Alive and Wells (Wells Ranch #1)

by Bailey Hannah

It’s official. I’m definitely dead because there’s no way this grizzly bear of a man who seems to like looking at me, but isn’t interested in talking to me, wants me to text him.

“Honey, you came in from a heck of a storm. You can’t expect to immediately be warm and dry. All you can do is strip the wet clothing, wrap yourself in a blanket, and allow yourself the time it takes to weather it.

She chuckles. “Probably true. Am I often wrong, though?” “Wrong or not, I’m not interested.” I’m a pathetic liar. I’m so interested it’s pissing me off, to be honest.

“Don’t you need to get ready?” “I guess so.” I slam back my coffee and, feeling the weight of his gaze on my body, I turn and wink. “I don’t think you want me to go. You just want to watch me leave.”

She’s looking at me the way she always does—like she sees me. And that scares the shit out of me.

What if your great-grandparents planted them on purpose or something?” “They’re both dead.” He shrugs. “You’re here right now—alive and well on my ranch. I care a heck of a lot more about you being comfortable than their spirits potentially getting riled up over some silly flowers.”

“I’d really like to kiss you right now…” The way his voice trails off tells me there’s more to that thought. I whisper, “But?” “But I won’t want to stop there. I’ll want to run my hands over your body, and kiss every inch of your skin. And I can’t. Not when you constantly shy away from my touch.” “I don’t—” I try to argue. Deny reacting with anything other than pure desire at the thought of his hands on me. Coming to grips with the idea that I might be ruined by KJ—never able to stand the touch of another man without flinching—is crippling. “You do. When the time comes where I can do this,”—his rough hand gently cups my chin and his throat bobs with a hard swallow—“without feeling every muscle in your jaw tense, I’ll kiss you until you’re unable to breathe. And a whole lot more, if you’ll let me.”

There’s a mutual understanding that we will kiss—it’s a matter of when, not if. And, for now, I’m happy with the long glances, subtle smiles, and footsies under the kitchen table. All of it is a constant reminder that we both want it to happen. I’m willing to wait to kiss her for as long as I need to.

“You’re safe. As long as you’re here with me, you’re safe. I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” I whisper into her hair.

And then you’ll stay at my house until the guys come back from Stampede. When they’re back, we’ll make sure there’s somebody outside your place every night until he admits defeat… or shows up here and gets a nice Wells Ranch welcome.

“You’ve had so many things happen to you—things the most resilient people I know wouldn’t come back from. Yet somehow, you’re still the sunshine of this damn ranch. I would’ve never guessed you had this much crap going on. Shit, I have no idea how you’re as strong as you are.”

“You deserve nothing but a loving touch. Always. You’re not damaged or broken. You’re perfect, but your body’s scared… for good fucking reason. And I don’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. Especially when I’m not sure you’d tell me if you were.”

I’m completely at her mercy, and that’s exactly where I want to be.

It’s the feeling of coming home from a long trip. It’s the warmth of the summer sun as you lie in a hammock with a great book. It’s the kind of kiss that lasts forever and ends too soon.

“Thank you. I’d hate for the first time you see me naked to be while I’m beating the shit out of your ex-husband.”

He looks at you like you painted the night sky.”

want to soak in the feeling of playing house for as long as she’ll have me, daydreaming about a future where she’s my wife.

“I’m not dealing with you. I’m here because I want to be. I want to sort this shit out together. Because this,”—my finger circles between us—“thing that’s happening with us is worth it. You’re worth it.”

Batman or not, he’s the one who fucked up, and I’ll be the one who gets the girl in the end. I’ll make sure of it.

I can’t get enough. She is everything. I could stay here, with her, for the rest of my life.

“But if you’re looking for a ride that’ll make you feel alive and possibly cause serious bodily harm, I’m right here.” A sputtering laugh is enough to make me look up at her. “Austin, I’m still pissed off at you. But, I have to tell you, that’s easily the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard somebody say.”

This is it. The moment when she says this has been a rebound. Nothing serious. And then I go home alone again. Swells of fear and loneliness engulf me from all sides. Her leaving has always been inescapable. Falling in love with her was, too.

“I’m the one who went and fell in love knowing damn well you wouldn’t feel the same. You made it worth the risk of getting hurt, because you’re incredible and make me feel things I didn’t think I was capable of… whether you’re in my life for a few months or fifty years, it’ll never be enough for me. So, fuck it, I’ll love you for as long as you’re here. I fell for you, knowing I would most likely lose you one day. And if you don’t have the same feelings, or if you want to leave the ranch at the end of the summer, I understand. I’m sure you’ll want to go back to the city once KJ’s not a threat. I just… needed to try.”

The ranch is my home. You are my home. There’s nowhere else I would rather be than here with you.”

“I love you, Austin.” “You do?” As if she’s talking directly to my heart, she whispers into my chest, “You’ve never made me feel broken when I can’t handle your touch. Even when I’ve told you about the most fucked up parts of myself, you don’t stop showing me how much you care. And you don’t only care about me—you take care of all the people you love. You’re such a good man without even trying to be. You’re sweet, protective, funny. You read cattle ranching magazines and watch Happy Days like a seventy-year-old man. How could I not love you?”

“You’re not broken. Not to me. I’ve never wanted you to feel that way.” “Neither are you, Aus. I don’t know how anybody could leave you. You’re worthy of having somebody stay, and I want to be that person. I’m not leaving you. Not today, tomorrow, or next year. Not ever. In fifty years, you can die before me so you never need to feel abandoned again.”

“You okay, darlin’?” he calls out to me. I give him a shaky, uncertain nod. I think I’m okay. Then he turns and says, “You KJ?” And Austin, my fucking cowboy, smashes his fist straight into KJ’s nose.

This time it’s Denny’s fist that lands square in his gut. “God, he’s fucking stupid. Who gets hit that many times and doesn’t learn to shut their trap?”

“You were there when it mattered.” “I always will be.”