Abel shook his head. “Nothing. It seems as if your stalker is laying low now that you’re away. He must have lost your trail after the last call he made to you and is waiting for you to make a mistake of some kind. It looks as if your investigator is in the clear.”
“Either that or he’s just playing it smart,” Nathan added.
Emerald chewed on her bottom lip. Jackson wanted to soothe her abused mouth with his tongue. And he would. Just as soon as he got rid of his family.
“How are my sisters?” It had been agreed that Emerald wouldn’t contact her family anymore just to be on the safe side. Abel had been in contact with the private investigator, who was in turn in touch with her sisters. It might have been excessive, but they preferred to err on the side of caution.
“They’re good. Although Topaz seems to be a bit put out by her bodyguard.” Abel chuckled. “Dane said that she’s really giving this guy a run for his money.”
Emerald smiled. “Topaz wouldn’t like feeling restricted. We had a lot of that when we were growing up even though Mom and Dad were good about giving us as much freedom as they could. As long as she’s safe, she can put up with it.”
Nathan stirred in his chair. “From all I’ve been able to find out, everyone around you seems to be clean. No police records, unless you count your friend Derek Locke. He’s had a few arrests for being drunk and disorderly.”
Emerald nodded. “Derek’s always been a bit volatile. His father casts a large shadow and has great expectations for his only son. In truth, I’ve always felt a bit sorry for him. But Derek is a great guy and has built quite a successful business.”
Nathan continued. “Your ex-boyfriend has been sniffing around your sisters trying to find out your whereabouts.”
Jackson could tell that surprised her. Her mouth dropped open and for a second she was speechless. She frowned and leaned closer to Nathan. “Beau? Why in the heck would he bother?”
Nathan sat back in his chair and settled his hands on his stomach. “You tell me.”
Emerald looked bewildered. “We broke up months ago.”
“Who broke up with whom?” Nathan queried. His wife elbowed him in the ribs and he sat up quickly. “What the heck was that for?”
“You could try being a bit more tactful, Nathan.” Carly tossed Emerald an apologetic smile, still shaking her head at her husband.
“It doesn’t matter.” Emerald got up and began to pace the room. Jackson wanted to pull her into his lap and cuddle her. “I broke up with him when I caught him in bed with another woman.”
Both women winced and then glared at the men. Nathan held up his hands to his wife. “Hey, it’s not my fault.” He turned back to Emerald. “Maybe he doesn’t want it to be over.”
She shook her head. “I made sure he knew it was over. Yes, he came around at first, apologizing and trying to get me to forgive him and take him back. But that didn’t last more than a few weeks. Besides, I’ve only seen him a few times in the past couple of months. I’m sure it’s not Beau. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t hide out here forever.”
Jackson’s hands fisted at his sides. She could damn well stay here until things were safe. “You can’t go anywhere until the stalker is caught.” His family all stared at him, but he ignored them. “Emerald,” he all but growled her name. “It could be your ex-boyfriend, the delivery guy, your investigator or a complete stranger. Heck, it could even be Derek Locke, even though you say he’s nothing more than a childhood friend. People change. It’s too dangerous for you to go home yet.”
She waved her hand absently as she continued to pace. “I can’t stay here indefinitely. Besides, my job here only lasts for a few more weeks.”
Jackson pushed away from the table, coming to his feet. “The hell with the job.” Reaching out, he snagged her arm and waited until she faced him. “Your safety is all that matters.”
She glanced nervously at his family and then back at him. Why he felt the need to claim her in such a public fashion, he wasn’t sure, but it was there inside him, goading him onward.
“It’s not your decision, Jackson.”
And that was the problem. Emerald had no real ties to him or this community. She could pick up and leave at any moment. The thought made his heart stutter and his stomach cramp. He pushed the fear aside and drew on his anger instead. “No, it’s not. But it’s not smart to do anything to get this guy going again, maybe even send him after your sisters.”
He could have kicked himself the moment the words left his mouth. The fear in her eyes almost undid him. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself and he could see the fine trembling in her limbs. Unable to stand it any longer, he tugged her into his arms. “I’m sorry, babe.” He rocked her in his embrace. “I don’t think he’ll bother your sisters, especially since they have bodyguards. He seems focused on you.” He leaned back and stared down into her precious face. “Give it a while longer. Maybe your investigator can come up with something.”
She sighed and nodded. “A few more weeks won’t hurt, I guess. But I’d like to talk to my sisters. It shouldn’t hurt if I call from here. I did it once already.”
Jackson glanced over at Abel, who shrugged. Nathan shook his head. “It’s risky.” Jackson knew his brother was right, but he weighed the risk against Emerald’s need.
“You can call them later tonight.”
She nodded again and then pulled herself together. Taking a deep breath, she faced the audience seated at the table. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry about it,” his sister said.
“Totally understandable,” echoed Carly.
They all turned to him and he knew he had to distract them from asking questions about his and Emerald’s relationship. Since they both knew that she was eventually leaving, there was no point in getting into things with any of them. Their relationship was private between him and Emerald.
