Shenanigans (Complete)

Monsoon

Holly's POV

Monsoon season was set to start in the next week. It had been a quiet week, no Marc or anyone while I had been prepping the ranch. The number of storms and rain varied but the crazy wind and lightning always were normal. I called Clint for the last few items as I knew it may be a bit before I could get back to town. He said it would be two days before they could deliver as everyone was doing the same.

I didn't worry I went on with getting my other things in order. Spending time on getting the doors sectioned with locks and making sure the stall doors had locks that worked as well. Once the storms started it was better to keep them confined than getting hit by the wild lightning or falling debris.

I made a few extra meals and put them in the fridge just in case my power went out I had some things prepped as well. By the time all this was done, including feeding and cleaning, it had been two days. My livestock guardian dog brought my thoughts to a halt as she announced visitors had arrived.

"Clint!" I smiled when I saw him and Marc sitting in the truck. I glanced at Marc to just nod. I was not sure what our relationship was and I was not going to chase it to find out. Chasing it would be bad for me at the very least. At the worst things between us could implode into absolute chaos. I wouldn't change that kind of heartbreak. I reminded myself time and again that he was leaving in less than 7 months now.

They pulled up the hay barn as I got there. "How are you doing on your bran and other bits? I brought some extra just in case." Clint smiled.

"Thank you! I am not sure how long I will be stuck here." I smiled.

I walked to the back of the truck to see Marc, in just a white tank, enhancing his tan and showing off more of his tattoos than I had seen before. His muscles rippled as he moved the bales of hay in the shed. I had named him right as a hay god. I gulped and turned a pretty shade of tomato red. I am happy neither saw the blush. My first kiss was here and so was the man who gave it. Sweet baby Jesus this was gonna be a long morning. I turned to see Clint piling bags of grain and bran in the big cart to take them to the other shed for grain. I didn't notice that Marc had stopped.

"You remembered," Marc's words whispered in my ear.

I shivered at his words. Yet, straightening my spine I retorted, "It was my first how could I forget." I shrugged as if it didn't affect me.

Hands spun me around backing me to a spot just out of sight. Marc's body holding me against the truck as I tilted my head up to see him. "Someone needs a reminder of that event." His words were husky with a hint of warning.

"It was a one-time thing." I batted my lashes at him. I had no idea why I was goading to him. I didn't want him to get close yet here I was baiting him with my words.

"Oh yeah," he chuckled leaning in closely he brushed his lips over mine as his nose bopped mine in a hello that made my knees weak. He hovered over my lips a hairs breath away, watching me lick them in response. My breath was quicking, I wanted him to finish the process.

He stood then, walking away back to the work of unloading. My chest fell, my body deflated and I felt upset. Why? I didn't want him to kiss me again. I could still smell his Irish spring soap and the musk swirling around me. I squeezed my eyes closed took a deep breath and shook out the tingles that had formed. I would not be a puddle of goo at this man's feet. Stepping around the truck I seen Clint helping him unload. Making me wonder if why he stopped was because of Clint or because he wanted to. Either way, I need distance between us.

"I am gonna head to the house for a minute, I got a new puppy I need to check on," I spoke, my voice staying steady.

"What kind?" I heard Clint ask.

"Another Livestock guardian. I saw wolf tracks, I don't want her all alone out here." I started off to the house.

Inside I breathed a sigh. I was safe in here. Looking at the young Turkish Anatalion puppy I smiled. I had a Great Pyrenees and with this guy, I would have a good team. Either of their skills was second to none when it came to watching a place. I scratched his ears and let him out in the backyard to tinkle.

I put the little brown ball of fur back to his kennel as I headed back out to the hay shed. It had been enough time that I had hardened from my melting and found the steel in my spine.

"Hey, Holly." Clint waved me over. "Melissa just called to say that Sandy, Ernie, and Dale all lost animals over the last few days." Clint had a surprised look on his face that turned to worry. "Trail cams from Marion's property picked up a pack of 20 wolves moving through. They didn't stop because of her large pack but they looked to be headed this way." I could see the worry on his face.

"I have almost everyone locked down." I looked at Clint. "I installed some remote viewing trail cams when I had some feral dogs cross by. I should be ok." I patted his shoulder. "I will go grab my pistol and start carrying it just in case." I gave him a grand smile.

Out here you learn to deal with what comes. Be it danger in any form. I got my first livestock dog after I had run face to face with a bobcat near my chicken pen. Also picked up a pistol when I went out to feed and found a mountain lion sleeping on top of my hay shed. I shot around in the dirt to scare him off the next time I saw him. Wolves in a pack made me nervous. That would be too much for the one LGD. I had a couple of Catahoulas and a pit bull mix from when I lived in town but I kept them in the back yard and gave the Livestock guardian the area to roam for her job. I would be ready for what storm showed up. Monsoon rains or wolves.

He finished up as I went to the hay shed to see how much they had brought in. I would be good for another 3 to 4 weeks it looked. That made me happy. No doubt another month of not seeing Marc, so he would be closer to leaving. I felt a sting in my chest about that. But, pushed it down with a shake of my body.