Branding A Legacy (A Silver Star Ranch Novel) (18 page)

T
he slamming
of a gate or holler from a cowboy sends me into high alert tonight. These sounds are usually comforting since I’ve been to over a hundred rodeos since I was able to walk. But with Clover at my side tonight in public, it’s like dangling a carrot in front of an angry monster’s face. Saint will see us or at least get wind I’m out and about with a new girl. He’ll want to strike again and make me hurt. No one that I love is safe, and that is the worst nightmare a man can have.

“Lighten up.” Maverik elbows me in the ribs. “She’ll be fine. We’re all here. Undercover agents are everywhere.”

I pound back another beer and only nod to him. I can’t force my vision from Clover, who is wearing a straw cowboy hat with her long locks braided and perched over one shoulder. Challis has her in a tight ass pair of blue jeans and a hot pink plaid button up shirt. Clover looks like a natural as she works with the horses, helping to get them ready.

My heart runs over with love for her, but that damn perpetual looming fear of Saint tearing me apart is always haunting me. It’s a bloody dagger that’s been left in my healing body, and until it’s gone I’ll never be complete. Saint has me right where he wants me, and he knows that. I’m stuck in my own personal hell just sitting back and trying to protect the ones I love.

Guilt washes over me as Clover throws her head back and laughs hard at something Challis tells her. She’s so innocent in all of this. Her stories of growing up and her heartless mother are chilling. She’s a true miracle escaping that wrath and turning out to be such a genuine person.

“Challis is pregnant.”

I tear my gaze from Clover and up to Merek. Maverik also freezes in the middle of wrapping Merek’s riding hand.

“She told me today. Guess she’s missed a few periods and finally took a test.”

“Congrats, man.” Maverik wallops him on the back.

“It’s not fucking congrats. Challis is scared, and I don’t know what to do.” He punches the side of Maverik’s truck with his free hand.

“Easy on the truck, man. This is life’s greatest blessing,” Maverik says in a calm voice.

“She can’t rodeo anymore, and I can.”

“Being pregnant doesn’t mean her life is over,” Ella adds.

All three of us look up to her, not even realizing she was standing there, and if anyone knew about welcoming a child to the world it would be her. She’s a rock star when it comes to raising kids.

“I just want to be back out on the road so damn bad with her.” Merek lands another punch on the side of Maverik’s truck.

“Listen here, Rocky, quit fucking punching my truck and be grateful for what you have.”

Merek doesn’t respond. He bends over and throws his bag over his back and heads for the back of the chutes. None of us are shocked with his reaction. It’s typical Merek. The man has no filter or logical way to express himself.

“Go with him.” Ella nudges Maverik on the back. “He needs you.”

“He needs a good ass kicking—always has.” Maverik takes his time to kiss his wife good and well before he goes after Merek. It’s tradition for them and always has been. Maverik pulls his rigging and is the one on the back of the chute with him. I was always too busy getting into trouble with Weston at rodeos to be bothered.

Waves of memories flood over me with just the thought of his name. A stinging slap lands on the top of my thigh before those memories have time to do any damage.

“Help a fat girl up.” Ella holds her hand up to me.

“Are you sure this is a safe idea?”

She has herself hoisted up on the tailgate before I have the chance to protest any further.

“Jesus, you could’ve popped.”

“I’m not a balloon, Marvel.” She nudges me with her shoulder. “You’re really happy, uh?”

I nod to her, finding Clover once again. She’s struggling with a flake of hay, separating it perfectly for the two horses. Everything she touches she does with such gentle ease and care.

“You need to tell her, Marvel. She deserves to know the whole truth.”

“Once he’s put away I will.”

“Look at me.” Ella sends a stiff elbow to my ribs, causing me to howl before I finally look at her. “I thought I was protecting Maverik all those years from the truth, but all I did was hurt him and me. If you love her you need to tell her.”

“Ella, I can’t even tell myself the damn truth, let alone the one woman I’ve fallen for.”

“You can.” She nods to me with some of her loose blonde hair cascading over her shoulder.

