She's Here To Stay [Temporarily]

 The world tilted. My stomach churned violently. I staggered back, clutching the edge of the couch for support before doubling over. I vomited into a nearby potted plant, the acidic taste burning my throat.

“Vanessa, please—”

“Don’t touch me!” I screamed, my voice raw and trembling as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “You didn’t contact me because you missed me or wanted to fix things. You brought me here to save your other daughter’s life. Or that you have a grandson. You don’t even care how I’ve been, how your sons are doing, how Dad is coping—no, suffering—because of you. Do you even remember that the mate bond doesn’t break just because you left? You're not even divorced! You didn't have the guts to get the papers! Do you even know what you did to him? Does Tom know his wife is still tied to her soulmate? Both in bond and by state law?”

“Vanessa, lower your voice!” she hissed, her eyes darting nervously toward the kitchen.

“I will not!” I roared, my chest heaving. “You’re a coward. A terrible mother, a pathetic excuse for a wife, and your karma is going to be that girl’s death. Because if that illness doesn’t kill her, something else will.”

The slap came out of nowhere, stinging across my cheek like a lightning strike. For a moment, we both froze, the silence thick with shock and fury.

I didn’t hesitate. I swung back without thinking, the sharp crack of my palm meeting her face echoing through the room. “What? Did you think I wouldn’t hit back?” I snarled, my voice low and venomous.

She stumbled slightly, her hand flying to her reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock. For the first time, she didn’t have anything to say. And neither did I.

I waited my time, catching my breath before I straightened my form. “Don’t ever contact me. I hate you. I hate this entire situation. Call Dad, and break the bond, get divorced. He hasn’t changed his number. Break the fucking bond, suffer from the pain. Then you can really be sure of your love for Tom. I won’t say I wish you well. Honestly, I want to hit you again and I hope you die a miserable death because you do not deserve happiness. Good day.”

I stormed out of the house after that. I spotted Tom who I'm guessing is Kelly, peeking their heads out of the kitchen on my way out. I didn’t say a word to them. As far as I’m concerned, Tom is complacent in helping my mother leave my father.

Getting back into that large truck was easier than I expected. That was probably because I was too angry to think about anything else.

Colton noticed my expression the second I shut the door.

“You look like you’ve been cryin’.”

“Just take me back to your ranch. I’m stuck here for two months. Unless I can find a quicker way out of here.”

I kept myself from crying. I need to call my father and apologize and I need to call my brothers. They were right. I shouldn’t have come here.

The car breaking down was likely a sign I should have found a way to go back. Dusty Creek, I think you’ve convinced me to enjoy my time off.

Once I leave here I am going to Rome. No, Paris. No, I’ll find a place to curl up and cry for the next four months until I can get back to work and enjoy my life.

She broke my heart all over again. Closure... doesn’t fix anything.

▄︻デ══━一 COLTON HAYES💥

Driving her back to the ranch, i noticed how quiet she got all of a sudden. Vanessa, although still a stranger, talks quite a lot. She strikes me as an extrovert, and a woman who can’t seem to lose an argument. I wanted to say something, but I’m just not a chatty guy. I let her stew in her silence, even though my upbringing always taught me to help out a troubled lady.

Well not just a lady. Vanessa looked like she had been crying, i wasn’t a fan of that. Her emotions were in the high and i was a stranger. I doubt she would want to share those thoughts with me.

Once we arrived at the ranch, she was quick to get out. I worried she would sprain her ankle from how quickly she had jumped.

I exited, and went around the back to collect her bags. She was still waiting there, she looked like she was going to be sick. I didn’t like that. I can’t have her feelings this way. I dropped the bags by her feet, and enclosed my arms around her. Tightening the grip until her face was pressed up against my chest.

I didn’t her hear sob, but i felt the sudden dampness in my shirt. I hadn’t asked her who she went to see. I wonder if she was here to see a lover.

