Ever After

Chapter 33: Not A Cowboy

*Jackson's POV*

I wake up the the break of dawn peering in through the still opened window. Teagan wasn't next to me and I was still naked from last night. I get up sliding in some boxers before pulling on some clothes. I peek out the window seeing a familiar pair of boots and a pair of overalls in the field. I hurry downstairs and out into the field.

She's humming softly picking the weeds out of the fields. "Love what are you doing out so early?" She smiles softly at me wiping her face. "I'm pulling the weeds Jackie. It helps the plants grow. Besides it's cooler to do it first thing in the morning." I take the bucket from her hand. "You are not here to work. So now either you are gonna walk you cute little self into the house or I'm gonna carry you." She pout. "But I like doing this Jackie." I huff. "No buts. You need more sleep and I need someone to cuddle so come on." She huffs stomping the whole way back. I slap her butt. "You keep that attitude missy and you won't be going back into that field at all." She picks up her feet at that comment walking softly up the stairs.

She kicks off her boots folding her arms as she sits down on the windowsill. "Grandpas going out there." She says pointing out the window. "Baby this is your grandpas job okay?" I huff. "And it puts me at ease Jackie. I went out there because I woke up crying because for the first time in my life I thought that my brother was gone. That I am never gonna get to see him or be around him like old times. So I got up and went to the fields and now you've taken that from me."

I crouch down next to her. "Baby I'm sorry. I was worried alright. I woke up and you were just out their. What was I supposed to think? It's early. I'm sorry. If you want to go back out there be my guest." I kiss her head before standing to climb into bed. I pull the covers over me shutting my eyes. I feel her weight on the bed before she crawls into my arms. I smile as she snuggles into me. "I'm sorry too Jackie." I hold her closely before kissing her softly. I doze back off and when I wake up she's sleeping softly next to me. Her features are limp and I push the hair out of her face.

"I love you more than words baby. I know I haven't been the best but I'm trying. Losing you would shatter me. Please don't ever leave me love." I peck her head hearing the bed softly creak open. "Hey Jackson I could use some help out in the stable if you aren't too busy. Might give us sometime yeah?" I look at her peaceful sleeping form and then back at him. "Ugh yeah sure. Why not?" Her phones buzzes and I see it's her mom. "I need to take this. It's the kids but I'll be right down after." He nods and I pick up the phone answering it.

"Hello?" I hear a gasp. "Daddy! Daddy!" I smile widely at Emma's voice. She sounded excited and just like a bundle of joy. "Hey sunshine. How's it going?" She giggles. "It's fun daddy. We wish you and mommy was here though." I sigh. "Well we wish we were their too bug." I feel her roll over and I smile at her little whimper in her sleep. "Daddy grandmas calling me. I have to go but me and sissy send kisses and love." I smile. "We are sending them right back sunshine. Have fun. Be safe." She hums and ends the call. I set her phone back down taking mine before slipping my shoes on. I give her a glance and head out of the house too the stables.

I head in seeing Thomas caring some saddles. "What can I help with?" He smiles. "We need to move all the horses to the field. A storm came through last night and so the horses have been locked up all night and part of the day. We need to clean their stables." I nod. "Take this and put it on that horse." He says handing me a saddle. "I need to go down the field and make sure the gates are locked their. Don't want those horses to get out." I swallow nodding.

"Okay but I'm not sure exactly how to saddle a horse." He smiles. "What was that girl thinking?" I frown. He laughs harshly. "I'm just kidding with ya boy. Come on. I'll show you." He shows me how to saddle the horse and I get on and he opens the stable. The horse steps out and he looks up at me. "This here horse is gentle. Pull the rains and the horses stops. Give him a nice jab to speed him up. It's simple really." I swallow nodding. "This here horse was you fiancées second favorite behind shadow so I'd be careful with him." I nod and he opens the gates to let me into the field.

