Uncle Colt clenches his jaw. It's obvious he's frustrated about whatever they are discussing. He takes a few seconds and then stomps out of the house leaving me with my oldest cousin Noah and great aunt.

"Sorry about my dad," Noah offers. "He's having a bad day."

"My son doesn't like people messing with his business or his family. If he feels threatened in any way you'll never hear the end of it." She leads me toward the front circular staircase. "You know what room you'll be using. Go on upstairs with your things. Noah will help you carry them, won't you, son?"

"Yeah, Gram. I've got her covered."

She snags me up and plants an adoring kiss on my cheek. "It's going to be nice to have company for a change."

Noah and I get all of my belongings carried up to the room that's waiting for me. It's the one I always stayed in as a child. Each bedroom has it's own bathroom, so I won't need to worry about invading anyone else's privacy. My aunt's room is at the opposite end of the home, while her housekeeper, and best friend Lucy, has a room on the lower level, all to herself.

After my cousin leaves, I make a quick call to my mother to let her know I've made it safely, then I start unpacking my things and putting them in their new places around the furnished room. The bed is a thick solid wood, both the head and footboard have posts. I've always wondered if anyone had used them s.e.xually, but never had the courage to ask. Even though they're family, I draw the line when it comes to talking about fornication with most of them, especially my elderly aunt.

When I think I have everything in a suitable place, I grab a quick shower and change my clothes. My cousin Addison has recently moved back to the ranch with her boyfriend, Cole. He's a tattoo artist, who happens to have promised to work on me as soon as I've arrived. I'm eager to have piece put on the left side of my rip cage.

The ranch is over a thousand acres now, it's split between farm fields and thick forest. There are a ton of houses located on the property. About a quarter mile from the main house is where Uncle Colt and Aunt Van live. They have an extremely large log home he custom built right out of college. His oldest son Noah, built his house in the farthest owned part of the land. It's similar to his father's but much more lavish. With the help of his famous country singer wife, they've made it a place that you'd see in magazines. Aunt Van's parents retired and had a modular home put in somewhere in the woods. I've only been there a couple of times, and if it wasn't for a long gravel path I wouldn't be able to find it.

In the center of the large ranch are several one story houses. Some are for the workers, who choose to live on the premises, while others have been handed down from family for each of us to live in. Right now Addison and Cole are living in my grandmother's house, which is her Aunt Karen. After she married the retired sheriff John, they moved into his place a few miles away. We've all shared memories at this place, so as I stroll up upon it I'm taken back by the comfort it gives me to know I'm still surrounded by people who love me. I suppose I'm lucky. I don't have to run away to a new place and start from scratch. There is always a home away from home when it comes to my family, and for that I'm grateful.

I don't bother knocking, though I'm regretful when I walk through the rear kitchen and get an eyeful as I make it to the living room. Addison is on her knees in between Cole's legs. He's got his eyes closed and his head back. While turning my head to prevent the image from being permanently etched in my brain, I contemplate leaving and knocking. They've obviously not noticed company has arrived, and I'm pretty surprised she'd do such a thing with her back door unlocked for anyone to walk in.

Since I like causing a ruckus I decide to shock her. I clear my voice and wait for them to react.

Addison backs away and literally sits on Cole's lap. He clenches up from her weight being thrown on his worked up predicament. She's wiping her lips while her horrified eyes focus on me. "What the h.e.l.l, Cal?"

I sit on the couch across from them as if nothing is wrong. "What? You told me to come over when I got here. I've already unpacked, no thanks to you helping."

"Cole got off work early. We, uh, never mind. Whatever. Don't act like you've never done it."

"I haven't," I tease. "I'm a good girl. My daddy wouldn't approve of such acts."

She tosses a pillow at me. "You're full of it. I know for a fact you've done much worse."

"Can we take a second from bickering to allow me to get my d.a.m.n pants up?" Cole finally speaks.

I stand and amble into the kitchen, where Addy follows. She sits on the first chair she comes to. "So, are you ready to start your life over?"

I shrug. "Your mom said she might have a salon I can work at. She said someone just quit at the place she gets her hair done. I'm supposed to go there tomorrow and meet with the owner."

"That's cool. I remember her mentioning it. Did Cam and Wes get back from the honeymoon?" She asks.

My head moves from side to side, though I still answer. "Nope. They're not expected back for a couple more days. Mom told them to take their time. She likes having baby Maddy at the house."

