13. Minnie

CHAPTER 13

Minnie

“ H ello,” I say into the phone with a groggy tone. Why I’m so tired, I have no ungodly idea. The soreness between my legs, well, that’s another story, one that includes Clay Garcia. I’d been out of the saddle for a long time. The blood running through me is still quivering from the aftershocks from when Clay gave me multiple mind-blowing orgasms. He thinks there were only two, but the way my pussy pulsed with each thick rope of cum he pushed inside me, it set off another ripple effect, and while the last orgasm might not have been as strong as the first two, it still was very pleasant and probably the reason why I needed a nap after Clay cooked for us.

“Hey, there,” Lennon says on the other end of the line. Her voice seems melancholy, unlike her usual chipper tone. I know there are days she puts on a front, pretending to be fine. Her everything is fine stance doesn’t fool me, but today it’s different.

“Are you okay?” I ask, even though I’m the one who should be reassuring her.

“Yeah, I am. The guy you’re with, Clay, he’s really one of the good ones, isn’t he?” I stumble over the words I’m trying to get out. This is fast, new, and all-consuming with a fiery passion I never expected. Lennie has the television playing in the background, more for noise than for her to actually watch any show she turns on. Even when reading, she’ll turn something on, and I know the exact reason why. When it’s too quiet, her mind starts to wander, the loneliness will set in, and then she’ll pick apart every single nuance in her life. I know because it’s the way she’s wired, always thinking about others before herself, even after I went out on my own, and then she married him. What a waste of space. He was nice enough, but I always knew she could do a hell of a lot better.

I take a deep breath, treading lightly with where this conversation is going. My feet move me back and forth until I land in front of the kitchen window. The snow is still falling from the sky steadily.

“He really is. He’s done more for me in the last twenty-four hours than anyone else I’ve ever known. Besides you, of course.” Nala is outside with Clay, clogging through the snow. I’m barely able to see much of her body unless she’s jumping or wagging her tail. Clay is bundled in a couple of layers, his ever-present cowboy hat on his head, and this time, I see his hands are covered, too.

Thank goodness.

Last night wasn’t near as bad as today. I wasn’t in very much clothing, a pair of joggers and a long-sleeve shirt with socks. The bitter cold cut right through the fabric, and here Clay was, wearing jeans, boots, a jacket, and a hat. I didn’t once see him shivering when he took his jacket off and placed it around my shoulders.

“I’m glad. So happy for you.” Lennie wanes off for a moment, probably gathering her thoughts, and I let her. Meanwhile, Jasmine hops up on the counter and softly mews at me. She’s already eaten all her food, and there’s water on the counter. Maybe Jazzy girl, as Clay likes to call her, needs a treat. I open and close a few drawers, looking for where he keeps things. There isn’t a formal pantry in the kitchen, only one tall and wide set of cabinets I noticed Clay using while cooking. What I didn’t see is the can of dog food in there, though Nala eats so much it’d take up the whole cabinet. “Truly, I am, and I’m putting it out there because I can hear the happiness in your tone. And the way he woke you up, soft and sweet, exactly like you need. It takes a gentle man to know what someone needs so quickly. Anyway, I love you, and I’ll support you any way I can, even if that means driving all your belongings to Colorado myself.” I smile, a big goofy grin taking over what I’m sure is my entire face. She’s right, but that’s a lot to ask of her, and it’s a massive expense I know my sister can’t take on.

“Well, I might be putting the carriage before the horse. Still, I think you’re right. When or if this comes to fruition, we’ll fly down there, pack up a U-Haul, and drive it back.” In theory, this sounds like a great idea, except Clay has a pile of animals, and I think leaving them for an undetermined amount of time might be tricky.

“Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I’m here. Now, go enjoy your time with your new man. I can imagine the setting, snow falling, you snuggled up on the couch, the fireplace roaring while you enjoy watching the sun slowly fade to dusk,” Lennon romanticizes. Truth be told, some of that might happen, but with this being a semi-working ranch, it also means Clay is up early, checking the animals morning, noon, and night.

“I love you. You’re the best big sister a girl could ever ask for.” We go on to chitchat about what she’s up to and how I’ve got to get on the ball with canceling plans, getting ahold of my insurance agent even if it’s only a phone call to get the ball rolling. “Alright, Jasmine is getting noisy. She’s currently requesting treats, and I need to run outside to grab the few groceries from the van, so they won’t spoil.”

“Talk soon.”

