Page 98 of When Sparks Fly

It’s late in the day. I’ve been sleeping them away since Maci went all GI Jane on my ass. She’s lucky her dick squad showed up or I would’ve shown her what happens to chicks who want to fight like men.

I still intend to.

The last two days I’ve laid low. My supposedbrotherswho I could count on threw me out on the streets like I’m nothing.

I served this country. Took down a shit ton of extremists. I’m not nothing.

I rub at my temple trying to quiet my head.

I don’t care if those pussies at the MC don’t have my back. I’m going to show that princess she won’t always get her way. I should’ve made it clearer before. That’s not how life works.

Chapter 42

Maci

It’s the perfect night for a fire. The air is chilling quickly and the breeze from earlier has picked up, forcing the smoke away.

With a mug of coffee and a blanket, I settle into one of the chairs we placed around the new structure. Aside from being pressed against Sutton in his bed, this is the most serene I’ve been since Nana passed.

Pride fills my chest as I take in the change that’s already come to this beautiful space. I’m eager to share it with others. Mostly, I’d love to share it with Sutton, and I’d be lying if I said I’m not disappointed I haven’t heard from him yet. I know deciding to run my business from here and pivot the purpose of Nana’s house will breathe new life into the space. New life into me.

Despite not hearing its chime or feeling a vibration since Izzy and Leah left, I pull my phone from my back pocket and check the screen for notifications. Nothing.

I tell myself the worry I have is over the ranch and something happening to one of the animals. Sutton explained some of the risks when cows are delivering. Calves getting stuck, the uterus being delivered, and more. There are still several more who need to deliver over the weekend and into next week.

Truthfully though, I hope he’s not rethinking his admission. It felt genuine and he shows his love well, so I work to curbmy insecurity. Unfortunately, he hurried out after his admission yesterday and both he and his dad were out late and up early, so we haven’t had a chance to talk.

My phone falls into my blanketed lap and my mind drifts off to what else I’ll change around the house, to distract myself. I’m excited to turn the loft area into a proper reading nook and explore the idea of the garage transforming into a photography studio.

An unidentified rumble in the distance catches my attention. It’s far enough away that I can’t decipher what it is, but that doesn’t stop me from narrowing my gaze and looking through the fire to aid my brain.

Maybe thunder. I wouldn’t know because I rarely, if ever, check the weather. Thunderstorms aren’t really a November thing in Texas, but maybe.

Maybe a motorcycle. It did seem to move.

To slow my accelerated heart, I remind myself that plenty of people ride. It doesn’t stop my brain from conjuring Colt’s image.

The sound has ceased and I continue to stare through the fire toward the street on the other side of the house. The backyard has a gentle downward slope, so from here the street is elevated and, thanks to the many trees in the front and lack of street lamps, completely cast in shadow.

When a quiet minute passes, I release a long breath and chastise myself for panicking.

You’re carrying, anyway.

One hand rubs gingerly across my stomach to confirm my gun is still in the hidden holster.

My phone ringing causes me to jump and I laugh at myself.Sutton.

“Hi, Cowboy.” Excitement floods my chest.

“Hey, Firecracker.” His warm voice is a balm to my soul. Comfort washes over me. “Still got time for a dirty rancher?”

“What kind of dirty are we talking?”

His chuckle warms other parts of my body. “I’m up for anything.”

This time, I’m the one to chuckle. “Oh really?” He hums a response. “How far out are you?”

“Fifteen minutes.” Sutton’s response is met with crunching. I hold a breath. The two sounds don’t make sense together.

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