Rules of the Ride: A Silver Star Ranch Novel (17 page)

“Granddad wants a dance with you after me.”

“Okay.”

“Are you happy, Ella?”

“No.” I pause to watch his face. “I’m more than happy. Thank you, Maverik.”

“I’m sorry you didn’t get the white dress and all of it. I had to marry you.”

“I got the king. Who needs a white dress?”

“
I
say we find out
.”

“I know, Maverik, you’ve been on me for a week about it.”

“C’mon, let’s see if we can tell today and if not, I’ll drop the subject.”

“No, Maverik.” Ella slaps my thigh and tries her best to give me her version of a death glare.

“I’ll buy you a waffle.” I try to tempt her.

“Oh, yeah, because I’d sell my soul for a freaking waffle.” Ella twists in the middle of the seat to face me while driving and starts rubbing small circles on my jaw line. “It will be the best surprise ever, Maverik, if we don’t find out.”

“Ella, we’re finding out.”

“No, we’re not.”

“I’ll pay the nurses off while you have to pee in the bottle thing.”

“You would.” She rolls her eyes and then trails a line of kisses down the side of my face. “Oh, I know. We can have the nurse put the gender or genders in an envelope and you can open it when I’m not around but have to keep it a secret until the babies are born.”

“Well, aren’t you just a freakin’ comedian today. You know that would last about ten seconds.”

“I know.” She shrugs. “I’ll leave it up to you, Maverik. If you have to find out, then by all means tell the nurse.”

“Is this a set-up or a green light?” I look down at her.

“Green light, baby.”

“Let’s get going then.” I park the truck and hop out, practically dragging Ella behind me. I love going to the doctor with her. This is only our second one, but with the promise of seeing an ultrasound, I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I tossed and turned, then finally took Ella at four in the morning.

Mav started school and fit in like a champ, finding some good buddies to hang out with. He and Arsine have kicked ass at two different rodeos and definitely gained the attention and respect of fellow cowboys and families.

“Sammy just texted me and said I have to tell her as soon as we find out.” Ella walks through the door I’m holding for her into the air conditioned office. “You two asses have been talking, haven’t you?”

“No, not at all.” I feign innocence.

“You dirt bags.”

After our wedding day, Ella and Sammy rekindled their friendship. I was nervous having Sammy at the arena that day, but it couldn’t have turned out better. I love seeing pieces of the old Ella shine through each day as she reconnects with her old self.

“Ella Slatter.”

We get called back before we even have a chance to sit down and flip through those mom magazines. I learned my lesson the first time I flipped one open at the first appointment and saw a woman in full labor, and I’m talking her face. When I gagged, Ella nearly pissed herself from laughter. She keeps telling me it’s no different than a cow calving, but I beg to differ.

“Hi, my name is Clover, and I’m new here.”

“Hi,” Ella greets the young nurse back.

I watch Ella get on the scales and cringe. She’s been stressed about all the weight she’s gaining and doesn’t believe me when I tell her she’s gorgeous and glowing. Then the nurse hands her a cup and some test strips. Ella knows the process all too well since her pregnancy is a high risk one.

“You can wait in room four, it’s the second on the left,” the nurse instructs me.

This shit is worse than waiting for Christmas morning when I was a kid. I bounce my leg up and down while I wait and fiddle with the damn knobs on the table.

“Knock it off.”

I look up to Ella, who’s already in a long gown.

“Your ass better be covered.” I jump up and whirl her around.

Ella bursts out into laughter. “It opens in the front, just exposing my belly.”

“Thank fuck.”

I kiss her lips while lifting her up on the table and settling her down.

“You have to stop that,” she warns me.

“Never.” I keep my hands cradled low around her back and dip my head and begin licking on her exposed neck. Ella lets out little pleased whimpers that only make my licks sweeter and longer.

“The doctor will be in shortly…oh.”

I turn to see a very embarrassed Clover standing in the doorway with her clipboard clutched to her chest.

“Sorry, we’re newlyweds and can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.” Ella spins me around, hooking her exposed heels around my waist, and then rests her chin on my shoulder.

