↫Do not pET↬

Female | 30's | ♍|Chubby and cute but will bite you...

[meanhamster]

Hammy's Masterlist! (/≧▽≦)/

↪Camping With Your Caleb - 18+

↪Her and the Sea - 18+

Brushfires and Prairie Winds

[insert-witty-user-name-here]

[starknstarwars]

Me opening up the half-finished draft of my ‘narratively creative’ Conclave fanfic:

[meanhamster]

Sigh.... For the pope!

[meanhamster]

My Take on the mess and announcing my break from the fandom 🤎💙

First and foremost, I don't blame by Chinese girlies. They have been crying foul play for a long time and PaperGames/Infold have never folded to their legitimate concerns. PaperGames/Infold only caved because the Chinese government caught wind of the disrespect they've repeatedly shown to their own culture.

Its my personal belief that they deleted Valko to cause uproar so everyone looked away from the fact that they fucked up big time using national tragedies for plot lines and marketing and they want to avoid the potentially disastrous consequences of this.

I'm so sorry to my LADS girlies across the globe who feel not only betrayed, but have had to watch their fandom turn on each other and descend into chaos (exactly what infold wanted). I will be taking a break from LADS for awhile and I encourage you to do the same. I love you girlies fr. We could all use a little air, though 😊 I'll still be writing, even for Lads after a small breather. But im not sure I can actually play LADS and support the company after all I've learned.

I ALSO SPECULATE THAT THIS IS TEMPORARY! I think once the heat dies down and they've fixed what they should have been fixing for two years now, they'll find a better time to release Valko. They've done this before with their other games. If it will make them money, they won't toss it.

I'll leave you with this poignant take from a Chinese hunter, please read it my loves, its important to have some perspective.

Lastly... to all the rascist fuckers complaining about Valko's appearance not being Chinese enough, fuck you 🖕🏽 that shit is weak, brittle spined, cousin fucking, incest loving, purist shit and you can take that right to hell, bitch.

I hope my Lads girlies heal and feel better, ilysm ❤️

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

[valkoapproves]

is this illegal? it feels illegal.

[Gideon x fem!Reader] What happens in the closet during Seven Minutes in Heaven stays in the closet… or does it? Content Warning: 18+, MDNI, explicit sexual content - first kiss, vaginal fingering, some light violence Word Count: 5.3k Author’s Note: the fandom always jokes about how Caleb can be so mean to Gideon sometimes... and after asking myself why for about a year, here's what my brain came up with! beta-read by @blackhearteyes999 AND @nevesnotworking <3 Required Listening: Illegal by PinkPantheress Click here to read on AO3

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2:32 AM.

Caleb and Gideon’s party was finally dying down. 

To celebrate the end of their fifth semester at the Deepspace Aircraft Academy, the boys threw a party with all of their closest friends — all… 30 of them, if you sent out the right amount of invites?

Their house was a complete and total mess. Red Solo cups littered the floor, empty beer bottles overflowed in the trash can, and most of the holiday decorations you had hung up were either torn up or totally missing. A few old pizza slices sat on the kitchen table, too far gone to be saved as tomorrow’s leftovers. It smelled like someone threw up somewhere. You knew it was gonna be a bitch to clean up in the morning. In fact, the carpet will probably need to be professionally cleaned. 

You didn’t mind, though. You were just tipsy enough not to care. 

You tried not to drink so much tonight, but once the party got going, it was hard to stop. Plus, you just had your own round of finals at the Hunter Academy and felt like you needed to celebrate your success. And it was entirely irresistible when their housemate Patrick’s high-end handle of whiskey was pulled out, and he made everyone take shots.

Now, only a few party-goers remained, listening to whatever party playlist someone pulled up on the speakers and relaxing in the living room. You’re nursing whatever was left in your bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, your hand wrapped around its neck as you feel someone throw their arm over your shoulders. 

It’s Caleb, of course.

The weight of his arm pushes the worn-out neckline of one of the many sweatshirts you’ve stolen from him down to your collarbones as he throws back the rest of his can of beer. His warmth and familiarity envelop you, enticing you to lean even closer in his embrace. You can’t lie, he looks as hot as he’s making you feel right now (though sober, you would argue that he always looks hot). You’ve had a crush on him since you were kids, and often fantasized about what might happen if the two of you crossed the theoretical threshold and took that next step in your relationship.

But you knew you’d never have a chance with him. You were like his little sister. He probably wants a girlfriend whom he doesn't have to dote on the way he takes care of you.

Besides, with how good-looking he is, he probably has a whole roster of potential girlfriends lining up at his doorstep daily — and nightly.

Your gaze wanders over to his best friend and long-time roommate, Gideon. They have been friends since Caleb started at the DAA, and you were introduced to him rather quickly. The three of you have become inseparable over the years — tons of parties, going out on the town, that one camping weekend the three of you took a few summers ago…

He catches you staring before you realize you are, his eyes growing wide as saucers before quickly looking away.

Gideon was like the slender, shyer version of Caleb. Something about him drew you in, made you want to get to know him on a more… intimate level. He stayed pretty guarded, opening up about certain topics or stories about his life, but he never fully let you in. It was almost as if he himself built an impenetrable wall between the two of you, one you felt you were forbidden to cross. 

Was it his sweetness, his dorkiness, his lopsided, genuine smile that had you attracted to him? Or was it the mystery that he was trying to hide from you?

Maybe it’s the wine talking, but you really want to kiss that crooked grin he’s giving you right now. 

You notice Caleb lifting his arm off your shoulders, leaning over to whisper something in his roommate Patrick’s ear. His eyes flicker to you for a second before lifting his arms up, stretching his taut muscles. 

You do your best not to give it attention, but you end up catching his impressive bicep rippling from the corner of your eye.

“Okay, everyone, who’s down for a little Seven Minutes in Heaven to spice things up?” Patrick hollers so everyone in the house can hear it.

The party guests get rowdy once more, their hoots and hollers nearly shaking the foundation. But as you look around the room as everyone comes to sit in a circle, you realize you’re the only girl left behind.

Ah, shit.

You don’t go to many parties, yet you know the urban legend that is this game. Like Spin the Bottle, but instead of kissing, you’re locked in close proximity with another “partner.” What happens in the closet stays in the closet.

Please don’t let it land on me…

“It’ll be okay, pips.” Caleb notices your rapidly shifting eyes, patting the top of your head gently. “I’ll make sure nobody tries to pull a fast one on ya.”

You give him an anxious smile. The likelihood of being selected and then paired with someone you don’t know is low… right?

“Yo, anyone got a bottle?”

You hand their other housemate, Blythe, your now-empty wine bottle. Once everyone gets settled, he places it in the middle of the circle and gives it a hard spin. 

“Okay, so first up will be…”

As he spins the bottle with great force, you feel a slight shift in the air, the tension in the room nearly tangible between your fingertips. Out of the corner of your eye, Caleb watches intently as the bottle spins round and round, never slowing down, almost hypnotic in the way it moves. 

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the bottle comes to a halting stop, its neck of the bottle pointing right at you.

“Me?”

Of course, what are the odds…

You feel your face flush to your ears, embarrassed that all the eyes in the room are on you now. You turn your head to Caleb for some guidance or comfort—

But before you can get a word out, he stands up, rather urgently.

“I’m gonna use the bathroom real quick.” He announces to the group. “Don’t let ‘em spin it without me, pips!”

He saunters off to the restroom, almost too confidently, and it leaves you curious.

He looks way too proud to be taking a shit right now. What’s he doing? What’s he got pl—

Your thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Patrick’s shit-eating grin, waiting for Caleb to shut the door with a click and turn the fan on.

“Okay then, so you’ll be paired up with…” He says, reaching for the bottle again.

“Wait,” you interrupt, reaching over to swat Patrick’s hand away, “didn’t Caleb say not to—“

“Oh, it’ll be fine, he told me it’s okay if we spin.” He says casually. “He just likes to be nosy with this kinda stuff, especially if it’s about you.”

“Well, I’d rather wait for him.”

“Too bad, Princess.”

You scoff at his nickname for you, no doubt one he gave you because Caleb spoils you so much. You sit back in the circle with your arms crossed over your chest, doing your best to make up a comeback for next time.

“So, you’ll be sharing your seven minutes with…” Patrick spins this time, the glass bottle whirling round and round on the wooden floor. For some reason, it doesn’t seem to spin as long as the first time. 

The neck of the bottle settles on the man sitting right next to you.

“Gideon!”

Wait, WHAT?! 

Both your eyes go wide in surprise as you look at each other. You watch Gideon reach for a shot glass, throwing back whatever mystery liquid someone poured in it.

The other guys grab on to your arms, pulling you up on your feet and pushing you to the small storage closet in the far corner of the living room. 

“Hey, get your hands off me!” You try your best to fight them off, but they are much stronger than you are.

“Relax, Princess,” Blythe says as he opens the door to the closet. “We’re not gonna hurt you.”

You roll your eyes, yanking your wrist out of his other hand.

“Takes one to know one, ya little p—“

“Let’s not get too feisty, okay?”

Gideon stands right behind you, placing a large, steady hand on your shoulder. His presence gives you a moment of peace before Blythe opens his mouth again:

“Yeah, save it for the closet.”

You fight the urge to backhand him.

“You got the timer?” Patrick asks as he shoves you and Gideon into the closet together.

Blythe shows off his phone screen, already set to a seven-minute countdown. 

You remember organizing this space when the boys first moved into their apartment, filling the shelves with all the cleaning supplies they would need, plus some extra sheets and blankets. You even stored extra Tide Pods near the bottom, knowing Caleb loved doing laundry, especially when you came to visit.

It was a small space with just you setting it up, and now it felt even smaller with another larger body in there with you.

“Aaaaand go!”

The closet door shuts and locks. You could tell from the shadow in the small gap underneath the door that someone was pushing their body up against it to prevent you from even trying to open it. You try to jiggle the door handle, but it doesn’t budge a bit. You even try the light switch, but the bulb has burnt out. A frustrated sigh escapes your lips.

Now, you’re in the dark. Alone.

Well, not alone. But with Gideon, your best friend’s best friend, pressed snugly against you, in this tiny closet space.

“Well then…” You whisper, trying to make your interactions as normal as possible with his broad chest against your back and the curve of your ass against his crotch. “Uh, how’s your night been going?”

He softly chuckles under his breath. You don’t need to see his face to know he’s wearing that goofy smile you like.

“Better now.” His voice is soft, yet charming, sending a light tingling sensation through your body.

You can feel your cheeks burning, yet you weren’t sure if it was from the alcohol or what he may be implying.

“It was getting real rowdy out there, so I don’t mind a bit of peace and quiet in here.”

Oh.

So he’s not really into this, you think. 

But he does have a point. The music and chatter are muffled through the door, so you can't clearly hear the conversations in the living room, giving your mind a sense of relief. 

That means they probably won’t hear anything we talk about, you realize as you relax your shoulders. 

“Besides, out of anyone else out there, I’d rather be in here with you.”

You pause, remembering who was all sitting in the living room.

“Wasn’t I the only girl left out there?”

“Well… yeah…”

Another pause, an awkward silence shared between the two of you.

Guess this is what the next six minutes and thirty seconds will sound like…

Feeling a bit better about this predicament you two are in, you try your best to turn and face him.

It takes quite a great effort in such a small space, your hips accidentally brushing up against the shelves and the closet door as you turn. Silently mouthing an expletive, you step backward, running right back into Gideon again. But this time, as the soft plushness of your hips dips rub against his crotch…

You feel something much harder rubbing back against you. 

OhmygodohmygodohmygodwasthatwhatIthinkitisssss???

You ignore it the best you can, taking small steps until your chests are practically pressed against each other. Your faces are so close, you can smell the shot he just took on his breath. 

A part of you wants to taste it.

Gideon clears his throat, catching your attention. You can’t see much of his face from the light under the door, but you could tell he couldn’t look you in the eye.

“Listen, uh…”

Before he can finish his sentence, you notice the faint light under the closet door turn red, and a familiar song plays in the background.

“Wait a minute,” you nearly spit out, “did they turn on The Weeknd?"

You hear the boys crack up on the other side of the door.

Of course, this would all be one big game to them…

But then, you feel Gideon’s hand tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, the pad of his thumb gently tracing your earlobe.

“You…” He whispers.

Your heart starts sprinting.

“You… what?” 

The light from under the door allows you to see the corner of his mouth lift in a small smile. 

“… I don’t think we’ve ever been this close before.”

His flush is slowly creeping down his neck. You don’t need to see it; you can feel the heat radiating from his body. 

“Is it okay?” You ask earnestly.

“More than okay.”

Oh?

“I think the only other person I’ve been this close with is Caleb.” You confess, a bit embarrassed to be saying it out loud.

“Really?” Gideon says, though he doesn’t seem that surprised. “So that means you’ve never been…”

“Nope.” You shake your head side to side.

You’ve never been kissed, never had a boyfriend, hell, you barely had talking stages (though back in high school, you can blame Caleb for scaring them away). You may have held hands with a guy one time, and you didn’t enjoy it because his palms were sweaty.

That definitely doesn’t mean you don’t want to have your first kiss… You just haven’t been given the chance yet.

You feel his hands drop to your hips, squeezing them gently before pulling you impossibly closer to him. The temperature in the closet seems to rise by 10 degrees as you realize your face is much closer than before.

“Would you like to?”

Gideon’s never been this forward with you before. Part of you blames it on the alcohol flowing through both of your bloodstreams, impairing his judgment and leading him to do something he might regret.

“Are you sure… you’d want to kiss me?” You ask timidly, pressing your hands against his chest. You could feel his heart thumping through his shirt, the rise and fall of his breath quickening as the two of you got closer.

He doesn’t say anything at first. He just leans in, pressing his forehead against yours. You swear you can hear him gulp before he says his next, carefully chosen words:

“I’ve never wanted anything more.”

You always wondered what your first kiss would feel like. Would it feel like an explosion when your lips pressed against someone else’s for the first time? Or would it be sloppy and wet? Would it sweep you off your feet? Or would you be too preoccupied with where your limbs should go?

“Five minutes left!” You hear someone shout.

You wish you could tell your younger self that you were about to find out. 

Your fingers quickly travel from his chest up to the nape of his neck, nails pressing into his skin as you press your mouth against his.

It’s like a single firework shoots up your spine, bursting behind your closed eyes. His lips are so soft and so warm against yours, and you can taste the slightest hint of liquor left behind from the shot he took. His grip on you tightens, his fingertips digging into the fleshy part of your hips.

It may have just been a simple kiss, but oh my god, you already felt addicted.

Your knees nearly go weak as you pull away, your eyes widening as you hear Gideon’s ragged breathing. 

“Do… do you want more?”

You nod eagerly, and this time, he takes the lead.

The fireworks multiply and explode in the sky behind your eyes as he slowly moves his mouth against yours. One of his hands leaves your hip to caress the back of your head, changing his angle to kiss you even deeper. It’s such a foreign feeling, and you’re already feeling so dizzy as he takes total control. You try to match his movements the best you can, but he’s much more experienced than you are, leaving you completely stunned.

You feel him nip at your lower lip, tugging gently to coax your mouth open. You allow him entry as your fingers explore his short hair, tongues tangling with each other in a drunken dance, one where both of you are trying to take the lead. It’s entirely intoxicating, you feel like you’re holding on to Gideon for dear life, his strong arms keeping you steady as he kisses you over and over again.

“If you’ve never been kissed,” he whispers between your lips, “does that mean that no one’s ever…”

The hand on your hip dives underneath your sweatshirt, deft fingers desperately searching for your breasts. Goosebumps travel down your spine as his skin touches yours for the first time…

You hear his breath hitch as he realizes you weren’t wearing a bra.

“You…” He pulls away from the kiss, looking down to where your chest was hidden under your sweatshirt, his hand touching the underside of your breast.

You almost laugh as you shrug. “I almost never wear a bra underneath these big sweatshirts.”

“W-why?”

“It’s not like it’s super noticeable…” 

Unless someone is really looking at my chest…

You weren’t as blessed in that department as some of your other friends. In fact, you would bet good money that Caleb’s chest was bigger than yours. It never really bothered you, but it was probably a reason why you’ve never had a boyfriend.

He sucks in a breath before exhaling, palming your breast with his large, calloused hand.

“Fuck, you’re driving me crazy…”

He presses your back against the door, pinching your nipple a little bit harder than you’d expect, a high-pitched gasp involuntarily escaping your lips. He silences you with another searing kiss, hoping and praying no one behind the door heard the sounds you were making for him. 

You faintly hear the hollers of the guys in the other room, their cheers ringing through the house. Your teeth bite down on Gideon’s bottom lip, trying your best to stifle the moans from spilling out of your mouth. 

With a strangled cry, his other hand abandons the back of your head, both breasts now being caressed in the palms of his hands. He groans softly with each squeeze, biting his own lip when he rolls your nipples between his fingers. You pant heavily, the arousal growing more and more in your lower stomach.

A chill runs through your body as his hands leave your breasts to lift your sweatshirt over your head. His lips find one of your perked nipples, biting and sucking on the sensitive flesh as he pinches the other. You squeeze your thighs as his mouth lavishes his affections against your chest, your fingers gripping his hair to find something to hold on to. 

“You… I…” Gideon breathlessly moans against your breasts, biting the soft skin and leaving his mark on the newly charted territory. 

You feel his hands move to the waistband of your leggings.

“I need to taste you.”

You instantly know what he’s implying, and your heart skips a beat.

You aren’t even sure if you can… well, you know. You’ve touched yourself plenty of times to know what you like, but you never fully “finished.” Your hands alone weren’t enough to satisfy your needs.

But… jumping from just kissing to this? With your best friend’s best friend?

It almost feels illegal. 

Your eyes meet his as he’s searching for your consent, his fingers ghosting over your hips.

Gideon leans in and presses a chaste kiss to your forehead. “We don’t have to if you’re not ready, you know.”

“No, I…” you pause, your heart thumping loudly in your chest. Your reasoning and desire were at war with each other, and with the alcohol still in your system, your desire was winning.

“I want you to.”

He nods before pressing a softer kiss against your lips. “I’ll be gentle, I promise. I got you.”

One hand moved to the small of your back, the other slowly snaking down to the juncture between your legs, over your clothes. His fingers press against your mound, rubbing back and forth on the smooth fabric of your leggings.

Already, your knees feel weak, a dull pleasure traveling through your body like blood through your veins. You jerk your hips forward, watching his hand move over and over again. You pant softly, pushing your hips against his touch for more of that sweet, delicious friction. It aches so bad that it makes you want even more.

“Does… does that feel all right?” He whispers in your ear.

You nod, your eyes waiting to see what he’ll do next.

“Do you… Want me to do more?”

He leans in, his lips brushing the entrance of your ear.

“Tell me what you want me to do.”

If it already feels this good, then…

“Three more minutes!” Patrick’s voice interrupts your thoughts. 

“Touch me more, Gideon.”

“Under your…” he pants, his breath hot on your skin, “under your… panties?”

You nearly whine from his words alone. 

“Please.”

Steadily, his hand moves from your mound and slips under your waistband, his fingertips already making their way underneath the thin fabric of your panties. You feel a bit embarrassed as his fingers travel through the tuft of hair above your apex, mentally cussing yourself out for not shaving the night before. His fingertips cautiously trace your delicate folds, sensing your body tensing.

“Are you okay?” He freezes, not daring to move a centimeter further.

“I’m good,” you sigh, “just… nervous.”

“I know, pretty girl.” He plants a kiss on your cheek. “Can I keep going? I wanna make you feel so good.”

Either the alcohol was really getting to him, or he was drunk with lust.

“Yes,” you reply, meeting his gaze for the first time in what feels like hours.

