CHAPTER TEN

 

 

 

“Breakfast, sleepyhead.”

Canyon stretched. He felt good. So good. Why was that?

As his mind swam upstream toward consciousness, he became aware of a few sensations.

Pressure – someone was sitting on him. Not too heavy. Just right.

Smell – he salivated at the scent of fried bacon being waved under his nose. He opened his mouth and the yummy morsel was placed on his tongue. “Hmmm, good.”

And last – but not least…pleasure. His hard dick felt like it was enveloped in warm whipped cream. After opening one eye, he found a delectable naked Seren riding his morning wood like a carousel horse.

“More bacon?” she asked as she braced one hand on his chest, the other dangling another bite of fragrant goodness under his nose.

His first response was to open his mouth and the second was to grip her hips. After accepting the tasty offering, he guided her as she moved lithely up and down his grateful cock. “What a way to start the day.”

Seren closed her eyes and took her pleasure, rising and sinking, tightening and clasping. Moaning when Canyon cupped her breasts and rubbed the sensitive nipples. “I love this so much,” she muttered, covering his hands with her own, pressing his palms to her flesh.

Canyon tried to answer, but he was so near to exploding that all he could do was revel in the moment. Sitting up, he clasped her to him, holding Seren still while he pounded up, driving them both to a finish line that was only the beginning.

Once they caught their breath, he stroked her back, kissing her neck. “I think I’ll keep you.”

“Good!” She hugged him hard. “While you shower, I’ll replace my bandages, then make some breakfast sandwiches.”

“If you need help, let me know.” He checked her arms, then kissed her again, this one a soft, lingering caress. “Let’s run by Jonah’s house on the way to Tebow. Jacob asked me to talk to him about the competition.”

And so, their day began.

As he headed his truck out of the driveway, Canyon handed her a notepad. “Here, Twinkle Toes, I grabbed this so you can write down your poetry for me.” 

She took it with a bit of trepidation. “Don’t expect too much. I didn’t say I was a good poet.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. I bet you’ve written some good stuff.” He glanced over to where she was sitting. “I think that outfit looks good on you.”

“Thanks.” She tugged on the red baby doll top, then picked up a plastic bag from the floor. “I brought Cady’s stuff to return it to her.”

“Okay.” He grasped her hand while his eyes returned to the road. “The leaves will soon start to change colors. Winter will be here before we know it.”

“Yea, I’ve never really paid much attention to the seasons before. I’m looking forward to experiencing them firsthand – if I’m still here,” she added softly.

“You’ll be here.” He couldn’t fathom anything else. “We’ve got to figure out how to get you some form of identification.” Canyon frowned, roadblocks rising in his brain. How was this supposed to work? “You don’t have a Social Security card.”

“Or a past. Or a last name. Or parents.” She sounded worried.

“Yea.” He sighed. “I wonder about your DNA.”

“I don’t see how this will work, do you?” Seren felt more confused than ever. “Surely they have a plan for me.”

“I’m sure you’ll receive a…sign of some kind soon.” Even now, after everything, Canyon had a hard time digesting all of this. She’d become so important to him. He couldn’t imagine going back to the way things were – without her.

“Yea, I hope so. In heaven time, I’ve only been here a few seconds. I need to remember that.”

“Right,” Canyon chimed in as he took the road leading to Jonah’s shop. “I need to do some work on my metal art soon.”

“I put out some pork chops for supper. I thought I’d try my hand with some shake-n-bake, that shouldn’t be too complicated. While I cook, you can weld.” She shivered. “If you’ll be careful.” She could check on him periodically. “Maybe we should get some of those cameras you were talking about installed around the property. I could monitor you from the kitchen.”

“I’ll be fine,” he assured her. Seeing her worried look, he squeezed her hand. “I’ll be more careful than usual. Okay?”

“Okay.” Seren understood her abilities were limited at this point. Why, she didn’t know. “I can’t expect you to put up with me every second of every day.”

Canyon chuckled. “I don’t know. Doesn’t sound too bad. There are some perks to having you around.” He brought their joined hands up so he could brush his knuckles over her nipple.

