Chapter Seventeen

James

 

Seeing Evelyn had me all flustered. I couldn’t sleep worth shit, and there was a ton of work to get done before noon. Two ranch hands were already on site, ready to start the morning, but I was still working caffeine into my veins through a coffee cup filled with black coffee, made extra strong to put a boot up my ass and get me moving.

I opened the front door, waved the guys towards the barn, yelling at them that I’d be a few minutes.

My office was a wreck, papers everywhere. I chuckled as I thought about Evelyn. She was rubbing off on me.

I knew I’d need a receipt from the guys, so I could account for money used from the ranch’s estate, so I turned on my laptop. Easier to print one than to find one.

My e-mail was already open, a high priority exclamation point flashing at the top e-mail.

It was from the court, but not filtered through Evelyn. As I opened it, several ideas of what it could be shuffled through my mind, some good, some bad.

I read the three lines of the e-mail over at least four times before I picked up the phone and dialed Evelyn.

“Good morning,” she already sounded exhausted. I wondered if she was up all night thinking about me.

“Good morning. Did you get an e-mail about our court date?” I asked, too tired to dance around the topic.

“I did. I’m trying to get an answer right now,” she replied.

“So, according to what I’m reading, our court date is not happening next week?” I questioned.

“I’m working on it, but yes, that’s what the e-mail says,” she said softly.

I could hear the defeat in her voice, and it scared the living shit outta’ me. I didn’t want her to give up on me. I needed her.

“Okay, so do you have any idea why?” I questioned.

“As soon as I know, you’ll know,” she assured me.

“Thanks, Evelyn. I’ll keep my phone close,” I stated.

I printed the receipt I needed and pushed it into my back pocket. I had to trust her. I knew to trust her. Damn, she sounded good.

I grabbed my tools by the door as I headed to the barn. The ranch hands were just finished saddling up the horses, so I strapped my bag to Queen, and led the way to the first repair spot on the fence line.

I left the guys and the tools in the back field where they would start repairing the fence and headed off back towards the barn.

The sun beat down on my face as I rode towards it. It was hot for being so early in the year, causing the smell of manure to really take over the oxygen in the air. Inside the barn wasn’t much better, filled with a rancid stink.

I grabbed the rake and started working, clearing out all the stalls and loading the manure into a large wheelbarrow. Each load seemed to get heavier and heavier as my muscles started to ache. Finally, a large pile was outside the back of the barn, mixed with compost and ready to use for spring planting.

Gretta, one of my most fertile heifers, was bagged up, her utters doubled in size from two days earlier. She was stirring in her stall, obviously ready to give birth a little sooner than I thought.

“It’s okay, girl,” I soothed her with a stroke along her neck.

I hadn’t birthed a calf in years, and never without the help of old man Jasper. I had the doc ready to come out in the morning, but it looked like she was ready now. I reached for a pair of long gloves, ones that slid all the way up my arms, and slid them on.

At the backside of her pen, it was obvious she was ready now. Her vulva had already enlarged and was loosening up for the birth. Discharge oozed from her backside, but I knew as long as it was clear and free of any blood, it was a good sign. I watched as she worked her heavy load to the ground, looking for comfort, but moaning to let me know she hadn’t found it. I tapped her backside, watching the yellowish water sac start to push through her vulva. Fuck, there wasn’t time to call Doc.

I opened the gate and grabbed the rope on hanging on the railing. With a deep breath, I reached deep inside of her with the rope in hand, tying it onto what felt like a leg. As I pulled out, water gushed to my feet, and suddenly, the calf started to appear.

I held the rope, watching Gretta push the large beast from her body.

“You’re doin’ great, girl,” I encouraged, giving a steady tug with the rope.

Her moans grew louder and she started to tense.

“Take it easy,” I whispered, patting her on the backside.

One more tug and Gretta was a mother.

The calf, a brown and white spotted male, was alert without assistance. I cleaned his nostrils, poured clean water in his ears, and washed him down before carrying him to the clean stall. Gretta was on her feet when I returned to her, already looking for her new baby.

“You did real good,” I stroked her neck as I led her to the clean stall with her baby.

I called the doc so he could come out later and check the calf and momma, and then made sure she had plenty clean hay and water to keep her happy while the baby learned to nurse.

