Solivagant

Chapter Twelve - Robinne

Dragging his ass out of bed was easier than he imagined it would be, considering how late he'd gotten home last night, how little sleep he had, he was downright impressed with himself. He had no right to be, of course. Considering what he'd done to someone who'd come to mean so much to him in such a short time, he deserved all that was thrown at him in return.

     Saddling up his trusty horse Chance, he glanced on over to the barn which was situated across from the stables, over to where his colossal ass of a mistake took place not even twenty four hours ago. He could bet his bottom dollar that he wasn't the one who was thinking about it the most, but his conscience be damned, he couldn't get it out of his mind if he wanted to.   

     He hadn't gone back in there since he followed Robinne's more than hasty exit, he'd asked one of the twins to lock it up and take care of the chores that required going into there, today. He was as ready to enter into there again as Robinne was about seeing him.

     Robinne.

     Never before had he physically ached for someone in anything other than a primal need to work off some extra energy, or just getting off with someone because he was honest in admitting he was horny. He wasn't any different than any other male his age, or any male in general for that matter, but he also wasn't a tail chaser. He'd had a few meaningful relationships in the past, yet none of those he could see lasting or making it to a lifetime commitment. He did have a few go-to women who he'd call up if he ever got that desperate in needing release, but he wasn't like his brothers when it came to using those women for booty calls. No, the few, and by few he literally meant two, women, that he called, were also on call for other things other than sex. If he needed a date to something, he'd call them. If he needed a plus one to an event, he'd call them and vice versa. They were two of his good friends, and treated them with the upmost highest respect as he'd do his buddies.

     So why did I go ahead with my foolish idea knowing Robinne would eventually find out?

     Because I'm stupid, that's why.

     He's not too 'man enough' to admit when he was wrong, or when he did the more than occasionally stupid thing. In fact, stupid was a common theme among his brothers. He just never thought he'd be lumped in with them more so than not. On more than one occasion did he have to bail or make amends for something one of his brothers had done, with the pleasure of tanning their hides going to Pa, of course.

       Mounting Chance, he guided them out of the stall and the stable, out into the beginning of what would no doubt be a long day. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, marking the official start to the day for any rancher nor only here in Texas, but across the whole country wherever a rancher laid his hat. It was in any rancher's blood to rise this early, even when not on a ranch. If you didn't rise early, you weren't a true rancher. Period.

     As he rode Chance out of the back end of the house property towards the path leading to back pastures, he couldn't help but think back to the events of the night before after he'd watched Robinne speed off out of the driveway in Ryder's truck. What happened shortly after had greatly surprised him greatly.

* * *

     Ralph, standing with his mouth agog at what he was seeing, witnessed an upset Robinne booking it out of his parents' drive as if her own house was on fire. How had it got to this so fast? Things seemed to just...escalate, way beyond what he thought the consequences of his actions would be, should ever she find out what he'd done.

     "What on God's good Earth is going on out here?" his Pa's voice called out from behind him, filled with deep concern and confusion.

     Turning, he reluctantly met his father's gaze with what he knew was a guilty expression plastered all over his own face. He might be nearly thirty, but he turned instantly into a teenage boy full of guilt when he had to admit something to his father.