In To Blue: Book One Of The Blue Series (10 page)

After we arrive back at the house, we unload and put away the groceries.  I go outside and check on the horses.  I miss Blue so much.  I wish he was here.  I call Buddy.  “Hey Avery.  What’s going on?”  “Nothing much Buddy.  Just missing you all.  How is Blue?”  “He is good.  I just finished taking him for a walk.  He has been acting a little strange. I think he misses you.”  “I miss him too. 

How are things going?”  “Good Avery, everything is running smoothly.”  “Any word on Coy?”  I shiver as I say his name.  “No Avery.  They can’t find him.  He is holed up somewhere.  We just don’t know where.”  “I don’t want to keep you from the ranch.  Give Uncle Rex my love.”  “Will do Avery.  Bye.” 

The day flies by and before I know it Zander and I are in the kitchen cooking up a storm.  I hear my phone beep as I am receive a text messages.  I leave my phone on the counter and get back to cooking.  We are having so much fun and we are able to put together a wonderful dinner.  “Avery go get ready. I can finish this up.” 

I take off to the guest room.  I apply my makeup and fix my hair.  I pull out the blue wrap dress I bought with Jack.  I put on a blue bustier with matching panties.  I slip on some blue heels and make my way to the living room.  Zander sets the dining room table and everyone is seated waiting on Grant.  I hear him walk through to the door as he and Jacob enter the house. 

I greet them with a smile.  He walks in and hugs me.  Grant quickly pulls me away to a corner in the living area.  “Avery, what are you doing?  This isn’t appropriate.”  “Relax and yes, it is appropriate.   I eat almost every meal with my staff.  It doesn’t make them think you expect any less of them.  It makes you human.  They will appreciate this.  Trust me you will enjoy it.”

I throw him a wicked grin.  “Grant, I take it from your reaction you are unhappy with me.  I guess this means I am behaving badly.  Maybe I will let you do something about that after our dinner.  “Oh Avery.  If it was just the two of us, having dinner we would have skipped right to dessert.”  “I am glad it worked out this way Grant.  You would be quite disappointed if I let you miss dinner.” 

We sit down at the table.  Zander and Jacob join us.  We all dig in to the delicious meal.  Everyone laughing and having a great time.  We all tell stories of stupid things we have done in the past.  Grant sits there and relaxes considerably.  I can tell by looking at him he is enjoying himself.  As we finish dinner Zander and I clear the dishes from the table. 

“Who is ready for dessert” I ask. Grant leans over and whispers.  “I am but I’m not sharing you with everyone here.”  “I made chocolate pecan pie.”  “Sounds delicious.  Although, I think you taste better than any pie.”  Grant whispers.  Using my elbow, I gently nudge Grant in his side.   

“Avery, how come you never introduced me to chocolate pecan pie when I was in Kentucky?”  “Well Grant, I was hoping to give you a reason to come back to Kentucky sometime.”  “I have all the reason I need.  The hot brown is well worth the trip.”  I gasp.  He grabs me and pulls me into his lap and kisses me.  “You are the only reason I need to go back to Kentucky.”  I quickly kiss him on the cheek and get up to help Zander serve dessert.  

Everyone enjoyed the pie.   Grant’s phone begins ringing and he disappears in to his office.  After I finish helping Zander clean up, I grab my phone and walk out to the back patio.  I never checked my text messages from earlier.  It is very peaceful out here but my thoughts wander to home.  I miss my family. I miss Blue and all of my babies.  I know this is the best place for me to be. 

I can feel myself getting closer to Grant each day.  I just don’t know how much longer I can be away from home.  I look at my phone and check my messages.  I have four messages.  I cringe.  They are all from Coy. 
You think you can hide from me?  Running off with your billionaire boyfriend is only making this worse.  You better get your ass back here.  I would hate for something bad happened while you were gone.
 
Oh no! How does he know I am with Grant
?
Tears cascade down my cheek. 

