Hell Yeah! Box Set With Bonus Cookbook

by Hunter, Sable

  He didn’t give her an inch when she tried to put some distance between them. Finally, she gave up struggling and relaxed in his arms. “While I was hiding out at your barn, I mucked the stalls and did some weeding in the garden to pay for what I took.”

  “So you’re the gremlin! We all thought we were going nuts. Every time we sent Nathan to do a chore, it was already done.” It all made sense now. But, he didn’t like to think about her shoveling horse manure or wearing herself out in the garden. He wanted to take care of her.

  Jessie tried to think. What would be the best way to tell him? There was no way that he was going to believe her. He was going to think that she was as crazy as a bessy bug. “You see, I don’t want to take advantage of you in anyway. I didn’t come to Kerrville to ask you for anything, Jacob.”

  Jacob didn’t like what he was hearing. Of course he would support her and his child. He didn’t care what the law said. What kind of a man wouldn’t take care of what belonged to him? “It’s okay, sweet doll. Just talk to me. I want to know how you found your way to Tebow and into my life” Jacob’s eyes roved her face. Lord, she was pretty. With his thumb, he felt the plushness of her lower lip, pulling on it the tiniest bit, and then stealing a sweet kiss. “Just tell me, Jess. Tell me about the miracle that brought us together.” Jacob had to bite his tongue, if he wasn’t careful - he was going to spill the beans himself.

  Jessie was so nervous. This was much more difficult than she thought it was going to be. To make herself feel better, she took his hand between both of hers and held on tight. “I work for a janitorial service. Jacob, I clean office buildings for a living. Not very glamorous, I know. But, it’s an honest living and the only work I’ve been able to find.” She refused to tell him why - not yet, anyway. “One of the doctors in a clinic that I used to clean propositioned me.” At Jacob’s stern expression, she clarified. “No, nothing like that - at least not in the beginning. He made me an offer that I couldn’t refuse.” Jacob started to say something, but she covered his mouth with two fingers.

  Gently, he kissed the soft skin that was so sweetly touching his lips.

  “Let me finish while I still have my courage.” Unable to look at him any longer, she closed her eyes and continued to speak. “He and his wife offered me a huge sum of money if I would be a surrogate mother. It wasn’t what I was expecting. The conditions were that they would use the husband’s sperm and my egg, due to the wife’s eggs not being viable and a problem with her immune system. I agreed, not realizing that I would fall in love with the baby the moment that I felt it move.”

  Jacob was dying; he wanted to interrupt her so bad, but he knew he had to let her finish. He couldn’t wait to share in her joy. “Go ahead, baby,” he encouraged her. Jacob was entranced. She was perfect.

  “I can’t say that I regret what happened. I think it was an answer to prayer, actually.” Looking at his kind eyes, she held her breath - then let it out slowly. “Their name was McCay and there was a mix-up at the Cryobank where his sperm was stored. I’m four and a half month’s pregnant, Jacob. About ten days ago, the McCay’s lawyer called us all together and reported there had been a terrible mistake. Jacob, the McCay’s were insisting that I have an abortion, because the baby that they had contracted me to carry to term wasn’t theirs.”

  “Damn! How dare they!” Jacob was livid. “I can’t believe they would ask you to abort, uh, your baby.” He had almost slipped up and said ‘our’. With a shaking hand, he pushed her hair out of her eyes, wanting more than anything to enfold her in his arms and promise that he would never let her go.

  “I couldn’t do it. I gave them their money back. It made them furious. The husband threatened my baby and me. I had to leave in the middle of the night with little to nothing. I didn’t get many of my clothes and I have very little money. They had insisted I quit working and live with them. So, I was completely at their mercy.” Trembling with anticipation, she laid her palm on his cheek and confessed. “Jacob, they told me that you are most likely the father. They say it was your sperm they used instead of Mr. McCay’s.”

  Pulling her to him in one smooth move, Jacob kissed her neck. “It’s all right, Baby. It’s all right. I’ll take care of you. I’ll take care of both of you.”

