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maybe-your-left · 4 years

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Cowboy Blues: Almost Heaven

Sorry for the long update process, I have been going through a lot with new meds and I wasn't in the zone for writing. But I'M BACK and I MISSED CLYDE. Also, my boyfriend said this chapter was 'too long' but who cares?!

Here is a link to my Masterlist with all the chapters and WIP I have!

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Saturday could not have come any slower, you were so ready for your outing with Clyde but the days dragged by like molasses. You had kept your texting to a minimum with him just so you’d appear more casual, and because he was really bad at replying. You weren’t sure if he had ever used a phone for texting before he met you, but his short replies were just enough to keep you excited for what was to come.

You had offered to stay the night with Clyde on Friday so it would be easier to get up and go but he wasn’t a fan of you being at the ranch all by yourself. Which explains why now you were dragging yourself out of bed at 5 AM to drive to his place. “Fuck…” you groaned into your pillow when the alarm went off, rolling over and reaching for your phone you saw a couple of messages from Clyde. Rubbing your eyes you sat up and stretched before reading and starting your trek.

Mornin’ Sunshine, I know y’r already packed but make sure y’ bring a swimsuit.

“Whatever Clyde,” you yawned before grabbing your bags and shuffling out to the car.

The drive to the Logan Ranch was quick, practically no one was on the road on this lazy Saturday morning. You even had time to stop and grab some coffee for you and Clyde. Pulling into the ranch you saw a horse trailer, attached to a truck you hadn’t seen Clyde drive before. The man himself was packing the truck bed full of coolers, bags, and other things you couldn’t recognize.

“Morning handsome,” you called out.

Clyde turned around and a smile split his face, setting down the equipment he walked over to your car. You got out as quickly as possible and Clyde engulfed you in a hug, effectively lifting you off the ground. “M’ so glad y’ came, I know y’r not a mornin’ person,” he smiled up at you before kissing your cheek.

“Put me down I have stuff in my car,” you kicked your legs to emphasize your point.

Once down Clyde rounded your car and grabbed all the bags before you could even help out. Leaving you holding two cups of coffee and a smile. “Let’s get going darlin’,” he called before climbing into the driver’s seat. Opening your door you almost spilled your drink when Leroy jumped up into your seat.

“Down boy,” Clyde scolded, “That ain’t y’r spot today. Get in the back.”

Poor Leroy looked at his dad so broken-hearted. He started to whine when Clyde grabbed his collar and tried to pull him into the backseat. “Clyde, he can sit on my lap,” you whined, you didn’t want Leroy to be crying the whole trip because you took his spot.

“Sunshine, he’s a big dog,” he said, “Y’ don’ need t’ coddle him.”

“Please Clyde?”

He just sighed and dragged Leroy into his lap, grumbling at the dog as he started licking his face while you climbed in. Once you had the coffee settled, and your seatbelt on you patted your lap for the big baby. Leroy happily jumped into your lap, effectively knocking the wind out of you. Grunting you tried to situate him so you could breathe but fuck that dog was heavy. Whatever Clyde fed him was too much, but you didn’t want Clyde to know he was right so you decided to grin and bear it.

“Y’ okay over there darlin’?” Clyde smiled at your groaning from Leroy.

“Yup.”

“The drives ‘bout two hours, so lemme know if y’ need a break.”

You averted your eyes from his smile, he couldn’t win. Not today, so you just hummed back and began petting Leroy. This was going to be a long trip.

-----

Holy shit Leroy needs to go on a diet

Your inner monologue was constant throughout the drive, Leroy never really settled on your lap, which earned many groans from you and snorts from Clyde every time you made a noise. He had tried to make conversation with you during the drive but you couldn’t pay attention because of the fat dog who kept kissing you. You didn’t even get the chance to drink your coffee because he had your left arm pinned under his butt. Clyde had offered a couple of times to give you your coffee but your pride wouldn’t let him feel like he was right. And also because you were slightly nervous with him driving with just his metal arm but he was in control the whole time, it just took you a minute to calm down about it. He had been driving for a while with one arm so you had no reason to worry.

After another hour went by you had started to drift off to sleep when the ground changed into a bumpy gravel road. Jostled from your seat your eyes flew open to the new terrain. All around you were large trees, the windows were pumping in fresh mountain air, and if you strained enough you could spy a lake in between the brush.

“We’re just up here Sunshine,” Clyde moved the truck to the right of the road. Somehow spying a smaller dirt road that seemed to be handmade. You were very worried about fitting with the truck and the horse trailer but Clyde seemed to know the area like the back of his hand.

Once at the end of the slim road, there was a flat opening that was a driveway leading up to a small cabin with an even smaller barn to the left of it. You sighed at the sight of the cabin, you weren’t sure if you were camping in a tent but you secretly hoped for plumbing. With what you planned to be doing up here with Clyde you were thankful a shower was nearby.

Clyde parked and immediately opened his door to stretch his legs and start unpacking. Leroy had left your lap to follow his daddy, which left you to finally breathe and flex your left arm after being pinned. Climbing out you took in a deep breath, it was so beautiful up here. You knew that West Virginia was known for its beautiful landscape, and from your time in Montana, you were used to the mountains but it had been so long since you were outside. You felt yourself tearing up thinking about home, you hadn’t been back since Josh… no, you weren’t going to let your last relationship ruin this nice time with your new guy.

“Darlin’ can ya help bring these inside? I gotta get the horses out,” Clyde motioned to the coolers in the truck bed. Smiling back up at him you maneuvered to the end of the truck and started emptying the supplies Clyde had brought. Walking up the steps to the cabin you admired how homey it looked. Truly it was a quaint cabin that held memories for the Logan family, you felt honored that Clyde had even brought you here. Walking in you noticed scratch marks in the doorway, with names under them. You spied Clyde’s name along with Jimmy and Mellie, and some unknown person Sadie. You grinned at the family memory that marked the place.

After dropping off multiple bags inside you used your free time to search through the cabin. It was very homey, you were thankful that the cabin did indeed have plumbing. Some more snooping brought you to the bedroom you and Clyde were to share, the bed didn’t at all look big enough to have both of you in it. You also assumed that Leroy would weasel his way in which made it even less appealing. Huffing you started unpacking your bags when you heard Clyde come inside. You could hear his boots hitting the floor and a pause, he must be taking in the cabin like you were. You wondered how long it had been since he last came here, had he brought others here? You shook your head before you started jumping to conclusions, bounding out of the room you met Clyde and sealed your lips in a kiss.

“When do we get to ride?” you said before giving him another quick kiss. Clyde hummed into your lips before wrapping his arms around your waist. “That’s why I was comin’ in Sunshine,” he pulled back and started raking over your figure. Taking in a deep breath he closed his eyes and gave you a slower, more thoughtful kiss which you eagerly reciprocated. However, before the fun could even begin Clyde pulled back.

“Y’ better go get changed,” he leaned and kissed your forehead, “Y’ won’t want t’ ride with those shorts on.”

