Love Begins with Fate (31 page)

“What are you looking at?”
Parker hissed, snapping the other guys’ eyes away.

“
Parker …” Kelsey grumbled, but before she could continue he dropped her into the waist deep water. “Hey!” She screamed as she jumped up linking her arms around his neck and pulled him down into the water.

“Not so fast.” He chuckled stiffening his back and lifting her
up and out of the water.

“Water fight!”
The guys laughed as they watched the couple fight. Before long everyone was splashing and thrashing about.

After their fun the group slowly made their way out of the water
, drying and warming themselves by the fire as they sucked down their bowls of chili. It was something Nick always made on their first night out and Kelsey was more than thrilled to have the delicious heat.

Slowly everyone parted ways.
Mark and Nick offered to take shifts watching over the camp during the night, while Kelsey and Parker slipped into their tent.

Chapter 51

Mark grumbled as he watched the two love birds slip into their tent. He had missed his chance and now it was up to him to live with it. He could hear their laughter and giggles late into the night and it made him envious.

He had regretted volunteering to sit up with Nick on his shift but had at least enjoyed talking with his friend. Through the night, they watched as the horses and cattle moved about eating or standing in one place sleeping. When they had grown too tired they woke up James and one of the hands to continue the watch.

When the sun began to break the horizon
, many of the party was already up and packing the gear into the wagon. As soon as everyone was finished packing fruit, granola bars, and what drinks they wanted into their saddle bags they were off; moving the herd further toward the summer range. Nick and James were once again left to finish packing up the remainder of the gear then headed off.

They reached the summer range by the time it was mid afternoon and so they ate an early dinner. O
nce Nick had prepared the last the dinner for the trip and everyone got gathered back up to eat, they got to talk amongst themselves before hitting the hay. There was a crack of thunder only moments before rain erupted from the sky. Everyone scurried around putting away various items.

Another crack of thunder followed by lightning snapping and Kelsey screamed.
Parker returned to her side quickly. “Are you all right?” He practically screamed over the noise of the rain.

She looked up at him with petrified eyes. “Go get in the tent
, I’ll be there in a moment. Let me make sure everything is taken care of.” He told her. Kelsey nodded and without a word she raced into the tent.

The winds began to pick up and the rain poured down hard. The tent whipped against the wind causing Kelsey to whimper and a tear slip down her cheeks. She curled herself into the blankets and hid her face beneath. Finally there was a zip and a huff as
Parker stepped into the covered entryway of the tent. “Love, are you okay?” He asked. He was peering in at the trembling blanket covered person.

“
Parker,” She questioned, slowly peeking her eyes out from the blanket.

He chuckled “come here.” He said as he stepped inside. “It’ll be alright.”

Kelsey threw the covers back and quickly jumped up into Parker’s arms, forgetting he was covered in sopping wet clothes. “You’re soaked!” She squealed as his damp hands gripped her behind.

He chuckled again before letting her down and stripping his clothes. Once he changed into something dryer they both wrapped up in the blankets. It was still somewhat early to sleep but there wasn’t much else to do. “What’s the matter love?” he
soothed as he smoothed a hand across Kelsey’s cheek.

“I just…” she began but screamed as the thunder rumbled and lightning crackled over and over in a symphony. She let out a whimper and
Parker pulled her in closer.

“You’re scared of the rain.” He stated. It wasn’t a question; it was obvious that she was.

Kelsey nodded. “That’s okay; I’ll take care of you.” He soothed pulling the girl tighter into his grasp. They talked quietly as they listened to the rain, somehow with Parker by her side, Kelsey wasn’t afraid any longer, slowly her eyes began to droop and she slipped into sleep with her head against his warm chest and his arms secured around her.

The next morning Kelsey and
Parker woke and set out to see what damage was caused by the rain. The cattle had moved further into the summer feeding range while the horses were still attempting to dry off. Everything was wet. The fire had long since been doused and out. The coolers were covered in mud and so was everything that hadn’t been put in the wagon.

“Anyone up?”
Parker called as he began to check out the horses.

“Yeah!”
Nick called back. “I just decided to check out the herd.” He said. “I had to rally up some of the horses… and I have bad news…”

Kelsey gasped reaching over and gripping
Parker’s arm. “What is it?” she muttered nervously.

“Zeus.” Nick pointed out toward the field. “He was struck by lightning and is gone.”

“Gone?” Kelsey cried, tears streamed down her cheeks as she forced her head into Parker’s chest.

“I’m sorry. I
ronic it maybe… but yeah, Mark and a few guys went out to take care of him.” Kelsey nodded.

Once Zeus’s body was taken care of and Kelsey had stopped crying in
Parker’s arms they had helped round up and saddle horses. Everyone helped to load the wagon and before it was even ten a.m. the party was departing the area.

They returned back to the river and fear was instantly present in everyone’s eyes. “What are we going to do now?”
Parker called over the newly expanded roaring river’s noise.

“There’s got to be a crossing!” Nick called. “Mark, take to the right. Kelsey, why don’t you and
Parker look down to the left?”

Kelsey and
Parker turned their horses in the correct direction and raced off. “There’s got to be a crossing point…” Parker told her.

“I can’t believe this happened.” She whined.

Her mind was all over the place at the moment and she couldn’t think clearly. So when Parker yelled her name, she didn’t notice. Angered by her lack of self preservation at the moment, Parker kicked his horse into gear, raced forward grabbing Kelsey’s horse, and dragging it backward. He smacked her leg hard enough for her to notice but light enough not to hurt her and she turned her head and glared at him. “What was that for?” She snapped.

