Goodbye Girl (Hidden Lane Ranch) Read online

  I grinned from ear to ear when the ATV finally got to me and I saw it was Rachel on the back. She stopped with a jerk, laughing. “Help me!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never driven one of these things before and I have no idea how to turn it off. I’m surprised I made it out here.”

  I laughed and reached across her to turn off the key. I took deep breath, breathing in the scent of her hair and laundry detergent. I wanted to take her hair out of her ponytail and bury my face in it.

  As happy I was to see her, I was surprised they’d let her out here all alone, especially if she had never driven a four wheeler before. I’d hate for something to happen to her, especially on my watch.

  “Thank you,” she mumbled and I took her hand, helping her off the seat. She pointed to the basket on the back. “Eliza was going to bring you some food since you missed dinner, but I offered.” She smiled shyly at me before turning around and taking out a plate covered with aluminum foil. She handed it to me and reached back in to grab silverware and a soda.

  “Thanks, babe,” I said, removing the foil from the plate. It was Ma’s pot roast and as usual, it smelled amazing. I found a patch of grass to sit down on and motioned her to sit next to me. She sat down next to me and I noticed her cowboy boots right away. “Successful shopping with Eliza I see,” I said, nodding to her boots.

  She smiled self-consciously and reached down to touch them. “Yeah. What do you think?” She straightened her legs out in front of her, showing off the dark brown cowboy boots.

  “I love them,” I replied. “I think you look great in them. Maybe later you can model them for me with nothing else on,” I winked at her and I could see her cheeks redden under the floodlight I was using so I could see.

  “Maybe,” she shrugged. She looked around and turned back to me. “So what are you doing out here so late.”

  I set my plate down. “We’ve had some issues with the fences back here. The animals can mostly wander free, but way back here is the end of the property line plus it gets steep back here. I don’t want to lose any animals. There’s a storm brewing that will be here in a day or two and I want to make sure nothing falls apart. We get some pretty high winds out here.”

  She nodded. “Do you leave the animals outside?”

  “Usually, but I think with this one I’m going to try to round them up tomorrow so they’re closer to the barn. We have corrals all over the ranch we can herd them into. That will be on the agenda for tomorrow. Would you like to join us?”

  She hugged her knees to her chest. “I think I would. That sounds amazing to watch.”

  “It is,” I said, picking up my plate to eat again. Growing up on the ranch, I’d taken all of these things for granted. With Rachel here seeing these things for the first time, it made me appreciate it all.

  We sat together in silence while I finished my food. When I was done I stood up and helped her up. “Thanks for dinner, babe. I’m going to finish up out here and I’ll be inside in a bit. Think you can make it back ok?”

  She packed up my dishes and nodded. “I think so. Just go straight that way?” She pointed out in front of her.

  “Yep, the lights of the main house should start appearing in the distance.”

  She started to get on the ATV when I stopped her. I pulled her into me, my hand cupping her face and the other around her waist possessively. I leaned down to kiss her. It started as a slow gentle kiss but it wasn’t long before we were both breathless and panting. I was tempted to go back with her but this had to get done. I pressed my forehead against hers. “When I get in, I’ll knock on your door if it’s not too late.”

  She nodded and caught her bottom lip between her teeth. I helped her climb onto the four wheeler and started it for her. “Thanks again for dinner.”

  She smiled and drove off. I watched her until I couldn’t see her anymore, adjusting my erection in my jeans. I turned back to what I was doing, thoughts of her naked underneath me filling my mind. I better get my ass in gear and finish so I could go back to her.

  Chapter 13 – Rachel

  I woke up to the sound of thunder crashing outside of my window. I sat up in bed and looked at the clock. It was three AM. My heart sank with disappointment when I realized Clint hadn’t come to me when he came in. Maybe it had been too late and he was tired. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to work like he did; it must be exhausting.

  I jumped as another clap of thunder rang out. It sounded like it was right outside of my bedroom window. I got up out of bed and walked over to the window, slowly pushed open the curtains. When the lightning flashed, I could see the trees bent way over by the howling wind. Guess that storm came sooner than expected.

  I could make out the sounds of people talking so I threw a t-shirt over my tank top and headed out to the kitchen. Mary and Eliza were both sitting there and the looks on their faces instantly made my stomach drop.

  “Storm wake you up, my dear?” Mary asked with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

  I nodded and walked over to the coffee pot, grabbing a mug and pouring myself a cup. “Yes, I’m not used to storms like this.” I joined them at the table. Eliza looked so different with her make up off and her hair up in a messy bun. She was chewing on her bottom lip and she twitched with each boom of thunder.

  I looked around, not seeing Wyatt or Clint anywhere. How could they sleep through this? “Are the boys still sleeping?” I finally asked. “They must be hard sleepers.”

  Eliza shook her head and Mary sighed. “No, they are out in Clint’s truck, checking on a few things. This storm snuck up on us and they wanted to make sure the animals are accounted for since they didn’t get to herd them in like they had wanted to.”