"I bet. Wow. I can't believe they're finally grandparents, and Cammie was the first to give them one. I figured it would be you, Ca.s.sie or even Josh."

I roll my eyes. "Josh might already have kids. He's such a manwh.o.r.e."

She snickers. "Well, when you look like he does I suppose you can be whatever you want."

I reach over and shove her. "Ew, that's incest."

"I'm only stating the obvious. He's a handsome fellow and unfortunately he knows it."

"Yeah, that's so true."

She pauses when Cole walks into the room. He's snickering, pretending to ignore me while grabbing a bottle of water out of the refrigerator.

I give my attention to Addy to make it less awkward. "So, when are we going out?"

She sighs. "We can go out tonight, but not too late. Cole has a sleeve he's working on and the session starts tomorrow morning bright and early."

"That's fine. I'm tired from driving anyway. It's boring when you're alone."

"Tell me about it. I hate doing it. I'd rather ride with Mom and Dad and have to listen to their music the whole way."

We both giggle. It's untrue. Addy would do anything to avoid that. She's pretty much the wild child out of her siblings. Noah has his s.h.i.t together, helping his father run the business, while Christian has graduated from college and built a house with her fiancee, Ethan. The property to their home b.u.t.ts up against the Mitch.e.l.l ranch. In fact, Ethan's family partnered with ours when the couple committed. Addison has always been pretty outgoing, but not in a sense where she was a great student or aspiring business woman. She works for a non-profit organization helping people with addiction. There was a time when she needed the treatment herself. That's where she met Cole. Everyone thought it was a terrible match, but they've proven their love for one another. When Cole isn't tattooing, he's helping out around the ranch. In fact, I think my uncle is finally able to appreciate the guy for loving his difficult daughter.

"Cole, don't you have any hot friends you can hook me up with?"

He leans over Addy's chair as he answers. "That depends what you're into."

"I'm open-minded," I lie. My standards are far too high to a.s.sume they'll be met by someone matching us up.

"I'll introduce you to some of my friends, but I'm not making any promises. If you're looking for something serious then I'm not the guy to talk to. My friends don't want to be tied down, and the ones that do are already involved."

"Story of my life!"

"I hear through the grapevine that you hooked up with some guy when you went to visit Lys. Is it true?"

"What? Cam told you, didn't she?"

She shrugs. "Well, we were kind of talking about you moving on from Wes and the topic came up. She seemed happy for you."

"Of course she was. I wasn't trying to cause problems for her."

"What was he like? Did you get his number? Was he hot? I bet he has dark hair. You love a guy with a thick c.o.c.k," She corrects herself immediately while cackling. "I mean locks."

"You are absolutely terrible," I laugh with her. "But he did have both attributes, and no, I didn't get his number. We're not friends. I actually can't stand him. We screwed out of boredom. It happened and then I left. I'll probably never see him again, so all is good with the world."

"That settles it then. We need to find you a man, p.r.o.nto." I like the way she thinks, but know it won't be as simple as I'd like.

"I need to focus on me first. As much as I'd like to meet Mr. Right, I'm afraid he'll turn out to be Mr. Right Now, and that's a waste of my time." I quickly change the subject. "What's going on with your dad and Noah? They were having a heated discussion when I arrived."

"Who knows? I stay out of the drama with those two. They argue about everything, because they're exactly the same people. It gets old fast. Mom just ignores it. I guess she's used to living with dad."

"She adores your dad. They have a perfect marriage."

"Your parents are just as happy."

Cole chimes in. "You're both lucky. Look at my family history. I'm ashamed to be related to those people. Then there's my adoptive parents and my half-wit step-brother. I can't get away from the s.h.i.t."

Addy pulls his arms across the front of her. "You have us now, babe. Mom and Dad think you're great."

"Yeah, but I was once the enemy, so I have to tread lightly. One mistake and I'm back to square one."

Cole is right. It's hard being an outsider. Our family is tight knit. It takes a while for us to trust, and even longer for someone to be welcomed in.

"Don't worry. I think as long as you keep taking care of Addy you don't have anything to worry about. She's a hard one to deal with, kind of like her father in some ways, though she refuses to admit it."

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Yeah, she's tough, but well worth the struggle," he teases before leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "You ready to get some work done? I've got the whole design drawn up to size. We can do it here. I have my supplies with me."