I feel his arms wrap around my waist as he nuzzles my neck.  “I would love to know what is going through your mind right now.” Grant whispers.   I quickly wipe the tears from my face.   “Actually Grant, I don’t think you would want to know.”  “You’re thinking about home aren’t you?”  “Yes”  “Don’t worry baby.  I’m sure everything is fine. 

Avery, thank you for tonight.  I enjoyed it.  You were right.  I think my staff enjoyed themselves.”  “I was hoping you liked it Grant.”  He attempts to turn me around but I break from his embrace. 

“Avery what is it?”  “Nothing.”  “Avery talk to me.  You’re upset.  I can feel it.”  He walks around and faces me.  “Baby tell me.  What is wrong?”  I can’t speak as I begin crying.  I hand him my phone.  He looks down and reads the messages.  Anger builds in him as I sense his body tense.   He quickly starts doing something on my phone.
 
Oh shit
!
I hope he isn’t responding to Coy’s texts.  I realize he isn’t when I hear his phone ding.  He forwarded the texts to his phone.  

“Avery, don’t worry about this.  He can’t hurt you.  I won’t let him.”  “Grant he knows I’m with you.  What if he finds me?  What if he goes after my family?”  “Avery don’t.  Don’t let him win.  It is just empty threats.  Don’t let him ruin this wonderful evening.”

He wipes a tear from my face and he looks into my eyes.  His facial expression is so soft.   “Avery, you mean so much to me.  I have never been as happy as I am right now with you.  You have come into my world and it is very refreshing.”  My heart sinks.  Avery, I…”  “What is it Grant?”  “It’s nothing.”  He shakes his head.  

Suddenly the softness disappears and he gives me a wicked grin.  “Now back to our discussion early about you behaving badly and how I should do something about it after dinner.”
 
The man doesn’t miss a beat
.
  “I don’t believe those were my exact words.”  “Close enough.” 

Grant quickly scoops me up, takes me back inside and into his bed room.  We stand facing each other in his room.  Grant kisses me.  “Avery I want you so bad.  I want to play with you.”  “Oh!”  This makes me a little nervous. “Grant I don’t know if I can do this.”   “Avery trust me.  I won’t hurt you.  Remember it is all consensual.”  I nod. 

He stands me up and removes my dress.  “Oh baby!  You are quite intoxicating.  I could take you right here right now.”  He kisses me hard on the lips.  He begins kissing my neck and my chest.  My reasons to not play with Grant begin to fail me.  My senses ignite from his touch. I want him so bad.  He grabs my breasts through my bustier and squeezes them hard.  “I love this on you but I prefer you naked.  He removes my lingerie faster than you can unwrap a birthday present.  He steps back and quickly removes his clothes except for his tight black boxers. 

Picking me up, he carries me into the playroom and sits me on the bed.  I am extremely nervous and scared.  This room gives me a creepy feeling. He leans over and kisses me.  “Relax baby.  There is nothing to be afraid of.  I have no intention of hurting you but I believe in safety first.  We need to have safe words.  These words tell me it is getting to uncomfortable for you and that I need to stop.”  I nod.  “We will use yellow if you are getting uncomfortable.  Yellow means you are close to your threshold and I need to back off.  If you reach your threshold and can’t take anymore we will use red.  Red tells me to immediately stop ok?”  I nod in agreeance. 

He walks over to the wall that has all of the belts and riding crops.  He grabs a pair of padded cuffs and walks back over to me.  He binds my wrist with the cuffs.  “Come over here baby.”  He walks me over to the chains hanging from the ceiling and hooks the cuffs to one of the chains.  

Walking away from me, he turns on his stereo.  Loud rock music full of guitar riffs begins playing in the background.  Grant grabs a riding crop.  “Let’s try something you are familiar with.”  He walks around behind me and slaps it on my ass making me jump.  “See baby that isn’t so bad is it”.  He flicks the crop against the back of the leg.  My skin stings slightly from the flick of the crop.  He leans into me pulling my hair back and whispers in my ear.  “See baby this isn’t so bad now is it?”  I nod.  I am so nervous I can’t speak.