“Probably not too soon with the weather. Feel free to call whenever, and I’ll try to do the same.” That’s the end of our call. I find the treat drawer for Nala and Jasmine and place a couple on the counter. While she’s chowing down, I scratch her for a few moments. There are dishes to do, a bed to make, and other things to accomplish today. That way, when Clay has downtime, we can spend our time together instead of both of us tag-teaming the inside of the house. It’s the least I can do, plus who knows how long he’ll be outside with the other animals. I get down to my mental chore list, realizing we’re both going to be here for Christmas, and there isn’t one single item out to celebrate the holiday. Yep, I’m going to have to head outside in the cold sooner rather than later.

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“Whelp, this is the best I can do with what I’m working with.” I look down on the layers upon layers I found in Clay’s mudroom. I’m wearing one of Clay’s hoodies, which reaches my knees. A jacket that is three sizes too big. Rolling up the sleeves took some time, but I did it. All of this is on top of a pair of long-john pajamas I packed from my van last night. A pair of boots wasn’t on my list, so I have to walk around in Clay’s. I can’t even say it’s walking; it’s more like clodhopping.

I open the door, unprepared for the cold weather. This is putting Nebraska to shame, which is saying something. Maybe it’s because I’ve been inside a cozy warm house with a roaring fire the past twelve hours. Who really knows? I do kind of wish I’d have searched for an extra layer to wrap around my face. There wasn’t a scarf in sight. A long-sleeve shirt could have worked had I been thinking clearly.

“Hey, Nala.” I rub her head for all of a second and then shove my hands back into the pockets. It’s way too cold out here, and I like my digits attached and not to be susceptible to hypothermia. She walks with me to where I last saw Clay. The pathways have snow on either side and what looks like salt on the ground. Apparently, someone has been busy. I head toward the pasture. The cows greet me with their chewing of hay and mooing, but what I don’t see is Clay. I’m never one to ignore an animal, especially one that’s walking toward the fence line. My hand comes out of my pocket again, ready to pet the snout of a brown cow, when Clay’s voice stops me in my tracks.

“Don’t. I’ve got the hot wire on, and the last thing I want is for you to get zapped.” I tuck my hand back into my pocket, lip pouting out at the fact I can’t get closer to the cute cow.

“Can I turn it off and go inside the pasture?” Next time I’m out here, I’ll be better prepared with snacks for them.

“Clementine, what are you doing out here? It’s cold as balls. You don’t have gloves on, and you want to pet the cows?” Clay’s hands go to his hips, and while that’s usually the universal sign for annoyance, the small grin on his face tells me he thinks it’s cute.

“Well, yeah. I came out here to look for you. The weatherman said it’s going to be like this for days. I started thinking about Christmas and noticed you don’t have a tree. Plus, I forgot to tell you there’s a small fridge in my van that has food. I don’t want it to spoil.” I wrinkle my nose. Maybe it hasn’t yet with it being as cold as it is, and I’ve dodged a bullet.

“You want a tree, sweetheart?” he asks.

“Umm, I do if you do.” My head probably looks like a bobble head with how fast I’m shaking it up and down.

“Pick one out. I’ll grab an axe, but find one from the barn where there’s some kind of shelter. And if there’s an animal you want to pet, you can do it inside. The cows will be inside with the horses, chickens, and goats tonight. I’ll bring you back out then,” he states, like there’s nothing to my request.

“Are you sure?” Maybe this is too much.

“Positive. There are decorations and shit in the barn. I’ll bring the side-by-side over, and we’ll load it with everything. The only thing I don’t have is a tree. Hate the fake ones, and there are plenty of spruce trees on the property. I’ll replant some new ones in the spring. Now, about your attire.” Clay has laughter in his tone.

“Well, part of the reason I came out here is because I forgot some things on the list to get from my van, and then I got sidetracked. Your property really is beautiful, Clay.” It’s majestic, the snow-covered trees, the animals, the deep red barns, and the log cabin that’s his home. It’s like something out of a Hallmark movie.

“If I have it my way, it’ll be our property soon enough,” he drops that little nugget of information. Warmth settles deep in my bones. Clay really is the real deal. He’s shown me this is way more than I ever expected, and he tells me in little ways, too.

“Really?” I say on a sigh. My heart beats rapidly in my chest.

“Fuck yeah, sweetheart.” Clay moves closer and bends at the knees, hand going around the nape of my neck. His mouth lands on mine, tongue sliding along the seam of my lips before he nips at my upper lip, quickly soothing the sting away. My eyes close, and I’m lost in our heated kiss. The cold no longer singes my skin. I’m heated from the inside out, and it’s all because of the green-eyed cowboy holding me tightly against his strong frame.