In an act of passion (or drunkenness), Gideon’s hands grab the waistband of your leggings, pulling them down with your panties, exposing you fully to him. You yelp in surprise before his arm wraps around your shoulders, pressing your back against his chest, locking your body against his as his other hand parts your folds with his fingers. He presses against your clit, two fingertips moving in small circles against your swollen, needy bud. Your moans are swallowed by his kisses as he holds your body against his own, as his calculated movements make your abdomen tighten, almost coiling against itself as four pleasure intensifies. 

Your thighs are nearly soaked; you’ve never felt so wet in your life before.

Slowly, you start to feel his fingers travel away from your bud, to an area of yourself you haven’t ever explored before. Now it’s Gideon’s turn to moan in your mouth, feeling the slick between your thighs for the first time. You swear you hear him curse before his middle digit approaches your entrance, teasing it as he waits for your enthusiastic consent.

“Can I—“

“Yes.”

He pushes against the tight hole, inching further and further against your walls until his finger is completely sheathed inside. It takes everything in you not to cry out so loudly that the whole house could hear. You knit your brows as you throw your head back, knocking the back of your head hard against his chiseled shoulder.

He softly laughs as he draws his hand back, pulling his finger all the way out. “That good, yeah?”

You nod with a muffled moan, your lips pulled in a tight line. 

His finger enters you again. moving in and out of you at a slow and steady pace. Deep thrusts that fill you completely, reaching spots inside you that you never thought were possible to find, tightening the coil that sits low in your stomach. It’s a foreign feeling, and you’re not sure what will happen next, but you trust that Gideon will take care of you.

Now, whether it was the alcohol or your conscience trusting him, you couldn’t really tell. 

“You’re doing great, babe.” He quietly praises you, pressing a kiss to the tip of your nose. “I told you it would feel so good.”

But as you feel your body clenching as he slides a second finger inside your entrance, you hear someone loudly rattling the doorknob from the other side, a frantic string of curses flying from his mouth.

Caleb.

Your body freezes, unsure of what the hell will transpire within the next few seconds.

“Dammit! Why the fuck did you put her in there with Gideon, of all fucking people?” You heard him ask his roommates.

“Chill out, bro. You know he’s a good guy.” One of the guys you don’t recognize reassures him. “They’re probably just hanging out in there. You know he’s not the type of guy to take advantage of her like that.”

“I will tear the door off its fucking hinges if you don’t get her out of there, now.”

His voice was dripping with malice. You know he’d do it, too. 

Despite his best friend’s threats to interrupt the two of you, Gideon doesn’t stop — if anything, he moves his hand faster and harder, his fingers pistoning back and forth inside of you. The stretch of his two fingers is almost too much, your thighs shaking as you dig your nails into his bicep. You silently thank whoever has the music on so loud in the living room that Caleb can’t hear your soft moans or the wet squelching of Gideon’s fingers entering you over and over again.

You feel yourself about to collapse, fall off the edge, something where your body is about to lose all control.

“They don’t got much longer in there, Caleb,” Patrick says. “About a minute left. Wait it out, dude, you’re doing too much.”

You can hear Caleb’s heavy breathing from the other side of the door… or is it Gideon breathing against your ear?

“Are you ready, pretty girl?” He whispers, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear.

You turn your head frantically in response, wondering what the hell he’s got planned.

You hear Caleb’s loud voice on the other side of the door:

“Fine. But if he even accidentally brushes up against her in that closet, I’m beating his ass.”

Suddenly, you feel a third finger sliding inside, stretching you out so full that you can’t even think straight. Your body shudders heavily as your orgasm crashes through you, your muscles tensing as your release splashes against Gideon’s hand. He moans in your ear as your body goes limp, one arm keeping you upright as his fingers drip with your essence. 

Gideon gently pulls his fingers from your entrance, moving them up to his lips. He moves his long, wet tongue over his digits, and you watch his eyes nearly roll to the back of his head through the light at the bottom of the door.

“Delicious.” He smiles, pressing a wet kiss to your cheek as you begin to feel your legs again, your feet pressing against the floor to test their strength.

“That… that was…”

“Good, hopefully?” He chuckles, bending over to pull your leggings over your calves. 

“Yeah…” you say, your voice trailing off in a blissed-out daze as your leggings are pulled up over your hips. “… really good.”

He hands you your discarded sweatshirt, throwing it over your head as fast as you could in your post-orgasmic state. You know the countdown is on, and that door could open any second now.

“Okay, so,” Gideon says as your head pops through your sweatshirt collar, “if they ask us what we were doing in there, just say we were chatting and we’re talking about… personal life stuff. Yeah.”

“Personal, embarrassing life stuff?”

“Totally. That’ll explain why your cheeks are so flushed.”

He didn’t even need to be able to see them — he could just tell.

“Wait a minute,” you start to say, “what does th—“

Before you could answer your question, you hear the key slide into the door handle, turning too rapidly for you to finish your thoughts. The door opens swiftly, revealing a familiar face on the other side.

“Welcome back!” Caleb smiles, though you could tell he was absolutely fuming.

“Thanks, man!” Gideon gives a little wave to him as he steps out of the closet, as you follow close behind. You could see the other guys watching the three of you expectantly, as if they were waiting for an interrogation… or something else? You weren’t sure.

You couldn’t put your finger on it, but something feels off.

“So, whatchya guys get up to in there?” Caleb asks, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. The way he squeezes you brings you back to just a few moments ago, when Gideon had his arm wrapped around you and his fingers—

“Uh uh, man.” Blythe interrupts. “What happens in the closet stays in the closet. It’s none of your business.”

“Really?” Caleb smirks. “I don’t know when they introduced that rule.”

His arm releases your shoulders as he approaches Gideon. You could tell from the tension in his walk that he was very unhappy.

“Get your coat,” Caleb says. “Let’s go outside and chat.”

Acting as if nothing happened, Gideon grabs his coat from the rack, following Caleb as he opens the front door of their house. 

When you hear the door shut, you hurry towards the front window in the kitchen, trying to get a glimpse of them through the snow falling outside. They didn’t go far, taking a few steps from the front porch, their shoes leaving fresh prints in the snow.

You obviously aren’t able to hear what they’re saying if they’re not yelling at each other, but judging from Gideon’s relaxed body language, things seem to be going… to plan? As long as he’s not sharing anything he shouldn’t…

You watch Caleb laugh at something Gideon said, his cheeks turning red from the cold winds blowing outside. You can’t help but think how cute he looks, reminding you of all the times the two of you would play outside in the winter, battling each other with snowballs and building igloo forts that you would spend hours in, until Grandma would call the two of you inside for supper.

But also, there’s Gideon, who is just as handsome as Caleb, looking even cuter as snowflakes catch themselves on his short, black hair. You were surprised to learn that he’s attracted to you, too, but you wonder how all of this will change the dynamic between the three of you.

Nothing has to change between you guys… right?

As you watch Gideon reach into his pocket and place a tiny piece of fabric into Caleb’s hand, you realize he’s done the unthinkable.

You rub your thighs together, feeling more friction against your core than usual.

Gideon actually stole your panties and gave them to Caleb.

You feel your cheeks, chest, and ears burn red.

You’re so mortified, you can’t hear Gideon’s shouts as Caleb pins him to the snowy ground, knees digging into his biceps as he pummels his fists against his face over and over again. You can’t hear the sound of Caleb breaking Gideon’s nose, the crack echoing through the chilly night. You can’t see his two other roommates rushing out of the house, trying to pull Caleb off of his closest friend, while another friend cheers him on. You can’t see the snow splattered with Gideon’s blood. 

All you can think about is how the hell you were ever going to face them again.

✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

umm so Gideon has definitely caught Caleb sniffing MC's panties one too many times and totally stole it as a trophy... right, right

[meanhamster]

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh this was so delicious omg!!!

[lobtwo]

Hehe gamby

[meanhamster]

Bad news friends 💔

I'll be out of commission for a bit while i recover from a word migraine attack. It's been three days ago far, but unfortunately they can last weeks.

I'm okay, just gonna take long naps in the act and catch up on some shows. I've been meaning to watch the new trigun series.

I'll still be around and most definitely reading though!

[meanhamster]

Word migraine?? 😆 don't ever type a post on a migraine cocktail again, hammy. Thank you for all the well wishes ❣️ you guys are so sweet.

[meanhamster]

Bad news friends 💔

I'll be out of commission for a bit while i recover from a word migraine attack. It's been three days ago far, but unfortunately they can last weeks.

I'm okay, just gonna take long naps in the act and catch up on some shows. I've been meaning to watch the new trigun series.

I'll still be around and most definitely reading though!

[meanhamster]

Brush Fires and Prairie Winds Pt. 1

Summary: You had killed Caleb in your heart, and in your mind. It was the only way you could survive his departure off to college the summer you turned seventeen. That was it. He was gone. Off to the city to get himself a career with his shiny new degree.

So when he came back after four years to start working for your father again you didn't know what to do. The silence and the distance had done its damage over time. You did your best to avoid him, put your head down and worked to get through the winter while Caleb quietly orbited you, waiting for an opening to pull you into his gravity again.

Content: Reader is a no nonsense cowgirl, tuffest in the world. Childhood friends to eventual lovers. But first a little ✨angst✨ Misunderstandings, miscommunication. You make poor Caleb cry, but you make it better <3

Hurt/comfort. Happy Ending.

Word count: 8,700

From Hammy: Listen. I know you're going, 'where's the smut, slut?'

I TRIED SO HARD FOR YOU! I just couldn't get it finished to a point I was happy with it so I figured I'll give you the plot for now, and I'll post the second part to this sometime this month. A whole chapter dedicated to filthy cowboy smut for your viewing pleasure 💗 For now, enjoy the movie! Let me know what you think. As always, my comment section and asks is open to you 🥰

Most days Buckshot was a hell of a horse.

He could corner the meanest, most hot blooded bull and keep it exactly where you needed it. He was your wing-man during calving season, keeping the angry mama cows from pulverizing you as you tagged and vaccinated their new babies. But like all living things, he had his days…

You liked to think Bucky liked you, looked forward to your early morning work shifts. The truth you didn’t want to admit was—he really only tolerated you. But as long as you didn’t ask too much and had something sweet for him in your pocket, you both got along.

It was a win considering everyone else knew him as a demon dressed in horse clothes. He was moody, sometimes downright explosive, and had no qualms about pummeling you into the dirt if you tried to push him around. Most of the time you loved that about him…

Not today though.

Not as you laid sprawled out on the frigid ground, your lungs working overtime to pull some air into you after having it all knocked out. A cold open sky hung quietly above you as laid there, endless and pale—the clouds washed in brilliant hues of orange and pink.

It was getting close to six, you figured. Sunrise wasn’t far behind.

To Buck’s credit, he didn’t light off like bullet after launching you clean out of the saddle. He instead grazed about twelve feet away, looking up every now and then to check if you were still alive. You swore he looked pleased with himself, amused even, as you laid there cursing and spitting dirt out of your mouth.

You managed to roll onto your stomach with a groan. The world immediately swayed sideways. You stayed there a moment, blinking at the grass until the spinning eased, then pushed yourself upright.

The earth still rocked faintly beneath your boots as you bent to retrieve your old hat, stuffing it firmly back in place.

Pain pulled sharply across your brow.

“Guess we get to call in today…”

Buck snorted. You heard the slow, familiar thud of his hooves through the grass as he approached.

“You happy now, shithead?” You caught hold of his reins and gave him a quick once-over. Legs, feet, bit, cinch. Everything looked fine. Not a scratch on him.

Then your eyes drifted back toward the gate he’d refused to cross. Before you could even reach it a dry rattle crackled from the brush beside the fence line.

“That explains it.” You mumbled.

Glancing over your shoulder you saw Buck as stiff as a statue. His ears stood alert, his whole body locked and ready to bolt.

You almost chuckled.

This giant animal who could tackle bulls and chase off coyotes was reduced to a trembling mess over a little snake.

Another hissing rattle cracked out of the bush.

Beyond the gate, the pasture rolled away into open prairie with the blue rocky mountain range framing the horizon. You considered chasing the snake off. Considered leading Buck through the gate anyway. Considered shaking off the fall and finishing the day’s chores.

But your head pounded and the ground still swayed a bit beneath your boots.

Something warm crept down your cheek. You touched it and hissed at the sight of blood smeared across your fingertips.

You blew out a little breath.

Pretty as it was, the work would have to wait.

You stuck your foot in the stirrup and hauled yourself up—taking a moment to steady yourself and find your other stirrup—then pointed Buck towards home.

The whole ride back, you rehearsed excuses.

You’d clean yourself up and tell Alice, your housekeeper, that Buck spooked, but that he was fine and you were fine and nobody needed to fuss. Hopefully she wouldn’t call your daddy.

The plan was looking pretty good—until you spotted three riders cresting the hill, going in the opposite direction you were heading.

Your stomach dropped, knowing who they were without even having to look.

Your father had hired the same three ranch hands every summer for as long as you could remember. That is, until one of them sloughed off to the city for college.

Caleb, the bane of your existence since childhood, rode at the front of the pack, looking better than he had any right to in his fringed leather coat.

His family had moved into the little white farmhouse down the road the summer you turned ten. You were first introduced at the barbecue your daddy had put on to welcome them and one smile from Caleb had been enough to send you head over heels in love with him.

Daddy apparently loved him too, because he’s been a thorn in your side ever since. Always over for dinner, always down to watch football, always available when daddy needed something done. He even had his own room in the showbarn’s loft for when he wanted to stay over if things got rough at home.

It took you years to adjust to the emptiness he left behind. And right when you thought you’d kicked him like a bad habit, he returned home and begged Daddy to work for him again.

You’ve spent all your time avoiding him as much as possible since then.

Riding beside him were Gideon and Dallas, his two best friends and partners in crime.

The three of them were currently loping across the pasture, toward the main herd probably, carrying out whatever tasks your daddy had handed out to them that morning.

Problem was, if Caleb got a good look at you now, he’d ask questions and see the blood and blow the whole thing up into something it didn’t need to be.

The thought alone was enough to make you want to ride straight off a cliff.

You turned Bucky sharply to the right, squeezing him into a lope.

Maybe if you looked busy, Caleb would assume you were just checking fences. Maybe if you got to the barn fast enough, you could disappear before he—

“Hey!”

You winced.

In the corner of your eye, you caught sight of him lifting a hand in greeting.

For some strange inexplicable reason—panic seized you.

Suddenly you were smooching Buck into a full gallop.

You realized running away probably looked suspicious. And you couldn’t deny the guilt when you imagined the confused look Caleb was probably wearing.

He should be used to it by now.

When did you ever come when he called you?

Relief filled you as the main barn finally came into view.

You were so close! You would just stick Buck in his stall and head straight to the sink in the wash rack to clean yourself up. Almost there…

The relief only lasted a few moments, collapsing in on itself the moment you heard another set of hooves thundering towards you.

Did he follow you? There’s no fucking way…

You dared a glance over your shoulder, and sure enough, there was Caleb hot on your heels—pushing his horse to its limits to catch up.

“Slow down, will ya?” He called out over the roar of the wind. “What’s the matter?” Guilt pricked you again at the worried tone of his voice.

“Nothing’s the matter, you dummy!” You called out over your shoulder, scrambling wildly for an excuse, any last ditch effort to get out of this conversation.

“Then slow down so I can talk to ya!” All your guilt twisted into frustration at his stubborn persistence.

It was no surprise to him when you veered sharply to the left and galloped full force towards a weak corner of fencing. The corner you were always getting in trouble for jumping over when you didn’t feel like opening the gate at the end of the pasture.

Buckshot soared over it with surprising elegance for his size.

A sharp pain jolted through your skull as you landed the jump with him.

It made your stomach turn, but at least when you looked behind you Caleb was no longer on your tail. He pulled his horse to a stop on the other side of the fence, shaking his head as you galloped off.

You blew a sigh of relief through your dry lips and slowed a bit, letting Buck cool off.

You tried your best to act casual as you dismounted and strolled into the barn, taking Buck straight to the wash rack. You didn’t even clip him in, just dropped his reins and beelined toward the sink.

“Aw shit…” You sighed when you caught a look at your reflection in the mirror. There was blood streaked all down the side of your face, seeping into the collar of your flannel coat.

It’s fine, you thought. You’ll wash up, head inside, and sleep this off. Dad wouldn’t be home until tomorrow evening and by then you’d be perfectly fine.

The only one you needed to worry about wa—

“Gotcha—” Caleb’s playful giggle died in his throat the second you whirled around.

You were just taking your coat off, just about to splash cold water on your face.

His eyes sharpened instantly. That airy, carefree smile he always wore disappeared as he took in the blood-soaked collar of your shirt.

Your lip wobbled. You were already frustrated and tired and now you were going to have to deal with Caleb and Caleb was definitely going to tell your dad… and all you could do was resist shriveling up under his gaze while your whole plan fell apart.

Only, Caleb didn’t jump straight into scolding you, didn’t say a single word in fact. He just spun on his heel and grabbed Buck’s reins—lead him quietly back to his stall without a single word. You heard him murmuring into his phone a minute later, probably talking to Gideon. Heard leather squeaking as his quick hands unsaddled your horse.

You stayed hidden in the wash rack—gently splashing cold water on your face until it came away clear. It was only a little cut right at your hairline, but it was deep and beginning to swell. You were just patting the gash dry, wincing when you heard the stall door rattle shut. He rounded the corner right after.

“Come on, pips.” He seemed eerily relaxed as he offered you his hand.

It wasn’t computing in your sluggish brain.

You couldn’t quite match this version of him up to the Caleb who took every chance to scold you, to hover over you, to boss you around. Caleb, who loved to tease you—said it was his right as your honorary big brother—only stood there, stretching his hand out to you in a gentle invitation. You squinted up at him, planting yourself in place.

“What do you mean come on?” You scoffed. “It’s just a little cut. I’m going to take shower and dress it and then I’m gonna go to bed.” His face pinched into a little scowl, trying hard to mask his amusement.

There’s the little pest you knew… although he certainly wasn’t little anymore. He stepped closer, using his height to his full advantage in an attempt to tower over you. You couldn’t tell if it was his sudden proximity or the potential head injury that made the floor sway under you.

“I know you like to think you’re in charge around here.” His voice went deep the way it did when he was done playing around.

“Hell, most of the time, I’m happy to let you.” He continued with a long suffering sigh.

He stopped right in front of you, close enough that you could feel his breath fan across your face. You refused to back away, tried your best to muster any dignity you had to spare—staring up at him with that stubborn tilt of your chin.

“But right now, I’m telling you exactly what’s going to happen.” He unzipped his coat as he spoke, shrugging his stupidly broad shoulders out of it.

“We’re going to the emergency room to make sure you still have some sense left in that big, stubborn head of yours. Then you can come home and take that nap.” He huffed a little laugh as he wrapped his coat around you, found it cute how you drowned in it.

Warmth immediately enveloped you along with his scent and you had to resist every urge to hum in delight. The last thing you needed was him acting smug on top of being completely insufferable.

“Well I’m telling you that I’m actually going inside the house to take that nap right now because I don’t need to go to no hospital.” You went to step around him.

Unsurprisingly, he moved to block your path.

“Why don’t we get daddy on the phone and see what he has to say, hmm?”

You stomped your foot, growling your frustration as he bent to your eye level—grinning like a menace because he knew he had you.

“I just know he’d leave the auction early to come get his perfect little princess.” He smirked. “Then you’d have to deal with him for the hour and forty-five minute drive to the hospital.” Your breath caught as he reached out and slowly dragged the zipper of his coat up to your chin.

“But if you can be a good girl, and go get checked out, I’ll cover for you when he asks questions. I’ll even be your personal servant for the rest of the day, I’ll do whatever you ask me to.” His eyes gentled as he leaned in to get a close look at the damage He didn’t bother to hide his concern anymore—used that cute puppy dog eyed stare to work you over.