Grant walks around in front of me and slides the riding crop down in between my breast and then flicks it on my stomach.  He rubs my stomach with his hand soothing my skin.  The crop is flicked against each of my breast. ‘”Owe!”  I jerk back.
 
That really hurt
.
  “You are quite sensitive there Avery. He leans down and licks each of my nipples.  I’m immediately turned on and I moan.  “I want to hear you. I want you to feel free.”  He takes the crop and flicks it on my right thigh and then right on my sex. “Fuck Grant!”  “Oh Avery.”

He takes his fingers and begins rubbing my clit.  My skin begins tingling. “Oh Grant.”  He leans in and kisses me.  “No Avery.  Not yet we aren’t quite ready for that.”  “He slowly walks around flicking the crop across different parts of my body.  He comes back behind me and leans into me. I can feel his erection against my ass. He grabs my hair and pulls my head back.  “I am going to work that tight little ass of yours over and then I am going to fuck you till we both cum.”  I really want him to skip the work and just fuck me. 

Grant flicks the crop hard against my ass.  “Ouch.”  I flinch.  That was a little painful.  He continues flicking the crop against my ass.  The stinging of my skin is becoming uncomfortable.  His speed and pressure increase.  He has gone from flicking me with the crop to downright hitting me with it.  The pain is becoming intense.  “Yellow.”  I call out for him to back off.  He doesn’t.  He continues the assault on my ass hitting me harder. 

He is so consumed in his actions and oblivious to my words.   Tears begin to fall from my face.  I can’t take this anymore. The pain is becoming more than I can handle.  “Red.”  He doesn’t stop.  He is completely lost in the moment.  My entire body on the inside is screaming and I’m terrified.  I scream “RED”  “Oh no!” He gasps.

Grant unhooks the cuffs from the chain.  He is breathing heavy as he turns me around and frees me from the cuffs.  My face is filled with tears.  “What is the matter with you?  I used the safe words and you ignored me.”  “Baby I’m sorry.  My mind went elsewhere and I got carried away.  I wasn’t paying close enough attention.” 

I am enraged and devastated at the same time.  I am so scared.   “Avery, I’m so sorry.  Please forgive me.  It won’t happen again.”  “You’re damn right it won’t happen again.”  I turn and walk toward the door to his room.  Grant chases after me.  I grab quickly pick up my dress off the floor and throw it on.  I grab the rest of my things and walk toward the door to the hallway.  Grant is right behind me.  I walk out and down the hall as fast as possible to the guest room.  I quickly run in to the guest room being sure to shut and lock the door.

Grant is beating on the door as I walk into the bathroom to take a shower.  I’m so disgusted with myself and Grant for even allowing that to happen.  I just want to wash it away.  I climb in the shower and water stings my backside as I feel the welts on my ass. I completely breakdown.  I am so devastated.  He scared me tonight. 

I can’t do this to myself.  I need to be strong.    I finish my shower and dry my hair.  I throw on a t-shirt, jeans and some boots. There is a knock at the door.  “Avery are you ok?” I refuse to answer.  “Please baby!  We need to talk about this.  I need to know you are all right.”  I wipe back the tears.  “I’m fine Grant but I do not want to talk about it.”  He stands there for a second.  “Avery please!” He begs.  “No Grant!  Leave me alone.”  “Come on Avery open up.”  “I said no!”  Finally I hear Grant walk away from the door.  I don’t want to talk to Grant about what just happened.  I don’t know what I should do.  I lost trust in him tonight and it will be hard to get that back. 

I open the door and peek outside checking to make sure Grant is gone.  I quietly walk down the hallway to the living area and I walk out back.  I walk around the back yard trying to collect my thoughts but all I do is cry. 

