Page 33 of Talon
“Jake and I live in the fifth wheel parked behind the bunkhouse.”
“Oh!”Madison couldn’t keep the surprise from her face.“I’ve thought about doing that.How do you like it?”
Heather lifted one shoulder and let it fall.“It has its ups and downs.At least there we have some space of our own and a door that locks.Not that it stops people from beating on it when they want attention.But at least they’re not walking in on us.”
Madison could only stare at her, eyes wide as she wondered how she, or even Talon, would handle that.Was Talon one of the ones beating on their door?
“Help yourself to anything in the kitchen,” Bonnie said.“I’m sure you’ll meet Kerry and Robyn at breakfast.”She looked around the bedroom where they all stood, as if trying to see if there was anything they had missed.
“You said Kerry and Robyn are in charge of meals.What about the two of you?What do you do?”Madison asked, hoping she hadn’t inadvertently gotten involved with someone who was part of a group who was so controlling they didn’t let their women work away from the ranch.It wasn’t that she would mind working something like this, either helping in the kitchen or something else.But she did want it to be a choice and not something she was forced into.She’d had enough of someone else trying to force her into something to last the rest of her lifetime.
“I’m a vet tech,” Heather said speaking up first.“I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I got on with the vet who takes care of the livestock here and I really like him.It’s a great job.”
Well, guess that answered the question she hadn’t asked.
“What about you?”Madison turned to Bonnie.
“I’m an artist.”Her cheeks turned pink, as if she as confessing a secret.“I’m working on a big mural for the local motorcycle dealership.”She looked away, not meeting Madison’s gaze.Madison wondered why, but didn’t know her well enough to question her.
“That sounds amazing,” Madison said.“I wish I had even a little talent at drawing or painting, but I have none.That doesn’t stop me from admiring other people’s work though.”
“You’ll come see it if you have a chance?”The hopeful tone in Bonnie’s voice had her wanting to go see it.
“I don’t know that they’ll want me going out too much.But if I get a chance, I’d love to see it.”
“Why wouldn’t they want you going out?”Heather asked.
Madison shrugged.“No one’s said anything, but you heard some of the shit I’ve been dealing with.I just assumed they won’t want me to run around on my own too much.”She didn’t mention that without her truck, she had to rely on someone else to take her places.
Heather bobbed her head from side to side as if she was considering things.“I see what you mean, but I think if you’re with Talon you should be fine.”
“I’m sure it would be, if he was with me, but I’ve monopolized enough of his time this week.I’d hate to ask him for more.”
“Has he taken you for a ride yet?”Bonnie asked.
Madison shook her head.“I’ve only seen his bike because I met him when it broke down.I took him to the parts store then back out to get it fixed.When he came to help me, he brought the truck, so I haven’t had a chance yet.”She didn’t know if he’d even had time to replace the fuel line he’d had to use the wrong hose for yet.
“So that makes it easy – none of these guys will ever turn down a chance for a ride.You just ask for a ride,” Heather said.
Madison frowned.“Are you sure?Would it be that easy?”
Both women grinned and nodded, making her heart lighter.Maybe she wouldn’t be trapped on the ranch like she’d feared.Not that it was a hardship.She’d been prepared to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere on the ranch, especially because she didn’t have her truck and was reliant on someone else to go anywhere.But with everything going on, it was better than the alternative.Staying in Newcastle and waiting for Billy to get tired of waiting for her and come after her.
The sound of a door closing somewhere vibrated through the house, making her look around.
“Little warrior?”Talon’s voice echoed up the hall.
“In here,” she called back, hoping he could follow her voice.Heather stepped out into the hallway.Madison watched as she smiled and waved, letting her know Talon had indeed found them.
“There you are,” Talon said as he stepped into the room.He closed the distance to her, hooked an arm around her waist and tugged her close for a brief kiss.“They show you where everything is?”
“We did, at least the important things,” Bonnie said.“But since you’re here now, I’ll let you take over.”She turned to Heather and tilted the top of her head toward the door.Together, they moved to the door.
It wasn’t until they were in the hallway that Madison called out.
“When will I get to see you again?”
“We’ll be at breakfast in the morning.We’ll probably see you then,” Heather said before turning back around and disappearing down the hall.