I pick up speed rather quickly and I think that it's not so hard. When I get to the gate I stop the horse. I get off noticing the gates locked so I hope back on. I kick the horse a little to hard and he bucks me off before running off into the distance. I pick myself up after laying there for a bit and I frown. Now I have no way back.

I huff. Horse riding wasn't meant for me. I start to walk back in the general direction I came hoping I would end up back at the farm.

*

I'm tired of walking at this point. It's probably been an hour and I can no longer see the spot I stood in before. I take a seat under a tree and sigh. I left my phone in the stables and I was beating myself up for that. I place my hands over my face. "Jackie..." I hear the familiar voice looking up. The sound of her boots hitting the dirt was a sound I missed all too well and it's only been an hour. I hug her tightly. "God I thought I'd never make it back."

She laughs. "Oh you've got a cut!" She whispers touching my eyebrow. "I don't even know why he sent you out to begin with. Horse riding isn't easy but I see you've learned that." I nod holding on to her. "I brought you some water." She says reaching into the bag that's strapped to the horse.

"Thank you." I whisper softly. The silence seems awkward around us. I hold the cool bottle in my hand and she sighs before tying the horse to a tree and sitting with me. "Jackie what's wrong?" I sigh. "Are you okay with the fact that I'm not country friendly? I don't ride horses. I don't farm. I wear suits and work in an office." I sit in his lap. "Jackie if I wasn't happy I wouldn't be here. You don't have to be like me. You like we're you are and you look really sexy in those suits." She says and I raise my eyebrows with a smirk. "I love a guy who's not afraid to be exactly who they are and if this isn't you the. you shouldn't be it. I'm not afraid to get dirty. You like to stay clean and Jackie that thought is intoxicating. You are intoxicating. I love a clean cut guy just as much as a down and dirty one. You are my fiancée and you are not getting out of that title simply because you can't ride a horse."

We share a laugh and I lean in to kiss her. She hums softly. The horse neighs and I huff. "Always ruining the moment." She giggles. "We should probably go. My grandpa will get worried." I nod softly letting her get up to untie the horse. I get in helping her up to sit in front of me. She hums and I wrap my arms around her. "I could get used to this." She rolls her eyes. "Come on girl." She says and the horse takes off. I cling to her. "Never mind." I hear her laugh.

*

It's not long until we are back at the stable. "I really am sorry Mr. Thomas." He shakes his head. "No no. The little ladies right. I shouldn't have sent you out like that. I'm sorry." I sigh. "It's okay." He continues to work and Teagan insists on taking me inside to clean my cut.

I don't argue as I follow her into the house. She motions for me to sit on the counter as she pulls the peroxide and rag from the cabinets. She gently cleans in. I watch the way her back arches when she stands on her toes to reach me. I smile fondly at her. I let my hands sit on the small of her back and she smiles continuing to clean the cut. She wedges herself between my legs and before long she's done. "There you go. Let me just get a bandaid." She turns reaching for the bandaid before leaning her body against mine to put it on.

"Now..." A stare into her eyes contently and she looks down softly. I lift her face and it isn't long until my lips find hers. She grips my shirt making me slide off the countertop placing her on it instead. I trail my lips to her neck nibbling lightly. "Jackie..." She pants softly tugging at my hair. I let my hands sit on the cool marble of the countertop. She tugs on my hair harshly gasping. "What do you think you're doing?" She whispers and I smirk pulling her closer by the legs of her overalls. "You in overalls and boots just does something to me baby girl." She smiles. "Well you're going to have to keep it in your pants Jackie. I've got farming to do." I smirk. "Why don't you farm me instead?" She rolls her eyes. "That statement was all wrong Jackie but no I have things to do. I'd let you join if you promise no more jokes." I huff. "Baby I can't promise that. You know sometimes I act on impulse but I've always been respectful." She nods.

"Let me see if I can find you some boots. It gets pretty muddy in some patches where the crops don't grow." I nod softly helping her down and kissing her lips one last time before watching her slip out of the door leaving me alone.

Enjoy!