Branding A Legacy (A Silver Star Ranch Novel) (20 page)

“Where’s Maverik?” Clover whispers.

“With the babies.” Ella runs her hand through lil’ Mav’s dark hair. “Your little brother looks just like you, baby. It’s crazy.”

“Really?”

I notice someone behind me, and it’s Maverik, leaning on the doorway, looking like he’s been through hell and back but still standing. I glance down to his boots and notice he still hasn’t realized that they’re on the wrong feet.

Ella begins talking again, catching my attention. Clover is busy looking at all the machines and checking her IVs.

“Your sister looks just like me,” Ella says with a giggle and then clutches his face in her hands. “Mav, when your brother came out I felt like I traveled back in time to the first day I met you.”

Tears pool in my eyes knowing the back story and how hard it must have been for Ella to be so selfless, keeping that baby and then giving birth all on her own.

“He has your gorgeous, loving eyes and dark hair, Mav. I love you so much and want you to know that. You’ll always be my little boy no matter how tall you get or how many broncs you spur.”

“I love you, Momma. I was so scared you were going to die.”

She tucks his head down into her chest. “Oh, sweet boy, it will take a lot more than this to take me away from you.”

The pooled tears in my eyes have now begun to run down my face and I let them, not being embarrassed at all. When I look to the others in the room, there’s not a dry eye in the place.

Clover loops her arm in mine. “Let’s go see the babies.”

I nod to her and then make eye contact with Maverik to make sure he’s okay. We Slatter brothers have our silent language down to a pat. He nods back and then sits next to Ella as we leave the room.

“They need their alone time,” Clover whispers to me.

I pull her in closer as we walk down the hall. “I want all of this with you too, Clover.”

“It’s intense, eh.”

“Very much so,” I reply. “But I have a question for you.”

“Yeah?”

We stop in one of the main halls before we get back to the waiting room. I back her up to a wall and press into her. She plays my favorite trick on me as she begins nibbling at the skin on my neck. It’s distracting as hell, but I manage to stay focused.

“Why did you quit your job here?”

“Because I wanted to.”

“Clover, I’m serious.” I make her look up to me.

“I love nursing, Marvel, but I also love being on the ranch with you and your family. I want to take care of you and Granddad. I want to ride more and work beside you.”

“So you quit your job for you?” I ask.

“Yes, I quit for me and for my next adventure in life, and the best perk it’s right by your side.”

Looking down at her I nod. “You saved me, Clover, and I’ll spend the rest of my life loving the hell out of you.”

“I already know that, and that’s the best part of our story, Marvel.”

I’ll never forget the night that Hank and Hazel Slatter entered the world causing quite the scene. The night left blisters on their father’s feet and opened all of our eyes to the miracle of life. The two sweet little bundles of joy is exactly what Silver Star needed.

N
o
, no, no, no.

Yes, yes, yes.

Shit, shit, shit.

I run palms over my slightly swollen belly, finally coming to terms with the fact I’m good and knocked up by Marvel. I’ve known for a couple of months now but finally mustered up enough courage to take a test. And it’s official—I’m carrying Marvel’s baby. Life’s been good on the ranch, and I wouldn’t change a thing. I know deep down he’ll be thrilled to have a baby together. He’s our fearless leader and takes challenges head on.

The pink diamond reflects back at me, catching my attention. He proposed last week. Both of us on horseback taking an afternoon Sunday ride. He was nervous, and I couldn’t pinpoint what was up until he got down on one knee and proposed while I was still sitting above him on my horse. He wouldn’t let me get down, claiming I was his royal queen. When he pulled out the simple and very delicate ring bathed in white silver and pink diamonds, I melted.

He then hopped on the back of my horse and urged him into a run until we were back far enough on the ranch to celebrate. Goose bumps race all over my skin thinking about the way he laid me down in the grass and then made the sweetest love to me.

I should be scared at the warp speed this is moving, but call it stupidity or young love, I’m not. Each day is a new beginning and I know we both cherish each minute together like it’s our last.

“Move your ass, Clover,” Marvel shouts from the living room.

And right on cue, my prince charming. I take one last look in the mirror, stick my tongue out at myself, and then pull on my boots. I haven’t seen the like of skinny jeans or my cons since moving into Granddad’s house. I’ve morphed right into a Slatter.

My phone vibrates on the ceramic tile of the sink, startling me. It’s my dear old mother once again. This last week she’s been blowing up my phone, and I’ve ignored each and every single one of her calls. Each time finding it a little harder to push the decline button, but the truth is I have nothing to say to her. It hurts knowing that the happiest of celebrations like being engaged and announcing I’m pregnant should be with my mother, but I have no desire to open that door again.

We are going to Merek’s last rodeo that’s near before he and Challis take off on the road for a two-month long stretch. I make my way down the hall and hear Marvel deep in conversation with an unfamiliar voice. They’re speaking in hushed tones, which is my first sign I’m not supposed to be involved in it.

“Our intel has reported he’ll be there tonight. It’s all going down.”

