Jessie’s Dusty Dreams

by Kat Carrington

  Jessie nodded, and he went on. "There are several charges against him, and they were hoping that he wouldn't be granted bail, but the judge did grant it. He made bail earlier today. He's wearing an ankle bracelet and is restricted to work and some time to do necessary errands. He was issued a restraining order to prevent him from coming anywhere near you. If he breaks the conditions of his bail agreement, he can be sent back to jail, where he would stay until trial."

  Jessie was stunned. She had known he might be allowed bail, but she hadn't really thought that it would happen.

  The sheriff tapped his fingers on the table before he spoke again. "The DA's office tried hard to get bail denied, but Whitman's lawyer argued that if he spends weeks in jail waiting for trial, he'll, in all likelihood, lose his job. He's worked there a long time, and they vouched for his good work history. I know people don't have much of an opinion of restraining orders, and with good reason. But in his case, it would really add weight to his charges if he violated it. And an ankle bracelet isn't foolproof, but the bail bondsman will get an alert if he violates his curfew. I would much rather they had kept him in jail, but that's how the system works." Bret looked unhappy as he spoke.

  Brady was pissed. "How could they look at what he did and then let him out of jail? They have a whole pile of evidence, and there's no way he can ever be found not guilty. It's not like this is a case where there's any real doubt about what happened. And they'll actually risk having that asshole out in public again?"

  "I know, believe me. But the system is set up to protect his rights until he's actually found guilty, and that's the way it's going to go. I wish the judge had been tougher on him, but there's nothing we can do but be on guard until trial. The prosecutor did ask for the trial to take place as soon as possible, and it was set for the first week of April. So no waiting until June or July, like they said at first."

  Jessie said slowly, "So we have about eight weeks to wait for trial, and he's going to be free until then?"

  "More or less. I promise you, Jessie, we'll keep a close eye on him and what he's up to. And the bail bondsman will be watching his ankle monitor, too. If you want to get out of here for a while, I wouldn't blame you."

  Jessie looked shocked. "I can't do that. This is my home; we have a lot of stuff going on. Besides, I don't have anywhere to go."

  Brady said firmly, "Yes, you do. My parents would love to have you come and visit for a while."

  "No. It's not like it's just a few days. I'm not going to run away and hide for eight weeks. That's two months! I love your parents, but I'm not doing that. This is my place, and that piece of crap is not driving me away from here." Jessie's face was resolute.

  Bret sighed. "Well, I can't blame you for that either. This is your place, and you're not the one who did anything wrong."

  Jessie was calm. "I'm not letting Dan Whitman have any power over me. Besides, he'd be stupid to do anything to jeopardize his bail now that he got it. I'll just keep busy, and the time will go fast."

  Watching her, Brady knew that there was going to be no convincing her otherwise. He swore silently and knew it was going to be a tense two months. "What can we do to make the safeguards stronger?"

  "Keep a close eye on everything. If you notice anything out of the norm, call me. I don't care how small it seems. Watch your backs all the time. If you can avoid being alone, Jess, do it. Keep things locked up, ask your friends and neighbors to be watchful too. Don't ever hesitate to call, even if you don't have something specific, just a bad feeling. We'll be watching too. Dan's going to know that there are eyes on him all the time. We're not letting him get a second chance if he's stupid enough to try it." Bret was dead serious as he spoke.

  "Okay," Jessie said. "We'll be careful. And when this is over, I hope to hell he goes to jail for a long time."

  When the sheriff left, they locked the door after him and then checked every window in the house, making sure they were all locked.

  "Tomorrow, I'll cut some dowel rods and we'll put them in all the windows. It'll be impossible to get in through a window without smashing it out. There won't be any sneaking in through a window. And I think we should look at security systems. We've already got lights with motion detectors put up outside."

  "Yes, and those have been great for lighting up the place whenever a rabbit or a deer wanders by." Jessie made a face at him.

  Brady chuckled at her. "There is that. But we're pretty much used to it, right?"

