Rogue Cowboy (11 page)

Spotting my old friend from school, I give him a smile and walk toward him.   Drew has been the copper in charge here at Pine Creek Station for the last few years.  He worked his way up through the ranks out of Darwin station, until the position came up to work back in his hometown again.

“G’day mate.”  I hold out my hand and Drew, takes it, shaking firmly.  “This is my woman, Sienna.”

“Yo, man.  Long time, no see.  How’s things?  Sienna, nice to meet you.”  He shakes her hand as well.

“Not too shabby at all, man,” I tell him.

“What can I do for you guys today?” he asks, leading us into his office and taking a seat at his desk.  “Have a seat.”

“Thanks, Drew.  Sienna was involved in an incident at The Cow and Calf yesterday.”

“I know the one.  Hope you’re okay?” he asks Sienna.

“I am,” she replies softly.  Taking her hand in mine, I give it a squeeze, so she knows she’s got my support.

“Sienna’s got some questions we’re hoping you can clear up for her.”

“Fire away.”

“Um, well,” she starts, pausing to look to me.  I give her a reassuring look and she glances back to Drew.  “I’m worried Skip will go to jail.”

“I don’t believe that will happen, Sienna.  Based on the reports I’ve read from the attending officers, I’m to believe that Skip was acting in self-defence.  Jacob was a wanted man who had escaped from prison, and he was considered a large danger to the community and a sexual predator.  I’m sure you’ll agree the world is safer without him here.”

Sienna visibly relaxes upon hearing his words.  She asks a few more questions and then we head out. 

“Did you want to come in?” I ask, turning the ignition off.

“Sure, why not.” She shrugs.

After leaving the police station, Sienna asked if I minded taking her to visit Dory.  I had to call in to Premier Ink first to see Luke, so that’s where we are now.

“Have you been in here before?”

“Yeah, I came in a few times with Laura.”

“Must have been when I wasn’t working,” I say, giving her a sideways glance.  I know for a fact she was avoiding me until I worked my way under her skin recently, so it’s no surprise she would plan her visits when I was out.

She gives me a sneaky smile, but doesn’t reply. 

She just earned herself a spanking.

“Oh my gosh, Sienna!  Are you okay?  Were you hurt?  Oh, you’ve got a cut on your eye.  Is that your only injury?  You poor thing.”  Despite me giving her a glare that should incinerate her on the spot, Bella rushes towards Sienna, firing off questions before wrapping her in hug.

“Righto, Bella, that’s enough.  Give her some space,” I tell my employee wearily.

“It’s fine, Zeke,” Sienna says gently.

“No, it’s not.  You can have girl talk another day.  Not today, okay?” 

“Okay.”

I take her out back to the break room, where Luke is sipping a coffee.

“Hey, bro.  Didn’t expect to see you in today.”

“Just came by to let you know I’d be off for the rest of the week.  Reckon you can take over my clients?”

“Zeke, you don’t have to take the rest of the week off,” Sienna says.

“Babe.”  I shake my head at her ridiculousness.  Of course I’m taking the fucking week off!

“Seriously, Zeke.  You don’t need to do this.  I’m sure Luke needs the help anyways.”

“If I need his help, I’ll call him in.  But, it’ll be fine, Sienna.”  I knew my brother would understand.  Fuck, had it been Laura who went through what Sienna did, he’d do the same thing I’m doing.

“See, babe.  All’s good.  How’s my niece?  Laura?”  I ask, turning my attention back to Luke, but wrapping my arm around Sienna’s shoulders and pulling her in close to my side.

“They’re both doin’ good.  Laura’s thinking about having a BBQ tomorrow night, before Jeremy and Ava head off to WA.  You two in?  Ask Dory, too – if she’s up to it, that is.”

“Babe?”

“Sounds great to me.  I’ll let you know about Dory,” Sienna answers.

“We’ll be there. Text me the time.”

“Righto.  I better get started.  Some of us have to work.”  He jabs me in the side as he is passing by.  I reach out and clip him over the head with my palm in retaliation, and then Sienna and I walk out to the ute and drive the short distance to Doreen’s house.

I let her lead us down the narrow cement path to Dory’s front door.  The lawn is overgrown and I make a mental note to come around in the next few days with a lawn mower.  Sienna doesn’t bother knocking; she just opens the door and goes right in.

