Chapter 4

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GIDEON

I hate this place. It's so empty here,Gideon thought and looked at his brother-in-law warily. "Are you sure about this, Austin? Giselle said that ‘I would fit right in and find my forever'?"

"Maaaaan… I'm a dude, and I do not deal in ‘forevers' unless it's your sister," Austin grinned, looking over his shoulder at him as the plane taxied to a stop. "You know those are her words and not mine – and Giselle seemed pretty sure that you needed this escape in more ways than one."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You sure are grumpy," Austin laughed. "She said, in no uncertain terms – and I quote, ‘If Gideon can get the stick outta his butt, relax, be open to new things, and give people a chance – he's going to love this place, and his forever is waiting to begin'… now, does that sound like your sister or what?"

"Yup. Fairy tales, fables, and her head up in the clouds."

"It's where I found her," Austin smiled easily and nodded. "Give something new a chance, brother. I know things are tough right now, but it's almost like when you can't handle anymore – the Big Man Upstairs steps in to say ‘Here, let me help you'… and I fully believe that."

"That happened to you?" Gideon asked and then would have liked to kick himself, except his entire leg was in a cast. "Or are you preaching at me?"

"It happened to me – and I can't imagine going back to how it was before. You'll be fine, Gideon and ya' gotta get outta the plane." His sister's husband grinned at him again before winking playfully and cutting the engines. "Let me help you."

"I can get it."

"Sure, you can…"

"You're annoying."

"And family," Austin quipped, laughing. "Say what you want. I'll still see you at the next Big Beck Bonanza."

"You big dork," Gideon chuckled, shaking his head as the door to the plane opened a moment later to let him out. "My parents do not call family gatherings that."

"But they should."

"No, they shouldn't."

"I'm gonna get T-shirts made," Austin countered, chuckling.

"I'm not wearing one."

"Where's my marker? I should write that on your cast."

"You better get away from my cast, or my sister will be a widow."

"Temper, temper, Sir-Hops-A lot."

"Oh my gosh…" Gideon muttered under his breath, getting frustrated as he had to hop slightly on his rear end, scooting toward the end of the bench seat to exit the plane slowly. Yeah, he was a little protective about the cast and the sore limb housed inside. He was finally off of every medication and feeling every stitch, every sore spot, every chafed area, and every single wound. Everything ached at this point – including his eyebrows, it seemed. He wanted some Tylenol or something and a bed.

"Your chariot awaits you, brother," Austin began, causing him to look up at the cargo van in the distance where a man was standing beside it, with his arms crossed, waiting.

"Some chariot…"

"Don't you know, Prince Charming always rides to his new castle with a magical chariot to start his Happily Ever After," Austin mocked, chuckling.

"I'm gonna clobber you, string bean…"

"I can't wait," the man laughed, extending a hand toward him. "Take care, brother, and call me if you need anything."

"I think I need my head examined for going along with this."

"Get some rest, relax, and trust the process."

Gideon slowly lumbered forward and hesitated as Austin's words struck him as odd. He angled slightly to look back at the other man who was climbing into the plane already, about to ask, ‘What process'… but he was already shutting the door and giving him a thumbs-up, popping his headphones on his head.

"Welcome…" the man in the distance said loudly, causing Gideon to look back over at the van. "Welcome to Laramie."

The plane was rolling forward slowly and picking up speed before gliding off of the ground. He felt a shiver run down his spine, realizing that he was here – and doing this now whether he liked it or not. Adjusting his crutches, he made his way forward to greet the other man.

"You've got Beck's coloring – and the same stubborn set to the jaw, but your sister has a kindness to her eyes," the man began and held out a hand. "I'm Houghton, and you must be Giselle's big brother, Grumpy."

"Gideon."

"Same thing," the man shrugged, and for a moment, Gideon wondered what he'd gotten himself into. "All of you and your weird ‘G' names…" the man muttered. It took him a second to realize that Houghton was teasing him. His sister, Giselle, must have talked about all of them quite a bit when she was stationed in Afghanistan before getting out of the Army.

