Page 57 of Reins

All I can think about is her warm touch as I start the coffee pot.

I’ve got enough eggs for breakfast, definitely hitting the store tomorrow. I wonder if any of the clothing stores will be open?

Shit. Probably have to go to Missoula for one of the bigger box places.

I’ve got a decade of good money from hard work and solid investments sitting in the bank and no one to spend it on by myself all these years.

The idea I get to put a smile on her face as I spoil her makes me feel like a teenager again.

In fact, I have a plan for today that might help.

“Morning.” She limps out of the room with pink cheeks. “Did you stay in there with me all night?” Her brows rise towards her golden messy hairline.

“Yea, sorry, I fell asleep.” I tilt my mouth in a half frown.

The corner of her lips rise. “It was nice.”

She has the audacity to drop that bomb and then disappear into the bathroom.

Chapter 29 - Rosalyn

Mama would kill me if she knew I slept in the same bed as a man. She would beat me until I was unconscious.

According to her, all men are evil.

With a shiver, I stare into the mirror at my ratted hair and the pillow crease in my cheek.

She was evil. Eli and John are too.

Cade isn’t. He’s the only one who’s nice to me. There’s no sign of him being the monster that my brothers swore he was.

My palm still tingles with the memory of touching him. I liked it. The thought of him being so close makes my belly feel hot and my pulse race. It reminds me of when I’m riding my horse in a canter and the saddle rubs me just right…

Mama said that’s wrong too. But now I wonder if she was lying again?

Of course she was. Every trace of happiness was punishable by the whip.

For once in my life, I want to give in to feeling good.

Can Cade do that for me? How does that even work?

Fuck. I’m too naive on that stuff. Mom never told me. All Ava did was giggle and turn red when I asked because I was so young.

There has to be something more to it than what the cows do.

I studied hard, I could give a dissertation about the solar system or geology. Ancient history and Algebra.

But I was so limited on the books I had access to. Once I got older I didn’t even try.

Smoothing down my wild locks, I look again at my own reflection. My eye is still puffy and tender, my nose is too upturned and my forehead is too big.

Who am I kidding? Cade is sympathetic, nothing more.

He pities me. I saw the revulsion before he ran off to vomit.

Maybe if we can at least be friends, that will be a start? I don’t have any.

Yes, that’s an excellent plan.