on the house [Adele/Malcolm]

[Ripley]

Malcolm's eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot by the time he pulled up to the cafe on Sunday morning at four in the morning. He stunk of horse manure, straw, baby breath and mare's milk. He looked as if he had just crawled through the mud while running away from his most despised enemy. And yet... he was floating on a cloud. Part of it was because of the two births that he had just witnessed, but most of it was because of the blonde woman sitting beside him in the car. Adele. Perfect, wonderful Adele. A stranger up until two months ago, now a partner in crime through two foal births. It was hard to believe that so much could change within the last two months.

He'd hardly seen her since their first meeting thanks to their duties to rival stables. They'd talked often and for long conversations at night, phone or text. He missed her even though he was with her right now. He shifted his cobalt blue eyes to the woman beside him who looked just as much of a mess as himself. Even with all of the grime, she was still beautiful. He smiled at her, blue eyes sharpening with teasing. You looked like you just wrestled with a pig. 

Mal rolled his stiff shoulders, glanced at the simple cafe that appeared so lonely, yet so inviting. There would be warmth and coffee. There would be a waitress named Suzy ready to take his order immediately and ten minutes later it would be completed. The cafe was his favorite place to be outside of Witch Creek Stable. It summed him up in its lonely, but inviting description. The morning glories would be in soon, ready to shoot the breeze with the same old people they had lived with for decades. Mal had recently joined their ranks, but he was welcome in their circle. He was real even though he trained for Year Twelve's Stable of The Year. Where Ripley was aloof, Mal was down to earth.

It's not much Adele. Someday we'll go to a five-star restaurant in Louisville. But it'll do... He lifted her hand up in his gloved hand, eyes searching for anything, hoping that she wouldn't find his place lacking. Come on. We've got time to catch a quick breakfast and Ripley's before we're needed back at the barn. He leaped out of the car, barely bothering to zip up his coat as he dashed for the door. He braced against the wind and yanked it open, begging the icy pelting rain to stop for just one dang minute. He remained holding the door for Adele and once she was inside in his second favorite place on earth, he released a sigh. She was here. That was all that mattered.

He walked to his booth, sent Suzy a dazzling smile. Silver dollar pancake, Mal? With crispy bacon on the side? Mal nodded, eyes shining. Make that two. I've got to deliver some to the boss. He watched Suzy's eyes as they flickered over to Adele. Ah... Miss Adele. Mal's told me all sorts of things about you. You'll have silver dollar pancakes as well. Put some fat on those bones of yours.

Embarrassment did not once touch Mal's features. Suzy was the love of his adult life... in a motherly sort of way. She knew everything about him, had dragged him out of his brawler days. He sighed as the second waitress, Faith, poured him the best coffee on earth, and drank deeply. Those two colts that TizNow and Shadow dropped this morning sure were handsome. Both of them... I hope you had a good time even though TizNow got a little protective toward us in the stall. I swear I won't get these manure stains out of my pants from crawling away from her!

[Cavallo]

<sub>There was a reason she wasn't on the weanling crew. She knew it had something to do with the lack of sleep and the suddenly aggressive mothers. She had wanted to pummel Tizzie, the bay GS Gallant Prince daughter had a reputation back at Intrepid for being usually friendly, but that hadn't been the mare that Mal had experienced. It had to have been a "mother" thing. She had to admit though, it had been funny to see Malcolm scurrying across the stall floor to get out of the tyrannical mother's way. She smiled at the thought as she rode along in the car and then turned to face Mal with a teasing glint in her eyes as he teased her about her appearance, "You looked like you just wrestled with a pig." She have him a roll of her eyes, If by pig, you mean you...well then yes. That's exactly what happened with you scurrying on the floor of Tizze's stall knocking me down...Yes..I did wrestle a pig. She laughed and her eyes twinkled in like. She wasn't used to the all-night watch with the weanlings, but she had dropped everything for the sole excuse of being able to be close to Malcolm. She chuckled again and looked out the window into the early morning darkness, then she sneaked a peak over at Mal as he drove. Making sure he wasn't looking at her in that moment she drank in the sight of him. He looked so tired, she was tempted to reach a hand across and rub his tense muscles in his neck, but she couldn't seem to work up the courage quite yet.