“It better be. I’m done with this shit.”

“We have him on trespassing, vandalism, and purgery charges. We just need him to come after you tonight.”

“Fuck,” Marvel huffs out. “You better have enough agents surrounding us, and it better not fuck up Merek’s ride.”

I peek around the corner to see Marvel’s back to me with the familiar faces of all the agents. Everyone dealing with his case has been more hush-hush than ever. I’m done worrying about all of it, knowing that Marvel will always keep me safe or die trying, as well as the rest of his family.

Marvel’s voice raises to an all-new level of frustration, so I decide to put an end to this secret meeting by bouncing around the corner and boisterously announcing my arrival in the small kitchen.

“I’m ready, cowboy.”

“Thanks for your time, Marvel. We’ll be on our way now.” The agents nod and exit without a further word.

“What was that all about?” I ask, wrapping him up in a hug from behind, pressing my cheek into his back.

“Bullshit. That’s what it was about.”

A slight thrill races through me knowing our little baby is pressed between us. I can’t wait to tell him, but now isn’t the time when he’s beyond pissed.

“It’ll be fine, son.” Granddad stands and places his hat on his head. He sure is a good-looking old man.

I pat Marvel’s abs and reassure him as well. It only takes moments for him to calm down. The man wears all of his emotions on his sleeve and is easily read as a book.

“I need to go talk to Merek and Maverik.”

“Okay, baby, I’ll help Granddad out to the truck. Kiss me.”

He turns around in my arms, places his large hands on my face, and lays his lips on me tenderly, taking a moment before he kisses me. “I love you, and I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” I whisper back, brushing my lips up and down against his and instantly wanting more of Marvel Slatter. “Get moving before I take you back to our room.”

That gets a slight grin from him and then he’s gone. The front door slams shut, and I go for a hoodie knowing we’ll be at this rodeo quite late.

“Medicine?” I give my only patient a stern look.

“I took it.”

“Good boy.”

“Do I get a prize now?”

I laugh at him. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Clover.”

I really don’t know how to explain the relationship I have had with him from the first day I took care of him in the hospital. He’s always made me feel like family.

“I have a secret,” I say.

“Yeah?”

“I’m pregnant,” I burst out, not being able to hold it in anymore.

His face lights up and his eyes twinkle with pride as he limps slowly over to me and wraps me up in one long hug.

“Marvel doesn’t know yet. I’ll tell him tonight when he’s in a better mood.”

“All my boys are happy and loved, and that makes me the most blessed cowboy in Texas.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of it. And we better go before we have the wrath of Merek Slatter in here yelling at us for making him late.”

“I can still kick that boy’s ass.”

I just shake my head damn well knowing he can’t kick Merek’s ass. And even though it’s early afternoon and the rodeo doesn’t start until seven, it’s Merek’s ritual to be there hours early.

By the time we make it out the door the rest of the family is circling around the trucks and trailers. I get Granddad settled in the front seat of Merek’s truck and then look for Marvel. I finally spot him over by his truck.

“Babe, whatcha doing?” I ask.

“We’re taking my truck.”

“You okay?”

He only nods to me. I’m shocked he, one, wants to drive, and, two, take his new truck he finally got from his insurance claim. I don’t question the brewing man and just jump in.

He turns up the radio, pulling from the long lane before the rest do. He speeds down the road at a rate that’s scaring the piss out of me.

“Marvel.”

When I say his name, he turns off the main road onto a dirt road that’s obvious it leads out into the middle of nowhere, and then it hits me where he’s going as the old junkyard comes into view.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

Still no response from him as the truck dips off the side of the road behind a large tree, and he slams it into park, killing the engine.

“You’re scaring me, Marvel.”

“This tree.”

Leaning forward, I peek around him to look at the massive willow tree and admire the wide base briefly.

“I sat here for days. They’d find me here and torture me more. It’s like I wanted them to find me, so I always came here hoping and praying like hell it would be the day I finally take my last breath.”

“You’re safe now, baby.” I cover his hand with mine and feel him flinch underneath me and then pull away.

“I thought life couldn’t get any worse when I laid in that hospital bed for weeks. It was torture just being alive.”

I decide to listen and give him room since it’s obvious he’s working through some sort of issue. I can only pray he’ll let me back in. Discreetly, I pull my phone from my purse while he remains in a trance staring at the tree and send Challis a text about what’s going on here so they won’t worry when we show up late or not at all.

“But now, Clover, I’m afraid to live.”

His voice cracks, and I can’t handle not touching and caressing him.

“You have to let me in here, cowboy.” I crawl over the console and carefully straddle his lap. When the palms of my hands contact his jaw he clenches his eyes shut, so I don’t turn his face toward me. I pepper him with light kisses along his face, making sure to pay attention to each scar left behind.

“I can’t lose you.”

“You won’t,” I counter.

“Loving you is the sweetest torture that I don’t even deserve.”

“Marvel, look at me.” I drop my hands to my side when a sinking feeling hits me. Is he breaking up with me? Brought me to the spot where we met in a sick and twisted fashion to dump me?