  The room lit up with flashes of lightning so fast it was like a strobe light was in the room. “They’re out in this?” I asked, my voice filled with shock. No wonder Eliza looked so nervous.

  Mary reached over and patted my hand. “They’ll be fine. We’ve had a million storms like this here. They know what they’re doing and they’ll be careful.”

  At that moment the whole house shook with the loudest rumble I’d ever heard. Eliza and I both screamed as the house got black. “Girls, calm down!” Mary said, turning on the flashlight I was thankful she had with her. Obviously she had been through this before and was prepared.

  She turned on the radio, listening for news about the weather. I didn’t really listen though, my thoughts on Wyatt and Clint out in this horrible storm. I tightened my hands into fists and had to fight the urge to get up and pace around the kitchen. I wasn’t going to be happy until they were both back safe and sound.

  “Let’s move to the family room,” Mary said, getting up with her flashlight and radio. We followed close behind as she let us to the family room off of the kitchen. The three of us sat on the couch next to each other, with me in the middle.

  Eliza grabbed my hand as we watched the lightning out the window. “I hate storms,” she whispered. She grew up here and if she was this freaked out about a storm, it had to be bad. I squeezed her hand, thinking about Clint. If I had any doubt before that I had feelings for him, they were erased now. I wanted nothing more than to see him walk in that door. I let my head fall back on the back of the couch. Please let him be ok.

  We heard some banging by the outside door leading into the kitchen and sat up. Was it them or just the wind? The door flew open and in walked Wyatt and Clint, both soaked to the bone. Eliza jumped off of the couch and ran to them, hugging first Wyatt and then Clint. Mary and I followed behind her and I stood there awkwardly as I watched her hug her sons. I almost felt like I was intruding on the family moment.

  “Man is it bad out there!” Wyatt exclaimed, kicking off his boots.

  Clint shook off his hat and nodded. “Yeah, it’s nasty, but everything seems ok. Hopefully it will stay that way.”

  “Well you boys go get into some dry clothes and come back here. I need one of you to hook up the generator so I can cook you some food and get
you some hot coffee in you,” Mary said, shooing them off to their rooms. “Bring your clothes back with you so I can get them washed!” She called after them.

  She started banging around her in kitchen, finding some candles and getting them lit so we had more light. I looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was already five AM. I didn’t realize we’d sat so long waiting for them.

  Eliza was lighting candles around the family room and it was amazing how her mood had changed now that her brothers were back. She no longer jumped at every little sound and seemed back to her carefree self. Something must have happened once during a storm to spook her like that.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked, watching the two women.

  Mary came over and handed me a flashlight. “In the hallway, there’s a closet. It’s the middle door on the right. I think I have more candles in there. Could you get them please?”

  I nodded and headed down the hallway. Wyatt passed me on the way, dressed in dry jeans and a t-shirt. His wet hair was combed back and it was easy to see why he was so popular with the ladies when he smiled at me. “First big storm, Rachel?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Yeah, we don’t get storms like this back in New York, at least not in the city.”

  “I bet.” He looked down at the wet clothes he was holding. “Well, I better get these to Ma, although I don’t know what she’s going to do with them when we don’t have any power.” He laughed and continued down the hall.

  I found the closet Mary had been talking about and opened the door, looking for the candles she asked for. I grabbed them and put them in my arms, dropping a few in surprise when I heard a soft knock on the door. “Excuse me,” Clint said from the other side of the door; the hallway was blocked when I’d opened the door.

  I closed the door and my breath was knocked out of me when I saw him standing there; he was wearing a fresh pair of jeans, a tight white t-shirt and no socks. His hair was wet and combed back. “Hey,” he greeted me with a soft smile before bending down to pick up the candles I’d dropped.

  “Hey,” I managed to stammer, watching him as he stood up and handed me the candles.

  “A little edgy?” he asked, closing the closet door for me.

  “I little,” I confessed. “I’m not used to storms like this.” I winced as another loud crash of thunder shook the house. “And I was worried about you guys out there in this mess.”

  “Worried about us?” he asked with a laugh. “This is nothing. Wait until winter. Now those are storms. Sometimes we get so much so we can’t leave here for days.”

  “Really?” Even though the thought of being stranded didn’t sound so great, the fact that he was thinking about me still being around in the winter gave me a little thrill.

  “Yep, just you wait.” He grinned and my stomach did a flip flop.

  “Clint! Get your ass in here!” Wyatt called from the other room.

  “We better get back in there. Wyatt probably can’t figure out the generator,” he said with a roll of his eyes.

  We walked back to the kitchen in silence, my mind wandering to all the things Clint and I could do if we were stuck in this house for a few days. My body suddenly felt warm and my clothes too tight. I hadn’t been this attracted to another man probably ever. My thoughts were constantly filled with the naughty things I wanted him to do to me.

