Page 16 of Eye of Her Storm

“No. I…” She closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “I’m going to take my car and drive a little bit away. Don’t worry. I’ll stay on the truck path and won’t leave the ranch to go on main roads. I just need a little bit of time. Then when I get back, I’ll really want some time with the two of you.” The last bit came out as almost a question.

“Sure. Are you okay?”

She’d be better if people stopped asking her that. Her head tilted a little, saying no, as she pressed her lips together and nodded quickly. Emotion was crashing in on her, and if she didn’t get out of here quickly, she’d utterly breakdown. Recent experience had already taught her what to do.

She grabbed her keys quickly and raced for the door. “Don’t. Follow. Me.”

Somehow, she just knew if she didn’t say it, he or Seth or both of them would be on her heels. In moments, she was in her car, speeding down the dirt path toward the north pastures. She drove miles before she stopped. Turning off the ignition, she pulled out the keys and threw them on the passenger seat. Her breaths were harsh and choppy. Reality bore down on her. Panic shook her body again. Tears blurred her vision.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Lurching out of the car, she stumbled a few feet away. She heaved, the primal bellow rolling inside her chest until she threw back her head and screamed and screamed. She screamed until the sounds were hoarse, pathetic cries, until there wasn’t an ounce of energy in her, until her fear and hopelessness receded to a corner to lick its wounds until the next attack.

On her knees, she slumped, her head dropped forward. Her fist slowly beat the dirt beside her.

“River…”

She closed her eyes. “I told you not to follow me,” she rasped.

As two sets of strong arms closed around her, she was glad they had.

* * * *

It had taken two seconds for Tai to regret agreeing with River. As he watched her car kick up dust then watched until the trail of flying dirt completely disappeared, he knew she needed to be alone. It had been clear since they’d picked her up from Doc’s this afternoon. She was sinking inside herself, and now, she was dealing with it the only way she knew how.

“Was that River?”

“Yeah.”

“What the fuck, man? She can’t be driving.”

“She promised to stay on the ranch and stay on the truck paths. She wanted to be alone and ordered me not to follow her. I should have anyway.” Tai sank onto the porch steps and dropped his face into his hands. Seth sat beside him.

“Hey…”

Tai rolled his head to the side to see him. Staying upbeat and being a supporter was draining. How much worse would it get in coming weeks? He just loved River so damn much. They both did.

“None of us knows how to act with this. What’s right; what’s wrong. We’re all just doing our best.” Seth pushed Tai’s hair back from his face then leaned forward and kissed him. Gentle, firm, Seth’s lips comforted Tai and somehow seemed to give him renewed strength. “It’ll be okay,” Seth whispered.

Tai shook his head. “No…”

“I don’t know how…” Seth leaned his forehead against Tai’s. “I just… I just know things will be all right. Something’s going to change. Something’s going to happen.”

And if they didn’t, he and Seth would be devastated. Tai couldn’t afford to have that kind of hope. He had to be a realist and prepare himself so he could be Seth’s rock. In the coming months he’d have to be solid granite.

Cupping the back of his partner’s head, Tai kissed him hard, swinging their bodies around so Seth lay on the steps with Tai over him. Their legs tangled, hands touching and groping wherever they could reach.

“What is it with you and steps lately?” Seth asked, laughing.

“You don’t like it?”

Seth gave Tai’s cock a squeeze through his jeans. “I didn’t say that.”

“So you wouldn’t care if I stripped off your pants, turned you on your knees and fucked you here?”

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