Come Home

Chapter 3

Alice pulled up to the hotel and frowned when she saw the fire trucks in front of it. "Oh Miss Gates," The manager sighed as he watched her walk in. "I'm so sorry but we've had some pipes burst and have to shut down until everything is fixed and repaired. I apologize."

"I understand," She shook her head. "I know it's not something you can control."

"Here is your full refund and your belongings are safe and sound," he said bringing around her suitcases and handed her a receipt showing he refunded her money to her card.

"Thank you," she said as she took her things back to her car. Once her things were in the trunk she sent a text to Jackson then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Jumping when her phone pinged with a text message. She frowned when it was a number she didn't recognize. She opened it and her breath hitched as she read it.

I heard what happened at the hotel, I currently have your room being set up for you so it will be ready when you arrive. We will try and stay out of your way as much as possible— Owen

How did you get my number, Blackbourne? She frowned, she didn't like the thought of them having something so personal when she was trying so hard to stay away from them.

Miss Janie had it in her phone. He admitted, I only went through her phone after I received the call from Carol at the hotel.

Of course, she thought to herself as she tossed her phone into the passenger seat and sighed. "Why, Oma?" She whispered as she blinked back tears. "Why are you doing this to me?"

She didn't get an answer of course but once she got herself together she wiped her face then drove to the ranch that held so many happy memories, but also so much heartache.

Pain radiated through her heart as she approached the open gate. Normally, it wouldn't be open but she put it off as they left it open for when she arrived. Seeing all the horses running in the open fields eased some of the pain and peace started to hope but as the ranch house started at appear it quickly was replaced with dread. Turning off the car at the second gate she got out of her car and stared at the house that was once her home, her safety, her peace.

"Miss Alice," A ranch hand smiled and tipped his cowboy hat as the redish brown horse crossed her view and broke her train of thought. She looked at him in confusion, "The other bosses said you would be coming eventually Ma'am."

"Oh," She whispered.

"I best be getting to the hay, welcome home Ma'am," he said politely as he started to leave.

She wiped a tear then out of pure habit started whistling a tune that had almost sunk in the recesses of her memory. After a few moments, a blur of black came barreling towards her.

"Watch out Ma'am!" The man shouted hopping off his horse and running toward her. "He's wild!"

"Stop Justin," A deep voice came from the house. "She's fine."

"But Boss Man—" Justin froze in confusion.

"Jack," Alice gasped in shock as her heart burst in happiness at the black with a white streak down his face neighed happily and nudged her. "Oh Jack!"

"Boss?" Justin asked in confusion.

"He's hers," North said as he took a few steps off the porch.

Jack tensed, turned his head, and began pawing the ground. North backed up on the porch and Jack wrapped his head back around Alice, trying to get her as close to him as possible.

"What the hell?" Justin asked in disbelief. He turned to North, "No one can handle that wild beast Boss! He's going to hurt her!"

"Listen here you dimwit," North growled, "He's her horse, always has been and always will be! He's hers and that's why he won't allow anyone else to handle him. She is perfectly safe with him."

"Too bad he's the only one," Alice mumbled as she climbed the fence and stood on the top railing to hug Jack better.

"Baby," North whispered heartbroken.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT NORTH TAYLOR!"

"Already causing trouble, Sugar?"

Pure happiness came across Alice's face as she turned her head behind her. Pain went through North but he forced himself to not react. Afterall he was part of the reason she left in the first place.

"Il Mio Cuore (My Heart)!" She squealed in happiness as she released her hold of Jack so she could turn to face him completely.

"Now Sugar, I'm glad you got your pony back," he smirked as he strolled over to her. He stopped right in front of her and looked up at her. She looked down at him with such a peaceful look on her face that North lost his breath as the pain in his heart intensified tenfold. "But get down from the top railing," he commanded as he gripped her hips. "You can fall and easily get hurt as tiny as you are."

"Yes Sir," She giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and wove her fingers into his black hair. He had blue eyes, and his hair was short. She pushed the strand that fell into his eyes back out of the way. He was fit and clearly worked out and he also had tattoos on his arms and neck.

Jack started neighing and pawing the ground making Alice turn to look at him. She tensed at what caused his reaction.

"Oh, it's you," Alice glared as she saw the fourteen men on the porch watching her with a mix of emotions on their face.

"Sugar?" he asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "You okay?"

"I didn't expect you to bring company," the man with grey eyes and black rimmed glasses said after clearing his throat. "Is he staying?"

"Well, I did, Blackbourne," she glared at him.

"Such an attitude, Sugar," he chuckled as she leaned into him.

"Sorry, Il Mio Cuore," she said looking up at him fondly.

"What's that?" The man that looked like he belonged on a magazine with his blonde hair and brown eyes asked curiously.

"It's Italian," The man with Alice smiled. "It means My Heart and yes, I'm staying. I'm Jackson Burton, Alice's fiancé. And you are?"