Wrangled Mess (12 page)

12

“Good morning sweet girl.” His whisper tickled my ear.

“Hi.”

“I made coffee. Are you hungry?”

“I don’t know my name before coffee.”

“It’s almost ten. Get your lazy butt up so we can take Bits for a real walk.”

“How long have you been up?” I rolled over trying to snuggle into his chest and go back to sleep. Something about this boat is making me want to sleep.

“Since seven.” He welcomed my body against his. “I made you a fresh pot of coffee.”

“Can’t we just stay here all day?”

“No. Your piglet is going ape shit. He’s discovered traction again with these carpets, but he hasn’t figured out the glass doors. We really need to go wear him out.”

“He’s crashing into the doors??”

“Yes, at break-neck speeds. There’s a shopping center a couple blocks from here. The map says they have some novelty pet stuff. He needs a life jacket and a harness.”

“Okay okay. I’m getting up.” Nothing like guilting me with the welfare of my piglet to get me going.

He moved my hand down between us. “Me too.”

I applied pressure and lifted my chin for a nice long kiss, that might have turned into something else, if a little piglet hadn’t come screaming into the room. He tried to jump up on the bed, but miscalculated the new height and bounced right back to the floor.

I tried not to laugh and hopped over Trace to scoop him up. “Bacon Bits! What’s wrong honey??” I looked him over for bumps and bruises. His nose is a little red, but he seems fine.

Trace untangled himself from the bed and headed down the hall. “Shit fuck fire Turner, you scared the living piss out of my pig.”

Georgia’s voice sounded angry, “Sorry to barge in. We seem to have a multitude of problems right now. Somebody, no names mentioned, decided to hide my anniversary present in a really fucked up place.”

I got up and grabbed my robe before anyone could see me. Doors are slamming in the hallway.

I caught up to Georgia on her way down towards the kitchen, “Hey. Can I help?”

“No. I’ll find it. I swear that man is going to drive me to drink.”

“What are you looking for?”

“My anniversary present. He thinks it’s fun to hide shit throughout the year, then make me hunt for it. He just told me last night where he hid my anniversary present. I tried to call you, but I think your phone is dead, and Wrangler’s wouldn’t pick up at all. No voicemail, nothing.”

“That’s weird.”

“I thought so too since I told you to keep them close.” She started opening cabinets in the kitchen. “One of these days I’m going to make him hunt for something.”

“Why does he torture you like this?”

“Because he knows I love presents. It’s a sick obsession doc. Help me.” She laughed before closing the last door and looking around.

“Maybe he likes to see you excited and on the hunt.”

“No, not his style. More like he’s amusing himself at my expense.”

“I can’t imagine him laughing.”

“It’s rare, but, it has happened. Ah ha. Laundry.” She snapped her fingers and pointed back down the hall.

I followed enjoying the game. “Laundry?”

“He knows I hate laundry.” She opened the pocket doors to the wash closet, then popped open the dryer and felt around. “Ah ha. Sneaky fart.” She pulled out a dark blue felt covered box that looked like it might hold a necklace big enough for a movie star.

“Do you get to open it now?”

“No. If I do he gets very grumpy. I tried lying to him once, didn’t go over well.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh no, he didn’t hurt me, he just turns into a bigger ass than he already is. Turner would never raise a hand to me. I’d cut it off in his sleep.” She hooked her free arm, that’s not occupied by a five pound piglet, through mine. “Smells good. Did you cook breakfast?”

“No. I think Trace did. I just woke up.”

“Oh, sorry to crash in on you like this. I thought for sure you’d be up by now.”

“It’s okay. I enjoyed the adventure of the treasure hunt. You’ll have to send me pictures of whatever it is later.”

“I will.”

We had a nice breakfast with Georgia and Turner before they headed back to Phoenix on his giant Harley. She all but disappears behind his huge back. The man is a serious beast.

Trace and I went shopping with Bits at the Seaside Village shopping center. He got more attention than most celebrities, and loved every minute of it.