You rushed into the bedroom after Clyde separated the two of you to gather bags for the ride. You and Mellie had shopped for plenty of outfits to choose from for the weekend. You decided on wearing a baby pink bikini underneath your clothes in case there was a chance of water play, and plus they were only held together by strings which could prove helpful… You also got some comfy bootcut jeans that sat nicely over your old riding boots and a very thin plaid button-up. Mellie had also insisted that you buy a cowgirl hat, saying that it would drive Clyde crazy since he would chase after rodeo girls when he was younger. Once you were ready you pranced outside and approached Clyde who was facing two horses.

You tapped his shoulder and cleared your throat so he could turn and look at you. And look he did, you were sure his eyes were going to pop out of his head. He couldn’t keep himself from staring, his eyes roamed all over your figure and settled on the ample cleavage your top gave you.

“Howdy Cowboy,” you smirked at him and tipped your hat, “Are you ready to ride?”

Clyde swallowed hard before bringing his eyes back up to meet yours, “I got somethin’ fer y’ t’ ride.”

You giggled and swayed over to his side and pecked his cheek, not letting him get too close since you were actually eager to get going. “Which ones mine,” you whispered before pulling back and patting the horses.

“What,” Clyde practically choked when you left him high and dry.

“Which horse do I get Clyde,” you said, “Don’t tell me one of them is for Leroy.”

He cleared his throat and turned to face the pair with you, “No no, this one here is mine,” he patted the buckskin colored horse, “An that one's yers.”

“What are their names?”

“This mustang is Spirit, and his mare there is Rain.”

“Oh like that old movie!” you practically squealed, Spirit was one of your favorite horse movies growing up. You and your sister would watch it almost daily, along with Barbie Swan Lake.

“Huh,” Clyde looked at you confused, “What’r y’ talkin’ about? Those their names because I liked em…”

“You really haven’t seen the old horse movie about these exact two horses!?”

Clyde just looked at you like you had lost your mind. You obviously had to drop the subject and force him to watch it at a later date because right now you were close to blowing up. “Whatever,” you rolled your eyes and began mounting Rain, “Let’s get going before it gets too hot.”

Mirroring your actions Clyde climbed on Spirit swiftly and put on his own cowboy hat, “Don’t fall behind darlin’,” he winked before setting off leaving you in the dust.

-----

After riding for about 3 hours, Clyde had led you to a lakeshore. You had spent most of the early afternoon weaving through trees and up the mountain ridges. Rain was a very nimble horse and on more than one occasion you were able to outrun Clyde who would holler for you to stay close by, apparently, the ground was dangerous and ‘only he knew’ where it was safe.

You dismounted at the shoreline, soaking in the sun and listening to the calm waves from the lake. It almost felt like a dream, being out here with Clyde. You weren’t sure of the last time you were able to have this kind of peace, certainly couldn’t remember the last time you rode a horse. But you were starting to see that being around Clyde would bring you simple pleasures you hadn’t allowed yourself in a while. Walking towards the sand you heard Clyde rustling through the bags that he brought, making a happy humming noise when he must’ve found what he was looking for.

“Y’ mind helpin’ me set out this blanket,” he called from behind you. Turning around you saw he had a large blanket draped over his forearm, along with a small bag that was hiding supplies he must’ve packed.

“Of course,” you smiled at him and grabbed the blanket. Spreading it out on the beach and then grabbing the bag from him while he got the horses some snacks and water. Settling down, the bag between your legs, you opened it up to see what he had brought. It was a pretty small bag, no larger than one of those cheap drawstring ones you would use as a child, but this one was a military green and seemed to be well used. It was heavy, heavier than you would think it should be, peeking inside you found bottles of water. Along with the water, there were a few beers, Clyde seemed to pack his favorite kind along with some fruity cocktails he must’ve thought you liked. You started unpacking the drinks, and underneath you found some little picnic items. After you had that all laid out there was still more in there.

“Did you pack enough,” you called over your shoulder to him, because somehow he managed to pack an entire fridge worth of food.

“What’re y’ doin’ over there?”

“I’m unpacking this,” you raised the bag up, “Isn’t that what you meant for me to do?”

Deciding not to delay the rest you dumped the contents into your lap. Out fell a leather journal, must be his you thought, along with a compass, flashlight, survival tools, and a strange velvet drawstring bag. You picked it up to inspect it more closely, it was a black bag, which had a couple of items inside. It didn’t seem like something you would bring out riding but maybe Clyde had a reason for it. Rolling your eyes and staring out at the waves you opened it and stuck your hand in.

Cold.

Curved.

Metal.

“What the fuck-”

“Are you lookin’ through my stuff darlin’,” Clyde was suddenly behind you, snatching the black velvet bag from your hands. Huffing as he sat next to you and tucked it under his left leg.

“What was that Clyde,” you waggled your eyebrows at him and reached over his lap to grab the item he swooped away from you.

“It’s not yers,” he smiled back at you before leaning down and placing a kiss on your forehead.

You huffed and crossed your arms over your chest, being sure to push out your breasts from your unbuttoned shirt. “Hmm,” you mused at him.

“Could y’ hand me a beer darlin’, I’m thirsty after all that ridin’.”

You pretended to not hear him, maybe the silent treatment would make him cave and show you the ‘surprise’ that he was hiding from you. “Sunshine?” he whispered again, hoping for your attention. You lifted your chin and looked off at the water, pretending again that he wasn’t there.

“(Y/N) are you really poutin’ cause I took the bag from y’?”

“Maybe.”

Clyde huffed in amusement, reaching across your lap for a beer, making sure to skim the top of your left knee in the process. He settled once again, stretching his legs out and cracking open his beer. Humming after his first slow sip, glancing out at the mountains across the water. Maybe the silent treatment wasn’t a good idea, Clyde was already a man of little words, he must thrive off the quiet mountain air. You started thrumming your fingers to try and shake his calm, slowly getting louder and louder with your little movements. At some point, he was going to snap and finally give in to you.

After 5 more chugs from his beer, he finally cleared his throat, halting you from your cacophony of noises. “I didn’ tell y’ earlier, but y’ look very pretty darlin’.”

“Hmm,” you replied, not trying to be swayed by his honeyed words.

Clyde chuckled and scooted closer to you, draping his arm around your shoulders, “I especially like yer shirt, it lookt very bouncy while we were ridin’.”

You tried to hide your smile, of course, it was ‘bouncy’ because you had on a bikini top underneath. Your tits were practically screaming from being pushed up and down while Rain was trotting across the trails. In hindsight, it was not a good decision to wear the top, but damn you did look tantalizing. You turned to face Clyde, being sure to let your top open a little bit more, showing the suit underneath. “Well aren’t you a gentleman,” you whispered at him, bringing up a palm to rest on his chest. Clyde took that as an in and swooped in, capturing your lips in a kiss.

