Caleb's Blessing Read online

"Oh sure, that, we can talk about that later, I needed to ask you about something...in private."

  Let the games begin; she looked at Amanda like she was something unpleasant, before dismissing her with a glance. That pissed me the fuck off. Now Cecily knew very well that we didn't deal like that with each other.

  "Kinda busy here Cecily what is it that you wanted? Like I said, Sapphire's ready to go."

  She wasn't too happy with that but what could she do, she certainly didn't want to be rebuffed in front of an audience, which is what I usually did in private when she started her shit.

  Since she usually saved her bullshit for the rare occasions that she caught me alone, she couldn't know if I would or wouldn't do the same with Amanda standing there.

  I don't know how many times I could say no and in how many ways but damn. The idiot seemed to be under the impression that she could buy me with daddy’s money, little did she know I’d walk the streets bare assed naked before I let that shit happen, had it even been possible.

  I’ve known bulls with more warmth and personality than her simpering ass. Not to mention she’s worst than a guttersnipe and if I was to ever lose my mind and go there, chances are I’d find her ass up in a trough somewhere, since to a man the boys all hated her guts.

  "You must be the new maid I heard about." She focused those eyes that were all but oozing malice Amanda’s way. The smile on her face was pure venom; she'd found a new target had she, no way in hell.

  "You must've heard wrong, Amanda is my houseguest, now if you'll excuse us Mikey will take care of you." I had my arm around Mandy as I addressed the harpy who was none too pleased.

  Her face had fallen and she was gearing up to say some shit, but I didn’t give her the chance. “Your horse?” My tone brooked no argument, unless she was brain dead, she got it.

  I was mad as fuck but held onto my temper; one thing was for sure, it will be a cold day in hell before I did business with her again, and the first chance I get, I'm having a word with her old man about her behavior.

  I'd held off telling him before now, but this shit she'd just pulled crossed the fucking line; how dare she try to put down someone in my home?

  Amanda hadn't said a word throughout all this and it hurt me to my fucking core that she’d been hurt on my watch. She looked fucking whipped when I looked down at her and my heart hurt for the sadness I saw there. I could only imagine what she was feeling.

  She's a young girl after all, who's been through some shit in her life and was in a place where she probably felt like she couldn't compete with the high society, designer wearing Cecily, who had all but looked down her nose at her.

  I didn't know her well enough to draw her in for a hug, but that's what I really wanted to do.

  Cecily had stomped off in the direction of Sapphire's stall after I'd dismissed her, but I could tell Amanda was no longer interested in what we'd been doing.

  I couldn't just leave things like that though so I sweet-talked her into going down to the creek with me.

  It took some doing, but eventually she put aside the hurt and her smile shone through again as she wet her feet in the cool water.

  The place was one of the most relaxing spots on the ranch; old pine trees, prairie bush, wildflowers and water. If I'd thought ahead I could've organized a picnic, but since this was an impromptu decision I'll have to save that for another time.

  The sound of her laugh got to my gut. It was nice to see her enjoying herself if only in this simple way.

  Maybe it was the way the sun hit her just right at that moment, or the way her scent seemed enhanced in the day's heat.

  It could've been her laughter that did it, but whatever the cause, I found myself taking her in my arms for a slow, lustful kiss.

  It was everything I expected and so much more, like all my winnings rolled into one. I kept after her lips for what felt like forever, never wanting to let go, but alas we needed to breathe.

  Chapter 10

  Damn, I've done it now. I was expecting her to either slap the shit out of me, or run screaming from the ranch; both of which I was ready to combat. What I didn't expect was for her to blush prettily at me and try to hide her face shyly in my neck.

  I tipped her head back gently with my fingertip and smiled back at her. Instead of beating it to death I decided to act as though it was the most natural thing in the world for us to do. Though I’m sure that her heart had to be beating at least half as fast as mine was.

  There were a million questions floating around in my head, and all of them were inappropriate at this time.

  I reminded myself to keep it cool, not to rush anything as much as I wanted to. Her slight weight felt right pressed up against me, and I could honestly say there wasn’t a damn thing I’d rather be doing than sitting here like this with her.

  I couldn’t resist taking her mouth again when the pull was too strong. I held her face between my rough palms as I nibbled at her lips softly, tenderly.

  I tried to convey in that one act, just how much she was coming to mean to me. I wanted to make promises, things that I had no way of knowing if she was ready for.

  Her response was even more passionate this time and I fought myself not to lay her back on the grass with the wild flowers shielding us, and take her.

  In the end common sense won out and I reined in my libido. She was so open though, the way she looked at me with just the right amount of interest in her bright eyes.

  I didn’t push for more though since I could sense her hesitancy, which was totally understandable, but there was no mistaking her response to my kiss. I figure I could live off of that for a while.

  I picked some wild flowers for her hair and told her tall tales and lies about my days on the circuit; all the while dying to know how long was long enough to wait.

  She seemed freer out here, with the sun shining down on her, the tall grass swaying around her as she sat on the blanket I’d found in the truck.

