"He really thinks he's important now. He's going to go to preschool and tell them he spent the weekend working with the men."
Jessie laughed merrily. "He's so cute. I'm glad he's having so much fun."
They could see Brady and Jacob coming out of the barn, and Devon said, "Oh, Lord, he's talking Brady's ear off. Poor Brady."
Jessie laughed. "Don't waste your sympathy; he loves it. Caleb does the same thing, and I think Brady just eats it up."
"Sometimes I worry about what kind of life I'm giving him without a male figure to be part of it. I'd give anything to still have my dad around."
Jessie thought for a moment and then said slowly, "He's got a loving, devoted mom and that's the most important thing. There'll be men in his life, teachers, coaches, friends, maybe someday even someone closer. I know you're not looking to start any relationships, but you never know, do you?"
Devon looked doubtful. "Maybe I don't know, but I'm pretty sure. But you're right about the other men who will influence his life. I just have to make sure that they're all good for him."
"And look at what a happy kid he is. I think he's going to be just fine."
"Well, moving out here did a lot for him. He's much happier now than he was in the city."
Jessie smiled. "So, country life is obviously best for him. Now, how about you?"
Devon smiled too. "As long as it's good for Jacob, it's good for me. I'm adaptable. Look, I've even made a friend. I definitely wasn't planning on that."
Jessie laughed. "That's what I mean; you just never know."
Brady called out, "Jess, let me know when you want that fire started. We're going to the barn to get the hot dog forks."
Jessie waved in acknowledgement and Brady walked off with Jacob at his side and Indy trailing behind. They returned a few minutes later with the long forks they needed to cook the hot dogs over the fire. "I know we cleaned these good before we put them away, but I'm going to wipe them off again just to be sure."
Brady let Jacob help him stack the wood for the fire and then made him stand back while he started it. Before long, there was a nice little blaze going in the fire ring, and Jessie and Devon brought the food out to the picnic table. Jacob grinned from ear to ear when he got to cook his own hot dog. He ate every bite along with his "sugar beans" and potato chips. "I helped make the sugar beans," he said proudly. "And I made my own hot dog. It's fun to eat by the fire!"
Devon said, "Wait till we make s'mores. Now, that's really fun."
Brady polished off three hot dogs and a huge mound of baked beans. And then he let Jacob cook a hot dog especially for Indy. Jacob was careful to make sure it was cool before he fed it to the deliriously happy dog. After they finished eating, Brady and Jacob went off to feed all the livestock.
"I called the Richardson woman about the Australian Shepherds," Devon said. "She said there's going to be a litter the first of the year. And I also called about the Golden Retrievers. They're going to have a litter in October. I don't know which would be the best choice. I'm going to visit both of them and see the adult dogs and talk to them. I've been reading a lot about both breeds."
"Aussies need lots of stimulation and activity. Indy actually does a pretty good job of herding when we're moving cattle. The Goldens are a little more low-key than Aussies and they're great with kids too."
"Yeah, I was kind of thinking that way. It's going to be my first dog, and I don't know if I'm the one to provide enough attention and stimulation to a dog like Indy. I'm going to go see the Golden Retrievers and let Jacob see them too."
Jessie said, "That's a good idea. And Jacob might expect another Aussie to be just like Indy. Every dog is different. He wouldn't be getting a twin of Indy."
"I thought about that too. Different might be better. So, we're going to go one day next week. He's going to be thrilled at the idea of getting a dog of his own." The thought made Devon grin.
When the boys got back, they were ready for dessert. Jacob said, "Boy, you have to wash your hands a lot when you live on a ranch." He leaned over to whisper loudly to his mother, "Mom, I peed outside by a tree."
Devon couldn't keep from laughing. "Well, son, sometimes you have to do that when you're busy working on the ranch."
Jacob nodded seriously. "Yeah, it was way too far back to the house."
Jessie was overcome by a fit of giggles, and Brady grinned as he got himself a beer. Devon watched her son toast his first marshmallow over a fire and was thankful all over again that she had moved them into the country. They all ate too many s'mores and then settled around the fire for a while to relax.