In two months, Mal had wormed his way right into her heart. It wasn't a long time by any means, but she felt though as if she'd known him for years. She was comfortable around him like no one else. She smiled as he tried to sell her on the little diner. She smiled and quietly told him that she didn't care...and she honestly didn't. She wasn't the highfaluting type. Just being with Mal was enough and she told him just that as he reached for her hand before jumping out and dashing to her side. She laughed, he was too precious, getting her door and all...and even in this horrendous cold sleet. She pulled her jacket closely about her as she followed Malcolm inside and followed him to his booth, sitting comfortably across from him as she slipped out of her damp jacket.

She breathed in deeply the smell of food, grease, warmth and fellowship. She could immediately tell why Mal was attracted to this place. She watched Mal's interaction with the waitress, Suzy. She was sweet and motherly and it wasn't long before she'd turned her attentions to her. " Ah... Miss Adele. Mal's told me all sorts of things about you. You'll have silver dollar pancakes as well. Put some fat on those bones of yours." So. Mal had been talking about her. She felt the butterflies in her stomach do a somersault. She blushed at Suzy's reference to her willowy frame and she knew she wouldn't be able to hide it. It wasn't easy to be a jockey with her height and so eating right was a large part of her regiment, but she never turned her nose up at good food. There were a few nights of splurging allowed and she was more than willing to spend one with Mal. She didn't dare excuse herself to go look at herself in the bathroom, she knew exactly what she would see. Bleary eyes, straw in her blonde hair and dirt caked on her plaid button up and jeans. She attempted to sooth her hair with her right hand and decided to give up as she listened to Malcolm.

"Those two colts that TizNow and Shadow dropped this morning sure were handsome. Both of them... I hope you had a good time even though TizNow got a little protective toward us in the stall. I swear I won't get these manure stains out of my pants from crawling away from her!" Adele laughed outright as she recalled the moment. Well serves you right for coming between her and her baby. AND for knocking me over in the process! Look at me covered in manure and mud and straw! Her eyes held her teasing air, crystal blue eyes challenging him for an apology. I will say though, if I were Tizzie I would have been just as protective of my Frontier baby with some masculine creature near my rear end. Her lips parted in a slow smile at her own humor as she folded her hands and leaned in closer over the table. Hopefully you've learned your lesson to never try and get in the way of a woman and what she wants. Besides the mess they both were, she was irresistibly attracted to this man across the table from her. She subtly breathed in the scent of him and underneath all the trials of their morning she smelled the masculine scent of him and she knew she was addicted to this man. This morning might have been long, but it was perfect if it meant she got to spend more one-on-one time with him - mud, manure and all.</sub>

[Ripley]

Malcolm stared at Adele from across the table, blue eyes sparking to life and uneasiness. How could she look so right here in his place? Like just another girl next door type, the type Mal had never gone for before. He wanted just for a second to get his thoughts under control when it came to Adele Rogers. There was just something about her that he couldn't put his finger on. He'd always felt protective towards women, but this one needed a little extra cherishing. Mal was the kind to hold tight and not budge an inch when problems arose. He'd had flings, he'd had several serious relationships, but never in his thirty-two years had he felt this disconcerted by a female.

He reached for her hand across the table, rubbing her fingers in an effort to ease her tenseness. It came from lack of sleep. Adele had been sleeping in the room next door on Witch Creek property for the last few days. It had been frustrating to know she was only next door and he could do nothing about it. Soon she would go home to Intrepid and he'd be lonelier than he could ever recall. It hadn't been enough for her to sleep next door to him and it sure as hell wouldn't be enough for her to be away at Intrepid Racing miles away. A conundrum of thoughts fluttered through his head as Adele spoke in her soft voice. He never broke his intense gaze. She was probably used to it by now.

He only broke eye contact when Suzy came over with the pancakes. She nodded at Mal, looked in Adele's direction. Don't think he's a strange one. He's just a thinker, my Malcolm. You enjoy your pancakes Adele. She slapped Malcolm on the back of the head. And you pay attention to when a woman is talking to you!