  She hadn’t laughed again since we left the stables, but at least that beaten look she’d worn was fading fast. I eased her little hand into mine and held my breath to see what she’d do. When she didn’t pull away, fuck if I didn’t feel like I’d won the grand prize all over again.

  We spent the rest of the morning holding hands, as I showed her around my land. It had been a while since I’d seen it as anything more than the place I used to make a living. A while since I’d stopped to take in the beauty all around me.

  But watching her, listening to her and answering her curiosity, I saw what I’d seen that first time I looked at the land. I had all but given up hope of ever finding a woman who would see it as I had then.

  For all that she came from a small town, she was a city girl, who seemed fascinated by ranch life and was full of questions herself.

  Around noon I heard the truck coming toward us, I hadn't realized so much time had passed already. I could’ve gone all day just sitting and holding hands while listening to that voice of hers. My dick might not thank me for it, but I could’ve done it.

  Mikey was behind the wheel with a stupid ass grin on his face. If he gets out I’ll shoot his ass and bury him out here. He had the good sense to stay his ass inside and lean out the window.

  "The guys thought you two kids might've run into some trouble or something, seeing as how it's high noon and you haven't done a lick of work all day boss and Miss. Amanda you promised us lunch but nothing doing."

  "Oh no I'm so sorry, the time got away from me. I'll make something fast and easy not to worry." She made to head off in the direction of the other truck but I stopped her by taking her hand and pulling her back to my side.

  I took a step towards him to wipe that damn smug look off his face. "She's not your damn cook Mikey you ass and you can tell the others to..."

  "Uh-uh-uh, there's a lady present boss." The little son of a bitch had a boyish grin on his mug.

  Oh he was enjoying this shit, I wonder how much he'd enjoy my boot up his ass?

 
"You can tell the others to see about their own lunch same as always." I glared at him but the young pup was playing it up to the hilt, giving her puppy dog looks like a damn ten year old.

  "But it's Simon’s turn to cook boss and you know he sucks. Please Miss. Amanda, I'll show you around the ranch myself tomorrow I promise. But please don't make me eat Simon’s food again." The idiot clutched his heart like he was about to die; I guess it was okay since it got her to laugh.

  My ass you’re showing her around, fucking poacher. I had visions of letting Brutus free on his ass when we got back. That ought to lay him up for a day or two. I shook my head at my own thoughts. I’m really losing it.

  "Get out of here Mikey, we'll be up at the house in a little bit." I dared him with my eyes to argue. The fool waited until Amanda was looking off in the direction of the call of a whippoorwill to make kissing faces at me; ass.

  I growled and he laughed before he turned the truck around and headed back with three wild beeps of the horn.

  "You ready to go back baby?" I pushed her hair behind her ear and touched the tip of her nose with my finger.

  "Yeah, gotta get the boys their lunch."

  I mumbled my answer to that, seeing as how she was indeed a lady and didn't need to be hearing what I thought of them right now. Assholes.

  It was nothing for me to take her hand as we headed back to the truck I'd driven us here in.

  There was a burning question on my mind that I was afraid to ask for fear of pushing her too far too fast, but I needed to know.

  I put the truck in gear but let it idle as I got my thoughts together. She'd only been here a short time after all and though I was in no way trying to rush her into anything, I knew it was only a matter of time before I wanted more.

  It's funny, I could face down a mad as fuck bull in an enclosed pen but the thought of asking her the question on my mind scared me. She turned to look at me when she realized we weren't moving.

  "Amanda, do you think, I mean is it even a little bit possible...dammit." I took a deep breath and looked at her fully.

  "Did you like our kisses?" Really smooth Dunbar what're you twelve?

  She blushed and tried to hide behind her hair, I couldn't resist reaching over and putting it behind her ear again.

  Her slight nod was almost imperceptible but it was enough for me and I released the breath I'd been holding.

  "Do you think it would be okay if I courted you?" Geez who is this person that has taken over my body? I was beginning to sound like a hayseed.

  "Court me?"

  "Yes, you know, take you out to the movies, dancing, stuff like that."

  "What about that girl from before, isn't she more your type? I mean she's obviously interested in you and she seems so sophisticated and I'm...I'm...."

  She played with the hem of her shirt and that air of sadness was back again.

  "You're what sweetheart?"

  "Damaged goods." She whispered the words as her head dipped lower.

  That shit just about broke my heart. It was then for the first time in my life that I realized that the human heart had a great capacity for love, and how that love could manifest itself in many different ways.

  How sometimes, it could take a body years to fall in love, and how like now, it could happen in the blink of an eye.

  Taking her precious face in my hands, I looked into her sad eyes. There was so much raw emotion there that I had to close my eyes to get my composure under control. I searched deep for the words to give her, to take away the pain that she carried inside.

  "One day soon I'm going to show you how very wrong you are about that baby."

  Chapter 11

  I gave her the rest of the afternoon to gather her thoughts; couldn't rush things, but at least I know some of what's going on in her head. Damaged goods, I'd like to meet that ex of hers and kick the shit out of him.

  She was humming under her breath as she puttered around in the kitchen. I'd been in and out all day since bringing her back to fix the jackasses their lunch.