You couldn’t help but moan into him, sweet lips pressing and sucking on your own. Tongue darting out to press to your own, begging for entrance to explore your mouth. Eagerly you obliged, savoring the sweet hoppy taste of his tongue, slightly pressing on his chest causing him to lay back as softly as he could. Once he was down he brought his right hand up to your lower back, pressing you into him as you now straddled him with both legs. You pulled away just a little, glancing down at Clyde’s face, his lips were all flushed, wet, and pink while his eyes were lazily opening and shutting. Trying to register the bliss that was your shared tastes. Quickly you used his confusion to reach under his left leg and grabbed the black bag.

Springing off of him you ran towards the water giggling, trying to quickly figure out the contents of the velvet sack. Sticking your hand in again you met with the toys inside, not noticing that you were now in the shallow water. Soaking your boots and the ends of your jeans. Through your giggles, you now were able to inspect the objects more thoroughly, there were two items. One was a small smooth metal plug* of some sort and the other was a bottle of…

Lube**.

Clyde brought lube.

You stared at the items in your hand for a long time. What the fuck was going on? Why did he bring these, on a horseback riding trip for starters? Was the lube why he asked about your allergies? Why was there a butt plug… what kinda shit was this cowboy expecting? You were so lost in your train of thought you didn’t even hear Clyde run after you into the water. Suddenly you were being lifted up from an arm wrapping around your waist, and another hand was taking the prizes from your grasp. “Y’ know it’s rude t’ open presents early Sunshine,” he chuckled while walking back to the blanket.

Your eyes widened, was he planning on giving you these? It wasn’t like you were opposed to them, it was the opposite in fact. You had hoped that this trip was going to take your relationship to the next level. You had even mentioned it to Clyde the other day over text, and he knew that you wanted to set boundaries before the two of you continued down that road. But this just seemed so sudden and out of character for him, he was usually so timid and shy around you. Unless you took into account the morning the two of you were buried between the other’s legs, which surely wasn’t the shy man you had grown to know.

Clyde plopped you down on the blanket, situating himself between your legs. Sitting back on his heels while holding the toys in his metal hand. “I’m sorry Clyde, I didn’t think they were… you know for me?”

“Hmm,” he responded, trying to keep his gaze away from yours. He was clearly embarrassed, his plan of giving these to you didn’t go as he wanted it to. You reached up and placed your hands on his cheeks, forcing him to make eye contact. “Clyyyddddeeee,” you cooed, trying to get him to smile at you, “I’m not upset at them, just more surprised really.”

“I’m sorry darlin’,” he huffed, “I was hidin’ em in my bag so y’ wouldn’ find em when y’ unpacked earlier. Was supposed t’ be fer later…”

“Oh yeah,” you raised your eyebrows and leaned in to give him a small kiss on the chin, “When were you gonna give them to me, Daddy?”

Clyde let out a huge sigh, the nickname you used seemed to melt his anxiety right away. He tucked his chin and brought his lips back to yours, hungrier than before. “Right after I asked y’ t’ be my woman,” he mumbled into your mouth. Wrapping his right arm around your waist and pressing you flush with his torso. You hummed into his kiss, working your mouths in tandem with one another. One of your hands slid up his face to tangle in his locks, pulling and knotting with his curls, while the other was skating down his chest. Feeling his muscles flex and relax with every movement forward. Silently coaxing you to lay back on the blanket, to which you obliged.

With Clyde towering over you he broke your kiss and trailed light kisses along your neck. Making his way towards your chest, you started to unbutton your flannel so he could have better access. Clyde began nibbling and sucking into the supple flesh of your breasts, the more skin exposed to him, the more desperate his moans were. With your shirt finally opened all the way, Clyde brought his hand up to the bikini, softly squeezing and rubbing his thumb back and forth over your hardening nipples.

“As pretty as this color is on y’, can this come off?” he mumbled between your breasts. You moaned back a yes and Clyde made quick work of untying the top knot of the suit, allowing the fabric to snag and catch on your erect nipples. Clyde leaned back on his knees, taking in the sight of your exposed chest, settling the toys he had been holding in his left hand and beginning to unbutton his own shirt.

You sat up with him and threw off the rest of your tops, moving towards your drying boots. By the time Clyde had his shirt and undershirt off you were wrestling out of your jeans, eager to be bare before him. He grabbed your hands from your zipper, “Now hold on there, y’ didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?”

A deep exhale through his nose, “bout bein’ y’know…” he trailed off and threw his eyes to the side.

“Clyde are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?”

“Bout bein’ my lady (Y/N),” he looked at you with wide eyes, “I know y’ didn’ want t’ be doin’ stuff without a label n’ I’ve wanted y’ as mine fer some time.”

Oh yeah, you thought. You had brought this up over the phone about a week ago since you didn’t want to just be a fling with Clyde, he was a genuine man and you wanted to know him as a partner. But this was the moment he decided to ask you? Both of you half-naked on a beach, you just finding sex toys in his bag, and with horses 20 feet away.

You cleared your throat and reached out for Clyde’s face, grabbed his cheeks and gently tugged him down to you. “Of course Clyde, as long as that means you’re mine too,” you leaned up and gave him a soft and slow kiss making sure to memorize his lips.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way Sunshine,” he smiled into your kiss before pressing you down to deepen it. Clyde moved his metal arm behind your back, seeming to cradle you against the ground while his other hand skated across your bare chest, pawing at your nipples before sliding down your stomach towards your jeans. You hummed into his mouth, coaxing grunts and groans as your hips bucked upwards to his touch. Clyde pulled at your buttons and soon was sliding his hand under your swimsuit bottoms.

You moaned into his touch, callused fingertips softly rubbing your folds. Getting slicked up with your arousal, you couldn’t help but gyrate your hips to his fingers, hoping for more friction. “Let’s get these off y’,” he whispered before breaking your kiss and turning towards your lonely breasts. You quickly wrestled your legs out of your jeans, shucking down your bikini too leaving you bare before him. Pressing on his chest you moved Clyde back onto his heels, hands moving towards his belt.

A few moments later Clyde was up on his feet, throwing off his boots and frantically trying to get out of his jeans. You watched him, memorizing each muscle that rippled as he moved, you brought a hand down to your core to rub at your clit. Clyde’s eyes caught your wandering hand, “Go on an get yerself ready fer yer Daddy,” he pulled down his boxers finally releasing his aching cock. Your eyes widened at the sight, you had forgotten how big he was. His huge cock was swinging freely between his powerful legs, jutting out from his body with a slight curve upwards at the tip. It was hard and leaking precum, desperate to be buried in your tight pussy. He brought a hand to it and lazily started to pump himself while getting down on his knees in front of you.

“Gimme yer hand,” he growled, reaching for your hand to replace his. Slicking up his length with your leftover wetness. Clyde moaned at your touch, hand barely able to fit around his girth. You brought your other hand below to cup his balls, heavy and begging to be played with. You leaned down and brought them to your mouth, moaning at the sweet-savory taste they held. You licked and sucked on them gently causing Clyde to throw his hand backward in pleasure. Your hands were lazily pumpkin him in time with your sucking. Taking one ball into your mouth and softly applying pressure with your tongue before popping it out loudly and moving to the next. Clyde’s metal hand came down to caress your hair while you continue your assault on his sack.