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to all of you about and now is as good a time as any.” He pulled out Emerald’s chair and seated her before yanking out his own, turning it around and straddling it.
“What is it?” He could see the curiosity in Erin’s face.
He took a deep breath and took the plunge. “I want to buy your and Nathan’s share of the farm.”
Erin protested even as Nathan began to object. “There’s no need for you to buy out our share of the farm. The damn place is yours and we all know it. It’s your blood and sweat that’s gone into it. If it hadn’t been for you, we’d have lost it years ago.”
“I agree with Nathan,” his sister added, a mutinous glare on her face.
“But the two of you worked hard all these years and helped to pay it off.”
“It was our home, Jackson.” Nathan surged to his feet and planted his hands on the wood tabletop. “I might be younger than you, but I remember how things were. My God, you practically raised Erin and me. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs or food on the table. If it had been left up to the old man, we’d have all starved.” Anger was evident in every line of Nathan’s body. “He hightailed it out of here so quick as soon as you offered to buy the place, he left a tornado in his wake. I don’t know many other eighteen-year-olds who would have taken on the work of the farm and the burden of two younger siblings.”
“It wasn’t a burden, Nathan,” Jackson said quietly. “You’re my family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for either of you.” He held up his hand before Nathan could protest again. “Look, you both have new families now and you,” he turned to Erin, “you have a child on the way. You could use the extra money to make a fresh start.”
“But where would that leave you?” Erin asked worriedly. “You’d have to take out a mortgage on the place to pay us, and besides which, I don’t want your money.”
“I can take care of my wife,” Abel added softly but firmly.
“I know you can. I wouldn’t have let you marry her if I hadn’
t thought that.” Erin bristled, but Abel just grinned. “Look,” he continued. “I have the money set aside for this. It’s no hardship.” Jackson glanced over at Emerald, needing to reassure himself that she was okay. Her eyes were luminous and she looked on the verge of tears. He wanted this done and his family gone so he could comfort her.
“Where the hell did you get that kind of money?” Jackson thought about ignoring his brother’s question, but knew Nathan wouldn’t give it a rest until he knew.
Pushing away from his chair, he stalked to the counter where he’d laid the folder. Grabbing it up, he returned to the table and dumped it in the middle. Photos scattered. “I have a hobby.”
Erin reached out and picked one up. Nathan was more vocal. “So you took a few cute pictures as a hobby. So what?”
“A hobby.” Jackson could hear the anger vibrating in Emerald’s voice as she slowly stood and glared at Nathan, her hands fisted at her sides. Several curls had escaped from her ponytail and brushed against her chest, which was heaving with the force of her breathing. “The man is a bloody artist and his ‘cute pictures’ as you so quaintly put it are hanging in a gallery in New York, fetching a fine price.” Jackson stood straighter, his shoulders going back as he watched Emerald in action. He’d never had someone stand up for him like this before. It made him feel strange inside, but it was kinda nice too.
“It’s okay, Emerald.” She was completely agitated and he wanted to soothe her. She was adorable when she was all riled up, and incredibly sexy. The fact that it was on his behalf made him want to grin from ear to ear.
“It’s not okay. They need to understand just how important this is to you.”
Abel and Carly were quietly examining the photos, but Nathan and Erin were watching the byplay between him and Emerald. “Look,” he began. “I’m giving you the money and you can do with it what you want. End of conversation.”
Of course, it wasn’t the end, nowhere near it. As Nathan and Erin argued with him, Emerald and Carly began to make supper. By the time they sat down to a quick meal of fried chicken, salad and coleslaw, it was getting dark.
His brother and sister finally agreed to take a small portion of what he’d proposed. It wasn’t what he’d wanted, but it was a compromise he could live with. He’d have the papers drawn up and then the farm would officially belong to him. A burden he hadn’t realized he’d carried seemed to slip from his shoulders. He’d needed to own this place. To have something that was his.
Now he wanted them gone so he could celebrate with Emerald.
Chapter Fourteen
Emerald stood in the center of the kitchen and gave it one final inspection. Everything was as it should be. All the dishes were washed and put away, the leftovers were in the refrigerator and the floor had been swept. The crowd had left about ten minutes ago and Jackson had disappeared upstairs almost immediately.
She chewed on her bottom lip and then made herself stop. She’d thought she’d broken herself of that nervous habit years ago, but she’d been doing it a lot again lately. But it was no wonder she’d fallen back into her bad habit. With a stalker on her trail, she had a lot to be concerned about. And then there was Jackson.
She was rapidly falling for him, knew that she already had very deep feelings for him. Groaning, she scrubbed her hands over her face. Who was she trying to kid? She was in love with the man. It had happened so quickly, she hadn’t had time to put up any barriers to protect herself. He had her heart whether he wanted it or not, and she had no idea how he felt about her. Oh, she knew that he liked her a lot and he was certainly sexually attracted to her, but she didn’t know if it went any deeper than that.
Jackson was a private man. That much was abundantly evident. She couldn’t believe that his family hadn’t even known about his photography. Emerald raised her head, dropping her hands by her sides. She’d stood here and lectured Nathan on how important this was to Jackson. She’d had no right to interfere. This was a matter to be hashed out among family members. But she hadn’t been able to sit there and let Nathan make light of Jackson’s accomplishments.