  At first, Jessie was relieved. He wasn’t angry. She threw her arms around his neck; he seemed so happy. But, how could he accept it so easily? “You believe me? Just like that?” she asked.

  Jacob held her, cherishing her and the idea of their child. “I already knew, Jessie. I got the letter from the Cryobank this morning.”

  Chapter Four

  At those words, Jessie stilled. She froze. “You knew about the baby?” She pulled back from his arms, anxious to look at his face. “When?” Jessie managed to get the words out, even though unreasonable disappointment was causing tears to gather in her eyes.

  “Noah, my brother, brought the letter in at lunch. So, when the call came about Nathan’s accident - I already knew that a Jessie Montgomery might be carrying my child.” A big smile made his face so beautiful it hurt her heart. “When Nathan told me that his mermaid had saved his life, and her name was Jessie Montgomery - I knew that all my prayers had been answered. I had already called a Private Investigator and our lawyer to get the ball rolling to find you.”

  Her throat felt raw with unshed tears. Why did she have to feel this way? She ought to be ecstatic that Jacob was excited about the baby. Instead, she was hurt that the joy she saw in his beautiful blue eyes was over their child, not over any personal interest or attraction he might have for plain old Jessie Montgomery. Searching for the right words, she tried to sound upbeat. “I’m relieved you aren’t angry. You have every right to be, you know. Your choice to be a parent was completely taken away from you. That’s why I wanted to get to know you before I approached you. I had to be certain that you wouldn’t try to force me to get rid of the baby. I also wanted to make sure that you wouldn’t try to take the baby away from me.” When she finished, she watched his face carefully. Slowly, she let out the breath she had been holding. She saw no indication of disagreement in his face. All she saw was excitement and affection. She wondered if any of that affection was for her. If only he hadn’t kissed her and made her hope for the impossible, she would have been satisfied with his reaction.

  Something wasn’t right. Jessie looked afraid. “I would never try to take your baby from you, Jessie. And I don’t believe in abortion,” he attempted to reassure her. “Bottom line - I’m thrilled. I know we have to get some tests done just to legally confirm everything - but, I couldn’t be happier about the baby.” Jacob loved kids. He wanted a dozen. Family was one of the most important things in the world to him.

  He was touching her face and then her hand and every touch made Jessie sadder. “I’ll be happy to have any test done that you would like me to have.” She caught him off guard, and eased off of his lap. “I don’t have a cell phone, right now. But, I will be glad to call you and let you know where I’ll be staying.”

  “Hell, no!” Jacob exclaimed. “I want you to stay here. We have plenty of room. No one will have a problem with it.” He didn’t know what had happened, but the light had gone out of her eyes.

  Turning her back on him, Jessie frantically wiped tears from her eyes. “I’ll find my own place, Jacob. We’ll be all right.”

  Standing up, he caught her shoulder and made her look at him. Framing her face, he wiped the tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “Why won’t you stay with me? It’s the most logical thing to do. You are alone, scared, broke and may be pregnant with my baby; there’s no way in hell that I’m going to stand by and watch you walk away from me.”

  ******

  The music that greeted them at the door of the bar was good. Libby was pleased. “I think they’ll be just fine. Don’t you, Aron?”

  Aron hadn’t told Libby what was going on. Not
yet. When the news about Nathan had hit her, he couldn’t worry about Nathan for worrying about her. Libby was strong of heart, but her little body had been through a world of hurt in her lifetime and he didn’t want her to worry about a damn thing. He wanted to wait and see what the night would bring. Tomorrow, if Jessie was still at the ranch, he would tell Libby that she wasn’t the only one having a baby. He couldn’t believe Jacob might have the first child. Lord, you never knew what a day would bring!

  “They sound great, Libby-love. And we’re going to dance up a storm. Let’s get you settled in a good place and I’ll go over to the bar and get us some drinks. I see a couple of people I need to speak to and then you and I are going to do some serious cuddling on the dance floor. Okay?”

