Alexander Ranch (13 page)

“Lela
, I'm sure you have questions and I want you to feel comfortable enough to ask them,” Jordan continued.

I pushed the bowl away, having finished the last bit of soup, and Jordan rose to retrieve the tray. Once the tray was removed I slid back down, more tired than I would have thought I'd be. Jordan stood watching me with a worried frown
waiting for a response from me.

“
I do have questions, but I'm not even clear yet on what they are,” I said forcing myself to hold his intense gaze. “Right now I just want to get some rest and not think too much. I guess I need to get home so I can go to bed.”

“
Grace said you are to stay right here tonight and if you have any objections you'll have to discuss them with her,” he added the last bit hastily. He seemed relieved that he would not have to be a part of that battle.

I stared at him in disbelief for a moment and then resigned myself. I was in no condition to argue and fight with Grace.

“Fine.”

“Wise choice,”
he smiled and then grew serious, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“How were you able to resist him?”

I could feel my cheeks flush, “Well, for starters, I wasn’t attracted to him.”

“No, I mean how did you keep him from touching your life force?”

“I don’t understand?” I frowned in confusion.

“I’m sure he was trying to drain your life force. But, Grace said it hadn’t been touched. So, you had to have done something to prevent it.” He was watching me with a probing gaze as if trying to see inside my head.

“I don’t know,” I sputtered, “I simply tried to stop the pain in my head and get away from him the best way I could.”

“Pain in your head?” He tilted his head to the side.

“Yes, there was a searing pain in my head.”

“Hm. And, how did you get away from him? I saw you running and him tackle you when I entered the barn.”

“I brought my knee up between his legs. When he bent forward I landed an elbow strike to the collar. That should have put him down though. Now, I know why he didn’t go down and stay down.”

His eyes widened in surprise and he chuckled now. It was such a nice sound I smiled too.

“And, where did you learn those moves?”

“In my mixed martial arts class,” I lifted my chin but couldn’t help smiling.

“Mixed martial arts, huh?”

“Yes,” I stifled another yawn.

“Ok, Xeena Warrior. I'd better let you get some sleep.”

I was rather tired. He stood and I scooted down under the light cover. He walked to the door and turned to me.

“Goodnight, Lela.”

“Night, Jordan.”

Chapter
17

I woke the next morning to the sounds of birds chirping, horses
neighing in the distance and other farm noises. I felt in sore need of a bath. I looked around and noticed the room I was in for the first time. I was in a large, very comfortable, four poster bed. The room was decidedly masculine. There was a door partially opened on one side where I could see a mirror. That must be a bathroom, which was something else I was sorely in need of. I gingerly climbed out of bed and was surprised to find I didn’t have any more soreness than a hard workout at the gym would have produced. A little ache here, a little pain there. I walked into the bathroom and found a set of towels sitting on the pristine counter along with a set of what looked like my clothing. I looked closer and realized they were my clothes. Daisy must have gone to my house and picked out some clothes for me. Part of me wasn’t sure how I felt about that, but another part of me was grateful to have my own clothes to change into after a shower. She’d even brought me underwear. Embarrassing but appreciated.

Looking around the bathroom I noticed it was also very male. A few masculine looking bottles near the sink and dark towels on the rack. There was no fluff here. Just male utilitarianism.  The colors were cream colored with forest green trim.

After taking care of my morning bladder, I stepped into the shower and bathed. There had been a feminine body wash and lotion provided, but I’d smelled the body wash in the shower and opted to use it instead. It had a simple, clean and subtle scent.

I found myself thinking of Jordan. He was so confusing. And, while it seemed he didn’t strongly dislike me, as I had thought, he clearly had some internal struggle in regards to me. Considering all that I’d learned about him, however, it made sense. I wasn’t sure if he just didn’t like regular old humans like me or if he had some other reason I didn’t yet know. Maybe drainers had a natural aversion to regular humans unless they were after their mysterious life
force. It all sounded so unreal, so unbelievable. But, I’d seen enough yesterday to know that something was real, something other than the reality I was used to. And maybe part of that reality was a natural distaste of what he was for what I was.

I couldn’t deny the anguish I saw in his face after he’d left me alone and I’d been attacked. However, that could feasibly be explained as guilt. I’d technically been attacked on his watch. Still, the days prior to that he’d made a great effort to be nicer and cordial to me. But, he
’d still seemed uncertain or uncomfortable.

What was more alarming was how aware I was of him. I told myself it was because I knew he was uncomfortable around me, so I was naturally uncomfortable around him. Of course, I’d be constantly aware of my source of discomfort. But, if I were truly being honest, I found myself constantly trying not to look at his handsome face and delectable body.

Becoming even more concerned about the direction of my thoughts, I turned them to Daisy. I hadn’t seen much of her lately. She’d obviously gone to my house and picked out clothes. At least, I sure hoped it was Daisy.

Finished with the shower I stepped out, dried myself, put my clothes on, and finger combed my unruly curls. I didn’t have a comb, so I ran my fingers through it until it was somewhat tamed and braided it in one braid at my back. When I stepped out of the bathroom I was met by Jordan, entering the room.

“Oh,” I said, in surprise. He’d stopped the moment he saw me, just as I’d stopped.

“I’m sorry,” he said looking calm, cool and collected, “I was just going to leave the tray for you. I knocked, but it sounded like you were still in the bathroom and hadn’t heard me.”

“I didn’t hear you. But, it’s ok. Come in,” I waved him in. “I’m starving.”

He hesitated for only a moment. He looked around as if he wasn’t sure where to put the tray.

“On the bed is fine. I’m not going to get back into it, but I’ll sit there and eat.”