You hated how good he was at playing you.

After over a decade of thorough practice, Caleb was the only person on the planet besides your own father who could tell you anything. He was the only one who wasn’t afraid of you.

That’s how you ended up in the worn out passenger seat of his dingy, old truck—sipping a coffee he bought you when you reached town. He was constantly tuning the thermostat, making sure you were comfortable while simultaneously pestering you to keep your eyes open every time you started to doze.

It’s how he got you to sit in the emergency room’s waiting area, despite your constant whining. He laid back in his seat, lazily stretched out with his hat pulled over his eyes while you bickered back and forth until your name was called.

But he was also the one who held your hands when they got clammy as the doctor put a few stitches through the gash. He waited at the pharmacy while they filled your prescriptions and bought you a sandwich for the ride back home.

The heater blew warm air around you, the bumpy drive back home turning hypnotic as your pain meds kicked in.

Caleb was chatting from the driver’s seat but you couldn’t hear what he was saying anymore. Your mind was fuzzy and heavy and your were so warm—still bundled up in his giant coat as you slumped against the door.

Just gonna shut your eyes for a bit, you thought. It would save you the trouble of listening to his rambling for the next hour…

You got home around one in the afternoon.

Caleb had to nearly drag you through the front door while consoling your poor house keeper, Alice, that you were alright. The pain meds had relieved your pain, sure. But they took all your sense along with it. You could only laugh as your feet flopped uselessly beneath you.

Eventually he gave up and swooped you into his arms and you giggled like you were a kid again. Back when you loved him—back when he could do no wrong in your eyes and you looked at him as if he hung the moon.

The illusion was quickly shattered, though, as he tossed you like a sack of potatoes onto the couch.

You landed with an undignified little ‘oof!’

He paid no attention to your pouting, walking over to the ottoman that held all your favorite fuzzy blankets and reaching in to grab the entire stack. Your eyes widened he approached, looking full of mischief as he dumped them on you in a pile. He stood back and admired his work for a moment, a tender smile tugging at his mouth at the ridiculous sight.

“Caleb…” You muttered, voice muffled.

He chuckled, digging through the pile until your face appeared.

“What?” He couldn’t help the way his eyes crinkled at your peeved expression, at the way static was making your hair crazy.

You decided a little payback was in order…

“I can’t feel my fingers.” You mentioned innocently, “I need your help…” You wiggled your feet, still clad in your boots, to emphasize your point.

He knelt with a long suffering sigh and pulled your boots off while you shoved the blankets away.

“There, happy now Princess?” You shook your head with a wicked gleam in your eye.

“And my chaps, please.”

Caleb’s breath suddenly lodged in his throat—his adam’s apple bobbing as he stared up at you from where he knelt on the floor.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” You shook your head again with an evil little smile.

You could blame the pain killers for making you loose.

It was easier than admitting the truth…

“You said you’d do whatever I asked. Time to cash that check, big boy.” Your tone turned mocking and a hot blush bloomed across his cheeks, touched the tips of his ears. It suited his dumb, handsome face remarkably well.

His hands didn’t shake like you hoped they would.

They hovered for a moment, his long, lovely fingers hesitating as they reached your belt buckle.

You met his gaze and lifted your hips insistently.

“Come on, cowpoke, I ain’t got all day.” He scowled at your teasing tone, clearly frustrated, but deciding to keep quiet about it for now.

You half expected him to be rough and frustrated with you.

He wasn’t.

His touch was exceptionally gentle as he loosened your belt, his fingers barely grazing you as they worked. You found yourself blushing from just that little bit of contact, from the way his eyes seemed to darken as they focused. He took his time sliding your chaps over the curve of your backside, kept his eyes down and focused on his work.

But his face was burning red, and the hard set of his mouth gave him away.

You were no better off—entranced while watching his hands bunch the fringed suede and pull gently until they fell off your legs, relishing the moment.

“Thank you…” That came out much softer than you’d intended, far too tender instead of teasing.

He chucked a blanket at your face in response, disappearing with your boots and chaps before you got your face uncovered.

You grumbled, sinking into the couch—more than a little mortified by your actions.

The sink came on in the little bathroom by the stairs.

It ran while you dozed, followed by the thud of his boots trudging towards the kitchen a few minutes later.

He returned eventually, snacks piled high in his arms and your purple water bottle hooked on his pinky finger.

“Hungry?” He asked without sparing you a glance, plopping down on the couch next to you and snatching the remote off the coffee table.

“No.” You grumbled, sinking deeper into your blanket pile.

That earned a dirty look from him.

“Well you should eat a little something anyways… Over there wasting away.”

You had the audacity to side-eye him.

“Silence, servant boy.”

You sighed, feeling warm and sleepy and wishing he would touch you again in some small way.

“You can speak when spoken to.”

Caleb scoffed.

You’ve hardly given him the time of day since he returned and now, suddenly, you were here sassing him like you were seventeen again. On the same couch you both grew up on. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t love this, didn’t miss it terribly while he was away. At this point he would take anything—any scrap you gave him was better than the cold shoulder he’d been enduring for seven long months.

“You’re lucky you’re injured, lucky I don’t come over there and beat your little ass.” He grumbled, cheeks still flushed from your little stunt earlier.

You scoffed, glaring a hole in the side of his head.“What’s a soft little city boy like you gonna do, huh?” Caleb winced at your tone.

“You think I can’t do nothin’ about that bratty attitude of yours?” He flicked a candy at you, bounced it right off the side of your head. “I could change your attitude real quick, pips.” You flushed, refusing to meet his gaze, refusing to bite at the bait he dangled above your lips.

“You’re all talk. Always have been.”

“And you’re a brat. Always will be.”

And just like that, all the walls you put up around him started to crumble. All the hard work spent scrubbing him out of your mind turned to ash.

You couldn’t help the tiny smile that tugged at the edge of your mouth. Couldn’t help but melt like butter when his warmth crept into your chest.

Maybe it was relief.

Having him close and circling you again in that old familiar orbit was thawing you out and suddenly you could breath.

You plopped your head down in his lap with a dramatic sigh, knowing he wouldn’t stop you because Caleb had always let you do whatever you wanted to him.

He only tensed under you for a moment, a surprised little sound getting stuck in his throat.

Then, muscle memory took over.

His hand found its rightful place on the crown of your head, then started smoothing your hair down. Then, slowly, his fingers spread and buried themselves in your hair, gently tugging out knots.

Caleb’s heart was cracking open while you were none the wiser, dozing off in the warm cradle of his lap. He fought the urge to lean down and bury himself in you. He wanted to feel you all over his skin, wanted to breath you and drown in you.

Instead he sat still so as not to disturb your sleep, ran his ringers over your scalp, down through your hair, arranging the ends into little hearts to pass the time.

You passed the entire rest of the day like that; sleeping, snacking, watching movies.

For the first time in years you felt weightless—the constant gnawing ache in your chest dissolving under his gentle fingertips.

Hours slipped by without you noticing, until your phone buzzed.

The clock read 9:42pm when you clicked your screen awake. There were endless notifications from all your neighbors about preparing for tomorrow.

You sighed and clicked your phone shut, nuzzling back into Caleb’s lap instead of replying.

Another hour or so passed in relative peace before you couldn’t take it anymore. All of your unanswered questions finally bubbled over.

“Caleb?”

“Hmm?” He lifted his head off the back of the couch so he could look down at you.

“Why didn’t you call me after you left?” His breath caught.

It was the question he had been dreading since he came back home. He’d spent seven months imagining this conversation. Somehow he still had no idea what to say.

Your eyes searched his as he came up with the right words.

“I wanted to call you, pips.” His gaze shifted away from yours, looking more than a little guilty. “I guess I… I was afraid.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Afraid of what?” You asked incredulously.

“I was feeling guilty. Your mom had just passed when I left and… well…” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

“I thought you hated me for leaving, so I gave you a little space. But I thought about you every day.” You rolled your eyes again but didn’t say anything.

Caleb felt the panic rising, pulling something tight in his chest. His arm instinctively wrapped around your middle before he could stop to think about what he was doing.

“I was so excited to see you during holiday break. I still remember knocking on your door to surprise you…” He chuckled, but it sounded a little strangled. “I remember you stuck your nose straight in the air and walked away.” His shoulders sank a little at the memory, trying to smile it off.

But his eyes betrayed him.

Your face burned with shame at the memory. Back then you felt like the only way you would survive was if you killed him off in your heart. Buried him in the graveyard next to your mama…

“I’d have tossed my scholarship in the bin and come running back home if you asked me to.” He said quietly after a moment passed in silence, blushing at how corny it sounded, but it was true…

You took a moment to gather yourself, all of the hurt and broken pieces that had you held onto so tightly were starting to slip from your grasp.

“I guess I did hate you back then…” You admitted with a tired sigh.

You expected to see him scowl, to flick your forehead. But he only smiled with that specific brand of tenderness he reserved only for you and tucked your hair behind you ear.

It gave you the courage to keep going.

“I felt like you abandoned me when I needed you the most…”

Your words came out quieter than you meant, small and vulnerable.

“I thought you met a pretty girl in college and forgot all about me. Didn’t think you were ever coming back”“What on earth made you think that?”

“I saw a picture on your page with a bunch of people at some party… there was a girl hanging on your shoulder.” You grumbled with a blush.

Why the hell were you admitting this to him?“I…” He squinted up at the ceiling, trying to find the right way to word it so you wouldn’t take off running again.

He’d waited so long for this opportunity, dreamed of the moment he could draw you in…

“I had a lot of interest.” He chuckled. “But I turned each and everyone of them down.” You turned your back to him so he couldn’t see your blushing cheeks—pretending to be suddenly interested in the reality show on tv while you squashed the little flair of hope lighting up your chest.

Unfortunately Caleb misread the moment.

Panic seized him.

This was it, he thought.

You were shutting him out again and he’d never have another chance to tell you everything that he has been dying to say for nearly five years.

His arms wrapped around you, gathered you up.

“Please don’t be angry with me. I’ve missed you so much.” He bent to nuzzle your hair and you squeaked at the unfamiliar sensation.

Caleb never touched you like this…

It certainly wasn’t because you didn’t want him to. Hell, you’ve been bending over backwards since you were sixteen to get him to notice you in that way.

But no matter how skimpy your bikini was in the summertime, no matter how tight your blue jeans hugged you, how carefully you tailored your chaps to squeeze around your ass just right… Caleb refused to look at you with anything other than tenderness.

It drove you crazy.

And now, suddenly, his breath was tickling your ear and his arms were wrapped tightly around your waist and you were losing your ever loving mind.

“Pips?” He murmured into your hair, shooting heat through your entire body. You felt like you were gonna vibrate right out of your skin and float away.

Caleb was no better off—spiraling in the awkward silence. It was killing him. He needed you to say something, anything.

He hauled you up off is lap and into his chest, his arms locking around you like a cage.

“Ugh, Caleb—” You wheezed, squirming a little in his grasp until you felt him shudder.

“Caleb?” You froze in his hold.

His only response was squeezing you impossibly tighter until his breath warmed the top of your head.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled weakly, his voice straining against the lump in his throat.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind.” His chest shuddered again. “Sorry for making you deal with it all alone.”

Was he crying?

You were horrified by the realization, turning in his grasp to look at him. He ducked his face in your neck, squeezing you tight—the last thing he wanted was for you to see him like this.

You tried wiggling out of his grasp again and were met with a grunt.

“Stop trying to get away from me.” He whined, ghosting his lips along the shell of your ear. It was a weak spot of yours and he knew it—a dirty trick. But he was willing to play dirty at this point. Willing to pay the price for it later if it meant you stayed in his arms like this for a little longer.

You gasped as the heat of his breath lit your body like a cigarette, his face dipped lower—lips ghosting over your pulse point while he pulled you into his lungs like smoke. You needed to grab the reins fast before your own body ran off with you.

“Will you let go?” You gasped, “I’m not trying to get away from you, you dummy!”

He calmed down a little at that, just enough for you to work your arms free.

You coaxed his face out of your neck, tilting his head up.

The sight broke your heart a little.

His eyes were still watery, face contorted in agony as he looked up at you.

He burned with shame, his tears now on full display, but he was too desperate to care anymore.

You gathered yourself with a shaky breath, staring into his eyes with wary anticipation.

“What are you trying to tell me, cowpoke?” You swept his hair out of his eyes, moved your hands to gently cradle his face. His glassy eyes widened a little as they stared into yours, lip trembling just slightly.

You’d never seen this expression on Caleb before.

All the air drained out of your lungs as the moment you’ve been waiting for your entire life hung in the open air between you.

“Ain’t it obvious?” He whispered, vulnerable and bashful.

The cold spike of fear was fading fast, slowly replaced by a fiery heat with the way you were looking at him right now.

“Maybe… but I wanna hear you say it…” God, that bratty little tone…

Caleb didn’t think it was possible—the way it suddenly made you ten times hotter. His face practically glowed in the dark living room.

You almost smirked at the way his gaze darted to your lips, then right back up to meet your eyes.

He gulped, took a breath.

“I love y—oomf!” Stars burst behind his eyes as your mouth came crashing into his.

Softer and warmer and sweeter than he could have ever imagined.

His arms released their crushing grip around your waist—hands winding around your face, cupping it so gently as he leaned into the kiss. His body was hyper-aware of yours as it pressed tightly against him, soft and warm and alive with a wild, hammering heartbeat…

You whimpered, barely a breath against his lips but it was enough to melt him into a groaning puddle. A burning frenzy scorched low in his stomach—had him pressing into you, stealing the air right out of you. Blood was draining from his brain quickly, taking all rational thought with it as it pooled somewhere lower…

You were no better off, struggling just to pull some air back into your burning lungs while your mind skidded and spun out. You pulled away to look at him—at his long legs sprawled out under you, at his heaving chest, at the deep blush painting his face in a cute pink tint.

His hooded eyes glowed with affection as they stared back at you.

You were just about to go in for another kiss, already leaning into him when your phone rang.

“Shit!” You hissed.

Who the hell was calling you this late? You reached behind you, scrabbling in the dark until Caleb bent you both forward and grabbed it for you.

“Thank you” You breathed.

Your dad’s contact flashed across the screen and the color drained out of your face.

You took a deep breath, composed your buzzing body before answering.

“Hey, daddy.” Caleb held his chuckle in, watching you struggle to get your feet under you.

“Hey, baby girl. Ain’t heard from you all day, you alright?” You realized with a little pang of guilt that if he was calling you this late it meant you kept him up with worry.

“I’m… okay.” He waited patiently for you to continue.

“I um… I had a little spill today is all. Been sleepin’ it off.” You could practically see him bristling up on the other end of the line.

“A little fall, hm? Buckshot throw you again?” Your panicked gaze flicked up to Caleb. He took the phone from you with the airy confidence you knew so well.

“Hey pops!” His voice was suddenly sweet and boyish and your dad hopped straight into conversation with him like you were never there.

“No, she took SideGig out this morning, Bucky was acting a little fresh.” He paused while your dad chatted. Caleb turned to you, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“What’d you say happened pips?”

“Um, there was a rattle snake by the gate that I couldn’t I see and Gigi spooked.” You felt a little guilty for lying, but Bucky was already on thin ice with daddy and you didn’t want to give him another reason to hate him.

Caleb could sense your guilt, winked at you as he spoke.

“Yeah, I took her stubborn butt to ER. She’s alright, just needs to rest… Yep. I’m going up to check the pens first thing in the morning.” Another pause.

“No I can handle that, too. It’ll all be ready by the time you get home.”

“It’s no problem… thought I’d better keep an eye on her tonight, anyways.” You could hear your daddy gushing on his end of the phone. He always had endless praise for Caleb, you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes as he milked it.

“Yes sir. Alright, here’s your baby.” He handed your phone back to you and kicked his legs up like this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Hey… yes I’m resting, about to go to sleep now actually.”

“You make sure to tell Caleb thank you.”

“Yes daddy…” You blushed as Caleb smirked.

“Alright baby girl, get some good sleep. Text me in the morning when you wake up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait. Love you.” You have never been so relieved to hang up in your life.

For a moment, neither of you said anything as you stared at the phone. Then the tension finally cracked, the both of you dissolving into a fit of giggles.

“Thanks, Cay.”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You can call me baby, if you want.”

“Don’t start pushin’ your luck.”

Despite the warning, you leaned forward and pressed a kiss between his brows.

The sound that escaped him was embarrassing, a delighted little hum vibrating in his chest as his arms tightened around you,.

“You’ll stay with me tonight, won’t you?” You tipped your head back to look at him. “Just to keep an eye on me?”

You fluttered your eyelashes and that sweet, bubbly laugh slipped out of him again—the one that only seemed to exist when you two were together.

“I don’t think you’re gettin rid of me after that kiss.”

“Good.”

Early morning spilled through the front windows, painted the room in it’s cool blue light. Sometime during the night Caleb had wrapped himself around you, held you fast against him to keep you from rolling off the couch.

Alice found the two of you tangled together on the couch when she stepped inside to start on breakfast, a fond little smile spread across her face.

“It’s about time, you two.”

The words were spoken softly, so as not to disturb the peaceful scene before her. She fought the urge to take a picture and send it to your daddy, knowing you’d cuss her from a boot to a slipper if she did.

By the time you finally woke, the smell of fresh coffee had drifted through the house.

You started the morning slowly.

Drinking coffee together turned into teasing and giggling. Giggling turned into kissing.

Then more kissing.

At some point Caleb stopped pretending he had any interest in finishing his breakfast and backed you into against the countertops to kiss you properly.

Only breaking away when he heard Alice’s footsteps approaching.

By the time Alice reached the kitchen it was empty—mugs in the sink and barely eaten breakfast still laid out on the table—the back door creaked shut before she could holler at you.

The cut on your head was tender, the cold morning air biting at the raw edges of it as you and Caleb made your way to the barn, gravel crunching under your boots as you walked side by side.

Spring had arrived in the valley weeks ago, but the mountains were still blanketed in snow along their highest peaks. The scent of damp earth and fresh grass lingered on the breeze as the sleepy ranch slowly came to life around you both.

Horses blew impatiently in their stalls, a tractor fired up somewhere in the distance.

The familiar sounds felt different this morning.

The weight of the day didn’t press on you, crush you under its weight like it had for so long. Not when Caleb was walking next you, smiling down at you like a fool.

You talked about everything and nothing while brushing your horses under the warm barn lights, Caleb saddled Buck for you while you wrapped Gigi’s legs and oiled her hooves.

When it came time to mount up, he offered his hand.

Normally you would’ve argued, would’ve informed him exactly where he could stick his helping hand.

Not today though. Today, you took it with a smile, blushing as you got yourself seated. The warmth of his touch lingered on your skin as you picked up your reins.

It was a chilly morning for May.

A wispy veil of mist still clung to the lower fields, slowly burning away beneath the rising sun as your rode out. Beyond the ranch, the Rockies stretched across the horizon in shades of blue and gold, their peaks glowing beneath the first real light of day.

Buck and Gigi were fresh and eager to move.

Once you were through the first pasture gate you gave Bucky his head. He took off immediately, exploding into a rowdy canter under you—throwing a little buck. You laughed as he tossed his big, beautiful head up in delight.

Gigi and Caleb approached on your left.

“Wanna race?” He hollered over the roaring wind and hoofbeats.

“You’ll lose!”

Caleb took a moment to etch the sight of you like this into his memory. They way you floated effortlessly, the wind blowing your hair in wild tendrils as you galloped away from him. He let you get away, enjoyed the view of you in front of him too much to care about losing.

The rhythm of hoofbeats sank into your bones and something inside you sang out with them. Fence posts flew by in a blur. Cold air filled your head, stung your lungs in the most pleasant way.

You reached the far end of the quarantine pastures in no time and fell into work mode seamlessly. Conversation died out, which was fine.