He bowed his head in slight embarrassment as the waitress walked away. Only a mother figure could embarrass a man in such a way. Sorry Adele. He paused, grinning at her. How do you know I didn't tackle you on purpose? See Tizzie and I have gotten along just fine and we planned it so that you wouldn't be prepared for my tackle.  He smirked at her, reached across to push a lock of hair out of her eyes.I don't know... You look pretty good covered in horse dirt. You can shower in my apartment or... your own. I keep forgetting you have your own room. Ripley must like you. She could have kept you in a stall with Tizzie or Shadow. His voice lilted with taunting even though his rubbing fingers took the edge off of his words. He really liked Adele. He wasn't going to torture her so that she ran away from him screaming.

If he'd had horse ears, they would have pricked up at her last sentence. He leaned close, eyes darkening with interest and something more. Oh, I know to stay out of a horse's way... but when it comes to human women... I just cannot. So... tell me Adele what is it that women actually want? His soothing hands had since stilled, rough callouses touching softly calloused hands. There was an edge to his form, a bracing. She should know not to open this can of worms with a man she had spent with for the last two intoxicating days. He nearly groaned inwardly, determined to show restraint even though it went against every instinct he knew. 

[Cavallo]

<sub>She smiled gratefully at Suzy and murmured her thanks. She looked appreciatively at the older woman, bringing a look of embarrassment to the usually intense features of the man sitting across from her. She chuckled at the uncharacteristic behavior, but didn't move to touch the food placed before her. She was all too aware of his masculine hands dwarfing hers and she was loath to do anything to break this moment. She had brushed aside his silly notion of ganging up with Tizzie, she'd seen the quick look of panic on his face before he'd bolted out of the way and into her. Not that she had truly minded the extra contact. Her heart quickened with expectancy as he pushed back a lock of her hair tenderly and she wondered how long she was going to have to wait.."I don't know... You look pretty good covered in horse dirt. You can shower in my apartment or... your own. I keep forgetting you have your own room. Ripley must like you. She could have kept you in a stall with Tizzie or Shadow." She smiled at the thought of having won over Ripley. She liked the woman immensely and reminded her of a more fired up Nick Landing. She could see how the two of them had a close business relationship. The past few days at WCS had been a dream vacation for her. Sure, the hours were a bit odd with the baby watches, but she had known the very second that Reese Jones had teased her for making gaga eyes at Mal that she was going to fit in just fine. She thought about the firecracker jockey and secretly pondered if she might be able to get her and Michael in the same place. If the two of them could get past their competitive sides...there might be something there. She filed the thought away though as her ears perceived new vital information.

It was in that moment when he mentioned using his shower that she wished she didn't have her own space. The thought of being with Mal in his apartment was exciting to say the least. The past few days with only a wall between them had been sheer agony. It wasn't close enough and the thought of her impending return to Intrepid had her feeling desperate to show him how much she needed him. She'd enjoyed every second she'd had with him these past few days and as he stroked her softly calloused hands, she noticed he was stroking a much different kind of fire within her. He leaned in closer to her and she felt her heartbeat rise at his proximity and the look of something else in his eyes. Was it desire? Did he truly desire her the way she desired him. His low masculine voice was almost seductive and husky to her ears, she could barely think. "Oh, I know to stay out of a horse's way... but when it comes to human women... I just cannot. So... tell me Adele what is it that women actually want?" He was so close, her eyes weren't even locked onto his anymore, but rather on a perfect pair of full-lips. He stopped though, braced and restrained. Her skin tingled where his hands rested on hers and she felt the tense stillness of the moment. She wasn't the type to make a move, but her every instinct craved him. He was so close, so tense and she knew she alone could sooth his pain.

It was an intoxicating feeling and it was with an intoxicating man. She had never been truly serious about her relationships, they had been things she hadn't had time for, but Malcolm was different. She'd dropped her entire schedule for three days to be with him. She wanted him in so many ways and if that meant she had to take the leap of faith, she was willing. Her voice became low and husky, almost like a quiet seduction as she leaned in closer, head cocked at an angle and blue eyes riddled with desire and she hovered inches from those desirous lips. She let her breath wash warmly over his mouth in a gentle whisper, Would you mind so terribly, if I showed you what this woman wants? She let her face slowly smile as she pressed her own soft full lips to his warm and firm mouth, she lifted her hands to frame his face and pulled him closer to her from across the table. Her eyes closed in sweet pleasure, free of inhibitions at the moment and she said a silent prayer in hopes that he was enjoying this long awaited moment as much as she was.