Originally I was going to get him a simple orange or yellow life jacket, and a black harness. Maybe red. Then Trace walked into the store.

“Here. He needs this, the fake one bothers me.”

I held up the little leather jacket designed for small to medium dogs. “Are you serious??”

“Here. Boots for your slick floors.” He put a set of four little red rubber rain boots on the counter and quickly went back to shopping.

I looked down at Bits who is currently enjoying belly rubs from the owner’s daughter in the same bed as their Dachshund. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Here, it’s going to get cold at night on the boat.” Now he’s piling on some kind of blanket with sleeves.

“Trace?”

He turned around with a small tennis ball in his hand, “What?”

“Enough.”

“No, he needs toys.” He went right back to shopping.

The shop owner and I just shook our heads and went back to talking about Dr. Phil.

By the time we got back to the boat my feet were sore, my belly was full of the best fish tacos on earth, and my arms were loaded with bags. I didn’t spend one dime.

Once we were inside and unloading bags and Bits to the floor I asked, “I know it’s none of my business, but we didn’t need half this stuff.”

“It’s okay, I don’t have any secrets from you. If I don’t have to keep up with the demands of the contracts I’m trying to win, I have more than enough to get by. If I upgrade our facility, then things get tight. We’ve got a lot going on right now. I’m going to let things settle for a while, try for the contracts again in a year or two.”

“Oh Trace. I’m sorry. Is this because of me?”

“Nah. I was pushing it as it was. It was fine when it was just me, but now we have the kid to consider. Can’t have him going around in Chihuahua hand me downs.” He opened the fridge. “Shit. Looks like I’m going back out. Want to make a list?”

“Why just you?”

“We can’t leave Bits here alone yet, he might freak out and tear something up. I want to check out the beer selection anyway.”

“Alright. Get me a nice looking bottle of red. Don’t spend an arm and a leg.”

He sat down on the couch beside where I’d landed to take the weight off my feet. He turned and settled on his back with his head in my lap looking up. “I still want to expand the business. More than that, I want to spend time with you. The business can wait, you, my love, cannot wait another second.”

“I can help you renovate your house if you take all the snakes and stuff out.”

“I don’t have room to move them to the shop. We’re maxed out there. That’s why I said I needed a larger unit with more land. Don’t worry about my house. It’ll get there.”

“Basically what you’re saying is, you don’t have time to grow your business, and date me.”

“Nope, and I don’t want to try and do both. I can make a good living where I’m at. The expansion was more for Stan. He’s got kids that are growing up and looking interested in joining the team. I wasn’t doing anything else and figured I’d get a jump start on the east side.” He reached up and unbuttoned the top button of my blouse.

“I wasn’t going to tell you this because I didn’t want it to sound weird, but I have the building you need. Two of them actually. Side by side. One side is rented to an antique lady named Carol, the other is empty.”

“How much?”

“Normally, four grand a month. Carol can’t afford that, so I have her at fifteen hundred for the first year, and an increase in a year, and every three years after. She’s a friend, and the building is paid for, so it’s not a big deal. Her rent pays the taxes.” I shrugged.

“Bad idea, but thank you for the offer.” He sat up. “I better go to the store before I finish undressing you.”

“Just think about it. You could save a ton of money, get those contracts back, and maybe be able to afford to hire someone to help you finish the house.”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought.”

“Don’t let your male pride, or that famous Colson ego, get in the way of making a smart decision. Like I said, think about it.”

The look I’m getting right now would send most people scrambling out the door. I waited it out. It’ll pass.

It did. Not exactly the way I’d hoped, but it passed. With the slamming of a door and a grumble about figuring out what we need on his own.

Once my heart slowed to a reasonable rate I looked at Bits who is looking up at me like he wants an explanation. “I don’t know baby boy. I guess I over stepped. Come on, let’s unpack all this crap and start washing your new clothes.”

Trace was gone for a little over an hour. It took him several trips to bring everything inside. Neither of us said a word until he made the last trip.

That’s when he folded me in his arms and hugged me harder than I’ve ever been hugged before. “I’m sorry Cookie.”

