Page 14

14

Bethany sat on the front porch of the lodge in the pre-dawn morning, tears sliding down her face once more. How much have I cried in the past week? Her heart squeezed with pain as she took a deep breath. Her mind wandered back over the previous days, now all swimming together.

The morning after her parents arrived, she knew that this lodge and this life, was what she wanted. Convincing her parents had not been too difficult once they could see how much she loved the country over the city, using her degree for her own business rather than for someone else’s.

But life at Mountville without Gram? How will I bear it?

Once the decision was made, her father called Golden Arbor and accepted the place for Gram. Thankfully, Gram’s descent into Alzheimer’s meant she was not upset with the transition. In fact, other than some initial concern, she adapted immediately to the nursing staff and other residents. Roscoe pitched in with the use of his truck and they moved her bedroom furniture to her new room. Bethany and Sally fixed it up to look almost like the room she had occupied at Mountville for over fifty years.

Visiting every day allowed them to see her settled comfortably. She now referred to Bethany as Helen each time and once looked at Ed and called him by his father’s name, Martin. Her mind was firmly in the past, but it appeared to give her peace.

Ed and Susan left two days later to fly back to Arizona after heartfelt hugs and promises for Bethany to take care of herself. She held her emotions together, throwing herself into hard work until yesterday. Having gone to check on Gram, she found her smiling in the common room. They chatted for a few minutes, and Gram continuing to think she was her sister Helen.

Suddenly Gram looked over and asked, “Helen, what happened to Charlie? I liked him.”

Assuming that Gram was talking about the original man from fifty years ago who had been interested in Helen, she just replied, “I don’t know.”

Gram gazed at her for a long time, then said, “You know, he cared for my granddaughter.”

Bethany’s eyes grew wide, uncertain where her grandmother’s mind was at the moment.

“He came around courtin’ my granddaughter. Good lookin’ man. Nice too. I was hopin’ he’d stay with her.”

Bethany’s chin quivered as she blinked to hold the tears at bay once more. Leaning over, she patted her grandmother’s hand and then watched as Gram closed her eyes to take a nap. Slipping out a few minutes later, she drove home, climbed the stairs, and finally allowed the emotions to pour out of her.

Now, days later, she was perched on the porch watching the sunrise over the trees to the east. The sky was cast in pale tints of blue as the night was slowly receding. Roscoe walked by, surprised to see her up so early.

“Ms. Bridwell,” he greeted. “You doing all right?”

Shaking her head slowly, she replied, “Nah, but I will be.”

He wandered over to the bottom of the porch and admired the young woman in front of him. “Got a lotta respect for you. You’re a good girl.”

She just smiled her response, then asked, “What are you doing up so early?”

“Sometimes I go to the dock and do a little sunrise fishing before the guests get up. Never know what I’ll catch. Sometimes nothin’. Sometimes enough for my dinner. If you’re ever interested, let me know and I’ll catch some fish for you.”

“I haven’t had fresh fish since Gramps fixed them,” she said. “But you’d have to prepare them for me. I’ve got no idea how to cut them up.”

“It ain’t hard,” Roscoe replied. “Just need a sharp knife and a little know-how.” With a nod, he left her to her privacy and ambled over to the shed.

She sat for a few more minutes, letting the thoughts of her parents and Gram no longer being here drift away. Her mind flowed to the neighbor who refused to give them a chance. We could have had a shot of making a relationship work, Jack, she thought for the millionth time. At least I was ready to fight for the chance to build something with you!

Sucking in a lung full of fresh, early morning air, she let it out slowly as she rose to her feet. Wiping away her tears, she walked back inside. With a heavy heart, she readied to face the day’s chores.

Jack sat alone in the command center, having had a video conference with the men. Each was reporting back from the interviews with witnesses looking at the photo of the mustachioed man. The results were encouraging. At least two of the victims’ friends had seen someone who looked like him the last time they had seen the victim. Luke had scanned the photo through every known database he had and narrowed the field down considerably. There were still a great number of men in Virginia that made a similar match, but for once Jack felt as though the case was moving in the right direction.

Now, he sat alone in front of one of their security monitor screens. For the wealthy, they offered security cameras that were not monitored twenty-four seven but could be viewed when needed. Except for one. He had one on continuously and he was riveted to it. One that he watched almost every day whenever he was alone and had the opportunity.