Caleb knew you rarely talked while working.

Out here, words were usually reserved for callouts, instructions, or warnings. The rest of the time, you let the horses carry you where you needed to go and enjoyed the quiet.

For once, Caleb was behaving himself. He didn’t tease you when you dropped a nail, got off his horse to string and stretch wire with you without you having to ask.

And you only caught him looking at you with ridiculous, love struck eyes twice.

The first time you rolled your eyes at him, but the second time you called him out.

“What?” You asked sharply with a hand on your hip.

His grin only widened.

“Nothin’.”

Liar. The smile threatening your own mouth lasted the rest of the ride.

By noon the quarantine pasture was good to go and the sun had climbed high enough to chase away the morning frost. What little chill remained lingered only in the shadows beneath the pines and along the north side of the hills.

The pastures stretched green and gold beneath an endless blue sky. Somewhere in the distance a meadowlark called.

You tipped your face toward the warmth of the sun for a moment, savoring it.

Behind you, Caleb swung down from Gigi and opened up the final gate.

“After you, baby doll.” He said in that sweet lilted voice.

You faked a scowl.

“Better not get used to calling me that, cowpoke. I’d hate for the neighbors to hear.”

“I want em’ to hear..” He hauled himself up into his saddle and sat with a wink, loving the way your cheeks pinked up, the way your eyes darted away from him as you took off.

The ranch was fully awake and buzzing with activity by the time you reached home.

Pickup trucks, stock trailers, dusty SUVs, and the occasional ancient farm truck stretched all the way down the driveway and spilled into the yard beside the house.

Dust billowed around you as you approached the barn. Bucky was already growing agitated with all the commotion.

Voices carried on the breeze, dogs barked, and horses nickered from the corrals, the smell of warm horses and leather lingered with the afternoon heat, someone laughed loud enough to be heard from halfway across the property.

You couldn’t help smiling.

Auction days always felt a little like a holiday.

Neighbors had been showing up to help for as long as you could remember.

The men were already hard at work. Some were hauling portable panels into position while others saddled horses or leaned against fence rails with coffee cups in their hands, discussing the day’s plans.

The women, meanwhile, had completely taken over the house.

Through the open kitchen windows drifted the smell of fresh coffee, homemade bread, onions sizzling in butter, and something sweet baking in the oven. Every now and then a burst of laughter floated out across the yard.

By tonight there’d be enough food to feed an army.

The chatter around the corrals seemed to die out the moment you and Caleb rode in.

You kept your eyes forward and your head held high as you trotted on.

Maybe if you acted natural your neighbors would mind their own business and let you be. Caleb ruined that plan almost immediately as soon as you reached the barn.

He caught you as you dismounted, setting you gently on your feet and spinning you into his waiting embrace.

You barely had time to register it before he was burying his face in your hair.

“Dammit, Caleb!” You swatted him away as chorus of laughter erupted. You heard them murmuring to each other as heat flooded your cheeks.

“About damn time.” You heard your old neighbor’s timbery voice pipe up. “You owe me twenty bucks, Darren.”

“You better mind your business, Frank!” you hollered without looking back.

That only made them laugh harder.

Caleb looked entirely too pleased with himself, looking pitifully love struck without an apology in sight.

You snatched Buck’s reins from his hand before he could try anything else and marched toward the barn with what dignity you had left.

Temporary pens had been set up for the visiting horses.

You stuck Buck in an empty one and hung a water bucket for him, took your time checking him over, running your hand over his smoky hide until your burning cheeks cooled and your pride recovered its footing.

Buck ignored your suffering completely, too busy eating the hay left behind by the previous tenant.

It was quiet for a moment.

But unfortunately there was no escaping the neighbors. Not for long anyway.

The first one found you before you’d even latched the gate behind you as you left Bucky to eat.

Then another… and another.

Some wanted to ask about the incoming cattle, some were looking for an update from your dad. Every single one of them stopped mid-conversation the second they noticed the bruise across your forehead.

“Ouch.”

“What happened to you?”

“Lord above, that looks painful.”

“You finally lose an argument with Buckshot?”

You were opening your mouth to defend yourself when a shout went up from somewhere near the driveway.

Relief flooded through you as the neighbors turned and started walking towards the driveway.

A line of livestock trailers was rolling through the front gate, kicking up massive clouds of dust that billowed across the open lawn, the low rumble of diesel engines carrying across the ranch.

Instantly, everything changed. Conversations were abandoned, coffee cups got set down, cowboys swung up into their saddles.

Buckshot snorted in annoyance when you snatched him away from his hay.

There was no time for apologies. You swung into the saddle and loped toward the driveway just as your dad climbed down from his truck.

Within seconds a crowd had gathered around him.

Neighbors and friends pressing closer, listening to his wild stories and laughing. They all ran through the plan one final time. Someone cracked a joke that earned a round of laughter before the group finally broke apart and scattered to their assignments.

The organized chaos began.

Trailer doors rattled open, dogs barked, horses danced impatiently under their riders.

The first cattle bawled from inside the trailers, the sound echoing across the ranch, then they were suddenly stampeding into the chutes. The rumble of their hooves shook the ground. Daddy must have bought close to fifty in total.

You caught sight of Caleb near the front of the herd, heading them up the first hill.

He was talking to Dallas and Gideon, gesturing toward the first gate while the dogs circled nearby, keyed up and ready to work.

One heifer immediately tried to break left—Caleb was already moving.

Gigi launched beneath him, cutting across her path so smoothly it looked effortless. One hand settled on the horn of his saddle while the other worked his lariat. They turned the cow back toward the herd before it could even fully break away.

Your stomach did a little flip.

There wasn’t a person alive who could deny Caleb was beautiful, but he was something else entirely when he was working. And it wasn’t just the way his arms flexed beneath the rolled up sleeves of his work shirt.

It was the focus—the hard set of his jaw when he was concentrating. He was easy to get lost in. Thankfully, you had Bucky to drag you back into reality. He whipped his head into the herd, biting at a cow that strayed a little too far.

“You’re an asshole, Bucky.” You chided him knowing that he wasn’t listening to you.

There were far more hands than the job required, ensuring the cattle were settled into the quarantine pasture without a hitch.

The whole thing was over before you knew it.

By evening, you were back in the barn putting Buckshot to bed.

You’d finished brushing him ten minutes ago, but the quiet was nice and you weren’t particularly eager to show yourself to the crowd.

Outside, the ranch hummed with celebration. Every now and then a burst of laughter drifted through the open barn doors. Someone shouted for more firewood. A truck door slammed. The smell of woodsmoke had already begun to creep across the yard.

They were probably getting the bonfire lit and breaking out the beer by now. The picnic tables were probably all lined with enough food to feed half the county.

The thought made you smile, the sound of laughter was sweet after a long and lonely winter, and you’d join them soon…

Just not yet.

Buckshot seemed perfectly content with this arrangement. He stood quietly munching hay while you leaned against his broad rump, absently working through the last few tangles in his tail.

It didn’t take Caleb long to come looking for you.

It never did.

You could almost time it like clockwork. Sure enough, the sound of his boots echoed down the aisle and a shadow fell across the stall floor. Right on queue .

Your eyes immediately found him leaning against the stall door with his hat pushed back—still looking love struck, swooning as he took you in.

“What’re you doin’ hidin’ in here, baby?”

You sighed dramatically.

“I don’t think I can show my face again after your little stunt.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“My stunt?”

“Half the county watched you hug me in broad daylight. I’ll be out there discussing my due date with Suzanne and Alice before I can even plate my food.”

His grin only widened.

“I’m serious, Caleb. I ain’t never gonna hear the end of it.”

“Well you’re gonna have to face them eventually. Let’s go get it over with, hm?”

Caleb walked you out, tucked you tightly into his side and answered all the wondering glances with a kiss to your forehead.

The mob descended almost instantly.

Questions came from every direction.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Oh, your babies are gonna be adorable.”

Heat burned all the way to the tips of your ears as laughter erupted around the bonfire. Caleb, meanwhile seemed perfectly content to answer questions on your behalf. He was discussing venues and colors with Alice before dessert, looking like he was having the time of his life. The worst part was everyone encouraging him.

Daddy looked especially pleased. The firelight danced across his face as he watched the two of you with something like relief. Like he’d been holding his breath for years, waiting for this moment to unfold.

“‘Bout time, kiddo,” he chuckled before wrapping Caleb in a crushing one-armed hug. “Now I can officially call you my son.”

You groaned.

“Can you calm down? Let the man propose first.” You always hated how well they got along growing up. They both teamed up on you, determined to be a thorn in your side. But you also couldn’t resist how cute it was, watching the way he carried on bragging about the both of you to anyone who would listen, dragging you and Caleb around like a shiny trophy.

The night stretched on around you.

Someone broke out another case of beer, the bonfire crackled and popped beneath a cerulean sky jeweled with stars, laughter drifted across the yard, children chased each other through the grass.

Your body felt lighter than it had in years as you stood out on the lawn and looked over it all.

Out on the blue ridge you could almost see her silhouette against the setting sun, sat quietly on her favorite horse, watching over you.

You blinked a little moisture out of your eyes and she was gone. The scenery was just an endless stretch of sloping foothills once more.

Caleb's arm tightened around you. He looked at you with a shimmering gaze like he knew exactly what you were thinking and bent down to kiss the top of your head. He stayed there for a bit, lingering in your warmth and your familiar scent for awhile while the party moved around you in a blur...

My pretty gorgeous girls: @skyekudasai @seraphyvonne @thelastpolarbear @bluepheonixfeather @cobaltghvst @typicalme23 @pjselee

[heartofafiend]

Birthday morning

I didn't yet get a chance to read the bday card! :) But here's something small for Caleb~

You did it. 

Not entirely sure how, but the weeks when Caleb was in Skyheaven, away from you, paid off today. All the days, or rather nights, of training yourself to get up without a clock, before even the sun decides to grace the sky with its presence, had come in hand as for once in your life, you were up before him. 

But the hardest part, the one you weren’t really accounting for, was actually slipping away. It was not the physical aspect of escaping the bed that was the challenge of it, but the captivating view. 

Eyes focused on the peaceful look on his face, the cow licked fringe, relaxed eyebrows and slightly parted lips made it feel like a war against the cute aggression demons to pull away from his hold — centimeter at time — without littering his face with a hundred kisses. One for each freckle on his face. One for each morning you weren’t in his arms. And some more for good measure.

There will be time for that, you silently remind yourself with a small smile that bloomed on your lips involuntarily. Today is time for all the pampering that for once will be aimed at him. All the attention, and all the small little gifts you prepared during the day — and it starts now. 

Slipping silently from the bed, moving quietly on the wooden floor you shivered at the first touch of the kitchen tiles at the bare sole of your feet. Tapping to the fridge to prepare something for him. The first surprise of the day was that you planned to serve him breakfast in bed. 

You started with setting the Moka Pot, slowly working around with putting the plates together with bits and bobs, the pan perfectly heated before you started with bacon and eggs. So deep into your thoughts, checking each strawberry you placed in a bowl with military precision, that you miss the soft creak of the bedroom door. 

Containing your humming but unable to stop the soft sway of your hips as the surprise breakfast was coming together you swirled around the stove setting the fruits, cups and plates on the tray before focusing on the frying pan. Knowing that once the aroma starts spreading through the house, you will have to hurry before Caleb gets a chance to amb— 

“Smells sooooo good, buttercup.” You tense clutching the spatula, only to feel the familiar pressure of his nose nuzzling your neck, feeling how he needs to bend to get into the position to hug you so close it’s like he wants to attach himself to you. Like the few minutes that you were busying yourself around were in reality ages ago. 

His arms never leave your waist when he lifts his head looking at the pan.

“But you smell better” His voice was still rough from sleep, the warmth of the bed sticking to his body, and spreading to yours, making a shiver run down your spine.

“You should’ve woken me if you were hungry” he kissed your shoulders, before reaching out to take the utensil out of your hand. 

“Caleb!” you swatter his hand, escaping his grasp and getting back to cooking, but not before you send him a squinted look. A pout forming on your lips, of course he had to spoil his own surprise and wanting to take over preparing it even. “Go back to bed! It was supposed to be a surprise!” You put on your best scary demanding face, that should have imitated the look he gives when in his Colonel mode, but instead it must have been the prettiest thing he ever saw. His eyes shining while looking at your face. 

“It is a surprise… I never imagined seeing you so early… in only my shirt, with the most amazing bedhead ever… I think I see a bird making a nest in it.” he teased, eyes round with amusement and smile spreading wide with the puppy like excitement "...Doing breakfast” he kissed your forehead, bracing for a swat at his chest which you swiftly delivered. Stealing one more kiss, squashing your face in his chest just for a moment before making his way back to the bedroom before you start pushing him out. 

“The bacon is burning, pips” he chuckled.

[meanhamster]

Awwwwww! This was so cute and domestic! Happy birthday Caleb!

[meanhamster]

I just gotta say that my followers have such exquisite taste 😭

Like...

The amount of gorgeous artwork and stories that float through my dash because someone I know liked and commented. You pookies are so *chef's kiss*

[mrdark91]

🎂🍎Drew apple boy some cakes for his special day! Happy Birthday, Caleb! :D

13/06/2026

(I was feeling adventurous with his pose and greatly suffered LOL)

[meanhamster]

Oohoohoohoohoo 💗💓💞💕💝💖💘

Happy birthday Caleb!

[meanhamster]

Brush Fires and Prairie Winds Pt. 1

Summary: You had killed Caleb in your heart, and in your mind. It was the only way you could survive his departure off to college the summer you turned seventeen. That was it. He was gone. Off to the city to get himself a career with his shiny new degree.

So when he came back after four years to start working for your father again you didn't know what to do. The silence and the distance had done its damage over time. You did your best to avoid him, put your head down and worked to get through the winter while Caleb quietly orbited you, waiting for an opening to pull you into his gravity again.

Content: Reader is a no nonsense cowgirl, tuffest in the world. Childhood friends to eventual lovers. But first a little ✨angst✨ Misunderstandings, miscommunication. You make poor Caleb cry, but you make it better <3

Hurt/comfort. Happy Ending.

Word count: 8,700

From Hammy: Listen. I know you're going, 'where's the smut, slut?'

I TRIED SO HARD FOR YOU! I just couldn't get it finished to a point I was happy with it so I figured I'll give you the plot for now, and I'll post the second part to this sometime this month. A whole chapter dedicated to filthy cowboy smut for your viewing pleasure 💗 For now, enjoy the movie! Let me know what you think. As always, my comment section and asks is open to you 🥰

Most days Buckshot was a hell of a horse.

He could corner the meanest, most hot blooded bull and keep it exactly where you needed it. He was your wing-man during calving season, keeping the angry mama cows from pulverizing you as you tagged and vaccinated their new babies. But like all living things, he had his days…

You liked to think Bucky liked you, looked forward to your early morning work shifts. The truth you didn’t want to admit was—he really only tolerated you. But as long as you didn’t ask too much and had something sweet for him in your pocket, you both got along.

It was a win considering everyone else knew him as a demon dressed in horse clothes. He was moody, sometimes downright explosive, and had no qualms about pummeling you into the dirt if you tried to push him around. Most of the time you loved that about him…

Not today though.

Not as you laid sprawled out on the frigid ground, your lungs working overtime to pull some air into you after having it all knocked out. A cold open sky hung quietly above you as laid there, endless and pale—the clouds washed in brilliant hues of orange and pink.

It was getting close to six, you figured. Sunrise wasn’t far behind.

To Buck’s credit, he didn’t light off like bullet after launching you clean out of the saddle. He instead grazed about twelve feet away, looking up every now and then to check if you were still alive. You swore he looked pleased with himself, amused even, as you laid there cursing and spitting dirt out of your mouth.

You managed to roll onto your stomach with a groan. The world immediately swayed sideways. You stayed there a moment, blinking at the grass until the spinning eased, then pushed yourself upright.

The earth still rocked faintly beneath your boots as you bent to retrieve your old hat, stuffing it firmly back in place.

Pain pulled sharply across your brow.

“Guess we get to call in today…”

Buck snorted. You heard the slow, familiar thud of his hooves through the grass as he approached.

“You happy now, shithead?” You caught hold of his reins and gave him a quick once-over. Legs, feet, bit, cinch. Everything looked fine. Not a scratch on him.

Then your eyes drifted back toward the gate he’d refused to cross. Before you could even reach it a dry rattle crackled from the brush beside the fence line.

“That explains it.” You mumbled.

Glancing over your shoulder you saw Buck as stiff as a statue. His ears stood alert, his whole body locked and ready to bolt.

You almost chuckled.

This giant animal who could tackle bulls and chase off coyotes was reduced to a trembling mess over a little snake.

Another hissing rattle cracked out of the bush.

Beyond the gate, the pasture rolled away into open prairie with the blue rocky mountain range framing the horizon. You considered chasing the snake off. Considered leading Buck through the gate anyway. Considered shaking off the fall and finishing the day’s chores.

But your head pounded and the ground still swayed a bit beneath your boots.

Something warm crept down your cheek. You touched it and hissed at the sight of blood smeared across your fingertips.

You blew out a little breath.

Pretty as it was, the work would have to wait.

You stuck your foot in the stirrup and hauled yourself up—taking a moment to steady yourself and find your other stirrup—then pointed Buck towards home.

The whole ride back, you rehearsed excuses.

You’d clean yourself up and tell Alice, your housekeeper, that Buck spooked, but that he was fine and you were fine and nobody needed to fuss. Hopefully she wouldn’t call your daddy.

The plan was looking pretty good—until you spotted three riders cresting the hill, going in the opposite direction you were heading.

Your stomach dropped, knowing who they were without even having to look.

Your father had hired the same three ranch hands every summer for as long as you could remember. That is, until one of them sloughed off to the city for college.

Caleb, the bane of your existence since childhood, rode at the front of the pack, looking better than he had any right to in his fringed leather coat.

His family had moved into the little white farmhouse down the road the summer you turned ten. You were first introduced at the barbecue your daddy had put on to welcome them and one smile from Caleb had been enough to send you head over heels in love with him.

Daddy apparently loved him too, because he’s been a thorn in your side ever since. Always over for dinner, always down to watch football, always available when daddy needed something done. He even had his own room in the showbarn’s loft for when he wanted to stay over if things got rough at home.

It took you years to adjust to the emptiness he left behind. And right when you thought you’d kicked him like a bad habit, he returned home and begged Daddy to work for him again.

You’ve spent all your time avoiding him as much as possible since then.

Riding beside him were Gideon and Dallas, his two best friends and partners in crime.

The three of them were currently loping across the pasture, toward the main herd probably, carrying out whatever tasks your daddy had handed out to them that morning.

Problem was, if Caleb got a good look at you now, he’d ask questions and see the blood and blow the whole thing up into something it didn’t need to be.

The thought alone was enough to make you want to ride straight off a cliff.

You turned Bucky sharply to the right, squeezing him into a lope.

Maybe if you looked busy, Caleb would assume you were just checking fences. Maybe if you got to the barn fast enough, you could disappear before he—

“Hey!”

You winced.

In the corner of your eye, you caught sight of him lifting a hand in greeting.

For some strange inexplicable reason—panic seized you.

Suddenly you were smooching Buck into a full gallop.

You realized running away probably looked suspicious. And you couldn’t deny the guilt when you imagined the confused look Caleb was probably wearing.

He should be used to it by now.

When did you ever come when he called you?

Relief filled you as the main barn finally came into view.

You were so close! You would just stick Buck in his stall and head straight to the sink in the wash rack to clean yourself up. Almost there…

The relief only lasted a few moments, collapsing in on itself the moment you heard another set of hooves thundering towards you.

Did he follow you? There’s no fucking way…

You dared a glance over your shoulder, and sure enough, there was Caleb hot on your heels—pushing his horse to its limits to catch up.

