The world tilted. My stomach churned violently. I staggered back, clutching the edge of the couch for support before doubling over. I vomited into a nearby potted plant, the acidic taste burning my throat.
“Vanessa, please—”
“Don’t touch me!” I screamed, my voice raw and trembling as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “You didn’t contact me because you missed me or wanted to fix things. You brought me here to save your other daughter’s life. Or that you have a grandson. You don’t even care how I’ve been, how your sons are doing, how Dad is coping—no, suffering—because of you. Do you even remember that the mate bond doesn’t break just because you left? You're not even divorced! You didn't have the guts to get the papers! Do you even know what you did to him? Does Tom know his wife is still tied to her soulmate? Both in bond and by state law?”
“Vanessa, lower your voice!” she hissed, her eyes darting nervously toward the kitchen.
“I will not!” I roared, my chest heaving. “You’re a coward. A terrible mother, a pathetic excuse for a wife, and your karma is going to be that girl’s death. Because if that illness doesn’t kill her, something else will.”
The slap came out of nowhere, stinging across my cheek like a lightning strike. For a moment, we both froze, the silence thick with shock and fury.
I didn’t hesitate. I swung back without thinking, the sharp crack of my palm meeting her face echoing through the room. “What? Did you think I wouldn’t hit back?” I snarled, my voice low and venomous.
She stumbled slightly, her hand flying to her reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock. For the first time, she didn’t have anything to say. And neither did I.
I waited my time, catching my breath before I straightened my form. “Don’t ever contact me. I hate you. I hate this entire situation. Call Dad, and break the bond, get divorced. He hasn’t changed his number. Break the fucking bond, suffer from the pain. Then you can really be sure of your love for Tom. I won’t say I wish you well. Honestly, I want to hit you again and I hope you die a miserable death because you do not deserve happiness. Good day.”
I stormed out of the house after that. I spotted Tom who I'm guessing is Kelly, peeking their heads out of the kitchen on my way out. I didn’t say a word to them. As far as I’m concerned, Tom is complacent in helping my mother leave my father.
Getting back into that large truck was easier than I expected. That was probably because I was too angry to think about anything else.
Colton noticed my expression the second I shut the door.
“You look like you’ve been cryin’.”
“Just take me back to your ranch. I’m stuck here for two months. Unless I can find a quicker way out of here.”
I kept myself from crying. I need to call my father and apologize and I need to call my brothers. They were right. I shouldn’t have come here.
The car breaking down was likely a sign I should have found a way to go back. Dusty Creek, I think you’ve convinced me to enjoy my time off.
Once I leave here I am going to Rome. No, Paris. No, I’ll find a place to curl up and cry for the next four months until I can get back to work and enjoy my life.
She broke my heart all over again. Closure... doesn’t fix anything.
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥
Driving her back to the ranch, i noticed how quiet she got all of a sudden. Vanessa, although still a stranger, talks quite a lot. She strikes me as an extrovert, and a woman who can’t seem to lose an argument. I wanted to say something, but I’m just not a chatty guy. I let her stew in her silence, even though my upbringing always taught me to help out a troubled lady.
Well not just a lady. Vanessa looked like she had been crying, i wasn’t a fan of that. Her emotions were in the high and i was a stranger. I doubt she would want to share those thoughts with me.
Once we arrived at the ranch, she was quick to get out. I worried she would sprain her ankle from how quickly she had jumped.
I exited, and went around the back to collect her bags. She was still waiting there, she looked like she was going to be sick. I didn’t like that. I can’t have her feelings this way. I dropped the bags by her feet, and enclosed my arms around her. Tightening the grip until her face was pressed up against my chest.
I didn’t her hear sob, but i felt the sudden dampness in my shirt. I hadn’t asked her who she went to see. I wonder if she was here to see a lover.
It doesn’t seem that way though. Perhaps she was here to see a family member. I had gotten just a glimpse of the woman that had opened the door.
Is that why she came all this way? It has to be family. What else would draw a city loving hybrid to this small quaint town if not for family.
I rubbed my her back slowly, trying to ease the tears. She clung to my shirt, quietly crying. My heart feels like there’s something tugging at it’s strings. Like something is going on in there. This poor girl. Annoying, and stubborn, but she shouldn’t be crying.
I stood there for as long as i needed to be. The sun had fully risen, the sounds around me reminded me that i had things to do. Animals to care for. And people in the pack who might need help around their houses. I have chores for the day, i can’t stay comforting this strange woman.