“Okay.” Clover’s flushed cheeks are almost laughable. Clearly the girl is young and very inexperienced, but you’d think working in this doctor’s office that nothing would bother her. I mean, one flash of another woman’s crotch pushing out a baby in that magazine nearly destroyed every part of my manhood.

“Sorry, he’s very handsy.” Ella pats my chest. “What brings you to town, or do you live here?”

“No, I moved here after college to live with an uncle.” She brushes her red hair from her eyes. “I just needed a change of pace.”

“I get that,” Ella responds. “What made you want to become a nurse?”

Clover’s face still beams a bright red with her fidgeting fingers strumming the countertop. Clearly she’s uncomfortable and needs to work on her people skills.

“I just like caring for others.”

“Oh, that’s sweet. Are you liking it here?”

I save the poor girl before Ella gives her a stroke.

“Leave the poor kid alone, Pinks.” I grip her fingers clutching to my chest. “We going to bet on the outcome?”

“Your call, Mav, I still want to be surprised.” Her voice is full of flirtatious tones, just begging me to take her and me not giving a fuck who is present to watch us. The whole legend of an overly horny pregnant woman rings true for Ella, and I never let her down.

“Guess you’re ready for a lifetime of champion bareback riders.”

And it’s like old times when Ella can’t help but get the last word in.

“You mean princesses, glitter, and a world full of pink.”

I grunt my disapproval to harass her, but the truth is, having little wild blonde cowgirls running around would make my heart whole. Nothing could beat little Ellas.
God bless my wallet.

“Hear we’re ready for an ultrasound.” Dr. Phillips enters the room. My stomach turns from nerves and then I instantly get pissed, tensing up.

“Stop,” Ella whispers in my ear.

Her goddamn doctor is way too fucking good-looking to be prodding around my wife’s parts, looking at her boobs, and feeling up her crotch. I even overheard Ella telling Challis how the man looks like a god.

“Just lie back and open the front of your gown. The gel is quite cold.”

I watch the doctor take a seat next to Ella as she lies down. He reaches for the gown, but I’m faster. Ella lets out a giggle and she knows damn well I’m about to piss all over her right now. I drape the gown down, exposing her belly, then tuck it securely under her breasts, keeping them nice and covered.

“I love you, Slatter.” Ella grips my hand pulling me up to her head and we both face the screen.

“Nice strong heartbeats.”

The black on the screen with specks of gray and white every once in a while confuses me. I try to follow the doctor as he explains everything, but the overpowering sound of the babies’ heartbeats overwhelms me.

“So, have we decided if you’re going to find out what you’re having?”

Ella responds first. “No, we want it to be a surprise.”

“We want to know,” I say and then we both laugh.

“Oh shit.” I point at the screen. “It’s a boy.”

Dr. Philips chuckles. “Sorry, Ella, couldn’t avoid that one. Clover, baby A is a boy.”

I watch the tears stream down Ella’s cheeks. “You okay, baby?”

I press my lips to her forehead as she nods her head up and down and hold tight to her as the doctor continues.

“You okay, Ella?” Dr. Philips asks and Clover hands her a tissue.

“More than okay. I am so, so happy right now.” She turns from the screen to look up at me. “Thank you for everything, Maverik, you complete all of me.”

Her lips find mine, giving me a tender kiss then we both go back to the large ultrasound screen.

“That baby isn’t a boy,” Ella whispers.

I look closer, and sure as shit baby B is a little girl.

T
he barn doors are padlocked
, which I’ve never seen before.

“Let’s tie them up over there.” I point to the long line of tying posts in front of Granddad’s house.

Mav is off his horse and has it tied up before I manage to get down. My body is definitely starting to feel its age as my back is stiff and my knees crack and pop. Mav never misses a chance to go check calves with me. He’s my new right hand man and one hell of a roper.

“I’ve got it, Dad.” He grabs the reins from my hands.

“Thanks.”

I limp up the sidewalk, still mystified about the lock on the barn.

