there in a second. Don’t touch anything else.”

“Who was that?” Challis asks.

“Irrigation line busted and the well is down.”

“Okay, but who was that?” she asks again.

“Sterling.”

“Why in the hell is he there?”

“Waiting on Maverik to get home to have a beer, I guess. Said some horses were out in the pasture and thinks they busted up the lines.”

“He’s back,” is all Challis says as she turns down the driveway.

“You don’t know that. Shit happens.”

I’ve never seen Merek so pissed off in my life, and I’m not sure what in the hell has him so frustrated.

My stomach lets out a loud growl as the truck falls silent. I nearly forgot I was starving and exhausted before Marvel swept me off my feet in the parking lot of the hospital.

“I’ll get you fed,” Marvel whispers into my ear. “And just ignore him.”

“I wish you’d share more with me.”

“Clover, I’ve told you time after time that I don’t want you mixed up in this shit, and I just want us to be us.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I force my body closer to him, trying to melt into him.

Merek storms from the truck once Challis kills the engine.

“I wish I could help him.”

“Go get your girl some food. I’ll deal with my cranky asshole.”

Challis follows Merek over to the barn and they soon disappear behind the doors.

“She’s really become a good friend. I like her a lot.”

“Yeah, she’s a good cat.”

“You say the weirdest things.” I jump to the ground and give him time to get out of the truck. Marvel amazes me each day as he begins to move faster and do more. He’s a true walking miracle.

“You just gonna stare or invite me to cook you up something?”

“I can’t help it that you’re one of the sexiest men I know.”

“Get your ass moving.”

I step in front of him toward my front door, digging in my cluttered purse for my house keys. I’ve already had my ass chewed by every member of the Slatter family about not locking my house. Before I turn the key in the lock, I feel Marvel’s hot breath hit the tender skin on my neck. Then his hands wrap up around me as he pulls me back into him.

“Stop, I can’t focus, Marvel.”

“Why is that?”

One of his hands sneaks up under my scrub top, and the connection of his skin on mine stops me turning the key. My knees buckle underneath me as Marvel takes his sweet time roaming my skin with his hand. His fingertips brush the bottom of my bra before his hands find their way to my breasts. I moan out loud at the touch and battle to control my urge just to melt into him.