16. ‘Raven’

SIXTEEN

This day is nothing short of a miracle. Started out crazy, escalated to loony tunes, and by the time I’m sitting my ass on a chair finally able to take a breath, I can’t believe the sun is going down. A lot was done today too.

First and foremost, Sheriff George removed the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood, who were blocking the road to the ranch, for criminal trespassing. Who knows if it will hold but it got those assholes off the property. Then after viewing the burnt barn, Ash, Rowan, and Gertie wanted to move, not sure how many, animals so they could be closer to the house. Now all their cows, no way, but some of the other animals it could be done.

When Ash said his mom had the mare who just gave birth in the garage, I had no idea he meant a pole barn where they stored their cars. Well, his mom’s, Rowan’s. and some of their recreational pieces too. So, after moving the cars to the actual garage and all the other stuff in there to one corner of the pole barn, bales of straw were brought in so they could first section off different areas by stacking straw bales. Then within the areas the bales were cut open to make bedding for the animals. Rowan, along with a few hands, made sure each enclosure had buckets of fresh water as well as some hay and feed for the animals.

By the time the animals were settled, which took a while, and the foal and momma horse were in the enclosed porch, everyone was standing around the burned-down building. I could see Ash was suffering, though it could have been a hell of a lot worse. But without this barn, which was pretty close to his mom’s house, they either have to have all the animals farther away or try and get another barn up before winter hits.

Looking around I see Panther, Avalanche, Dallas, Jersey, and Chicago, along with my brother, Ollie, sitting around a picnic table, sheets of paper in front of them. Almost like blueprint papers. Way above my abilities, that’s for sure. Tink and Shadow came and picked up the girls and took them to the ranch. Probably doing intake right now. Neighbors, neighbors, and more neighbors spent the day dropping off dishes, casseroles, and tons of vegetables. Gertie was so overwhelmed she was handing food to those who were leaving, trying to explain she didn’t want it to go to waste. And she fed everyone who was there today multiple times.

Now we’re in Gertie’s kitchen, all sitting with either a beer, water, or iced tea in our hands. Little Joshua is so frigging cute, he’s curled up in Reed’s arms asleep. Rue just got here a bit ago, so the only Sterling brother missing is Alder. Still haven’t heard back from him yet, though he’s with some deputies and forest rangers. Sheriff George told Ash if they weren’t back by tomorrow, he’d get some men together and ride up there to check on them.

I can feel my body starting to shut down. I’m exhausted and still have to drive back to the ranch. I could fall asleep on this very uncomfortable chair for all I care. Must have shut my eyes for a second or two because when Ash’s voice is in my ear, I jump and knock foreheads with him before he literally lands on his ass. Everyone at first is shocked then one by one they start to snicker, chuckle, or outright laugh, including Ash.

Rubbing my head, I look around and a grin appears on my face. This is what I love, when I can put a smile on anyone’s face either by joking or being a goof. Though this one, damn, Ash’s head is hard as a bowling ball. When my eyes reach his, he’s smiling until he looks at my forehead.

“Shit, Brenna, you’re gonna have an egg up there. Mom, can you get her some ice, please? You should have remembered I have a head like a rock. Are ya gonna be okay?”

Smiling because he’s so concerned, I just nod then grab the bag of ice Gertie hands off to me.

“I’ll ice this for a minute or two then I got to get home. Don’t want to be on the road in the middle of the night, it’s way too dark on those Montana roads.”

Gertie gives Ash a look with eyebrows up into her forehead and hairline. Wonder what that’s about? Then it hits me when Ash turns to me, a question in his eyes.

“Brenna, you’re more than welcome to either stay with me or here with Mom and the boys. Or if you feel like driving, I’ll follow ya so you can get home safely.”

Gertie jumps on board, telling me it’s better I stay tonight and leave after breakfast in the morning. I’m looking between the two of them, feeling like I’m getting set up. Then Reed and Rue jump in too.

“Go see Ash’s new house, it’s finally done. He’s got like four or more bedrooms, so he’s got plenty of room. With Rue, Rowan, Joshua, Mom, and me this farmstead is full. You’re exhausted, Brenna, go ahead. Put a call out to one of your club sisters, tell them where you are if that makes you feel safer, though out of all the Sterling boys, you got the safe one there, for sure. Now I’m spent gonna go to bed. Night, y’all.”

I watch Reed, then Rue, get up and head upstairs to the bedrooms they probably had as kids. Rowan is cleaning up the kitchen with the help of Gertie. They wouldn’t let me lend a hand, something about being a guest. Whatever.

“So, what’s it gonna be, Brenna? Home or my house? Not to rush ya, but I’m so fuckin’ exhausted. I’ll follow you if you decide to go home, no worries.”

It would be selfish to go home knowing he’s going to follow me, so I softly say to him, “I’ll stay with you tonight, if that’s okay.” He literally almost jumps up and down for a second before he gets himself under control. Gertie and Rowan are giggling at him in the kitchen. I walk to first Gertie then Rowan and say my goodbyes. Before I can turn, Joshua is cruising toward me, arms up, a huge smile on his beautiful face. How could anyone want to hurt this child? I lean down and pick him up into my arms. He proceeds to place kisses all over my face, which has me smiling and laughing. Gertie comes and grabs him, pulling him into her.

“Joshua, be a good boy. Brenna is going to go to Ash’s but you will see her in the morning, Son.”

He makes a face then looks at Ash, sticking his tongue out.

“Uhhh, think my little brother has his first crush. You mad at me, lil’ man?”