I hugged him back as hard as I could before letting up remembering his injuries. “You were forgiven before you left this boat.”

“I talked to Fletcher.”

“Yeah?”

“The guy who trashed my place is just some crackhead. He has no memory of who paid him, or where the house is he smashed. We don’t have anything solid to tie Jackson to the damage at my place. Fletcher had to write it up as vandalism.”

“Will your insurance cover it?”

“Right before they raise my rates, or drop me. I may not report it. The only real damage is the cages and the anti-venoms. I can cover that. I can’t afford to have an uninsurable house.”

I stepped back to look up for those silver eyes, “Do you have to carry extra insurance to cover the anti-venoms?”

“Not really, but I have the premium plan that covers all contents no matter what they are, as long as I can prove purchasing the items. I keep all my receipts online. Well, Renee does. She says we’re in some kind of cloud on the internet, so my paperwork can’t be destroyed. She’s got backups of everything too.”

“Must be nice to have someone who has your back, instead of stealing behind it.” I complained.

“It helps that Renee is Stan’s sister.”

I grabbed a pillow and slammed it on the cushion. “I guess I’m going to have to do my own books and taxes now. At least for a while.”

“I’m sure Eddie and I can help you. It’s obvious he has your well being at heart. Barry is a little tough to read.”

“He experienced a very tragic loss. I’m surprised he’s still able to function.”

“That explains the blank look. I took an H&R Block tax course. It’s the one they make new employees take, and coasts about four hundred bucks, but it’s worth it in the long run. Time consuming, but worth it.”

“I’ll take the course if you take the office space I have that’s not being used.”

“Are you bargaining with me?” He smacked my butt, then slid past me with his hands on my hips. I’m trying to organize things in the fridge, and but Bits keeps raiding the bags on the floor and taking off with things.

“Yes. Maybe I can get a tax write off by having you there. If you can offer to fill the contracts for less because you have less overhead, then maybe I can call offering you the space for free a donation of sorts to the city, county, or state.” Maybe.

I don’t know much about these things, but I imagine if you donate space to a company that’s keeping costs down for local government, that there’s tax break somewhere.

Either way it helps him keep up with his goal of expanding his business at little or no cost to me. I’ve tried renting the space, but I always end up with tenants who cause more damage than they’ve paid for in rent. I gave up looking because it was too much of a pain in the ass.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now.” Grumpy Trace is back.

“Bacon Bits!!! You little shit!! Give me that!!” I caught him dragging off a bag of lunch meat. “Trace!!”

I started trying to capture the fast little food bandit, but every time I got close he’d shake the bag of turkey really hard and fast, then bolted across the floor. He raced past me down the hall where Trace reappeared in time to scoop him up.

“Thanks buddy, I wanted some turkey.” He tugged on the package of meat until it ripped leaving plastic in his little baby teeth. Trace tossed me the bag of turkey and fought Bits for the plastic piece stuck in his mouth. “Hold still.”

I took the turkey from the mangled bag, gave it a rinse, patted it dry, then put it in a clean plastic zipper bag. “He’s as bad as a toddler getting into everything.”

“Why don’t you take him out of here, let me finish putting this stuff away, and go put on something I want to take off with my teeth.”

“Really?”

He dropped a feisty piglet in my hands. “I need to marinate the steaks for tonight anyway. Go get comfortable up on deck. Pour some wine, read one of your Kindle books, and snuggle your pig. I owe you for slamming doors on you earlier with my temper.” He kissed my cheek and down my neck.

“Okay, but hurry up. I missed you.” I pouted feeling like I’m being tossed out.

13

Trace found Bits and I playing ball on the sun deck a little while later. I looked up, “He loves fetch.”

“He loves you. So do I.” He handed me a glass of champagne and a bowl of mixed berries as he sat facing me where I’d been rolling the ball for Bits against the base of the sofa. “You know, this is my first real vacation. I checked in at home. Prospects are holding down the fort. Slider found out one of the guys used to run the reptile center at the zoo, so they have expert help if they need it.”

