His Ranch

Chapter 21 A New Rooster in the House

Flannery felt tears stream down her face as her hands clasped her knees. 

"S-st-stop!" she said, attempting to persuade the handsome cowboy across the kitchen from her to stop making her laugh so hard.

"Stop what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Please! I can't breath!" 

Flannery caught her breath and collapsed in one of the chairs at the table. She looked at the man smiling at her and couldn't help but smile back.

Nolan had been at the ranch for four days and they had quickly become friends. He was kind and generous, always helping her with whatever she needed help with. It turned out that Robbie had already temporarily hired a few hands to help out with the ranch while everyone was gone. Nolan only helped for a few hours in the afternoon.

While Nolan wasn't working he was keeping Flannery company in the kitchen, listening to her sing at the piano, and playing cards with her late at night.

He currently was leaning against the far wall watching as Flannery kneaded the dough out for hamburger rolls. 

"You're funny," she said, returning her hands to the dough.

"I know," he chuckled.

"And modest too! I bet the ladies love that!" Flannery giggled, and then stopped when she saw a flash of hurt pass over Nolan's face. As soon as it was there, it left.

"I'm not really a ladies man," he said, bowing his head. "If you've been hurt, you try and stay away from it all, I suppose."

Flannery felt all happiness leave her thoughts as she closed her eyes and the image of Coult and that blond woman appeared in her head. Tears rushed to her eyes and Flannery knew she wouldn't be able to keep them back. 

"Flannery?" Nolan called out as she quickly turned away from him and walked to the sink. 

Oh, why couldn't she stop thinking about him?! She had succeeded so far today and now there he was, taunting her. 

"Flannery?" Nolan said, his hand resting on her shoulder. Flannery turned to face Nolan, tears running down her face. 

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"You don't have to explain," he said. Nolan pulled Flannery into his chest and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm here for you."

Flannery whimpered a thank you and buried her face into his chest.

~~~

"Flannery!" Emma called out after closing the door behind her. She walked through the entry way of the kitchen and suddenly stopped.

Seeing Flannery in the arms of Nolan shocked her at first and she didn't cover her reaction before accidentally dropping the tea set she had. Bits of mug and saucers went flying all over the floor and Nolan and Flannery jumped apart.

Emma frowned as Flannery's eye's displayed red and puffy tears, while Nolan's displayed anger.

"Who are you?" she asked, attempting to keep the venom out of her voice. She missed rolling around in the hay with Danny but she wasn't going to jump into some other man's arms.

"This is-" Flannery began before being interrupted by Robbie who came bustling into the kitchen.

"Need you Nolan!" he called before turning around and heading back out.

"I'll see you later, Flannery," Nolan said before leaving the kitchen, not even sparing a glance at Emma.

Emma walked up to Flannery, avoiding bits of pottery. When she reached her, she flung her arms around the woman.

"I don't know what's going on, but you can talk to me about it. You know that right?" Emma said in a soft voice. 

"He's cheating on me," Flannery responded softly, while clinging to Emma as if she were a life line. 

"What?!" Emma pulled back from her, her hands digging into her shoulders.

"I saw him with her the night before they left."

Tears were streaming down her face and Emma felt tears enter her own eyes. Danny had told her what had happened. This was the last thing Flannery deserved.

"I'm so sorry, Flannery. He doesn't deserve you, you know that right? Any man that treats you like that should be beaten to a pulp. What were you doing with that man? Nolan, right? You know, it's too soon, right?"

Emma felt as if she were chastising the girl, but she knew that she would be a wreck if Danny cheated on her.

"No, he was just giving me a hug. But," Flannery bent down to begin cleaning up the mess. "There's something about him that's so familiar. He has been such a gentlemen and so nice and kind. He really is someone special."

Emma opened her mouth to respond, but then closed it immediately. Who was she to rain on Flannery's parade? This girl and been to hell and back, and then hell and back again. If she wanted to start something with this Nolan guy, then she could. Emma couldn't help but feel a shiver up her spine when she thought of the look of anger that had crossed that man's face when she walked in. 

She cringed when she thought of Coult returning and finding Flannery with Nolan. She knew things wouldn't end well, not with two roosters in the house.

"Just, be careful? Okay?"

Flannery stood and faced Emma, smiling.

"Thank you, Emma."

~~~

Coult looked up at the stars, trying to focus on anything other than the hardening shaft in his pants as he lay on his small cot looking up at the stars. He had taken Flannery as many times as she could handle before he had left. He hoped it would be enough, but he knew it wouldn't. 

He felt like a masochist, teasing himself and then cutting himself off from her for two whole weeks. 

"Two fuckin' weeks," he murmured, running a hand through his unruly hair. 

He couldn't wait to get back. He couldn't wait to hold her and feel her lips against his. He wanted to make love to her until they both couldn't move. The few times he had taken her, she had been distant. Passionate, yet almost sad. He had told himself it was because he was leaving. But lately, he was beginning to think it was something more.

Had she changed her mind? Coult felt his heart begin to beat rapidly and his blood flow hotter and faster. He wouldn't let her change her mind! He'd marry her the minute he returned and refuse a divorce. He knew she wanted him, and God knows how badly he wanted her. 

Coult coulnd't bear the thought of any other man touching what was his. 

Flannery would be his forever.

He closed his eyes and focused on thoughts of Flannery pregnant, and their children running around the ranch. Before he knew it, he was falling into a deep sleep.

~~~

short chapter! IM SO SORRY IT'S LATE! my little guy has been really sick! hope everyone had a wonderful christmas and new years! lemme know what you think of the characters! anybody who you want to know more about? comment and lemme know what you think! thanks for reading!