“Aunty Dory?” Sienna calls.

“In here, love,” is replied, followed by a bunch of coughing.

Shit, she sounds really sick. Sicker than what I thought.

“Afternoon, Dory,” I say, sitting my arse down on one of her lounges.

“Zeke.  Nice surprise,” she says, giving Sienna a sideways glance.

“How are you feeling?” Sienna asks, affectively deflecting the questions Doreen was getting ready to ask.  Even I could see the glint of delight in her eye.

“I feel a bit better today.  Might be on the mend.”

“I hope so.”

“So, I hear there were some dramas at the pub yesterday.”

Sienna nods and begins telling Dory about yesterday.  While she’s filling her in, I decide to go for a wander around the yard and see what else needs doing. 

After I’ve had a look around, I take a seat on an old wine barrel that is underneath a shady tree out the back.  Inside, I can hear Sienna’s laughter filtering through.

I smile to myself, wondering how a small town fuck up like me got so lucky.

“He’s a whole hunk of hotness, Sienna.  Just seeing a fine young man like him makes an old lass like me feel better.”

I burst out laughing at my aunty.  She’s such a hoot.

“Oh my god, Dory!”

“You think he’d do a few jobs around the yard for me? With his shirt off?  I could go out and sit of the verandah and supervise.”

“Seriously, stop!” I choke out, doubling over in hysterics.  She’s been saying silly stuff like that since Zeke disappeared outside almost half an hour ago.

After I told her about what happened with Jake, her reply was, “I’m glad you’re alright.”  Then, she shocked the shit out of me.  “Who knew Skip would have a handgun?” she mused, her voice full of wonder. 

She lightened the mood with that comment, because I was concerned about telling her.  Not because I thought she’d be mad at me, but because she’s been so sick, I didn’t want her getting upset and making her feel worse.  If we didn’t live in such a small town, I might have held off even longer to tell her.  But, in a town like Pine Creek, it’s a wonder she didn’t hear the gunshot from her house!

“Laura and Luke are having a BBQ tomorrow night at their house, if you’re feeling up to it,” I mention, just as Zeke returns.  He smiles down warmly at me before taking a seat beside me.  His arm instantly goes around my waist and he leans over to kiss my shoulder. 

“Heard you laughing from outside,” he whispers against my skin. 

“My aunt was being funny.”  I look back at Dory to get her answer about the BBQ and find her smiling peacefully at Zeke and me. 

“I’ll see how I feel tomorrow, love.  I’ll let you know.”

“You want to go, you let us know.  We’ll pick you up on the way,” Zeke informs her.

“Thanks, love.”

“We better head off.  You need anything before we go?”  I ask.

“No, I’m fine.  I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.  Love you.”  I bend down to kiss her cheek.  “Feel better soon, okay,” I whisper against her cheek.

“I will.  I’m so happy for you, Sienna.  He’s a good man.”

“One of the best,” I agree.

“Any man who looks at a woman like he’s just won lottery is worth holding onto.  That’s the way he looks at you.”

“I know,” I say around the lump in my throat. 

“I’m proud of you, Sienna.  I know my brother wasn’t the easiest father to live with growing up, but I’m so proud of the way you’ve turned out.”

“Oh god.  You’re making me cry,” I sob, half laughing, half crying.

“Now, now.  Enough of that.  Go home and get busy making me some great nieces and nephews.  I won’t live forever, you know,” she chides.

My heart stutters at the mention of mini Zekes and Siennas.

“It’s too early for that,” I remind her.

“Nah, it’s never too early with the right person.  Go on now, love.”  She pats my arm.  I give her another kiss on the cheek and squeeze her shoulder gently.

Zeke comes up behind me and leans down and gives Dory a kiss.  She whispers something in his ear that I can’t make out and he nods.  Then he straightens, takes my hand and leads me back to his ute.

He stops off at the Coffee House on the way and quickly races in, returning moments later with a bag full of food and a drink each for us.  Once we arrive back at his house, we spend the rest of the afternoon snuggled up on the lounge watching movies, while a light drizzle of rain sprinkles on his roof.

Perfection.

