Page 26 of Stalwart Ridge Security: Murray
Weird how my life keeps shifting these past few months.Going from training horses, managing the ranch, and keeping my focus on that for decades, and having it all change when Jaxie asked me to join her up this mountain.The turmoil that followed led me to where I am right now.
I might be frustrated and complain, but deep down I’m thankful we’re still alive.What if Murray opened that door six weeks ago?What if I did?Ballard fought Nolan and luckily survived.It was touch and go here and there due to the massive blood loss, but he pulled through.
It was hard to see him in that hospital bed.He had countless stitches and thinking about it still makes me a little lightheaded.Damn.Ballard came close to losing his life that day.He did lose something, though.His voice.One of the cuts he sustained was deep enough to hit the vocal cords.Again, he’s so damn lucky to be alive.
“Do we have a name yet?”Murray asks.
The shift in conversation allows me to shake my thoughts and actually look at the window instead of staring off into nothing.The smile tugging my face is instant when I see Ruby’s foal dart through the small pasture.
“Not yet,” I admit.
I didn’t even know Murray called Lisa weeks ago to have her bring Ruby to our cabin.Taking care of a horse again has definitely been a welcome distraction.Throw in the fact that Ruby recently gave birth to an amazing foal, it’s safe to say I have my hands full.Both Ruby and her foal have a buckskin coat.
The foal darts around Ruby and starts to buck.
“She’s going to be a handful.”Murray chuckles.
I snort.“Going to be?She already is.”
Murray reaches out and playfully tugs at my hair.“Just like you, little rebel.”
“Rebel,” I echo.“It’s a good name for her.”
His arm tightens slightly around my waist and I feel his hot breath beside my ear when he says, “Already claiming my horse, eh?Giving her the nickname I picked for you.”
I turn and sneak my arms around his neck.“We might not be swinging by the courthouse any time soon like Jaxie and Seamus, but this also isn’t a fling with a time limit either.”
“Agreed.We’re in no hurry, and no damn pressure.”He brushes his lips against mine when he murmurs, “I do have plans to call you my wifey soon enough, though.”
I give him a lingering kiss before I tell him, “Then I have plans to one day wear a white dress and heels.”
His hands move to my ass and he grinds his hard length against me.“Did I say we’re in no hurry?Shit.Now I can’t wait, ’cause I know you’re going to look so fucking stunning when I take you in those heels.”
The smile hurts my cheeks, but it quickly evaporates when I think of how Jaxie missed all of those things.At least she’s happy, that’s what counts.
Which makes me state, “We’ll be needing a huge party once we’re able to put all of this behind us.”
The corner of his mouth twitches.“It all might be over in a week or so.Who knows, we might have an engagement party by then.”
I should be completely excited by his proposal, because having an engagement party involves him asking me to marry him and me saying yes.
Though, my mind gets snagged by the first sentence which is why I start to rattle, “Over in a week or so?Do you know something I don’t?And you’d better properly ask me to marry you if we’re having an engagement party.”
“I know a lot of things you don’t,” he huskily tells me.
Huffing out a frustrating breath, I step away and cross my arms in front of my chest.His gaze instantly drops to my breasts and I realize he’s enjoying the way my arms push them up.A little growl tumbles from my lips and he lifts his gaze to mine.
Clearing his throat, he says, “I will properly ask you when the time is right.Though, I wasn’t talking aboutourengagement party.”
I frown and wonder who he’s talking about since Jaxie and Seamus are already married, and it’s not like we have any more mutual friends.
His voice carries a hint of laughter when he says, “Helena and Ballard’s engagement party.Well, if they manage not to strangle one another first.”
“What?”I can feel my eyes widen in disbelief.“Why would those two be together?That doesn’t make any sense.”
Murray nods.“It does when they are doing undercover shit to expose Royce.According to Seamus, Helena suggested to work with Ballard and fake a relationship.See, Ballard has always been Royce’s favorite after Nolan to give the best assignments to.Helena’s family connection could be used as well, and together they have backup to get closer to those fuckers.Shame we can’t catch them in action, though.Seamus said they’re hilarious together, biting each other’s head off except when Royce is around...then they’re suddenly a mushy couple.Add the fact Ballard doesn’t speak and only gives Helena obnoxious gestures...yeah, it totally sucks that we can’t see it for ourselves.”
“Holy shit,” I murmur.