Seren shivered. “I can’t wait till tonight,” she told him breathlessly, a rosy glow coming to her cheeks.

“Me either.” He shifted in his seat, his cock filling at the thought. He’d never felt more desperate to touch a woman. Never felt such an unstoppable craving for sex. “Remind me and we’ll stop for a bottle of wine on the way home.”

“Oh, that sounds good.” Seren smiled as she glanced up at the rising sun. “There’s so much I want to do with you. So many things I want to try.”

Yea, Canyon’s mind went straight to the gutter. “Sex positions. Me taking you from behind. Against the wall. Slipping my hard cock between your tits.”

Blushing, Seren giggled, her heart rate speeding up at the thought. “All of those sound exciting, but I was thinking of something more in the line of a picnic.”

“A picnic. Why, sure. We’ll do that on Saturday.”

She gave a tiny squeal. “Yay! I’ll make sandwiches and cupcakes!”

“You don’t have to bake,” he teased, recalling the Angel Flake biscuits.

Seren pressed her lips together. “If I’m ever going to learn, I need to keep trying.” Deep in thought, she glanced out the window toward the Guadalupe River which ran alongside the road a few dozen yards away. Immediately, her attention was captured by a bright shaft of light lancing through the atmosphere. At first, she thought it was a beam of sunlight cutting through the copse of trees – but…no. This was whiter, brighter. Leaning forward, she looked harder.

And then she saw it – an angel.

Biting back a gasp, Seren stared. The image wasn’t moving, yet it stayed within her sight. This wasn’t any angel, this was a powerful one of great authority. She swallowed a bit of anxiety, wondering why she was seeing Gregori at this point in time. There was no doubt he was here for her; the great being was staring right into her eyes. At well over six-foot tall, as muscular as Canyon, with black hair and purple eyes, Gregori was an intimidating figure.

And he didn’t look happy.

“Seren?”

Canyon’s voice caused her to jump and she glanced toward him for a second. “Yes?” A heartbeat later, she turned to look outside again and Gregori was gone.

“I listened to the weather this morning and a cold front will be moving in this weekend. Remind me when we stop for the wine to buy a couple of jackets for you. I don’t want you to be cold.”

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered absently as she stared out at the normal looking landscape. Seren knew firsthand there was always more to this world than met the eye, but this was unexpected.

The watcher was being watched.

“Weather in Texas is funny,” he said evenly. “The range in temperature is crazy. One week we may have sleet, the next a heat wave.” They made small talk until Canyon pulled into Jonah’s mechanic shop. “If you want, wait here. I’ll be right back.”

With her mind full of questions, she didn’t argue. With the bay doors wide open, she could see directly into Jonah’s shop and could keep an eye on Canyon from where she sat. “All right. I’ll wait.”

Not realizing anything was wrong, Canyon climbed from the truck to hail the big mechanic. “Hey, Jonah. Got a minute?”

“Sure!” Jonah waved his hand and laid a wrench down on the top surface of the work bench. “What’s up?”

“You lift weights and work out, don’t you?”

Jonah flexed his muscles. “Used to do it a lot. Now, I mostly lift cars.” He grinned and proved his point, picking up the rear bumper of a 1956 Mustang. “Why?”

“Tebow is putting together a team of power lifters. We’ve been challenged to a duel.” He chuckled. “A competition with X-Bar Ranch. I think D-Day is in a few weeks at Isaac’s Hardbodies. We’re allowed to ask anyone who has an association with the ranch and as Tebow’s mechanic, you qualify – if you can get away. I know how it is with your dad and all…” Canyon hated to mention his father’s condition, knowing how much it hurt Jonah.

Jonah shrugged, glancing up toward his house. “Sure, I don’t see why not? My situation has changed a bit for the better.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yea, I hope it has, anyway.” Jonah ran an agitated hand through his thick, long hair. “I picked up an old truck for Libby yesterday afternoon. She wants me to restore it for Aron. The old Ford belonged to his father.”