The pancakes sat cooling on the table to the side, but things for Adele were just getting heated up. She began to pull back, her eyes slow to open almost wishing he'd pull her back and ask for more.</sub>

[Ripley]

It felt like his whole body was burning when Adele moved closer to his challenge. It was so inappropriate, this odd mix of feelings for her while in Suzy's restaurant. He could have done so much more with Adele in a completely different place. For now though this electric touch would be enough. She kissed him full on the mouth and it was against his will to let her pull away, to back off. His fingers clenched over her hands, one rough movement that promised something deeper and darker than either of them would ever be prepared for. His heart pounded wildly in his chest and when she pulled away something finally clicked in his brain.

Something zinged him from his left rear pocket, repeatedly and incessantly. His eyes widened and he jerked away rapidly to struggle for his cell phone. The vibrations seemed more urgent this time even though there was no possible way he could really know. His mouth opened when he noted the time. They'd been gone for an hour. Clearing his throat, he signaled to Suzy to bring Ripley's food, while his not-so-steady hands hit the talk button. Ripley? What's wrong?

There was dead silence at the end of the line for a moment and then Ripley's voice drifted through the phone. It wasn't her usual warm, throaty tone. Layers of panic were laced through her voice. Adrenaline pumped through his muscled frame. The vet is on his way Malcolm... Nick, Brooks are here... It doesn't look good for The Devil.

Malcolm leaped to his feet, ready to run immediately until he remembered Adele. He snagged her hand, eyes blazing with terror and anger at himself. The foal? Ripley was practically in tears and Mal nearly lost it, shoving his hand through his hair. The filly's fine Mal... Please hurry... Mal rushed toward the door, not even bothering to pull his coat around him as he slammed his phone off. Let's go Adele. Suzy I'll pay it...

Suzy walked toward them, eyes filled with concern, a warm box in her hands. On the house Mal. Here Adele. For Ripley. She reached to touch a hand to Mal's broad shoulder, but he was already out the door and to his car. Make sure he drives safe. He does too much for those horses and Ripley Marsh. Protective as a bear. 

Mal was cold with fear as he waited for Adele to get in the car. Things were going wrong back home and all he could do was help with the aftermath.

[Cavallo]

<sub>The moment they had just shared was one she wasn't going to forget anytime soon. She had her answer, by his response to her touch. She was contemplating going back for more, but the moment had been shattered with his dang cellphone. She inwardly cursed the interruption, but she understood the nature of his job and she couldn't really be angry at him, especially when she noted a thread of panic in his suddenly tense body. It was Ripley and it sounded though as if something had gone wrong. She suddenly looked concerned and she didn't have to be told twice that something was up. She didn't hesitate, but smoothly grabbed her coat and slipped it back on, preparing for what she knew was about to come.

If Malcolm hadn't been so distraught, she would have laughed at him bolting up from the seat nearly forgetting her, but it only served to reveal that the situation must not be good for Mal to get this shaken up. She didn't need to be told to hurry as she allowed Mal to grab her by her hand. She looked over apologetically at Suzy, but the woman didn't seem phased. She simply waved the bill, handing her a box of warm food for Ripley and admonished her to look after her boy. She gave the woman a reassuring nod and squeezed Mal's hand reassuringly, quickly following him out into the cold sleet. She quickly climbed in and didn't say a word. Suzy was right, Mal was super protective and she could see the affect of Ripley's distress and the proposed distressed mare. She hoped that no lives were going to be lost. She was riding blind in the car, not knowing the details, but she knew only one thing; Malcolm, whether he knew it or not, needed her and she was going to be there for him throughout whatever dark situation they were driving into. She settled into the car, Ripley's food warm in her lap and she decided to place it securely at her feet. She dared to look over at the brooding Malcolm and wished desperately that she could ease his distress. She knew he wasn't positioned to listen to her words at this moment, but she hoped her small touch of comfort would. She reached over to his side and grabbed one of his hands and held it firmly in hers, hoping to lend him some of her own silent strength. There was nothing that they could have done differently and she knew that Malcolm's added presence wouldn't have changed anything of the unknown situation, but she knew she wasn't going to be able to convince him otherwise. She just let her thumb caress the back of his in a calming rhythmic pattern. Things would turn for the better...it had too.</sub>

[Cavallo]

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