once upon a cowboy

his second chance

he could feel her body want to relax in his arms but he knew her pride would never allow that, not yet at least. "you was right old habits do die hard." he took a deep breath of her smell in locking it away in his memories in case tonight would go bad.

Serena thought she had knew the man behind her so well but she never seen him like this. She would have normally thought it pathetic of a man to act like this, but this was no normal man though this was a cowboy who grew up quick and rough. she stopped messing with her keys and turned in his arms to see his face only hidden by the brim of his hat. shaking her head she pulled the hat off, surprising him. "you know if you was anyone else that wouldn't be so easy." not looking up at her he kept his head low.

"well lets be glad I’m not someone else." she preceded to place the hat on her own head as she turned around to unlock the front door. when she used to do that it always made him smile but now she does it out of second nature. Still so filled with rage and pain she didn't know why she even wanted to try and cheer him up anymore. all these years all she wanted was to make him feel the pain she felt but it turns out there was still the same for her secret was the same as his. she still kept his cigarettes in her car along with that same picture in the console. opening the door seemed like it was a harder task then it should have been but neither one of them felt like going inside. "why don’t I go in and grab us both a beer and we can sit out here for a minute." walking through the door she left it open so to make sure he didn't think she was going to run and hide much to her surprise he agreed and went to sit in one of the chairs she picked out months before even coming to this town. but just as she stepped into the house a dog came running down the hall and out the door. "s**t! Skal get back here!" the oversize chunk of fur rushed his way over to Gabriel as to say hi and just as quickly as he did his brother was next to him. "Sorry I spaced and forgot they was here to..."pausing to watch as the two dog's crowded Gabriel happily. "I hope you don't mind." she called back as she walked to the kitchen to grab the beers.

"it seems like you got your wolves like you wanted." the chuckle came out soft as the two large wolves tried to get him to play with them. "and it seems their more friendly than normal wolves towards people." running his hands over their soft fur and playing as much as he could in the mood he was in. a bottle appeared near his head causing him to finally look up to Serena wearing his hat once again like nothing had happen and they never been apart. taking the beer, he buried his face in his free hand allowing his lose dirty blonde hair fall around his face. Serena knew tonight was going to be a long one but to her surprise it wasn't her that started to cry first. pushing the dogs to the side and bending down cupping the rigided man’s face.

"hey look at me cowboy you got your chance to talk so come on and talk to me." she readjusted his hat on her head causing a laugh to leave his chapped lips at the sight.

"never once in the last three years did, I ever think I’d see you in that old hat again." he leaned back.

"that must explain why not only is this old feather and band I made wrapped around it." Serena stood up and walked to the nearest chair and took her seat. the two sat in silence for what felt like hours only to have Gabriel break it by apologizing again.

"I don’t know where to start I really don't but I do know I'm sorry." his eyes closed to think of the words to say as he mentally kicked himself.

"then I'll ask you the questions and you just answer them and if I think it's time for you to leave, I'll give this hat back and I want you to walk away." giving him the chance to catch up to statement.

"I’m okay with that." he leans forward using his elbows to keep him propped up on his knees sipping his beer. "where do we start?" shooting a glance over to her then straight ahead steading himself for anything she said be it poisoness hate or painful regret. he knew only one thing true though he needed this little woman in his life now and forever.

"let’s start with was it a bet when you walked up to me that night at victor's?" blindsided by the question not thinking she knew about it not showing anything in her stone-cold poker face as she tipped the beer to her lips. "oh yeah, I knew about it." waiting for his reaction, she couldn't keep it in any longer and burst into a laughing fit at his serious face like the old times. "did you really think Victor wouldn't tell me you three made a bet? " it was at that moment Gabriel knew he was going to kill his childhood friend for that one. "clearly you lost that bet ha-ha."

"I’m lost when it comes to you. so yea that bet I lost." a light chuckle parted the cloud in his mind. "you know they got married last spring finally." tilting his head to the side like it could have been us instead.

"I know they invited me. Brittney wanted me as a bridesmaid but victor told me you were his best man so I had to decline sadly...but they did send me lots of pictures you looked great in a tux but it just didn't suit you at all." she mentioned as her eyes went from the man to the two wolves play fighting each other. "yet you still wore this old hat" tipping the brim of it as she nodded.

"yeah, you know me...I don't go nowhere without it..." pausing as a memory flashed by. "I mean unless you decided it was your turn to wear it like now." using the top of the beer bottle to point at the scene in front of him. Serene had went and got comfortable wearing his hat and her legs bent and folded under her to the side holding the beer in one hand and a fresh lit cigarette to her lips. the scene in front of him was like a dream he never wanted to wake from he still couldn't believe she was here again let alone talking to him. the thought made her laugh and at the sound of it Gabriel realized his been on edge this whole time and he leaned back with a huff trying to relax.