“Oh, that will be good. Extra funds.” Canyon could certainly see the benefit in a special project or two.

“True.” He shook his head. “Not what I meant, though.” He pointed toward the clapboard house sitting behind the garage. “I also picked up a woman at the truck stop last night.”

“You did?” Canyon’s face broke into a grin. “Why, you dog, you.”

Jonah shook his head. “Not that kind of woman, Brady. I sorta played knight in shining armor to a young woman and found out she had no place to go. Lucky for me, she has experience taking care of people like Dad.” He let out a tentative sigh. “We worked out a deal.”

“Is she pretty?”

Jonah jerked his head around, catching a movement on the periphery of his vision. “Shhh, there she is now.”

 

…Out in the truck, Seren kept studying a distant grove of trees, half expecting Gregori to reappear. She chewed on her lower lip, remembering what she knew of the mighty angel. He served as one of the High Guard. Gregori was an enforcer.

“Hey!”

The sudden sound of a female voice startled Seren. Glancing through the front windshield she saw Jonah’s father, John, approaching Canyon’s truck with a young woman at his side.

“Hi!” She waved through the open window. The pair came to her window and Seren leaned out to greet them. “Hey, John!” She held out her hand to his companion. “Hi, I’m Seren.”

“I’m Delaney.” She accepted Seren’s greeting. “Nothing would do Mr. Callan except we come speak to you. I’m not sure how he knew you were here. We were in the back of the house.” She waved her hands in the air and smiled. “All of a sudden, he started saying how he needed to come out and see the angel.”

Seren wiggled a bit with unease. “Well…”

Before she could say more, John Callan patted the side of Canyon’s truck. “This little lady is an angel. Her name is Gail Russell and she played opposite me in Angel and The Badman.” He made eye contact with Seren. “Do you remember that, honey?”

“Well…” Seren was a bit relieved, but still didn’t know what to say.

“My role was a gunslinger, Quirt Evans. You played Penelope, a Quaker girl I fell in love with. Our future looked rosy until my past caught up with me.”

Having seen the old movie on Canyon’s television, Seren nodded. “I do remember. You had to choose between going back to your old ways or building a future with Penelope.”

John winked at her. “I chose you, didn’t I, doll?” He pulled an imaginary gun from an imaginary holster on his belt. “Only a man who carries a gun ever needs one.”

“That was a good movie and you remember my favorite quote,” she commented to Mr. Callan, smiling at Delaney’s indulgent expression. “I presume you’re catching up on all of the John Wayne trivia. Are you related to Jonah?”

“No.” Delaney shook her head. “He helped me out of a jam last night and I’m returning the favor by keeping company with this big, handsome cowboy for a while.” She patted John on the shoulder. “We’ve been having a blast.”

“How nice.” She leaned her chin on her folded hands. “John and I met over at Tebow Ranch the other day. He’s a joy to be around.”

Delaney nodded. “Do you live nearby?”

“Not far.” She let her eyes rove until she found Canyon. He and Jonah were slowly moving their way. “Canyon has a home near the lake.”

“Great! Maybe we can get together soon.” She winked at John, who was posed with his thumbs in his belt loops, grinning at them both. “Living with these big guys means I’m going to need some female companionship soon.”

“When you’re ready, get Canyon’s number from Jonah and give me a call. I…don’t know how long I’ll be here, but I’d love to get to know you.” Since spotting Gregori, she had an icky feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Oh, okay.” Delaney nodded. “I won’t pry, but I’ll opt for sooner rather than later. Give me a couple of days to get my feet on the ground and I’ll be in touch with you.”

“Perfect.” Despite her worries, she felt proud of herself for making a new friend.

“Delaney, I see you’ve met Seren.” Jonah wiped his hands on a bandana he pulled from his back pocket.

“Yes, I did. Your father insisted we come down to speak to her.” She smiled broadly. “He’s quite taken with his angel.”

Canyon’s eyes widened to stare at Seren – just as Delaney continued her explanation. “Today, he was telling us how they starred in a movie together. What was it called, John?”

“Angel and the Badman, one of my favorite films,” John Callan told them all proudly.