Brady said, "We used to do this all the time when I was a kid. And after we ate, we told stories while we sat around the fire."
"What kind of stories?" Jacob asked.
Brady leaned closer to him and said, "Ghost stories."
Jacob's eyes were huge. "Scary ones?"
Brady shook his head seriously. "No, ghost stories are make-believe, and we told funny ones."
Devon looked relieved, and Brady gave her a wink. Then he launched into a ridiculous tale of a countrified version of Casper the ghost, making all of them laugh at the pure silliness of his story. So, Jacob told a story that he obviously made up about a cowboy ghost. He told it with such conviction that Devon stared at him and asked, "Jacob, did somebody tell you that story?"
"No, Mom, that's my own story. I like to make up stories. Someday I'm going to type them down like you do on your lap computer."
Jessie raised her eyebrows and looked at Devon. "Looks like you've got a budding writer on your hands. Maybe he'll be the one to write a bestselling novel."
Devon was staring at her son. "I didn't even know he did that."
"It was a pretty good story," Jessie said, impressed.
"Yeah, way better than mine," Brady said.
"I guess it's a good thing, as long as he doesn't get it mixed up with true stories. You know what I mean? He'll be going to school, interacting with teachers. Jacob, you know the difference between stories and truth, right?"
Jacob looked at her with a clearly scornful expression. "Well, yeah. Stories are make-believe. You can't tell people they're true if they're made up. Geez, Mom."
Devon laughed and said, "Well, okay then. That was a really good story."
Jessie grinned and said, "Geez, Mom."
"Mom, can I have another marshmallow?"
"Yes, but this is the last one. Maybe it's the sugar high that gave you the great imagination."
Jacob paid no attention, spearing a marshmallow with his stick and holding it over the fire. By the time Devon loaded up to go home, her son was nodding off, happy and full. He sleepily told everyone goodbye and remembered to say thank you and was asleep by the time they pulled out of the driveway.
Chapter 14
After the county fair, things were busy at the ranch. Preparations for the winter were starting, the last cutting of hay had to be made, and Jessie was busy with wedding preparations. They were going smoothly, but it seemed there were always details that needed attention. Kayla and Mitch had had a great weekend and their relationship had progressed to the next level. Kayla seemed truly happy every time Jessie saw her, and it made Jessie smile. Brady asked Jessie if she wanted to go on a honeymoon and she realized she'd never thought about it.
"I don't know, Brady. I never thought about it; I was just thinking about being your wife. What would we do about the ranch? And what about Indy?"
Brady laughed at her. "That's what we have Red for. He can always take care of the ranch for a few days. And he has Tom to help if he needs him. I'm sure we can get someone to take Indy for a few days. Annie would do it, for one. If we went after the holidays it would be a pretty slow time, before time for the new calves to drop."
"Where would you want to go?"
"I don't know, I think that should be your choice. You're the bride, after all. Just choose someplace warm. Where have you always dreamed of going?"
"Honestly?"
"Of course, honestly. Just say it." Brady was grinning at her.
"Well, it might sound weird, but I've always had this wish to go to…no, it's silly. You'll laugh."
Brady chuckled and then put on a sober look and crossed his heart with his finger. "I promise I won't laugh. Now spill it!"
"Okay." Jessie took a deep breath and then blurted out, "I've always wanted to go to Disney World." Brady's mouth fell open, and then he laughed hard. Jessie punched his shoulder and said, "You promised not to laugh!"
He struggled manfully to stop and then said, "Okay, I'm sorry. But I was seriously not expecting that. You really want to go there?"
"Oh, Brady, I've always wanted to, ever since I was little. Dad always wanted to take us, and he was never well enough to do it. Jake promised me that we'd go someday after we got the ranch running."
Brady pulled her close and kissed her hard. "Then we're going to Disney World for our honeymoon, Mrs. Jensen."
She looked like a little kid on Christmas. "Thank you! Thank you, Brady, oh, I love you so much!"
He kissed her again, deeper this time. "Who's your favorite Disney character?"