But i will.
My mother told me to always help. Even if the person turns out to be my enemy. She died saving catia’s life. She didn’t need to run out after her sister’s daughter in the middle of a storm. She could have had one of us do it. Hell, there are so many things that could have been done differently to save her life that day.
However she decided to save an innocent even though it cost her the one thing she can never get back. Her life.
My family will handle the ranch and farm this morning while i care for my guest. She’ll be here for three months, hopefully that’s enough time for me process the many emotions I’ve felt since she arrived. From rage, to desire, to empathy.
“Darlin’ it’s piping hot. Let’s get you inside.” i swept her off her feet in one motion, she hid her face from my view. With her secured in my arms, i manuevered my body so my fingers could grab the handles of her bags. There are just two bags, so everything is fine.
I’ve carried cows.
She’s lighter than that. She also smells better. I carried her and the items into the house. I hadn’t locked the door when we left, and I’m pretty sure no one in my family locked it either.
It’s a safe pack. Locking doors is a rarity.
I took her upstairs to the bedroom that she spent the night in. She collected herself on the way. I wanted to tell her it’s okay for her to cry, but i get the feeling that wouldn’t make her feel better. I gently kicked open the door.
Placing her gently on the bed. She wiped her eyes.
“Sorry about that. You shirt is ruin.”
“I’m fine darlin’. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good. I just need to figure out what to do with myself for the next two months.”
I wanted to explain to her that it would be more than just two months, but i didn’t.
“Sure. There are ways to get into the town to find out what to do. Or you can help around here?”
She squeezed her nose. “What would i do?”
“I’ll find something. Wash your face, you’re an ugly crier.”
She tossed a pillow at me, but i could feel her mood lifting. I dropped her bags, letting the pillow go over my head.
“I’ll be in the living room. I have to start my day. Would you like to follow me?”
She pondered over it for a few minutes. “Sure. I guess i can ruin my day even more.”
I almost said something rude to her. I was able to bite my tongue.
“Be down in ten minutes.”
I left her to do what she needed to do. Stopping by my bedroom to grab my wallet, and to change my shirt to something sleeveless. Then i jogged down to the living room to wait for vanessa. Goddess, this strange woman will be here for three whole months.
I might end up committing my first murder.
I was there for fifteen minutes, getting agitated. I contemplated just leaving her when i heard the sounds of her footsteps coming down the stairs. I practically swallowed my tongue at the sight of her. She’d changed her boots to something less high, and traded her clothes of yesterday for blue shorts that hugged her hips and ass. A plaid shirt that she tied at the center, i could see her black lacy bra through the gap in the shirt.
Her hair was packed up into a pony tail.
“Sorry, i had to call my family. To let them know I’m okay.” her words brought me back to reality. What the fuck was i doing again?
“Right.” i cleared my throat as quietly as i could. “Let’s go. The first task today is to check on the crops on the other side of the land. Then the horses. And a few cows. Then i have a meeting. I believe catia will handle the chicken coup. And my brothers can handle pack business. I’ll text them to find out what they’ve done.”
Vanessa groaned, clearly unhappy with everything I’ve said. It’s funny, if she had a better attitude I’d be thinking of ways to ask her out by now.