“Good. I was worried about how you’d be able to cover work.”

“I borrow prospects a lot. It’s good quick cash for them, and cheap help for me. I guess they’ve learned a lot in the last couple years. Kind of makes me proud.”

“Aw. That’s sweet. I feel bad sitting back and enjoying your brother’s yacht while everyone works to save my ass.” I rolled the ball over to him.

He reached out to fight Bits for it. “It’s less drain on their resources having us out of the way. If we’re under foot then we need a security detail twenty-four-seven.”

“I guess so.”

“What’s bothering you Cookie?”

“I don’t like wanting to close curtains. It feels like someone is watching me now. Looking for an opportunity to kill me. Or you.”

“Jackson doesn’t have a motive to kill you now. All he can hope for is that you don’t dig up enough evidence to send him to jail. I’m sure he’s hoping you’ll go to jail so he has the satisfaction of punishing you for dumping him for me.”

“Makes me want to fire up this big boat and sail away to another country. Another world. Anywhere but here where people want to hurt me. What did I do??”

He rolled the ball back to me. “I talked to the harbor master on the way back from the grocery store. He’s going to find us a Captain to take this big rig out tomorrow. You didn’t do anything baby. You have a kind, gentle, trusting soul. One I love with all my heart. He took advantage of your nature. I plan to worship it.”

“Did you tell Turner you were taking his boat out?”

“I sent Georgia a text. She said the insurance paperwork is in the console by the wheel. She said they’ve talked about letting the marina use it for guests to charter parties and such. The income would cover the slip fees and maintenance.”

I laughed, “I wonder what Turner got her for their anniversary. Whatever it is, it’s probably worth more than this boat.”

“She made him take her to Greece last year. When they were in Pompeii he ordered a profile of her cameo. I guess they use seashells to carve the cameos. That’s why he hid it on the boat.”

“Wow. That’s the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever heard of.”

He raised his eyebrow at me, “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you these things.”

“Oh stop.” I rolled the ball back to him after wrestling it from Bits. “How did you know?? I thought Turner didn’t speak.”

“He doesn’t, but he’s fluent in ASL. So am I.”

“You are? Why?”

“I have a sister who is deaf. We all learned with her.”

“I’m amazed he communicated with you. Is he really mute? Or does he choose his silence?”

“He chooses it. Since Georgia came along he’s been around more often. Before that he had nothing to say to anyone in ASL, except Joe. Those two did some work together overseas, but that’s about all I know. Turner earned his patch and disappeared for years when he was seventeen. Slider said he’s lost track of him more than once over the years.”

“What silenced him?”

“Nobody knows. Joe says he was never talkative. Then one day they noticed he had nothing to say even when you asked him a direct question. He’d either ignore the person, or leave the room. The rumor is there was some kind of trauma. I don’t know though.”

“Yeah? Why is that?”

“I think the fertility drug fucked him up. Same way it did his twin sister Chardonnay.”

I bounced the ball to make Bits jump up for it. “You think it was a different formula?”

“I think Bull tried to make it stronger, and it backfired. Everyone after those two seems to have had about the same dosage, if that makes sense.” He bounced the ball back to me.

I caught it just before Bits crashed into my thigh. “I think he’s tired.”

“Go put him in his bed in the guest room. I want to rearrange a few things up here.”

“You do?”

He crawled forward like the man hunter who hadn’t just been shot. “Go Cookie. Run. Or that little innocent pig of ours is going to see some very naughty things.”

I stole a kiss and a piglet before escaping back inside to put him down for a nap and freshen up. I know what’s coming. I should be more apprehensive, but it’s Trace. He belongs with me. Inside me.

I trembled hard enough to grab the bathroom counter at the idea of him inside me with those darkening silver eyes on mine. He’s intense when he enters the room. What’s he going to do to me when he enters me??

I know what he’s going to do. He’s going to destroy me, beautifully. No matter the outcome, I want this man for one night or ten thousand. I want as much as he’ll give me. I’m a slut for this incredibly sexy man. I have no business keeping such a man all to myself, but damn if I won’t fight to the death to keep him all mine.

