Savannah had always been my favourite person but sometimes she drove me crazy. Like now, like how she just 'had' to meet the new owners of the Red Valley Ranch and really, I had only agreed to do so because I wanted to get a job there, knowing they'd need people or it had been what I'd heard.
Savannah smiled, her mousey brown hair blowing at her shoulders as she had her hand out the window – fighting the wind.
“I hope they have a daughter.”
“I haven't heard anything.” I grunted, really starting to regret folding to her plan of introductions.
“I could really use more friends my age.”
I glanced at my sister and sighed, “And if they have sons?”
She laughed, “Wolfy-sons?”
I sighed, “We can only hope not.”
“Dun dun duh.” She laughed.
I shook my head at my sixteen year old sister, “They're not wolves.”
“Well then, I'm back to my original plan of hoping for friends!”
I pulled the truck into the long, well- kept drive and noticed all the moving trucks and disarray. I didn't like to be a bother but it seemed like we would be regardless.
“Remember, this could potentially be one of bosses so, keep it together.”
Savannah smiled at me, “Sure, whatever.”
I pulled my black ford to a stop and opened the door, jumping out as Savannah did as well.
We were greeted right away by a middle aged man with a cowboy hat on his head, complete with jeans and boots.
“Afternoon there.” He walked over to us.
“Hi there, sir. We live down the road.” I tried to sound less nosey and more friendly though Savannah was sucking. She peered around me and looked at the movers as they hauled in furniture.
“Nice to meet you, I'm Charlie Redding.” He held out his hand and I shook it.
“Colten Turner and this is my sister; Savannah.”
“Nice to meet you both.” Charlie nodded and looked to a mover, “Just put that desk in the living room.”
He turned back to us as Savannah spoke.
“Do you have any children?”
I elbowed my sister, though I really just wanted to choke her.
Charlie nodded, “One daughter.” He turned around, “Abi! Come here and meet the neighbours!”
I was still staring at my sister as she bubbled away in anticipation. I wanted to drag her back to the truck but then all my thought process changed as my vision narrowed and my senses took off full tilt.
A lean legged girl came to the side of her father and smiled at us, “Hi! I'm Abi!”
I stared at her. She was so young. I wanted to know how young!
Her bright blue eyes caught mine and she smiled, her lips barely parting but parting enough. Enough to drive my wolf crazy.
My heart started to pound, there was no way what was happening could be possible. It wasn't possible. I wanted to scream as my blood began to boil from her presence.
My insides started to burn and my vision became wrapped in her and only her.
She was young and here I was twenty-three with apparently a human mate so young it would be considered statutory-rape!
All I could do was stare at her but I tried desperately not to.
Savannah was oblivious to my internal going-ons, “I'm Savannah, we live down the road. This is my brother.”
The young blonde smiled and glanced at her dad and back to me, “Are you a cowboy?”
I took a breath, preparing myself to breathe her in, “I am.”
“Oh, good!” Charlie announced, “I need help. I'm looking for a few people.”
Nope, couldn't do it. I didn't want the job anymore. I didn't want anywhere near her, it was all just too much to wrap my stupid head around.
She smiled again at me. I wanted to scream at her and tell her to look at my sister but I kept silent and stiff.
“Do you have horses?” She asked.
I wanted to die but I answered her, “I have several.”
“I really want to get one. Right, Daddy?” She looped her arm around her father and smiled up at him.
Savannah laughed, “My brother knows so much about horses, it ain't funny!”
“Oh great.” Charlie nodded, “Cause' we're not big horse people but my daughter thinks she is.”
Abigail sighed, “Jeez, Daddy.”
I wanted to stop my words but I couldn't, if I could never have her at least I could be around and protect her, “I could help you pick out a few horses.”
Charlie nodded, “Good. You're hired, boy.”
I looked to him and back to Abigail, as she tucked her blushing face into her dad's elbow.
His wife came over – tall and lean and perfect. Likely what the little girl that was now my mate would mature into.