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★My shoes and i are not made for the farm life. I don’t need to explore farms to know that to be the truth. The farm is huge, and a definite sign of generational wealth. According to colton, no one in the pack paid or built their house. His family did all that. They supply light, and water as well. All the pack members have to do is a pay a monthly sum, and help around the farm. Imagine getting a four bedroom duplex for three thousand dollars a month- which includes light, electricity, and water. That’s an insane deal if you ask me. How are the hayes family not broke with this sort of hospitality?The biggest houses on the land belonged to his family. His house has a total of seven bedrooms, from what i gathered, and I’m guessing so do the others. This excludes the two living rooms, two extra guest bathrooms, the basement, attic, library and office. This man is rich rich. My family aren’t poor, the only reason we have a house in manhanttan is because m
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥 I knelt beside my father, the midday sun streaming through the cracks in the barn walls, casting sharp beams of light onto the straw-strewn floor. The warmth of the day made the air heavy, mixing the scents of hay, manure, and the sharp tang of Mila’s labor into something almost suffocating.Mila lay on her side, her flanks trembling as she fought through another contraction. Her sides heaved with the effort, and she let out a low, guttural moo, her eyes wide and rimmed with pain. My father crouched beside her, his hands steady and sure as he murmured soft reassurances.“Easy now, girl,” he said, his voice low and soothing. “We’re almost there. Just a little more.”The sweat on my brow had nothing to do with the heat of the day. I wiped it away with my sleeve, glancing at my father for guidance. Despite his calm exterior, the furrow in his brow told me he was concerned.“She’s struggling,” I said quietly, watching as Mila tensed again, another contraction rippl
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★Rachel was complaining about Ezra, and how he’s taking Benny on a week trip out of the city. Without her. She’s upset because she can’t do anything, if she goes to court Ezra will win. He knows the best lawyers, and it also doesn’t help that one of the best divorce lawyers is Lincoln. Our older brother. I listened as much as I could while the heat was trying to melt me. God, I’m gonna need another shower. Why the fuck is it so hot here? And Colton’s house has no air conditioning. It has fans. But what good will those do for me?“- I’m so frustrated. Can’t he just talk to me? What is wrong with him?”I sighed. “Rachel, I am stranded in this town for the next few months. I cannot be the buffer between you and Ezra. Talk to my father, he might be able to help. Or here’s an idea, Rachel give him some space. Ezra is feeling hurt and vengeful right now. The only reason he’s trying to think rationally is because you two have Benny. Let him take Benny for the br
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥As expected sending my brother and sister to get Vanessa didn’t go as well as it should. The whole day i did my work, i was thrown by a wild horse into a mud pit for the pigs. This is what happens when your family invests in every thing. We have a chicken coup, pigs pen, horse barn, cows, bulls, dogs, people. Like fuck. And the crops. The crops as well. Which leads to insects, and a million more problems. Let me tell you right now i am exhausted, but i love it. This is a day’s work. A slow day at that. I returned home soaked in mud, and smelling rank when my brother ross road up in a horse. The sun had set long ago, and i was fucking tired, and hungry. I’d skipped lunch for good reasons. The reasons all being that i had too much to do i couldn’t take a moment to eat. What the hell was ross doing here anyways?His house isn’t close to mine.“You won’t believe the ass on your guest.”I would have dropped my jaw if i wasn’t trying to avoid getting mud into my mou
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★No mainstream channels, and he turned me down? The nerve. To even say I’m the girl guys fuck before they find their missus right. I am so fucking pissed off. I could seduce him. I could totally fucking do it, I haven’t even tried. He doesn’t know. I would have made his night. Instead, I’m here watching the local news while he eats his dinner. I sighed, I shouldn’t even be upset. He’s nothing special, but his comment irks me. Why the fuck did he say that? That’s not a compliment at all, it’s a fucking insult to me. Like I’m Missus wrong?I glanced around the room. He’s not wrong, actually, if you consider my boundaries and the sort of shit I’m into, I’m not for the faint of heart. I picked up my phone and went through my company group chat. The people on my floor were discussing the latest cases. God these are so intense. Trafficking, the mayor’s daughter was taken last night. Holy damn, that’s fucked up. They have to find her before she’s moved out of
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★I wasn’t sure how long I was there in the bathroom stall, trying to calm myself down as my brain was going haywire. My heart was beating so fast, and I was crying. Eventually, I was able to reel it in and step out of the stall. I turned on the tap and splashed some water on my face. I looked at myself in the mirror. Taking in my clothes, my body language, and the sadness I could see in my eyes. I need to put on a good poker face. The stall next to the one I’d been in popped open, and a girl walked out. Tall, beautiful dark skin, black curly hair, brown eyes, busty, and dressed in a floral dress. She reminded me of me if only I were taller. “You okay, honey?”Had she heard me crying? She must have. She came towards the sink to wash her hands and I shook my head.“No, I’m having a crappy day.”She offered me a sympathetic smile. “Anything I can do?”“I don’t suppose you know where I can get wasted?”She grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Honey I