Trace had moved the cushions to the floor, and brought out all sorts of pillows and blankets from inside, to fill the floor of the deck. By doing this we have perfect privacy to do whatever we want.

I crawled over to the bucket of ice where my glass of champagne sat on an upside-down bucket nearby. “This is nice. I like it. You have mastered comfy and elegant.” I held my glass up to toast him, “Well done love.”

He’s propped on the elbow of his better arm relieving the weight on his left side, where he was shot. “I want to make love to you here tonight. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much more romantic than this.”

“I think I’d like that.” I feel a little shy talking so boldly about this.

“I don’t want to use a condom with you. I know you don’t want kids yet. Talk to me.” He encouraged dropping a half eaten strawberry into my champagne.

“I want that too. I’m on the pill, but I’ve never been with a guy without a condom.”

“I was with my ex without a condom when I thought she was pregnant. She was hoping to turn up pregnant, but didn’t. What if I can’t give you children? Will you regret marrying me?”

“No. Children are a bonus. Before they were a goal, but you changed some priorities around for me. We can always adopt. I don’t need kids to be happy with you. I just want them.”

“I’ll do everything I can to give them to you.”

“I just want you Trace. Do you know that? Do you know what an impact you’ve made on my life in less than a week??”

He kind of snarled and fell to his back, “Yeah, I messed it up pretty good.”

“Thank God.”

He turned his head sharply, “What?”

“If you hadn’t come along and stood in my doorway like some dark knight ready to rescue me from my boring existence, I’d be… let’s see, it’s Saturday… I’d be at home, in the kitchen cooking up a storm for tomorrow. Oh shit. I haven’t told my family anything!!” I rolled to my back feeling the weight of the drama on my chest.

“Tell them we’re eloping.”

“That would
not
go over well.”

“Maybe you should call them right now. I don’t want your mind wandering with worry about them later.”

I groaned knowing he’s right. “Nothing like ruining the moment.”

“The only way you could ruin a moment is to not be in it. Take your time, I’ll go get us a snack.”

“Do you have any chocolate?”

“I can’t believe you just asked me that.”

I rolled my eyes, “Let me get this call over with so we can enjoy the rest of the night.”

“You’re where??” My mother sounds frantic.

“Trace and I are on a friend’s boat in San Diego. We’re taking some time to ourselves.”

“Trace?? You mean the snake guy you practically drooled over from Sunday?”

“The one and only.”

“You just broke it off with that jerk Jackson. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. He feels right Mom, and he genuinely cares about me. I’ve never felt so… cherished. Sounds corny, but it’s true.”

“Is he standing there??”

“No Mom, he’s down in the kitchen getting us a snack. We’re going to picnic up on the open deck and kiss all night.” I love teasing my mother. She’s not as goody-two-shoes as she would like everyone to believe.

“I don’t need to hear this Celeste. Are you sure you’re okay? Your sister said something about a lawsuit.”

I sighed, “Jackson cheated on my taxes and stole some royalty money from me. I have investigators trying to track the stolen money, and lawyers working to get the IRS to take a check and not press charges. We’re hoping by pressing charges against Jackson the IRS will take my word that I didn’t know what I was signing and not send me to jail.”

“Oh good grief Celeste. You have a PhD. What is wrong with you?? You signed whatever he gave you??”

“Thank you for the verbal spanking Mom. Yes, I messed up. Trace suggested I take the H&R Block class they make their employees take so I’ll be able to do my own taxes for a while.”

“That’s good advice. Alright, I guess I need to make some calls. I think I’ll just have everyone over here tomorrow. Will you call me when you’re done seducing that big sexy snake guy?”

“Mom!!”

“What? I’m pushing sixty, not dead. I have to say I’m more than a little happy Jackson is out of your life. Do you think Trace will come to our Sunday barbecues?”

“He’ll be there, unless he gets a call for work. Snakes don’t keep regular hours.”

“He better. You deserve a good man. Hang on, your sister is here and chomping at the bit to talk to you.”