“Abi, they are setting up your room. Come say how you want it.”
The girl nodded, “Okay.” Taking off, waving, “See you around!” Her mother left with her and that left me in front of my new boss.
I swallowed and tried not to watch her leave, “How old is she?”
Charlie smiled, “Oh, fourteen. Thinks she's an adult now though... you know... kids.” He grunted, “Can you start Monday?”
I stared at him a moment. Trying to comprehend her age, never mind the offer of employment.
“Colten.” Savannah coughed and elbowed me.
“Sounds good, Sir. Have a good day!” I shook his hand and grabbed Savannah by the arm, hauling her back to truck.
Done in.
I was done in and someone might as well have run me over with heard of cattle on top of it.
***
Colten woke to the sound of the alarm clock. His face parted from the pillow and he examined the empty bed. That dream had been too real, he could still feel Savannah there and the young girl that Abigail had been. Her blushing even at the budding age of fourteen.
“Abi?” He sat up, looking for his lean legged mate, that had never changed about her. He looked around the dim room, the sun just starting rise.
“Abi!” He called and got out of bed, walking out of his room, stark naked but not really caring. More than about to panic, her scent was everywhere but she was no where. He stopped in the hall as the shower running could be heard from the bathroom.
He sighed from his general paranoia and walked into the steamy room, “Abigail?”
“Morning, Colten.” She called to him.
He came up beside the white shower curtain, “You beat my alarm.”
“I need to go to work soon. They asked if I could start Monday morning to learn how to work everything.”
He pulled back the curtain and stepped into the tub without hesitation.
She turned to him, soap in her hair, “Colten.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, “Mmm, baby.” He kissed her shoulders.
She giggled, “What are you doing?”
“Don't go to work.” He grumbled, unsure if he could or would be able to share his mate any longer with the world.
“How am I suppose to make money?” She took his arms from her and started to wash her hair.
He watched the water run over her shoulders and the soap trickle her body. Using all possible control he had not to take her in the shower, “I don't know. Why do you need to make money?”
“You are too funny.” She still had her eyes closed and her hair under the warm water as she enjoyed her shower.
“Why didn't you wake up and tell me you were taking a shower?”
She smiled and finally finished with her hair, “Because you'd invade it.”
He stepped towards her and pushed against her naked body, “Is that a bad thing?”
She smiled, “Right now, yes.”
He bit into her shoulder and lapped up the water.
She wiggled in his arms, “You're impossible.”
“I just... like you.” He whispered.
“I know. So whatcha gonna do about it, Mr. Turner?” She giggled.
He groaned and put his hands on her waist, gripping her and fighting the urge to bend her over and satisfy the alpha in him.
He stopped himself though, “I had a dream about you.”
She giggled, “What was I doing? Or not doing?”
He smiled, “It was when I met you.”
She stepped back from him, blinking as the water poured over the top of her head, “I remember that.”
He noticed her frozen, shocked behaviour, “Do you?”
“Yes.” She nodded, “Daddy hired you that day.”
He reached out and gripped her hand, pulling her into him, “Yeah.”
She swallowed, still looking a bit uncomfortable.
“What?” He smiled at her.
She sighed, “Nothing, it's just that, I thought you were pretty darn handsome.”
He smirked, “No.”
“Yes, I did.” She blushed, “I was a sick little girl.”
He laughed, “You were too innocent.”
“Innocent?” She raised an eyebrow, “I'll show you my diary one day. My sixteen year old mind was much too jealous of that girl at the lake.”
He paused and thought, “The lake party?”
“You were there with a really pretty girl.”
He swallowed, remembering that night, “You saw me?”
“I watched you the whole night.” She admitted.
He was far more screwed then he thought. His mate had been attracted and attached to him from the day she'd met him and he had always been stupid and oblivious and nine years older.
She stepped a bit closer to him, “I wanted to be your girl.”
He kissed her, “You are my girl.”
She smiled and he continued to kiss her.
