Come Home

Chapter 48

Alice woke and frowned in confusion when she realized that her pillow was moving. Slowly shifting her head, she found herself all curled up against Gabe with Jasper laying behind her with his arm around her waist. How in the hell was she going to get herself out of this predicament?

She started to lift Jasper's arm but he tightened his hold on her, "Go back to sleep, Meine Liebe," his voice was thick with sleep. Damn him and his military training to instantly wake at the slightest movement. "Got you, you're safe, Meine Liebe," he started moving his thumb back and forth on her stomach. "Sleep."

"Bathroom," She whispered at the first thing that she could think of that would get him to let go of her. She internally sighed in relief as he moved his arm off her and rolled over to his back.

"Hurry, come back, more cuddles," he mumbled as he fought to stay awake.

"Kay," she whispered as she climbed over him, "go back to sleep."

He hummed something as she headed to the bathroom. She shut the door, decided to actually go to the bathroom then turned on the water to wash her hands. She realized that she had more energy and she was more alert than she had been in the mornings. She felt better, she wasn't completely back to her old self but she felt better than she had been in a while. Carefully opening the door she saw that Jasper was curled up beside Gabe and was softly snoring, telling her that he was back to sleep. She left the basement and quietly made her way to her room. She quickly dressed in some jeans and a white tee with a gray and black flannel over it. She slipped her combat boots on and threw her hair up in a ponytail before she headed outside.

Opening the barn, she whistled and chuckled when she heard an impatient knocking on a stall door. She opened it and hugged Zero tightly before leading him out of the barn. She got on his back and smiled peacefully as they started to ride.

"Wake up!" A deep thundering voice instantly jolted Jasper and Gabe awake. "Where is Alice?"

Jasper looked around in panic, "Bathroom?" he asked groggily as he ran his hand down his face. "She said she was going to the bathroom."

"Well, she isn't there," Jackson glared, "She isn't in the house. Get up now."

"Yes Sir," both men said as they got out of the bed and followed him up the stairs into the kitchen.

"She's not in her room," North said as he entered the kitchen glaring.

"I'm checking the cameras," Corey yawned as he gratefully took the cup of coffee from Marc.

"Morning Boss Men," Justin said whistling as he entered the kitchen. "Whoa..." he instantly sobered up. "What's wrong?"

"Do you know where–"

"Boss Lady?" Justin interrupted Jackson. "Yeah, she came and got her pony a couple of hours ago," he nodded. "She's really happy this morning, Boss Man," he grinned, "smiling and whistling to him. They went riding for about an hour and half before they came back. They are working with that new mustang in the breaking field."

"Oh thank fuck," Gabe sighed in relief as he collasped into the first chair at the dining room table.

"She's happy?" Multiple men asked.

"Yep," Justin grinned. "She–"

"Oh there you are, Justin," Alice beamed as she came into the kitchen. "Follow me please," he immediately followed her back outside and toward the fields, "I need you to call the vet for the new mustang. His back left leg when you are facing him is tensing up and when I checked his file, there is no indication of any wounds or anything so something happened during the night and I want it checked immediately. He is following Zero," she pointed to where the brown horse was walking beside her white horse, "so I think the first thing is observation and if the vet needs to get closer to actually check then we can start figuring out a plan."

"You got it, Boss Lady," Justin grinned.

"What the hell is that other beast doing in that field?"

Alice and Justin turned to see Adam storming over to them. When they turned Alice ended up behind Justin so she didn't think Adam saw her standing there.

"What are you talking about?" Justin sighed in annoyance. He was already forming a headache.

"Those feral beasts should not be in that field. I know you can't fucking tame those things even if you are the bosses right hand man and that bitch's favorite but that doesn't give you the right to do whatever the hell you want," he snarled.

"Dude, if I were you, I would just shut up right now," Justin rolled his eyes. "You don't know what the hell you are talking about."

"Yeah, I fucking do," Adam glared. "You think you can get away with anything just because you have become that stupid ass bitch's best friend. Those real bosses may do whatever she wants because they are pussy whipped but I'm not. Just because she is back doesn't mean she is going to start changing things around her. This place was better when she was gone and I'll do whatever it takes to get it back to the way it should be. You may be scared of those beasts," he shoved his finger into Justin's chest, "but I'm not. I'll break those beasts and show them who is the real boss."

"You take one step into that field and it will be the last thing you do," Alice glared as she came up beside Justin. "You will NOT be touching my pony or any other horse on this ranch. In fact, you are no longer welcome on this property. I suggest you leave right now."