“Slow down, will ya?” He called out over the roar of the wind. “What’s the matter?” Guilt pricked you again at the worried tone of his voice.

“Nothing’s the matter, you dummy!” You called out over your shoulder, scrambling wildly for an excuse, any last ditch effort to get out of this conversation.

“Then slow down so I can talk to ya!” All your guilt twisted into frustration at his stubborn persistence.

It was no surprise to him when you veered sharply to the left and galloped full force towards a weak corner of fencing. The corner you were always getting in trouble for jumping over when you didn’t feel like opening the gate at the end of the pasture.

Buckshot soared over it with surprising elegance for his size.

A sharp pain jolted through your skull as you landed the jump with him.

It made your stomach turn, but at least when you looked behind you Caleb was no longer on your tail. He pulled his horse to a stop on the other side of the fence, shaking his head as you galloped off.

You blew a sigh of relief through your dry lips and slowed a bit, letting Buck cool off.

You tried your best to act casual as you dismounted and strolled into the barn, taking Buck straight to the wash rack. You didn’t even clip him in, just dropped his reins and beelined toward the sink.

“Aw shit…” You sighed when you caught a look at your reflection in the mirror. There was blood streaked all down the side of your face, seeping into the collar of your flannel coat.

It’s fine, you thought. You’ll wash up, head inside, and sleep this off. Dad wouldn’t be home until tomorrow evening and by then you’d be perfectly fine.

The only one you needed to worry about wa—

“Gotcha—” Caleb’s playful giggle died in his throat the second you whirled around.

You were just taking your coat off, just about to splash cold water on your face.

His eyes sharpened instantly. That airy, carefree smile he always wore disappeared as he took in the blood-soaked collar of your shirt.

Your lip wobbled. You were already frustrated and tired and now you were going to have to deal with Caleb and Caleb was definitely going to tell your dad… and all you could do was resist shriveling up under his gaze while your whole plan fell apart.

Only, Caleb didn’t jump straight into scolding you, didn’t say a single word in fact. He just spun on his heel and grabbed Buck’s reins—lead him quietly back to his stall without a single word. You heard him murmuring into his phone a minute later, probably talking to Gideon. Heard leather squeaking as his quick hands unsaddled your horse.

You stayed hidden in the wash rack—gently splashing cold water on your face until it came away clear. It was only a little cut right at your hairline, but it was deep and beginning to swell. You were just patting the gash dry, wincing when you heard the stall door rattle shut. He rounded the corner right after.

“Come on, pips.” He seemed eerily relaxed as he offered you his hand.

It wasn’t computing in your sluggish brain.

You couldn’t quite match this version of him up to the Caleb who took every chance to scold you, to hover over you, to boss you around. Caleb, who loved to tease you—said it was his right as your honorary big brother—only stood there, stretching his hand out to you in a gentle invitation. You squinted up at him, planting yourself in place.

“What do you mean come on?” You scoffed. “It’s just a little cut. I’m going to take shower and dress it and then I’m gonna go to bed.” His face pinched into a little scowl, trying hard to mask his amusement.

There’s the little pest you knew… although he certainly wasn’t little anymore. He stepped closer, using his height to his full advantage in an attempt to tower over you. You couldn’t tell if it was his sudden proximity or the potential head injury that made the floor sway under you.

“I know you like to think you’re in charge around here.” His voice went deep the way it did when he was done playing around.

“Hell, most of the time, I’m happy to let you.” He continued with a long suffering sigh.

He stopped right in front of you, close enough that you could feel his breath fan across your face. You refused to back away, tried your best to muster any dignity you had to spare—staring up at him with that stubborn tilt of your chin.

“But right now, I’m telling you exactly what’s going to happen.” He unzipped his coat as he spoke, shrugging his stupidly broad shoulders out of it.

“We’re going to the emergency room to make sure you still have some sense left in that big, stubborn head of yours. Then you can come home and take that nap.” He huffed a little laugh as he wrapped his coat around you, found it cute how you drowned in it.

Warmth immediately enveloped you along with his scent and you had to resist every urge to hum in delight. The last thing you needed was him acting smug on top of being completely insufferable.

“Well I’m telling you that I’m actually going inside the house to take that nap right now because I don’t need to go to no hospital.” You went to step around him.

Unsurprisingly, he moved to block your path.

“Why don’t we get daddy on the phone and see what he has to say, hmm?”

You stomped your foot, growling your frustration as he bent to your eye level—grinning like a menace because he knew he had you.

“I just know he’d leave the auction early to come get his perfect little princess.” He smirked. “Then you’d have to deal with him for the hour and forty-five minute drive to the hospital.” Your breath caught as he reached out and slowly dragged the zipper of his coat up to your chin.

“But if you can be a good girl, and go get checked out, I’ll cover for you when he asks questions. I’ll even be your personal servant for the rest of the day, I’ll do whatever you ask me to.” His eyes gentled as he leaned in to get a close look at the damage He didn’t bother to hide his concern anymore—used that cute puppy dog eyed stare to work you over.

You hated how good he was at playing you.

After over a decade of thorough practice, Caleb was the only person on the planet besides your own father who could tell you anything. He was the only one who wasn’t afraid of you.

That’s how you ended up in the worn out passenger seat of his dingy, old truck—sipping a coffee he bought you when you reached town. He was constantly tuning the thermostat, making sure you were comfortable while simultaneously pestering you to keep your eyes open every time you started to doze.

It’s how he got you to sit in the emergency room’s waiting area, despite your constant whining. He laid back in his seat, lazily stretched out with his hat pulled over his eyes while you bickered back and forth until your name was called.

But he was also the one who held your hands when they got clammy as the doctor put a few stitches through the gash. He waited at the pharmacy while they filled your prescriptions and bought you a sandwich for the ride back home.

The heater blew warm air around you, the bumpy drive back home turning hypnotic as your pain meds kicked in.

Caleb was chatting from the driver’s seat but you couldn’t hear what he was saying anymore. Your mind was fuzzy and heavy and your were so warm—still bundled up in his giant coat as you slumped against the door.

Just gonna shut your eyes for a bit, you thought. It would save you the trouble of listening to his rambling for the next hour…

You got home around one in the afternoon.

Caleb had to nearly drag you through the front door while consoling your poor house keeper, Alice, that you were alright. The pain meds had relieved your pain, sure. But they took all your sense along with it. You could only laugh as your feet flopped uselessly beneath you.

Eventually he gave up and swooped you into his arms and you giggled like you were a kid again. Back when you loved him—back when he could do no wrong in your eyes and you looked at him as if he hung the moon.

The illusion was quickly shattered, though, as he tossed you like a sack of potatoes onto the couch.

You landed with an undignified little ‘oof!’

He paid no attention to your pouting, walking over to the ottoman that held all your favorite fuzzy blankets and reaching in to grab the entire stack. Your eyes widened he approached, looking full of mischief as he dumped them on you in a pile. He stood back and admired his work for a moment, a tender smile tugging at his mouth at the ridiculous sight.

“Caleb…” You muttered, voice muffled.

He chuckled, digging through the pile until your face appeared.

“What?” He couldn’t help the way his eyes crinkled at your peeved expression, at the way static was making your hair crazy.

You decided a little payback was in order…

“I can’t feel my fingers.” You mentioned innocently, “I need your help…” You wiggled your feet, still clad in your boots, to emphasize your point.

He knelt with a long suffering sigh and pulled your boots off while you shoved the blankets away.

“There, happy now Princess?” You shook your head with a wicked gleam in your eye.

“And my chaps, please.”

Caleb’s breath suddenly lodged in his throat—his adam’s apple bobbing as he stared up at you from where he knelt on the floor.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” You shook your head again with an evil little smile.

You could blame the pain killers for making you loose.

It was easier than admitting the truth…

“You said you’d do whatever I asked. Time to cash that check, big boy.” Your tone turned mocking and a hot blush bloomed across his cheeks, touched the tips of his ears. It suited his dumb, handsome face remarkably well.

His hands didn’t shake like you hoped they would.

They hovered for a moment, his long, lovely fingers hesitating as they reached your belt buckle.

You met his gaze and lifted your hips insistently.

“Come on, cowpoke, I ain’t got all day.” He scowled at your teasing tone, clearly frustrated, but deciding to keep quiet about it for now.

You half expected him to be rough and frustrated with you.

He wasn’t.

His touch was exceptionally gentle as he loosened your belt, his fingers barely grazing you as they worked. You found yourself blushing from just that little bit of contact, from the way his eyes seemed to darken as they focused. He took his time sliding your chaps over the curve of your backside, kept his eyes down and focused on his work.

But his face was burning red, and the hard set of his mouth gave him away.

You were no better off—entranced while watching his hands bunch the fringed suede and pull gently until they fell off your legs, relishing the moment.

“Thank you…” That came out much softer than you’d intended, far too tender instead of teasing.

He chucked a blanket at your face in response, disappearing with your boots and chaps before you got your face uncovered.

You grumbled, sinking into the couch—more than a little mortified by your actions.

The sink came on in the little bathroom by the stairs.

It ran while you dozed, followed by the thud of his boots trudging towards the kitchen a few minutes later.

He returned eventually, snacks piled high in his arms and your purple water bottle hooked on his pinky finger.

“Hungry?” He asked without sparing you a glance, plopping down on the couch next to you and snatching the remote off the coffee table.

“No.” You grumbled, sinking deeper into your blanket pile.

That earned a dirty look from him.

“Well you should eat a little something anyways… Over there wasting away.”

You had the audacity to side-eye him.

“Silence, servant boy.”

You sighed, feeling warm and sleepy and wishing he would touch you again in some small way.

“You can speak when spoken to.”

Caleb scoffed.

You’ve hardly given him the time of day since he returned and now, suddenly, you were here sassing him like you were seventeen again. On the same couch you both grew up on. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t love this, didn’t miss it terribly while he was away. At this point he would take anything—any scrap you gave him was better than the cold shoulder he’d been enduring for seven long months.

“You’re lucky you’re injured, lucky I don’t come over there and beat your little ass.” He grumbled, cheeks still flushed from your little stunt earlier.

You scoffed, glaring a hole in the side of his head.“What’s a soft little city boy like you gonna do, huh?” Caleb winced at your tone.

“You think I can’t do nothin’ about that bratty attitude of yours?” He flicked a candy at you, bounced it right off the side of your head. “I could change your attitude real quick, pips.” You flushed, refusing to meet his gaze, refusing to bite at the bait he dangled above your lips.

“You’re all talk. Always have been.”

“And you’re a brat. Always will be.”

And just like that, all the walls you put up around him started to crumble. All the hard work spent scrubbing him out of your mind turned to ash.

You couldn’t help the tiny smile that tugged at the edge of your mouth. Couldn’t help but melt like butter when his warmth crept into your chest.

Maybe it was relief.

Having him close and circling you again in that old familiar orbit was thawing you out and suddenly you could breath.

You plopped your head down in his lap with a dramatic sigh, knowing he wouldn’t stop you because Caleb had always let you do whatever you wanted to him.

He only tensed under you for a moment, a surprised little sound getting stuck in his throat.

Then, muscle memory took over.

His hand found its rightful place on the crown of your head, then started smoothing your hair down. Then, slowly, his fingers spread and buried themselves in your hair, gently tugging out knots.

Caleb’s heart was cracking open while you were none the wiser, dozing off in the warm cradle of his lap. He fought the urge to lean down and bury himself in you. He wanted to feel you all over his skin, wanted to breath you and drown in you.

Instead he sat still so as not to disturb your sleep, ran his ringers over your scalp, down through your hair, arranging the ends into little hearts to pass the time.

You passed the entire rest of the day like that; sleeping, snacking, watching movies.

For the first time in years you felt weightless—the constant gnawing ache in your chest dissolving under his gentle fingertips.

Hours slipped by without you noticing, until your phone buzzed.

The clock read 9:42pm when you clicked your screen awake. There were endless notifications from all your neighbors about preparing for tomorrow.

You sighed and clicked your phone shut, nuzzling back into Caleb’s lap instead of replying.

Another hour or so passed in relative peace before you couldn’t take it anymore. All of your unanswered questions finally bubbled over.

“Caleb?”

“Hmm?” He lifted his head off the back of the couch so he could look down at you.

“Why didn’t you call me after you left?” His breath caught.

It was the question he had been dreading since he came back home. He’d spent seven months imagining this conversation. Somehow he still had no idea what to say.

Your eyes searched his as he came up with the right words.

“I wanted to call you, pips.” His gaze shifted away from yours, looking more than a little guilty. “I guess I… I was afraid.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Afraid of what?” You asked incredulously.

“I was feeling guilty. Your mom had just passed when I left and… well…” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

“I thought you hated me for leaving, so I gave you a little space. But I thought about you every day.” You rolled your eyes again but didn’t say anything.

Caleb felt the panic rising, pulling something tight in his chest. His arm instinctively wrapped around your middle before he could stop to think about what he was doing.

“I was so excited to see you during holiday break. I still remember knocking on your door to surprise you…” He chuckled, but it sounded a little strangled. “I remember you stuck your nose straight in the air and walked away.” His shoulders sank a little at the memory, trying to smile it off.

But his eyes betrayed him.

Your face burned with shame at the memory. Back then you felt like the only way you would survive was if you killed him off in your heart. Buried him in the graveyard next to your mama…

“I’d have tossed my scholarship in the bin and come running back home if you asked me to.” He said quietly after a moment passed in silence, blushing at how corny it sounded, but it was true…

You took a moment to gather yourself, all of the hurt and broken pieces that had you held onto so tightly were starting to slip from your grasp.

“I guess I did hate you back then…” You admitted with a tired sigh.

You expected to see him scowl, to flick your forehead. But he only smiled with that specific brand of tenderness he reserved only for you and tucked your hair behind you ear.

It gave you the courage to keep going.

“I felt like you abandoned me when I needed you the most…”

Your words came out quieter than you meant, small and vulnerable.

“I thought you met a pretty girl in college and forgot all about me. Didn’t think you were ever coming back”“What on earth made you think that?”

“I saw a picture on your page with a bunch of people at some party… there was a girl hanging on your shoulder.” You grumbled with a blush.

Why the hell were you admitting this to him?“I…” He squinted up at the ceiling, trying to find the right way to word it so you wouldn’t take off running again.

He’d waited so long for this opportunity, dreamed of the moment he could draw you in…

“I had a lot of interest.” He chuckled. “But I turned each and everyone of them down.” You turned your back to him so he couldn’t see your blushing cheeks—pretending to be suddenly interested in the reality show on tv while you squashed the little flair of hope lighting up your chest.

Unfortunately Caleb misread the moment.

Panic seized him.

This was it, he thought.

You were shutting him out again and he’d never have another chance to tell you everything that he has been dying to say for nearly five years.

His arms wrapped around you, gathered you up.

“Please don’t be angry with me. I’ve missed you so much.” He bent to nuzzle your hair and you squeaked at the unfamiliar sensation.

Caleb never touched you like this…

It certainly wasn’t because you didn’t want him to. Hell, you’ve been bending over backwards since you were sixteen to get him to notice you in that way.

But no matter how skimpy your bikini was in the summertime, no matter how tight your blue jeans hugged you, how carefully you tailored your chaps to squeeze around your ass just right… Caleb refused to look at you with anything other than tenderness.

It drove you crazy.

And now, suddenly, his breath was tickling your ear and his arms were wrapped tightly around your waist and you were losing your ever loving mind.

“Pips?” He murmured into your hair, shooting heat through your entire body. You felt like you were gonna vibrate right out of your skin and float away.

Caleb was no better off—spiraling in the awkward silence. It was killing him. He needed you to say something, anything.

He hauled you up off is lap and into his chest, his arms locking around you like a cage.

“Ugh, Caleb—” You wheezed, squirming a little in his grasp until you felt him shudder.

“Caleb?” You froze in his hold.

His only response was squeezing you impossibly tighter until his breath warmed the top of your head.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled weakly, his voice straining against the lump in his throat.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind.” His chest shuddered again. “Sorry for making you deal with it all alone.”

Was he crying?

You were horrified by the realization, turning in his grasp to look at him. He ducked his face in your neck, squeezing you tight—the last thing he wanted was for you to see him like this.

You tried wiggling out of his grasp again and were met with a grunt.

“Stop trying to get away from me.” He whined, ghosting his lips along the shell of your ear. It was a weak spot of yours and he knew it—a dirty trick. But he was willing to play dirty at this point. Willing to pay the price for it later if it meant you stayed in his arms like this for a little longer.

You gasped as the heat of his breath lit your body like a cigarette, his face dipped lower—lips ghosting over your pulse point while he pulled you into his lungs like smoke. You needed to grab the reins fast before your own body ran off with you.

“Will you let go?” You gasped, “I’m not trying to get away from you, you dummy!”

He calmed down a little at that, just enough for you to work your arms free.

You coaxed his face out of your neck, tilting his head up.

The sight broke your heart a little.

His eyes were still watery, face contorted in agony as he looked up at you.

He burned with shame, his tears now on full display, but he was too desperate to care anymore.

You gathered yourself with a shaky breath, staring into his eyes with wary anticipation.

“What are you trying to tell me, cowpoke?” You swept his hair out of his eyes, moved your hands to gently cradle his face. His glassy eyes widened a little as they stared into yours, lip trembling just slightly.

You’d never seen this expression on Caleb before.

All the air drained out of your lungs as the moment you’ve been waiting for your entire life hung in the open air between you.

“Ain’t it obvious?” He whispered, vulnerable and bashful.

The cold spike of fear was fading fast, slowly replaced by a fiery heat with the way you were looking at him right now.

“Maybe… but I wanna hear you say it…” God, that bratty little tone…

Caleb didn’t think it was possible—the way it suddenly made you ten times hotter. His face practically glowed in the dark living room.

You almost smirked at the way his gaze darted to your lips, then right back up to meet your eyes.

He gulped, took a breath.

“I love y—oomf!” Stars burst behind his eyes as your mouth came crashing into his.

Softer and warmer and sweeter than he could have ever imagined.

His arms released their crushing grip around your waist—hands winding around your face, cupping it so gently as he leaned into the kiss. His body was hyper-aware of yours as it pressed tightly against him, soft and warm and alive with a wild, hammering heartbeat…

You whimpered, barely a breath against his lips but it was enough to melt him into a groaning puddle. A burning frenzy scorched low in his stomach—had him pressing into you, stealing the air right out of you. Blood was draining from his brain quickly, taking all rational thought with it as it pooled somewhere lower…

You were no better off, struggling just to pull some air back into your burning lungs while your mind skidded and spun out. You pulled away to look at him—at his long legs sprawled out under you, at his heaving chest, at the deep blush painting his face in a cute pink tint.

His hooded eyes glowed with affection as they stared back at you.

You were just about to go in for another kiss, already leaning into him when your phone rang.

“Shit!” You hissed.

Who the hell was calling you this late? You reached behind you, scrabbling in the dark until Caleb bent you both forward and grabbed it for you.

“Thank you” You breathed.

Your dad’s contact flashed across the screen and the color drained out of your face.

You took a deep breath, composed your buzzing body before answering.

“Hey, daddy.” Caleb held his chuckle in, watching you struggle to get your feet under you.

“Hey, baby girl. Ain’t heard from you all day, you alright?” You realized with a little pang of guilt that if he was calling you this late it meant you kept him up with worry.

“I’m… okay.” He waited patiently for you to continue.

“I um… I had a little spill today is all. Been sleepin’ it off.” You could practically see him bristling up on the other end of the line.

“A little fall, hm? Buckshot throw you again?” Your panicked gaze flicked up to Caleb. He took the phone from you with the airy confidence you knew so well.

“Hey pops!” His voice was suddenly sweet and boyish and your dad hopped straight into conversation with him like you were never there.