“I see.” Canyon breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m Canyon Brady, Miss Delaney.”

“Delaney Ellis.” She shook his hand, then gave Jonah a cursory glance. “We’ll be getting back inside. Your breakfast is still in the oven.”

Seren and Canyon watched a variety of emotions flit across Jonah’s face. “Thanks,” was his only response to Delaney’s comment. Once she and his father had traveled back up the hill toward the house, he turned to Canyon. “Yea, I guess she is pretty.”

Canyon laughed. “Seems as if your dad likes her.”

“Yea, they hit it off the first rattle out of the box. He told her she looked like Ann Margaret, his co-star in The Train Robbers.”

“Well, you have to admire his technique with the ladies,” Canyon murmured. “You can’t beat his pickup lines.”

This tickled Jonah. “I guess you’re right. Miss Seren, how are you today?” he asked as Canyon was about to open the driver’s side door of his truck. “I didn’t mean to ignore you. Bringing Delaney home last night has made things a bit more interesting around here than usual.”

“I’m good. Delaney seems nice. We’re going to get together soon.”

Canyon winked at Seren. “I’d say your social calendar is filling up fast.”

Remembering Cady’s invitation, she nodded. “I guess it is. I’m popular. Who knew?” Seren felt quite pleased with herself.

“Well, Jonah, we’ll be going,” Canyon said, climbing into the cab. “I’ll let Jacob know you’re on board.”

“Hey, does this competition come with prize money?” Jonah asked out of the blue.

“I don’t know.” Canyon shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll ask Jacob.”

“Just curious. I’m in either way.” Noah raised a hand in farewell as Canyon backed out of his drive. “Stay safe!”

Canyon returned the wave, then headed on to Tebow. “John Callan is quite taken with you,” he commented to Seren. “His choice of a movies to relate to you was odd, don’t you think?”

“I almost bit my tongue when he mentioned it to me.” She laughed softly. “He’s so nice. I wish he could be helped.”

“Seren…” Canyon slowed down and put his arm in the window, staring straight ahead, deep in thought. “Why do things like that happen to people? Why do things like disease, war, and poverty even exist?”

“The age-old question, why do bad things happen to good people?” she rephrased his question before taking a deep breath. “Those things are the price humanity pays for living in a world of free will. Mistakes people make tend to compound. When there’s no correction, things tend to get out of control.”

Canyon considered her answer. “I can see that, so free will is the difference between here and heaven.”

“Oh, there’s free will in heaven, but when an action goes against the perfect will, there is an immediate and radical correction.” The thought made Seren shudder, especially in light of her glimpse of Gregori.

“Sounds ominous.” He thought for a minute, trying to reconcile what he’d been told with what had happened to Matty. “So, cancer is the result of a mistake?”

“Cancer is caused by microbes. The lack of a cure is the result of a mistake.” When he looked into her eyes, she gave him her answer. “Greed. There could’ve been a cure a long time ago if certain factions of society didn’t profit from the disease itself.”

This idea made Canyon angry. “I always figured that to be true. Dammit.”

Seren wished she had the perfect thing to say to make him feel better, but she didn’t. “Mankind will never come together for the world’s common good until they are threatened by something from outside.”

“Outside? Like aliens?”

“Maybe. I don’t have all the answers. There were some questions I wasn’t allowed to ask. Some things I wasn’t allowed to see.”

This gave Canyon pause. “As much as I’d like to rid the world of all pain and trouble, living without free will doesn’t sound like paradise to me.” When Seren didn’t immediately respond, he felt bad. “Sorry, I know that probably offends you.”

“No, it doesn’t.” She closed her eyes, hoping Gregori wasn’t monitoring her every moment. “I felt the same way. Caged. Robotic. Afraid to have a feeling, because it might be the wrong one.”

“Sounds…uncomfortable.”

“Oh, there was an upside.” She gave him a saucy grin. “In fact, I wrote a poem about the perks.”

“Now, that I want to hear. Did anyone else ever know about your poetry?”

