Chapter 9 - First Times

Early July 1831

The logs for the new rooms had been installed in a week of hard work. Wade had a vision and it was not a small one. The thing on that sketch Wade had made looked more like a small Manor than a ranch house. But with the new construction wood and windows the others had brought as well as the trees they had cut in the grove and the wood Wade and Cole had bought in Fort William, it began to look similar to the sketch.

The roof had been removed and the boys' room was gone. A full level had been built above the enlarged first level and they had rebuilt the roof. Everyone got his own room to have their privacy and a living room area had been added downstairs, where the Triad's walnut table and the chaise lounge now stood. The large dining table with the open mantel at the wall built the heart of the big room and on the other side was the kitchen area. Bastian wanted an extra room, not a big one, for the Brotherhood items like amulets, witchcraft utensils, and stuff.

The outside had changed as well. Bastian had separated a big square of the meadow next to the house and let Samuel create a new garden section for their herbs and vegetables. It had a clear structure and Samuel seemed to bloom with the work. They had planted potatoes and beans before but this new garden had been thought through from the first row.

Only a month after Mike and Bastian had arrived they were able to move all into their own rooms. It felt like a new start, though it didn't stop Daniel from showing up in Cole's room every day. Cole was pretty pissed about his clinging cousin. What had led to some quarrels in the last few days.

Today the boys were told to do some garden work. Aaron had been over again to help them. When they had finished with the work they washed their hands and faces heading inside to eat. Wade had told them they were the rest of the day free to do whatever they wanted, which didn't happen often since the Triad had arrived. When it wasn't hard work with wood or the animals they had to train.

Cole strolled over the yard to the house, already planning to meet Carolyn as he saw her riding over the hill towards the ranch. He waited for her to arrive and happily took her in a warm embrace. "Carolyn, what a wonderful surprise. Why did you come over? Aaron left already about ten minutes ago. I told him I would come over to you in an hour."

"I know. I met him on the way. I wanted to see you. I haven't met you for five long days and Aaron told me you had spare time for the rest of the day." She threw herself into Cole's strong arms kissing him longingly. "God, I missed you so much."

Under attack from her kisses, he tried to slow her down. "Easy, Carolyn, we have the whole day. Or do you want my whole family to watch us kissing? How about we go swimming? I know a good place and I want to wash off the dirt from today's work."

"Sounds like a good plan and it fits mine."

"You have already planned to go swimming with me?"

"Not exactly swimming. I'm ready to go. Do you need something else?"

"Yes, at least I have to tell someone we are out. I'm right back, don't move." Cole tried to cool down. She made him longing for her with only a single touch.

The young man hurried into his room. He quickly grabbed a fresh shirt and trousers from his closet, pushing them inside his bag. He wondered about what Carolyn had planned today. Daniel came inside, looking confused why his cousin was in such a hurry.

"What are you doing? The meal will be ready in a few minutes," Daniel asked accusingly.

"I'm going out with Carolyn, she's waiting for me outside, don't wait for me," Cole slung his bag over his shoulder and was nearly out of the door of his room.

Daniel stopped him from exiting the room with his hand on Cole's chest. "Can you be a bit more precise about where you're planning to go?"

"No, definitely not, I don't want you around. You are glued to my toes all the time." Cole regretted his words instantly. He hadn't wanted to say it like that, it had just slipped from his lips.

Daniel stared shocked at him. Cole knew he had hurt his cousin deeply by telling him he didn't want him around. He'd never said something that rude.

Cole saw Daniel knitting his brows, annoyed and hurt. "You are an asshole! As if I want to be where you two kiss or whatever you do when you are alone. I better know where not to go so that I don't have to witness you making love or something."

"Shut up you brat, you don't even know what you are talking about," Cole threw back at him, letting his bag slip from his shoulder.

"I'm not stupid and not a kid anymore, sure as hell I know what I'm talking about." Daniel's temper boiled over, angrily he gave Cole a surprisingly hard shove which made him stumble backward. Cole lost it completely; he hated when someone got physical on him. Temporarily reminded about how his father had gotten violent to him as he was a kid, he instantly jumped on Daniel's throat and both ended up on the ground, fighting.

"Boys! Boys, what's wrong?" Mike entered the room. "Hey! Stop fighting! Now!" Campbell thundered, separating the two nearly catching a swing from Tanner himself.

Cole pushed Mike angrily away, grabbing his things. He turned in the doorframe pointing accusingly a finger at his cousin. "He started it. I'm out today. I better not see your ugly face today, cousin."

Daniel ground his teeth, wiping his bloody nose but added nothing more at his cousin, letting Cole go. Cole heard The Knight talking in on Daniel to calm him. He couldn't wait to get rid of his nosy cousin. Rearranging his clothes, the young man exited the house.

Carolyn was still in the yard waiting for him. Concerned, she asked him what was wrong. Cole had not the ability to hide his feelings. The anger was written all over his face. Sighing he ran a hand over through his long dark hair. He had to calm down again. Cole wanted to enjoy Carolyn's company and not be angry. "Sorry, it's nothing, I quarreled with Daniel."

"I'm sorry, was it my fault?"

"No, let's not talk about it anymore. Come we better get going. Before another nosy family member comes out of the blue."

*** The Wild West Triad - prequel ***

They rode over the green summer plains of the wide land. Wildflowers bloomed everywhere, and small groves and plains dominated the surrounding. Cole guided her to the pond he had in mind which lay silent in a rock-surrounded valley. The only entrance was well hidden between low-hanging willows. The sunlight illuminated the center of the water through the branches, which grew around this natural water basin.