"Yeah, well, she didn't talk about you," Gideon retorted, trying to get a dig in… only to hear the man chuckle as he looked amused – and extended his hand toward him.

"Houghton," he began simply, looked at the crutches pointedly, and pulled it back before Gideon could shake it. "This is my wife, Jill. So, up in the van, Ranger, and let's get to it. Shall we?"

"I'm not a ranger anymore," he snapped and saw Houghton raise an eyebrow, looking at him dubiously before leaning forward almost in a menacing manner, whispering.

"Son, it's a part of you and always will be. I'm gonna tell you right now that I can handle your mouth, but if you ever snap at my wife like that - they'll need your dental records to identify you. Got me?" he said sternly, not backing down and looking him straight in the eyes… and for once, Gideon hesitated.

This older man before him had seen some things, horrors worse than what Gideon had experienced or seen, and that was saying a lot. Gideon had been deployed in war zones, killed enemies, and dragged wounded men to safety, but there was an emptiness in his hard eyes as Houghton looked at him, sizing him up. The man didn't move as he stared at him, waiting, and Gideon heard the passenger window roll down directly behind Houghton's head.

"Babe, you ready?"

Babe? Is she serious?

The stern man didn't look away from him as he spoke.

"Just getting to know each other for a moment – and he's trying to decide if he's coming with us or staying here."

And Gideon had no doubts that the man would leave him.

"I'm coming with you," Gideon said quietly.

"I figured as much," Houghton smirked, opening the door to the van for Gideon. "Welcome to Reserve Ranch… brother," and surprisingly, he clapped him on the shoulder, almost in acceptance like he would fit right in with all of them.

I doubt it,Gideon mused, trying to climb into the van – and accidentally banging his ankle on the door frame, jarring him as he tensed, anticipating the pain. It probably hurt worse for him to tense up like that, and sure enough, a wave of raw, burning ache ran up his entire leg, causing him to grunt only to look up and see a set of eyes watching him.

"What are you lookin' at?" he retorted hotly to the woman sitting at the back of the van – and Jill, in the driver's seat, barked at him.

"Gideon – be nice!" Jill snapped protectively, turning to look at him. "I don't care what you did in the Army, but unless you want that other leg snapped in several places, you'll keep your mouth shut. Lena, this is Gideon Beck – and he'll be in the furthest cabin from any of us because of that mouth of his."

"Hey!" he protested, shocked and pointed at his leg. "I should be in the closest – I mean, look at my dang leg. Do you expect me to hobble around and…"

"Yes," Jill interrupted. "Yes, I do, and maybe next time, you will be nicer to the other people volunteering at the Reserve Ranch."

"This is the stupidest idea my sister has ever come up with," Gideon muttered. "What exactly am I supposed to do on a ranch? I can hardly walk because of these crutches, my knee itches something terrible, and my blasted armpits are freakin' raw from being rubbed…"

"Look, when you bunk up with Chris – whine there, okay? As for me, I really don't want to hear it unless you are cooking for all eight of us and doing the dishes."

"I can help cook and do the dishes," the woman named Lena sitting behind him volunteered like some ‘brown-noser' trying to kiss up to the teacher – and it was obviously working. Jill smiled approvingly and nodded at Lena as Houghton climbed into the front seat beside her.

"Two bites, one winner and one loser this round," Jill chuckled, looking at her husband.

"Can I tell Giselle you said that?" Houghton chuckled easily as if the two were sharing some private joke. Yeah, Gideon really didn't need anyone running to tattle to his sister because then it would be the topic of conversation at the next Beck Bonanza, dang it! Now, he was referring to family gatherings like that.

"HEY!" Gideon snapped hotly. "This was her foolish idea and…"

"You'll be thanking her in a month."

"Late January in Wyoming? I think not…"

"Are we ready?" Jill asked openly. "Is everyone buckled?"

