When something shifts from what you've depended on, to something much more desirable, there's an adjustment period. As the days passed, the weather edged from fall to the biting entrance of winter. Snow was on the horizon and that meant working extra hours with the horses. More preparation for the cold months.
The barns were insolated, heaters installed, and feed stored. Rob spent his time between Ross ranch and his property. It meant more spitting his focus on his father's ranch and his property. As the fall loomed, he scheduled less trail rides. While Roland was in school, he missed having him around.
Weekends with his son wasn't enough for him. He'd have to talk to Regina about that. He hoped she'd understand his point of view.
A smirk played on his lips as he thought of the night, they spent together the weekend before. Somehow, she'd ended up spending the night with him. He'd sent her off the next morning with stars in her eyes. It had been terrifying to think of touching her when they started. To think of adding any more hurt in her life put a knot in him.
Even in his fear, she'd been the one to guide them. He'd lost his tongue and the function of his brain. In the haze of arousal, he'd forgotten himself. By the time he'd managed to get his wits about him, they'd tumbled to the couch. Then, it had been all arousal, hands, and lips.
Unlike the time he'd taken her to bed in haste, this time had been long and slow. As he worked, he tried not to think of her scent or the feel of her skin. He hefted a shovel of manure into the wheel barrel and shook off the images. He didn't need to be thinking of her when he had a lot to do.
When he dumped the first barrel in the pile and headed back to the barn to fill it again, his phone chimed. A smile tugged at his mouth. He knew who it was already. As he set the barrel down, Tucker came around the corner and stopped to stare. "Alright. Spill."
Rob's head came up. "What?" He slid his phone back in his pocket.
"Dude. You've got this moony look on your face and you've walked around here on a cloud. It's sickening," he frowned.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Embarrassed, he shoveled.
Tuck rested his elbow on the door and crossed his booted ankles. "You've got it bad." The grin on his face lightened his usual focused expression. "I owe Jack fifty bucks."
Straightening, Rob turned to him. "Why?"
"We made a bet the day Regina came to the ranch. Jack bet you'd manage to get her in your corner. I bet you wouldn't." His shoulder lifted. "I didn't realize you were that long gone."
Irritated, he scowled. "It's none of your business." Turning he continued to work.
Laughing, Tuck shoved his shoulder. "Ease up. I'm happy for you."
"Thanks." Feeling his ears heat, he continued to work as Tuck sauntered off. Was he happy? Yes, but he still needed to talk to Regina about what she planned on doing. What they planned on doing, he amended. She'd told him she loved him.
He wasn't sure how long he'd wanted to hear those words. When he heard them, his brain had been in a fog. He was going to make her say them again, he decided. From all the text messages they exchanged, it was hard to tell where they stood. He'd sent her flowers every day this week.
Each day he'd chosen the ones she'd talked about most when they were kids. Each day they were more intricate, more beautiful, and more unique. He'd started with sunflowers that reminded him of how bright her smile was. He moved on to peonies because the florist had told him they were good luck. They'd also symbolized prosperity and bashfulness, which encompassed her at times.
He'd gone with Matthiola Incana next. The pretty purple budded flowers smelt of cinnamon and cloves. They symbolized a beauty that never fades. He smiled to remember he'd written just that on the card.
Next, he'd sent Red Chrysanthemums because they symbolized love and passion. The blazing red matched his passion for her, and he'd recalled the passion she'd had for him. It had been a fire, and he'd been only happy to burn in it.
This morning—being Friday—he'd sent Alstroemeria lilies. With a mixture of pinks, purples, and yellows, the cheery flowers were long-lasting. He'd written of a promise for their relationship to bloom, grow, and last against the heaviest storms. He knew it was corny and that he was laying it on thick, but he didn't give a damn.
He knew what he wanted. He wanted Regina as he'd always had. They talked of the Halloween party, dressing up, and Roland's endless chatter. He had every intention of making it the best holiday he could.
As he emptied the second barrel, he went to his truck. He drove around to the front of the house and walked inside to find Jack. Inside, he found his mother sitting by the fire. The house smelled like blueberries and tulips he couldn't resist getting for her. "Hi, ma."
"Robby. Sit down. You've been working too hard," she smiled. He sat and took her hand, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her delicate skin.
"I love you," he said feeling sentimental. "I'm working as much as I always do."
"Oh, I love you too. Tell me, what are you planning for Halloween? You'll bring Roland to see us, right? We have a surprise for him." The spark in her eye told him it would be good.
"What surprise?"
"Well, it's for you and Regina too. So, I don't want to spoil it." She patted his hand.
Curious, he scanned her face. "Fine. Where's dad?"
"He's taking a nap. He's slowing down, Robby. He doesn't want to admit it, but I've seen it. He's tired."