“No, she took SideGig out this morning, Bucky was acting a little fresh.” He paused while your dad chatted. Caleb turned to you, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“What’d you say happened pips?”

“Um, there was a rattle snake by the gate that I couldn’t I see and Gigi spooked.” You felt a little guilty for lying, but Bucky was already on thin ice with daddy and you didn’t want to give him another reason to hate him.

Caleb could sense your guilt, winked at you as he spoke.

“Yeah, I took her stubborn butt to ER. She’s alright, just needs to rest… Yep. I’m going up to check the pens first thing in the morning.” Another pause.

“No I can handle that, too. It’ll all be ready by the time you get home.”

“It’s no problem… thought I’d better keep an eye on her tonight, anyways.” You could hear your daddy gushing on his end of the phone. He always had endless praise for Caleb, you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes as he milked it.

“Yes sir. Alright, here’s your baby.” He handed your phone back to you and kicked his legs up like this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Hey… yes I’m resting, about to go to sleep now actually.”

“You make sure to tell Caleb thank you.”

“Yes daddy…” You blushed as Caleb smirked.

“Alright baby girl, get some good sleep. Text me in the morning when you wake up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait. Love you.” You have never been so relieved to hang up in your life.

For a moment, neither of you said anything as you stared at the phone. Then the tension finally cracked, the both of you dissolving into a fit of giggles.

“Thanks, Cay.”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You can call me baby, if you want.”

“Don’t start pushin’ your luck.”

Despite the warning, you leaned forward and pressed a kiss between his brows.

The sound that escaped him was embarrassing, a delighted little hum vibrating in his chest as his arms tightened around you,.

“You’ll stay with me tonight, won’t you?” You tipped your head back to look at him. “Just to keep an eye on me?”

You fluttered your eyelashes and that sweet, bubbly laugh slipped out of him again—the one that only seemed to exist when you two were together.

“I don’t think you’re gettin rid of me after that kiss.”

“Good.”

Early morning spilled through the front windows, painted the room in it’s cool blue light. Sometime during the night Caleb had wrapped himself around you, held you fast against him to keep you from rolling off the couch.

Alice found the two of you tangled together on the couch when she stepped inside to start on breakfast, a fond little smile spread across her face.

“It’s about time, you two.”

The words were spoken softly, so as not to disturb the peaceful scene before her. She fought the urge to take a picture and send it to your daddy, knowing you’d cuss her from a boot to a slipper if she did.

By the time you finally woke, the smell of fresh coffee had drifted through the house.

You started the morning slowly.

Drinking coffee together turned into teasing and giggling. Giggling turned into kissing.

Then more kissing.

At some point Caleb stopped pretending he had any interest in finishing his breakfast and backed you into against the countertops to kiss you properly.

Only breaking away when he heard Alice’s footsteps approaching.

By the time Alice reached the kitchen it was empty—mugs in the sink and barely eaten breakfast still laid out on the table—the back door creaked shut before she could holler at you.

The cut on your head was tender, the cold morning air biting at the raw edges of it as you and Caleb made your way to the barn, gravel crunching under your boots as you walked side by side.

Spring had arrived in the valley weeks ago, but the mountains were still blanketed in snow along their highest peaks. The scent of damp earth and fresh grass lingered on the breeze as the sleepy ranch slowly came to life around you both.

Horses blew impatiently in their stalls, a tractor fired up somewhere in the distance.

The familiar sounds felt different this morning.

The weight of the day didn’t press on you, crush you under its weight like it had for so long. Not when Caleb was walking next you, smiling down at you like a fool.

You talked about everything and nothing while brushing your horses under the warm barn lights, Caleb saddled Buck for you while you wrapped Gigi’s legs and oiled her hooves.

When it came time to mount up, he offered his hand.

Normally you would’ve argued, would’ve informed him exactly where he could stick his helping hand.

Not today though. Today, you took it with a smile, blushing as you got yourself seated. The warmth of his touch lingered on your skin as you picked up your reins.

It was a chilly morning for May.

A wispy veil of mist still clung to the lower fields, slowly burning away beneath the rising sun as your rode out. Beyond the ranch, the Rockies stretched across the horizon in shades of blue and gold, their peaks glowing beneath the first real light of day.

Buck and Gigi were fresh and eager to move.

Once you were through the first pasture gate you gave Bucky his head. He took off immediately, exploding into a rowdy canter under you—throwing a little buck. You laughed as he tossed his big, beautiful head up in delight.

Gigi and Caleb approached on your left.

“Wanna race?” He hollered over the roaring wind and hoofbeats.

“You’ll lose!”

Caleb took a moment to etch the sight of you like this into his memory. They way you floated effortlessly, the wind blowing your hair in wild tendrils as you galloped away from him. He let you get away, enjoyed the view of you in front of him too much to care about losing.

The rhythm of hoofbeats sank into your bones and something inside you sang out with them. Fence posts flew by in a blur. Cold air filled your head, stung your lungs in the most pleasant way.

You reached the far end of the quarantine pastures in no time and fell into work mode seamlessly. Conversation died out, which was fine.

Caleb knew you rarely talked while working.

Out here, words were usually reserved for callouts, instructions, or warnings. The rest of the time, you let the horses carry you where you needed to go and enjoyed the quiet.

For once, Caleb was behaving himself. He didn’t tease you when you dropped a nail, got off his horse to string and stretch wire with you without you having to ask.

And you only caught him looking at you with ridiculous, love struck eyes twice.

The first time you rolled your eyes at him, but the second time you called him out.

“What?” You asked sharply with a hand on your hip.

His grin only widened.

“Nothin’.”

Liar. The smile threatening your own mouth lasted the rest of the ride.

By noon the quarantine pasture was good to go and the sun had climbed high enough to chase away the morning frost. What little chill remained lingered only in the shadows beneath the pines and along the north side of the hills.

The pastures stretched green and gold beneath an endless blue sky. Somewhere in the distance a meadowlark called.

You tipped your face toward the warmth of the sun for a moment, savoring it.

Behind you, Caleb swung down from Gigi and opened up the final gate.

“After you, baby doll.” He said in that sweet lilted voice.

You faked a scowl.

“Better not get used to calling me that, cowpoke. I’d hate for the neighbors to hear.”

“I want em’ to hear..” He hauled himself up into his saddle and sat with a wink, loving the way your cheeks pinked up, the way your eyes darted away from him as you took off.

The ranch was fully awake and buzzing with activity by the time you reached home.

Pickup trucks, stock trailers, dusty SUVs, and the occasional ancient farm truck stretched all the way down the driveway and spilled into the yard beside the house.

Dust billowed around you as you approached the barn. Bucky was already growing agitated with all the commotion.

Voices carried on the breeze, dogs barked, and horses nickered from the corrals, the smell of warm horses and leather lingered with the afternoon heat, someone laughed loud enough to be heard from halfway across the property.

You couldn’t help smiling.

Auction days always felt a little like a holiday.

Neighbors had been showing up to help for as long as you could remember.

The men were already hard at work. Some were hauling portable panels into position while others saddled horses or leaned against fence rails with coffee cups in their hands, discussing the day’s plans.

The women, meanwhile, had completely taken over the house.

Through the open kitchen windows drifted the smell of fresh coffee, homemade bread, onions sizzling in butter, and something sweet baking in the oven. Every now and then a burst of laughter floated out across the yard.

By tonight there’d be enough food to feed an army.

The chatter around the corrals seemed to die out the moment you and Caleb rode in.

You kept your eyes forward and your head held high as you trotted on.

Maybe if you acted natural your neighbors would mind their own business and let you be. Caleb ruined that plan almost immediately as soon as you reached the barn.

He caught you as you dismounted, setting you gently on your feet and spinning you into his waiting embrace.

You barely had time to register it before he was burying his face in your hair.

“Dammit, Caleb!” You swatted him away as chorus of laughter erupted. You heard them murmuring to each other as heat flooded your cheeks.

“About damn time.” You heard your old neighbor’s timbery voice pipe up. “You owe me twenty bucks, Darren.”

“You better mind your business, Frank!” you hollered without looking back.

That only made them laugh harder.

Caleb looked entirely too pleased with himself, looking pitifully love struck without an apology in sight.

You snatched Buck’s reins from his hand before he could try anything else and marched toward the barn with what dignity you had left.

Temporary pens had been set up for the visiting horses.

You stuck Buck in an empty one and hung a water bucket for him, took your time checking him over, running your hand over his smoky hide until your burning cheeks cooled and your pride recovered its footing.

Buck ignored your suffering completely, too busy eating the hay left behind by the previous tenant.

It was quiet for a moment.

But unfortunately there was no escaping the neighbors. Not for long anyway.

The first one found you before you’d even latched the gate behind you as you left Bucky to eat.

Then another… and another.

Some wanted to ask about the incoming cattle, some were looking for an update from your dad. Every single one of them stopped mid-conversation the second they noticed the bruise across your forehead.

“Ouch.”

“What happened to you?”

“Lord above, that looks painful.”

“You finally lose an argument with Buckshot?”

You were opening your mouth to defend yourself when a shout went up from somewhere near the driveway.

Relief flooded through you as the neighbors turned and started walking towards the driveway.

A line of livestock trailers was rolling through the front gate, kicking up massive clouds of dust that billowed across the open lawn, the low rumble of diesel engines carrying across the ranch.

Instantly, everything changed. Conversations were abandoned, coffee cups got set down, cowboys swung up into their saddles.

Buckshot snorted in annoyance when you snatched him away from his hay.

There was no time for apologies. You swung into the saddle and loped toward the driveway just as your dad climbed down from his truck.

Within seconds a crowd had gathered around him.

Neighbors and friends pressing closer, listening to his wild stories and laughing. They all ran through the plan one final time. Someone cracked a joke that earned a round of laughter before the group finally broke apart and scattered to their assignments.

The organized chaos began.

Trailer doors rattled open, dogs barked, horses danced impatiently under their riders.

The first cattle bawled from inside the trailers, the sound echoing across the ranch, then they were suddenly stampeding into the chutes. The rumble of their hooves shook the ground. Daddy must have bought close to fifty in total.

You caught sight of Caleb near the front of the herd, heading them up the first hill.

He was talking to Dallas and Gideon, gesturing toward the first gate while the dogs circled nearby, keyed up and ready to work.

One heifer immediately tried to break left—Caleb was already moving.

Gigi launched beneath him, cutting across her path so smoothly it looked effortless. One hand settled on the horn of his saddle while the other worked his lariat. They turned the cow back toward the herd before it could even fully break away.

Your stomach did a little flip.

There wasn’t a person alive who could deny Caleb was beautiful, but he was something else entirely when he was working. And it wasn’t just the way his arms flexed beneath the rolled up sleeves of his work shirt.

It was the focus—the hard set of his jaw when he was concentrating. He was easy to get lost in. Thankfully, you had Bucky to drag you back into reality. He whipped his head into the herd, biting at a cow that strayed a little too far.

“You’re an asshole, Bucky.” You chided him knowing that he wasn’t listening to you.

There were far more hands than the job required, ensuring the cattle were settled into the quarantine pasture without a hitch.

The whole thing was over before you knew it.

By evening, you were back in the barn putting Buckshot to bed.

You’d finished brushing him ten minutes ago, but the quiet was nice and you weren’t particularly eager to show yourself to the crowd.

Outside, the ranch hummed with celebration. Every now and then a burst of laughter drifted through the open barn doors. Someone shouted for more firewood. A truck door slammed. The smell of woodsmoke had already begun to creep across the yard.

They were probably getting the bonfire lit and breaking out the beer by now. The picnic tables were probably all lined with enough food to feed half the county.

The thought made you smile, the sound of laughter was sweet after a long and lonely winter, and you’d join them soon…

Just not yet.

Buckshot seemed perfectly content with this arrangement. He stood quietly munching hay while you leaned against his broad rump, absently working through the last few tangles in his tail.

It didn’t take Caleb long to come looking for you.

It never did.

You could almost time it like clockwork. Sure enough, the sound of his boots echoed down the aisle and a shadow fell across the stall floor. Right on queue .

Your eyes immediately found him leaning against the stall door with his hat pushed back—still looking love struck, swooning as he took you in.

“What’re you doin’ hidin’ in here, baby?”

You sighed dramatically.

“I don’t think I can show my face again after your little stunt.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“My stunt?”

“Half the county watched you hug me in broad daylight. I’ll be out there discussing my due date with Suzanne and Alice before I can even plate my food.”

His grin only widened.

“I’m serious, Caleb. I ain’t never gonna hear the end of it.”

“Well you’re gonna have to face them eventually. Let’s go get it over with, hm?”

Caleb walked you out, tucked you tightly into his side and answered all the wondering glances with a kiss to your forehead.

The mob descended almost instantly.

Questions came from every direction.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Oh, your babies are gonna be adorable.”

Heat burned all the way to the tips of your ears as laughter erupted around the bonfire. Caleb, meanwhile seemed perfectly content to answer questions on your behalf. He was discussing venues and colors with Alice before dessert, looking like he was having the time of his life. The worst part was everyone encouraging him.

Daddy looked especially pleased. The firelight danced across his face as he watched the two of you with something like relief. Like he’d been holding his breath for years, waiting for this moment to unfold.

“‘Bout time, kiddo,” he chuckled before wrapping Caleb in a crushing one-armed hug. “Now I can officially call you my son.”

You groaned.

“Can you calm down? Let the man propose first.” You always hated how well they got along growing up. They both teamed up on you, determined to be a thorn in your side. But you also couldn’t resist how cute it was, watching the way he carried on bragging about the both of you to anyone who would listen, dragging you and Caleb around like a shiny trophy.

The night stretched on around you.

Someone broke out another case of beer, the bonfire crackled and popped beneath a cerulean sky jeweled with stars, laughter drifted across the yard, children chased each other through the grass.

Your body felt lighter than it had in years as you stood out on the lawn and looked over it all.

Out on the blue ridge you could almost see her silhouette against the setting sun, sat quietly on her favorite horse, watching over you.

You blinked a little moisture out of your eyes and she was gone. The scenery was just an endless stretch of sloping foothills once more.

Caleb's arm tightened around you. He looked at you with a shimmering gaze like he knew exactly what you were thinking and bent down to kiss the top of your head. He stayed there for a bit, lingering in your warmth and your familiar scent for awhile while the party moved around you in a blur...

My pretty gorgeous girls: @skyekudasai @seraphyvonne @thelastpolarbear @bluepheonixfeather @cobaltghvst @typicalme23 @pjselee

[meanhamster]

Brush Fires and Prairie Winds Pt. 1

Summary: You had killed Caleb in your heart, and in your mind. It was the only way you could survive his departure off to college the summer you turned seventeen. That was it. He was gone. Off to the city to get himself a career with his shiny new degree.

So when he came back after four years to start working for your father again you didn't know what to do. The silence and the distance had done its damage over time. You did your best to avoid him, put your head down and worked to get through the winter while Caleb quietly orbited you, waiting for an opening to pull you into his gravity again.

Content: Reader is a no nonsense cowgirl, tuffest in the world. Childhood friends to eventual lovers. But first a little ✨angst✨ Misunderstandings, miscommunication. You make poor Caleb cry, but you make it better <3

Hurt/comfort. Happy Ending.

Word count: 8,700

From Hammy: Listen. I know you're going, 'where's the smut, slut?'

I TRIED SO HARD FOR YOU! I just couldn't get it finished to a point I was happy with it so I figured I'll give you the plot for now, and I'll post the second part to this sometime this month. A whole chapter dedicated to filthy cowboy smut for your viewing pleasure 💗 For now, enjoy the movie! Let me know what you think. As always, my comment section and asks is open to you 🥰

Most days Buckshot was a hell of a horse.

He could corner the meanest, most hot blooded bull and keep it exactly where you needed it. He was your wing-man during calving season, keeping the angry mama cows from pulverizing you as you tagged and vaccinated their new babies. But like all living things, he had his days…

You liked to think Bucky liked you, looked forward to your early morning work shifts. The truth you didn’t want to admit was—he really only tolerated you. But as long as you didn’t ask too much and had something sweet for him in your pocket, you both got along.

It was a win considering everyone else knew him as a demon dressed in horse clothes. He was moody, sometimes downright explosive, and had no qualms about pummeling you into the dirt if you tried to push him around. Most of the time you loved that about him…

Not today though.

Not as you laid sprawled out on the frigid ground, your lungs working overtime to pull some air into you after having it all knocked out. A cold open sky hung quietly above you as laid there, endless and pale—the clouds washed in brilliant hues of orange and pink.

It was getting close to six, you figured. Sunrise wasn’t far behind.

To Buck’s credit, he didn’t light off like bullet after launching you clean out of the saddle. He instead grazed about twelve feet away, looking up every now and then to check if you were still alive. You swore he looked pleased with himself, amused even, as you laid there cursing and spitting dirt out of your mouth.

You managed to roll onto your stomach with a groan. The world immediately swayed sideways. You stayed there a moment, blinking at the grass until the spinning eased, then pushed yourself upright.

The earth still rocked faintly beneath your boots as you bent to retrieve your old hat, stuffing it firmly back in place.

Pain pulled sharply across your brow.

“Guess we get to call in today…”

Buck snorted. You heard the slow, familiar thud of his hooves through the grass as he approached.

“You happy now, shithead?” You caught hold of his reins and gave him a quick once-over. Legs, feet, bit, cinch. Everything looked fine. Not a scratch on him.

Then your eyes drifted back toward the gate he’d refused to cross. Before you could even reach it a dry rattle crackled from the brush beside the fence line.

“That explains it.” You mumbled.

Glancing over your shoulder you saw Buck as stiff as a statue. His ears stood alert, his whole body locked and ready to bolt.

You almost chuckled.

This giant animal who could tackle bulls and chase off coyotes was reduced to a trembling mess over a little snake.

Another hissing rattle cracked out of the bush.

Beyond the gate, the pasture rolled away into open prairie with the blue rocky mountain range framing the horizon. You considered chasing the snake off. Considered leading Buck through the gate anyway. Considered shaking off the fall and finishing the day’s chores.

But your head pounded and the ground still swayed a bit beneath your boots.

Something warm crept down your cheek. You touched it and hissed at the sight of blood smeared across your fingertips.

You blew out a little breath.

Pretty as it was, the work would have to wait.

You stuck your foot in the stirrup and hauled yourself up—taking a moment to steady yourself and find your other stirrup—then pointed Buck towards home.

The whole ride back, you rehearsed excuses.

You’d clean yourself up and tell Alice, your housekeeper, that Buck spooked, but that he was fine and you were fine and nobody needed to fuss. Hopefully she wouldn’t call your daddy.

The plan was looking pretty good—until you spotted three riders cresting the hill, going in the opposite direction you were heading.

Your stomach dropped, knowing who they were without even having to look.

Your father had hired the same three ranch hands every summer for as long as you could remember. That is, until one of them sloughed off to the city for college.

Caleb, the bane of your existence since childhood, rode at the front of the pack, looking better than he had any right to in his fringed leather coat.

His family had moved into the little white farmhouse down the road the summer you turned ten. You were first introduced at the barbecue your daddy had put on to welcome them and one smile from Caleb had been enough to send you head over heels in love with him.

Daddy apparently loved him too, because he’s been a thorn in your side ever since. Always over for dinner, always down to watch football, always available when daddy needed something done. He even had his own room in the showbarn’s loft for when he wanted to stay over if things got rough at home.

It took you years to adjust to the emptiness he left behind. And right when you thought you’d kicked him like a bad habit, he returned home and begged Daddy to work for him again.

You’ve spent all your time avoiding him as much as possible since then.

Riding beside him were Gideon and Dallas, his two best friends and partners in crime.

The three of them were currently loping across the pasture, toward the main herd probably, carrying out whatever tasks your daddy had handed out to them that morning.