"next question why didn't you chase after that night?" her tone almost gave away the pain she felt but she held it back. Serena promised herself she'd never let this man see her cry again. "watching him try to find the right words to say.

"honestly I was scared I was scared that when I caught up to you that poisoness tongue of yours wasn't going to let me live it down let alone walk the next day." he ran his fingers through his hair slicking it back as if he was about to put his hat back on. "hell, now I wish I had because even with your venom you’re still the only thing I’m scared of and when I woke up the next day realizing what I had done it was the worst kind of poison I’ve ever had to suffer." Gabriel couldn't begin to put into words the feeling he had the morning after that night and he truly hoped she understood the words he said. With the silence he started to get the feeling he had said something wrong and that his time was up. Going to get out of the chair she stopped him by speaking up.

"Not yet cowboy like I said you don’t get this hat back tell I’m satisfied with your answers and so far, I have more questions so it's going to be a long one." standing up and whistling for the wolves to follow her inside. "you need another one?" Nodding he stands up and points his empty bottle towards his truck.

"I’m going to need a cigarette than if that's the case..." making his way down the steps he turns around and faces her and with a rough voice he said. "woman you’re going to be the death of me. I just know it." turning back around making his way to the truck he never saw her head hang low or hear the gentle cry that left her lips. they both quickly returned to their seats on the porch again with wolves laying at their feet as if not only to protect but help calm the air if only a bit.

Serena hands him a fresh beer as she lights a cigarette for herself. "still smoking those same old cowboy killers, I see." Handing him the lighter once he had one between his lips. nodding as a thanks and looks at the pack of Marlboro reds people called cowboy killers.

"you know what you never really told me why their called that." placing the pack in his shirt pocket handing the lighter back.

"Marlboro's original spokesman was a cowboy like camel had their talking camel and so over time as those cowboys started die because of the cigarettes they shortly became known as the cowboy killers." she stated as a matter of fact. "but most people don’t know that story so it confuses them when I say it." with a shrug of her shoulders she readjusted and got comfortable in her seat again. "why did you lie to me and tell me you couldn't spend the last night with me because the ranch needed you?" getting to the point was never her weak point but it was one of the reasons he longed for this day but also dreaded it the most.

"it was Brandon’s birthday and he wanted me there..." and it was the truth the worst and stupidest truth he ever had to emit. "and I still wasn't ready for you to meet my family or find out my secret." with a pinch to the bridge of her nose Serena tried to calm her nerves, but with no success she jumped to her feet.

"you was scared...GABRIEL!" her anger fueling her toxic words. "you’re such a damn fool you know that!" not giving the man a chance to speak or finish his explanation. “I have half a mind to throw this hat at you and tell you to get the hell off my porch but I’m not done with you just yet."

"please just let me finish." standing himself out of the chair and towering over her. “I was scared of what you would think or do and I half a mind to be right about that after hearing what you said about my brother." with his empty hand he rubs the back of his head with a small sigh.

“I said that because his eyes reminded me of you and the anger I have for you just flowed out of my mouth and you know I was never good at filtering my words." throwing her hands in the air as a sign of giving up. "you also SHOULD have known me than well enough that I never would have cared about your family or their money all I needed and wanted was you." her temper over powered her and the tears started to flow. "great now look what you did." she attempted to pull her sleeve over her hand to wipe the tears away but everything was a blur. Gabriel saw her struggling so he braved the consequences of touching her in a state like this one and used his own sleeve to do the job. "so your last name is really Ellison?" trying to think of the name and where she heard it from when it suddenly hit her. "the Tavern Ranch!" suddenly she started laughing to no surprised to Gabriel it wasn’t the first time this has happened and he realized long, long ago that it won’t be the last. What did surprise him was how she put two and two together so quickly. With a confused look he tilted her head up so he could see her face under the hat.

"yeah, the Tavern Ranch how did you know?" the look on his face caused her laughter to only grow.

"Your father is actually the reason I’m back!" a panic switch flipped in Gabriel's head as he tried to understand what she meant. "yeah, I met your father when I first started coming to Montana for fur traps four years ago his ranch was having problems with coyotes and wolves so I offered to help in return I kept the furs and meat." her laughter started to die down as she explained even further. "to be honest now I’m confused how we never once met all the times I was there checking traps or even talking with your father." Gabriel finally was able to breathe a complete sigh of relief when her laughter faded through the trees and he hung his head like a fool. "So, were you ever going to tell me or was I just going to chance seeing you on the ranch randomly?"