  Libby threw her arms around Aron’s neck and squeezed. “I love you so much. Nathan’s safe and Joseph’s outlook is better. I can’t wait to hold you close. It will only be a foretaste of what I want to do with you when I get you home. I can’t wait to feel you pushing deep inside of me. Right now, my panties are soaking wet. ” At her risqué teasing, Aron almost went to his knees. He had been trying to be careful with her. His sexual appetite was voracious and he tended to like his sex rough and raw - but Libby deserved a soft touch and a gentle hand. Holding back with her was nearly killing him.

  Somehow, Libby knew that he was holding back and she didn’t like it one darn bit. She didn’t want to feel like she was being cheated in her own bed. Not that their sex life was unsatisfying - far from it. But, if there was more to be had - she wanted it all.

  “Hell yeah! I’ll hurry back. We may just skip the dancing and go home and . . .” Aron was so obviously turned on, that Joseph pulled him away before he said an unmistakable sexual expletive in public.

  “Come on, Aron, before you get us all thrown out for lewd behavior.” Joseph winked at Libby as he led his lust-struck brother to the bar.

  “Don’t rush. There’s Denise Lyons. She has promised to loan me some decorations for next weekend’s dance. I need to talk to her for a few minutes, anyway.” Libby blew a kiss at Aron and watched him adjust his package to a more comfortable position. Lord, she loved that man!

  “I need to put some ice down my britches,“ Aron groaned.

  “That could be arranged,“ Joseph mumbled dryly. “Did you see that they were taking the sign down out front?” Joseph asked as they made their way through the crowd. The two handsome cowboys didn’t realize it, but dozens of pairs of eyes followed their progress. The McCoy men always drew attention from the women and envy from the men.

  “Yeah, I did. I wonder what that means?” Aron drawled.

  Joseph mulled it over; it was strange. Shorty’s was an institution in Kerr County. “I hope they’re not going out of business. Where would Isaac live?” Joseph snorted at his own joke. He was just being a horse’s ass; the McCoy family wouldn’t change Isaac for the world.

  Aron ignored the jibe at Isaac. “Why don’t we ask Kane? Maybe he’s heard something.”

  “Can I buy the two of you a drink?” Kane saw them coming.

  “Two Shiner Beers,” Joseph called out their favorite stand-by beverage. Shiner Beer was made in Shiner, Texas just a skip and a hop from San Antonio.

  “What’s on your mind, Boys?” Kane was alone, which was very unusual. He typically had at least three women hanging on him. He and Zane were popular with the ladies.

  Aron sat down at Kane’s table, flipping the chair around backward - Isaac style. Next, he slung another chair backwards, making room for Joseph’s wheelchair. “What’s going on with the bar?” He took his beer from Doris and handed the other one to Joseph. “Thanks,“ he saluted the sheriff with the amber bottle.

  “What do you mean?” Kane knew exactly what Aron was talking about, but he enjoyed playing the game. Isaac was the new owner of the bar. And he knew that they didn’t know, which was going to make the evening highly entertaining. Kane leaned back in his chair and surveyed the two McCoys. In Kerr County, there was no man more respected than these two.

  “It looks like Shorty is pulling up stakes. Did he win the lottery or is he retiring to some damn beach in Mexico? Or do you know, you old ornery cuss?” Joseph had known Kane so long that he didn’t feel any need for pleasantries.

  “I know more than you do, Pretty Boy.” Kane noticed that they were about to be joined by another of the McCoy clan. He decided to stir the pot a little. “I suggest you ask the owner of this fine establishment. I think he may be able to help you.”

  As he followed Kane’s gaze, he saw his own brother walking toward them. Where was Shorty? “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned!” Aron was watching Isaac carefully as first one employee and then another stopped him to ask questions. “I don’t believe it.”

  Joseph was missing something. “What?”

  When Isaac pulled out a chair, he motioned for Doris to bring another round. “Welcome to Hardbodies, gentleman. Now, we have two things to celebrate: Nathan’s alive and well, and I’m not the total screw-up you thought I was.”

