Page 104 of Reins

“I figure you have a couple of options.” He flips out a finger. “Stay here.” Another digit. “Come with me.” Then his thumb. “Tell me to fuck off.” He snorts after the last. “To be honest, I expect number three in combination with either of the first two.”

Reaching out, I flatten his thumb and stare at the others. “Which do you prefer?” I hope it’s the second.

I don’t want to be here alone. That scares me more.

“Baby, I want you by my side. I don’t know how long I’ll be there. The idea of spending even one night without you tears me apart.” Then he takes a long inhale.

Here comes the ‘but’.

“But if you want to stay, I’ll make sure you’re taken care of and safe. Gil and Daphne are good folks—”

“I’ll always choose you, Cade.” I wrap my body tighter around him, hugging him with my entire length to try and prove to him the truth behind my words. “Please don’t leave me alone?” I whimper.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” He takes a sip of coffee and sighs. “That’s why I scheduled us down at the shooting range today. You’re going to learn how to use a pistol before we go.”

“Wait, why?” I thought he was going to protect me?

“Because we’ll be in the same state as your brothers. They’re monsters, Ros.” He lifts my arm to rub the smooth glass on my bracelet. “The thing about them, a rock won’t keep them away.” He turns, meeting my eyes with his. “But a fucking nine millimeter might.”

Chapter 48 - Cade

When I left Montana just after Christmas, I didn’t expect to be heading back in June.

The thick green grass over the rolling hills brings the bite of nostalgia. How many years did I spend on horseback at Black Gulch riding through prairies like these during our big spring roundups?

From the time I was able to balance in a saddle, Dad had us helping. I wonder if my brothers have their kids riding yet?

Mason had Sawyer and Sophia each their own animals before they were even out of diapers.

Would I do that for my own?

A tingle deep in my belly has me reaching for Rosalyn and sliding my fingers under the cover of her book to rest them on her thigh.

Absentmindedly, she drifts her palm over my wrist, her eyes never straying from her page.

One day maybe we’ll have a family of our own? She’s grown so much and has such an amazing heart but I don’t want to push her into anything she isn’t ready for.

Yet the thought is hard to quench.

The trip was faster this time without the horses in tow. They were good for forcing breaks though. My damn legs are suffering when we pull into Pete’s driveway.

Her massages at night in the hotels helped us both relax in more ways than one.

Fuck, my dick needs to stay down for just a little while. Unfolding myself from the driver’s seat, I stretch and stomp my feet to get the circulation moving again.

“Cade.” Pete steps out onto the porch, holding his hand up against the evening sun. “Congrats on the nuptials.” He grins, stepping down gingerly into the dusty gravel. “I didn’t expect you so soon after the wedding.” Sticking out his arm, he shakes mine heartily, then jerks me in for a hug. “I’m happy for you, son.” His voice is low and hoarse until he pulls away. “And Mrs. McCullough. Welcome back.”

Ros tucks into my side but extends her palm for him to grasp.

Her confidence around anyone except me is still thin at best.

“Thank you.” She clutches the back of my shirt. “I haven’t gotten used to hearing that.”

Pete snorts, waving us to follow. “I got some dinner ready. I figured you probably didn’t stop.” He slings his door open, releasing the savory smell of lasagna into the hot evening. “Don’t get too excited, it’s one of those frozen ones.” Then he turns, his gray brows waggling. “I made some garlic bread, too.”

“It smells amazing.” My belly rumbles in agreement.

“Good, maybe you can fetch it out of the oven for me.” Pete groans as he sits in his recliner, then pops out the footrest to raise his legs. “I fucked up my knee last week hiking around your brother’s pasture.”