It doesn’t seem that way though. Perhaps she was here to see a family member. I had gotten just a glimpse of the woman that had opened the door.

Is that why she came all this way? It has to be family. What else would draw a city loving hybrid to this small quaint town if not for family.

I rubbed my her back slowly, trying to ease the tears. She clung to my shirt, quietly crying. My heart feels like there’s something tugging at it’s strings. Like something is going on in there. This poor girl. Annoying, and stubborn, but she shouldn’t be crying.

I stood there for as long as i needed to be. The sun had fully risen, the sounds around me reminded me that i had things to do. Animals to care for. And people in the pack who might need help around their houses. I have chores for the day, i can’t stay comforting this strange woman.

But i will.

My mother told me to always help. Even if the person turns out to be my enemy. She died saving catia’s life. She didn’t need to run out after her sister’s daughter in the middle of a storm. She could have had one of us do it. Hell, there are so many things that could have been done differently to save her life that day.

However she decided to save an innocent even though it cost her the one thing she can never get back. Her life.

My family will handle the ranch and farm this morning while i care for my guest. She’ll be here for three months, hopefully that’s enough time for me process the many emotions I’ve felt since she arrived. From rage, to desire, to empathy.

“Darlin’ it’s piping hot. Let’s get you inside.” i swept her off her feet in one motion, she hid her face from my view. With her secured in my arms, i manuevered my body so my fingers could grab the handles of her bags. There are just two bags, so everything is fine.

I’ve carried cows.

She’s lighter than that. She also smells better. I carried her and the items into the house. I hadn’t locked the door when we left, and I’m pretty sure no one in my family locked it either.

It’s a safe pack. Locking doors is a rarity.

I took her upstairs to the bedroom that she spent the night in. She collected herself on the way. I wanted to tell her it’s okay for her to cry, but i get the feeling that wouldn’t make her feel better. I gently kicked open the door.

Placing her gently on the bed. She wiped her eyes.

“Sorry about that. You shirt is ruin.”

“I’m fine darlin’. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m good. I just need to figure out what to do with myself for the next two months.”

I wanted to explain to her that it would be more than just two months, but i didn’t.

“Sure. There are ways to get into the town to find out what to do. Or you can help around here?”

She squeezed her nose. “What would i do?”

“I’ll find something. Wash your face, you’re an ugly crier.”

She tossed a pillow at me, but i could feel her mood lifting. I dropped her bags, letting the pillow go over my head.

“I’ll be in the living room. I have to start my day. Would you like to follow me?”

She pondered over it for a few minutes. “Sure. I guess i can ruin my day even more.”

I almost said something rude to her. I was able to bite my tongue.

“Be down in ten minutes.”

I left her to do what she needed to do. Stopping by my bedroom to grab my wallet, and to change my shirt to something sleeveless. Then i jogged down to the living room to wait for vanessa. Goddess, this strange woman will be here for three whole months.

I might end up committing my first murder.

I was there for fifteen minutes, getting agitated. I contemplated just leaving her when i heard the sounds of her footsteps coming down the stairs. I practically swallowed my tongue at the sight of her. She’d changed her boots to something less high, and traded her clothes of yesterday for blue shorts that hugged her hips and ass. A plaid shirt that she tied at the center, i could see her black lacy bra through the gap in the shirt.

Her hair was packed up into a pony tail.

“Sorry, i had to call my family. To let them know I’m okay.” her words brought me back to reality. What the fuck was i doing again?

“Right.” i cleared my throat as quietly as i could. “Let’s go. The first task today is to check on the crops on the other side of the land. Then the horses. And a few cows. Then i have a meeting. I believe catia will handle the chicken coup. And my brothers can handle pack business. I’ll text them to find out what they’ve done.”

Vanessa groaned, clearly unhappy with everything I’ve said. It’s funny, if she had a better attitude I’d be thinking of ways to ask her out by now.