  I'd tried having a stern talk with them about expecting her to cook all their meals, but they'd just looked at me like I was nuts and kept stuffing their faces with the fried chicken and cornbread she'd rustled up for them.

  Not even my grumbled threats did much good, so I'd decided to give it up for now and enjoy her offerings.

  My girl could cook her ass off and that’s a fact. They'd barely been through with lunch, when they started making noises about ‘what's for dinner?’ the greedy asses. That's when I'd finally kicked them out.

  Now I'm slinking around my office looking for shit to keep me busy so I could be near her. I’m pretty sure that everyone knew the real reason I was hanging around, and it wasn’t because I was afraid her ex would show up here.

  Their fuck stupid grins as they donned their hats and bid her goodbye, told me that they knew damn good and well that I was acting like a lovesick puppy.

  That kiss had only just whet my appetite and I was biding my time until I could steal another one, but I'm a grown man with a little control. Yeah right! I was starting to see the appeal of the caveman approach. Knock her over the head and drag her off to my bed.

  I knew damn well I couldn't just pounce on her though, too soon. And now, after that heart wrenching assessment of her-self, I know I have to work on her mind before I can get to her body.

  I don't want her thinking those things about herself, no woman that has ever lived through that shit should look at herself in that way.

  I didn’t know how or when, but I was pretty certain that her ex and I were headed for a day of reckoning. I was also giving serious thought to burying one Cecily Crane in a fucking ditch.

  I fooled around with the stuff on my desk, as my mind wandered to ways I could bring her out of her shell, get her to see the beautiful woman that I saw every time I looked at her.

  There was a lot to think about here not least of all was the fact that I’d met her only twenty-four hours ago. If not for her past I would’ve worked my magic already and we would’ve had the morning after.

  But because of the deadbeat asshole who obviously didn’t know the first thing about women, I had to play it easy. That’s one more reason to put a foot in his ass, the dumb fuck.

  I dropped down in my chair and rested my head back. I haven’t bought a woman flowers since I bought Lisa Summers a corsage for prom.

  The type of women who follow the circuits, with a few exceptions, aren’t given to roses and shit, so it was never needed.

  Come to think of it, I can’t tell you the last time I took a woman out on a date, or spent more than ten minutes with one outside of bed.

  I’m sure those demented fucks running around my land had some pointers since they were always on the prowl, but I’d be fucked if I’d ask them shit.

  I got a big sappy grin on my face as the first part of my campaign came to mind. If I was going to build her up and show her how worthy and beautiful she was she was gonna need more than me pawing at her.

  Nothing too extravagant to start off with, didn't want to scare her off and something tells me my little filly is pretty skittish about certain things.

  I'll take things nice and slow no matter how much my cock wanted to come out and play.

  "Patience boy, patience."

  Great, now I'm talking to my dick.

  ***

  AMANDA

  Wow, that was some kiss; I still blush each time I think of it. I don't remember a kiss ever making me feel that way before.

  It had been soft and hard at the same time if that makes any sense, and with his body pressed so close to mine I'd felt his hardness pressed against me.

  I'm almost ashamed to say I wish he'd just taken me to the ground in those wildflowers like some old movie hero and had his way with me.

  Why couldn’t I have met someone like him before I got tangled up with...? No, I’m not going to think about him here. I’m going to do all that I can, not to let him intrude i
n this place.

  I wonder what might’ve happened had we not been interrupted, and was a whole lot surprised to realize I wouldn’t have minded one bit if he had taken me down in the wildflowers, just for more of his intoxicating kisses you understand.

  It wasn’t long before I was coming back to reality though, and I felt the bitter disappointment spread in my chest as I deflated like an old worn out balloon.

  Maybe it's for the best that he hadn't gone any farther, because like I'd told him, I'm damaged goods. I have the scars that Lance left as a reminder for a lifetime.

  A reminder of who I was and what I was, nothing, a nobody; something to be mistreated and despised.

  I felt the old sting of tears as I stood at the kitchen sink looking out at the vast land that went on forever.

  Caleb was somewhere in the house, but he'd been quiet for hours, so he wouldn't witness my shameful display.

  I let the tears fall. For the first time in I don't know how long, I allowed myself to cry for me. For the girl that I'd wanted to be, the one that was now lost forever.

  I cried silent tears of remorse and regret, my heart long dead, ached as the pain from all that I'd endured enveloped me.

  Was there ever any answer to that age-old question, why me? Who decided these things anyway, and how were we chosen? Us women who suffered at the hands of monsters while others seemed so cherished by real men.

  I hate feeling sorry for myself, not even when I was going through it, did I allow myself the luxury. But now, in this beautiful place, it seemed like all I wanted to do. Maybe because I’d never seen what could’ve been before now!

  Maybe because no one else had ever made me want more, because this was the first time my past really stood in the way of my present.

  I almost buckled under the weight of it. I went through the gamut of emotions standing there at that sink looking out into the sunshine.

  Self-loathing, anger, fear, hatred for Lance, everything that I'd pushed away and tamped down all these years, was suddenly there before me and all because of a kiss.