I go to open my mouth and go on about how selfish my idea was and the blood on my hands from Weston’s death but then remember Granddad’s pained face as he told his tale. I decided then and there that all my actions and thoughts will only be for the best of Silver Star’s legacy.

“I’ll think about it,” I finally tell her.

“She’s not a virgin anymore, is she?”

“What?” I fall from the side of the tailgate with Ella’s question.

“Holy shit, Marvel Slatter is blushing.”

“How did you know?”

“Girls have their way, you know.” She shrugs in her ornery fashion, just the way she used to taunt me when I was little. Ella and Maverik took me everywhere with them. Ella not only took care of Maverik, but she took me under her wing, protecting and loving me like her own brother when we were younger.

“You little shit.” I shake my head side to side in astonishment and genuinely laugh. It feels good, really good.

“Just remember how these are made.” She rubs her belly.

And it hits me. We didn’t use any protection. Challis jumps on the back of her horse, as does lil’ Mav, and they head to the warm-up pen for team roping.

“I’ll go save us seat,” Ella yells over her shoulder.

“Clover.” I walk toward the trailer.

“Yeah, cowboy?”

“Are you on birth control?”

Her eyes flash up to mine. “Um, no.”

It takes her a few moments to realize why I’m asking, and then she slaps her hand over her mouth. “And I’m a freaking nurse.”

Tears begin to well up in her eyes.

“Stop. Hey now.” I wrap her in my arms, tugging her into me. “It’s okay, baby.”

I know thoughts of us last night and earlier today out on our ride are flashing through both of our minds.

“I’m so stupid,” she whispers into my shoulder.

“You don’t want my baby?” I ask, peeking around her hat to try to see her face.

“No, I mean…” She stands tall and wipes away the tears from her eyes. “You won’t even let me in fully, so I don’t see how a baby would help this.”

Her words sting, and sting like a bitch at that, because they’re the truth. “One, you might not even be pregnant, and two, I love you, Clover.”

A puzzled look covers her features. “You’re not mad?”

I shake my head from side to side. “I’m the furthest thing from mad.”

“But a baby would…”

“Our baby would be beautiful.”

“Are you drunk?” she asks me.

“Only drunk on life and your love right now.” I clasp her hand in mine and begin walking over to the stands to meet Ella. The national anthem begins to blare on the loud speakers, so I know the chutes are about to open.

Clover remains stiff next to me as we walk. I swing our arms playfully and then release her hand and slap her ass.

“Clover, if and only if you’re pregnant, it’s all up to you on how we handle it. I just know I can’t live without you.”

“Condoms.” She stops and looks at me. “Condoms. We are buying cases and cases of condoms before we go home. It’s not that I don’t love you or despise babies, but it’s too soon.”

“I agree.” I nod. “But know either way I’m here for you.”

Her lips meet mine, kissing me hard. “We’re a hot mess, but I love us.”

“I love us too.”

Ella evidently made it to the food booth before she snagged us seats in the bleachers. Several boats of rodeo food surround her. It almost looks like she’s using them to save our seats while she makes out with a bag of cotton candy.

“What? The babies are hungry.” She shrugs and giggles.

“We wouldn’t want a nearly eight month pregnant woman hangry, now would we?” Clover says as she picks up a corndog floating in a sea of ketchup.

“Hangry?” I ask her.

“Anger and hungry put together.”

“How in the hell do you come up with shit like that?” I go for the burger in a greasy wrapper sitting next to Clover.

“I’m a nurse, and I put up with some grumpy ass patients.” She shoots both eyebrows up at me.

“Oh really? Tell them your man will kick their ass.”

“Funny, I seem to remember this cowboy who was a complete ass.” She shoves a bit of corndog in my mouth while giggling.

“Merek Slatter, a hometown cowboy who has spurred a horse or two in his lifetime. The Slatters are a rodeo family that do not need any introduction in these neck of the woods.”

“Are you ready?” I squeeze Clover’s leg.

“He’s first?” Her eyes grow to the size of golf balls.

“Yeah.”

“I’m scared for him,” she says.