“Spread yer legs baby,” his hand dropped down to your core. Trailing up and down your slit, collecting more of it on his fingertips. Paying extra attention to your entrance before dropping his fingers down lower towards your tight asshole. He gently pressed on your ring, earning a groan from you, and then trailing his fingers back up and sinking his middle finger into your core.

“Oh fuck,” you moaned, “yes Daddy, yessss.”

You pulled back from his balls, continuing your drag of his cock with one hand while the other was reaching for the lube bottle he brought. Clyde was pumping you full with his one finger but you were desperate for more. “Here baby,” you said while squeezing some on his fingers while they were pulled out, adding to the already delicious squelch coming from your pussy. Clyde groaned and proceeded to shove two fingers into your heat. Cock thrusting into your palm while you spit on his length to add to his precum.

“Get on y’r hands and knees, let Daddy see y’ from behind,” he pulled back and waited for you to move. Quickly scrambling up on all fours, spreading your legs wide enough so he could get a glimpse of your wet folds, sticking your ass in the air. “Like this Daddy?” you asked breathless in anticipation.

Clyde brought up his metal hand to your lower back, pressing it down causing your back to curve even more. Your ass was now directly in front of him, close enough to taste.

And taste he did, bringing his lips up to your cheeks, being sure to bite and suck fresh marks into the supple skin. You moaned at the rough treatment, bucking back into him. He brought another hand up to spread your wetness from your folds up to your tight ring. Kissing your left cheek while he pressed again on your asshole, getting it all lubed up from your core.

“Please Clyde, you’re driving me crazy. I need you,” you cried out trying to move his hand more and more. You needed him to fuck you, needed him to do really anything. You were so riled up. One last kiss to your cheek and he pulled back, settling on his knees behind you. “Since you' asked so nicely,” he lined his cock up at your entrance, “Try t’ be quiet, don’ wanna spook the horses.”

He pushed in, fully sheathing his cock inside you with one thrust. The sheer stretch and length of him knocked the wind out of your lungs. Feeling like you could cum then and there. He pulled back just enough to keep the tip inside and placed both hands on your hips. Pressing back inside you, again and again, being sure to not pull out entirely.

You were a moaning and crying mess, trying desperately to keep your voice down. Clyde was no different, each clench of your pussy around his cock made him groan. The sick slapping of skin filled the air around you. If anyone was floating on the water they sure were getting a show from the shoreline. Clyde was pounding into you like it was the last thing he would ever do, being sure to snap his hips back into harder and harder each time. You were so close, you propped yourself up on your hands and looked at him over your shoulder.

He was a mess, hair stuck to his forehead from the sweat. His pale skin was blushed from the chest all the way to the tips of his ears. He was grunting and groaning, watching his cock sink into your tight little pussy with each stroke. Looking up at you he smiled, leaning over you and capturing your lips in a small kiss, being sure to keep his pace even. You reached a hand down between your legs and started rubbing your clit, instantly clenching on him when you made contact.

“Jesus fuck (Y/N), cum on my cock,” he panted, “Fuckin’ y’r so tight, please cum on me.” His begging was all you needed, you rubbed and rubbed being sure to keep in time with Clyde's thrusts. “Oh fuck Clyde I’m… I’ mm-”

Your eyes rolled back into your head. Shoving your head down onto the blanket to hide your screams. You were clenching all around him, gushing on his length. Clyde roared as you came, coaxing his own release out of his cock. Pushing his hot sticky cum deep inside you where no one else had gone. His thrusts became slower and slower as you both came down from your high. Clyde leaned forward and softly kissed your shoulder, pulling out while he did. Your pussy squelched once he was out, begging to be filled again. Cum was pushed out of you, sticking to your legs.

Rolling on your side you were breathless looking at Clyde. He was laying on his left side, head angled to lay on the ground. Breathing heavily and just staring at you like you were the most important thing in the world. His eyes were dancing all across your face, memorizing the sweat and tears that had fallen on your cheeks.

“That was amazing,” you said after finally catching your breath.

“Better than I imagined,” he smiled at you. You couldn’t stop staring at each other, not wanting to move from your cocoon of post-sex bliss. Nothing in the world mattered now but the two of you. Behind you, Spirit snorted at you both causing Clyde to break contact with you and acknowledge the horses. “We should probably pack up, Leroy’s probably torn the place apart with us bein’ gone so long.”

You hummed at him and began sitting up, grabbing your respective clothes in silence. Once the both of you were dressed and the bag was repacked Clyde grabbed your hand and kissed it, “We should ride back slow, don’ want y’ bein’ sore.”

You snorted at him and put on your hat, “I think I’ll be okay, boyfriend.”

TAGLIST: @finn-ray-nal-beads @morby @clumsycopy @onlykyloscenes @desiraypark @kirah36 @candycanes19

*Here is the plug he brought us ;): https://sextoynerds.com/reviews/njoy-pure-plug-stainless-steel/

**Here is the lube he brought, it's actually a really great lube. I use it along with another: https://www.adameve.com/sex-lubes/anal-sex-lubes/sp-sliquid-naturals-sassy-lubricating-gel-92290.aspx

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p-artsypants · 4 years

Text

Much Obliged

Inspired by @bugaboo-n-bananoir‘s amazing Cowboy!Adrien and Witch!Marinette Au.

I’m probably going to write more to this later. It’s just too funny.

Ao3

---

Everyone deals with grief differently. Some take to drinking, others devote themselves to charity.

Adrien Agreste? Well, he became a cowboy.

It wasn’t a spur of the moment decision either. He had always been obsessed with American Westerns. Especially John Wayne. He practically worshipped the man.

He had a collection of hats, boots, spurs, and chaps. He had his favorite bolo tie, and every summer for two weeks, he helped out at his uncle’s ranch in the countryside, where he learned a thing or two about riding horses, lassoing, and other things his father would probably have heart attack over if he knew.

Yes, Adrien was obsessed with Cowboys and the Cowboy lifestyle.

So much so, that when he lost this mother, and subsequently emotionally lost his father, his closeted obsession became very public.

A 14 year old boy walking around with cowboy boots, hat, spurs and occasional chaps wouldn’t have been as jarring if they were in Texas. But given they were in the middle of Paris, France...he pretty much stuck out as a sore thumb. Even more so in the circles his father was included in. Sprinkling in a few ‘yeehaw’s, ‘howdy’s, and ‘pardner’s into his French was also pretty jarring.

And a complete embarrassment to his father, Gabriel Agreste, fashion icon.

“Adrien, I insist you stop this foolishness!” Gabriel said one day, after Adrien had turned up to a photo shoot in full gear.

“I cain’t pa!” Adrien yelled back. “It’s in my blood!”

“Stop talking like that! You don’t have a Texan accent!”

“I reckon I do!”

For a year, the arguments would continue, getting louder and louder until Adrien would plug his ears and start yodeling to drown his father out.