“You're not going to work.” He tried again to protest.
Abigail lifted her head and stared at him, “I have to.”
He shook his head, “No.”
“Colten, I said I would work for them and I will.”
He rung his hands to her waist and pulled her close, trailing his mouth down her soaked body, till his mouth got to her navel, “You'd rather serve truckers then this.” He kissed her hips.
“Stop.” She giggled, “You have to work for my Dad today, remember?” Her hand gripped his dark hair and he looked up to her, his mouth leaving her body.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Let's go downstairs and we'll get on with the day.”
He stood, digging his hands into her very nice bottom, “I guess so.”
She moaned as his fingers ran over her behind, caressingly, “Stop it.”
“Stop what?” He asked her, biting into her ear and tugging at her lobe.
She broke and he held her up, her knees liked to get weak on him, “Let's get out.”
He grumbled, “I want to make love to you.”
She smiled, “Colten, it's like you like me or something.”
He nibbled at her neck, “Oh, baby.”
She laughed, “You sure are cute, Colt. But seriously, we need to get out.”
His hands came to her chest, the burning and radiating starting to kill him as his finger kneading into her. She wanted him and he could feel it, taste it even.
Instead, he did what she wanted and helped her wash up, helping him in the process as well. She did most of it though and it was nice. He liked seeing what his life would be like with his mate. Someone who cared about him and would be there, in turn, to take care of him.
She stepped out of the shower, “What are you doing for my dad today?”
He grabbed her a towel and passed her it, “Fencing.”
She wrapped it around her chest neatly, “I should be back around noon. My mother needs her car back anyway.”
“It's just a training shift today?” He dried himself off.
She looked around the counters, “No brush, Colten?”
Securing a towel around his waist, he opened a drawer and found something that resembled a brush but it was old and hadn't been used all that much.
She took it, “Yeah, it is. So, I learn the till and how the kitchen works.” She began to brush her knotted up hair. Of course, it was only knotted up because of him and the whole night he'd spent on top of her. His mate. In his bed.
He was selfish and wanted her back in the bed that night too.
She began to ramble and he walked up beside her, kissing her damp shoulder.
“I'm going to miss you.”
She smiled, “I can come make you supper again.”
He wrapped his arms around her, “Are you going to stay over?”
“Should I just move in?” She laughed.
He paused his advances on the beautiful blonde and looked to her in the mirror.
She dropped her chin, “It was a joke, sorry, Colt.”
He growled low in his chest and she tensed up, maybe from hearing the not so human sound.
Truth was though, the thought of her living with him made his wolf take over. Mating her was starting to become top priority, he just had to jump a pretty big hurdle to get there. Hoping rejection would not be anywhere in the cards.
He held her against his bare chest, “Would you like to live here?”
She closed her eyes as he kissed her cheek, “Maybe, one day.” Blushing and purring for him, he knew he had that option in the bag.
He heard the front door open as the nanny let herself in.
“Alma's here. Her mom must have pulled through again.” He breathed and kissed her cheek before he walked towards the bathroom door.
He stepped out as the older woman stopped at the top of the stairs.
“Morning, Colten.”
He nodded, “How's your mother, Alma?”
She smiled, “I should have known better but it's really not looking to fair still.”
“If you want, I can find someone else so you can go be with her.” He suggested, thinking in his head which female he might be able to convince to do it for him.
The middle aged woman smiled at him, “You must have a nice line-up for my position.”
He shook his head, “Alma...”
Abigail walked out behind him, embarrassment catching her.
Alma smiled at her, “Oh, Abigail, isn't it?”
Abigail nodded, “Good morning.”
The nanny chuckled and walked towards Ella's door, “I'll make breakfast.”
Colten grabbed Abigail's arm and pulled her in his room.
She walked over to his bed and looked around, “Colten, my dress and bra are downstairs.”
He looked to her as she got more embarrassed, “I'll go get them.” He found some jeans and a shirt and dressed, leaving the room and jogging the stairs.
