Page 66 of Wildest Forever

Forcing my eyes open, I let them pin to the ceiling and I am already wanting to be back in bed.

After five minutes, I find myself pushing from the bed. Walking quietly over to the bathroom, I wash my face, brush my teeth then move back to my room to get dressed.

Pulling my jeans up, I buckle the belt and then slip my badge onto the holder. I reach for a light brown checkered shirt and a plain white tee that I pull on first. Slipping my feet into my boots, I run my hand through my hair and rough it up slightly before I reach for my cowboy hat.

Swiping my phone from the side table, I slip it into the back of my jeans and make my way down stairs, careful not to wake Morgan if she is still sleeping and even more mindful not to disturb Gerry.

Tiptoeing down the stairs, my eyes fall on the back of a man.Skinny, long brown hair that curls at the base of his neck, worn out shirt, dirty jeans and muddied boots.

I clear my throat, and he turns to look at me, giving a sweep over.

Teeth a little crooked, cheeks rosy and eyes dark as mud.

“Morning sir,” he tilts the rim of his cowboy hat in my direction. He steps towards me and holds his hand out for me to take, which I do, giving it a firm shake.

“Morning,” I smile, and he gives a knowing nod.

“You all good?” his accent is thick as he turns around and walks back to grab his coffee mug.I nod, but he doesn’t see it.

His eyes find mine over his shoulder, my hands pushed deep inside my pockets and I nod again.

“Want one?”

“Please,” I smile and the heels of my boots skate across the floor.

“How do you take it?” he asks, the rasp in his voice evident as he reaches for a mug.

“However it comes, not fussy, coffee is coffee,” I admit as I sit at the small table.

“As long as it touches the soul right?” he smirks and glances back at me and I give him a knowing nod.

“Right.”

We fall into a comfortable silence whilst he makes my coffee then places it down on the table and drags his own chair out.

“I'm glad she has you,” he admits, lifting his chin.

I curl my fingers around my mug and drag it towards me.

“Me and Marsha,” and I cock a brow. “My wife,” he smiles, “we knew that Gerry was unwell...” he pauses and takes a mouthful of his coffee, wincing as he does. “We were worried about how Morgan would cope in this house, the ranch... the looming dread of a sale.”

I keep quiet.

“Damn, if I had the money I would snap this place up in a heartbeat,” he shakes his head softly from side to side. “But this just isn't my workplace, it's my home,” he swallows, and I watch the way his throat bobs.

“Gerry took me in back when I was a teen, got me out of trouble more times than I can count,” he chuckles softly, his eyes drifting to the small window that overlooks the rolling green. He looks lost in thought but I just sit and drink my coffee.“So yeah, I care a lot about this place, about Morgan... about the future.” His eyes are back on mine.

“I get it,” I roll my lips before licking the coffee remnants from them.

“You're going to make her happy yeah? You're going to try and keep the land from those greedy suits, right?” and I can hear the desperation in his voice.

“Yeah,” is all I say because how can I promise something that I don't know is achievable.

“Good,” he gives a nod then pushes back on his chair. The sound of boots fills the room and a knowing smile pulls at my lips as I look over my shoulder and see her standing in the doorway.

Cream tee, low rise jeans and tanned cowboy boots.Her blonde hair is pulled into a low pony, cowboy hat pinched between her fingers.

“Morgan,” Dusty says as he walks past her and leaves it just me and her.

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