Eventually, they came to an agreement. Adrien would pretend to be like every normal Parisian at photo shoots, fashion shows, and big events. But he could continue to be a Cowboy at home without being reprimanded.

It worked for a while, really in Gabriel’s favor. The brief appearances of Cowboy Adrien in the past were written off as a phase.

But then Adrien demanded to go to school.

“I’m tired of bein’ cooped up here like a chicken! I want to go out and meet other folks!”

“You’re not like other folks! Er—other people!” Gabriel argues back. “You’re...special.”

“Sir, if I may?” Nathalie, Gabriel’s Stoic secretary spoke up. “Perhaps Adrien attending public school would be a good thing. It might encourage him to…drop some habits.”

Begrudgingly, Gabriel agreed, and Adrien was off to school.

Being homeschooled most of his life, Adrien didn’t have many friends. But he did have Chloe, who tolerated his Cowboy-ness with some degree of skepticism. She was never vocal about it, but she did secretly judge him, worry for his sanity. It was her school, her class, that he was transferring into today.

She waited for him at the front door, frowning slightly when she saw him exit the sedan with a white hat, flannel shirt, jeans, boots, and a wide belt buckle with a bronco on it.

But she smiled once he made eye-contact with her. After all, he was still very famous, and very handsome. “Howdy Chloe.”

“Oh yee-haw Adrikins!” She sang, clinging to his arm. “I’m so glad your father let you finally come to school!”

“Me too! But I reckon he just got annoyed with me practicing my rope tricks in the foyer all the time. The other day I lassoed a vase and smashed it. Not too happy ‘bout that, he was.”

“Oh, like he couldn’t buy a hundred more,” she waved her hand. “Come with me! I’ll show you to your seat!”

Upon entering the school, Adrien was suddenly bombarded with fans asking for autographs. It seemed everyone was just taking his attire for an interesting choice of fashion. That was what Chloe was hoping for.

But as soon as he started tipping his hat as a reply to ‘thank you’s, she started to see the eyebrows rising. People were suspicious. Maybe they’d just think it was part of the look. Yeah…maybe…

—

Marinette was not having a great day. Not a bad day though! Just not great. For one thing, she heard that Chloe Bourgeois was going to be in her class again this year. Again. Seriously, did Chloe ask to put in the same class on purpose? It was totally unfair!

But she was wearing her favorite black dress today, one that was enchanted to have a galaxy glittering on it, and if you looked closely, you could see it moving. It made her feel powerful, and not at all like the half-washed witch that she was. Sure she knew a few spells, but nothing very powerful, or life changing.

And certainly no curses, like Chloe told everyone she did. Hexes, yes, but not curses. Curses were powerful and crippling and permanent, even down bloodlines. Hexes would pass over time, like a bad pimple or excessive farting. Not really something she could claim as her work.

So that in laid the problem. A girl that calls herself a witch, but doesn’t really have the power to show it? Might as well paint a giant target on the forehead with a sign that said, “I’m delusional, please laugh at me!”

But things were going to be different this year! She was going to stand up for herself and she was going to prove she could do magic!

“Are you ready for school, Marinette?” A sweet voice, her familiar Tikki, asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go!” She beckoned the ladybug-like fairy into her purse.

But immediately after leaving her parents bakery with a box of macrons to share, she was knocked off balance by a cyclist and dropped the box. Thirteen smashed macrons on the ground.

“This is an ill omen.” She stated gravely.

“Yes, but you still have seven good ones left in the box!” Tikki reassured.

Marinette smirked. “Then lets get to school before I spill them all!”

Only a minute later did she crash again, this time only breaking one cookie. The person she ran into was another girl, a student like her.

“I’m so sorry!” Marinette stated, helping the girl to her feet. “I’m so clumsy!”

“That’s alright clumsy girl.” Said the newbie. “I’m Alya.”

“I’m Marinette! You must be new here, right?”

“Yep! I’m starting in Miss Bustier’s class. How about you?”

“I’m in her class too!”

“Oh lucky break! I’m horrible with talking to new people on my own. Thanks for the ice breaker!” She laughed.

Marinette gave her a flat look. “Well, see if I ever purposely run into you again.”

Alya just laughed more. “You’re funny! Let’s sit together, and then you can give me the low down on the hierarchy of the class.”

“Hierarchy?”

“Yeah, like who’s popular, who’s at the bottom of the totem pole.”

“Oh that’s easy. I’m at the bottom!”

“No way! How? You’re so nice!”

“Well…” might as well bite the bullet. If she could tell the new kid first before someone else did, maybe she’d have a chance. “I’m sort of…a witch.”

“A witch?”

“Yeah…like…” She snapped her fingers and a small flame ignited on her thumb.

“Wow! That’s so cool! Can you teach me!?”

“Well…I’m not very good. I’m still learning.”

“Aren’t we all? I’m training to be a journalist, but I know I’m not good enough to work for any papers, except maybe the school paper. But I can teach you about inverted pyramids!”

“Sounds like a plan!” Marinette laughed. “But let’s get to class before we’re late on the first day!”

“Awesome! Day one and I already have a new best friend!”

—

Once they reached the classroom, Chloe let out a sigh of relief. She was queen here, and no one would say a thing to Adrien as long as she was around.

“This is your seat, Adrikins!” She gestured to the place right in the front row. “And I sit right behind you, so you can talk to me whenever you need to!”

“Much obliged, Chloe.”

“Oh! You want to see something hilarious?”

“You know I’m always up for a rip roaring good time!”

“Then watch!” She spat out her gum, and then held the wad out to Sabrina, who then placed the gum on the bench adjacent to Adrien. They they both started giggling.

“Why Chloe!” Adrien frowned at his longtime friend. “That’s low down, and dishonest. Why’d you do a thing like that?”

“It had to be done, Adrien. The girl who sits here is a practicing witch. We had to keep her in her place, or she’ll get too cocky and curse us all!”

“One of them spell casters?”

“Yep! A ‘bonafide witch’!” She put it in quotation marks.

“Well, I’ll be.” He knelt, and started to pick at the gum. “I’d think if you’d have a witch in your midst, you’d want to keep her happy, or else she’d hex you in revenge!”

“It was a joke Adrien! She doesn’t know any magic! She just thinks she does!”

“Ahem!” A small voice cleared her throat from behind him.

Adrien turned around to face a girl who was small in frame. She was adorable, with her black hair in pigtails, and a black dress full of a moving galaxy of stars. But her bluebell eyes shined with anger.

Adrien stood and raised the brim of his hat to her. “Begging your pardon, ma’am, but this isn’t what it looks like!”

“Yeah right, Clint Eastwood. Dealing with Chloe was hard enough, now I gotta deal with two of you!?”

“It really wasn’t—“

“First you steal my usual seat, and now you had to go and ruin my new one!”

“Please listen…”

“Forget it! Just—sit your chap-less ass over there and leave me alone!”

Adrien did as he was told, sliding into the bench next to another boy. Adrien sighed, resting his head on his hand.

“Tough break,” said the other boy. “What’s with the…get up?”