             
He sat the tray down and stepped back. He looked at the chair I’d found him sitting in when I awoke before, but walked past it to the window and leaned on the sill. Clearly he wasn’t planning to exit.

“Have you heard from Ethan? Is he alright?”

He frowned that same slight frown he’d given me yesterday when I asked about Ethan. “He’s fine.”

“Oh, well, that’s good to hear,” I sighed with relief then noticed he seemed to be waiting on me to eat. “You don’t have to wait on me to eat. Will Daisy be coming up to babysit me?”

“Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?” his eyes narrowed.

“No, I – I , no,” I said flustered. He wasn’t kidding this time. He was practically glowering at me.
Jeeze, grumpy much? “I just know you have work to do.”

“My work can wait. I’m here to protect you, and protect you I will.”

I thought to apologize, but what would I be apologizing for? So, I looked down into my tray, forked up a strawberry and stuck it in my mouth. There were strawberries with whipped cream, eggs and sausage. I chewed in silence studying the food on my plate.

“Look, I know you’d rather have Ethan, or Daisy, or anyone but me protecting you,” Jordan blurted out. I looked up to see him running his hands through his hair. I could swear I heard a harder note in his voice when he said Ethan’s name. He continued, “But, for now, is it ok if I do it?”

“That’s not true,” I said softly.

“What’s not true?”

“That I prefer Ethan or Daisy. It’s just that they are the ones who have been working with me until recently,” I stated unperturbed. I wasn’t going to let him get me riled up. “So, I’m sorry for asking.”

“Ok, well, can you just accept that I don’t mind guarding you in the least?”

I didn’t have much choice did I? But, that didn’t mean there wasn’t some issue with it. I changed the subject. “It wasn’t your fault you know.”

He stiffened, “What wasn’t my fault?”

“Me being attacked.”

His irritated face changed into a face of regret, “It
was
my fault and I am the one who is sorry.”

“There was no way you could have known – ”

“Yes, I should have known,” he said cutting me off. “He wasn’t a trusted member of our staff. And as long as anyone was around who was not, you should not have been left unguarded. There was no excuse.”

He’d paced over to me and was standing before me.

“Please don’t beat yourself up,” I said, reaching out and touching his arm. He looked at me sharply with such surprise I snatched my hand back. I didn’t know whether it was the words or the touch that caused his reaction, but his face softened and stiffened all at the same time. I sensed some inner struggle again and closed off the sense I didn’t realize I was leaving slightly open.

“Anyway,” he said gathering himself, “I will be with you today and not out of obligation. I want to make sure you’re safe. And, we are going to have fun today. Agreed?”

I nodded.

Chapter 18

We did have fun. It was Friday but Grace forbad me to work and everyone else agreed. Daisy joined us and we all went to a movie. I was assured that this was safe.

“The more people that are around the better,” Logan explained, “These guys don’t work in the open. They work in the dark and in times and places where no one will see.”

I was starting to feel more and more like some stalked celeb who had to go everywhere with a security detail. Or maybe I felt like the president who seemed to always have someone after him, but he still went out everywhere. What next, bomb sniffing canines?

When we got back to the ranch, Jordan and I ended up eating alone. Everyone else was either gone or busy. I thought it would be awkward, but it wasn’t. He’d asked lots of questions and answered some too.

“How did you come to live with your brother?” He asked as we piled food onto plates from the buffet in the dining hall.

“We’ve always been close. He’s 5 years older than me. When I got out of college he invited me to come stay with him. I’d looked for and found a great position near him.”

“What about your parents, are they nearby?”

“They aren’t that far away.”

“Why didn’t you come back and stay with them?”

“Why would I? Who wants to live with their parents forever?”

“True, I guess. I just thought, since you are so young…,” he shrugged and his words trailed off.

“I’m 22
not 18.”

“Yes, 22
and already a director of operations. I would ask how you accomplished that, but I have seen you and your focus minded approach to everything. You are a very determined individual.”

“I hadn’t
set out to become a director in a certain amount of time.”

“No, I imagine your intelligence along with your determination did that.”

              “Intelligent and determined? You’ve been giving me a lot of compliments.”

“I was simply stating a fact. You must have graduated from high school at, what, 16?”

“Actually, 15. But, I was almost 16.”

“And?”

“And, I went on to complete my BA by 18 and entered a 2 year veterinary program. That’s all.”

“You have to be fairly smart to pull that off.”

“Or bored. I’d always loved animals and knew I wanted to be a vet. How about your parents?” I asked changing the subject. “Do they live far from here?”

His lips twitched but he allowed my change of subject.

“Actually they live here. They’ve just been out of the country.”

“Wow, you all live here together?” I asked amazed.

“Yes. Daisy and Grace’s parents also live close by. But, they are out of the country with mine.”

“Really? Well, it’s good the in-laws get along,” I chuckled.

“Maybe a little too well,” he said dryly, but I could tell he was happy the in-laws got along so well. “They spend months at a time travelling around the world.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“They enjoy it,” he shrugged.

The next day, Jordan allowed me to follow him around and participate in some of the chores. It was Saturday and, just like at Hanley’s
all in one pet care company, people were working on the weekend. Taking care of animals was an everyday operation. However, I was not scheduled to work weekends so I had to beg a little just to be able to help Jordan.

He didn’t hold out long against my pleading though and even let me ride Cervantes, after I promised I’d only walk and not have him running with me on his back. I really did feel fine by now, but Jordan was taking no chances. Daisy had come and decided I didn’t need any
more of her warm hand trick healing power. I simply needed time and rest. Most of my aches and pains were gone. I only had a twinge here and there. I was fine. But, Jordan insisted I take it easy.