The one at Mountville. He had not disbanded the cameras that gave him a view of the lodge. Invasion of her privacy? Hell yeah. Going to cut them off? Hell no.

Something was not right. He saw Bethany wander around aimlessly, not with her usual purpose. Sally came but not as often. He watched early one morning and saw Bethany sitting alone on the front porch. Ann. Where was Ann? He knew that Ann was not walking alone anymore, but most days either Bethany or Sally would take Ann for a little walk.

Moving to his computer, he quickly did a secure search. Ann Bridwell was now a resident of Golden Arbor. Damn! That’s why the bracelet still showed her location at Mountville. They must have removed it before she moved.

He scooted his chair back to the monitor and watched, hoping for a glimpse of Bethany, knowing now she would be devastated. Sure enough, she came out to greet some guests. He zoomed in on her face. Smiling…but the smile did not reach her eyes.

Jack leaned back in the chair, shut his eyes tightly, and remembered her smile when it was turned on him. Glorious. And, suddenly, he knew. If he could have that smile beamed on him every morning when he woke and waiting for him when he got home? It would be worth everything. But would it be worth it to her?

Remembering the words of Blaise over a week ago, he realized he never gave her the chance she was willing to take on them .

Not knowing if it was too late, he headed up the stairs and out of the door. Time to man up and convince her that I can be there for her.

Pulling onto the lane leading to Mountville, Jack noted the gathering clouds above. Uncharacteristically nervous, he focused on the task at hand— groveling. Parking in front of the lodge, he unfolded his tall frame from his SUV and jogged up the steps. Entering the room he did not see Bethany, but called up the stairs to see if she was in her apartment. Receiving no answer, he walked through the main room to the back door and out onto the patio. The tool shed was to the left of the lodge, and he was pleased to see the padlock securely on the door.

Roscoe and Sally came from around the front, the cleaning supply buckets in their hands. Both stopped suddenly at the sight of him, and Jack immediately noted the unhappy expression on Sally’s face.

Taking a deep breath, he called out, “I came by to see Bethany. Do you know where I would find her?”

Before Roscoe could answer, Sally bit out, “I don’t know where Ms. Bridwell is. Perhaps you should call at a later time to see if she’s available.”

Moving toward them, he replied, “I deserve you bein’ pissed at me. I made a mistake. Thought I knew what was best for both of us, but that’s between her and me. I’m asking you to please tell me where she is.”

Sally pursed her lips, staring at his face for a long time. Roscoe wisely kept still, and his mouth shut. She must have seen something that she trusted because after a moment her stance relaxed. Slightly. “She’s out at cabin seven, getting a little work done.” Sally had stepped in front of Jack before he had a chance to move. “Young man, I’ve known Bethany since she was born. I know you must have had your reasons, but you need to know you hurt her badly. And she might’ve been able to snap out of her sadness quicker if other things had not come toppling down on her.”

“Ann,” he said quietly.

“Ah, so you know. Then you also know that right now is not the time to play with that girl. She’s too vulnerable and if you hurt her again, I swear?—”

“I won’t, I promise,” he swore, and meant it.

Sally stared another minute and then nodded down the lane. “Cabin seven is that away.”

“Much obliged,” he said, jogging off.

She watched him then turned to Roscoe and said, “I sure hope that was the right thing to do.”

The two of them went into the shed to put the supplies away, Roscoe not saying anything.

Jack rounded the curve of the lane, cabin seven coming into sight. He ran to the front door, about to call her name when he heard sniffling. Approaching the door carefully he peeked inside. Bethany was sitting on an old rug, her face buried in her knees which were drawn up with her arms wrapped around them. And she was crying. A new rug, still rolled up with the store tags attached, sat beside her.

He walked inside, softly calling her name as he squatted in front of her. She jumped, her head jerking upright, tears still sliding down her cheeks. Her large, blue eyes, wide with fright, looked at him in surprise. He watched as her expression morphed into confusion.

“Jack?” She swiped her tears with the back of her hand. “What are you doing here?” Glancing down at her discarded tissue, she grabbed it off the floor and wiped her nose.