The pad of his thumb grazes my cheekbone and then traces small circles behind my ear. “Loving you is torture, Clover, because if I ever lose you it will kill me. I can’t lose you.”

“Baby, you won’t. What’s going on?”

“I’m scared. I’m just real fucking scared right now.” He drops his forehead to my chest.

“Where’s this coming from? You know I’m here.” When he doesn’t reply, I let him know it’s okay to be scared and then pull his face up to mine again. Again, everything in me wants to tell him our good news, but not when he’s in this state of mind. It’s an ugly place to be.

“Let me take care of you, Marvel. Let’s make a new memory under this tree.”

I pluck each one of his buttons open on his shirt, dip forward, and kiss every inch of his longest scar on his body while unbuttoning his jeans. I’m not surprised he’s ready for me when I spring him free. We can’t touch each other without being ready to go. It’s a little trickier trying to pull my jeans down in the small confines of the cab.

Finally, I stand up between his legs, trying to wiggle at least one leg free when my ass cheeks land on the horn.

“Oops.” I look up at him and smile.

“Hurry, baby, I need you now.” His fingers dig into my thighs, sending a pinching pain through my body that only excites me.

He takes care of my skimpy underwear with one quick tug. I don’t have time to lecture him as I’m pulled down on his lap. My breath is taken away when he impales me, using his hands that are gripping onto my hips, and even though I’m on top, he’s in complete control of this.

“I’ll kill to save us,” he barks out.

He continues to plunge in and out of me. It takes me a few minutes to adjust to his harsh tempo. His fingers sink deeper into my flesh as he forces me on him. It’s rough and raw and just what he needs here. Actually, it’s what we both need and so symbolic of our relationship.

Leaning forward I bite down on his bottom lip until I can taste a tinge of blood in my mouth. My hands wrap around the back of his head, pulling him in to deepen our kiss while he continues his relenting punishment with his hips. His low moans vibrate in my mouth as I devour him, letting me know he’s close.

I shake my head side to side, letting him know I need more time. I’m always needing and wanting more and more of the man. Marvel sneaks a hand between us and begins to stroke me in just the right place, sending me right to the cusp of the edge and ready to fall over with him. It only takes a few more moments of him strumming perfectly before my head is tilted back and I’m crying out my pleasure with him.

We both crumple into a sweaty sticky mess, taking time to catch our breath. Moments of silence go by with his fear audible in the cab. I’m not sure what he’s running from or where the fear is coming from.

“I don’t want you at the rodeo tonight.”

“Why?”

“I want you safe at home on the ranch with Sterling.”

“What’s happening tonight at the rodeo?”

“I don’t know what will happen, and that scares the shit out of me.”

“Do you love me, Marvel?”

His head flies up with a wild look in his eyes. “You know the fucking answer, Clover.”

“Then let me stand by you always. There’s no need to hide or protect me. I told you a long time ago that I’d follow you anywhere. You’re all I have left in life, Marvel. Let me be with you.”

“I want you to go home tonight.”

Tilting my chin up and digging deep for courage, I shake my head side to side.

“Damn you.”

“This is what love is, Marvel.”

T
o nobody’s surprise
, Merek won the round and is placed very high in the world, but all the small details and rules still escape me. Marvel has practically sat on my lap all night long, nervous as hell. His nerves are beginning to rattle my core. I try to focus in on Granddad. My co-pilot Ella isn’t here tonight. She hasn’t been out much since having the babies, and quite honestly, I may just want to be with her right now tending to them.

I typically spend the morning at her house, helping tidy up and tend to the little ones, letting her have time to shower and take a light nap. Maverik’s tried to pay me on several occasions. I take the money and promptly tuck it in lil’ Mav’s piggy bank in his room.

“Let’s go.” Marvel stands, dragging me up with him.

“But the bull riding. It’s your favorite. And didn’t you say an old classmate is riding tonight?”

“Time to go, Clover.”

I follow his stare, and when my vision lands on my uncle Saint, I internally cringe.

“I’m ready as well.” Granddad nudges me in the back.

I duck my head and follow Marvel, checking back every now and then to make sure Granddad is following us until we are behind the chutes and settled in at Merek’s tailgate.

Challis is on her phone texting someone, leaning back on Merek, who is settled on his tailgate enjoying his celebratory drink. He’s talking to Sterling and Maverik. All deep in conversation, barely acknowledging our arrival.

I lean into Marvel, who has his phone out and is dialing a number. I’ve given up on tonight, having no clue what in the hell is going on. When he starts talking to whoever is on the other line, it’s not pretty at all.

“It’s fucking over. He’s here at the fucking rodeo within limits of me, and you promised there was a restraining order and once he was spotted he’d be fucking cuffed.”

Recoiling back from the venom spewing from Marvel, I stumble into the back of another truck.

“I’ve put my whole family in danger for months now following your damn plan. You promised that with the restraining order issued last week, that this would be the last damn time.”