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★Riding the bicycle back to the farm late at night, with my eyes fuzzy was not a good idea. I had to paddle slowly. I’ve walked down the busy manhanttan streets while drunk off my ass before. I made it hope in under two hours from the club, and i only got hit on four times, and pepper sprayed two guys. I do not recommend going home by foot or alone when drunk, and i do not recommend riding a bicycle down a hiker trail in the middle of the night. It is unsafe. I have to keep my speed slow to avoid death.I came across Colton, he was tugging the body of a sheep. How much cattle do they own?Colton spotted me in the dark, his eyes glowing like bright lights. “What the.... are you out of your mind?” He tossed the sheep onto a pile of dead sheeps. From the gasoline, and the matches on the ground i think he’s planning to burn them. He’s dug a hole so they don’t to the trees, and dry twigs and set the entire forest ablaze.“Oh my god, cowboy!” I turned, lifting m
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★I looked at colton over and over again. His strong arms, muscular back, firm ass in his boxers, the taste of mint in my mouth, his handsome features, his shirt on my body. What in god’s name? Why am i in... this is the room he gave me so it’s not an accident that he ended up sleeping here. I can see his trousers on the floor next to the bed. And his shoes. My skirt, shirt, underwear.... what the hell happened? Not that i would complain, but I’d like to remember him if i fucked him. He’s a good catch- for a sex partner. All his nonsense about finding true love gives me an ick. It’s always the handsome ones that have the dumbest ideals. He stirred gently. The sun wasn’t up yet. From the clock, i could tell it was 4 AM. Colton opened his eyes one at a time, taking in my form. He rolled onto his back and sat up. Taking his time to look over the room.“Fuck, i was so tired yesterday i fell asleep in the wrong room.” he grumbles out and i sit there frozen b
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★Colton’s arm around me was warm, his body heavy with exhaustion as he breathed evenly against my shoulder. I had spent last night, and this morning taking care of him, making sure he ate, took his medicine, and actually rested for once in his life. He was always the one looking after everyone else, but I could tell this time had hit him hard.He was sick, drained, and barely hanging on before I forced him to let go and rest.I was just beginning to feel like things had settled, like I could relax for a moment, when my phone rang.I tensed, glancing toward the coffee table where my phone buzzed. I carefully reached over, making sure not to wake Colton as I picked it up.The name on the screen made my stomach drop.Dr. Reeves.Something about the sight of it, about the late hour and the still-pouring rain outside, sent a shiver down my spine.I swallowed hard before carefully untangling myself from Colton’s hold, slipping out from beneath his arm. His brows
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥 The rain hadn’t let up.I lay still, listening to the rhythmic drumming against the roof, the occasional gust of wind rattling the windows. It was that steady kind of downpour that blanketed everything in a quiet hum, making the world feel smaller, cozier.I turned my head slightly, eyes landing on the clock glowing on the nightstand. 5:58 AM.Normally, I’d already be out of bed, pulling on my boots, shrugging into a jacket, plopping my hat on, and heading outside before the sun had even fully risen. There was always something that needed doing on the ranch—animals to feed, fences to check, tasks that didn’t care if I was sick or exhausted.But today was different.Because for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t the first one up.And I wasn’t alone.Or at least, I hadn’t been.The bed beside me was empty, the sheets cool where Vanessa had been curled up against me just hours ago. A small crease in the pillow was the only evidence that she’d been there at al
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥 There's pain, lightness, there are things I can't describe about myself in this moment. Because I was sinking. Not into sleep—sleep was something I welcomed. This was different. A deep, aching exhaustion that ran through my bones, making my limbs feel heavy and useless. My skin burned with fever, my head a foggy mess, and yet, my thoughts wouldn’t stop running.How the hell did I get to this point?I’d worked hard before. Harder than this, even. I’d gone days without proper rest, waking before the sun and collapsing into bed long after it had set. It wasn’t new. It wasn’t anything I hadn’t done before.So why did it feel like my body was giving up on me now?I let out a slow, shuddering breath, my throat dry and tight. My muscles still ached from the day’s work, and I could feel the heat radiating off my own skin. My head pounded, my stomach twisted, but it was the exhaustion that weighed me down the most.I knew when it started.The moment I saw the storm ro