She shook her head. “No, being a watcher is a pretty solitary existence. I didn’t have friends; the others were more like acquaintances.”

“Bummer.” He reached over to squeeze her thigh. “I think you’re well on your way to having friends here.”

“True.” She pondered what these friendships could mean while they completed the journey to the ranch. Upon arrival, Canyon made sure she was comfortable and had something to drink and the tools to write down her poetry for him. “All right, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, dazzle me with your verse.”

“Why do you call me by that name?” Seren asked with curiosity as she took her seat with pen and pad in hand.

Canyon shrugged his wide shoulders. “I just remember she wrote poetry to her husband. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

Grimacing a bit, Seren giggled. “I’ve heard her say she regrets the poem. Elizabeth’s husband killed her, you know. Overdosed her with morphine.”

“Wow.” Canyon paused, completely taken aback. “That’s wild.” He put his hands on his hips to survey her. “I am endlessly fascinated with you.”

“Just because I know stuff?” she asked, a little peeved. Seren found she wanted to be liked for herself, not because of her knowledge.

Leaning down, Canyon placed a hand on either side of her chair, bracketing her between his powerful arms. “No.” He claimed a kiss, letting his lips linger to taste her sweetness. “Not just because you know stuff.” Another kiss. “Because you’re also cute, sweet, and sexy as hell.” The sharp inhale of her breath made Canyon chuckle. “I’m going to work now. I have to repair some cattle panels in one of the transport trailers.”

“Okay. Be careful,” she told him as her eyes followed his progress to the welding machine. “Wear your protective gear!”

He raised a hand in salute. “Will do.”

For a few seconds, Seren sat still, her eyes surveying the area, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Seeing nothing, she took a deep breath and began to write.

From my perch above the clouds

I watch the world go by

Playing tag among the stars

As above the moon I fly

Winging upward to the heavens

Turning somersaults in the air

Catching moonbeams between my fingers

I have no worries, no real care

If I choose I could stroll

By the crystal sea

Leaving footprints on the sand

For all of heaven to see.

Yet what I do is what I am

Watcher, caretaker, friend

My purpose is to bridge the gap

Where faith and love transcend

For time has no meaning here

I neither sleep nor slumber

My days are spent ever vigil

As Canyon’s breaths I number

“There. Maybe he’ll like it.” She closed the tablet, her attention drawn by an approaching vehicle. When it drew nearer, she recognized Canyon’s friend, Bull Redford. His one-ton truck was pulling a gooseneck trailer filled with bellowing cattle. As he parked, she saw Canyon shut off his welding machine and go out to meet him. Having been around Bull so much in the past, she smiled and went to greet him herself.

“Hey, Bull!”

At her greeting, both men looked up to see her approaching. “Well, hey, pretty lady. How are you?” Looking at Canyon, he could see the possessive look in his eyes as he watched Seren. “You two seem happier.”

“We’re fine,” she told him softly. “He let me stay with him for a little while.”

“I see.” He grinned at Canyon. “I kept your secret, which was difficult. I have a hard time hiding anything from Isabella.”

“I’d like to get together with your wife soon,” Seren announced as Canyon held up his hands in surrender, smiling as she planned yet another social activity.

“She’d like that, I’m sure,” Bull admitted, then held up his finger as a thought came to mind. “Before I forget, Canyon, I wanted to tell you about Raymond Poe.”

“Who?” The name wasn’t registering with Canyon.

“A truck driver. You’ve met him a few times. He used to work for me, transporting stock.”

Canyon nodded. “Oh, yea. Goatee? Glasses? A little paunch? Nice guy.”

“That’s him.” Bull exhaled a long breath. “Anyway, he’s dead. Brain aneurysm.” He shook his head, snapping his fingers. “Gone – just like that.”

“Dang.” Canyon’s mouth dropped open. “How awful. I haven’t seen him in a long time.”

Bull shuffled on his feet. “Actually, our paths crossed not too long ago. You might not even remember. By the time we got to Austin that day, we were too concerned with attending our meeting to discuss the near miss you’d had on the road.”