  It took a few seconds, but finally Joseph got it, “You bought the bar.” He said it with a tone of incredulity.

  “I bought the bar,” Isaac echoed. “Now, I won’t be so apt to tear it up or drink up all my profits.”

  “I’m proud of you,” Aron’s voice was deep. He was dead serious. “This is what you’ve been doing for the last few months, isn’t it?” The whole family had thought he was just avoiding Joseph and shirking his responsibilities.

  “I wish you all the success in the world, Man.” Joseph raised his bottle and winked at his brother. “This suits you, Brother. You’re going to do great - a life of hard liquor, women and music. What could be better?”

  “Dancing with my baby. I’ll see you two goons at home. Nice to see you Kane,” With that Aron left, and in a few moments, he had a smiling Libby in his arms and they were dancing to Tequila Sunrise’s version of Breathe.

  Isaac sat with them for a few more minutes before excusing himself to take care of a rowdy cowboy on the dance floor. “Catch you guys, later. And I’ll tell Doris - all your drinks are on the house.” They thanked him and watched him walk away with a new confidence. Joseph thought it looked good on him.

  “So, how have you been, Joseph?” Kane missed hanging out with the daredevil McCoy brother. They had been in the same rock-climbing club and had even been white water rafting together a couple of times.

  “Not worth a shit.” Joseph didn’t feel the need to hide from Kane; they had shared too much during the last few years.

  “What’s your prognosis?” Kane had a reason for asking.

  “Depends on who you ask,” Joseph wasn’t holding out much hope. “Right now, I’m useless from the waist down. Kane, I wouldn’t say this around my family - but, I don’t know if I can face a future like this.”

  Kane leaned closer to Joseph. He wouldn’t say something like this to just anybody, but Joseph was desperate. “I’m from New Orleans, man. I’ve seen things that can’t be explained by science or common sense.”

  “What do you mean?” Joseph was a skeptic. He only believed in what he could see with his eyes and touch with his hands.

  “I had a buddy that was injured over in Iraq. He was basically in the same shape you’re in. The doctors told him he’d never walk, and have to use a colostomy bag for the rest of his life, plus he had no hope of ever getting another woody again as long as he lived.”

  “Sounds familiar,” Joseph sighed. “Even though my family has this idea that a miracle is possible, I don’t hold out much hope.”

  “I’ve seen a miracle, Joseph. I can give you the name of a woman that can give you back your manhood.”

  Joseph searched Kane’s face for any sign of a joke. Kane was a friend, and he didn’t think he was cruel enough to make light of
something so important. “What do you mean?”

  “There’s this woman back in New Orleans. Her name is Acadia Renaud. She’s a licensed physical therapist, but the lady is much more than that. She’s got a hoodoo background. I’ve heard her called a traiteur, and an empath.”

  Joseph couldn’t believe his ears. Here was this man of the law - a reasonable man - a man with an education, and here he was spouting off the most ridiculous drivel that Joseph had ever heard come out of a grown man’s mouth. “What the hell is a traiteur or an empath?” He didn’t know why he was humoring Kane Saucier. Perhaps, he was just a nice guy. Or desperate for anything that could help him.

  Sensing Joseph’s disbelief, Kane almost got up and walked away. But, he believed in what he was about to tell Joseph McCoy, plus he had a genuine desire to help the fool. “A traiteur is a Cajun healer, a faith healer basically. Since Cady is part Creole and part Cajun she combines laying of hands with herbs and whatever hoodoo people do. I’m not claiming to understand it, but I did see the result of her talent with my own eyes.”

  “What about that other word you used?” Joseph couldn’t help himself; he was intrigued.

  “An empath is a healer who can absorb another person’s pain or disease into their own body. It’s supposed to be very painful for the empath, but the end result is that the patient is healed and the empath’s body deals with the disorder in a shorter amount of time with less damage to their own body. So, it’s a talent that they have to be careful with and use sparingly or they can devastate their own health.”

  “So, what are you telling me in plain English?” Joseph dared to let himself hope.

  “I’m telling you that Cady Renaud might be able to help you.”