I laugh at her innocence and enjoy watching my little city girl experience this for the first time. I spot the top of Merek’s cowboy hat. Maverik’s bent over the back of the chute getting him all settled in and then Merek nods. The gate opens and the rankest horse I’ve seen in a long time does his best to buck Merek off. Merek spurs the horse right back, remaining perfectly centered on the back.

The eight-second whistle blows. Merek hops off and onto the horse of one of the pick-up men and throws his hat up in the air. He just rode the best of his life. I’ve never seen him so spot on and solid. Merek is definitely ready to be back out on the road chasing another gold buckle. He deserves it.

Clover and Ella are both up on their feet screaming, cheering, and waving like wild women, while I’m lost in thought about where Merek belongs. He doesn’t deserve to be tied home and to the shit storm brewing. I make a mental note to talk to Maverik about it.

“Oh, my God, that was scary as hell.” Clover reaches over and hugs me tight. “Thank God you’re not a crazy idiot like your brother. I’d shit myself watching you.”

I guess that means I should never show her the old home videos of me riding bulls in high school. Clover goes right back to the rodeo, soaking up every single event and moment until Ella announces to the whole set of bleachers that she had to piss and piss right now. I watch my little nurse take her by the hand and escort her down the metal steps.

Clover just can’t help herself. It’s in her nature. She turns to me once she and Ella make it safely to the bottom and mouths that she’ll be right back. I mouth back telling her to get me a beer. I relax on the bleacher and watch the remaining calf ropers and let myself feel how perfect my life will be once this shit storm is done. I have to admit it feels pretty damn good.

“Wipe that goofy damn grin off your face.”

I peer up to Maverik standing to my side holding two beers. “Where are the girls?”

“Ella had to pee. Clover took her.”

Maverik shoots me a death glare.

“Clover helped her down the bleachers and Sterling is following them, they just don’t know it.”

“Okay.” Maverik settles in next to me, his burly frame bumping into me and spilling beer on my boots. I don’t complain as I gun the beer fast.

“Thanks, brother.”

“You see that ride that little shit just did?”

I nod to Maverik.

“It’s insane. He can’t stay home.”

“I know.”

The girls wave as they start their trek back up the bleachers to us. I’m surprised Maverik doesn’t jump to get Ella, and I know it’s because Clover is there.

“I don’t want her to go back to work.” I don’t know where it comes from, but it just comes out in one fell swoop.

Maverik shoots me a sideways stare. “One step at a time.”

“I know. I just want her on the ranch at my side.”

“We can talk later. We’ll need help when the babies come, and Granddad probably needs more help than he’d care to admit.”

I nod but know Clover will more than likely not be okay with the whole idea.

“Thanks, baby.” I grab her ass and reach up to kiss her as she shuffles past me to her seat. She brought back two cold beers and reluctantly I pass one to Maverik. He’d kick my ass if I didn’t. Little brother syndrome sucks.

Clover sits quietly next to me, not cheering and stiff as a board. I whisper in her ear several times, but she only brushes me off. I pull my phone from my pocket and text Ella.

M
e
: What in the hell happened with Clover?

Ella: I don’t know. She got real quiet.

Me: Did someone talk to her?

Ella: Nothing. I asked her several times while waiting in the beer line and she said she was just tired.

Me: Bullshit

Ella: Probably just stress from the day.

I
tuck
my phone back in my pocket when Maverik nails me in the back of the head. I knew he was reading the texts over Ella’s shoulder and is now telling me to knock it off.

“I’m here if you need anything.” I kiss her cheek as she focuses straightforward on the rodeo.

Without looking at me, she only squeezes my hand. “I’m okay, baby, just watching the rodeo.”

As soon as Challis and lil’ Mav win team-roping, Clover asks to go back behind the chutes.

“You’ll miss the best event.”

“Please,” she begs. “I just want to help with the horses.”

“Okay.”

I stand up next to her and guide her down the bleachers. Ella and Maverik follow us back to the truck and trailer. And like magic, once she’s with the horses Clover snaps right back to life. I stand scratching my head at the sight.