Concerned, he straightened his spine. "Dad's healthy as an ox."
"Oh, he is. But slowing down is a part of life." Her lips curved. "It'll take him time to admit it."
Rob had to laugh. His mother had the easy words to put her father down. "If anyone can calm him, it's you." He paused and watched her knitting. "Mom, do you still have Grandma Bee's ring?"
Turning, he watched her eyes widen and her mouth gape open. "Robby, are you going to ask her to marry you?"
Scratching his chin, he hid his smile. "I'm thinking of making a promise to her. Not necessarily asking her to marry me. I don't wanna repeat the same mistake and scare her off."
Her eyes misted. "Oh, that makes me so happy. She's already a daughter to me and you know we wouldn't mind more grandbabies. I have my veil and I've always seen it around her pretty hair."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he advised. "We're not there yet."
"Oh, you will be." She pinched his cheek. "I'll get it out of the safe." As she disappeared into the other room, Jack walked into the room.
"You ready?"
Rob nodded. "I'll be right out."
Jack walked out of the house as Betty came back with the ring box in her hand. She handed it to him and kissed his cheek. "Robby. I hope that when you start your family, you'll be as happy as your dad and I have been."
"It'll be hard to beat. You were a good example." He kissed her cheek.
With tears in her eyes, she said, "Go on and get to work." She swatted his butt on his way out the door.
…
Regina arrived home after picking up Roland from school. The smell of the flowers Robin sent her all week surrounded her as she walked in the door. "Go wash up," she told her son.
Roland went off and she went into her bedroom to change. She put on a red dress, did her makeup carefully, and dotted perfume under her ears and inside her wrists. Doing her hair, she curled under. Her hair was beginning to get long.
Slipping her heels, she went to check on Roland. He was sitting on his bed with a frown on his face. "What's wrong, baby?" Sitting next to him, she saw tears in his eyes. "You were quiet in the car. Did something happen?"
He nodded and wiped his tears looking embarrassed. "Jordy and Brant were making fun of me."
Brushing his curls from his face, she asked, "For what?"
"They said that I didn't have a real dad because he doesn't live with us." He sniffed. "They said my dad didn't want me when I was a baby and came back because you made him."
Regina sat there quietly for a few minutes letting that sink in. Anger came into her eyes, but she banked it. "Do you believe that?"
"I don't know."
"Roland, it wasn't your dad's fault that he wasn't there for you when you were a baby. It was mine. I told you this. Your dad didn't know about you until a few months ago. Hasn't he been there for you since?" She watched him and felt guilty.
"Yea," he grumbled. "I wish I lived with him." His voice was quiet. "All the guys at school have their dads help them with homework and play with them."
"Baby," she took him into her arms. "I'm sorry that this has been hard. Your dad isn't far, and he does all those things."
"Yea, but I only get to see him on weekends. It's not fair."
"Your dad has to work, baby. He's a busy man," she said feeling inadequate. "I know it's hard, but we're doing the best we can." She didn't think she could win this conversation. It was getting harder to come up with excuses. "You get to see him today. Let's get you ready."
As he went into the bathroom, she took some time in her room to let the guilt pass. A few tears fell and she gathered herself before she ushered him into the car and drove out to Rob's property. The ride was quiet, and Roland stared out the window the entire time. Each time she tried to engage him in conversation, he brushed her off.
Having a child hurting broke her heart. As they pulled into the drive, she saw Rob was in the round pen with Dante. He lifted a hand in a wave. Turning, she said, "Come on."
When they got out of the car, Roland mumbled something about finding Parker and ran off to the barn. She frowned after him. "Something wrong?" He approached her and kissed her cheek.
"Roland is having a bad day," she sighed.
"Is he alright?" Rob ruffled his hair and she liked the way it looked mussed. He searched her eyes and was sure to have seen her worry.
"Some kids are making fun of your relationship with him." He opened his mouth to speak, but she shook her head, "It's my fault." Heading up for the door, he followed with a frown.
"What does that mean?" Inside, they went into the kitchen so Rob could wash his hands.
Sitting, Regina explained the situation. Then, expressed how she knew it was her fault. "Kids are honest, and it doesn't surprise me that they'd mention it. I'm just sorry he's hurting."
Rob started a pot of coffee and went to her. Taking her hand, he drew her to her feet. "He's a tough kid." Wrapping his hands around her waist, he kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll talk to him."
"He'll listen to you more than me. Rob…" Resting her brow to his, she said, "I didn't think how hurt he'd be. How keeping him a secret would affect both of you."
He wrapped her close and drew her into a hug. A deep warm hug that had her blood humming. "Let's not dwell on the past. I'll talk to him and see if I can make him a little more at ease. Kids are assholes." He continued to hold her. Then, his lips pressed lightly against her neck. "You smell good."