“I had to come,” he explained. Then seeing her knitted brow, he continued, “I’m so sorry about your grandmother.”

He watched as her face crumpled into tears again and he slid down on the floor in front of her, his legs on either side, and pulled her body into his. For a moment, he held her close as her tears continued to fall. Rocking her back and forth, he murmured words of comfort as her body relaxed into his. As the tears slowed, he knew the instance she processed what was happening.

Stiffening, she jerked back out of his arms, her face no longer holding confusion or pain, but anger. Pure anger. Standing, she said, “What are you doing here?”

He stood just as quickly, saying, “I want to talk. I want to explain.”

“Explain? Oh, Jack, I think you explained very well the last time we talked. Your life doesn’t include me. Period. Does that about sum it up?”

“No,” he growled. “I came to tell you that I was wrong. I made a totally fucked up decision at a time when I shouldn’t have been making any personal decisions. And I’ve regretted it ever since.”

She stared, scrutinizing him carefully. Suddenly, shoulders slumping, she lifted her hand in defense. “Jack, I’ve got no fight left in me. Just none. I think you were right. I deserve more than someone who ran at the first sign of trouble.” Giving a rude snort, she added, “You know what’s crazy? I didn’t even know there was trouble. I spent that week thinking about what you said on your deck. What we did. Planning for us to go out. Deciding you were someone I was excited to be with. That was how I spent my week. You? You spent it planning on how to tell me to get lost!”

Skirting around him, she declared, “I have no time for this now so you can just leave.” She walked out and started down the lane, yelling over her shoulder, “Close the door when you go.”

He rushed out after her, slamming the cabin door before checking to make sure it locked. Jogging after her, his long legs caught up to hers almost instantly. The first drops of rain were starting to fall, so they both began walking faster.

Refusing to look at him, she wondered Why is he doing this? Having gone into the cabin to replace the old, worn rug with a new one that Gram had bought months ago, she suddenly felt the loss once more. Shocked when Jack walked in, she admitted it felt wonderful to have his arms wrapped around her. To melt into his body and feel his strength seep into hers.

The rain was beginning to pound down on them and she broke into a jog. She could hear his footsteps right alongside hers but refused to look at him. Seeing the lodge ahead, she thought she would get rid of him. But no more tears. Not over him !

Jack was not about to be dismissed before they had a chance to talk so he jogged with her every step of the way. Running in the pouring rain was nothing to a former Special Forces soldier, but he noticed her slipping in the mud several times with her little tennis shoes.

As the lodge loomed ahead, she rounded toward the back but slipped on the wet grass. Screaming as she threw her hands out in front of her to protect her face from hitting the ground, she was scooped up in his massive arms. Giving a squeak, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on as he jogged up the back steps and into the lodge.

Placing her on the floor of the great room, the two stood staring at each other. Soaked to the skin, they said nothing as the water puddled at their feet.

All of the words he wanted to say flew from his mind as his gaze followed the trail of water as it dripped from her long hair onto her breasts, showcased perfectly in her t-shirt. Chilled now that they were in an air-conditioned room, her nipples had hardened to points that were straining against her bra.

She watched the drops fall from his dark hair down to his shirt that was almost translucent as it outlined each muscle in his chest and abdomen. His jeans molded to his thick thighs, and she found herself unable to tear her eyes away. The loneliness of her existence bore down on her as the electricity sparked around their bodies.

Neither moved. His grey eyes did not move from her blue ones. Unspoken questions flying between them. Suddenly, they both shifted straight into each other’s arms, his mouth slamming down on hers.

She jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. One of his hands held her ass while the other enveloped her middle, his hand on the back of her head. Angling her for better access, he plunged his tongue into her warmth, swallowing her moans. Kicking the back door shut with his boot, he stalked toward the stairs, his mouth never leaving hers.

She kissed him back with as much energy as he was taking her mouth. At the top of stairs, he pulled away just enough to grunt, “Where?” and then followed where she pointed. Moving into the only bedroom that had furniture, he placed her feet on the floor, his lips still locked onto hers.

Her fingers fumbled with his buttons, but she managed to push his sopping shirt off his shoulders while sucking on his tongue. He growled and she felt it deep inside of her, zinging straight to her core.