  We arrived back in the kitchen and I set the candles on the table by Mary. “Thanks, dear,” she smiled at me.

  “Come help me with the generator,” Wyatt called out from the utility room.

  Clint looked at me pointedly. “Told you so,” he said before walking out to join him.

  I giggled and watched him walk out. Mary came over to me and put her hand on mine. “You’re relieved he’s ok, aren’t you?”

  I was speechless, not sure how to respond. Guess I wasn’t very good at hiding my emotions. “I’m glad they both are,” I stammered, trying to cover my emotions. “I can’t imagine what it’s like out there.”

  “Right,” she grinned at me. “It’s ok, Rachel. I’ve seen the way you look at him and the way he looks at you.”

  I laughed nervously and shrugged. “I better not play poker, huh? I’m not good at bluffing.”

  “It makes me smile the way you two look at each other. It reminds me of the way their father and I were when we met,” she said wistfully. “My friends all laughed when I said I was going to marry him, but I did.”

  I panicked at the word ‘marriage’. No one had even hinted at that. Yeah I liked him, but I was a long way from thinking about getting married to him or anyone really, not after what I’d just been through.

  “Don’t worry, dear,” she patted my arm. “No one’s expecting you to get married, at least not yet.” She laughed and walked away, leaving my mouth hanging slightly open. I was going to learn not to be so obvious about my emotions.

  Clint came walking back into the kitchen carrying a bunch of cords. “Ok Ma, what do you want plugged in?”

  I watched as she gave directions to her sons on what she needed them to get turned back on. It wasn’t long before the kitchen was humming again. She was making us a big breakfast, but before she started she brewed a big pot of coffee. I’d asked her if she needed any help but she shooed me away.

  We all sat at the table as the storm blew all around us. We were laughing and teasing each other and for the first time maybe ever, I felt like I was part of a real family. Clint sat next to me, so close his thigh was lightly touching mine. It was hard not to be distracted by him and when we were done eating I jumped up to help Mary with the dishes.

  “Here’s some more plates,” Clint said as he set them on the counter next to me by the sink. He stepped closer to me and leaned down, his lips almost touching my ear. “Wyatt and I have to go back out but when I get back, I want to be alone with you. Tell them you’re tired and need a nap and I’ll join you as soon as I can.”

  I licked my lips and nodded as my eyes darted around nervously at everyone else, hoping they didn’t hear. Sure, they knew about us, but they didn’t need to hear it too.

  “Good girl,” he said with a wink and walked away. I gripped the edge of the counter for support as my legs turned to jelly. Oh my God, when he said that to me it was the hottest thing ever.

  The storm had lightened a bit and the news on the radio had said there would be little break, so Wyatt and Clint hopped in the truck to do a quick check. We finished cleaning up from breakfast and when we were done, I yawned. It wouldn’t be too far from the truth to tell them I needed a nap.

  “Tired?” Mary asked, noticing my yawn.

  I nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to go take a nap before the storm picks up again and I can’t sleep.”

  “Sounds like a good idea. I may do that myself here on the couch.” She grabbed her coffee and began to walk to the family room.

  Eliza stretched and yawned too. “I’m going to try too. Yell if you need me.” She padded off to her bedroom.

  “Have a good nap, dear,” Mary called from the couch.

  “You too,” I said from the end of the hallway as I walked down to my room. Once inside, I walked over to the window. It had stopped raining and the sky didn’t seem so dark, but the wind still looked terrible.

  I turned around and looked at my bed. It definitely looked inviting. I slipped my shorts and t-shirt off so I was just wearing my thong and tank top. I snuggled under the thick quilt, my body tingling at what Clint was going to do to it when he got inside.

  My hand trailed between my thighs and I lightly fingered my clit with my index finger. I closed my eyes and thought about the way Clint’s tongue felt on me last night. It wasn’t long before my wetness had seeped through the thin fabric of my thong. My other hand moved up to cup my breast, squeezing it and teasing my nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

  “Rachel, starting without me?”

  My eyes flew open and there stood Clint at the end of my bed. I’d been so lost in my memories I did
n’t even notice him sneak in. I opened my mouth to speak but he held up a hand. “Don’t stop. Come for me, babe.”

  Of course I’d masturbated hundreds of times, but I hadn’t ever done it with an audience. This was definitely something new, but when I saw the pained look of desire on his face, I was all for it. I intended to give him one hell of a show.

  Chapter 14 – Clint

  It hadn’t taken us long to check around the ranch and make sure everything was fine. The wind had still been howling around us but there was no rain and I was anxious to get back to Rachel.

  And I was glad I’d gotten back when I did; Ma had told me that Rachel had gone to her room to take a nap. When she didn’t answer as I knocked softly, I decided to sneak in.

  What I found when I walked in made me instantly hard. Her eyes were closed and she was writhing under her covers. She kicked them free and I gasped when I noticed her hand between her legs fingering herself while her other hand was playing with her tight nipple.