“Who put a padlock on the barn door?”

“What?” Granddad asks.

“There’s a padlock on the barn door.

“Maybe Merek knows. He’s on his way home from town.”

“Where’s Marvel?” I ask, leaning on the railing of the porch, crossing my arms. Ella reaches out, rubbing her hand up and down my leg.

“Haven’t seen him since last night. Sure he and Weston will roll in anytime. Those two have been quite the party animals lately.” Granddad rocks in his chair as he talks, not seeming too worried.

“You hurting, baby?” Ella asks.

“Naw, just sore.”

“How did the ride go?” She tugs on the seam of my faded jeans.

“Hey, Dad, want me to take your saddle off and brush down Chili?”

I turn to look out at Mav. “Sure, son.”

Granddad lets out a chuckle. “Looks like it went damn good.”

He stands to his feet. “I couldn’t be prouder of you two. You never gave up on each other and now have the rest of your lives to reap the benefit of it. I’m going to take a nap.”

“Love you.” Ella smiles back to him as I nod in his direction.

“Stand up.” I tug Ella’s hand until she’s standing and then sit in her chair and pull her down on me.

“How’s my babies this morning?” I raise her shirt up and kiss her belly.

“Happy.”

Sitting back up, I turn and meet Ella’s lips. It never gets old feeling her sweet skin on mine and drinking in her taste. I cover her cheek with one palm as I dip my tongue in her mouth, slowly pull back and then slowly land several light kisses on her lips.

“Thank you for loving me, Ella, and believing in me.” I rub my nose against hers. “And giving me everything.”

“We were always meant to be, Maverik. Thanks for not giving up on me.”

I’ll never let her forget just how much I need her in my life. Not one day will pass without me being thankful for her. My lips seal to hers again. Ella nibbles on the tip of my tongue before entering my mouth and sweeping her tongue across the front of my teeth. I pull back because the action gets me way too excited way too quickly.

“Ella, my dear, I do believe we just endured the rules of the ride together.”

We rock in silence in the morning sun, enjoying each other’s company. I watch Mav as he unsaddles both horses, combs them down, and even fetches each of them a bucket of water. Then he pulls his rope out and starts roping a bale of straw. Throw after throw, he catches the corner of it.

I kiss the top of Ella’s head knowing I need to get up and get back to work but just can’t find the motivation to leave my girl quite yet. Merek and Challis pull up in their truck. Challis jumps out and starts throwing loops with Mav as Merek walks my way.

“What’s up with the barn being padlocked?” I ask Merek.

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

Ella stirs in my arms. “Baby, wake up and go inside and take a nap on Granddad’s couch.”

Merek helps her up and holds the door open for her before taking a seat next to me.

“That fucking barn door has a lock on it. We tried to get in to unsaddle the horses.”

“What in the hell?” Merek takes his hat off and scratches his head.

“Do you have bolt cutters in your truck?” I ask him.

“No, what in the hell, do you think I’m a crook?”

“I’m going to grab the cutting torch from the shop.”

Merek follows me down to the shop.

“Do you think…” Merek starts.

“No way.”

The torch is a bitch to get lit, but once I get it going, it only takes three passes before the metal melts away and the lock hangs loose. The metal is so hot, you can smell it. Merek puts on his gloves, removes the lock, and pushes the doors open.

“This shit smells like Saint.” I cringe when the words leave my mouth.

“It does.” Merek agrees as he flips on the lights.

Everything in the barn is in the right place with nothing touched or out of line. We both stand stupefied as to why someone put a lock on the barn door.

“Call Marvel and see if he knows what in the hell is going on.”

Merek pulls his phone from his back pocket. “It’s probably his paranoia getting the best of him.”

Merek dials his ass up and puts the phone to his ear when a whinny from a horse startles both of us.

“What in the fuck?” Merek ends the call. The barn is supposed to be empty.

We both march down to the last stall.

“Son of a bitch.” I throw my hat to the ground.

“He didn’t.”

It’s number twenty-one, the fastest and most athletic colt we trained for Saint.

