Page 23 of Embracing the Stalk

“Someone stole my clothes,” Ricky murmured, nuzzling into Burke’s neck and transferring some of the dirt to Burke’s naked chest.

“What about Tartie? Maybe you did, I just can’t recall if you mentioned it?” Randy shrugged, appearing intrigued, or that’s what I picked up. “I mean, if he’s good with the shears, then I’d let him get his hands on me.” He waggled his brows. “I could do with a little action even if it’s only getting a shearer to fondle my—”

Ricky held up his hand. “Noooo, he’s my friend. I don’t wanna think about that!”

“We have to think about nothing else but that, when you guys get all… down and dirty!” Randy fired back, giggling. “I think it’s only fair to have turn around, if only for a minute.”

Ricky muttered under his breath as Burke led him to the door, trailing dirt with them.

“Where are you going?” Randy asked, back to frowning. “I thought you were gonna ask Tartie to shear me?”

“What…” Ricky’s gaze narrowed on Randy. “Right now? Can’t it wait till I showered off the dirt?”

“Let’s be clear. We can all read how Burke wants to clean you, and it isn’t with water,” Randy pointed out, laughing along with most everyone else.

“Whatever,” Burke muttered, not looking at all bothered.

The whisk flew out of the bowl at the peel of the doorbell.

Everyone in the room looked at me as the whisk bounced on the counter, splattering egg everywhere, and landed on the floor next to my sneakers. Ears buzzing from sudden fear, it took a second to hear Tim. “It’s Doc. You’re fine, Red. You’re safe. Breathe,”

The back door burst open and Gordon rushed in, wielding a pitchfork. Dirty and sweaty from digging, his eyes were fierce and his alpha power filled the room.

Even through the fear, a shiver of delight ran through me.

Oh my, look at my goat!

Chapter Fifteen

Gordon

“What happened? Who’s at the door?” I demanded, dropping the pitchfork by the door, then striding over to Red to haul him into my arms. He shook, even as I felt a mixture of fear and lust shoot through him. My mate was meant to be safe here, not scared by random visitors.

Maximus, who’d rushed in after me, patted my arm. “Stand down, Gordon. Your mateissafe here. We’ll protect him.”

I gave him a tight smile. I knew that, but it was hard not to react to Red’s constant fight-or-flight mode. He wanted to run, and I needed to fight. But then our pride hustled around us, like a barrier against the outside world, and I breathed easier.

Red forced a smile and held onto my arms. “I’m sorry. It was instinctual. It’s hard not to react to something I don’t expect, but I do feel safe with your pride and my brothers.”

I held him tight to my heart, running my hand down his spine. We took a moment to breathe in unison and calm our racing hearts.

“Is everything all right?” Doc Picker, dressed in scruffy jeans and a plaid button-down, asked from the doorway, Burke right behind him.

“I just panicked at the doorbell,” Red admitted awkwardly. “I panic at everything.”

Doc Picker hummed as if he were processing that, his gaze moving around the occupants of the room. “Understandable.Why don’t we talk after I’ve visited with the papas and the babies?”

I felt Red’s reluctance, but I whispered, “He’s almost pride now. The babies call him Uncle Doc. He could help.”

Red snorted out a laugh. “You’re saying if unborn rhubarb and a calf can trust him, so should I?”

“Yes,” I agreed, not seeing what the issue was. The little tykes might not have arrived yet, but they had revealed their cheeky personalities for sure.

“The same babies that leave their daddy stranded up trees and poles without any clue how he got there. You want me to trust their judgment?”

“He has a point,” Burke said, disguising his chuckle behind a hand.

Ricky wrinkled his nose. “Yeah, maybe using the babies wasn’t the best frame of reference for the doc.”

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