  "We can manage. It just makes me so mad that we have to do all this! Why can't he just be in jail where he belongs?"

  Brady put his arms around her and kissed her on top of the head. "Don't worry, baby. There's no way in hell I'm letting anything happen to you. I'd kill him first. Maybe we should take a trip to see Mom and Dad."

  "No, Brady, then we'd be leaving Dusty Dreams unprotected. I can't do that. And we can't expect Red to do it either. But, Brady, I can't ask you to put yourself at risk. If you want to go home, you should."

  Brady gave her a long, level look. "Now you're really pissing me off. I'm going to hope you didn't mean that."

  Jessie flushed. "Well, I mean, it's not you he's after. I couldn't blame you if you didn't want to be in the middle of it."

  "Jessie Mills, that might be the dumbest thing you've ever said. You honestly think I could walk away and leave you here to take your chances on your own? That's how much you think of me? That's how seriously you took me when I told you I love you?" He was seriously pissed.

  "I didn't…I don't know what I mean. Of course, I don't think that. God, what a mess! I guess I just feel guilty that you could be in danger too."

  "Well, knock it off. Nobody's at fault except Whitman. You keep up that attitude, and I'll burn up your butt for you. Look at me." Brady took her chin in his hand and raised her head to face him. "Not one thing in all of this is your fault. And I don't ever want you to say or think that again. You got it?"

  Jessie gazed into his face for a long moment and then said, "I got it. It really isn't my fault, not any of it. But I'm not running away. This is my home, and I'm staying right here. I'll take any kind of precautions I can, as long as they make sense. But I'm not going away."

  "Okay. But if I tell you to take a precaution, you're doing it, even if you don't think it makes sense."

  "Anything except running away. I promise."

  When she snuggled into Brady's arms in bed that night, she realized that she had forgotten all about her plan to tell him how she felt about him. Disappointed, she told herself that she would do it as soon as possible. She fell asleep dreaming about a summer day and herself and Brady on horseback, watching the herd, new little calves all over the pasture.

  Chapter 18

  The next two weeks dragged by, tense but uneventful. Brady and Jessie spent time with each of their friends and neighbors, explaining about Dan and asking them to help watch for anything suspicious. Everyone agreed readily to help them. It seemed that Dan was keeping a low profile, going to work and doing his necessary errands, banking and shopping, and spending the rest of his time at home. The sheriff's department showed a presence regularly, driving slowly by his house and by the ranch as well. Rather than being lulled by it, Brady's watchfulness grew sharper. He had a gnawing feeling that Whitman was going to try something.

  Jessie made plans several times to sit down and spill her feelings to Brady, but something always seemed to happen to disrupt them. As time went by, she found herself relaxing, reasonably sure that Dan was going to toe the line until his trial. She and Brady did chores together every day, but after two weeks, Jessie put her foot down.

  "Brady, I know we're being careful, but this has to stop. I have things to do in the house; they're piling up like crazy. You can't spend all your time in the house while I cook and clean and do laundry. Speaking of which, if I don't get some done today, we're going to be living in our dirty clothes. I have Indy, I know how to use the shotgun, I keep the house all locked up. I've got to get back to a l
ittle more normal routine here. I don't mind us going together when there's shopping or whatever to do, but I have to spend some time in the house."

  Brady knew she had a point. "What if you ask Kayla to come over and spend the day with you?"

  Exasperated, Jessie glared at him over a skillet full of scrambled eggs. "Brady, she has to work. And, besides, what kind of protection is Kayla? I love her, but she's no bodyguard. I'll take care of the chickens in the morning. You can go with me if you want, and then I'm going to work in the house while you work outside. I will keep my phone with me at all times, and we can check in with each other as often as you want."

  Reluctantly, Brady agreed, "Okay, but you don't let your guard down for a second. And you keep every door and window locked. I'll check the shotgun out before I go outside."

  Jessie put the platter of eggs and bacon on the table and reached up to kiss him. "Thank you."

  "Don't thank me; it makes me nervous. But we have to keep living our lives."

