She searched his face, trying to read between the lines. “But, you said . . . .” She held it out to him, wordlessly returning her most treasured possession to its rightful owner. “I knew it didn’t cost enough, I should never have been able to afford something so beautiful.” Aron took Freedom from her and sat it down, choosing to draw her into his arms instead.
“Don’t you dare cry. Everything I own is yours, including this piece of baked clay.” She didn’t automatically put her arms around him, and he started trying to do it for her, willing to cut off his hand before he hurt her again. “I just wanted to know why you bought it, honey – I’m thrilled that you’ve had it all these years - it makes the connection between us just make that much more sense.”
Crawling up in his lap, she poured out her heart. “I confess I’ve wanted you for years. I went to every football game and every rodeo until I . . . . “
“Until what?” He couldn’t believe that she had been his for all of these years. What damn wasted time!
“Until I got sick,” He caught all of her tears, kissing them away. “When I saw that beautiful horse, he looked so wild and free that I thought if I could just have it – some of its power and spirit would pass to me. And it made me feel closer to you.” Bowing her head, she whispered. “Silly, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t think so, look at us – we’re here – we’re together. And you are healthy AND pregnant. I’d say that it all worked out just about perfect.” He stood up and picked her up, statue and all.
“So, I can keep it?” she patted the bronze as they walked down the hall toward his room – sounding exceedingly pleased.
“Baby, you can have that and I will make you a thousand more.” Thinking how he thought his world was ending just the night before – made this morning heart wrenchingly sweet.
“Just give me one when the baby is born, how’s that?” She looked at him so trustingly that he thought his chest would burst with love.
“Done. I’ll make you something perfect. Promise.” Setting her on the bed, he put slippers on her feet. She just marveled at the wonder of having someone like him care so much for someone like her. “Your coffee is cold by now. Let’s get your robe and go down and wait on the rest of the family. I bet that Nathan and Jacob are down there waiting on us. Nathan has been begging to see you since we got back last night.”
A horn blew outside and Libby nearly bounced out of his arms. “Joseph!” she screamed. “Let’s go, Aron!” Laughing, he slung her up on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Libby!” Nathan hugged her before Aron could put her down. “Libby, are you all right?” There was so much concern in his voice that Libby almost cried.
“I’m right as rain.” She hugged Nathan till he squirmed, then she went down the line and gave Jacob a hug. “Thanks for going with us last night. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”
“That’s what brothers are for, Puddin,” Jacob kissed her on the end of the nose. Aron allowed it, he was too happy to be grouchy.
As soon as the door opened on the King Ranch everyone was crowded around to help Joseph out. “Hey, give me room, you bums!” Then he spotted Libby. “Not you, Libby! You come here.” Joseph pulled her to him and whispered. “You went to the doctor?”
She held the sweet dare-devil close and answered, “Still cancer free.” He squeezed her triumphantly.
“Somebody hand me my dang wheelchair.” Aron helped his brother, wondering at the secret words that had passed between his beloved and his brother. He wasn’t worried, just curious.
They got Joseph in and made it as far as the dining table. Aron looked around at his family. His family. Joseph had an uphill battle, but he had plenty of people ready to support him. Aron fixed an eagle eye on Joseph, “What were you and my baby whispering about?”
Everyone was fixing their plates and Libby was busy pouring cold glasses of milk for all the oversize McCoy men. Joseph looked at him squarely. “Libby set me straight. Don’t be mad at her, but when I was feeling sorry for myself and wondering if life was worth living as half a man – she told me the nightmare she had been facing for over half her life.”
Aron felt torn. Part of him wanted to be the only one that Libby confided in, but the biggest part of him was prouder than punch that she cared enough for his brother to say whatever it took to make him want to give life a chance. Aron slapped his brother on the back. “I’m glad she was there for you. Libby is something else. I’m glad you’re home.”
After everybody was served, Aron pulled Libby into his lap and looked at his brothers. “We have some announcements to make.” Before they even began, Libby started to blush. Aron kissed the rosy glow. “It’s okay, baby.”
“Are you two getting married?” Nathan’s eyes shone with excitement.
“Why do you go and steal my thunder, boy?” Aron playfully cuffed his little brother. “Yes, we are. Libby is going to be a part of this family – AND –,” he played it for all it was worth. “You, Mr. Nathan are going to be an uncle.”
At Aron’s announcement there was a general ecstatic chaos. Libby was grabbed and passed from brother to brother, receiving kisses and hugs and congratulations. Aron was generally being ignored, but it was all right. “Hey, be gentle with the munchkin.”
She was gently placed by Isaac in Joseph’s lap for a final hug before she was returned to Aron. “I’m so happy for you. You’ve had your miracle – now let’s work on mine.”
Jessie listened to the happiness inside of the big, inviting home and wished she were part of it. Pressing her face to the glass like a child at a candy store, she watched the one they called Jacob as he quietly surveyed the celebration. He was the reason she was here. After he had almost caught her at the Little League concession stand, she had hung back and watched him work with the children. Never had she known such a man existed. He was patient and kind, working with the boys as if they were his own. But they weren’t. She had watched him leave alone. The next night when he had come, Jessie hadn’t even hesitated. She had stowed away in the back of his truck, not knowing where he was going, but knowing where he was, was where she wanted to be.
