I’m your fated mate?

Chapter 2: Who’s the cutie?

LACIE POV:

Pulling up to the ranch gates, which are just two dirt roads from our house, I check the time on the dashboard. It’s 6:48 now. Well, at least I’m only kind of late. I type the pin to open the gates, while it crawls open, I glance out my side mirrors noticing another vehicle coming down the dirt road behind me. Who could that be? Tom doesn't usually leave the ranch this early for errands and Billie is busy with the bottle babies around this time. I shake my head and huff, driving far enough in for the sensors to close the gate behind me. They better have the code if they want to get in.

Cool thing about the Langley's ranch is they have a great security system. They went all out with the electric powered gates and tall corrugated steel fence that surrounds the whole 10 acres. Keeps unwanted people and unwanted animals out. Some might say it’s a bit overboard but you never know what’s gonna happen this deep into the Rocky Mountains.

I park next to the small house that’s across from the barn, and as I close my door all the dogs come to greet me. I get down on my knees and laugh as they lick and tackle me to the ground. This has been my normal morning routine for the past 6 years and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I sit back up and glance to the porch as Billie steps out, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Good morning Lacie, the pups seem to be happy as always to see you. I don’t know how you handle all that slobber,” she chuckles with a scrunched-up nose.

“I just finished up with the bottle babies and was about to fix Tom some breakfast, would you like to join us before you go to the stables?”

“Yes, please!” I say enthusiastically, nodding my head. I stand and dust off my jeans before walking up the porch steps. I stumble as I get close to the door and almost knock into the smiling Billie. She giggles as she grabs my arm to help me regain my balance.

“I see your feet are still asleep this morning,” Billie teases as she steps aside to let me in.

Stupid feet. Why do you always have to betray me? I blush and mumble a thanks before walking inside. The air is filled with the scent of fresh coffee and bacon sizzling on the stove. Mmm bacon. I step into the kitchen and turn around to see Billie walking over to the stove. She is a sweet older woman who is almost a foot shorter than me, with a plump figure and long braided salt and pepper hair. She scoots around the kitchen with ease as she works on fixing breakfast.

“Can I help you with anything Billie? I don’t wanna be a burden,” I say, staring at the floor. I know she invited me inside already to join them for breakfast but I still can’t fight the guilt of just sitting around while others work.

“Now Lacie, don’t you say things like that. You’re not a burden,” Billie scolds while shaking the pancake spatula my way.

“If anything, you’re a blessing. We aren’t spring chickens anymore and you working for us saves us from losing the farm and going to the poor house, don’t know what we would have done if we hadn’t found you.” she says matter-of-factly as she flips the last pancake onto the plate and walks over to me. Billie slowly raises my chin so I make eye contact with her.

“Don’t let your demons get to you sweetie, they don’t know anything about the real you,” she pauses and frowns.

“Speaking of demons, are you getting much sleep nowadays? Your eyes don’t have their normal sparkle.” I smile and look away.

“Oh, you know how it is, the closer to my birthday, the weirder the dreams.” I try to laugh it off but she looks at me with understanding before dropping my chin. Without another word Billie walks back to the stove to finish the bacon but turns and gives me a small smile and a wink. The screen door creaks and then slams and we hear Tom’s heavy footsteps as he walks into the kitchen.

“Hey kiddo, I saw your truck and thought you might be in here!” He pats my shoulder before turning to sit down at the table. I smile and nod at him before I step to the counter and grab 3 coffee cups. I fill two with coffee for me and Tom and the third with hot water from the kettle, before setting them down on the table. Tom grabs a coffee with a nod of thanks and sips it. Tom may look gruff with his tall stature and broad shoulders, and he sounds even meaner with a gravelly voice hidden inside his thick beard. But his sweet eyes tell a different story.

I step to the cabinet to get a teabag and honey before I move to the fridge for the milk. Placing the teabag in the hot water, I cover it with a saucer so it can steep for Billie. I turn to take my seat across from Tom when I hear the screen door slam closed again. With heavy footsteps heading our way, I look up in question, but panic sets in as I see a tall man with dark hair and a 5 o’clock shadow saunter in. I gulp, shooting panicked eyes at Tom and then at Billie before Tom gently pats my hand and gives a small nod.

The stranger makes eye contact with me and he has the deepest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. So dark they could almost be black. He furrows his brow, slightly tilting his head to the side while staring intensely at me. His eyes seem to shift color for a moment but it must have been my imagination. My heart races and my cheeks burn with embarrassment under his stare. Quickly I look down at my coffee cup like it is the most interesting thing in the world. Tom clears his throat,

“Lacie, this is Liam. He is gonna be staying here for the time being like I told you a couple days ago. He is the son of a good friend and very hard working. He’ll be staying in the spare room in the stables and will be helping out with the chores.” Tom turns to Liam and points to the open chair.