His hands grasped the bottom of her t-shirt and jerked it upward, their lips parting only long enough for the material to pass between them, before it landed with a wet slap on the floor next to his. She found the button on his jeans at the same time he reached around to unsnap her bra. He pulled her hands away from his pants so that he could slide the lacy material to join their other clothes.

His arms pulled her forward, her bare breasts pressed against his chest before he slid one hand upwards cupping her cheek, his mouth leading a trail from her lips down her neck. She leaned back, his lips firing a path along her skin.

He hefted her easily, turning to lay her onto the bed, before leaning back, perusing her perfect face with her kiss-swollen lips, hooded eyes, and full breasts. Unzipping her jeans, he slid them slowly down her legs, capturing her panties along the way. Finally tossing the last of her soaked clothing onto the floor, he towered over her. Her naked beauty stunned him. “Fuckin’ gorgeous,” he growled, his voice raspy with need.

He quickly unzipped his jeans, and jerked them down, toeing his boots off at the same time. He stood by the side of the bed, palming his erect cock.

A silver medallion hung around his neck, glistening against his tanned skin. She stared at his magnificent body, and his perfect masculinity had her yearning to feel him. Touch him. Kiss him. Every inch.

“Whatever you’re thinking baby, I assure you, I’m thinking the same thing.”

Offering him a smile, she lifted her arms to him, beckoning his body to hers. For only tonight, I won’t care. I just want to feel him for this one time. Anything to not be so lonely and then he can leave once more. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was a dangerous game to play. Her emotions warned her—if she felt hurt the first time he left, she would surely feel it tenfold after this.

He stood perfectly still for a moment, watching her carefully. “You understand what this means, beautiful? I want to make sure you understand exactly what we’re doing. ”

“Jack,” she begged. “Please. Just take me.”

He snagged a condom out of his wallet and tossed it on the bed beside her. Crawling over her body, he kissed her from her belly up toward her breasts. Halting just on the underside, he licked and then sucked his way to her nipples, latching onto one and pulling it deeply into his mouth.

Her body writhed, hips moving upward searching for the delicious friction that only he could provide. Lying partially on her, he slid his left hand downward through her neatly trimmed curls to the prize he was seeking. Her moist folds opened easily, and his finger glided deep inside, eliciting another groan from her lips as her hips bucked up.

His mouth continued its attention on her breasts while he slid another finger into her wet core, scissoring them in a way that had her body once more undulating.

She threw her head back against the mattress, unsure of anything in her life except this man, his body, this minute in time, and her need. Her nipples were on fire as he licked, nipped, and sucked his way from one to the other. Her arms grasped around his neck, holding him in place as though he might vanish at any moment.

Jack had no plans on vanishing…ever. He thought her lips were nectar, but her breasts were divine. Sucking on her hardened buds, he could feel her sex clench tighter on his fingers. Twisting his hand once more, he knew he found the spot that would take her over the edge.

She cried out as her body bucked once more under his ministrations, the sparks flying from her core outward in every direction. Her body exploded and she could not breathe as she rode the wave of ecstasy. Drifting on her mattress cloud, her eyes closed, she did not care if she ever moved.

“Breathe, beautiful,” Jack whispered.

Her eyes flew open as she sucked in a deep breath. Finding him gazing down at her as he slid his fingers into his mouth, repeating the action from his deck that morning, was mesmerizing. She watched his grey eyes focus on her and his smile pierced her sadness. If only I could have this every morning. But she pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the here and now.

He saw the change in her expression…from happy to guarded. He rolled onto his back, pulling her body over on top of his. She peered down in confusion until his lips latched onto hers, carrying her away with his kiss once more. One of his arms was wrapped tightly around her waist while the other cradled the back of her head.

Finally pulling back, he said, “This goes no further until I know that you understand what’s happening.”

She whispered, “I’m not a virgin, Jack. I know exactly what’s happening.”

She tried to take his lips again but found herself halted by his large hand cupping her cheek.

“Nope, you’re not getting it. This,” he said, giving her waist a squeeze, “means something. It’s not a casual fuck. I’m not the consolation prize for your grief.”

At that, her lust induced haze dissipated instantly and she jerked against his tight hold. “Let me go, you jerk. I thought this was what you were doing here. Making me feel something besides sadness for a few minutes.”

