Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 13

"I really want to do that, sweetheart. You have no idea how much right now." He whispers and pulls away from me. I watch him look around and hesitate. Something is worrying him. I hold onto Ryan's arms and frown looking at him. I just wait him out, I know he'll tell me when he's ready. Ryan tightens onto me in his arms pulling me into his chest. His lips softly meet my forehead before he speaks. "I have to go out to the far end of the field we have a fence down. I need to help repair it. It's gonna take a while."

"Okay. I'm fine. I've got dinner to put together for the boys and I need to work on my catering menu still. I've got lots I can do." I know he still has to work the ranch even though we've hired on two new guys. Work is never ending on a ranch and sometimes everyone is needed to pitch in. I understand that.

"I don't like the idea of leaving you alone." Ryan says rubbing his hands over my arms and stepping back from me. The cold air surrounds me and it feels like fingers of ice crawling up my spine. The sudden retraction makes its point. Something is off. "I'm gonna be most of the morning. I can call Natalie to come over."

"She's busy with the festival, Ryan. We haven't heard anything else from Steven or my father since he left." I remind him, but I'm all too aware of the quiet before the storm. I know exactly what Ryan is thinking about. He hasn't left my side since Steven was here. I know that's still in the back of his mind and his threat. It's in mine too, but we can't stop living. It's what he wants. Steven wants me scared to leave, to function. Just like I was in New York. I don't want to be that way again. I've been better here, better with Ryan and without the medication I was on. We've found a way for me to relax without it. All I need is him. Maybe Ryan is all I've ever needed, but I'm good now. I'm not going to go back to where I was. That place in my mind was cold and lonely. I won't do that again.

"I just want you safe, baby." Ryan wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead. "I'll have my phone on me. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will. Promise me you'll do the same?" I tell him. He nods as I slowly rise up to my toes and kiss him again this time deeper longer as I sink into him. His finger lace up into my hair as he arches me backwards. With a deep throaty groan he growls into my neck as he nibbles down to my collarbone.

"I'm picking this up from here when I get back." He whispers. "Call me for anything, sweetheart. I mean it. I'll check in." With that he kisses me once more, pats me on my butt and heads out.

I smile and watch him through the window as he walks out to the stables. I've loved this ranch my entire life. This has always been home for me. To be able to do what I love and turn this into my life is a dream come true. To find Ryan and make a life with him here just makes this place that much more special. I know he cares about me a lot. He tells me all the time. I'm just scared to tell him back. I've been showing him and that seems to make him happy, but I know I need to say the words too. He needs to hear it. I just don't know what those words are.

I turn back to the kitchen and go to the sink and start my clean up. I'm thinking of what I got to do and what I want to say to Ryan, so my mind is occupied and I'm not paying attention when the door opens and closes behind me. I'm in my own world focused on scrubbing the dishes and thinking of what I might want to say. I don't notice as the female walks in and checks out the four pies that are cooling down on the table behind me. It's only when I turn to put my pan away, when I finally see her standing there. Hip cocked, her head tilted to one side and a knowing smirk gracing her face. She's been there for I don't know how long watching me and I scream with fright.

"Oh shit!!" I drop the pan with a loud crash making both of us jump and I grab at my chest. Breathing heavily I try to calm myself down. Christ, she scared the crap out of me. "What the hell are you doing here?"