“Women.” Maverik stops by me. “Don’t even try to figure them out.”

A
fter nearly a month
of non-stop acrobatic sex with Marvel, all of my muscles are pissed as hell with me. It hurts to walk, sit, pee, think, and even freaking eat. We are both possessed with each other and can’t seem to get enough. I still can’t believe that our first two times we didn’t use protection. It was his reaction that shocked me more than anything. After he asked about birth control, I waited for the mean Marvel to explode, but he was calmer than me.

“Sterling is here for you, Clover.” I hear Marvel’s voice from the living room.

I roll my eyes in the mirror and then stick my tongue out. I’m not thrilled with the idea of being escorted to work and back home. For hell sakes, I was raised in LA, but bringing up the topic of wanting to know more and refusing protection will bring out the mean Marvel, and that’s one side of Marvel I never want to see again.

I round the corner to see Marvel wiping up a mess in front of his granddad and it halts my movements. Marvel uses a napkin to dab up the spill on the front of his shirt and then bends so slightly, kissing the top of his head. Tears immediately attack, forcing me to take a half a step back in the hallway to gather my composure.

Understanding Marvel has been damn near impossible. He ticks so differently than anyone I’ve ever met. But what I just witnessed explains it all. He protects and takes care of his own. He bleeds everything Silver Star. I wipe a few final tears before rounding the corner, pretending to readjust my hair. A horn honks outside and I can’t help but roll my eyes again.

“I don’t want to leave.” I walk up to Marvel, who coolly leaned back on the counter as if he had not just been cleaning up a mess. “I need a sugar daddy.”

His arms lace low around my waist as he pulls me into him. My body melts into his easily. I lay my forehead on his chest and inhale everything that’s Marvel Slatter. It’s an addiction.

“Quit your job.”

My head whips up to make eye contact with him. He doesn’t have a joking smile plastering his face like I’d expected to see, but a somber and downright serious look.

“I’ll hire you.”

A blaring horn once again resounds around the house. I groan and snuggle even deeper into Marvel.

“We’ll talk,” I whisper and give him one final kiss. I let my tongue dart into his mouth for just a mere second. My body aches for so much more of him right now. I force myself to step back from him and don’t miss his little groan of disapproval as I do.

“Did you take your pills?” I lean over the table and count how many pills lay in his dispenser.

“Yes, darling.” Granddad’s hand on top of the table tremors; I cover it with mine and place a kiss right where Marvel had earlier.

“You’ve always been my favorite patient.” I place a finger over my lips. “Just don’t tell Marvel that.”

“You’re a good cat, Clover.”

I wink at him. “Pills at noon with a good lunch and nap, young man.”

Just like with Marvel, I have to will myself to walk away, and with one final blow of the horn I know it’s time to go. I can’t look back at two of the most important people in my life right now as I walk out the door. Promptly, I throw my slouchy purse over my shoulder, open the door, and then head for work.

I don’t even need this damn job. It’s just always been my passion and occupied my time. Life has thrown me a complete curveball that I never saw zooming in my direction. My heart has not only fallen for Marvel, but it’s also fallen in love with Silver Star Ranch.

I slam the door a little harder than necessary, hoping Sterling picks up on the fact I did not appreciate his honking.

“Morning, Clover.” Sterling nods his head as he pulls out of the driveway.

My heart aches as I stare back at the moderate size ranch house, which decreases in size too rapidly for my taste. A love-stricken girl is one thing I never thought I’d be, but here I sit on the edge of tears leaving for work. It’s like my heart was a dry sponge before the Slatters marched into my life, and now it’s sopping wet.

“Sterling, I need help, but the catch is you can’t tell Marvel or any Slatters.”

He only growls, not making eye contact with me.

“I need to speak to the FBI agents but don’t know how to get ahold of them. I lost the business card they gave me the morning I was interviewed.” I stare down at my fingers strumming on the top of my thighs. “I’ve seen you talking to them with the Slatters.”

And I have his full attention. The large truck comes to a stop and is eased off the side of the road. His stare is powerful and determined.