“Okay.”

“Hey hussy.” She calls me hussy, I call her hosebag. It’s a friendly banter we’ve had since she lost her virginity in high school. “You sure you’re okay? I mean, if you can’t handle him, I can come tag you out.”

I laughed, “No way, he’s all mine. Nice try though.”

“Do you think this shit with Jackson will blow over?”

“I can only hope. Don’t tell Mom, but Jackson hired someone from one of the club’s rivals back east to kill Trace. Obviously he failed, but he managed to nick him good in the arm and butt.”

“Why would Jackson try to kill Trace? Jealousy?” I heard the screen door creak while I was talking, so I know she’s outside away from my mother.

“I’m not sure if jealousy was the motive. I think he thought if it looked like Trace was killed by some random act of violence that I’d break down and go to him for comfort. We think Jackson put the snake in the shed, feeding it until we got married, then he was going to stop feeding it. A trapped and hungry snake would go after me readily.”

“Oh shit. Did you tell the cops?”

“Yes. Fletcher is working on it from his end, the club is helping with the investigations, and they have a great lawyer who is helping me with all this.”

“Oh man sis. What a mess.”

“Tell me about it. If I get to keep the wrangler, it will all be worth it in the end.”

“What do you mean if you get to keep me? I’m already yours Cookie.” Trace’s arms came around me from behind. “Hi Mom.” He thinks I’m talking to my mother, which means he hasn’t been lingering behind me very long.

I laid my arm over his and hugged him back. “It’s my sister, but she’ll relay the greeting to Mom.”

“Hi to Aurora then too.” He started nosing my hair away from my neck to place soft kisses under my ear.

“Tell him hello from both of us, and to take care of you, and himself. Poor guy, getting shot must have sucked. Okay, I’ll let you two go and lick each other’s wounds.”

I chuckled, “I’m not wounded.”

“I’m sure he can find something to lick instead.”

“Aurora!!”

“Bye sis, love you.”

“Love you too, hussy.” She laughed and disconnected the line at the same time I did. I turned in Trace’s arms and leaned back to look up for him. “I believe everyone is caught up now. I hate to worry my sister, but I need her help sugar coat this for my mother. She has high blood pressure as it is.”

“Slider will end up telling your father if he asks.”

“Let’s hope he doesn’t. Did you find us some chocolate?”

“I did. Come on, I want to make a chocolate-Celeste mess all over the deck.” He teased pulling me back down to the cushions.

“People can see us.”

“Can you see people?”

“No.”

“Then they can’t see us. We have blankets.” He threw one so it fell over my head and went back to work getting my jeans off. Evidently he wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to eat the chocolate off my body.

“You’re going to make a mess.”

“That’s why I put sheets over the cushions. They’re easy to replace. I plan to consume the chocolate Cookie, not finger paint with it.” He tugged the blanket down over my legs and took my hands lifting them straight up.

I pulled the sheet up to my chest as soon as he disposed of my shirt and bra in one move. “We’ll have to remember the finger painting later. That sounds like fun.”

“Yes it does.” He tossed his shirt aside to where my clothes lay and stood to remove his jeans.

“Trace! Sit down. People will see you!”

“A guy standing on his boat with his shirt off?? Are we a little shy Cookie?”

“Maybe.”

“Want to go inside?”

“No. It’s nice out here. Just come back down here where people can’t get suspicious of what we’re doing.”

He knelt in his red and blue plaid boxers in front of me. “I’ve already seen you naked.”

“Not in the broad daylight.”

“Your shyness is cute. I like imagining what’s under there.”

“But, you already know.” I reminded him.

“You’ve been very stingy with those breasts.” He set a chocolate dipped strawberry on my tongue.

After savoring the textures and the view I swallowed. “Will you take your hair down?”

“Later. I’ll be grilling here shortly.” He dipped a thick slice of banana in the small crock pot warmer. I have no idea where he found an extension cord to plug it in.

Chocolate banana is one of my favorite flavors, so I let it linger on my tongue and melt in my mouth.