Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

“Jessie, this is my Ava. Ava, this is Jessie.”

“Hello, Jessie,” she says so sweetly that I feel my hold tightening on her waist.

As if sensing my tension, he doesn’t take this time to goad me. “Hello, Miss Ava.”

“So any ideas who could have done this?” Ava asks.

“I don’t know, but I will find out,” I promise, moving my arm around her shoulder and tugging her down to rest her head on my chest.

She wants answers I don’t have. This was supposed to be a magnificent night. A small demonstration of what it’s like to be my wife. For the first time in my life, I’ve found someone who makes me undeniably happy, and someone’s trying to ruin it.

Ava starts to lose some of the tension in her body, but I know the second she sees the damage to the front of the ranch, she’s going to freak out. Her life has been flipped upside down for weeks now, and I just want it to be right side up again.

I think about how there’s nothing on camera of this person crashing into the ranch. We apparently don’t have enough cameras at the ranch or in town. According to the string of texts I received at dinner, the vehicle was there, but pointless since I learned it was stolen. I do my best not to be upset, but seeing Ava scared pisses me off to the point that I want to smash this person’s head in.

When we arrive at the ranch entrance, I see two ranch hands attempting to move the debris and repair what they can. Jessie doesn’t stop because he knows Ava doesn’t need to be around all this mess. He pulls up to the house and I step out, helping Ava to her feet. “Thanks, Jessie. I’ll be out shortly.”

“Sure thing, Tobias. I’ll see what else John needs from me.” I close the door and then take Ava’s hand as we walk up the front porch. Her tension radiates through her and I’m hoping that I can find a way to calm her down. “Babe. I’m going to make sure no one comes to hurt you.”

“Somehow they found me,” she says as she slides off my coat. I take it and set it on the chair near the door.

Needing to stop that crazy talk of hers, I take her hands in mine. “I don’t believe that. I fired a couple of people at the end of the summer. It could be their way of getting revenge on me. Do you think your father would just commit petty crimes to get to you? He wouldn’t want to tip his hand like that. If he did, he’s a fool because I’m doubling the security by the end of the day tomorrow. I’m betting he’d come to steal you, but that won’t happen.”

My guys are already patrolling the area. The house has security, but it’s nowhere near enough. I’ll be doubling down in the morning. Landon’s already made some calls, and he’s having a friend from Texas come up to install all the equipment we need. Our town is usually super safe. In all my life, I’ve never had an incident on the ranch. Now, I have someone looking to start some shit.

“I’ll be back down later.” I shoot off a couple of texts and then lock up the house, hitting the security alarm. Turning to Ava, I scoop her up into my arms and carry her upstairs to our bedroom.

Setting Ava down on our bed, I stare at her, and I’m pissed. She looks absolutely perfect tonight. It was supposed to be special. We had our first real date. I wanted to show her the best of what we could have together. Now she’s upset, her hands folded in her lap are shaking.

Looking up at me, she says, “I need you to hold me, Tobias.”

I wrap her up in my arms, place a kiss on the top of her head, and whisper, “Forever, Ava. Forever.” I pull back, bend down and take her foot in my hand. Slowly I undo her heels, sliding one and then the other off. Kneeling in front of my love, I skim my hands over her thighs, pushing her dress up. Kissing her thighs then her covered mound, I move upward and take off her dress. She reaches for my sweater, but I grip her hands and halt her movements. “Ava, we don’t need to have sex. I’m just trying to get you ready for bed.”

“I need you, Tobias.”

“Anything for you.” Leaning forward, I taste her lips, kissing her gently. We’re going to take this very slow. We make love until we’re both coming apart. I wrap her up in my arms, holding her tightly.

As soon as she’s asleep, I leave to meet with the guys and make a few calls before I come in for the night. It’s about eleven when we finally call it a night.