Then there was the matter of the farm. Emerald shook her head in disbelief as she wandered over to stare out the window. Maybe it was because she was an outsider it was easier for her to see things as they were. Jackson loved this place, needed it in the same way that the rest of the world required air to breathe. It was in his blood. But even more, it was who he was. She understood the force driving him to create something that belonged just to him. After all, she and her sisters had done the same thing when they’d started their company.
Night had fallen over the farm. She stared up at the inky black sky and admired the yellow crest of the moon, surrounded by a scattering of stars. The natural spectacle gave her an idea for another design. She filed it in her mind for now, promising herself that she’d make some notes before she went to bed.
It was so dark here at night. Unlike the city, where artificial lights were everywhere, here there were only the lights from the house and the rest was darkness. Crossing her arms across her chest, she rubbed them, suddenly cold.
Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, chasing away the chills. Emerald leaned back against him and let his heat warm her. “Hey,” he murmured as he nibbled the side of her neck.
“Hey,” she breathed, tilting her neck to the side. He rewarded her by nipping at her earlobe and tugging on the silver and amethyst hoops that she wore.
“You looked deep in thought.” Although she could feel his erection digging into the small of her back, she felt no impatience in him. He seemed as content as she did to just stand there and savor the closeness between them. “Emerald?”
What had she been thinking? The man always seemed to be able to scatter her thoughts. “I was just thinking about this afternoon and everything that happened with your family.”
Jackson rested his chin on the top of her head and gently rubbed it back and forth. “I’m glad that everything is out in the open. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now, but the time never seemed right until today.” He hesitated before continuing. “Abel told me that Fred Kirby, the delivery guy, has been asking about you. Apparently he’s been getting a bit adamant with your sisters, demanding to know where you are.”
“Why didn’t he tell me this?”
Jackson continued to move his chin back and forth across the crown of her head. “With everything else that went on here tonight, he forgot until he was getting aboard the truck to head home.”
She nodded, trying to relax her suddenly tense muscles. Surely soft-spoken, slightly geeky Fred was no threat to her family. “He’s been wanting me to talk to Beau about a computer game he’s created. You know that.” She’d told him everything when she’d made out her list of suspects.
“Yeah. Your investigator doesn’t seem overly worried and neither, apparently, do your sisters.”
She hated this. Hated being away from her family. Hated not knowing who was out there who wanted to hurt her and ruin her life. A lead weight rested in the pit of her stomach as she wondered if her life would ever be normal again. She’d never take normal, everyday living for granted for as long as she lived. Each day was a gift. Today had been an especially wonderful one.
Glancing out the window, she could see the reflection that she and Jackson made in the glass. He was so much larger than her, yet somehow they fit together in a way that looked and felt right. His big body hovered protectively behind her, his arms holding her close. She was surrounded by him, and for tonight, she wanted to bask in the closeness.
“Come upstairs with me.” Jackson met her gaze in the glass and she could feel the sudden tension in his body. Did he think she’d refuse? She didn’t speak, but nodded instead. He turned her, tucking her under his arm and guided her toward the stairs. He turned off the kitchen light as they left the room behind them. Emerald had a feeling she wouldn’t be sleeping in her own bed tonight and that suited her just fine.
Ne
ither of them spoke, but she didn’t feel the need for words. She was content to just be in Jackson’s company. They’d both talked a lot today, sharing deep, personal things. The time for talking was over. Now it was time to just feel.
He surprised her when he bypassed the bedroom and continued on to the bathroom. “Just a sec.” He released her and grabbed a pack of matches off the counter, quickly lightly the four white pillar candles that were placed there. When they were all lit, he flicked off the light, leaving the room bathed in the gentle light.
She allowed him to tug her into the room. The large bathtub was already filled with water and several thick towels and washcloths had been laid out. Jackson reached for the hem of her top and began to pull it upward.
“The bathroom is much nicer than it was even a year ago. I did a lot of work on the place last winter. I tore down a wall and took part of the guestroom to make the bathroom larger. That allowed me to put in a separate shower stall and this bigger tub.” Emerald tried to nod, but the tank top covered her head as Jackson tugged it off her and let it drop to the floor. Because her top had a built-in bra, she was naked from the waist up.
“God almighty,” he muttered as he dropped to his knees in front of her and buried his face against her stomach. She automatically wrapped her arms around his thick shoulders, holding him to her. She sensed he was in an odd mood but wasn’t quite sure what to do about it.
His lips grazed over her tummy as he nuzzled her. His tongue circled her bellybutton before snaking inside. She sucked in a breath, curling her toes into the mat beneath her feet. “Jackson?”
He muttered a curse and gave her belly one last open-mouthed kiss before surging to his feet. “Bath first.” His fingers went to the button of her shorts, then the zipper. He wasted no time, tugging her shorts and panties down at the same time.
She was now totally naked, but he was still dressed. Yes, it was only his jeans, but it was still clothing. “What about you?” She reached for him, but he sucked in his stomach and took a step back.
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