Page 54 of Stray

“I, well, I just assumed after… with what you said. I mean,” I chuckle at her stammering and walk over, kissing the tip of her nose.

“I like that title,” I say softly, kissing her lips. She gets this dreamy look on her face as she pulls back.

“Me too. I better go start making breakfast for your dad.” She says, hiking her thumb over her shoulder.

“Alright baby, you look beautiful, by the way, even covered in chicken shit.” Her face falls as she looks down at her shirt.

“I’m gonna need ranch shirts if I’m going to be here.” She mutters, and fuck, I’ll give her a lifetime supply if it means she’ll stay.

* * *

“How’s the house looking?” Pops asks me as I sit with him while Ozzy goes to check on her chicks again.

“Good,” I sigh out, resting back in the chair. “Needs furniture and a new stove and fridge, but it’s ready for her to move in.” I watch him nod as he looks out the window.

“You seem to have this place running smoother than I ever could’ve. Your mama told me you talked to a feed supplier a city over who will get us a good rate?” I nod, crossing my legs at the ankles.

“Yeah, actually, Ozzy found them yesterday. She did a web search and haggled the price. It was pretty impressive.” Actually, it was hot as fuck, and all I wanted to do was bend her over and fuck her right then and there, but I’m trying to give her time. She had a hard time the morning after we had sex, apparently having night terrors, and she flinched when I went to touch her. She had a session with her therapist, and I asked if I could sit in so I could learn how to help. Apparently, that was the right thing to do because we made out for like three hours after that.

“She’s a keeper,” Pops hums, and I nod.

“She is. I’m in love with her Pops.” He laughs weakly.

“Not a better soul for either of you. I’m happy for you, and I’m happy I got to see you find someone you deserve, Jackson.”

“Yeah,” I laugh out. “Next is Carter and Theo,” Pops shakes his head slowly.

“You’ll have to take care of that for me, son. I won’t be making it that long.” I laugh lightly.

“Hell, even I probably won’t make it to see those two find people to settle down with.” Pops stares at me, and I know what he means, but I also know I’m unwilling to talk about it. Not yet; we still have time. He’s eating, laughing and talking with us. He’s not gone yet.

* * *

“I might die.” Theo wheezes, and she sits down on the stump. I chuckle and shake my head, throwing the last few logs into the trailer.

“You act like you don’t come out here and do this for fun regularly.” I take a sip of my water as my eyes scan the land. Fields as far as the eye can see, and somehow, I land on the pretty girl walking back to the barn to check on her chicks… again.

“That was before they took an organ out of me.” I snort at her comment.

“It was an appendix. Stop acting like you lost a lung or something. I ain’t one of your potential lays.” Theo laughs while standing up.

“I met this girl last night, we’re supposed to be going out tonight, and I’m telling you, the ass on this one…” Groaning, I shove her face away from me as I scan the barn, waiting to see my girl again.

My girl.

Fuck, I love that. I love that Ozzy is mine. I love that she smiles at me, confides in me, and trusts me. It’s a feeling that I just want more of. Along with other things. Fucking Christ, I need her on my cock again like I need oxygen.

“You know,” Theo’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “You look like a fucking idiot with that face.” Blinking, I turn to look at her.

“What look?”

“That ‘I’m so in love and I’m so happy’ look, you look dumb.” I give her a half-shrug.

“I’m alright with looking dumb for her.”

* * *

“Son,” Pops’ weak voice says as he looks up at me. I am about to head out to do my night rounds and allow him, Ozzy, and Mama to have the living room for a movie. I would rather stay in here with them, but if I don’t go and check on those fucking chicks and ensure the doors are secure, Ozzy will never forgive me.

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