I pull my phone up and dial Marvel’s number over and over again.

“He fucking stole the horse from Saint.” Merek slams his fist into the gate.

“Go get Challis and Mav inside now and get Granddad up and his gun out. Someone will be after this colt.”

“Fucking stubborn ass Marvel.” Merek takes off in a full sprint.

I check all the stalls, making sure Weston or Marvel aren’t hiding out somewhere. I try his number a few more times with no answer. Each time he doesn’t answer, horrible thoughts begin to sink in.

I meet Merek in the middle of the dirt lot.

“I got them all in. Told Granddad what happened and he said we need to find Marvel.”

“He’s not answering.”

“Let’s pay Saint a little visit.” Merek crunches his knuckles together.

“We don’t even know if he knows.”

“He has to, Maverik.”

Reluctantly, I agree with Merek. As he turns his engine to life, a cloud of smoke rolls down the driveway.

“It has to be Marvel,” I whisper.

We both hop from the cab, and as the truck draws closer, I notice a gooseneck trailer behind it. The roar of a diesel engine pulls up feet from us, skidding to a stop. It’s one of Saint’s company trucks. The driver and passenger doors open at the same time. Saint and one his giant goons walk toward us.

“Where is he?”

Merek and Saint have a past of their own. Merek never backs down to anyone, even if his common sense was screaming at him.

“Who the fuck you talking about?”

I notice two other men crawl from the back seat and head for the barn.

“Where’s my colt?”

“Where’s my brother?” Merek steps right up to Saint.

Saint’s wicked laugh is deafening. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

Merek squares up to Saint and spits in his face. I try to pull him off the slimy bastard but fists are flying before I have a chance to do anything. Merek takes him down fast, raining hell on his face, but Saint’s goon is on Merek. I cold cock the giant from behind, stunning him briefly and then try to drag Merek back.

A gun shot goes off from behind us, not just one but three of them. We all freeze and turn to see Granddad with his shotgun pointed up in the air; he swings it down and reloads it.

“Merek, Maverik, over here now.”

Saint spits out blood as he tries to sit up. “Listen to your grandpa, little boys.”

Merek reacts, but I’m quick enough to pull him back by the arm before another fight breaks out.

“Get off Silver Star, now,” Granddad hisses. “You take anything from my ranch and I’ll let this gun do the talking.”

Saint’s men help him to his feet. “Your grandson stole one of our colts. I’m here to get it back.”

“You’re not taking the colt or leaving here until I know where Marvel is.”

“You’re not going to shoot me? You’re probably as spineless as your son.”

Granddad pulls his shotgun up to his shoulder and pulls the trigger, sending several bb’s into the tire of the truck.

“Guess you don’t have a choice now, do you?” Granddad’s voice is full of venom.

Merek and I both eye each other with shock.

“The cops are on their way now. They’ll sort through this shit.”

Saint grins. “You know I own the department.”

“What you don’t know is that there’s been a rebellion. Everyone is sick of your fucking games.”

“Grab the gun from him if you get the chance,” I whisper to Merek. The longer Granddad argues with Saint, the more irritated he becomes. I don’t want him doing anything stupid.

“Cute, real cute, you think you actually have a chance against me.” He leans back against the grill of his truck and folds his arms. “Oh, and you’ll never find your grandson. I don’t handle thieves very well.”

The shotgun is nested back up in Granddad’s shoulder. I reach for the barrel right as he fires it and am able to flip it high enough so the shot shatters the top of Saint’s front window.

Then all hell breaks loose with everything happening at once. Merek is on Saint again as Granddad collapses to the ground. I hear the front door open and see Challis give Ella the phone and race down the sidewalk.

“House, now,” I yell at Ella. “Lock the doors and go down to the basement until I come for you two.”

Challis has Granddad cradled in her arms crying and screaming for help. I start swinging, trying to knock Saint’s men off of Merek and pull him back. There’s too many of them as they easily handle us. A shiny blade catches my attention. It’s aimed right at Merek’s arm.