Joshua glares at him then looks to Gertie and says, “Down.” She puts him on his feet and he stomps his way down the hall to the stairs. He pounds up the stairs, never looking back. I actually hear him slam his bedroom door, which shocks everyone in the kitchen.

“I’m so sorry, Brenna, he’s usually such a good little guy. Maybe all the craziness of today has him off his game. I’ll go up and read him a story. Then I’m going to go to bed, if it’s okay with y’all. This old body needs some downtime. Goodnight, and thanks for all of your and your club’s help today. It feels nice to have community around us for once. I pray Sheriff George can keep those jackasses in jail or transfer them to prison, I don’t care as long as they aren’t here.”

When it’s just Ash and me, he turns to me.

“Ready to get some sleep? That’s all I’m offering tonight, Bre, ’cause I don’t have the energy for anything else. Let’s go home.”

“Like I said, I’ll stay, Ash, to sleep. I’m not ready for anything else, don’t know if I’ll ever be. That night shattered my heart and not sure if it can be repaired. And I don’t say that to hurt you because you’re a victim too. But to drive myself to the ranch and then have you drive back is crazy. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day, right?”

I start my cage and when Ash starts to drive down the secondary road on his property, I follow him. I forgot how big their ranch truly is and from what I’ve heard today, this family has been working their asses off to keep it up and running. At the same time trying to fight their father and the brotherhood he calls his friends and family. Something has to give and in my opinion there’s only one option. Get rid of the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood.

As we take the turn, my eyes almost pop out of my head. Holy cow!! Ash’s house is a log cabin and it’s beyond gorgeous. The logs and materials fit right into the natural scene. I’m speechless because it almost looks like the log ranch I wanted when I was a young girl. Probably still have the plans in one of my bins at my parents’ house. Wait a minute, is this my house? No way.

“Ash, is this the house I showed you we were going to live in when we got married and saved some money. Is this my house?”

“Brenna, you don’t listen when I talk to you. Told ya I built a house I thought you would want and love. Did I do it?”

It’s hard to breathe as my eyes shift between the log house and Ash’s face. This stuff only happens in those books the young sisters read. And never would I have thought this kind of stuff would happen to me. Maybe I’m delusional from lack of sleep.

‘Breanna, hey, you okay? We can change anything you don’t like, promise. Let’s go inside and maybe tomorrow, after we both get some sleep, you can tell me what you don’t like.”

He grabs my hand and walks me to the door. Or I should say doors because it’s the double door entrance, which I totally love. Also has to have screen doors which helps get some fresh air into the home. Ash lets me go in first and again I can’t catch my breath. It is definitely my dream home. Wood ceilings, drywall, and beams. The fireplace is stunning while, if I’m right, the floors are white oak. My God, how, when, and why? I don’t even know where to start. Then I feel arms wrapping around my waist from behind. It’s been so long since a man has even touched me that I feel the shivers running up and down my body.

“Please don’t be mad. When I realized you were my ‘one,’ thought I would need everything I could get on my side to win you back. Go ahead, look around. If you want something to drink, just grab it. Not to be rude but I gotta jump in the shower. If you want to take one, let me show you the guest suite. Come on, Brenna.”

Walking down a hallway, the suite is beautiful: earth tones, a large bed, and nightstands. A reading nook and a television mounted to the wall. I follow him into a small hallway that leads to the master bathroom with a standing tub. My God, when’s the last time I took a bath?

“Take your time, there’s some stuff in the drawers and a brand-new robe on the back of the door. Meet ya back in the kitchen, we’ll grab something to snack on.”

He leans down and presses a kiss to the top of my head. Then he turns and walks out and down the hall back toward the great room. Slowly, I walk into the bathroom and shut the door. It’s so gorgeous but not overdone. Walking to the tub, I start to fill it up and notice a basket with stuff in it. When I look inside, everything in there is stuff I use. How the hell did he even know?

I riffle through everything and grab a bath bomb. I open it and then toss it in the tub. Next, I take my clothes off and roll them neatly. I enter the shower area and realize this is one of those fancy ones. Takes me a while to turn it on, so I walk out, turn the water off for the tub, and then try to shower quickly before I go in the tub. Yeah, my sisters and mom always laughed at me but don’t want to soak in my own yuck. A quick shower then when I go in the tub, I’ll be much cleaner.

I wash and condition my hair, then run a hand towel filled with Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea body wash and clean my body. When I finish, I wrap my hair and head over to the tub, I’m exhausted. God, I’d hate to drown because I fell asleep in a tub. No not going to happen. Just for a few minutes to relax my muscles and as Taz says, take some cleansing breaths. All I can do is hope she’s right about that.

Not sure how long I’ve been in the tub but it’s phenomenal. I feel so relaxed and all the tightness is just about gone from my body. I get up—not gracefully at all—step out of the tub, and grab a huge bath towel, wrapping up in it. Once I’m just about dry, I put on the robe and remove the towel around my head. Next, I braid my hair so it’s not all over. When I finally open the door and see Ash sitting in one of the chairs at the table in the corner, for some reason I let out a scream. His head jerks back then his eyes take me in. The look in them has tingles running up and down my body. He’s in sleep pants and a tight T-shirt, feet bare. And those gorgeous eyes are running the length of my body before they stop on my hair in a braid.

“Um, everything okay, Ash?”

“More than okay, Brenna. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to have you in this house. Maybe not in this room, but hey, beggars can’t be choosers, can they? Now, you want to raid the kitchen?”

He smirks at me as he stands and walks my way. When he’s next to me, he grabs my hand and together we walk into his kitchen to see what we can snack on, which is cool with me because believe it or not, I’m starving. I figure we’ll get something to eat then finally get some much-needed sleep.