I walk out to the stables to visit the horses.  They all stir as I enter the stables.  I visit with the horses being sure to pet and talk to each one.  I grab one of Cash’s blankets that is stored in the supply closet.  I lay it down in front of the stalls.  I lay on my side watching the horses as they watch me.  I feel safe here.  It takes my mind away from what happened.

I awake early the next morning.  I am stiff from sleeping on the ground and sore from the lashing I got from Grant.  I feed the horses and put Cash’s blanket away.  I walk back to the house and quietly sneak in.  I walk to the guest room and I carefully sit on the bed.  I am still tired.  I lay down and fall back to sleep before dawn breaks. 

I awake to the ringing of my phone.  I am relieved to see it is Buddy. “Hey Buddy.”  “Avery, it’s Blue.” Fear builds within me in seconds.   I’m petrified.  “Oh no! Buddy what happened?”  “He was poisoned.  He is not doing well. Doc thinks he can pull through but he is in really bad shape.” 

Fear and anger fill every ounce of my body.  I know who is responsible but I can’t let myself go there. I need to focus on Blue.  “Buddy I’m coming.  I’ll be there as soon as possible.”  “Avery please be careful. Coy is still out there.”  I could give a fuck about Coy right now.  I need to see Blue.  “Buddy don’t worry. I will be fine.” 

I quickly get dressed and I pack all the stuff I brought with me, leaving only the clothes Grant paid for.  I bolt for the living area and Tony greets me.  “Avery are you ok?”  “No.  Is Grant here?”  “No.  He left with Jacob early this morning for the office.”  “Tony, there is an emergency back home and I need a ride to the airport now.”  He pauses. “Avery we really should call Mr. Harrison.”
 
Fuck!
 
I don’t have time for this shit
!

I pull out my phone and dial his number.  I turn the phone so that Tony can see who I’m calling.  Grant doesn’t answer and the call goes to voicemail.  I quickly hang up. “He isn’t answering.  Now you either give me a ride to the airport or I will call a fucking cab!”  “I will drive you.” 

On the way to the airport I call Buddy.  I wanted to check on Blue and to let him know I am on the way to the airport.  As much as I didn’t want to talk to Grant I was hoping he would call so I could explain my leaving so abruptly.    I decide to call him a second time.  After a few rings it goes to voice mail. 

Tony drops me off at the door.  “I can park the car and stay with you till you get a flight.”  “No Tony. I’ll be fine.  Thank you.”  “You’re welcome. I hope whatever the emergency is, it all works out for the best.”  “Thanks.”

I quickly haul ass inside and make it to the ticket counter and approach an older woman with gray hair.  “I need to get the quickest flight to Lexington or Louisville Kentucky.  It’s an emergency!”  “All right ma’am.  Let me see what I can find for you.” 

I am trying to be patient but the wait is killing me.  I am about to reiterate the fact that this is an emergency when she stops me “I have one ma’am, bound for Lexington.  It leaves at eleven twenty which is about an hour from now.  There is a two hour layover in Charlotte but it’s the best I can do.”  “That is fine.  I’ll take it.  Thank you so much.” 

We do the necessary transaction and I check my luggage.  I make my way to the terminal.  I glance at my phone to see if Grant has called but he hasn’t.  I call Buddy to let him know I got a flight and when I should land.  I push the issues with Grant out of my mind.  My focus is on getting back home to Blue and my family.  It’s not long before my flight is called. 

I arrive in Lexington late that afternoon.  As I walk out of the airport.  Buddy is there to greet me.  I rush into to hug him and all the pain and worry I have felt consume me.  I breakdown in tears in Buddy’s arms.  “Oh Avery.  Blue is a fighter you know that better than anyone.  You have to believe that.  He needs you to be strong.”  I finally pull it together. “Thank you for calling me.”  “Avery I couldn’t keep this from you. I wouldn’t dare.”   