“Come sit with us, we were just about to eat.” Liam nods and sits in the chair next to me.

“Thanks Tom, but I’ll probably just have a coffee before I head over to the stables and unpack if that’s alright.”

God his voice is sexy. Just hearing it makes me feel a heat between my legs. Um excuse me body. What on earth is wrong with me?! Why am I getting so heated over a man’s voice? I mentally shake it off. He keeps staring at me like I am the only person in the room. Guess he can’t figure me out. Ha. That makes two of us bud.

I stand up and go pour another cup of coffee, setting it down in front of Liam. He nods in thanks and as I take my shaky hands away, I slosh his coffee a bit and my eyes go wide in panic.

“I’m so sorry!” I say as I start dabbing the spilled coffee with the napkins on the table. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. I don’t take my eyes off the mess, but I can feel Liam is still staring at me, studying my face, as he helps me clean it up. Stop overthinking it Lacie! Even after all these years I am still panic stricken from the slightest of things, especially around men, all thanks to that incident. Billie comes up from behind and side hugs me.

“Oh, come now Lacie, don’t worry, it’s just spilled coffee.” She pats my back and then leans to set the pancakes on the table. I turn to busy my hands and grab the plate of bacon from the counter before Billie can. This makes her sit down before me and I can secretly take a calming breath at the counter before setting the bacon down on the table and taking my seat.

“Thank you for the tea dearest, you know just how strong I like it,” Billie says as she grins at me. I give a small smile and nod in reply, still trying to gain my composure from the spilled coffee. Good grief Lacie get it together, I scold myself. I glance over to Liam and to my amazement, or horror, I can’t decide which yet, he is still looking at me. But once we make eye contact, he smiles, flashing his perfect teeth at me and reaches a hand out.

“It’s nice to finally meet you Lacie.” I tentatively reach out and shake his hand. When our skin touches an electric shock shoots up my arm. I jerk slightly but try to stay still hoping he didn’t notice.

“Nice to meet you too,” I say in a small voice before quickly taking my hand back and make my hands busy with my napkin. What was that feeling? It was like an electric shock but then it turned into a warm tingling the longer he held on. Tom and Billie share a look and try to hide their chuckle under their breath before filling their plates with food. I’m not very hungry after this but Billie’s pancakes are my favorite in the world so I take one to nibble on. Liam finally takes his eyes off me to speak to the couple.

“I appreciate your kindness to let me stay here for the time being. My father sends his apologies for not joining us as well.” Billie smiles and shakes her head.

“No need to think much of it, your father is like a son, you are both always welcome no matter the circumstances,” she glances at Tom with an odd look, but Tom just smiles and nods in agreement.

Huh. I didn’t know they were close to anyone else. I knew the Langley's have no children of their own, which is why they loved having my help. But they also keep to themselves and don’t really come to town except for feed and ice. The fence was just another step of keeping others away so I just thought I was a fluke. I mentally shrug it off.

Tom looks to me then Liam and back before breaking into a devilish grin. Oh no. What is he thinking? I look down trying to sink into my chair the best I can while nibbling on my pancake, bracing myself for the next thing he is gonna say.

“Liam, you’re about what, 28 now?” Tom asks with a smile. I give Tom a quizzical look before slowly glancing over to Liam. Liam sets his coffee down, smirks, and glances at me before looking back at Tom.

“Yeah, I turned 28 back in February, why do you ask?” Tom then glances at Billie who is already grinning ear to ear while staring at me… WAIT ME? Oh man, please don’t drag me into this conversation.

“Lacie honey, isn’t your birthday coming up in a couple days? You’ll be turning 26 right?” Billie asks while Tom smirks and taps his foot on mine under the table. I instantly feel my cheeks heat up again.

“Uh yeah,” I mumble before trying to sink further into my seat. Tom looks from me to Liam.

“Ha! Just as I thought. Ya’ll are pretty close in age! That’s great, Lacie you should take Liam into town one day this week to show him where everything is. I’m sure he will appreciate the youthful company.” My anxiety kicks into hyperdrive at the thought of being alone with this strange new man sitting next to me. I jump up, tipping over my chair.

“I’m gonna go check on Daisy!” I manage to squeak out before darting out of the room towards the stables. I quickly run in and slam the doors closed behind me before leaning on them gasping for air. No no no. I can’t have a panic attack. Not now, I need to focus.

“Breathe Lacie, just breathe,” I chant to myself, slowly breathing in and out. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing a few more minutes until I’m calm enough to walk over to Daisy’s stall.

“Hey baby girl, sorry it took so long to get here. You won’t believe the morning I’ve had.”