FIVE
“I saw something today that shook me, but how can it be?” Her voice sounded far away, but she couldn’t rid herself of the suspicion, she had seen Phillip in town.
Garrett wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. “What has you so upset?”
She recounted her afternoon with Peter and when he left what she thought she saw.
She lifted her head. “It was surreal like a dream. I tried to brush it off as excitement, but I don’t know.” Her body shivered. He poked the fire to make it spark, but he knew she wasn’t cold, just frightened.
“Tomorrow, I will call the Carlton police and have them check into his whereabouts. We can still get a restraining order.” He cupped her cheeks to meet his gaze. “I love you and I will protect you no matter the cost. Olivia, you are my life now. He will never harm you again.”
She fell into his chest and wept. Fear released and unconditional love poured out in those tears. “Just hold me Bear, and don’t let go.”
He held her tighter and kissed the top of her head. “Always and forever.”
A clatter from upstairs disconcerted them from their comforting. “What was that?” Olivia held tight to Garrett.
“It came from upstairs.” He settled her down on the floor and fled up the stairs. “Shhshh, I will see what it was?” He whispered, grabbing his gun by the door. Surefooted, he took each step before he reached the top. “Homer, what the fuck are you doing upstairs in my house? You almost got your head blown off.”
Homer knew he had stayed too long installing another listening device. Powers was a harsh customer to deal with. His neck craned in the direction of the floor. “Don’t yell, I was checking for a loose window screen. I saw it flappin’ in the wind earlier.”
Garrett scrunched his brow. “I didn’t see one.”
Homer stood tall and confident. “Well, you don’t pay no damn attention to anything but them horses and that woman you call …” His voice grew bitter when he spoke of Olivia. He can’t accept Garrett moving on after the death of his daughter, Katie.
Anger filled Garrett. “Stop it right there, Old Man! Get out of my house.” He shook his fist at him and pointed down the stairs. “You are not welcome here. That woman you speak of is going to be my wife.”
Homer stifled a snort and chuckled. “Yeah, sure she is.”
Garrett stood toe to toe with Homer. “Just what is that supposed to mean?”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Just know this, revenge can be sweet.” He pushed Garrett out to the way and flew down the stairs and out the door.
Olivia waited at the foot of the stairs. “What was that all about?”
He hugged her close. “To tell you the truth, I am not sure. But he was lying through his teeth. I’ll get to the bottom of it. Don’t worry about a thing.”
***
Phillip slammed his fists down on the solid desk. “That bumbling old man. That fool. He nearly wrecked my plans.”
A knock echoed in the room. Phillip bellowed. “WHO IS IT!”
Homer slowly opened the door, he hastily removed his hat and entered the room. “Ms. Jacobs said you wanted to see me?”
Phillip opened a drawer and took out a wad of cash. “I will no longer be needing your services. I suggest you take this money and get the fuck away from me before my generosity wears out.”
He pushed the cash into his pocket. “I know, I almost got caught. It won’t happen again, he has banished me from the house. There are other things I can do?”
Phillip thought for a moment, before he sat down. “For example?”
“You know she has a new horse. Accidents happen with inexperienced riders.” He shrugged his shoulders with a smug appearance.
Phillip tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “You have convinced me for now, but don’t fail again or running away will not be an option.” He tapped a button on his desk. A big burly man appeared. His black t-shirt stretched across his huge chest and biceps. Phillip merely nodded and this body builder escorted Homer out by the arm. He squeezed a little tighter than necessary in a show of his strength.
Homer massaged his arm and whimpered away from the ranch.
Saturday afternoons were reserved for horseback riding. Garrett had taught Olivia many things about horses. Now, she practiced her lessons on Shimmer. Homer saddled up both Shimmer and Obsidian. “The horses are ready, Garrett. How long will you be out this afternoon?”
Garrett continued to be angry with him. “None of your business, old man. Do you plan on trespassing in my house again?”
Homer bit his tongue. “Of course not. I wanted to know if I needed to lock up the barn before I go, that’s all.” He forked hay and tossed to the mares inside.