Adrien flicked his eyes over to his bench mate, a kid with glasses, headphones, and a red cap on. He didn’t have the gumption to reply with his usual vigor. “I’m a cowboy.”

“Oh.” Said the boy. “All the time?”

“Yep.”

“Oh…cool.”

Soon enough, the teacher arrived and called roll. Unfortunately, Adrien was too caught up in his gloom to realize what was happening, and his neighbor had to nudge him when his name was called.

“Pre-sent!” Adrien stood, raising his hand in the air.

The class laughed behind him.

Adrien sat back down, pulling his hat down to hide his face.

“Eager, are we?” Asked the other kid.

“Er, a wee, I reckon. Never been to school before. Never had any friends ‘cept Chloe.”

“Dude, that’s rough. Sounds like you need to make new friends! I’m Nino. Nice to meet you!”

“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Niño.”

“It’s Nino.”

“That’s what I said.”

Nino quirked his lip. “Dude, if you want to get in good with everyone, I’d make up with Marinette.”

“Who?”

Nino pointed at the girl across the aisle from him.

“The witch?”

“Aw, did Chloe call her that?”

“I mean, isn’t she one? She looks all magical like.”

“I mean…she’s got some slight of hand stuff, and she’s got some pretty good hunches, but I wouldn’t call her a witch.”

Adrien flicked the brim of his hat. “Well, I’ll be.”

“Seriously dude, you always talk like that?”

“Sure! Why wouldn’t I?”

“Are you like, from Texas?”

“No sir, native Parisan, born and raised!”

Nino squinted at him. “Then why…?”

“Just a pure bred Cowboy, don’t matter where you come from. It’s what’s in your heart.”

“Oh, he’s corny too.”

—

After school, Marinette stood at the steps of the school, the rain pattering against the sidewalk in a downpour. True, her house was just around the corner, but it was coming down pretty hard.

“If only I knew weather changing spells.” She lamented.

“You do! You can make it rain!” Said Tikki from her purse.

“Yeah, over someone’s head! But I don’t think that’s going to do us any good here.”

“Don’t look like it’ll let up soon, I s’pose.” Said a man’s voice from behind her.

Marinette hunched her shoulders and turned away from him.

“Aw shucks, I was lookin’ to patch things up, considering I didn’t make a mash with you back there.”

“If you’re here to tease me again, then you can right on your merry way.”

“I’m not here to give you a hard time, Little Lady. I promise, I was trying to take the gum off, not put it on. Chloe was the one responsible for that. I didn’t want to get on your bad side.”

“Why? Because I’m a witch?” She bit.

“Well you are, ain’tcha?”

She turned to face him, her lips thin. “I’m as much of a witch as you are a cowboy.”

He nodded, “That’s what I thought, darlin’. And I only meant I wanted to catch your good side, only on account I got not many friends. Chloe, and now Niño—“

“Nino.”

“That’s what I said.”

She smiled.

“And I don’t like to make enemies. Let’s start again, ah? I’m Adrien, Adrien Agreste.”

“Son of Gabriel Agreste.” She added.

“Ah, so you heard of me? Famously or infamously?”

“Alya mentioned it, actually. I’m a fan of your father’s work, as a designer. I didn’t recognize you from the ads.”

“Reckon you wouldn’t. My old man doesn’t let me wear comfortable clothes on set.” He smirked, “But your name, My Lady?”

“I’m Marinette.”

“Marinette. I like it. Like a doll.”

Now that the miscommunication was over, Marinette started to feel her chest warm at his presence. His manner of speaking made her felt safe. And he sure was cute!

“You know, I was wonderin’. If you’re a witch, why don’tcha got a big ole’ hat?”

“Oh,” she grew slightly solemn. “I did have one. But I lost it last time I went flying.” Then she winced, realizing he might not believe her.

“Flying? Like on a broomstick and everythin’?”

“Yes.”

“Well, that sounds mighty nice. Real nice. I wish I could ride a broomstick. I barely get to ride a horse! No where to hitch em in Paris! But a broom, why, you could just stand it up in a corner when you’re done!”

He wasn’t laughing at her. In fact, he looked genuinely interested. “I could take you sometime, out for a flight?”

“Would you? That’d be swell!” He beamed at her, setting her heart fluttering. “Here, since your hat is missing.” He took off his hat and placed it on her head, ever so carefully. “Can’t let you melt in the rain, Miss Witch.”

“Melt? Like the Wicked Witch of the West? Are you calling me wicked?”

“Never dream of it, My Lady! I told you I didn’t want to cross you. I don’t need no hexes. I left all my hexes in Texas.”

The look she gave him at that comment had him bowled over in laughter.

She couldn’t help but join him.

By time they collected themselves, a silver sedan pulled up to the curb. “Well, looks like my hoss is here. Keep the hat, Marinette. I looks mighty nice on you.”

“T-Thanks!” She stuttered.

“See you tomorrow, My Lady!” He called as he ran into the rain.

“T-tomorrow! Yes! I—wow, why am I stuttering?”

“I think I reckon!” Tikki chirped, from her bag.

“Oh shush!”

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #witch marinette #cowboy adrien #AU #fluff #humor #fanfiction

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claitynroberts · 6 years

Text

Willow Springs Ranch

Description: A young man bumps into a mysterious woman during his rushed morning errands. On his way home that evening he discovers what he thinks is a dead calf in the pre-storm winter dusk. What he finds, on the other hand, may just change his life.

Author’s Note: I really enjoyed writing this a while back so I polished it up and decided I’d post it here for y’all’s enjoyment! For now it will remain a one-shot, but could potentially turn into a series. Let me know what y’all think!

Warnings: None really, although there may be a life/death situation.

Word Count: 3,544

Jesse

My hometown has about twenty-seven thousand residents. It’s large enough you don’t know everybody, but still has that small town, close knit vibe. I can walk into the feed store and name every old rancher who spends their day shooting the bull and playing checkers under the guise of running to town to grab supplies. On the flip side, I can walk into the local donut shop and grab my usual breakfast order and not be able to name a soul besides the young lady who works behind the counter. What I’m trying to say here is there are thousands of “familiar faces” you begin to recognize after a lifetime of living nearby, but, try as you might, you can never place any one person unless you absolutely know them.

The young lady I picked up today on the side of the road about ten miles out of town looked so familiar. Her chocolate brown hair and dark eyes pulled at some long-forgotten memory of mine but whenever I tried to bring it to the forefront it slipped further and further away. As I sped toward the house I checked the rearview mirror to make sure she was still okay. Besides being soaking wet and having a slight cut above her right eyebrow she seemed fine. She curled inward on herself even more and my black lab Maggie snuggled in closer to her. I cranked the heater up and tried my best to arrange my big Carhart coat over her like a blanket hoping that would help keep her warm for now. I turned back toward the windshield and listened to the windshield wipers slap against the wintery mix that fell from the sky quicker and quicker while I thought over this morning’s trek to town.