“Nope.”

She glared down at him. “Nope, what?”

Suddenly, he rolled, and she landed on her back with his large body covering hers. Keeping his chest from crushing her, he held himself up on his forearms while cupping her face in his hands. His hips lay on hers, his eager cock straining to have the conversation over with.

“Nope, to all the screwed-up shit that’s going on in your mind right now,” he growled.

Her glare turned icy but before she could say anything, he continued, “I told you I messed up. I let my fears of not being able to give you what you needed take over the fact that I’ve never backed down from a mission in my life. Well, darlin’, I’m here to tell you that my new mission is you.”

At that, her glare melted…but only slightly. Seeing her questioning expression, he continued. “I don’t have a job where I’m home every night but that doesn’t mean that when I am home and lucky enough to have you there waiting for me, I won’t make every minute count.”

She blinked slowly, the iciness leaving her glare completely, but the guarded look remained. Plunging ahead, he said, “And my job has me seeing the underbelly of society, the part no one wants to know is there and sometimes living in that world can steal a man’s soul. But you’re in my life, then you’re in my soul and there’s no room left for that shit to take over. You’d be the reason I could go out every day and try my best to keep that world from ever coming into your world full of cabins and flowerbeds, and making others have a sweet vacation.”

At this, her guard came down completely and she tried to lean up to kiss his lips, but he held her head fast.

“Not yet, baby, because this is what you have to take down deep. I messed up. I pussied out when I decided that I wasn’t worth the risk. It was never you, beautiful. It wasn’t that I didn’t want you. But I gave up on me and I’ve never done that before and I sure as shit won’t do that again.”

Holding her gaze as she peered intently at him, he said, “This is the start of you and me. My screwup caused you to be alone when you needed someone to lean on and that shit stops here and now. This,” he paused to gently press his cock onto her, “is the start of us. Not casual. Not incidental. Not friends with benefits. And sure as hell, not a consolation prize.”

Touching his lips to hers in a whisper soft kiss, he leaned back, seeing nothing but warmth oozing from her gaze and said, “But I have to know that you’re getting this. That you’re with me. I have to hear you say it.”

His words wrapped around her heart, squeezing it until she thought it would burst. Not with the sadness and grief that had surrounded her for weeks, but with the feeling that all was finally right with the world. Sucking her lips in to quell their quivering, she fought the tears, but one escaped in spite of her efforts.

He wiped the lone, wet trail with his thumb, his heart pounding until he heard her response. Her blue eyes, now shiny with unshed tears, held him captive. “So, what’s it going to be, baby?”

She nodded slowly, saying, “I was always willing to take a chance on us, Jack. That’s never stopped.” Sucking in a shaky breath and letting it out haltingly, “I choose you. Us. This. I know there are things we will have to work out, but from the first time I saw you…well, maybe not the first time,” she smiled, remembering her fright at the huge man that captured her and held her when she was trying to get to Gram. “But as soon as I saw you so carefully taking care of Gram in the bathroom downstairs, you filled my thoughts. And dreams. And hopes.”

He smiled at her, his fear receding for the first time in weeks. He pushed himself off the bed and bent over to grab his boxers. Catching her confused expression, he said, “Not going any further today, beautiful. We’re not doing this now.”

She leaned up on her elbows, her glare returned as she watched him. What now? Her thoughts in a whirl, she opened her mouth to ask, but he bent over placing both hands on either side of her as he kissed her forehead.

“I’m taking you on a date.”

“Jack, I’m confused. I’m lying here naked, and you’re leaving my bed after telling me that you want this?”

Chuckling, he admitted, “Yeah. Maybe the craziest thing I’ve ever done and it’s sure as shit the hardest.” His eyes roved down her body and it took every ounce of control to keep his dick from ruling his mind. “You’re no fuck, beautiful. I’m going to take you on a real date, treat you the way you deserve to be treated. Find out what all’s been going on. Work to make you realize I want to be in your life.”

Continuing to rub his thumbs over her soft cheeks, he said, “There’s one more thing, baby. I broke your trust when I pussied out. But no more. I promise that I’ll never just give up on us. Never. And beautiful?” he peered down at her. “I never fail at a mission.”