Heartfield Ranch (Communities of Discipline Book 2) by Fiona Wilde Page A

not something I tell most people. I don’t even tell the people here. I mean, if I sat everyone down and started spouting off about visions then I would sound like a crazy cult leader, even to myself.” He looked over at her. “But I’m telling you.”
    “Why?”
    Clay picked up a piece of hay and dropped it on the ground. “I dunno. Maybe because you seem like somebody I can trust with my secrets.”
    Karen’s heart twisted in her chest. It was a good but painful feeling.
    “So what do your feelings tell you?” she asked.
    “They tell me that something out there’s out to get us, and for a very selfish reason.”
    A chill went up Karen’s spine. His feelings were remarkably accurate, she thought, given the situation.
    “They asked about Ann Marie,” she said suddenly. It felt wrong not to divulge a little of the conversation, especially since he felt comfortable enough to open up to her.
    “Really? Well, that’s no surprise. What did you tell them?”
    “That she was happy and here of her own free will.”
    “Did you tell them anything else?
    “No,” she replied, just as quickly. Karen had known from the moment she’d mentioned the marriage that she’d made a mistake. And she wasn’t about to let Clay know how careless she’d been.
    “I’m surprised they didn’t press you more about her,” Clay said. “Her parents are pretty determined to get her out of here.”
    “They probably feel rejected,” Karen said. “It must be hard to have your child turn her back on you, even if it’s for a good reason.”
    “Generally kids come back, if they have a good foundation to come back to,” Clay replied. “I don’t think Ann Marie sees anything real with her family.”
    “Do you want kids?” asked Karen.
    “Oh yeah,” said Clay with a sigh. “I sure do. A couple of strapping boys and two or three beautiful little girls to dote on.” He looked at her. “Hopefully with their mother’s good looks.”
     
    Karen blushed to the roots of her hair and she felt suddenly flushed with a strong sense of want she’d never experienced.
    “Kiss me,” she said suddenly, and hadn’t had a chance to ponder what had spawned such a reckless request before Clay was complying, his mouth warm and coaxing against hers, his strong arms wrapped around her body.
    She’d never felt such bliss, so it came as a surprise to both of them when their lips parted and she began to weep.
    “Hey, hey, hey…” Clay tipped her chin up till she as facing him. “What’s wrong?”
    “I’m..it’s just…God, Clay . . . I’m just so confused!”
    “That’s to be expected,” he replied gently. “You came out here thinking you were going to find a bunch of kooks and discovered that you cared for one of them.”
    Karen laughed through her tears, but the stabbing pain of guilt cut into her happiness. She could not tell him that it wasn’t her feelings she was confused about; they were crystal clear. She was madly, deeply attracted to Clay Sanders. No, what confused her was how she was going to fit who she was and what she was supposed to be doing into a possible relationship with this man. It wasn’t as if she could just go quit her job tomorrow and be with him. She had debts, commitments. She couldn’t just walk away, even if she wanted to.
    “It’s not that,” she finally said. “It’s just…”
    “It’s alright,” he said when she didn’t respond further. “You don’t have to put voice to it until you’re ready.”
    He took her in his arms and held her, just held her. And for a few brief and magical moments, Karen Patterson pretended that this was the only part of her life that existed at all.

Chapter Twelve
     
    There was a knock on the door the next morning and from her bedroom Karen could hear the voice of Ann Marie greeting Lynette.
    When she emerged, Ann Marie greeted her with a smile.
    “Hi!” she said. “You wanna go play hooky?”
    “Hooky?” Karen wondered if she looked as confused as she