Olivia strutted around the corner, set her heel and jumped up on Shimmer. She caressed her neck and cooed to her. She donned her leather riding gloves and pulled the reins. “Ready, Bear. I’ll race you to the spring.”
Garrett swung a leg up on Obi and pulled back on the reins. “What are you doing baby, trying to rope the wind?”
She smiled widely and kicked her heels. “Something like that.” Shimmer carried her away in a flash.
Garrett goaded Obi and off they went to catch the beauties. The spring was situated a few miles from the ranch and a small meadow filled with wildflowers was Olivia’s favorite spot to rest the horses. She reached the spring first and lay a big blanket on the ground. She led Shimmer to the water’s edge and tied the reins to the tree. “You will enjoy this spot.”
She patted Shimmer and retrieved a picnic basket. When she returned to the blanket, Garrett removed the saddle and led Obi to the water beside Shimmer. “Hello, beautiful.” He kissed her sweetly. “Looks like you may have caught some of the wind.” He wiped her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.
“It was a beautiful ride. The wind chased us all the way.” Olivia tilted her head and parted her lips. Garrett dipped down to meet them and kissed her deeply. He noticed she tasted of honey and wildflowers, the scent of the air surrounding them.
“Let me grab Shimmer’s saddle and I’ll be right with you.” Olivia smiled and prepared their lunch on the blanket.
Unexpectedly, she heard him curse. “What in the fuck is this?” The cinch on Shimmer had been tampered with. “Olivia, it is a wonder you made it without falling off your horse.” He showed her the damaged cinch. “What? Who would do such a thing? My saddle isn’t new, but it was fully functional.”
“It must have been that bitter old man. That’s it. He is history. I will just hire someone else to help me with the ranch. This is getting ridiculous.”
Olivia poured some sweet red wine and gave him a glass. “Don’t let him spoil our day. When this new job starts, I’m not sure how many Saturdays we will have until it’s done.”
He brushed hair off Olivia’s forehead. “You are right. I will deal with him later. What’s for lunch, I’m hungry.” She laid out fried chicken and potato salad, fresh tomatoes and brownies for dessert. They ate their fill and enjoyed each other’s company.
“I was hoping, I was dessert.” Olivia growled and pulled her top over her head.
“Stop.” He wrapped the shirt around her wrists. “Now, leave them above your head.”
She bit her lip and he pulled her boots off. “I don’t like not being able to touch you.” She pouted.
He smirked. “I know baby, but it feels so good this way. Remember?” She moaned in agreement and wiggled her hips. “That’s my good girl.”
She arched her back like a cat and he scrubbed his beard in circles on her tummy. The sensation caused her to nearly move her arms. Garrett observed her closely, he caught her. “Are you going to punish me, Master?”
“I am tempted to grab my crop and show you how to behave, but we will just save that for the playroom. Today, I want to make love to you in the sunshine with the wildflowers as our bed.”
He picked a flower from nearby and traced her skin with it. Olivia sighed and moaned at the exquisite texture of the petals. Her nipples ached beneath the lace she wore. He pushed the cups down and lapped at them like ice cream. Her hips bowed up to meet his and ground against her hidden prize. “You keep that up and you will get fucked instead of sweet love.” He spoke against her neck.
Breathlessly, she cried for relief from the stimulation he tormented her with. Sodden panties and heavy jeans lay between them and she wanted them off. Sensing her impatience, Garrett lifted her bottom and pulled her jeans down past her knees. A barrier of lace covered the honeypot he thirsted for. With the flick of his fingers, he ripped them asunder and cast them to the wind. The essence of her body permeated his nostrils and he growled.
Garrett pushed her knees forward and slurped up her juices. She cried out and he bit her clit and plunged two fingers inside of her curling into the sweet spot. Olivia’s voice sang out in elated joy when her body curled into the fetal position of a hard orgasm.
He wasted no time in freeing his engorged cock and replaced his fingers with it. He intended to pound her sweet pussy, but he stilled for a moment and allowed her to calm down. He further removed her jeans and freed her binding.