“Clover, I can’t keep it from the Slatters.”

“You have to,” I plead.

“I need more information then. Are you in trouble or danger? Marvel would have my ass if anything happens to you.”

“No.” I twist in my seat, firmly planting my hands on the console between us. “When the agents first interviewed me they warned me about something, and I just want more information on it.”

“Warned you about what?”

“I’m not going to say. Please just help me get in touch with them.”

“I don’t like this at all,” Sterling says.

“Thank you.” And as much as he left me with an eerie feeling last time, I am truly thankful for him in this moment.

The remainder of the drive to the hospital is dead silent. The uneasiness between the two of us grows out of control, and I just know deep in my gut things aren’t balanced here and I might have just made a huge mistake trusting Sterling.

“I’ll come in and get you, don’t walk out here at the end of your shift.” He pauses briefly for a moment. “And I’ll have an agent call you.”

“I want Jillian to call, please.”

I shut the door before he has a chance to respond and am quite surprised he didn’t escort me into the hospital.

“Clover.”

I turn back to see Sterling rounding the front of his truck heading my direction.

“This shit Marvel is in is serious. More than I can even begin to explain. You shouldn’t be anywhere near it or even living on the damn ranch.”

“Nothing will tear me apart from Marvel,” I reply.

“Just watch your back. The bad guys in this town are worse than the monsters you were warned about that lived under your bed.”

I pull my cell phone from my pocket and head into work. I call Marvel with no answer and then ring him again with the same luck. I check the time and see I’m only minutes from the time I need to swipe my card to check in, so I settle for a text.

M
e
: Please pick me up. I don’t like Sterling.

Me: Love you

Me: 11:00

Me: I’ll check my phone on my lunch

I
tuck
my phone into my purse, realizing that I’m just rambling to myself. It’s nerves that are attacking my whole body. Sterling is a freaking creep and I never want to be near him alone again. I don’t care who hired him for a bodyguard. He’s cryptic and clearly still has issues with me. I shake off the yucky feeling and set down the hall to start my shift.

The day moves along quickly and the night flies. Before I know it I’m swiping my card again to check out. I’ll miss this job, but my heart is no longer here. I want to work with Marvel and help with Granddad. I emailed my two-week resignation to human resources. I’m determined to keep this a secret for at least thirteen days. I mean, Marvel just can’t think this is a game of Simon Says. Although, it pretty much is, but in turn, I know he’d do anything for me.

My phone goes off right as I sit on a couch in the front lobby. Marvel had texted me to let me know he’d pick me up but would be about forty-five minutes late. He’s headed back into town from a rodeo with Merek and Maverik. My throbbing feet thank him as I kick them up on the glass table covered in tattered magazines.

Unknown flashes across my phone causing my gut to whirl, but I decide to take the call.

“Hello.”

“Clover?”

“This is she.”

“This is detective Jillian. I’ve heard you’d like to talk to me.”

“Yes, I just have a couple of questions.”

“Do you feel comfortable doing this over the phone, or you would you like to meet somewhere?”

Well, since I’m car-less until the windows are fixed, and Marvel’s determined I have someone with me at all times, a conversation via phone is about the only option I have left.

“This is fine.” I stumble over each word.

“What can I do for you then, Clover?” The sound of papers rustling and tumbling over each other fill the background as Jillian lets out a long sigh.

“I need to know why you guys told me not to associate with my uncle or tell anyone I was related to him.”

“Has he contacted you?” Her voice is now alive and eager to know any and all information.

“No, he hasn’t.”

“Then why are you asking?

Her question instantly pisses me off.

“Because I deserve the damn answer.”

“It’s complicated,” is all she offers.

“I saw him a few weeks back at a rodeo. He glared at me and then one of his workers who I recognized followed me around for a bit, and it seems I see this guy everywhere. I think his name is Preston.”

“But he didn’t talk to you? Did you tell Marvel?”

“No and no, and why does it matter if tell him or not? Did my uncle have something to do with Marvel’s accident?”

“No.”