"It is beautiful here," Carolyn whispered in amazement. "But I bet the water is as cold as ice."

"I came not over for a hot bath. I just need a refreshment after work. There are other places for relaxing in hot water." Cole smiled and came closer, already opening his shirt to let it fall on the grassy ground. What have you planned for today?" He wanted to know, looking intensely into her eyes.

Carolyn bit on her lower lip, looking up into Cole's bright blue eyes, smiling mysteriously. "It is a secret. First, you can get your refreshment. Then I will tell you."

Feeling the tightness in his pants getting uncomfortable, Cole tried to calm down again. This girl pushed every button on him. "Do you wanna join me in the water?" He asked, hopeful. He would definitely like it if she took off her clothes to come with him. Cole would never push her but he wanted to feel her silky skin close to him, touch her, kiss her all over her body. He wanted her more than anything.

"No, I will wait here for you."

"Ok, I'm right back." Catching a kiss from her lovely lips, he turned and stepped closer to the edge of the pond. After getting rid of his pants and boots, he got the opportunity to cool down for a moment. The water was indeed cold.

Cole jumped in with a header, wondering what Carolyn had planned. He wouldn't let her wait too long - but a bit.

He broke through the surface again. The water ran in thin trickles along his face down over his lips. The dark-haired wiped the water from his face, pushing his long hair back. Opening his eyes, he searched the spot where he had left Carolyn sitting in the grass. She was nowhere to be seen. "Carolyn? Are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Are you refreshed enough?" Her voice came from a nearby thicket.

"Do you already miss me?" Cole joked, doing a few swimming strokes through the pond and back to the rocky edge where he had jumped in.

He was just out of the water, still dripping, when Carolyn showed up again looking up at him innocently and big-eyed. The only thing she wore was her long white underdress, the arms protectively wrapped around her lean body. Carolyn's hair fell open over her shoulders, framing her perfect face.

Cole didn't find any words though his body language did its best to show her what he thought. Excited and unsure he carefully came closer, touching her cheek with his wet fingertips, letting them explore all the way along her jawline and down her delicate throat. Cole felt his arousal grow to no end. He slipped down the underdress over her small shoulder and it slid silently down to the grass, revealing her whole beauty.

Carolyn began to tremble, her rosy nipples turned stiff as Cole let his fingertips wander down her collar bone brushing over her breasts. Unsure, she started talking. "You know I have never done this before. I …"

"Neither do I." Cole kissed her carefully, cupping her face. His words, a whispered promise to be careful. "I wouldn't do anything you don't want me to do. You only have to say one word."

Carolyn opened her arms, pulling him closer to her. "I love you."

*** The Wild West Triad - Prequel ***

Cole still enjoyed Carolyn's warmth next to him that radiated from her bare skin. Their legs were still entwined, the tips of her breasts brushing his chest. He stroked playfully along the silhouette of her body which made her purr under his touch. Feeling relaxed like never before he wished they could stay here forever - exactly like this - in a daydream of loving and being loved.

It had been a little bit weird at first for he didn't want to do anything she wouldn't like but soon they had found their rhythm. It had felt like heaven to be united with his love in the closest way that two people could connect.

They stayed at the pond for another hour, cuddling, before they packed their things to leave. Cole was already finished dressing and took a seat next to his love, watching her while she pinned up her hair back up to her usual knot. The world around them faded while he watched her. She was like his sun, shining upon his heart to make him feel alive.

Tanner made sure she was safe home before he headed back to Wilmington Ranch in the best mood. Whistling and smiling he took care of his stallion before he went inside, hoping to find some leftovers from the meal.

Mike was sitting together with Bastian at the dining table, studying the maps Wade had sketched of the area over the years.

"Hey guys, is there something left to eat?" Cole strolled over to the kitchen cabinet to cut off a piece of bread from the loaf.

Mike watched up from his map, reading Cole with a curious expression but remaining silent.

Cole soon felt his stare, with his mouth full of bread, another slice in his hand, and a cup of tea in the other he took a seat at the table. A few sips of tea later, Cole couldn't bear the stare of The Knight any longer. "What?"

Mike's expression turned into a knowing smile. But he said nothing, only shook his head, returning to his map.

"Is it because of the quarrel with Daniel?" Cole asked innocently, though he already was sure that Mike would give him a speech about that.

"Well, I think you know what you did." The Knight placed the map on the table and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back in his chair. "We have indeed to speak about how you treat your cousin."

"He will get over it," Cole answered, rolling his eyes, not feeling guilty.

"It was not the first time you bumped heads but the first time you hit him. But I guess you had another first time today which let you temporarily forget the events at home."

Cole raised a brow feeling his face blushing. How could he know what he and Carolyn had done?

"Oh buddy," Mike laughed. "That beaming joy you are radiating is hard to ignore as well as the love bite on your neck. I was seventeen myself once. Bastian, do you remember when Bianca's father nearly stabbed me with his pitchfork?"

Bastian looked up from his book as well and laughed. "Oh yes, I remember that very well. Never saw you running like this before."

"Yeah and whose fault was it? You were supposed to warn me." Mike was still smiling over the memory. "But back to the subject at hand, Cole, I have no problem with it if you meet Carolyn and do whatever you two did today to make you so happy. But it doesn't give you the right to treat your family like shit."

"But Daniel …"

"Daniel is becoming a young man too, try to imagine how difficult it is for him to lose his best friend to a girl. He doesn't know what to do about it other than cling to you whenever he can. Don't blame him for this."

Cole stayed silent for a moment, his nostrils trembled defiantly first, until he sighed defeated. "You might be right. I will talk to him."

"Yeah, do this. He is in his room."

TBC