"All of them; I never could choose just one favorite. But when I was little, I guess I liked Cinderella the best. Dad read it over and over to me. I still have that book, the same one he read to me."
Brady swept her off her feet and kissed her again. When he set her back on her feet, she tilted her head to the side and gave him a sultry look. "I think we should practice for our honeymoon, Brady Jensen." She tucked her fingers into the waistband of his jeans and gave a tug, pulling him toward the bedroom.
"You don't have to ask me twice." He picked her up and carried her to the bed, kissing her the whole way. He started to lay her down on the bed, but she pulled away from him and shook her head.
"Uh uh, it's my turn," Jessie said as she pushed him back a step and began to unbutton his shirt. She undressed him, taking her time, and following her fingers with her lips as she removed each article of clothing. When he was completely nude, she stood back and gazed at his firm, muscled, magnificent body. "God, I love to look at you," she said. He reached for her, but she pushed his hands away and shook her head again.
Jessie leaned over and kissed him, tasted him, probed deep into his mouth with her nimble tongue. Her hands stroked the hard muscles of his shoulders and his broad chest and then wandered down to his belly, where the muscles quivered in response to her touch. She stepped back and slowly, gracefully began to remove her own clothes. She teased him, showing him a glimpse of smooth bare skin, and then hiding it again. She finally pulled her second sleeve free and delicately dropped her shirt to the floor. Teasing him again, she unhooked her bra but still held it against her breasts, giving him the briefest of looks and then covering up again. When she let the bra fall to the floor, she reached up and let her hair down, pulling it forward to skim against the rosy tips of her breasts. Brady reached for her again, but she danced away from his hands.
She turned to face him, swaying to an unheard tune, and unbuttoned her jeans, tucking her fingers into the waist and letting him peek at the lacy white panties underneath. Brady sucked in a breath and she traced her lips with her tongue as she gazed at his enormous erection. She reached out and drifted her fingers across the head with the lightest of feather touches and then slipped away. She played with the waist of her jeans again, slipping them lower at an exquisitely slow pace. Jessie turned and bent over, casting a mischievously sexy look over her shoulder as she slid the jeans down her hips and wriggled out of them. Now only the white lace remained, covering her womanhood. She continued the teasing dance, sliding her fingers under the lace and giving him the sexiest pout he'd ever seen, then laughing at the look on his face.
Brady crooked a finger at her, and Jessie moved closer, closer, until she finally stood before him. She pulled him to his feet and stood, skin to skin with him, barely touching him though his manhood pressed against her belly and made her suck in a breath of her own. She traced a circle around his nipple with her tongue and cupped his buttocks in her hands, squeezing and kneading them while she sucked his nipple into her mouth. Jessie turned him around slowly and pressed her body against his back as she reached for him with her hand. Brady moaned as she stroked and squeezed him from behind, her arms around his waist. Then, still pressed against him, she pushed down her panties and stepped out of them.
Jessie slowly slid down her man's body, touching him with every bit of skin she could press against him. He let out a groan and his muscles quivered as she slithered around to the front of him, still crouched down near the floor. She rose at a snail's pace, her breasts sliding up against his thighs until she reached her knees and her hands cupped his butt again.
Brady didn't know how much longer he could take the exquisite torture, but when he reached for her, she pushed his hands away again. Bending her head forward, she delicately touched the head of his penis with the tip of her tongue. A single drop of moisture glistened there, and she licked it off with a quick jab of her tongue. Brady gasped and she did it again and then again. He was trembling and finally Jessie closed her sweet, hot mouth over him and sucked him in deep. Brady actually let out a hoarse cry at the blazing shock of her mouth holding him, sucking greedily at him. She stopped just before he lost all control.
Jessie continued her sinuous slide up his body until they stood pressed together. Finally, finally, she let his hands go and he let them roam her body with rough, hungry caresses. With a low growl, he attacked her mouth, and unable to keep the pace slow for another second, he cupped her buttocks in his hands and jerked her against him. When his fingers reached the vee between her legs, he found her burning, swollen, and dripping wet. Brady hoisted her up and plunged into her in one deep thrust. Jessie let out a cry of triumph and clamped her legs around him as he pushed her against the wall, slipping his arm around behind her to cushion her as he battered her with deep, pounding thrusts. The room rocked around them as they climbed up and up and burst over the top with deep spasms of pleasure rocking them both. They were slicked with sweat and breathing in ragged gasps as they shuddered in the aftermath of their lovemaking.