It wasn’t an unusual day. I made my run to the local donut shop where I got two kolaches and a large black coffee for myself and a dozen mixed donuts for the boys at the feed store. In hindsight that was a bad habit to start, but whenever I walked in every Friday morning with my breakfast, Jimmy and Carl always asked for half of one of my kolaches even though they didn’t like them. I walked in and set the donuts on the table next to the checkerboard where Jimmy and Carl were playing and they flew at them like flies to a fresh cow pie. “Well good morning to y’all too,” I quipped.

“Morning Jesse!” Carl bellowed in his baritone voice. “How’s the ranch been?”

“Same as it was when you asked last week, Carl. Cows are still calving, wolves are still a problem, I’m still single, and I’m still broke. But I’ll let you know as soon as possible when one of those things changes.” Now Carl is a good guy but sometimes, well all the time, he can be a one upper. He liked to hear how everyone else was doing so he could boast about himself. I’ve known Carl all my life, he was good friends with my grandfather before he passed, and he is a great rancher, but most of the time I had to shut him down before he could get riled up.

I leaned up against the counter waiting for the clerk and studied Carl and Jimmy for a minute. No one who didn’t know them would ever expect the two of them to be rodeo legends. Where most cowboys are athletically built, even years later, these two put on about a hundred and fifty pounds since they quit the circuit. Now they were pot gutted and grey. No doubt their wives were to blame since they were some of the best cooks I have ever met, but sometimes they were a tad gluttonous. Why, Jimmy was already starting on his third donut and I had only been here all of ten minutes.

Jimmy liked to wear cinch button downs, wranglers, and his boots no matter where he went. The only thing that changed about his attire was what kind of hat he wore which changed with the seasons, straw in summer and felt in winter. Carl was the same way except sometimes he would add a vest now and again. Both men had old leathery faces from being in the sun most of their lives and their wise eyes were framed by bushy white eyebrows and they had a thick Sam Elliot-esque mustache above their upper lips.

“Jesse, would it trouble you to get some apple fritters next week? I’m not a big fan of the glazed donuts.”

“Jimmy, it looks like you like the glazed donuts just fine. You’re in the middle of eating donut number three!” I exclaimed, chuckling.

“Yeah but they just ain’t as good!”

“You do know you have this conversation every week, right Jimmy?” Carl asked.

“Well, bout time he took the hint then, huh?” Jimmy replied and gave me a scathing sideways look.

“Next week you can get your own damn donuts then Jimmy. Also, if you would pay more attention to that rigorous game of checkers and less attention to the donuts you would have noticed that Carl just positioned his own pawn in a way he can take your king.”

“Thanks a lot, Jesse! I thought we was friends!”

“I don’t make the habit of keeping cheats as friends, Carl.” I grinned and turned around just in time to see Miss LuAnn come from the back of the feed store. “Morning Miss LuAnn! How’s it been?”

“Oh, good morning Jesse! The rain the last few days has kept a lot of our usual riff raff out, except for these two,” she giggled and rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure what everyone is going to do! The weatherman is calling for snow this weekend and if the other ranchers don’t come pick up their orders, it may be a few days before their stock can be fed.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s why I came by today, better to be safe than sorry I guess.”

“So, your usual order is ready and Larry has the boys loading it for you, do you need anything else?”

“Ear tags and a marker please. Also do you have any dog supplies?”

“We sure do, what are ya looking for?”

“Wormer and flea and tick treatments.”

“We actually got these new things in.” She handed me a box as she explained what it was. “They are a chewy beef flavored cube and it’s supposed to kill and repel fleas and ticks as well as help with worms. It’s a three-month supply in the box.”

“That’s pretty interesting. Any idea how well it works?”

“Not a clue.” She smiled.

“Well…how much does it run.”

“It’s a little more expensive than the two manual treatments…but I’ll tell you what. I need testimony on how they work, so I’ll give you the first box.”

“You drive a hard bargain Miss LuAnn, but I guess that works.” I smiled and winked at her.

“Oh hush.” She smacked my arm. “You are easily our best customer, Jesse. At least when you come in you spend half a grand in supplies. These codgers hog the checkerboard, take up my Wifi, and suck down my free coffee.” LuAnn gestured to the two men off to the side.

“Thanks, LuAnn. Whatever I can do to help y’all out. I know how the big ranch stores are affecting y’all.”

“We’ll muddle through somehow,” she said with a wan grin.

“Well, I better get going. I have a few more stops this morning before I head back to the house.” I paid for my provisions, thanked LuAnn and Larry, called my farewells to Carl and Jimmy, and climbed in my truck. Yep. Completely normal Friday at the feed store.

I made a few more stops throughout the day, the bank, the post office, the local café for lunch, all the same as normal. The only thing a little strange was the stop at the gas station. I pulled my big farm truck up to the diesel pump and began to fill up the fuel hog I called my favorite truck. When the pump clicked off I ran inside to pay for my fuel and grab a few things. The line was a couple people deep when I got up there, and more people filed in behind me; man, it was a busy afternoon for the Quick Stop. I was standing there going over my items to see if I forgot anything when the young lady in front of me finished her purchase and turned the wrong direction running smack into my chest. She dropped her brown paper bag and everything spilled out. I set my basket down on the counter and stooped to help her right her things.

“I’m so sorry!” She exclaimed. “I should have been paying better attention to where I was going.”

Her voice was soft and somewhat timid, and her long brown curls hung out of the hood she was wearing. “It’s fine.” I rounded up her twenty-ounce bottles of Coke, a package of skittles and sour gummy worms, a box of condoms, and five cans of Red Man. As I hurriedly put the items in her bag, I raised my eyebrows and tried to make eye contact with her but she never looked up from below her hood. I noticed she had duct tape, a loop of nylon rope, and some scissors in her hands. “Wow. You must have some night planned.”

“I-it’s not all gonna be used, you know, together.” She stammered as she grabbed the bag and headed toward the door. I watched her pass through, and before the door shut behind her she turned to look back at me. The side of her hood and chocolate curls still covered most of her face but I saw her eyes. They were chocolate colored as well and were delicate in nature although they were large and round and set perfectly in what I could see of her face.

I turned back to the clerk who had my purchases already rang up and gave him my credit card. I finished the transaction, and walked back to my truck in a stupor. I sat there for a moment until my dog Maggie jumped up on the center console and began to vehemently lick my face. I chuckled and stroked the top of her head; still dumbfounded. I heaved a sigh and started the huge truck up and pointed it in the direction of my grandma’s house still trying to shake that weird feeling.

When I got to my grandma Bernie’s house she was asleep for her afternoon nap. I checked her breathing and adjusted the blankets around her, straightening them up and tucking them closer to keep her warm. She was in her late sixties but could still keep up with the best of us twenty-six year olds; she regularly went out to the local honky-tonk four nights a week and drank just as much as my buddies and I did. It became a weekly tradition of her and my grandpa’s and now that he was gone I wasn’t sure if she still did it to remember him or to get him out of her head. Since she was sleeping at five o’clock I assumed she was going to the bar tonight too. I chuckled and set about stoking her dying fire in the big stone hearth.