Alma was already in the kitchen with Ella and he smelled the pan for breakfast heating up.
He looked in the hall as he did up the buttons on his shirt and didn't find the blonde's clothing, “Where...” He glanced up and saw Alma had put them on the kitchen chair. He swallowed and walked in, grabbing them.
“What would Miss.Abigail and you like for breakfast?”
He looked to her, feeling a bit embarrassed too, “Whatever you feel like.”
She smiled, noting the clothes in his hands, “She's a very pretty woman.”
He winced, knowing his mate waited for him, “We'll be right down.”
Alma nodded and he left the kitchen and back up the stairs, returning to his room. Where Abigail lied on his bed, still in her towel but curled in, her eyes closed.
He brought her the yellow sundress and underwear, “Here, baby.”
“Did Alma see them?” She sat, putting a hand on her forehead, looking a bit pale.
He shook his head, lying, he was crap at it but he still tried to save her cheeks.
She stood and dropped the towel putting on her white lace bra and thong in front of him.
He groaned and walked away, trying to stop his growing fondness. Unplugging his old cell phone, he started to collect a few items like his wallet and keys, putting them in his preferred pockets.
She walked up behind him and wrapped his arms around him, “Colten.”
He turned towards her and kissed her forehead, “Are you going to stay for breakfast?”
“I can but I'm pressed for time. I'm supposed to be there at seven.”
He looked to his nightstand and took her hand, noting it was almost six, “You have half an hour at least.” Then led her from his room and into the hall.
She was either a bit embarrassed because of Alma still or tired, he couldn't place it but it had begun to bother him.
“Are you okay, Abi?” He asked as they came to the stairs.
She nodded her head, “I'm just sore.”
He ran his hands over her shoulders gently and felt his guilt building, “I was too rough with you, wasn't I?”
She smiled, ducking her cheek to his chest, “You are a very loving man.”
“But I'm rough.” He grunted.
She shook her head.
He was upset with himself though. He'd broke the girl. His girl. His human mate.
Abigail lifted her head and he steadied her.
“Abi... Baby, I'm sorry. You can always tell me if I'm asking too much-”
She put her fingers to his lips, “I like it. Plus, when you came home last night you seemed like you needed me.”
He rolled his shoulders and released the building tension. Her words alone made him tense. He had come home needy, angry and worked up. Which included asking her to give herself to him four separate times throughout the night.
She deserved sleep and he saw that now, her human body needed that to function.
“I won't put you through that again, Abi.”
She smiled, “You're apologizing for making love to me again, aren’t you?”
He growled and imagined what it would be like after they were mated. How much more she'd be able to endure him, soar with him for hours. His mouth watered at the thought.
She melted into him as they snuggled.
He kissed her cheek a few times, nuzzling his mate and satisfying his alpha at the thought of her pregnant. His hand came to her stomach and then he really thought of her carrying his children.
She was oblivious to his thoughts though and she shut her eyes, relaxing into him.
“Abi, you're too tired.” He breathed.
“The shower relaxed me.” She protested.
“Where do you hurt?” He asked her.
She smiled and stepped back from him, “Colt, I'm fine.”
He studied her and then she walked down the stairs, pulling him along with her, not giving him the time of day when it came to her soreness.
They came into the kitchen and Alma looked up from the eggs cooking in the pan in front of her.
Abigail smiled, “That smells so good!”
“It'll be done in a few minutes.” Alma told her.
Colten turned to his mate and took her hand, “Want some coffee?” He sat her down at the table.
She smiled at him and stopped him from moving away, “Such a good boy.”
He dropped his mouth to her cheek and kissed her before walking to the counters.
Alma smiled at him and he tried to ignore it, “Well!”
Colten pointed at the older woman, “Nah.” He silenced her and poured some coffee.
He looked up as Abigail giggled and smiled at Ella. He groaned and looked away from it, feeling his heart thudding with appreciation for her perfectness once again.
Alma smiled at him, “Woo-wee, Colten.”