***

“Hey, guys!  Come on in,” Laura calls, welcoming Zeke, Dory and I into her and Luke’s home.

“Hi,” I say with a smile.  “Thanks for having us over.”  I turn my attention to the chubby little girl, chewing her equally chubby fist, held in her arms.  “Hey, beautiful girl.  Aren’t you precious?” I coo to her.  She rewards me with a giant gummy grin and my heart melts.

“Zeke, Luke’s out the back if you want to join him.”

“Thanks, Laur.”  He steps in close and takes Ella from Laura’s arms.  Holding her up in front of him, he makes his eyes wide and then moves in slowly before blowing a big raspberry on her belly.  She giggles loudly in delight, so Zeke repeats the process.  This time, she knows what’s coming so he teases her, and we all laugh as she giggles nervously in anticipation.

While he plays with her, I take our salad into the kitchen and place it in Laura’s fridge.

“Dory looks a lot better,” Laura says quietly, joining me in the kitchen.

“Yeah.  She perked up the last few days.  Hopefully this new medication will keep working.”

“Let’s hope so.  If you want to get her seated outside, I’ll bring you out a wine,” she offers.

“Thank you, that sounds great.”  I walk back into Laura’s spacious living room and see Dory watching Zeke and Ella play. 

“Shall we go outside?” I ask.

“Sounds good, love.” 

I help Dory down the stairs, as Zeke brings Ella in his arms.  Once I get my aunt seated, I pour her a glass of whiskey on the rocks and take a seat just as Laura hands me a glass of wine.  I take a grateful sip and then everyone arrives at once, it seems.

Jeremy, Ava and their son, Oscar, arrive, followed shortly after by Jackson, Edie and their kids, Olive and Max.  Then, Jules and Clay arrive with their son, Banjo.  Lastly, Skip and Rhonda arrive. 

The men congregate around the BBQ, while us girls sit and chat at the table, and the kids play on the grass.

“Are you looking forward to going on your trip?” I ask Ava.

“Yes! I’m really excited.  I’m nervous, too, though.  I just hope the camel milk works.”

“I do, too.  It will be amazing for Oscar if it does.”

She nods in agreement.  “So, tell me, how are things going with you and Zeke?” she asks excitedly.

“It’s going great.  It’s still only new, but things are moving along well.”

“I’m so happy for you guys!  I just knew you two would end up together when he first came back to town.  He couldn’t keep his eyes off you!”

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah!” she laughs.  “I could see he was smitten, and that’s saying something because the man is always so damn broody.”

“Does he bring all that intensity into the bedroom?” Jules cuts in.

“I bet he does,” Laura adds with a giggle.

I raise my eyebrows suggestively, causing them all to laugh out loud.

“He totally does, doesn’t he?  I bet that makes for one hot lay,” Jules says.

I’m too busy laughing to answer.

“What are you ladies talking about over here?” Jeremy says, coming over to kiss the top of Ava’s head.

“Nothing,” Edie laughs.

“Why don’t I believe that?”

“Sex talk, bro.  It’s always sex talk,” Jackson yells out.

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Jeremy says with a chuckle.

“Speaking of sex,” Jules starts, before pausing to take a large swig of her cranberry juice that she has poured into a wine glass so it looks the part.  “My husband won’t give me any,” she pouts.

“Why not?” Edie gaps.

“Because…we’re having another baby and he says no sex until the first twelve weeks have passed.”

“Oh my god!  Congratulations,” I say, jumping up to give her a hug and a kiss.  “I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Thanks everyone.  I’m really happy, too.  But, I’d be even happier if my husband would give me some,” she sighs.

“How far along are you?” Rhonda asks.

“Ten weeks, so please don’t make it public news yet.  We’ve just told our parents and now you guys.”

“Your secret’s safe here.  I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.  Bitch!”  Edie says, jokingly.

“We wanted to tell everyone together,” Jules admits.

“Oooh, I hope you get a little girl, then Olive and Ella will have a playmate,” Edie says.

“I wouldn’t mind another boy,” Jules admits.  “But, Clay’s hoping for a little girl.”

“Imagine how precious a little girl would be.  Your figure, Clay’s gorgeous features.  Your eyes…” I trail off.  It would be one stunning baby.

“Good thing the man owns a gun,” Dory mutters.