I walked back through the house to her outdated kitchen and set about putting her groceries away for her. I placed her twenty-four count of Ultra’s in the fridge on the bottom shelf where she preferred to keep them nearly ice cold, put her bread and other things in the pantry and left her packs of Camel crushes on the counter next to the note I wrote.

Granny

I put your groceries away and beer is in the fridge—it should be cold. I also stoked your fire and fixed the crooked cabinet in the kitchen. I figure since you were asleep at 5 PM you are planning on going out tonight. Please be careful. There is a front moving in that is promising snow, and with the low temps and rain the last few days things could get slippery pretty fast. I’m going to head home and check on the ranch and spend time with Mom tonight. If you do go out, say hi to the guys for me. Also kick Teddy’s ass at 9-ball for me. Love ya, you old battle ax.

Jesse

P.S. take is easy on the Camels. You remember what the doc said.

About the time I left my grandma’s house the weather had changed. The temperature dropped to sub-freezing temperatures, the wind switched to the north, and what used to be rain turned to a mix of sleet and drizzling rain. I left the driveway and drove south toward my house in the waning light of the November dusk. Granny lived a couple miles south of our big-small town; and as the crow flies, my grandma lived about ten miles away from my ranch. But since I’m not a crow and we live in a pretty hilly area, it was really about thirty miles out of town.

I drove as fast as the wet pavement and loaded down pickup would allow, trying to stay ahead of this front so I didn’t have to drive in the newly frozen elements. However, thanks to the Kansas City Southern and a county road with no way to go around the train, the storm moved in and stayed ahead of me all the way home. That’s when I saw her.

At the time, I didn’t know it was a her. To be honest the pile looked more like a calf that couldn’t make it through the beginning of a harsh winter. I pulled over and flipped my hazards on; as I climbed down from my truck I rummaged around in my vest pocket trying to get ahold of my cell phone. I unlocked it and pulled up Old Man Peterson’s phone number seeing as the calf had to come from one of his two properties here by the highway. I walked over and nudged the torso with the toe of my boot, rolling over not a calf but a young woman.

Her skin was pale olive in the dim light coming from my trucks headlights, and her dark, wet hair spilled out of her hood and wrapped across her neck. I bent down and checked her pulse, it was light but it was there nonetheless. Her breathing much the same shallow, light, and very irregular. The skin around her mouth had a blue tinge and all color had drained from her lips and cheeks; her fingers were cold and stiff and the nail beds were turning blue as well. She was a little stiff when I picked her up and a light dusting of snow fell off her as I disrupted the surrounding environment with the motion. She was lucky I found her when I did, or she would very well be dead by morning. I placed her in the back seat of the truck and threw the emergency blanket over her to try to keep her warm. My dog jumped back there immediately as if she knew the girl needed something warm nearby and curled beside her on the seat.

I ripped myself from my reverie and looked at the clock. We were about two minutes from my driveway, and it took about another to get up it and to the house. I looked back in the rearview and saw that she was still curled up and her breathing seemed to come slightly easier now than earlier. I shifted my focus back to the road and pushed the gas down a little more, daring to go as fast as possible to get this girl to my house quickly. What felt like eons later we pulled into my driveway. Mom’s car wasn’t here yet so I assumed she was still on her way home from work; she was always a nervous driver but today of all days she had to be gone when I needed her most.

I cranked the truck off and ran up the porch steps and unlocked the door before returning to grab the girl, everything else could wait for now. Maggie ran inside ahead of me, and I rushed the young woman upstairs to the master bathroom. I set her down on the tile floor and leaned her against the wooden cabinets of the double sink while I plugged the huge whirlpool bathtub and turned on the shower to get the water heated up. I returned to the girl and checked her vitals again. Her breathing was more regular although it was still shallow and sounded pained, and her heart beat was a little stronger but still slow. I looked at her face and pushed her wet hair aside. She had some color coming back to her cheeks but her lips and fingers were still blue. She stirred lightly and I stooped down in front of her. I looked into her squinted eyes and tried to explain the situation, although I’m not sure how much of it she understood in her condition.

“Hey, hey, hey. Are you awake?” I asked. She continued to barely squint at me. “I need you to focus on what I’m about to say, okay?” She nodded. “I found you on the side of the road. You’re freezing and we need to get you warmed up. Do you understand?” Nod. “Okay. I’m going to undress you and put you in the tub. Alright?” Nod. “Okay, then.” I set about removing her soggy, wet clothes, which to my relief had thawed and were no longer frozen to her; I scooped her up and climbed with her into the bathtub.

Positioning ourselves under the hot water pouring from the shower head, I sat us down and began rubbing my hands up and down her shoulders and tried to work as much hot water into her freezing hair as possible. Remembering from some survival show that it’s easier to stay warm with skin to skin contact, I removed my long-sleeved thermal and pulled her back against my chest. She let out a soft cry as the hot water began to thaw her frozen skin and she curled into my chest closing her eyes and falling asleep. After what felt like hours later, but I’m sure was no more than a half hour, I heard my mother come in downstairs. “Jesse?” She called.

“I’m up here!”

“Are you in the bath? I don’t want to dis—,”

“Mom, I need your help.” I cut her off quickly.

“What’s wrong honey?” She asked as she came through the door. I saw a million different emotions cross her face, until she registered what was going on. “I’ll grab some of your sweats for her. We can put her in your bed since it’s got the fireplace beside it.”

“Good idea. Before you do anything turn my electric blanket on high and heat up the bed. Then grab some of my clothes and you can take care of her. I’ll start a fire and see if I can get some soup started for when she wakes up.”

“I’m on it.”

A short while later Mom came back in with my thickest pair of sweats and best hoodie for the girl. She grabbed a towel and I stood up bringing the girl with me. Mom wrapped her up like she had done me a hundred times when I was little and I sat her on the toilet lid. The motion roused her slightly and she was looking at me with heavy lidded eyes again. “Hey, my mom is here and she’s going to help you into some dry clothes. Can you sit up on you own for now?” Nod. “Good, okay. Once she gets you dry and dressed, we are going to get you into a nice warm bed so you can sleep and when you wake up I’ll have some soup to help warm your insides okay?” Nod. Nod. “Alrighty then, I’m going to go make a fire.”

I turned to my mom, “you sure you got her?”

“Honey, I have been your mom for twenty-six years and a CNA for nearly thirty. I think I can handle her.” She said with a small smile. “Go get things ready, okay?”

“Alright.” I left the room still in my dripping jeans. First things first, I need to get changed. I rummaged through my drawers until I found another pair of warm sweats and threw on a black V-neck. I walked over to the fireplace and set about starting the fire. By the time the large logs had caught and began roaring, Mom opened the door to the bathroom and came out supporting the half-asleep girl. Quickly I turned down the bed and rushed over to scoop the woman up in my arms. Again, she nestled into my chest like she had known me all her life before I gently laid her down against the pillows and covered her up with the plush comforter.

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