Page 17 of Hanging Horseshoes

“That sounds wonderful, but I still have to leave.” I remind him. Automatically, two sets of eyes pierce through me.

“Like hell.”

“No fucking way.” They say simultaneously.

“I have to. To protect all of you.” I whisper, looking down. The next thing I know, I have warmth at my front and a second later at my back. A hand touches the bottom of my chin and lifts my head softly until I’m starting at Beau.

“There is nowhere safer for you or Mable than here with me.” He looks up and at Trip over my shoulder, “With us, with my brothers.” He finishes.

“Don't you see? I'm not trying to protect me. I’m trying to protect all of you.” I whisper, tears forming in my eyes. I suck them back, wanting to stand tall and proud. Show them both that I’m not scared of what they will do to me. That I’m tougher than they believe.

“Baby, look at me,” Trip whispers in my ear before taking my chin and turning my head his way. “These fuckers you are running from are cowards. They took you and a beautiful, innocent, baby girl and locked you up like animals. They are weak, despicable excuses for human beings. They can come all they want, but I can promise you they won’t get within ten feet of you. They will never touch you or Mable ever again.” Trip promises and with that, I finally break.

I let the sadness, the years of pent-up hatred and emotion, overwhelm me until I crumple. I don't hit the ground, though. I have two sets of hands grab me and hold me up and, in this moment, I couldn't be happier to have them both here, with me.

“Why don't you two sit in the truck? I’ll get the tire changed and we can get back home.” Trip says and I freak.

“I don't want to bring trouble to your club. Please, let me stay somewhere away from them. I didn't want to bring trouble to you all. They have families, babies…” I freak out, my breathing gets quicker, my eyes burn fiercely.

“Okay, okay, okay. How about this? What if we head to my house? No one knows me. I just moved to town, and there is no connection between me and the club. But we’re still close by,” Trip says, and it has me stopping the panic.

“No way I’m being separated from my girls again. I just got them back.” Rodeo says adamantly.

“I have five bedrooms and only take up one. You are more than welcome to stay as well.”

Rodeo looks at me, studying my face and raising a brow. I nod. That sounds like the best plan for the night.

“That would be wonderful. We can go pick up Mable, then sleep at Trip’s. Tomorrow we can figure out another plan. I don't want to bring trouble to your life. We won’t stay long.” I mention.

He smiles at me before turning and I swear I heard him mutter “we’ll see.” as he’s walking away, but there’s no way I heard that right.

No one would risk their life for someone like me.

Chapter Fourteen

Trip

While it might not have taken a lot to convince Ophelia to come back home with me that night, it has taken a lot more convincing to get her to stay. It’s been three days and still she insists she needs to go, that she needs to keep me out of her mess. I want to throw myself headfirst into everything that involves her, her daughter, and the man standing next to me now as we work on fencing off the ranch. Ophelia went to the clubhouse today to be with the old ladies. She wanted to get out and get Mable out of the house. I think she needs some sun after being kept locked away for so many years.

Now though, now is the time I get to have Rodeo to myself, and we can work out a plan to keep both Mable and Ophelia here and if I'm lucky Rodeo too, here forever. I don't know what it is, but the last three days have been amazing. Having company in that big old house is heaven. Almost feels like I’m part of a family again. I haven't felt that since mom and dad died. Maybe I’m being selfish, but I’m not ready to let that go.

“How did you get the name Honeybee for Ophelia?” I ask, wanting to know more about them both. Rodeo smiles, looking past me, reliving the memory.

“We used to call her the Bee charmer. When we were younger, we used to always be in the woods, or the fields, pretty much anywhere outside. There were these two brothers who were complete assholes. They picked on Ophelia anytime I wasn't around, no matter how many beatings I gave them. They were tough and got a few licks in, but I was meaner and faster. One day they dared her to climb a tree and get some honey. I think they told her her mama wanted it or something. I can't quite remember. All I remember is seeing her up in that tree surrounded by deadly bees smiling from ear to ear. My stomach dropped. I thought at any moment she was going to be stung and killed. Nope, not Ophelia. She charmed them just like she charmed me, and she did it over and over and over again. We used to joke about having a honey farm one day. I swore I’d make it happen for her.” This time his voice is sad.

I smile softly, thinking of the two of them getting into trouble. Turning back to the fence, I mention as nonchalantly as I can, “Honey would be nice to have around here. Plenty of land. We can give her a big corner around here.”

I can see the emotion on Rodeo's face when I mention it. The pain of wanting to give the woman you love everything she could ever want. I want that too. But for both of them.

“She would absolutely love that and I have the perfect people to help out,” He says softly, then clearing his throat and saying a bit louder, “What exactly is your plan for this place?” Rodeo asks, hammering another post into the ground.

This is about the fifth one and I wondered who would break first. I wasn't sure how to break the ice. Rodeo seems like an outgoing, charming, extrovert around everyone else, but when it comes to me, he often seems tense and jittery. I, on the other hand, only seem to know how to grunt whenever I find myself alone with him. This is my chance and if I have to force more words through my lips, I will.

“Mostly, I'm just making it up as I go.” I smile, wrapping the wire, getting in the flow, and letting the work relax and soothe me. I’m not a very open guy. With how my old community treated me, I got used to loneliness, seclusion. Now, I have to learn to open up a bit if I want any chance of belonging.

“I don't believe that. You have to have something in mind. A guy like you wouldn't just sell off his family farm, move to the east coast without some sort of plan.” He says, making me grin.

“You checked up on me? Doing your research?” I tease. He turns, but I swear I see a blush covering his cheeks. He clears his throat and tries to recover.

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