“If you don’t get your head in gear you’ll loss another horse
, maybe even yourself.” He said harshly as he pointed with his free hand toward the roaring water before them. “I don’t mean to be harsh, but you need to pay more attention. There is no way around this way… we need to turn back.” He said still pulling her horse along with him.

“Sorry.” Kelsey mumbled not fighting
Parker’s grip on her horse. She let him lead her all the way back to the group.

“There’s a small passing this way.” Mark told them. The group followed him toward the passing.

“We should unattached the horses from the back of the wagon. Take them by horse to the other side.” Parker spoke up. Everyone’s heads snapped toward Kelsey as if asking for permission. She didn’t speak nor acknowledge them though. “She checked out for a little bit. Nick, what do you think about my opinion?”

Nick looked to
Parker and nodded “That is probably the best option” he said as he pulled the wagon to a stop and walked toward the horses hitched at the back.

Nick strode over toward Parker and he shook his head. “Someone else, I’m leading Kelsey across.” Parker told Nick.

Nick looked at her worriedly but followed
Parker’s words, handing the horses off to the other guys. It was a feat getting across the raging river crossing and as they rode back it was silent other than the stomping of the horse’s hooves.

They had taken
the short cut back, which Nick had explained wasn’t possible to herd the cattle through. They rode on through the night arriving back at nearly midnight. Parker stopped beside the hitching posts at the barn, dismounted his horse, and snapped Demon to the post.

He walked around to Kelsey’s horse and looked up at her. She yawned and her head drooped.
Parker sighed, reached to snap the horse to the post as well then reached his arms up, and gripped Kelsey around the waist to pull her down to him. “Thanks.” She mumbled.

“Welcome back love.” He murmured as he pressed a kiss to her temple. “Nick can you make sure the horses are taken care of?”

“Sure thing Parker.” He nodded as he took off the saddle of his first horse.

“Thanks.”
Parker said as he scooped Kelsey into his arms. He tipped his head down and asked, “Are you alright baby?”

Kelsey nodded “I’ll be fine. It’s just that…” she muttered.

Parker carried Kelsey up to the house and into the kitchen. He needed a drink before he went to bed. “You hungry or thirsty,” He asked.

“I’ll take a cup of milk…” Kelsey yawned as
Parker set her down on a chair.

“Sur
e thing,” Parker got himself something to drink after grabbing Kelsey’s milk and sat down beside her. “I’m ready for bed when you are…” He yawned. Once they finished their drinks the two made their way to bed.

Chapter 52

Over the next few days Kelsey and Parker had set to getting the ranch ready for all the visitors who were to come within the next few days. They had decided together that it was time to move into the master bedroom. Kelsey requested for more boxes to be brought in and together they boxed up everything that needed to go. “What about the furniture?” Parker asked.

“Well,” Kelsey shrugged. “Which do you like better, the set in my old room or the set in here?”

“I think the set in here is more mature and beautiful. I think your set in the other room would be good for a guest room…” He drawled as he rubbed his hand over his chin thinking.

“Okay then
, I guess we’ll keep the furniture.” She shrugged.

As they carried the last of the boxes down for Annie to go through
, she walked out of the kitchen, seeing them and asked “What could I get from the store?” Annie asked.

“Yeah,” Kelsey said reaching for a piece of paper. “Uh…
mmm…” she muttered.

Parker
smiled. “Let me.” He said softly accepting the piece of paper from Kelsey and scribbling on it. “We’re eating at the bonfire right?” He asked as he continued to scribble things down.

“Yep
” Kelsey added.

“Okay. Here you go Annie.” He said holding out the paper. Ryder chuckled
from  nearby and stood quickly to snatched the paper from Parker’s hand.

“Hey, man you forgot a few things.” He groaned as he yanked the pen from
Parker’s hand and continued to add some more.

Parker
chuckled but shook his head at Kelsey as she tried to grab for the paper. “Nope… it’s all a secret.” He chuckled. “Ry, you want to help me with the rest of the boxes?” He asked.

“Sure bro.” He nodded and followed
Parker upstairs.

Kelsey pouted. Annie too was laughing but refused to give the girl over
the paper. “I’ll see you misses later.” She beamed at Kelsey and Hannah.

“See you later Annie.” Both girls replied.

Hannah and Kelsey giggled. “So what do you think is on the list?” Kelsey asked.

“I don’t think I want to know, with those boys…” Hannah giggled back.

Kelsey sighed. “I can’t believe I chose to invite everyone over.”

Hannah looked at her with a small grin on her face. Slapping her on the arm playfully, Hannah said “
Kels… you know you’ll love showing off. Aren’t you planning on the annual games with the locals here too?” She asked.

Kelsey smiled. “Yeah,
” She replied. “I almost forgot, but seriously… you know how many people rsvp’d?”

Hannah laughed again. “I think
Parker has it covered. You too are such the cutest couple. He’s perfect for you.” She beamed as she pulled Kelsey’s hand into hers and peered down at the beautiful diamond ring for the millionth time. Sighing, Hannah just had to ask. “Do you think Ryder will ever propose?”

Kelsey couldn’t help but sigh sympathetically. She didn’t want to answer that question. She knew her brother most likely wouldn’t ever do that… deciding a shrug was all she could manage she muttered “I don’t know” and shrugged.

“You’re so lucky, if I didn’t have your brother… I would have snatched up Parker if I had a chance…” Hannah pouted.