I splashed my face with clean, cold water as I washed my hands and wiped away the sweat and grime that had clung to my skin. I could see the ranch hands working on a part of the fence not too far from the barn as I looked towards the field. The older ranch hand, Pedro, didn’t speak much English, but had been with old man Jasper for years. The younger one, Kyle, was learning still, but Pedro highly recommended him to me once Jasper had passed. So far, I couldn’t complain. They worked fast, and their work was top-notch.

The sound of a car engine turned me towards the lane. A small car made its way towards me, one that I hadn’t ever seen before.

Fuck me running.

Jill was already getting out of the passenger seat as the car stopped at the barn. The driver, Eliza, the other Jasper kid stayed inside the car.

The screech of Jill’s voice made my ears ring, and most of what she was yelling was lost.

I walked past her, making my way to the car. Eliza was normally the sane one, the only one who cared to even call her father once she found out he’d fallen ill.

“Eliza, why did you bring her here?” I asked.

Jill was screaming at me as I tried to talk to Eliza calmly.

“You know I can’t stop her,” Eliza smirked.

“You need to gather her up and get her outta’ her,” I warned.

Eliza stepped out of the car, but she didn’t move towards Jill, instead, she leaned against her little silver car.

“You need to calm down, and you need to leave,” I warned Jill, who was now throwing her arms around like a crazy person.

“Fuck you,” Jill growled, her face turning so red her freckles started to blend in with her skin.

“I’m really sorry, James,” Eliza frowned.

“You need to stop, Jill. You’re only embarrassing yourself,” Eliza added.

“Listen to your sister, and get off my land,” I demanded to Jill.

“This won’t be your land for long,” she sneered.

I chuckled at her insanity. She truly was a nut job.

“Why was the court date pushed back, Jill? You need time to find another official to bribe?” I smirked.

“C’mon,” Eliza grabbed her sister by the arms and worked on guiding her to the car.

Jill’s arms swung loose from her sister and towards my face. I had to back up to miss getting knocked in the jaw.

“I’ve never hit a woman before, but keep it up, and that might change,” I challenged.

Jill spit at my feet as if her saliva could match the fluids already on my boots. I chuckled again, sending her into a wild rage as Eliza pushed her into the car.

“Pack your bags, James Laurie,” Jill roared from the window as the car sped away.

My hands clenched into fists, and my urge to hit something grew strong. I was hot, sweaty, smelled of everything bad, and the last thing I needed was her mouth running with threats.

“Jasper’s?” Pedro asked, his eyes wide and curious.

I nodded, not sure how much he’d heard.

“I’m gonna take off for a while. You care to finish up without me?” I asked the old man.

He shook his head, reached up and patted my back for comfort, and with that, I headed inside for a clean shirt, no time for a shower.

I hosed off my boots before climbing into my truck and waved to Pedro and Kyle as I sped down the lane to the main road.

I wasn’t sure where I was going as I headed into town. A part of me wanted to head to Evelyn, to wrap my arms around her and have her tell me it would all be okay. After a couple whiffs of the odor that still clung to my skin, I decided against it.

My stomach growled to remind me I hadn’t had breakfast, so I pulled into the local pub for a quick beer and a greasy burger.

I found a seat at the end of the bar, away from anyone who may be offended by my smell, not that the crowd inside didn’t carry the same farm smell.

The bartender, a cute little blonde leaned in, unconcerned by my odor, and gave me a warm smile. Her breasts were pushing out of her top, large and full. Her smooth skin was plump and filled with all the signs of youth.

“What can I get ya?” she asked.

“Bring me the biggest burger and the biggest beer you have, not in that order,” I responded.

“Everything on it?” she jotted on a notepad.

“Yes ma’am,” I replied.

With a wink, she was off, pushing the paper she wrote on to a greasy man in the back with long gray hair.

I watched her as she poured my beer, her shape as perfect as an hourglass. Her eyes narrowed on mine as she turned to bring me the beer, catching me admiring her backside.

“Anything else?” she asked with a sultry and flirtatious tone.

“No thanks,” I smiled warmly, watching disappointment creep onto her face.

I chuckled to myself as she walked away. Normally, I would have flirted back, maybe even tried to get her to come home with me. Now, all I could think about was Evelyn, even while admiring another woman, she was in my mind.

The way the woman’s curves simulated Evelyn’s, the way her small baby hairs curled at the nape of her neck with her hair up.

