Page 39 of Claimed By the Cowboys
Our eyes met, the reality of our situation sinking in.
We were fucked.
Chapter 19
Zeke
“Well, that was quite the show!” I gave a quiet golf clap as I rounded the corner out of the pantry, crunching on a mouthful of dry cereal, shaking a handful of the small honey oats into my hand.
Coming out of the pantry, Clay’s and Piper’s faces were filled with shock, their brows up to their hairlines, before their cheeks turned pink and they averted their gazes.
No doubt, both of them would have liked to ask how long I had been watching, but another high-pitched, “Daddy Clay?” rang out from Maisie’s bedroom.
I had been watching nearly the entire time, so I was well aware that neither was in a position to handle this situation or admit to themselves they were actually falling for each other, so I stepped in generously.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go get Maisie for you two.” I flashed them a wink, Piper still sitting, face flushed at the edge of the counter, her skirt pulled back down around her as much as she could manage with Clay still knotted inside her—his jeans dangling off his hips, his shirt buttoned one hole off in his hurry to get his clothing back on.
“Once you get her back down, go round up the boys. I’m callin’ a Blackwood Ranch meeting in the living room in an hour, and wipe that fuckin’ smirk off your face, Zeke.”
Clayton did his best to remind me he was pack lead, making sure to get in an order or two and a little dig to establish who was in charge, even though it was pretty hard to take him seriously while he was still knot deep in Piper, his ass crack hanging out in the breeze.
“Sure thing, boss, I’m just glad to see you two getting along so well.” I beamed, emptying some more cereal into my open mouth and crunching away loudly over the sounds of Clayton’s fuming. Piper had already disappeared behind her hands, furiously blushing.
“Daddy Z!” Maisie squealed as I intercepted her at the top of the stairs, my hands slipping beneath her little, outstretched arms to lift her up.
“Miss Maisie Rae! We’re gonna fly on home to your bed,” I shouted triumphantly as I made my way back down the hall, swinging her as if she were flying back to her room. The room was pink, frilly, and filled with more play tea sets and plastic ponies than any child could realistically use.
But hey, she was our baby girl, and we did our very best to ensure she didn’t want for a damn thing.
“USS Maisie Rae coming in for a landing.”
I buzzed my lips, imitating the sound of a radio call. Her high shrieking giggles peaked as I swung her down onto the pink pony princess bedspread, her small body bouncing once before I threw the blanket over her.
“Again!” she begged as I leaned down to kiss her forehead, her little arms hugging me around the neck, refusing to let me go.
“I think that was the last flight of the good ship Maisie Rae tonight.” I released her gently, giving her another forehead kiss before I sat back on the edge of her bed.
“Why were you out of bed, hmm?” I tucked the blanket beneath her chin and gave her a serious look.
“Daddy Kota and Papa Monty read me a story, but Daddy Clay and Miss Piper didn’t! Andyoudidn’t sing me a lullaby!” she blurted, her bright blue eyes big as saucers as she pleaded her case.
“Sometimes not all of us grown-ups can do good-night time,” I explained to her, fluffing her white blonde curls before tucking a few behind her ears. She looked up at me with those big puppy dog eyes. “Tonight, Miss Piper needs a bit of a rest, and Daddy Clay needs to finish up a few things.”
While this hardly softened the blow, I had an ace still up my sleeve.
“But…” I wiggled my fingers, and Maisie’s face lit up with glee once more as she realized I hadn’t accounted for myself. “I can certainly sing you a lullaby.”
“Yay!” Maisie cheered before snuggling down into her blankets.
I gently stroked her forehead as I began to sing.
“Tender shepherd, tender shepherd, let me help you find your sheep...”
The sound of my voice filled the small room, her lashes fluttering before I made it to the second line:
“One in the meadow, two in the garden, three in the nursery, fast asleep.”
I repeated the small loop a total of three times, my voice growing softer with each refrain. Maisie’s breathing evened out and slowed, her eyes drifting shut before I sang the last note.