“You’re lying. Marvel won’t tell me a damn thing, and now you’re lying to me.”

Irritation doesn’t even begin to describe my level of annoyance right now.

“Please trust us. We have eyes on you and are tracking down the men in charge of hurting Marvel. Please be patient.”

“It’s not enough, dammit.” I slam a fist down into the couch cushion. Visions of Marvel’s broken body that night, along with the guilt, hurt, and anger he’s had to endure flood me.

“I know, Clover. I can only advise you to keep doing what you’re doing right now. You’re safe and so is Marvel. He needs you right now.”

Then it hits me, and I can’t help but ask her. “How do you know Marvel and I are together?”

This time she stumbles over her answer. “Um, it’s because of the surveillance we have planted at the ranch.”

She’s flat out lying to me and I know it. I end the call with a quipped bye and slam it in my purse. I’m a nurturer and fixer, and being stuck in the middle of this situation left helpless fucking sucks. My phone beeps, detouring me from my spiraling nasty thoughts.

M
arvel
: Ten minutes out.

Me: K.

Marvel: I missed you.

Me: Yep.

Marvel: You pissy, Nurse Nancy?

Me: Yep.

Marvel: Then I can’t wait to kiss you silly.

I
don’t respond
, knowing he’s trying to force me into a better mood, and honestly I just need a slice of time to be pissed off. My screen continues to light up with his naughty texts.

M
arvel
: Did I mention I’m thirsty?

Marvel: I need you in my mouth and I’m not talking your lips and tongue.

Marvel: Tonight is going to be all about you.

Marvel: I’m tying your hands up and devouring you.

Me: Stop. It’s not working.

Marvel: I’m getting hard just thinking about it.

Me: blah blah.

Marvel: Why are you smiling down at your phone if you’re so pissy?

I
glance
up from my phone and see my cowboy standing in front of me. His texts completely sidetracked me and had my mind racing and my thighs beginning to rub together. Although I’ll never admit it to him, he was the perfect cure for a case of the pissy.

“Someone need a hug?” He throws his arms wide open to me.

“And three shots of tequila, but I’ll take my hug first.”

My feet dangle in the air as I’m smothered in the mother of all bear hugs. Marvel manages to lift me from the ground, squeezing tight, and then nibbles on the tender flesh in the crook of my neck.

“Bad day, baby?”

I just moan, enjoying the sensation of being held, bit, and licked by him. My feet once again grace the floor, and it takes me a second to get love-jolted sea legs steady under me.

“It’s all better now.” I tap the tip of his nose.

“Your chariot awaits, princess.” He turns his back to me, taking a wide stance. “Jump on.”

“No,” I squeal. “I’ll break your spine, and then you’ll end up in the operating room.”

“Now.” His voice is determined.

I don’t argue this time, but before leaping onto his back I secure my purse across my shoulders and neck.

“Ready?” I ask, but bolt right around him before he can answer. I’m halfway to the rotating doors that lead to the parking before I hear him call out, “You little shit.”

Challis’ truck is only about twenty feet from the entrance, but hands wrap around my waist, and then I’m tossed up and over his shoulder. A stinging sensation lands on my ass as he paddles me on the way to the truck. When he opens the door, laughter rolls out of the cab. I’m not sure how he does it, but he leaps up in the back seat, slides me down from my perch, and sits me in his lap facing the front seat.

I notice we have quite the full audience with all eyes on us. Ella, the only other person in the back seat with us, with her legs stretched out. She looks quite comfortable. Merek behind the wheel, Challis at his side, and Maverik huddled up in the passenger seat. I don’t need to ask questions to know he’s up there giving his wife the comfort of two of the back seats.

“Clover wants shots,” Marvel announces to the truck.

“Damn, I knew I liked you for some reason, little lady.” Merek smiles back at me with all of his pearly whites shining.

“Bad day?” Ella asks.

I shrug, really not knowing how to explain to the group of people who took me and protected me that I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster today, and mostly because of the secrets they’re keeping from me.

I go with, “Just a meltdown, that’s all.”