Buddy puts my bags in his truck and we make our way to the ranch.  Buddy and I remain silent the entire drive.  I’m afraid to ask him anything.  I don’t want any more bad news. 

We arrive back at the ranch and it seems very somber.  “Avery I’ll get your bags.  Go see Blue.”  I quickly run inside the house. As I enter the house the mood is very saddening.  I feel worry inside the house.  I meet Marie in the kitchen.  “Oh Avery.”  She runs up and hugs me. “It’s ok Marie.  Everything is going to be fine.”  I wish I could believe the words coming from my mouth.  I quickly release her and make my way out to my stables.

I pet Tilly and Beau.  They are excited at the sight of me.  Uncle Rex is standing at Blue’s stall.  I rush up to him.  “Hey darlin.”  Uncle Rex hugs me. “He is a tough one.  He is hanging in there.” I walk over to Blue he is standing which is a good sign.  He has one of his blankets over him and is hooked up to an IV.  I can see the sickness in his eye but he seems to perk up when he sees me.  “There is my Blue.”  I pet him and wrap my arms around his neck.  “You need to get better Blue.  I can’t go riding without you.”  Tears start streaming down my face.  “You hear me Blue!  You have to get better.” 

I feel Buddy put his hand on my shoulder “Avery, he is going to pull through.  He has too.”  Doc walks up to us as I wipe my tears.  “Be straight with me Doc.  What are his chances?”  “This morning Avery, I probably wouldn’t be able to give you an answer but he has been improving.  My prognosis is guarded but optimistic.” 

I feel relieved. I know Blue isn’t out of the woods but he has a fighting chance.  “Come on darlin.  You must be exhausted.  Why don’t we get you settled back in.”  “No. I’m not leaving him.” I think Uncle Rex wanted to argue but he doesn’t.  “I need to check on some of the ranch hands darlin. I’ll come back by and see you before supper.”  Uncle Rex walks out of the stables.  “You ok Avery?” Buddy asks.  “I am now that I’m home.”  Doc interrupts.  “Avery I’m going to go make my rounds I will be back by later?”  I nod as he walks off. 

“Buddy how did this happen?”  “Avery I don’t know Chance is beside himself about it.  “They checked the feed and there was no poison in it.  Beau and Tilly ate the feed from the same bag and they are fine.  Doc even checked them out to be sure.  The feed in Blue’s food bin was the only one with poison.” 

“So it was deliberate?”  “Avery, we can’t go making assumptions”  “Did you call the Sherriff?”  “Yes and filed a report but there isn’t a lot he can do.”  “Are you fucking kidding me?  Coy is behind this!  You know it!  How in the hell did he get on the ranch?”  “I don’t know Avery.  Security is looking into it.”  “Buddy, you know he did this to get to me and he fucking succeeded.”  “Avery, calm down.  No one can find him.  He hasn’t been seen in several days.”  “That son of a bitch can do everything he wants to me but he crossed the line with Blue.” 

“The gloves are off and I’m going to finish what my daddy should have done a long time ago!  I am going to bury Coy and Reese Walker!  They will be lucky to manage a show pony by the time I’m through with them!”  “Avery stop!  Listen to yourself.  This isn’t you.  You are upset.  You don’t mean those things.”  “The hell I don’t!  I’m done with this shit!  I’m going to settle this once and for all with our without your help!  “Avery calm down.  We need to focus on Blue.  We can deal with the Walkers later.”  “Fine.” 

“Buddy I want to sleep out here tonight.  Would you grab me a cot?”  “Of course Avery.  I am going to post extra security for you tonight.”  “Ok.”  Buddy drops off a cot with a pillow and a blanket.  He tells me to call Julie.  She has been trying to call me.  I pull the cot close to Blue’s stall and sit down. 

I pull out my phone and I have several missed calls and text messages.  I forgot my phone was on silent on the plane.  I run through the missed calls.  I had 2 missed calls from Julie and 10 missed calls from Grant.  I go through the text messages.  Julie texted me several times asking about Blue and for me to call her. 