Canyon wiped his palms on his jeans. “The Ducks Unlimited Banquet?” He thought a minute. “Oh, you mean the eighteen-wheeler that crossed the median into my lane?”

“Yea, that’s right,” Bull nodded. “The driver was Raymond. Went to sleep at the wheel. I recognized his truck that day, he has this figurehead of a woman in a bikini as a hood ornament. Anyway, you were driving ahead of me and when I saw him hit the ditch and graze the guardrail, I stopped to see about him.”

“Did he get hurt?” Canyon frowned.

“Not bad. Hit his head on the steering wheel, bloodied his nose. He swore he was all right, but I called 9-1-1 for him. He insisted I get back on the road and I probably caught up with you before you knew I was gone.” Bull pulled his Stetson down to shade his eyes.

“You’re right.” Canyon paused in thought. “I had no idea.”

Bull nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “And now this…you just never know.”

Canyon reached into the back pocket of his jeans to retrieve his phone. “When’s the funeral? I want to order some flowers.”

Seren listened to their exchange with wide eyes and a racing pulse. She felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. The accident they were talking about was the one the Council had reprimanded her for, the one where she’d endangered someone else’s life to protect her charge.

And now…the man was dead.

“Hey, have you seen Jacob?” Bull asked, changing the subject. “He’s not answering his phone and I’ve got some prospects for his new breed bull in my trailer.”

As they continued to talk, Seren beat a quick retreat. She needed some time alone to think. After taking a few steps away from the shop, her footsteps quickened as she headed toward the pasture fence. After climbing over, she began to run. If she still possessed wings, she’d have taken flight. The urge to escape was overwhelming. Guilt was cutting through her middle like a hot knife through butter. Was Mr. Poe’s death her fault? In her zeal to protect Canyon, did she kill an innocent man? Or was his passing something that would’ve happened anyway, ordained before the foundations of the world were laid?

She didn’t know.

Doubt and fear brought Seren to her knees. Was this tragedy why Gregori was here? What would happen to her? As she fell to the ground, remorse brought tears to her eyes. “Gregori!” she shouted, raising her face to the sky. “Gregori! In the name of Adonai, hear me! What do you want with me, Gregori?”

But cry as she might, there was no answer to be found.

Rising to her feet, Seren tried to tell herself all would be well. To borrow an earthly idea, no news had to be good news. Still…something deep within her forecasted a brewing storm. A storm that would shake the very cornerstone of her existence. With a heavy heart, Seren headed back to Canyon’s shop, a sense of impending trouble weighing heavily on her heart.

As she drew nearer, Seren could hear Canyon’s voice as he continued to visit with Bull. “Hey, we need to talk about our next hunting trip soon.”

Hearing him mention a hunting trip brought back the memory of the moment she entered the realm of his world. Now, more than ever, she questioned the reason for this amazing series of events. A panicky feeling grew in the pit of her stomach as she imagined none of it happening. Missing this time with Canyon. Never knowing what it felt like to be one with him. Never falling asleep in his arms. Never having the opportunity to tell him how she felt about him.

The idea of experiencing eternity without having known the wonder of loving Canyon filled her with a sense of urgency. What if their miracle was coming to an end? With a foreboding cloud of uncertainty hanging over her head, Seren vowed to make the most of whatever time they had left together.

Coming to the pasture fence, she started over it, placing one foot on the bottom plank.

“Seren?”

The sudden sound of another voice made Seren’s foot slip and she conked her head against the top of the fence. “Ow!”

“Oh, sorry. I’m sorry I scared you.” Cady came closer. “I saw you coming and I wanted to speak to you. I should’ve spoken up sooner.”

“Hello, Cady,” Seren muttered with a smile as she rubbed the fast-rising knot on her forehead. “How are you today?”

“Good.” She held up a bucket. “I’ve been picking persimmons. I had to share them with Jacob’s pet bull. He’s ate so many that fermented on the ground, I think he’s drunk.” She pointed farther down in the pasture.

Sure enough, Seren laughed when she saw the big bull wavering on his feet. “I hope he’ll be okay.”