I clap my hands together excitedly. "Let's do it!"

Chapter 10.

Callie I wasn't aware how painful the tattoo would be to get over my ribs. It's bandaged up with a loose top covering it. Addy has picked out a local spot for us to grab a late dinner and some entertainment. Christian and Ethan have decided to join us, so we're all piling into my aunt's SUV to get there.

Since we just spent time together for the wedding, there isn't much catching up to be done. We settle for small talk, or more chatting about the mischievous things our family members get in to.

Our meals come and some of us order drinks, while others stick to sweet tea on account of being recovering addicts. I'd never want to be a bad influence for what they've accomplished but have been rea.s.sured their choices don't have to be reflected by others. Every once in a while Addy and Cole will have a few drinks. Since they're addictions were mostly with drugs, I tend to worry less. My dad went through the same thing before I was born. He still drinks his beer and bourbon, but never until it gets out of hand. Moderation is the key, at least with our kin.

While the band sets up I enjoy my surroundings. It's surreal to call this home, and I'm too excited to allow myself to get scared. New opportunities will soon arise, and with them I'll be forced to make a decision regarding where I'll want to end up.

The band plays the first country ballad and the crowd of patrons begins to get up and dance. I watch as Christian and Ethan make their way onto the dance floor. Addy soon pulls Cole out of his seat, though he fights her tooth and nail. I can tell this isn't exactly his scene, but Addy always wins. He gives her anything she wants, and he likes it.

I sit alone watching my cousins loosening up and entertaining themselves. The second song comes on and it's slower. I turn and sip at my drink, only to notice someone taking the seat beside me. a.s.suming it's one of my family members I don't look over.

His voice sends chills through my body, and not the kind that excite me. I'm unnerved. It's not possible.

"I thought that was you. Small world, Callie."

I'm staring at him, but unable to accept this is real. I have to be dreaming. Perhaps the drinks at this establishment are too strong for me. "Cob?"

"Unless you know someone else with this face."

Of course he'd be sarcastic. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same."

"I moved here."

"Really? Interesting." He sips at a beer he's brought over with him.

"Seriously, this is freaking me out. Why are you in Kentucky?"

"Work. Leisure. I guess a bit of both." He smiles. "It's crazy running into you."

"Crazy is a good way to put it. I didn't think I'd ever see you again," I admit.

"Feeling bad about how you left my bed?"

"No!" I shake my head and try not to think back to that night. "Not at all.''

"I didn't expect you to stick around, Callie, though I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it. The things you could do with your legs. G.o.d, it still makes my d.i.c.k get hard."

I can feel my cheeks turning a shade of crimson. "Let's get something straight right now. What happened between us was a one time thing. I'm not interested in you. Just because we happened upon each other for a second time doesn't mean it's a sign we should hook up again. Got it?"

"So, if I asked you to dance you'd say no?"

"Absolutely."

He stands and extends his hand anyway. "Come on. You know you want to."

I roll my eyes but figure it's better than sitting alone while my cousins are having fun. "Fine. One dance."

"Three," he counters.

"Two."

"Four."

I laugh at his reply. "You make no sense."

He pulls me close and stares deeply into my eyes, making me feel things I don't want happening. "I make complete sense."

My arms fold around his neck as the song continues. I rest my face at the side of his so I don't have to get lost in his stare. This man makes me want him, even though I know it's wrong on so many levels. Then I start to wonder. We've been together. It won't be like putting another notch into the belt of men I've been with. He's nothing new to me, still familiar enough for me to recall every way he touched me. As the beat of the tune slows he holds me near. "The last time we danced you were pretty buzzed. You seem to have more rhythm tonight."

"Shut up. It's better if we don't talk."

"You said that before, but we both know where we ended." He spins me around before continuing. "Do you regret it? Is that why you left without saying goodbye? Did you want to pretend it didn't happen?"

"Why do you care? You probably have your choice of women. I was the consolation prize when your date left, remember?"

"She didn't leave on her own accord. I sent her away, because there was something more interesting waiting for me."

I slap him lightly and start to walk away. He pulls me back into his arms and forces his lips against my ear. "Admit you wanted me."

I'm not afraid of him. He's taunting me to see how far I'll allow him to take it. At the same time, I'm being pushed to remember every single detail of the pa.s.sion we shared when I spent the night with him. "I used you."

It's not all a lie. His purpose was served.

"Maybe at first."