“I was but I wanted to talked to my family about you staying with me in the spare cabin...but now that I think about it that was a bad idea to wait." slapping his palm against his forehead he couldn't stop the thoughts running through his head. "honestly everything I did in that department was stupid I should have just told you from the start. Victor kept busting my ass about it when he found out, hell the man hasn't dropped it since everything happened." admitting his mistake Gabriel was more than anxious about what was now going through the spit fire woman in front of him. It was now that it registered, he may never get to see her again after this so he stopped hesitating and pressed his lips against hers as if she was his last chance for air. Serena tried to fight her body's reaction to the kiss but it was useless he was her kryptonite and her body's worst addiction. when Gabriel felt her body relax into the kiss, he hungrily wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her even closer, hoping she wouldn't notice the way his own body heated and came alive just from a kiss. three years Serena went without attention from other man it just never felt right or at least as right as it felt with this cowboy. the cold air around them melted away and left only their smell. she hoped he couldn't smell what the kisses had done to her as he pulled away leaving their faces only inches away. the two seemed breathless but that simply caused the need for more to grow. the two locked eyes and Serena snapped out of it and pushed the stunned man away.

"no this is not happening right now I’m still furious with you." she shook her body as to calm it down, however this was to shut it off and regain her footing with unstable legs and the thoughts of more and more of the rough cowboy she once loved. Hell, who she foolishly still loved that cowboy no matter what he had done. “why did you kiss that blonde at the bar.” Throwing Gabriel for a loop to try and stabilize his thoughts.

"I didn't she was drunk and as you walked in, she threw herself onto me and I was so shocked seeing you walk through the door that I couldn't react fast enough to stop her. In all honesty I was surprised and not paying attention to my surroundings like I should have been." sitting back down he hung his head between his elbows propped on his knees.

“I don't believe that. Your always on your toes because of your life style. So, your telling me that you weren’t paying attention of your surroundings is invalided." she backed up and leaned against the porch railing crossing her legs processing everything that was happening and being said.

"if you don’t believe me ask Victor...hell I supported a black eye the whole week after because of him." he huffed out and shook his head. "he was disappointed in me and made it well known. to me and the whole damn town." the image made Serena laughed

"well, you deserved it." her eyes never left him as she watched and hoped for some kind of sign, she could use to get this man off her porch before that kiss wasn't the only thing that happened tonight.

"frankly I deserved way more than just a fresh shiner after that." as a matter fact that is true Serena thought but didn't say it, she only just sighed and hung her head trying to figure out the final question.

"Gabriel it wont ever be as it was between us and you know that. so, what do you want to come out of this?" straightening up she walked closer to him simply to be the one that towered over him for once.

“I just want you to forgive me, even if you don’t give me a second chance. all I ask for is your forgiveness." he looked up and laying his head against her stomach. with a deep breath Serena wrapped her arms around his head and kissed the top of his head.

"look up at me please." resisting the urge was a futile attempt and as he rolled his head back, she cupped his cheeks with both hands and pressed their lips together for a second time. He stayed in his seat for this one and swiftly snaked his arms around her waist picking her up with easy as he stood up. "cowboy I forgave you long ago but my pride wouldn't allow me to see or speak to you tell now." she spoke softly as the kiss ended. the once sleeping wolves now under foot making sure Gabriel couldn't move not knowing what was going on.

"what are their names?" he looked down making sure not to trip or drop Serena.

"Skal and Hati. but I doubt they'll listen to you. Their named after the sons of Fenris." rolling her eyes she tried to get the over sized dogs to move.

"seems like a challenge if I do say so myself. and who would have thought a rough cowboy would have been trapped by a venom’s Viking woman." with a smirk Gabriel whistled to get their attention. "Skal! Hati! inside now." with a stern voice Serena's body tensed in his arms and he looked at her with concerned, tell he put two and two together and smiled really big. "oh, so I see that's still a thing."

"put me down." her face beat red she barked out more irritated because the two traitors ran inside at the command leaving her behind. "Traitors the both of you." grumbling as he reluctantly put her down on her own two feet. with out missing a beat she took the hat off and placed it back on the man's head. she took a few steps ahead towards the door and stopped. "well, it's late I’ll need a ride back into town tomorrow to get my truck from Victor's you might as well stay tonight and we can head to the ranch first thing in the morning from here." noticing the confused look on the cowboy she laughed. “I told you, didn't I? your father is the reason I’m back in town. ya’ll are having another problem with coyotes, right?"

"yeah out in the east fields we haven't been able to get the cattle out there and keep them safe at the same time." making his way to her and motioning for her to go inside first. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight than." the words stung Serena's heart but she really didn't know what she was expecting at this point, it was her who said that things were going to be different from now on but at the same time she still thought about sleeping with the man once again.

"okay but don't complain to me if you wake up with one of the dogs laying on you." making her way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "need a glass before..." cut off by the sight of a half naked cowboy in her living room nearly made her drop the glass. Never once did she forget that sight after three years yet now it seems like there was more scars than she remembered. not paying him any mind as he asked if she was okay. She swiftly made her way to him and placed her hand over a new scar across his pecks, only to have his skin twitch from her cold fingers. noticing what caught her attention he place one of his frim hands on top of her's as if to comfort her.