The pancakes smelled so good, and her stomach growled so loud that Jessie was afraid they could hear. Most of the ketchup and bread was gone, so she was on short rations. Jessie wasn’t stealing; she made sure that she did work every day to pay for the food that she ate. No one had noticed yet, but she was cleaning the tack and mucking the stalls. Most likely each one of the men would think that one of the others was doing it. Nevertheless, it made Jessie feel better.
Taking one last look at the happy family, she sighed. Something wonderful had happened – she could tell by the smiles and the laughter. For a few minutes, she took it in. The beautiful girl was so lucky. She was loved by all six of the men – and Jessie had no one.
Sadly, she backed away and returned to the barn. Now, would be a good time to take a dip in the stock tank. Everyone was safely occupied and there would be no chance she would get caught. Carefully, she opened the barn door – the cows and horses were used to her now. She had made sure she had petted each one and even slipped them some of the nuggets that were stored in the feed bin. Now, they looked at her expectantly – but none set off any type of alarm. She had claimed the last stall on the right next to the big Palomino. Speaking to the golden horse, she shed her clothes and folded them neatly in the corner. Only having two sets made her keep everything neat. “Thanks for the use of your blanket, gorgeous.” She spoke to the horse; he looked exactly as if he understood every word. Wrapping the horse blanket around her, Jessie stole away to bathe.
* * *
Nathan was so relieved that Libby and Aron had gotten together. He may only be thirteen, but he wasn’t stupid. He could see it coming a mile away. And now, Libby was pregnant. There was going to be an actual, little-bitty h
uman being coming to live on Tebow. For the first time, he wouldn’t be the baby. So, gosh-darn-it, it was high time they quit treating him like one. Like now. Noah had lost his cell-phone out of his truck and he had been given the thankless job of backtracking all over the place to hunt it. Making his way to the corral, Nathan passed close to the stock tank. Hearing a splash, he almost jumped out of his skin. Slipping around, Nathan was determined to catch the intruder. Easing close, he stood on tip-toe and what he saw made him gasp.
To a thirteen year old – long hair and glistening water on a near naked female could only mean one thing. Turning to run, he began to holler. “Guys, guys – come quick!” Of course, no one could hear him – except Jessie – who quickly scrambled to get out of the tank. Racing back to the house, he threw open the kitchen door and found Jacob in the midst of kitchen duty.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? You know you’re not supposed to slam the door, and look at the mud that you’re tracking in on Libby’s clean floor.” Nathan was panting, and more excited than Jacob could remember seeing him.
“Jacob, come quick!” He tried to pull his brother to the door.
“Why? Is the barn on fire?” Jacob knew how boys could flip out over the least little thing.
“No, you’ve gotta come see.” Nathan was insistent.
“See what buddy?” Nathan’s enthusiasm was contagious.
“You just won’t believe it.” At Jacob’s stern expression – Nathan held open the door and motioned his brother to follow him with a pleading look on his face. “You’ve got to see this, Jacob. It’s better than the time Isaac found that two-headed snake.”
“If you don’t just spit it out, I’m going to ground you from your Wii.” Nathan wasn’t worried – he knew Jacob’s bark was worse than his bite.
“For God’s sake Jacob. I’ve been trying to tell you! There’s a mermaid in the stock tank!”
“Well, you’re right.” Jacob followed his brother out the door. “This I’ve got to see.”
* * *
Libby’s pancakes hadn’t set well with her at all. Aron bathed her face and handed her some crackers and coke. She had been sick again, but this time there had been relief and joy in the nausea. For now she knew that the sickness stemmed from her pregnancy and not from a relapse into leukemia. “All better?” Aron lifted her chin so he could see her expression clearly.
“Yes, all better,” she nodded. “I’m just so tired.”
“Why don’t you lie down and rest for a while? We’ve had way too much excitement in the last few days.” She wasn’t hard to convince, and soon he had her nestled down in the soft covers. “I should be out fixing fence, but I can’t seem to drag myself away from you,” Aron stroked her face. “I love you, baby.
Libby smiled at him then said something that made his mouth fall open. “You don’t have to say you love me, Aron.”
Confused, he asked, “You don’t like to hear me say that I love you?”
Snuggling up to him, she explained. “Oh, I love to hear about your love for me.” Pulling his shirt out of his pants and then proceeding to undo his belt buckle, she went on to clarify her surprising statement. “But you don’t have to say it out loud. You say it so clearly in so many other ways.” One of those ways was poking up through his underwear.
“What do you mean, sugar?” He was fast losing his ability to verbally communicate. His attention and oxygen giving blood supply was all headed south.
“Your eyes tell me that you love me.” She kissed his eyelids softly. “Your hands tell me that you love me.” Libby picked up each hand and caressed the palm with her lips. “Your body tells me that you love me,” she got his total attention when her small hands closed around his stone-hard cock. “But, most of all – it’s a heart to heart communication.” She pressed her breasts to his chest so they could feel one another’s quickly elevating heartbeat.