"I am," Lena volunteered.

Gideon muttered something foul under his breath – only for Lena to unbuckle, pull his latch forward, fastening him into place as he glared at her. He didn't need help, nor did he need to give this woman a reason to coddle up even more to either of the Houghton's side, further alienating him.

"I don't want Jill to break your other leg," Lena said sweetly. "You are sour enough as it is."

"Oh, I like her!" Houghton laughed. "Let's get out of here, Jill. Round two is tomorrow."

"We're fishing again?"

"Two more bites…"

"You're on, handsome."

Gideon half-listened to the women prattling back and forth in the van, talking about new beginnings, hope, and other stuff. Yeah, he was tired of everyone trying to pour sunshine down his throat. He just wanted the world around him to stop spinning for a moment so he could get his footing or catch his breath. It wasn't long before they pulled off the main road, jarring the van slightly as they ran over the cattle guards located at the entrance of a long dirt driveway that led to a cabin in the middle of nowhere.

Literally nowhere.

There were no other buildings out here that he could see from his angle. Nothing down the highway in either direction. There were mountains in the distance, trees, and a barn, but that was pretty much it. No town, no community, no shopping malls, not even a gas station. It was extremely remote – and nice, he thought morosely. If I wanted peace and quiet, I'm getting it in spades now.

Gideon managed to get out of the van after a few minutes – and comments from Lena, who was immediately shuffled into the cabin by Jill. The woman had obviously taken a shine to her, making him feel like chopped liver, only to see Houghton watching him.

"Are you ready to start over?"

"I suppose."

"You either are – or you aren't – and I need to know where your mindset is right now because I don't know you from Adam," Houghton said bluntly. "I'm opening my home to you, putting you among others who have been entrusted to me to take care of them… and I take it very seriously."

"Okaaaay," he drawled, looking at him.

"I'm serious, Beck," Houghton began again. "I need to know if you are willing to give this all a chance, to do what is needed, step out of your comfort zone, and take a chance on things being a lot different than you've ever imagined…"

"Why on earth is everyone getting goofy and weird about this?"

"Because your life is going to change the second you enter my ranch – and it's my job to make sure it's for the better. If you aren't open to change, then I need to let Giselle and Logan know that it's not time. There's no shame, if you aren't ready…"

"I didn't say that I wasn't."

"Then relax, drop your ego at the door, and relax. You are among friends here – and how close a friend is completely up to you."

"First off… that's weird," Gideon snapped warily. "Secondly, eww? If you are suggesting I cozy up to Lena, you've got another think coming. She's not my type. Third and final – my ‘door' doesn't swing that way, and you've already mentioned I'm sharing a cabin with someone named ‘Chris.' So yeah, my mind is open, but my ‘drawers' most assuredly are not. Are we clear, or should I spell it out for you?"

Houghton laughed and picked up Gideon's bag, hefting it up.

"I think we are clear, my friend," Houghton grinned. "I understand you perfectly well, but you are about to get schooled in how the world works. Yeah, we're speaking the same language but saying two different things – and I think this is gonna work better than anticipated."

To his shock, Houghton turned and walked inside, leaving the door open behind him, waiting. It was like he was waiting for Gideon to make the decision to join them, a mental game that if he walked forward, then he was taking this step. The man turned and looked at him, remaining still, and Gideon started forward, closing the door behind him. Jill and Lena, who he thought had left, were walking past them now and heading toward the back entrance of the large cabin. Houghton was moving forward, ushering him to move, and he did.

Gideon walked out the back door, his crutches rubbing under his arms and listening to the man as he spoke, falling in line beside him.

"Look, for the next few weeks, I'll just need a little help around the ranch. The girls handle all of the cooking, and Jill likes it that way. They keep her company. We'll do the hunting. There's wood for the winter, but I think I'll give chopping it to the next guy so you don't have to worry about your crutch. If you can feed the horses and help tend to them that would be great. I'll show you the barn and Chris is already handling the cows, so there's that. You two can have the barn duties and work together."