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★Balancing the tray carefully, making sure I didn't spill anything.. The broth smelled rich, the steam curling into the air, and I was grateful that my dad had walked me through making something decent.When I reached the knob to Colton's room, I nudged the door open with my hip, stepping inside. The storm outside made the room dim, the only light coming from the bedside lamp I had turned on earlier. The rain drummed softly against the window, the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance.Colton was still out cold. Well, not exactly. He seems like he's unconscious, but I can tell a part of him is still fighting off that sleep. What a dumbass. I say that sweetly though. I think a guy like him needs a stubborn girl to tell him what to do. He was lying on his back, his breathing deep and steady, his face slack with exhaustion. His damp hair clung slightly to his forehead, and even in sleep, I could see the tension in his shoulders—like his body had forg
★。\|/。★ VANESSA DAVIS ★。/|\。★As I left Colton's room and thought about the last place I'd seen a first aid kit. Ah! Downstairs. Ah! The guest bathroom. My bare feet against the tiles were cold, and my clothes were slightly wet from having to help Colton in the shower. My nipples were hard, and poking against the simple fabric. The guest bathroom was colder than the rest of the house, the tiles cool beneath my bare feet as I tip toed in front of the cabinet. I opened the doors, my fingers skimming over bottles and boxes, scanning labels as quickly as I could. Headache relief. Sore throat lozenges. Fever reducer. I grabbed the last one, turning it over in my hands. Expiration date looked fine. Hopefully, it was still good enough to help. Still, I hesitated. I wasn’t a doctor—I didn’t want to give Colton the wrong thing, especially when he was already running hot. My dad would know. Pulling out my phone, I tapped on his contact and hit dial. It didn’t even ring twice before h
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★Colton was dangerously close to falling asleep in the tub.His head rested against the edge, his shoulders slack, body sinking further into the water with every slow breath. His chest rose and fell in a deep, steady rhythm, the warm steam curling around us.I wasn’t sure how long we had been in here, but I knew if I let him doze off, he’d wake up stiff and sore—or worse, slip under the water entirely.I dipped the cloth into the water and wrung it out, letting the droplets trickle down my wrist before pressing it against his shoulder. The heat of his skin against the warm fabric sent a shiver through me, but I ignored it, focusing on cleaning him.“Hey,” I said softly, dragging the cloth down the length of his arm. “You need to stay awake.”Colton made a low, unintelligible noise, barely lifting his head.I rolled my eyes. “You’re not making a great case for yourself, cowboy.”Another lazy hum.I sighed and pressed the cloth against his chest, wiping away
★。\|/。★ VANESSA DAVIS ★。/|\。★ The storm had caught me off guard, soaking me in the few seconds I’d been outside. I didn't even realize it rained here. Which is kind of stupid on my part because it should have been very obvious that weather conditions can change over time. I'd just gotten used to the heat- okay I wasn't used to the heat. But I'd gotten a good sense that it was always gonna be hot. Today proved me wrong. Now, back in my bedroom, safe and warm, I shivered slightly as I peeled off my wet clothes, grabbing the first dry thing I could find—a large shirt that fell mid-thigh and a comfortable pair of underwear. I made sure my phone and bag were safe. I grabbed my cell and picked up a towel. I ran the towel through my damp hair before padding barefoot into the living room. Outside, the rain poured relentlessly, drumming against the windows, the wind howling like something out of a horror movie. I sighed, rubbing my arms to chase away the chill. Darcy would have to
★。\|/。★VANESSA DAVIS★。/|\。★I sat on my bed, my laptop in place as I read through the post I'd written just moments ago. /Metropolitan MuseHey, Muse Squad!I’ve seen falling stars before—small streaks of light cutting across the sky, gone before you can even make a wish. But last night? Last night was different.Dusty Creek continues to surprise me. I expected quiet nights, crickets singing in the distance, maybe the occasional hoot of an owl. I didn’t expect to witness an entire sky full of falling stars, each one burning bright before vanishing into the darkness.At first, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I stood outside, watching as the sky came alive, and for a moment, I felt like I was somewhere else—like I was part of something bigger. Have you ever seen something so breathtaking that it makes you pause? Like the world is trying to remind you that magic still exists?That was last night.Falling stars, a sky painted in silver and fire, and a strange feeling in my
▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥 The horses were settled now. Some were grazing lazily, others lying down in the shade, tails flicking at flies. A few still looked a little off, but it was nothing like before. Since I’d switched out their water, they were slowly getting better—no more sluggish movements, no more dull, glassy eyes. That was a win in my book. I gave one of the mares a gentle pat on the neck, watching as she nuzzled the grass with her nose before taking a lazy bite. The sight made me smile. Moments like this were why I loved this place—quiet, steady, no unnecessary bullshit. Which is why the sound of arguing made my jaw tighten instantly. I turned, recognizing the voice immediately. Samson. For a second, I considered ignoring it. I was already tired of his bullshit for the day. But then I heard the other voice—lower, nervous, unfamiliar. Curtis. I hadn’t spoken much to the guy, but I knew him well enough. Young, hardworking, and my father's favorite for a reason. He’d been