Olivia wrapped her feet around his waist and her arms around his neck. “I love you, Bear.”
His hips deliberately moved in and out of her petite frame. Their eyes locked onto each other and the dance began. Olivia snaked her palms under his shirt. She wanted to feel his skin on hers. Their bodies rocked smoothly until Olivia felt the pulsation of his cock against her walls and hugged him back. He found her mouth and kissed her past his release and then hers. “And I love you, my darling Olivia.” He whispered in her ear.
The wind blew gently over their sweaty skin. The sun had moved away, the time had come to pack up and go home. “Olivia, I will put my saddle on Shimmer and I will ride bareback.”
“Of course, whatever you think is best.” They approached the horses but something was wrong. Shimmer appeared glassy eyed and stumbled some. “Something is wrong with her. What happened? We have been here many times before.”
Garrett opened his saddlebags and located a flashlight. “It’s better not to ride her. I am not sure what is wrong.” He checked Obsidian over, he was a larger horse and didn’t seem to be affected by whatever was ailing Shimmer. “Obi seems fine. Let’s both ride back on him and we’ll drive the truck out to get Shimmer.”
“I don’t want to leave her by herself. What if something else happens?” She panicked at the unforeseen illness, frightened of the implications.
Garrett stepped over to her and held her arms. “Listen, there are bears, snakes, and cougars out here. You can’t shoot a gun, yet. So, there is no way I can leave you here. She will be fine. I will put this blanket on her and we won’t be long.”
“You’re right. Let’s hurry.” They mounted Obsidian and rode swiftly back to the ranch.
Garrett loaded up the truck. “While I get Shimmer, call Erik and have him come out to have examine her. If anyone knows what’s going on, its him.”
Olivia sprinted into the house and phoned Erik.
By the time Garrett returned with Shimmer, Erik and Sarah pulled into the drive way. She met them outside.
Erik started with the examination and asked pertinent questions. “Garrett, can you tell me what happened? Where were you and what was near?”
“We were down in the meadow near Sweetwater Creek. She’s been several times since we brought her home. This time, she is acting strange almost like she is drunk or drugged.”
Erik scrubbed his chin deep in thought. “Best thing is for me to take a blood sample and have it tested. She didn’t get into some loco weed or eat poisonous berries or leaves?”
Garrett shook his head. “No way, there isn’t anything toxic down there. We’d have destroyed it by now if there were. All my horses graze in that area, usually in the summer. Obsidian doesn’t show any signs.”
“Probably, his size and he may not have ingested the same thing as Shimmer.” Erik ran to the truck and brought back his bag. “Garrett, hold her steady while I draw some blood.” He pinned her hair back and shaved a patch to insert the needle.
The sound of the shaver unsettled Shimmer. “Whoa, there girl. I got you.” He smoothed her mane and talked softly to her.
Olivia and Sarah huddled together. Sarah comforted her, “Erik, will figure it out. She will be alright. Perhaps some fresh water and some feed with absorb the toxins or flush then out.”
Erik grinned with pride. “Capital idea, babe. Both good suggestions.” He continued softly, “that will keep them busy while I insert the needle.”
Garrett agreed. “I am sure Olivia does not need to see that. Sarah was smart to think of it.”
Erik worked quickly and drew blood from the big vein in Shimmer’s neck. “Finished.”
Olivia filled a bucket with water and Sarah loaded some feed. “I will add some hay, if she drinks much, we may flood the barn.” Garrett racked up a pitchfork and piled up the hay.
“Keeping her comfortable is all we can do overnight. I will personally run these tests first thing in the morning. In the meantime, don’t go back to the creek, of course. I will be back with the results and hopefully some answers.” Erik explained.
Olivia overwhelmed by emotion hugged Erik. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
He blushed a bright red. “Don’t thank me yet… But you know I am going to try my best.”
Garrett took Olivia from Erik. “Thanks buddy. I better get this one to bed.”
Sarah took Erik’s arm and they all walked out of the barn.