“You guys will be next,” Edie says to me.

“Oh, I don’t think so,” I say through a nervous laugh.

“Of course you will! Look how fabulous Zeke is with babies,” Laura admonishes, pointing over to where Zeke still has Ella in his arms.  She’s slapping her little palms against his face while he talks with the boys.  It’s the sweetest sight ever, and my heart swells.

“Maybe in a few years’ time.” I shrug.

“Girl, I know you weren’t here to see all these relationships begin, but let me tell you, these boys move fast!  You move here, happily single and the next thing you know they’re sweeping you off your feet, claiming you and proposing marriage.  All you’ve got to do is hold on and enjoy the ride,” Edie explains.

“I don’t think things are that serious yet,” I say honestly.

Jules bursts out laughing and Ava giggles.  “Oh no, not another one in denial.”

“I’m not in denial.  I just think it’s too early to be thinking that far ahead.  We’re just dating, is all.”

“We’ll see,” Laura sings.

After talking babies for a while, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom.  That’s where I run into Ava.  She’s dabbing a tissue around her eyes.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I ask, pulling her into a hug.  She sniffles quietly.

“Sorry. Don’t mind me.” She tries to wave it off.

“You’re upset, hun.  Tell me what’s wrong?” I ask gently.

“It just hurts, that’s all.  God, it hurts so bad.”

“What does?” I ask, lost as to what she’s talking about.

“We’ve been trying for a baby since we got married.  We’ve been trying for
years
, Sienna.  It’s just not happening for us, but it seems to happen so easily for others.”  She begins crying again and my heart breaks for her.   I hug her again and she cries into my shoulder.

“I’m sure you guys will be blessed with a baby soon,” I say, trying to reassure her.

“We had fertility treatment in Darwin last week,” she admits quietly.

“That’s exciting,” I reply, my voice hopeful.

“Yeah,” she sighs sadly.  “It probably won’t work.  We’ve had it already – twice.  And, both times it’s failed.  If it fails again, I don’t think I can go through IVF anymore times.  It just hurts my heart too much.”

“Oh, Ava.  I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.  Some days are just harder than others, I guess.  I’m happy for Jules and Clay.  I truly am.  I just wish we could have a baby, too.”

“I know.  I’ll keep you guys in my prayers, okay.  When do you find out if the IVF worked?”

“When we get back from Western Australia.  I’m just going to try not to think about it at all.”

“Well, I’ll have my fingers and toes and everything else crossed for you,” I tell her.

“Thanks, Sie.” She gives me a little grateful smile.  “Can you please keep this between us?  We haven’t told anyone about the IVF or anything.”

“Of course.  It’s not my place to say anything.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

She splashes water on her face and then leaves to re-join the others while I use the bathroom.  When I come out, Zeke is waiting for me outside the door.  He scares the hell out of me and I shriek.

“Zeke!”  I clutch my heart while looking into his stormy blue eyes.  As usual, the energy seems to be radiating off him.  He exudes dominance and it’s so sexy, despite the fact it actually catches my breath in my throat.

He backs me into the wall and I peer up at him.  Just as I’m about to throw some attitude at him, his mouth comes down over mine and he kisses me.  Oh god, does he
kiss
me.  My hands thread through his hair and I hold on tight for the ride as his mouth ravages mine.  He tastes like beer and peppermint, and it’s intoxicating.

I’m drunk on him.

My body burns as he scrapes his fingers up the inside of my thigh.  Higher and higher until he’s dipping one inside my panties and sweeping it through the wetness he’s created.  He nudges my thong aside further and sinks one digit inside me while his thumb circles my swollen clit.

“Zeke,” I pant.  “What if someone comes?”

He pumps his finger harder and flicks my clit urgently.  “Only one coming will be you, baby,” he growls, before sucking on the sensitive part of my neck.

“I’m going to come, honey,” I whisper, as my orgasm comes hurtling toward me.

Using his free hand, he grips my nipple through my shirt and pinches gently.

My body coils and then releases as I come, whimpering softly.  He catches my moans with his mouth, kissing me gently.  Then, he withdraws his finger and keeps his eyes on mine as he brings it to his mouth and sucks my essence off.

“Can’t wait until we get home,” he rumbles.