He looked to the nanny and paused, “Don't say a thing, Alma.”
The nanny laughed and kept quiet thereafter, but he knew it was not the end of her talking by any means.
He sat down next to Abigail and passed her a hot cup of coffee.
“Thanks.” She smiled and lifted the mug to her lips.
He watched her sip the coffee, he had to tell her.
Alma interrupted his thoughts and brought then breakfast. A big Texas breakfast and he was hungry.
“This looks so yummy.” Abigail took up a fork and started to eat.
He stayed silent through breakfast, eating, watching, enjoying his time with his mate. When finished, Abigail put her dish in the sink and turned on the tap.
“No, no!” Alma shoed her, “Stop, no need for you to do that.”
Colten finished his breakfast as Abigail stopped next to him.
“I'm gonna go, Colt.” She said in a quiet voice as Alma did dishes.
He put his arm around thighs and pulled her into him, “You still have time to back out.”
She giggled and put her hand in his hair, “Have a good day, cowboy. Don't get too dirty.”
He looked up to her as she met his mouth and kissed him. Pulling her closer, he almost pulled her right into his lap.
Abigail must have felt it because she swooped away, “Have a good day, Alma!”
“Bye, Abi.” Alma smiled with a wave.
Colten got up and followed the blonde to the front door, “Be careful.”
Abigail found her boots and slipped them on, laughing at him.
“Stop being such an old man, Colten.”
He sighed, “We need to talk.”
Abigail's laugh stopped, “Talk?”
He winced at his dumb mouth that had crap timing.
“Talk about what?” She breathed.
“Us.” He stuffed.
Abigail cocked her head with a raised eyebrow, “Okay, I'll see you later on, can we talk then?”
He grabbed her wrist before she turned to the door and went full force with his thoughts, “Are you gonna be my girlfriend? Well, do you want to-”
Abigail turned to him and smiled, “Did you just ask me to go steady with you, Colten Turner?”
He dropped her hand and itched his neck, “I guess so.”
She laughed and stepped up to his chest.
“I'm hoping this is a yes.” He motioned to her close proximity to him.
She giggled, “You're so funny.” Then she cleared her throat and got all serious, “Yes, Mr. Turner. I'll be your girlfriend.”
He sighed at her joking manner, “Abi.”
She smiled and kissed him quickly, “Bye, boyfriend.”
He smiled as she moved to the door.
She opened it and turned him before leaving, purse now on her shoulder, “Don't you go getting in to none trouble now, do ya hear?”
He smirked, “Go to work, Abigail.”
“No.” She pointed at him, “What am I again?”
He tried to hide his amusement but it was getting to him, “My girlfriend.”
She giggled, “Bye, Colt.” She disappeared and shut the door, leaving him to deal with a pounding heart and agitated wolf.
He walked back into the kitchen and found his boots by the backdoor, “I've got to go, Alma.”
“Yes, yes.” She nodded, “So, does she know?”
He stopped as he slipped his second boot on, “Know what?”
Alma looked to him, cocked eyebrow, “That you're Alpha Colten Turner.”
He swallowed, “Uh...”
“She deserves to know, Colten, she's in love with you.”
He was staring at the woman, “I'm not sure she's-”
“I've seen plenty of girls in love. Including myself at one time.” Alma piped.
He was cringing, “Alma.”
“Just tell her as soon as possible, Colten. You need a mate. You deserve one, especially like her. She seems very kind and gentle.”
Colten swallowed, “She is, all of the above.”
Alma smiled at him, “You better nip in the bud then.”
“Don't tell anyone.” He pointed at her.
The woman nodded, “Have a good day.”
He leaned over Ella's high chair and kissed her forehead, “Bye.” He said to them both and left out the backdoor, whistling for Boomer as he did and realizing Abigail Redding was his, at least until he told her he could shift at the blink of an eye into a big wolf. Until that deciding moment, she was his.
Colten cringed, “This should be so much fun,” and Boomer barked in reply.