  "Exactly. You'll get used to it, and soon it'll be over."

  They sat down to breakfast, and after a couple of minutes, Brady said, "So, if you're going to be working in the house, do you think you could bake one of your apple pies?"

  Jessie laughed. "Yes, I think I can manage that. I feel better already at the prospect of having a normal day."

  "Just don't get the idea that it's completely normal. You still have to be on your guard."

  "I know, Brady, I'm not going to take any silly chances. God, I'll be so happy when this is all over!"

  "You and me both."

  After the initial nervousness eased a little, both of them felt better for having spent their day in a more normal way. They spoke to each other on the hour, Brady came in for lunch as usual, and Jessie kept busy cleaning and cooking. She had one moment that made her heart beat fast when Indy stiffened and growled, sniffing at the kitchen window. Jessie crept over from the side, staying out of sight, and peered around the edge of the curtain. There was a doe and fawn at the edge of the yard, and Jessie heaved a sigh of relief. She petted Indy, who wriggled in excitement when Jessie gave her a biscuit.

  When Brady came in at the end of the day, the house was fragrant with the smells of freshly baked apple pie and crispy fried chicken. He groaned with pleasure when he peeked at the skillet and swept Jessie into his arms.

  "You're amazing. How did we get through two weeks without you cooking like this?"

  Jessie laughed at him. "We'd probably stay a little thinner if I didn't."

  "I don't care. I'll work a little harder, just don't stop doing it. I took care of the chickens."

  "Great, thank you. Go wash up, dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes."

  Brady grinned. "Good, time for me to get a shower. I'll be back in a few."

  When they sat down to fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans, they had the most normal evening they had had since finding out that Whitman had made bail. They stuffed themselves, talking and laughing about anything but Dan Whitman. Finishing with pie and ice cream, they relaxed on the couch after the dishes were done. Jessie snuggled close to Brady and he stroked her hair, kissing the top of her head. After watching the movie mindlessly for a little while, Jessie got up and took Brady by the hand.

  "I think we should go to bed," Jessie said, tugging gently at his hand.

  Brady rose and put his arms around her, taking her mouth in a long, sweet kiss. "How did you get so smart?"

  Brady carried Jessie to the bedroom, where he laid her on the bed and slowly undressed her, trailing kisses over each place he bared, raising gooseflesh on her soft, smooth skin. He nibbled at her shoulder and nuzzled her neck, fastening his mouth on the rosy tip of her breast. Jessie arched her back and cried out as he suckled at her breasts in turn. He took his sweet time, finally moving his mouth down her belly and raising his head to watch her while he unfastened her jeans and tugged them down. She wriggled out of them and squirmed as he used his teeth to pull her panties down.

  Brady's mouth scorched her skin, and Jessie's eyes darkened with pleasure as he spread her legs and tasted her. He tormented her with his tongue and her hands fisted at her sides as she bucked against his relentless mouth. He turned her over and traced her spine with his mouth, sliding his hands under her to cup her breasts.

  "Brady, please, I need you naked, please."

  He nibbled at her lowest rib, making her squirm with the little shocks of pleasure from that sensitive spot. Finally, he got off the bed long enough to get out of his clothes, and Jessie turned over to open her arms and welcome him in. Brady stretched out beside her, and their bodies pressed together from head to toe. They kissed deeply, and then Jessie pushed him onto his back and straddled him. Now it was her turn to taste him, her lips roving over him at random, nibbling and licking, nipping lightly.

  When she finally moved down to his erection, she wrapped her hand around him and stroked him, wringing a ragged sigh from him. When she took him into her mouth, he groaned and writhed under her. Finally, with her dark eyes flashing, she raised up and then lowered herself onto him, taking him deep inside her with a moan of her own. Jessie rode him, slowly at first, then harder and faster until, with a growl, Brady turned over with her and drove into her. They climbed higher and higher, wracked with shudders of pleasure as they exploded together. Jessie cried out, her legs clamped around him as he throbbed within her.

  "Oh, God, Brady," Jessie gasped, shaking with the spasms of her climax.