Aron was tearing off his clothes, and then he started on hers. “Non-verbal communication can be very effective.” Spreading her legs, he readied her to receive him. “You are so hot, baby. Your heat burns me alive.” Kissing a path down her body, Aron showed Libby how much he cared. “Every day, Liberty Bell, I will make sure that you know that I love you – in every way that I am able.”
And he was very Able.
Ready. Willing. And Definitely Able.
Cowboy Heat.
“HOT ON HER TRAIL”
Hell Yeah! II
BY
SABLE HUNTER
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2010 Sable Hunter
All rights reserved.
www.sablehunter.com
Six brothers. One Dynasty—
TEBOW RANCH.
Meet the McCoy brothers—Texas men who love as hard as they play.
Texas Cowboys – nothing hotter.
HELL YEAH!
Chapter One
Jessie listened to the sounds of happiness echoing from inside the big, log home and wished she could be a part of it. Pressing her face to the glass window like a child at a candy store, she watched the one they called Jacob as he quietly surveyed the celebration. He was the reason she was here. She watched him smile at something one of his brothers said, and Jessie couldn’t help it; she smiled with him. He had the kindest face.
After he almost spotted her at the Little League concession stand, she had hung back and watched him work with the children. He was patient and gentle with the boys as if they were his own.
But they weren’t.
If he could be so loving with someone else’s child, how would he be with one of his own? Undoubtedly, he would love his son or daughter more than life itself. What a wonderful thought! Jessie hugged herself, imagining a little sable-haired boy being swept up into his strong arms. Two pair of dark blue eyes would turn to look at her, and Jacob would hold out his hand, inviting her to come close and share a kiss. After indulging herself for a brief moment, Jessie shook the notion from her head; such magical musings were not for her.
The first night at the ballpark, Jessie watched Jacob leave alone. When he had returned the next night, she hadn’t even hesitated. Stowing away in the back of his truck, she left her old life behind, knowing that wherever he went was where she longed to be.
Jessie laughed at her impossible dream. Who was she kidding? She was only here to check him out. She wanted to make sure that the man who had fathered her child was a good man. After what she had been through, she had to be certain. For two days, she hid away in his barn. Like a lonely ghost, she had observed him from a distance, content just to be near him. After watching him interact with his family and friends, Jessie knew that even if she had been given an option, she couldn’t have chosen better. Jacob McCoy was perfect.
The pancakes they were eating smelled heavenly. Jessie held on to her empty stomach; it seemed to growl loud enough for the McCoy’s to hear it inside of their warm, safe home. Most of the ketchup and bread was gone, she was rationing what little was left carefully. Jessie wasn’t stealing; she made sure she worked every day to pay for the food she ate. No one had noticed, but she was cleaning the tack and mucking the stalls. Most likely, each one of the brothers thought one of the others was doing the chores. Nevertheless, it made Jessie feel a little bit better.
Taking one last look at the happy family, she sighed. Something wonderful must have happened – she could tell by all of their smiles and the laughter. For a few minutes, she took it in, imagining she was part of their family. The beautiful girl inside with them was so lucky. She was loved dearly by all six of the men – but Jessie had no one. Cradling her abdomen,
she took comfort in the knowledge that she would not always be alone.
Sadly, she backed away to return to the barn. Slipping off the front porch, she thought this would be a good time to take a dip in the stock tank and freshen up. Everyone was safely occupied and there would be very little chance she would get caught. Hurrying across the side yard, she carefully opened the barn door. The horses were getting used to her being around. She had made sure to pet each one, even slipping them some of the nuggets that were stored in the feed bin. Now they looked at her expectantly, but did not set off any type of alarm.
She staked claim on the last stall to the right, next to the big Palomino, to sleep in during the night. Speaking to the golden horse, she shed her outer clothes and folded them neatly in the corner. She only had a few pieces of clothing, so she forced herself to stay neat. “Thanks for the use of your blanket, gorgeous.” The horse met her gaze, looking into her eyes as if he understood every word. Wrapping the old, plaid blanket around her pale body, Jessie stole away to bathe.
Nathan was so relieved that Libby and Aron had gotten together. He might only be thirteen years old, but he wasn’t stupid. He had seen their engagement coming a mile away. And now, Libby was pregnant. There was going to be an actual, little-bitty human coming to live at Tebow. For the first time, he wouldn’t be the baby in the family. So, gosh-darn-it, it was high time they quit treating him like one. Like right now. Noah had lost his cell-phone and Nathan was given the thankless job of backtracking all over the place to hunt it. Making his way to the corral, Nathan passed close to the stock tank. Hearing a splash, he almost jumped out of his skin. Slipping around with slow steps, Nathan was determined to catch the intruder. Easing closer, he stood up on his tiptoes and gasped at what met his gaze. To a thirteen year old – long hair and glistening water on a near naked female could only mean one thing.... Wow! Turning to run, he hollered; “Guys, guys – come quick!” but of course, no one could hear him. No one, that is except Jessie – who quickly scrambled to get out of the tank and hide. Racing back to the house, he threw open the kitchen door and found Jacob in the midst of kitchen duty.
Hell Yeah! Box Set With Bonus Cookbook Page 17