"Sure hope Chris doesn't mind mucking the stalls."

"I'm sure it will be fine," Houghton agreed. "You'll probably have to milk a cow or two, but you two can work that out."

"Yup."

"Now, the cabins are small, but you'll have more privacy than you did at the barracks. There's only one bed in your cabin, but it's big, and you're both adults. If it's too much, the recliner is comfy, and heaven knows I've taken a nap in it a few times when I made Jill mad over the years."

Gideon chuckled at that comment because he really couldn't imagine the woman getting upset enough to kick her husband out of the house for long – but maybe the man left to escape her mouth? What if Jill was actually shrewish at times? Maybe that was why they had three cabins out here, he mused, staring at the surroundings with fascination. It really was gorgeous and so different from Georgia or Texas.

"And here we are," Houghton said simply, setting down the bag. He rapped on the door, pushed it open a few inches, and hollered. "Chris… your cabin mate is here. See ya' at breakfast tomorrow."

Houghton saluted him – and walked off.

Quickly.

Gideon hesitated as he realized the man was practically running across the field back toward the cabin. Was Chris some ogre? Did he have an attitude or a smart mouth because he wasn't sure that he was up to dealing with something like that. His leg hurt, his armpits were chaffed from the crutches, and all he wanted to do was collapse in the recliner Houghton mentioned.

Hearing nothing, Gideon pushed open the doorway, and his mouth dropped open at the sight of the cabin before smiling. It was almost sweet, like girly or romantic, and there were two big butch guys sharing this space? Yeah, he was going to have to lay down the law with Chris quickly if there was any inclination that…

His mind seized in his head as a woman walked out of what had to be the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her – and headphones on her head. She obviously hadn't heard Houghton's arrival. Piles of golden curls were casually pinned on the top of her head, but a few stragglers were cascading down her shoulders, as she hummed softly. She turned away, her eyes closed, dancing for a moment, before gliding to the left to start a cup of coffee with practiced ease, again, dancing… in a towel.

Oh man,he thought, swallowing. If this was Chris's girlfriend, he was a dead man because he'd never seen anything quite so beautiful in his life. The woman was an angel, and all that skin glistened with water droplets that his fingers itched to wipe away so she didn't get a chill. He wasn't sure if he should exit and knock again – or stay where he was.

Where was Chris?

Just as he was about to excuse himself and step out, opting to knock once more, the woman turned, jumped, and snatched a knife from the block sitting on the counter, holding it aloft. He half expected her to scream, faint, or run – but instead, she stood there like some Valkyrie ready to do battle.

"GET OUT!" she snarled, her eyes flashing.

"Where's Chris?" he replied flatly.

"I'm Chris," she bit out, and it was almost comical as a sudden understanding hit both simultaneously. Her eyes widened as she looked at him, her mouth dropping open as her arm holding the knife aloft sagged. His own eyes widened with dawning comprehension.

Chris was Christina – and his roommate was a girl.

A woman.

A gorgeous woman, standing before him, eyes flashing, waving a knife in his direction like she wasn't afraid to take on the entire world, and he was going to be staying here, in this small cabin, sharing this space with her for the next several months. Every word that people had uttered since he arrived echoed in his head, clicking together in almost an alarming fashion.

Happily ever after…

Prince Charming…

Fairy tales…

Your life is going to change…

Speaking the same language but saying two different things…

Cabin mates…

How good of friends is up to you…

All of them knew Chris was a Christina – and knew he would be sharing a cabin with her. This was planned from the very beginning. This was a setup, a matchmaking scheme, and he was looking at the other ‘victim' of their shenanigans, looking just as alarmed as him.

Gideon swallowed, raised a hand slightly from his crutch, and waved. He wasn't sure what to say or do – because he was effectively trapped – and seeing her standing there in that towel?

He was more than okay with being stuck here with her.

Christina.