“Stop, fucking stop,” I yell. “Take the fucking colt.”

I throw my hand between Merek’s riding arm and the knife. The blade easily ruptures through my arm. Sirens come racing up the lane, causing Saint’s men to back off. They hop in their truck and fire their engine. Merek’s possessed as he jumps through the passenger side window, lunging for Saint’s throat.

Four deputies surround us, pulling the men from the truck. I hear one call for an ambulance. The voice on the other end of the radio relays there’s one on the way.

“He needs help.” I point to Granddad, who lies on the ground. I recognize the sheriff and know he’s a good man and not on anyone’s payroll. He sends one of his deputies over, who starts performing CPR on Granddad.

“What’s going on, Maverik?” the sheriff asks me.

I shake my head, not knowing where to begin. “I think Saint did something to Marvel. We can’t get ahold of him.”

“Start at the beginning.” He pulls out his notepad and then hollers to some new officers who just arrived on the scene. “Keep those four handcuffed and get a god damn ambulance here now.”

Saint looks over at me and smiles. “He’ll die before an ambulance gets here. I do know I have enough pull there. Paid them off big never to respond to a call on Silver Star.”

This time I lunge for the devil but am stopped by the sheriff who takes care of Saint for me by landing a punch to his jaw and then stuffing him in the back of a car.

“I’m taking him in,” Challis yells as she dashes for her truck. Several officers help lay Granddad in the back seat as the deputy continues to perform CPR. I go to climb in the truck but am stopped by the sheriff.

“I can’t let you or your brother go.”

I nod in agreement but know Merek will have to be restrained. “My brother will go ape shit crazy.”

“Then I suggest you do your best to calm him down, so I’m not forced to arrest him.”

Merek is tense as he listens to the whole conversation. I see him on the verge of losing his shit.

“C’mon, Maverik, I need you right now.”

“The faster you answer these questions, the quicker you can go to your granddad’s side.”

An officer begins applying pressure to my arm with a large wrap. “I came in from a ride this morning and the barn door was locked with a padlock. Merek and I used a cutting torch to get it off. One of Saint’s colts was in a stable. We think…”

“We think Saint planted it there being a dick,” Merek interrupts.

I continue on. “Then shit went down when Saint pulled up demanding his colt back. Granddad told him no and to wait for you guys. He also said he wanted to know where Marvel was. Saint told him that we’d never find Marvel again and that’s when Granddad shot out their tires and window.”

I mentally note all the little white lies that I fill my story with to cover Marvel’s tracks.

“Okay, but I’m confused. Why would Saint do anything to Marvel?”

All the pieces would fall in place for the sheriff if I told him it’s Marvel who stole the colt.

“We trained these colts for Saint to pay off some of my dad’s debt. Marvel and Saint have been at war through the whole thing.”

“I’ll be back.”

The sheriff goes over to Saint’s crew and gets their account. Merek’s phone goes off in his pocket.

“It’s an unknown number.”

“Answer it,” I demand.

“Hello.” Merek puts the call on speakerphone.

“Merek.”

“Challis?”

The voice on the other end is hysterical.

“They just pronounced him dead. Granddad is dead.”

“I’m coming, Challis. Wait there.”

“He’s dead,” she screams from the other end.

“Sheriff, we need you over here.” I signal him with my hand. “Challis just called and…”

I fight to say the fucking words as he walks up to me. “He’s dead. Granddad passed. Please send Merek to the hospital with a deputy. She needs someone.”

“Go ahead.” He nods to one of his officers.

Only one cop car remains in the lot. “I’m almost finished up here, Maverik, hold tight.”

I send up several silent prayers as I pace the gravel that Challis was mistaken or overreacting. There’s no way, just no way. He just had his heart fixed. No fucking way.

“Okay, Maverik, I’m sending the colt home with Saint. He claims Marvel stole it from him. He has the brand papers to prove ownership.”

The slow burn of rage and irritation erupt in me. “Where in the fuck is my brother, Saint? You told us we’d never find him.”

Saint has the audacity to shrug his shoulders back at me.