Page 35 of Cowboy

By the time Moose had his fill from the all-you-can-eat buffet, they were ready to head home. It was nearly midnight when they rolled up onto the property. All of them were tired, but Ethan wanted to get home to his wife and daughter. Mo wanted to get home to his wife, and the others just wanted a shower and sleep.

For Cowboy, all he could think about was lying next to Autumn and holding her. She was still in more danger than he cared to think about. If Dimitri got a wild hair up his ass, he could put a hit on her and have every freelancer with a weapon out looking for her.

Taking a deep breath, he sat on the stone bench in the garden and just inhaled, hoping to calm himself. The sounds of the trickling fountain and the distant flicker of lightning eased his anxiety. But it surprised the shit out of him when he turned to see Claudette walking toward him. She was in an old-fashioned cotton robe and a pair of slippers. There were lights on at the big house, but he hadn’t noticed.

“Evening, Cowboy,” she smiled. “Looks like another storm is headed this way.”

“Claudette, why are you up so late? Did I wake you?” he asked.

“No. No, you didn’t wake me. I just had this sudden urge to come down to the fountain and sit. Sometimes, I don’t sleep well, and this is my favorite place. I can relax with the water and smell the flowers and trees. It’s all the things I missed while I was living away from here.”

“Claudette, are you taking lessons from your mother?” he asked with a grin. Claudette laughed, shaking her head.

“Mama and I have been spending a lot of time together. It’s because I want to learn all the things I need to know to take care of this place. I want to make sure that the big house is always a beacon of welcome and safety for all of you. I want to preserve our history, our love, our family. I want to make sure that the rare plants and trees survive.”

“So, you are taking lessons from her?” he grinned.

“I suppose I am,” she laughed. “It scares me.”

“Why? I think you’re amazing and the right choice to take over the big house,” said Cowboy.

“Thank you, honey. But it’s a lot of responsibility. I thought Marie would be the one, but she doesn’t want it. She’s happy being with Dex and helping the animals, and I think that’s what she was meant to do. So, it fell to me.

“I know now what Mama went through all these years. All of us kids going off to do our own thing. The boys in service. What Rachelle went through. I worry about you boys when you leave. I love it when you’re home, and I welcome the new ones like they’re my own.” Cowboy gave her a sad expression.

“Your son still doesn’t call you?” he asked.

“No. No, he doesn’t want anything to do with me. It hurts my heart, Cowboy, but I think that’s why I feel such an affection and fondness for all of you. I mean, I love my brothers, sisters, their children, and grandchildren dearly. But those of you who aren’t blood, well, you almost feel like you’re even more mine.”

“I would take you as a grandmother any day of the week, Claudette. I’ve always loved the way you treated us kids, and when I see you, I see Mama Irene. Not just looks, although you do look like her. It’s about the love and compassion you radiate. It lets me know that I’m always welcome here, and I’m always at home as long as you’re here.”

“Oh, honey,” she said, kissing his cheek. “I needed to hear that tonight.”

“Is Jake treating you right?” asked Cowboy. Claudette laughed, nodding.

“Cowboy, Jake treats me like a man should treat his wife. He loves me with such tenderness and compassion it makes my heart ache. He respects and admires me to the point of unrelenting gratitude. I hate that we didn’t marry when we were younger, but maybe this is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“I’m glad,” he smiled. “I feel like I’ll have that with Autumn. I love her so much, Claudette. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife and, hopefully, one day, mother to my children.”

“Then why are you sitting here?” she smirked.

“I just needed a minute to make things right in my head,” he said quietly. “I’ve been on a lot of missions. Killed a lot of men. Some because my government told me to. Some because I was protecting myself and my teammates. But this man, he makes me want to kill him for no reason. He sells young girls. Although I guess that’s a good enough reason.

“He sells girls who should still be playing with dolls. They should be getting ready to go on their first date or have their first kiss. That kind of man doesn’t deserve to live, and it scares me that I’m willing to kill him without thought.”

“Honey, I don’t think that should scare you. I think that tells the world what kind of man you are. And I, for one, think you’re the kind of man that we breed here. See, I think we’re like a prize kennel or stable. We only put out champions. We are the best in the world, and our men and women show it in everything they do. Everything.

“I’ve watched you grow up, Cowboy. I’ve watched you care for the animals, be respectful and kind to your parents, honor your elders, and be inquisitive about others’ cultures. You are exactly the kind of man we need here and certainly the man that Autumn needs.” She stood from the bench, bending to kiss his cheek once more.

“Go home, baby. Go home to your girl and love her. Let her know how much you love her and respect her. The rest of this mess will sort itself out.”

“Let me walk you back to the big house,” he said, standing and holding out his arm.

“Now, how in the world could I refuse that escort,” she laughed.

When Claudette was safely inside the big house, Cowboy walked calmly back down the path toward his own cottage. There was one small light on in the living room, and he knew when he entered. Autumn was sound asleep on the sofa, waiting for his return.

He locked all the doors, then lifted her, carrying her to the bed. When she was tucked in, he crawled in beside her, kissing her sweetly.

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