Problem was, if Caleb got a good look at you now, he’d ask questions and see the blood and blow the whole thing up into something it didn’t need to be.

The thought alone was enough to make you want to ride straight off a cliff.

You turned Bucky sharply to the right, squeezing him into a lope.

Maybe if you looked busy, Caleb would assume you were just checking fences. Maybe if you got to the barn fast enough, you could disappear before he—

“Hey!”

You winced.

In the corner of your eye, you caught sight of him lifting a hand in greeting.

For some strange inexplicable reason—panic seized you.

Suddenly you were smooching Buck into a full gallop.

You realized running away probably looked suspicious. And you couldn’t deny the guilt when you imagined the confused look Caleb was probably wearing.

He should be used to it by now.

When did you ever come when he called you?

Relief filled you as the main barn finally came into view.

You were so close! You would just stick Buck in his stall and head straight to the sink in the wash rack to clean yourself up. Almost there…

The relief only lasted a few moments, collapsing in on itself the moment you heard another set of hooves thundering towards you.

Did he follow you? There’s no fucking way…

You dared a glance over your shoulder, and sure enough, there was Caleb hot on your heels—pushing his horse to its limits to catch up.

“Slow down, will ya?” He called out over the roar of the wind. “What’s the matter?” Guilt pricked you again at the worried tone of his voice.

“Nothing’s the matter, you dummy!” You called out over your shoulder, scrambling wildly for an excuse, any last ditch effort to get out of this conversation.

“Then slow down so I can talk to ya!” All your guilt twisted into frustration at his stubborn persistence.

It was no surprise to him when you veered sharply to the left and galloped full force towards a weak corner of fencing. The corner you were always getting in trouble for jumping over when you didn’t feel like opening the gate at the end of the pasture.

Buckshot soared over it with surprising elegance for his size.

A sharp pain jolted through your skull as you landed the jump with him.

It made your stomach turn, but at least when you looked behind you Caleb was no longer on your tail. He pulled his horse to a stop on the other side of the fence, shaking his head as you galloped off.

You blew a sigh of relief through your dry lips and slowed a bit, letting Buck cool off.

You tried your best to act casual as you dismounted and strolled into the barn, taking Buck straight to the wash rack. You didn’t even clip him in, just dropped his reins and beelined toward the sink.

“Aw shit…” You sighed when you caught a look at your reflection in the mirror. There was blood streaked all down the side of your face, seeping into the collar of your flannel coat.

It’s fine, you thought. You’ll wash up, head inside, and sleep this off. Dad wouldn’t be home until tomorrow evening and by then you’d be perfectly fine.

The only one you needed to worry about wa—

“Gotcha—” Caleb’s playful giggle died in his throat the second you whirled around.

You were just taking your coat off, just about to splash cold water on your face.

His eyes sharpened instantly. That airy, carefree smile he always wore disappeared as he took in the blood-soaked collar of your shirt.

Your lip wobbled. You were already frustrated and tired and now you were going to have to deal with Caleb and Caleb was definitely going to tell your dad… and all you could do was resist shriveling up under his gaze while your whole plan fell apart.

Only, Caleb didn’t jump straight into scolding you, didn’t say a single word in fact. He just spun on his heel and grabbed Buck’s reins—lead him quietly back to his stall without a single word. You heard him murmuring into his phone a minute later, probably talking to Gideon. Heard leather squeaking as his quick hands unsaddled your horse.

You stayed hidden in the wash rack—gently splashing cold water on your face until it came away clear. It was only a little cut right at your hairline, but it was deep and beginning to swell. You were just patting the gash dry, wincing when you heard the stall door rattle shut. He rounded the corner right after.

“Come on, pips.” He seemed eerily relaxed as he offered you his hand.

It wasn’t computing in your sluggish brain.

You couldn’t quite match this version of him up to the Caleb who took every chance to scold you, to hover over you, to boss you around. Caleb, who loved to tease you—said it was his right as your honorary big brother—only stood there, stretching his hand out to you in a gentle invitation. You squinted up at him, planting yourself in place.

“What do you mean come on?” You scoffed. “It’s just a little cut. I’m going to take shower and dress it and then I’m gonna go to bed.” His face pinched into a little scowl, trying hard to mask his amusement.

There’s the little pest you knew… although he certainly wasn’t little anymore. He stepped closer, using his height to his full advantage in an attempt to tower over you. You couldn’t tell if it was his sudden proximity or the potential head injury that made the floor sway under you.

“I know you like to think you’re in charge around here.” His voice went deep the way it did when he was done playing around.

“Hell, most of the time, I’m happy to let you.” He continued with a long suffering sigh.

He stopped right in front of you, close enough that you could feel his breath fan across your face. You refused to back away, tried your best to muster any dignity you had to spare—staring up at him with that stubborn tilt of your chin.

“But right now, I’m telling you exactly what’s going to happen.” He unzipped his coat as he spoke, shrugging his stupidly broad shoulders out of it.

“We’re going to the emergency room to make sure you still have some sense left in that big, stubborn head of yours. Then you can come home and take that nap.” He huffed a little laugh as he wrapped his coat around you, found it cute how you drowned in it.

Warmth immediately enveloped you along with his scent and you had to resist every urge to hum in delight. The last thing you needed was him acting smug on top of being completely insufferable.

“Well I’m telling you that I’m actually going inside the house to take that nap right now because I don’t need to go to no hospital.” You went to step around him.

Unsurprisingly, he moved to block your path.

“Why don’t we get daddy on the phone and see what he has to say, hmm?”

You stomped your foot, growling your frustration as he bent to your eye level—grinning like a menace because he knew he had you.

“I just know he’d leave the auction early to come get his perfect little princess.” He smirked. “Then you’d have to deal with him for the hour and forty-five minute drive to the hospital.” Your breath caught as he reached out and slowly dragged the zipper of his coat up to your chin.

“But if you can be a good girl, and go get checked out, I’ll cover for you when he asks questions. I’ll even be your personal servant for the rest of the day, I’ll do whatever you ask me to.” His eyes gentled as he leaned in to get a close look at the damage He didn’t bother to hide his concern anymore—used that cute puppy dog eyed stare to work you over.

You hated how good he was at playing you.

After over a decade of thorough practice, Caleb was the only person on the planet besides your own father who could tell you anything. He was the only one who wasn’t afraid of you.

That’s how you ended up in the worn out passenger seat of his dingy, old truck—sipping a coffee he bought you when you reached town. He was constantly tuning the thermostat, making sure you were comfortable while simultaneously pestering you to keep your eyes open every time you started to doze.

It’s how he got you to sit in the emergency room’s waiting area, despite your constant whining. He laid back in his seat, lazily stretched out with his hat pulled over his eyes while you bickered back and forth until your name was called.

But he was also the one who held your hands when they got clammy as the doctor put a few stitches through the gash. He waited at the pharmacy while they filled your prescriptions and bought you a sandwich for the ride back home.

The heater blew warm air around you, the bumpy drive back home turning hypnotic as your pain meds kicked in.

Caleb was chatting from the driver’s seat but you couldn’t hear what he was saying anymore. Your mind was fuzzy and heavy and your were so warm—still bundled up in his giant coat as you slumped against the door.

Just gonna shut your eyes for a bit, you thought. It would save you the trouble of listening to his rambling for the next hour…

You got home around one in the afternoon.

Caleb had to nearly drag you through the front door while consoling your poor house keeper, Alice, that you were alright. The pain meds had relieved your pain, sure. But they took all your sense along with it. You could only laugh as your feet flopped uselessly beneath you.

Eventually he gave up and swooped you into his arms and you giggled like you were a kid again. Back when you loved him—back when he could do no wrong in your eyes and you looked at him as if he hung the moon.

The illusion was quickly shattered, though, as he tossed you like a sack of potatoes onto the couch.

You landed with an undignified little ‘oof!’

He paid no attention to your pouting, walking over to the ottoman that held all your favorite fuzzy blankets and reaching in to grab the entire stack. Your eyes widened he approached, looking full of mischief as he dumped them on you in a pile. He stood back and admired his work for a moment, a tender smile tugging at his mouth at the ridiculous sight.

“Caleb…” You muttered, voice muffled.

He chuckled, digging through the pile until your face appeared.

“What?” He couldn’t help the way his eyes crinkled at your peeved expression, at the way static was making your hair crazy.

You decided a little payback was in order…

“I can’t feel my fingers.” You mentioned innocently, “I need your help…” You wiggled your feet, still clad in your boots, to emphasize your point.

He knelt with a long suffering sigh and pulled your boots off while you shoved the blankets away.

“There, happy now Princess?” You shook your head with a wicked gleam in your eye.

“And my chaps, please.”

Caleb’s breath suddenly lodged in his throat—his adam’s apple bobbing as he stared up at you from where he knelt on the floor.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me…” You shook your head again with an evil little smile.

You could blame the pain killers for making you loose.

It was easier than admitting the truth…

“You said you’d do whatever I asked. Time to cash that check, big boy.” Your tone turned mocking and a hot blush bloomed across his cheeks, touched the tips of his ears. It suited his dumb, handsome face remarkably well.

His hands didn’t shake like you hoped they would.

They hovered for a moment, his long, lovely fingers hesitating as they reached your belt buckle.

You met his gaze and lifted your hips insistently.

“Come on, cowpoke, I ain’t got all day.” He scowled at your teasing tone, clearly frustrated, but deciding to keep quiet about it for now.

You half expected him to be rough and frustrated with you.

He wasn’t.

His touch was exceptionally gentle as he loosened your belt, his fingers barely grazing you as they worked. You found yourself blushing from just that little bit of contact, from the way his eyes seemed to darken as they focused. He took his time sliding your chaps over the curve of your backside, kept his eyes down and focused on his work.

But his face was burning red, and the hard set of his mouth gave him away.

You were no better off—entranced while watching his hands bunch the fringed suede and pull gently until they fell off your legs, relishing the moment.

“Thank you…” That came out much softer than you’d intended, far too tender instead of teasing.

He chucked a blanket at your face in response, disappearing with your boots and chaps before you got your face uncovered.

You grumbled, sinking into the couch—more than a little mortified by your actions.

The sink came on in the little bathroom by the stairs.

It ran while you dozed, followed by the thud of his boots trudging towards the kitchen a few minutes later.

He returned eventually, snacks piled high in his arms and your purple water bottle hooked on his pinky finger.

“Hungry?” He asked without sparing you a glance, plopping down on the couch next to you and snatching the remote off the coffee table.

“No.” You grumbled, sinking deeper into your blanket pile.

That earned a dirty look from him.

“Well you should eat a little something anyways… Over there wasting away.”

You had the audacity to side-eye him.

“Silence, servant boy.”

You sighed, feeling warm and sleepy and wishing he would touch you again in some small way.

“You can speak when spoken to.”

Caleb scoffed.

You’ve hardly given him the time of day since he returned and now, suddenly, you were here sassing him like you were seventeen again. On the same couch you both grew up on. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t love this, didn’t miss it terribly while he was away. At this point he would take anything—any scrap you gave him was better than the cold shoulder he’d been enduring for seven long months.

“You’re lucky you’re injured, lucky I don’t come over there and beat your little ass.” He grumbled, cheeks still flushed from your little stunt earlier.

You scoffed, glaring a hole in the side of his head.“What’s a soft little city boy like you gonna do, huh?” Caleb winced at your tone.

“You think I can’t do nothin’ about that bratty attitude of yours?” He flicked a candy at you, bounced it right off the side of your head. “I could change your attitude real quick, pips.” You flushed, refusing to meet his gaze, refusing to bite at the bait he dangled above your lips.

“You’re all talk. Always have been.”

“And you’re a brat. Always will be.”

And just like that, all the walls you put up around him started to crumble. All the hard work spent scrubbing him out of your mind turned to ash.

You couldn’t help the tiny smile that tugged at the edge of your mouth. Couldn’t help but melt like butter when his warmth crept into your chest.

Maybe it was relief.

Having him close and circling you again in that old familiar orbit was thawing you out and suddenly you could breath.

You plopped your head down in his lap with a dramatic sigh, knowing he wouldn’t stop you because Caleb had always let you do whatever you wanted to him.

He only tensed under you for a moment, a surprised little sound getting stuck in his throat.

Then, muscle memory took over.

His hand found its rightful place on the crown of your head, then started smoothing your hair down. Then, slowly, his fingers spread and buried themselves in your hair, gently tugging out knots.

Caleb’s heart was cracking open while you were none the wiser, dozing off in the warm cradle of his lap. He fought the urge to lean down and bury himself in you. He wanted to feel you all over his skin, wanted to breath you and drown in you.

Instead he sat still so as not to disturb your sleep, ran his ringers over your scalp, down through your hair, arranging the ends into little hearts to pass the time.

You passed the entire rest of the day like that; sleeping, snacking, watching movies.

For the first time in years you felt weightless—the constant gnawing ache in your chest dissolving under his gentle fingertips.

Hours slipped by without you noticing, until your phone buzzed.

The clock read 9:42pm when you clicked your screen awake. There were endless notifications from all your neighbors about preparing for tomorrow.

You sighed and clicked your phone shut, nuzzling back into Caleb’s lap instead of replying.

Another hour or so passed in relative peace before you couldn’t take it anymore. All of your unanswered questions finally bubbled over.

“Caleb?”

“Hmm?” He lifted his head off the back of the couch so he could look down at you.

“Why didn’t you call me after you left?” His breath caught.

It was the question he had been dreading since he came back home. He’d spent seven months imagining this conversation. Somehow he still had no idea what to say.

Your eyes searched his as he came up with the right words.

“I wanted to call you, pips.” His gaze shifted away from yours, looking more than a little guilty. “I guess I… I was afraid.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes.

“Afraid of what?” You asked incredulously.

“I was feeling guilty. Your mom had just passed when I left and… well…” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

“I thought you hated me for leaving, so I gave you a little space. But I thought about you every day.” You rolled your eyes again but didn’t say anything.

Caleb felt the panic rising, pulling something tight in his chest. His arm instinctively wrapped around your middle before he could stop to think about what he was doing.

“I was so excited to see you during holiday break. I still remember knocking on your door to surprise you…” He chuckled, but it sounded a little strangled. “I remember you stuck your nose straight in the air and walked away.” His shoulders sank a little at the memory, trying to smile it off.

But his eyes betrayed him.

Your face burned with shame at the memory. Back then you felt like the only way you would survive was if you killed him off in your heart. Buried him in the graveyard next to your mama…

“I’d have tossed my scholarship in the bin and come running back home if you asked me to.” He said quietly after a moment passed in silence, blushing at how corny it sounded, but it was true…

You took a moment to gather yourself, all of the hurt and broken pieces that had you held onto so tightly were starting to slip from your grasp.

“I guess I did hate you back then…” You admitted with a tired sigh.

You expected to see him scowl, to flick your forehead. But he only smiled with that specific brand of tenderness he reserved only for you and tucked your hair behind you ear.

It gave you the courage to keep going.

“I felt like you abandoned me when I needed you the most…”

Your words came out quieter than you meant, small and vulnerable.

“I thought you met a pretty girl in college and forgot all about me. Didn’t think you were ever coming back”“What on earth made you think that?”

“I saw a picture on your page with a bunch of people at some party… there was a girl hanging on your shoulder.” You grumbled with a blush.

Why the hell were you admitting this to him?“I…” He squinted up at the ceiling, trying to find the right way to word it so you wouldn’t take off running again.

He’d waited so long for this opportunity, dreamed of the moment he could draw you in…

“I had a lot of interest.” He chuckled. “But I turned each and everyone of them down.” You turned your back to him so he couldn’t see your blushing cheeks—pretending to be suddenly interested in the reality show on tv while you squashed the little flair of hope lighting up your chest.

Unfortunately Caleb misread the moment.

Panic seized him.

This was it, he thought.

You were shutting him out again and he’d never have another chance to tell you everything that he has been dying to say for nearly five years.

His arms wrapped around you, gathered you up.

“Please don’t be angry with me. I’ve missed you so much.” He bent to nuzzle your hair and you squeaked at the unfamiliar sensation.

Caleb never touched you like this…

It certainly wasn’t because you didn’t want him to. Hell, you’ve been bending over backwards since you were sixteen to get him to notice you in that way.

But no matter how skimpy your bikini was in the summertime, no matter how tight your blue jeans hugged you, how carefully you tailored your chaps to squeeze around your ass just right… Caleb refused to look at you with anything other than tenderness.

It drove you crazy.

And now, suddenly, his breath was tickling your ear and his arms were wrapped tightly around your waist and you were losing your ever loving mind.

“Pips?” He murmured into your hair, shooting heat through your entire body. You felt like you were gonna vibrate right out of your skin and float away.

Caleb was no better off—spiraling in the awkward silence. It was killing him. He needed you to say something, anything.

He hauled you up off is lap and into his chest, his arms locking around you like a cage.

“Ugh, Caleb—” You wheezed, squirming a little in his grasp until you felt him shudder.

“Caleb?” You froze in his hold.

His only response was squeezing you impossibly tighter until his breath warmed the top of your head.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled weakly, his voice straining against the lump in his throat.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind.” His chest shuddered again. “Sorry for making you deal with it all alone.”

Was he crying?

You were horrified by the realization, turning in his grasp to look at him. He ducked his face in your neck, squeezing you tight—the last thing he wanted was for you to see him like this.

You tried wiggling out of his grasp again and were met with a grunt.

“Stop trying to get away from me.” He whined, ghosting his lips along the shell of your ear. It was a weak spot of yours and he knew it—a dirty trick. But he was willing to play dirty at this point. Willing to pay the price for it later if it meant you stayed in his arms like this for a little longer.

You gasped as the heat of his breath lit your body like a cigarette, his face dipped lower—lips ghosting over your pulse point while he pulled you into his lungs like smoke. You needed to grab the reins fast before your own body ran off with you.

“Will you let go?” You gasped, “I’m not trying to get away from you, you dummy!”

He calmed down a little at that, just enough for you to work your arms free.

You coaxed his face out of your neck, tilting his head up.

The sight broke your heart a little.

His eyes were still watery, face contorted in agony as he looked up at you.

He burned with shame, his tears now on full display, but he was too desperate to care anymore.

You gathered yourself with a shaky breath, staring into his eyes with wary anticipation.

“What are you trying to tell me, cowpoke?” You swept his hair out of his eyes, moved your hands to gently cradle his face. His glassy eyes widened a little as they stared into yours, lip trembling just slightly.

You’d never seen this expression on Caleb before.

All the air drained out of your lungs as the moment you’ve been waiting for your entire life hung in the open air between you.

“Ain’t it obvious?” He whispered, vulnerable and bashful.

The cold spike of fear was fading fast, slowly replaced by a fiery heat with the way you were looking at him right now.

“Maybe… but I wanna hear you say it…” God, that bratty little tone…

Caleb didn’t think it was possible—the way it suddenly made you ten times hotter. His face practically glowed in the dark living room.

You almost smirked at the way his gaze darted to your lips, then right back up to meet your eyes.

He gulped, took a breath.

“I love y—oomf!” Stars burst behind his eyes as your mouth came crashing into his.

Softer and warmer and sweeter than he could have ever imagined.

His arms released their crushing grip around your waist—hands winding around your face, cupping it so gently as he leaned into the kiss. His body was hyper-aware of yours as it pressed tightly against him, soft and warm and alive with a wild, hammering heartbeat…

You whimpered, barely a breath against his lips but it was enough to melt him into a groaning puddle. A burning frenzy scorched low in his stomach—had him pressing into you, stealing the air right out of you. Blood was draining from his brain quickly, taking all rational thought with it as it pooled somewhere lower…

You were no better off, struggling just to pull some air back into your burning lungs while your mind skidded and spun out. You pulled away to look at him—at his long legs sprawled out under you, at his heaving chest, at the deep blush painting his face in a cute pink tint.