I get nervous as I click on the text messages from Grant. He has sent me several throughout the day.   
Why won’t you answer your phone?  We need to talk. 
Damn it Avery!  Answer you’re phone. 
What in the hell are you doing?  What was so important you couldn’t wait to get home?  You should have waited.    How could you do this?  I know I fucked up but you leaving me like this is not the way to handle it.  Have you forgotten Coy Walker is after you?  Do you have no regard for your own safety and those around you?
I try to get a handle on my emotions as I read the last text.
 
I
s
this your way of ending things with me?  Just run away not giving me a chance to make this right. 
Anger and sadness fill my body. 

How can he be so cold
?
  He has no idea what is going on or what I’m going through.  He actually thought I would just leave him without talking about what happened?  I start to call him but I’m so mad I stop.  Maybe this is for the best.  I can’t look past what happened and I don’t want to revisit that night.  I need to focus on Blue and I can’t let Grant interfere.   I decide to text him back.  As I fight back the tears I text
Yes
and click send. 

I text Julie. 
I’m back home Blue is hanging in there.  It has been a long day.  Can I call you tomorrow?  Tell Chance not to blame himself.  I know he had nothing to do with this. 
She immediately text me back. 
Call me first thing in the morning. 

I completely break down.
 
Why is this happening?  I don’t understand
.
  How could Coy do this?  My phone dings.  It is a text from Grant
I love you. 
My heart sinks deep into the pit of my stomach.
 
He can’t say that to me
.
  I’m trying to rationalize it in my head.  Grant only texted that because I left.  If I was with him right now he wouldn’t be saying it.  I don’t want to make this any worse than it already is.  I put my phone back in my pocket.  I stand up and start petting Blue.  This is where I need to be.  This is where I belong. 

The next morning Buddy wakes me.  “What time is it Buddy.”  “Early, very fucking early.”  I quickly jump up.  “Avery chill.  He’s fine.”  I look up at Blue.  His eyes look better.  “Doc is on his way.”  I nod. 

I feel like total shit.  My back and my ass are killing me but none of that matters.  My focus is on Blue.  Doc walks in.  “Why don’t the two of you get some air?  It will give me some room to check out my favorite patient.”  I smile and Buddy and I walk outside. 

There is a flurry of activity and everyone is already busy working.  Buddy and I just quietly stare out onto the ranch.  “Looks like you boys can run things just fine without me.”  “Oh we can run it Avery but it’s a lot more fun with you around.  Besides, we make more money when you are here.”  He laughs. 

Uncle Rex walks out.  “Darlin, how are ya this morning?”  “I’m ok Uncle Rex.  Doc is looking over Blue.”  He smiles.  “Darlin, I know you are upset about all of this.  I don’t want you doing anything foolish.  I turn and look at Buddy.  He shoots me a look to tell me he didn’t say anything.  I lie.  “I won’t Uncle Rex. I just want Blue to get better. 

Doc walks out. “I don’t know what to say.  That is one hell of a horse Avery.”  “Doc, does that mean?”  “Yes Avery.  Blue is going to be fine.  He is doing much better.  We just need to keep a watchful eye on him for the next few days.”  I jump and hug Doc as the tears start to fall.  I turn to Rex and Buddy.  We all hug.  I’m so happy.  “Darlin, why don’t you go have some breakfast and get cleaned up.  I’ll stay with Blue while Buddy checks on the boys.  “Ok.”   I hug the three of them once more and I head inside. 

I devour one of Marie’s pancakes and I run upstairs.  I get a take a shower and get dressed.  I make my way back out to my stables.  I see Uncle Rex has Blue eating feed from his hand.  Panic fills me “Now darlin, don’t worry your little head.  We are testing all of the feed so it’s perfectly safe.  I got work to do.  I will catch up with you later.  “Thanks uncle Rex.” I pet Blue.  “Don’t you scare me like that.  You hear me Blue!”