I was falling for a woman that wouldn’t have anything to do with me, at least not consistently. I knew she had a reputation to uphold, but I was starting to have hurt feelings by her hot and cold routine.

The first beer went down as smoothly as the second, and by the third, my burger arrived. I was already feeling tipsy, and food was no longer a priority. I took a few bites, pushed it away, and ordered another beer.

“You didn’t like it?” the bartender asked, picking up my plate from the bar.

“It was great, but I just don’t feel hungry anymore,” I replied.

“Maybe you just need to find something more appetizing to eat,” the bartender smirked.

“What’s your name?” I asked, leaning in towards her.

“Sherry,” she giggled.

“Sherry, if I wasn’t so intrigued by another woman, I’d certainly have taken you up on that offer,” I smiled politely.

“Lucky girl,” she pouted and took my plate away.

I finished my beer, watching a couple old coots play pool and argue over a shot not called correctly.

“My shift is over, so last chance to change your mind,” Sherry leaned across the bar and stole my attention.

My eyes lingered on her breasts. Man, I bet those babies bounce.

Tightness in my jeans made me shift on my stool and brought a giggle to Sherry’s lips. She appeared to enjoy teasing me.

“I might kick myself later, but I’m sorry,” I sighed.

I cashed out my tab with her, leaving her a nice tip to make up for letting her down.

When the next bartender took over, I was relieved to see a tall bald man delivering me a fresh beer.

My phone vibrated across the oak bar, lighting up and flashing as Evelyn’s name appeared on the screen. Fuck. I’m half-drunk.

“Hey, sexy,” I answered.

“I’m sorry it took so long to call you back,” she apologized.

“Oh hell, I’d wait forever for you,” I cooed.

“I didn’t find anything out yet, but I should hear something by tomorrow morning,” she explained.

“Great. Jill and Eliza paid me a visit today,” I blurted.

I continued to tell her how Jill was acting, and how Eliza tried to calm her, but I was certain she was now on John and Jill’s side of the battle. My words slurred a few times, even though I worked hard to keep my composure.

“So, is that why you’re drinking?” she questioned.

“Maybe,” I chuckled.

“What else would it be? Did something else happen today?” she asked.

“I birthed a calf on my own,” I announced a little too loudly.

“That’s amazing. You ever done that before?” she asked.

“Not without old man Jasper,” I remembered.

She let out a sign on the phone. It was sweet and warm.

“Maybe I’m drinking because the woman I want won’t have me,” I teased.

“Really?” she sneered playfully.

“Yeah, it’s true. I had a little young one trying to get me to go home with her earlier, but I blew her off,” I laughed.

“Why did you do that?” Evelyn asked.

“Hmmm,” I hummed.

She giggled. Oh man, I could taste those sweet lips.

“Why don’t you come and stay with me tonight?” I propositioned.

“You know I can’t do that,” she said quickly.

“But I miss you so bad,” I moaned.

“How are you getting home?” she asked.

“I’m not going home without you,” I insisted.

“Is there someone there that can drive you?” she questioned.

“I’m not ready to leave yet,” I insisted. “Don’t you miss my tongue?” I whispered so no one could hear. “Sliding between your legs, tasting your sweet juices?”

I heard another sigh, this one deeper and less sweet.

“I need you so bad it hurts,” I groaned.

I could hear her breathing on the other end of the phone, but she didn’t speak.

“I know you need me too. Just let me taste you. We don’t have to do anything else,” I pleaded.

She giggled.

“Yeah, like we have any control around one another,” she scoffed.

“I love the way I lose control around you, the way my mind turns off to the world when you’re around,” I said softly.

I knew the alcohol was making me say things I would’ve preferred to keep to myself, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“I really like you, Evelyn,” I added.

“I really like you too, James,” her voice was so sweet.

“Then talk dirty to me,” I growled.

“No,” she gasped.

“Why not?” I pushed.

“You’re at a bar,” she giggled.

“So, I’ll go home and call you back,” I offered.

“No. Stay there. I’m coming to get you, but just to take you home,” she instructed.

I loved the forcefulness in her voice. It gave me chills to hear her take control.

“Okay. I’ll stay right here,” I assured her.

“Give me thirty minutes,” she replied, and then hung up.

I hated the thought of leaving my truck. I knew a couple cups of coffee, and I’d be fine to drive home, but Evelyn was worried about me, and she was coming to rescue me, so I would sit on this barstool and wait for her.