Cady waved. “He’ll be fine. I’m just glad he left enough for me to make some of Joseph’s favorite homemade brandy. Are we still on for lunch the day after tomorrow?”

“Sure.” Seren nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.” Together, they climbed over the fence and strolled toward the blacksmith shop. “Oh!” Seren snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. I brought the clothes you loaned me. All fresh and laundered. Let me go get them!” She whirled around, taking off for Canyon’s truck.

Cady laughed. “I told you that wasn’t necessary.” She set down the basket of fruit as Canyon and Bull joined her. “Hello, boys. Pretty day, isn’t it?”

Bull tipped his hat at Cady. “That it is. Perfect Hill Country fall weather. How’s Joseph?”

Cady beamed a huge smile. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.” Canyon encouraged Cady as he kept one eye on Seren returning from his truck with the plastic sack in hand.

“He’s recording a duet with Willie Nelson for a charity event.” Clasping her hands together in front of her, Cady sighed happily. “I’m so proud of him. He has a wonderful voice.”

Bull was duly impressed. “Hot damn. Are they playing together anywhere to promote it?”

“At Hardbodies in a couple of weeks.” Cady glanced at Canyon. “I think it will be the same night as the ranch power lifting competition. The event has attracted some attention and they’re selling tickets to benefit Wounded Warriors.”

“Good cause.” Canyon nodded, remembering Jonah’s concern about prize money. Apparently, there wouldn’t be any. He wondered if the mechanic was having serious financial problems. He hoped not. “I look forward to hearing them.”

“What is this a party or an uprising?”

Everyone turned to greet Jacob who’d come from the barn to see the animals Bull Redford had brought for his inspection. “Ladies.” He tipped his hat at his sister-in-law and Seren who had rejoined them.

“Step over here, McCoy.” Bull motioned him to the trailer and Canyon followed out of curiosity, leaving Seren and Cady alone.

“Here you go and thank you so much.” Seren stepped close to Cady to offer her a hug.

As Cady embraced her, she stiffened, looking over Seren’s shoulder.

“What’s wrong, Cady?” she asked, sensing something was amiss with the woman.

Cady backed up a bit, holding onto Seren’s arm. She was still looking into the distance, staring. After a few moments, she blinked and shook her head. “I just thought I saw something.”

“Like what?” Seren peered in the same direction as her friend had been looking.

“I don’t know. Something bright.”

Stepping forward, Seren trembled, her eyes searching for any sign of Gregori. “I don’t see anything.”

“Probably just the sun glinting off a piece of quartz or something,” Cady mused, her voice still sounding a bit odd and perplexed.

“Yea, maybe.” Seren had no idea what Cady had spotted, but there was no way she’d seen the angel.

“Oh, well. Who knows?” Cady picked up the bucket of persimmons and the sack of clothing. “Friday, let’s plan on meeting at the main house around noon.”

“What can I bring?” Seren offered, proud of herself for not making a social faux pas.

“Not a thing. We’ll have everything ready,” Cady assured her as she started off toward the Tebow main house. “Until then, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” She looked over her shoulder and winked at Seren, casting a teasing glance toward Canyon.

“Okay.” She wasn’t sure what Cady would do or not do, but it made her think. When Canyon returned, she went to greet him. “Hey. How’s the cattle panels coming?”

“I was about halfway through when Bull came.” He glanced at his watch. “Why don’t we go get some lunch, then I’ll come back and finish.”

“Okay. I wrote one of my poems down for you.” She wheeled around to grab the tablet. As she was reaching for it, she felt Canyon’s body heat as he came close enough to wrap his arms around her.

“Are you going to give me a private reading?” He leaned in to kiss her neck.

“I’d like to give you something else in private.” She bent forward in his embrace and pressed her bottom back into his groin – and wiggled it.

Canyon groaned, “Fuck, I never know what you’ll do.” He felt his cock filling in absolute agreement with her action.

She giggled, determined to live fully in the moment. “I think we should make hay while the sun shines. Isn’t that something you cowboys say?”