His hooded eyes glowed with affection as they stared back at you.

You were just about to go in for another kiss, already leaning into him when your phone rang.

“Shit!” You hissed.

Who the hell was calling you this late? You reached behind you, scrabbling in the dark until Caleb bent you both forward and grabbed it for you.

“Thank you” You breathed.

Your dad’s contact flashed across the screen and the color drained out of your face.

You took a deep breath, composed your buzzing body before answering.

“Hey, daddy.” Caleb held his chuckle in, watching you struggle to get your feet under you.

“Hey, baby girl. Ain’t heard from you all day, you alright?” You realized with a little pang of guilt that if he was calling you this late it meant you kept him up with worry.

“I’m… okay.” He waited patiently for you to continue.

“I um… I had a little spill today is all. Been sleepin’ it off.” You could practically see him bristling up on the other end of the line.

“A little fall, hm? Buckshot throw you again?” Your panicked gaze flicked up to Caleb. He took the phone from you with the airy confidence you knew so well.

“Hey pops!” His voice was suddenly sweet and boyish and your dad hopped straight into conversation with him like you were never there.

“No, she took SideGig out this morning, Bucky was acting a little fresh.” He paused while your dad chatted. Caleb turned to you, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“What’d you say happened pips?”

“Um, there was a rattle snake by the gate that I couldn’t I see and Gigi spooked.” You felt a little guilty for lying, but Bucky was already on thin ice with daddy and you didn’t want to give him another reason to hate him.

Caleb could sense your guilt, winked at you as he spoke.

“Yeah, I took her stubborn butt to ER. She’s alright, just needs to rest… Yep. I’m going up to check the pens first thing in the morning.” Another pause.

“No I can handle that, too. It’ll all be ready by the time you get home.”

“It’s no problem… thought I’d better keep an eye on her tonight, anyways.” You could hear your daddy gushing on his end of the phone. He always had endless praise for Caleb, you had to fight the urge to roll your eyes as he milked it.

“Yes sir. Alright, here’s your baby.” He handed your phone back to you and kicked his legs up like this was the most natural thing in the world.

“Hey… yes I’m resting, about to go to sleep now actually.”

“You make sure to tell Caleb thank you.”

“Yes daddy…” You blushed as Caleb smirked.

“Alright baby girl, get some good sleep. Text me in the morning when you wake up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait. Love you.” You have never been so relieved to hang up in your life.

For a moment, neither of you said anything as you stared at the phone. Then the tension finally cracked, the both of you dissolving into a fit of giggles.

“Thanks, Cay.”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You can call me baby, if you want.”

“Don’t start pushin’ your luck.”

Despite the warning, you leaned forward and pressed a kiss between his brows.

The sound that escaped him was embarrassing, a delighted little hum vibrating in his chest as his arms tightened around you,.

“You’ll stay with me tonight, won’t you?” You tipped your head back to look at him. “Just to keep an eye on me?”

You fluttered your eyelashes and that sweet, bubbly laugh slipped out of him again—the one that only seemed to exist when you two were together.

“I don’t think you’re gettin rid of me after that kiss.”

“Good.”

Early morning spilled through the front windows, painted the room in it’s cool blue light. Sometime during the night Caleb had wrapped himself around you, held you fast against him to keep you from rolling off the couch.

Alice found the two of you tangled together on the couch when she stepped inside to start on breakfast, a fond little smile spread across her face.

“It’s about time, you two.”

The words were spoken softly, so as not to disturb the peaceful scene before her. She fought the urge to take a picture and send it to your daddy, knowing you’d cuss her from a boot to a slipper if she did.

By the time you finally woke, the smell of fresh coffee had drifted through the house.

You started the morning slowly.

Drinking coffee together turned into teasing and giggling. Giggling turned into kissing.

Then more kissing.

At some point Caleb stopped pretending he had any interest in finishing his breakfast and backed you into against the countertops to kiss you properly.

Only breaking away when he heard Alice’s footsteps approaching.

By the time Alice reached the kitchen it was empty—mugs in the sink and barely eaten breakfast still laid out on the table—the back door creaked shut before she could holler at you.

The cut on your head was tender, the cold morning air biting at the raw edges of it as you and Caleb made your way to the barn, gravel crunching under your boots as you walked side by side.

Spring had arrived in the valley weeks ago, but the mountains were still blanketed in snow along their highest peaks. The scent of damp earth and fresh grass lingered on the breeze as the sleepy ranch slowly came to life around you both.

Horses blew impatiently in their stalls, a tractor fired up somewhere in the distance.

The familiar sounds felt different this morning.

The weight of the day didn’t press on you, crush you under its weight like it had for so long. Not when Caleb was walking next you, smiling down at you like a fool.

You talked about everything and nothing while brushing your horses under the warm barn lights, Caleb saddled Buck for you while you wrapped Gigi’s legs and oiled her hooves.

When it came time to mount up, he offered his hand.

Normally you would’ve argued, would’ve informed him exactly where he could stick his helping hand.

Not today though. Today, you took it with a smile, blushing as you got yourself seated. The warmth of his touch lingered on your skin as you picked up your reins.

It was a chilly morning for May.

A wispy veil of mist still clung to the lower fields, slowly burning away beneath the rising sun as your rode out. Beyond the ranch, the Rockies stretched across the horizon in shades of blue and gold, their peaks glowing beneath the first real light of day.

Buck and Gigi were fresh and eager to move.

Once you were through the first pasture gate you gave Bucky his head. He took off immediately, exploding into a rowdy canter under you—throwing a little buck. You laughed as he tossed his big, beautiful head up in delight.

Gigi and Caleb approached on your left.

“Wanna race?” He hollered over the roaring wind and hoofbeats.

“You’ll lose!”

Caleb took a moment to etch the sight of you like this into his memory. They way you floated effortlessly, the wind blowing your hair in wild tendrils as you galloped away from him. He let you get away, enjoyed the view of you in front of him too much to care about losing.

The rhythm of hoofbeats sank into your bones and something inside you sang out with them. Fence posts flew by in a blur. Cold air filled your head, stung your lungs in the most pleasant way.

You reached the far end of the quarantine pastures in no time and fell into work mode seamlessly. Conversation died out, which was fine.

Caleb knew you rarely talked while working.

Out here, words were usually reserved for callouts, instructions, or warnings. The rest of the time, you let the horses carry you where you needed to go and enjoyed the quiet.

For once, Caleb was behaving himself. He didn’t tease you when you dropped a nail, got off his horse to string and stretch wire with you without you having to ask.

And you only caught him looking at you with ridiculous, love struck eyes twice.

The first time you rolled your eyes at him, but the second time you called him out.

“What?” You asked sharply with a hand on your hip.

His grin only widened.

“Nothin’.”

Liar. The smile threatening your own mouth lasted the rest of the ride.

By noon the quarantine pasture was good to go and the sun had climbed high enough to chase away the morning frost. What little chill remained lingered only in the shadows beneath the pines and along the north side of the hills.

The pastures stretched green and gold beneath an endless blue sky. Somewhere in the distance a meadowlark called.

You tipped your face toward the warmth of the sun for a moment, savoring it.

Behind you, Caleb swung down from Gigi and opened up the final gate.

“After you, baby doll.” He said in that sweet lilted voice.

You faked a scowl.

“Better not get used to calling me that, cowpoke. I’d hate for the neighbors to hear.”

“I want em’ to hear..” He hauled himself up into his saddle and sat with a wink, loving the way your cheeks pinked up, the way your eyes darted away from him as you took off.

The ranch was fully awake and buzzing with activity by the time you reached home.

Pickup trucks, stock trailers, dusty SUVs, and the occasional ancient farm truck stretched all the way down the driveway and spilled into the yard beside the house.

Dust billowed around you as you approached the barn. Bucky was already growing agitated with all the commotion.

Voices carried on the breeze, dogs barked, and horses nickered from the corrals, the smell of warm horses and leather lingered with the afternoon heat, someone laughed loud enough to be heard from halfway across the property.

You couldn’t help smiling.

Auction days always felt a little like a holiday.

Neighbors had been showing up to help for as long as you could remember.

The men were already hard at work. Some were hauling portable panels into position while others saddled horses or leaned against fence rails with coffee cups in their hands, discussing the day’s plans.

The women, meanwhile, had completely taken over the house.

Through the open kitchen windows drifted the smell of fresh coffee, homemade bread, onions sizzling in butter, and something sweet baking in the oven. Every now and then a burst of laughter floated out across the yard.

By tonight there’d be enough food to feed an army.

The chatter around the corrals seemed to die out the moment you and Caleb rode in.

You kept your eyes forward and your head held high as you trotted on.

Maybe if you acted natural your neighbors would mind their own business and let you be. Caleb ruined that plan almost immediately as soon as you reached the barn.

He caught you as you dismounted, setting you gently on your feet and spinning you into his waiting embrace.

You barely had time to register it before he was burying his face in your hair.

“Dammit, Caleb!” You swatted him away as chorus of laughter erupted. You heard them murmuring to each other as heat flooded your cheeks.

“About damn time.” You heard your old neighbor’s timbery voice pipe up. “You owe me twenty bucks, Darren.”

“You better mind your business, Frank!” you hollered without looking back.

That only made them laugh harder.

Caleb looked entirely too pleased with himself, looking pitifully love struck without an apology in sight.

You snatched Buck’s reins from his hand before he could try anything else and marched toward the barn with what dignity you had left.

Temporary pens had been set up for the visiting horses.

You stuck Buck in an empty one and hung a water bucket for him, took your time checking him over, running your hand over his smoky hide until your burning cheeks cooled and your pride recovered its footing.

Buck ignored your suffering completely, too busy eating the hay left behind by the previous tenant.

It was quiet for a moment.

But unfortunately there was no escaping the neighbors. Not for long anyway.

The first one found you before you’d even latched the gate behind you as you left Bucky to eat.

Then another… and another.

Some wanted to ask about the incoming cattle, some were looking for an update from your dad. Every single one of them stopped mid-conversation the second they noticed the bruise across your forehead.

“Ouch.”

“What happened to you?”

“Lord above, that looks painful.”

“You finally lose an argument with Buckshot?”

You were opening your mouth to defend yourself when a shout went up from somewhere near the driveway.

Relief flooded through you as the neighbors turned and started walking towards the driveway.

A line of livestock trailers was rolling through the front gate, kicking up massive clouds of dust that billowed across the open lawn, the low rumble of diesel engines carrying across the ranch.

Instantly, everything changed. Conversations were abandoned, coffee cups got set down, cowboys swung up into their saddles.

Buckshot snorted in annoyance when you snatched him away from his hay.

There was no time for apologies. You swung into the saddle and loped toward the driveway just as your dad climbed down from his truck.

Within seconds a crowd had gathered around him.

Neighbors and friends pressing closer, listening to his wild stories and laughing. They all ran through the plan one final time. Someone cracked a joke that earned a round of laughter before the group finally broke apart and scattered to their assignments.

The organized chaos began.

Trailer doors rattled open, dogs barked, horses danced impatiently under their riders.

The first cattle bawled from inside the trailers, the sound echoing across the ranch, then they were suddenly stampeding into the chutes. The rumble of their hooves shook the ground. Daddy must have bought close to fifty in total.

You caught sight of Caleb near the front of the herd, heading them up the first hill.

He was talking to Dallas and Gideon, gesturing toward the first gate while the dogs circled nearby, keyed up and ready to work.

One heifer immediately tried to break left—Caleb was already moving.

Gigi launched beneath him, cutting across her path so smoothly it looked effortless. One hand settled on the horn of his saddle while the other worked his lariat. They turned the cow back toward the herd before it could even fully break away.

Your stomach did a little flip.

There wasn’t a person alive who could deny Caleb was beautiful, but he was something else entirely when he was working. And it wasn’t just the way his arms flexed beneath the rolled up sleeves of his work shirt.

It was the focus—the hard set of his jaw when he was concentrating. He was easy to get lost in. Thankfully, you had Bucky to drag you back into reality. He whipped his head into the herd, biting at a cow that strayed a little too far.

“You’re an asshole, Bucky.” You chided him knowing that he wasn’t listening to you.

There were far more hands than the job required, ensuring the cattle were settled into the quarantine pasture without a hitch.

The whole thing was over before you knew it.

By evening, you were back in the barn putting Buckshot to bed.

You’d finished brushing him ten minutes ago, but the quiet was nice and you weren’t particularly eager to show yourself to the crowd.

Outside, the ranch hummed with celebration. Every now and then a burst of laughter drifted through the open barn doors. Someone shouted for more firewood. A truck door slammed. The smell of woodsmoke had already begun to creep across the yard.

They were probably getting the bonfire lit and breaking out the beer by now. The picnic tables were probably all lined with enough food to feed half the county.

The thought made you smile, the sound of laughter was sweet after a long and lonely winter, and you’d join them soon…

Just not yet.

Buckshot seemed perfectly content with this arrangement. He stood quietly munching hay while you leaned against his broad rump, absently working through the last few tangles in his tail.

It didn’t take Caleb long to come looking for you.

It never did.

You could almost time it like clockwork. Sure enough, the sound of his boots echoed down the aisle and a shadow fell across the stall floor. Right on queue .

Your eyes immediately found him leaning against the stall door with his hat pushed back—still looking love struck, swooning as he took you in.

“What’re you doin’ hidin’ in here, baby?”

You sighed dramatically.

“I don’t think I can show my face again after your little stunt.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“My stunt?”

“Half the county watched you hug me in broad daylight. I’ll be out there discussing my due date with Suzanne and Alice before I can even plate my food.”

His grin only widened.

“I’m serious, Caleb. I ain’t never gonna hear the end of it.”

“Well you’re gonna have to face them eventually. Let’s go get it over with, hm?”

Caleb walked you out, tucked you tightly into his side and answered all the wondering glances with a kiss to your forehead.

The mob descended almost instantly.

Questions came from every direction.

“When’s the wedding?”

“Oh, your babies are gonna be adorable.”

Heat burned all the way to the tips of your ears as laughter erupted around the bonfire. Caleb, meanwhile seemed perfectly content to answer questions on your behalf. He was discussing venues and colors with Alice before dessert, looking like he was having the time of his life. The worst part was everyone encouraging him.

Daddy looked especially pleased. The firelight danced across his face as he watched the two of you with something like relief. Like he’d been holding his breath for years, waiting for this moment to unfold.

“‘Bout time, kiddo,” he chuckled before wrapping Caleb in a crushing one-armed hug. “Now I can officially call you my son.”

You groaned.

“Can you calm down? Let the man propose first.” You always hated how well they got along growing up. They both teamed up on you, determined to be a thorn in your side. But you also couldn’t resist how cute it was, watching the way he carried on bragging about the both of you to anyone who would listen, dragging you and Caleb around like a shiny trophy.

The night stretched on around you.

Someone broke out another case of beer, the bonfire crackled and popped beneath a cerulean sky jeweled with stars, laughter drifted across the yard, children chased each other through the grass.

Your body felt lighter than it had in years as you stood out on the lawn and looked over it all.

Out on the blue ridge you could almost see her silhouette against the setting sun, sat quietly on her favorite horse, watching over you.

You blinked a little moisture out of your eyes and she was gone. The scenery was just an endless stretch of sloping foothills once more.

Caleb's arm tightened around you. He looked at you with a shimmering gaze like he knew exactly what you were thinking and bent down to kiss the top of your head. He stayed there for a bit, lingering in your warmth and your familiar scent for awhile while the party moved around you in a blur...

My pretty gorgeous girls: @skyekudasai @seraphyvonne @thelastpolarbear @bluepheonixfeather @cobaltghvst @typicalme23 @pjselee

[meanhamster]

Writing a sex scene to this song is kind of breaking my heart in the best way. 😭🍎🍏

Childhood friends->one sided crush->love lost->reunion->reconciliation->mind blowing, tender lovin' sex.

Spoiler alert! You put on his cowboy hat and discover he kept an old polaroid inside the band. A picture of you two celebrating your birthday when you were kids 😭 Making myself cry.

Hat scene inspired by @thelastpolarbear

Want a sneak peek of this upcoming Cowboyleb fic?

Click here for the opening

Click here for the second sneak peek <3

Love you! See you guys Friday when I post this 😍

[meanhamster]

I just realized Wednesday is actually tomorrow???

So I've got bad news 😅 I'm bumping our Cowboy fic to post Friday because I don't want to rush it. I wanna take my time writing the glorious sex scene. I want to write it so good that you explode in your pants when you read it 🤣

Please forgive Hammy.

I'm working hard. Working hard so I can please you.

[meanhamster]

Last sneak peek at Cowboy!Caleb fic before I publish it on Wednesday <3

From Hammy: This is turning into my favorite thing I've ever written! Side note, I'm not a cowgirl, but I am a working equestrian. Horses have been in my blood since I was a little girl and I'm so happy to share some of that passion with you in my writing 😍 I hope you're all as excited as I am. If you would like to be tagged in this work when it comes out please comment below. If you have any questions or would like to pick my brain about anything my comment section and my asks are open to you.

Previous sneak peek is here in case you're missing some context.

No AI is used in any part of my process. I summoned these words from the vitriolic void of my mind and typed them out with these fat, sausage fingies.

ENJOY PRETTY READER!

He stepped closer, using his height to his full advantage in an attempt to tower over you. You couldn’t tell if it was his sudden proximity or the potential head injury that made the floor sway under you.

“I know you like to think you’re in charge around here.” His voice went deep the way it did when he was done playing around.

“Hell, most of the time, I’m happy to let you.” He continued with a long suffering sigh.

He stopped right in front of you, close enough that you could feel his breath fan across your face. You refused to back away, tried your best to muster any dignity you had to spare—staring up at him with that stubborn tilt of your chin.

“But right now, I’m telling you exactly what’s going to happen.” He unzipped his coat as he spoke, shrugging his stupidly broad shoulders out of it.

“We’re going to the emergency room to make sure you still have some sense left in that big, stubborn head of yours. Then you can come home and take that nap.” He huffed a little laugh as he wrapped his coat around you, found it cute how you drowned in it.

Warmth immediately enveloped you along with his scent and you had to resist every urge to hum in delight. The last thing you needed was him acting smug on top of being completely insufferable.

“Well I’m telling you that I’m actually going inside the house to take that nap right now.” You went to step around him.

Unsurprisingly, he moved to block your path.

“Why don’t we get daddy on the phone and see what he has to say, hmm?” You stomped your foot, growling your frustration as he bent to your eye level—grinning like a menace because he knew he had you.

“I just know he’d leave the auction early to come get his perfect little princess.” He smirked. “Then you’d have to deal with him for the hour and forty-five minute drive to the hospital.” Your breath caught as he reached out and slowly dragged the zipper of his coat up to your chin.

“But if you can be a good girl, and go get checked out, I’ll cover for you when he asks questions. I’ll even be your personal servant for the rest of the day, I’ll do whatever you ask me to.” His eyes gentled as he leaned in to get a close look at the damage He didn’t bother to hide his concern anymore, using his cute puppy stare to work you over.

You hated how good he was at playing you.

After nearly a decade of thorough practice, Caleb was the only person on the planet besides your own father who could tell you anything. He was the only one who wasn’t afraid of you.

That’s how you ended up in the worn out passenger seat of his dingy, old truck—sipping a coffee he bought you when you reached town. He was constantly tuning the thermostat, making sure you were comfortable while simultaneously pestering you to keep your eyes open every time you started to doze.

It’s how he got you to sit in the emergency room’s waiting area, despite your constant whining. He laid back in his seat, lazily stretched out with his hat pulled over his eyes while you bickered back and forth until your name was called.

But he was also the one who held your hands when they got clammy as the doctor put a few stitches through the gash. He waited at the pharmacy while they filled your prescriptions and bought you a sandwich for the ride back home.