  Slowly, they came down from their lovemaking. Their breathing slowed, their sweat cooled. They stayed joined together, reveling in the closeness. Finally, Brady kissed her eyelids and whispered something that she didn't quite hear. When she finally rose from the bed, she gave him a smile, deeply satisfied. "I need water, how about you?"

  "Yes, that's a good idea," Brady said with a smile, watching her as she walked away, loose and relaxed. He thought that he had never dreamed what it could be like, loving as much as he loved her.

  When Jessie came back, they sipped their water and just held each other. Finally, she snuggled against Brady, and he pulled the covers over them and held her.

  Falling asleep, Jessie murmured, "I love you, Brady…"

  Brady smiled and pulled her closer, hoping that she would remember it in the morning.

  * * *

  By the third week, Jessie was going through most of her days without thinking much about Dan Whitman. He continued to keep a low profile, pretty much avoiding people and keeping to himself. Jessie didn't bother to lock the door when she only went out briefly, like to get the mail. She did make sure that she only did that at times when she knew Brady was busy out working. She knew he'd spank her if he came in and found the door unlocked. She wasn't being careless, but she didn't see any point in locking the door behind her while she walked straight out to the mailbox. It was just a nuisance to have to pull out the key and unlock it to get into the house, especially since the door was plainly in her view the whole time she was outside.

  On Saturday, Brady dropped her off at Kayla's to spend a couple of hours with her friend. Her movie date with Mitch had gone well and they had even gone out again, traveling to a nearby town where there was a blues bar with live music. Kayla was bubbling over with talk about Mitch, and Jessie had to laugh at her.

  "It sounds like you're smitten," Jessie observed.

  Kayla dimpled up. "Oh, no, it's not serious like that. But I like him, and we have fun together. Maybe, someday…"

  Jessie gave her a hug. "It's good to see you having fun."

  "I'm keeping his time around Caleb to a casual minimum. I wouldn't want to get Caleb in a real relationship with anyone unless it really does become something serious. I'm not going to let him get hurt."

  "That's smart, Kay. You're such a good mama."

  "Caleb never knew his dad, but I'm going to make sure that I always tell him about him and show him Mike's pictures. I want him to have a feeling for what his dad was like. It still
breaks my heart that they never even met each other."

  There were tears in Jessie's eyes. "Kayla, I think you're the strongest person I've ever known. I know you're being cautious, but I hope that Mitch turns out to be the one to give you another happy life. I know, that's really jumping the gun, but I still hope so. You deserve it."

  Kayla smiled peacefully. "If it works out that way, I'll be the luckiest woman in the world. Mike was the love of my life and our time together was the best I could ever imagine. If I get a second chance at a loving relationship, I really will be the luckiest woman alive. It's never going to be the same as me and Mike, but that's as it should be. It'll be different, but just as good in its own way."

  "How did you get to be so wise?"

  "Honestly, I spent a lot of time in a grief counseling group, and I met a woman who got that second chance. She told me a lot that made me understand how it can be so different and yet just as good in its own way. So, if it works out that way, I'll be grateful. If it doesn't, I'll at least have a good friend that I can have fun with."

  Jessie said, "Hmm. Maybe you could be like your mom and dad, friends with benefits."

  Kayla's mouth dropped open, and then she burst out laughing. "I honestly hadn't thought about that. Don't rush me, here."

  Jessie was laughing. "Your mom and dad are awesome. You should have seen your face when your mom told you that."

  "Well," Kayla said weakly. "It came as a real surprise to me."

  "Clearly!"

  "Once I got over the shock, I was happy for them. Maybe it explains why my mom never ended up with anyone else. I think she's always loved my dad, she just couldn't live with his lifestyle. This seems to work better for them. And now that I know the secret, I'm hearing from both of them more. They're happy in their own weird way."

  "That's a good thing," Jessie said with a smile.

  They heard some quiet chatter and then a bang, and Kayla gave Jessie a wink. "Sounds like somebody is awake from his nap."