"Not as good as the flowers you sent me," she whispered feeling weak.
"You smell better." His hands molded to her hips. "You feel good too." He lifted his head and kissed her long, smooth, and slow. It felt like a drug, she mused. The more their mouths molded, the more muddled her mind became.
She didn't focus on anything but sensation. Their bodies pressed together brought tingles to her skin. His tongue sliding along hers tightened her core. When his teeth nipped her lower lip, she moaned. It was no more than a whisper, but she couldn't control it.
"I missed you," he said against her mouth. "This dress is driving me crazy." He pressed his hips forward so she could feel what she did to him. Arousal swift and sharp grabbed her by the throat. His hands explored the smooth skin of her thighs. "Let me touch you."
Through the fog, she tried to focus but it was useless. "Roland," she said breathily.
Rob's mouth locked over the pulse beating at her neck. She lost her breath for a moment before it expelled in a long exhale. "He's outside. We have some time. Not long, but after a week away from you, it won't take long." His teeth scraped along her skin and all rational thought vacated her mind.
Their mouths molded and they were moving. She felt the motion of moving somewhere, but she was too involved to realize or care where. Then, they were in the laundry room. He picked her up and set her on top of the dryer. He snuck his hands up her dress, slipped her panties down, and touched her.
"Is this okay?" He kissed her and waited for her affirmation. Nodding, she wrapped her arms around him as he slipped inside of her. He groaned and held her hips tightly with his hands. He wrapped her legs around him and rolled his hips. She gasped.
"I don't want to go slow," he said gruffly. Meeting her eyes, he tried to express what he wanted. "I won't hurt you, darlin'." He kissed her and rolled his hips slowly. For a few minutes, she enjoyed the slowness. Then, to please him, she adjusted and rocked her hips faster.
When he took over, she felt her breath clog in her throat. Pleasure shot through her like whiskey consuming her. He panted against her neck and pitoned his hips. She cried out as the orgasm sliced through her like waves crashing in the ocean. One wave after another sent her body shaking powerfully and heat burned her from the inside out. He held still and waited her out. He rolled his hips once, then twice.
His mouth coaxed hers with his until she became pliant and limp. When she had her wits about her, as if a man possessed, he fisted her hair in his hands and raced until his body erupted.
…
Rob's heart wasn't quite steady when he walked back into the kitchen from the bathroom. Regina stood at the counter—without those red spike heels that nearly destroyed him—pouring coffee. He stood behind her, brushed her hair aside, and kissed the back of her neck.
When she sighed and leaned into him, he smiled. "Coffee?"
"Later." He kissed her lips softly. "I'm gonna go out and talk to him."
Inside the barn, he found Roland sitting on a hay bale with Parker tugging on his shoelaces. The cat was trying his hardest to get the boys attention to no avail. The frown on his face concerned Rob.
"Hey, buddy."
Roland's face came up, "Hi, dad."
He sat beside the boy. "Your mom said you were having a bad day. Want to talk about it?"
Roland's shoulder lifted and fell lazily. "The guys at school said that you're not my real dad because you weren't there when I was a baby."
Rob's stomach clenched and his heart tightened with the pain of the reminder. "What do you think?"
"That I wish you had been there."
"Buddy, I didn't know. I wish I would've been there too. It hurts that I wasn't, and I'm still upset with your mom, but I love you. That doesn't make me less of your dad." He put his arms around his shoulders. "Does it?"
"I guess not. I just get mad because you don't get to help me with homework, or go play ball, or hang out with us when the other dads are there." He paused and picked up straw to tear apart. "I only get to see you on weekends and when I want to call you, mom says I'm bugging you."
"You're not bugging me, Roland. I work a lot during the day, but you know you can call me anytime. We'll try harder to make this work, okay?"
"I wish I could live with you. At least I have my own room. Mom's stuff is all over the place."
Rob laughed. "I can imagine it would be hard to share a room with your mom. There are gonna be a lot of changes because I want to spend time with you as much as I can. Alright?"
"Yea."
"You hungry? I think your mom is fixing something."
"I'm starved." Rob stood. "Dad?"
"Yea?"
"Do you think mom and you will get back together, and we'll all live together?" His son's eyes were so innocent.
"I love your mom, Roland. Very much, but I can't say what will happen. Let's just wait and see." He crouched at eye level. "I want to tell you something, but you have to keep it to yourself. Man, to man."
He nodded.
"I'd very much like to marry your mom and have you come live with me. But there are things going on right now that have to be put on hold. When the time is right, I'll talk to you like a man about it. Deal?"
"Deal." They shook hands and walked back to the house.