"God, Jessie," Brady gasped out the words with another convulsive shudder. "I love you; God, I love you."
Jessie nearly purred with feline satisfaction. She was absolutely confident that she had pleasured her man like he had never imagined was possible. And he had given every bit of it back to her. Her whole body was glowing with satisfied pleasure. Brady rested his head on her shoulder, and she gave a little hum of pure joy. Brady finally inched his way over to the bed and sat down with her still wrapped around him.
His breathing had calmed a little and he smoothed back her hair and kissed her all over her face. "Jessie, do you have any idea what you did to me?" He shook his head in wonder. "I never felt anything like that in my life. I never imagined anything could feel that good."
Jessie gave a low chuckle. "That means we both never felt anything like that before. I love you, Brady. With all my heart and my whole body."
He literally couldn't find the words to tell her everything he felt. And he vowed to spend his life showing her. "I wish we could stay just like this forever."
Jessie laughed. "Only until your stomach starts growling, I'll bet."
He considered that. "Well, I guess you have a point there. In fact—" His stomach growled loudly, and they both laughed.
"I think we need to raid the refrigerator," Jessie said.
"Come on, bathroom first." Brady led her to the bathroom, where he washed her with warm water and a soft cloth and her favorite scented soap, and then she brushed out her hair while he cleaned himself. Jessie, dressed in only a long, faded t-shirt, and Brady, in a pair of flannel pajama pants, went to the kitchen and made fat turkey sandwiches to go with Jessie's potato salad and cantaloupe from the garden. They gorged themselves, feeding each other the choicest bites and laughing until they cried. Later, they would think back on this as on
e of their best days of all as darker times fell on them.
Chapter 15
Devon closed her laptop with a sigh. It was time to stop for the day and she had barely gotten everything done that had to be finished. She was going to have to take a serious look at her schedule and make sure that she was going to be able to reach all her deadlines. This day had been productive, but her neck was aching as she stretched and took a gulp of cold coffee. She put her work away and tidied up her desk before she took the empty cup to the kitchen. Her cell phone was blinking, and she saw that she'd missed a call. Devon picked up the phone and looked at the unfamiliar number on the screen. Shrugging, she called her voice mail. The message that played made her face freeze in shock, and the coffee cup slipped out of her fingers to fall into the sink.
Devon played the message a second time and then turned off the phone and stood staring out her back window. As the shock wore off a little, her mind raced, replaying the words of the message.
"Devon, it's been a long time. I heard something about you. If it's true, you and I have a lot to discuss. Do you have something that belongs to me? I think you'd better give me a call back, and you'd better do it damn soon."
Devon trembled with a combination of dread and rage. Once, she'd thought that voice was sexy and thrilling. She'd been wrong. The voice belonged to the most self-centered person she'd ever met, but he'd been good at hiding his true self. She'd thought he was the love of her life and that he felt the same way about her. The truth was he wasn't capable of having any deep feelings for her. The last time they'd been together, she hadn't felt anything from him but a deep, dark, cold nothingness. How the hell could he hear anything about her? It had been years since they'd split up, never to see each other again. She'd been so careful to cut all ties between them. And it had been mutual; he'd never once tried to contact her.
Devon paced back and forth. She refused to face the one thing he could have heard that would make him contact her again. He was her past, and he was dead and buried as far as she was concerned. She wouldn't allow him to touch her life again. She decided to let him wait a day or two while she thought it over carefully and figured out exactly what to say to him and how best to get rid of him. It was time to go get her son and she suddenly needed very badly to see him. She splashed her face with cold water and ran a comb through her hair, inspecting herself in the mirror to make sure that her face showed no trace of the tumult in her mind. She did her best to push aside her thoughts and focus on her son as she left the house.
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