Return Of The Prodigal Daughter [Wayback Texas Series]

by Marguerite Arotin

  He removed her hat and tossed it away. Then he scrunched her hair between his fingers. “I love the way your hair feels like corn silk.” He breathed in the scent. “And smells like strawberries.” He kissed her cheeks, and then her lips. “I love how your skin and lips are so soft. I love the taste of you, Sherrie. But that's not all I love.” He put his hand over her heart, loving the way it raced just for him. “You have a good, strong heart. You're the most courageous woman I know. You're smart, daring, and sure as heck know how to challenge this rodeo clown, more so than the bulls I face."

  Jake reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, stared at her perfect, bared breasts in all their glory, swallowed hard, and then continued. “I was such an idiot for ever walking out on you.” He knelt before her, and took a ripe nipple into his mouth. “Please forgive me honey."

  "K-keep it up cowboy,” she sputtered out. “And I'll forgive you for anything."

  He continued to suckle, savoring the delectable taste. He slid down her little black skirt, to reveal her pink lace panties, garter belt, and silk stockings. “Please keep this on.” He ran his thumb across the lacy line around her slender waist. “Sweet and sexy as hell."

  "Whatever you want, cowboy.” Sherrie reached down and removed her underwear and boots. “Of course, I don't want to wear these."

  "I agree.” Jake reached into a small nest of pale curls to stroke her clit. “I couldn't do this to you if you still had your frilly underwear on."

  "Jake I wanted to...” Her words trailed off as he delved one finger inside her.

  "You wanted to what honey? God, you're hot and wet.” He removed his finger and licked her sweet juices, then flashed a half grin. “I could just pounce on you and ride my cowgirl.” He rubbed the swollen flesh between her legs. “You seem like you're ripe and ready for it."

  She winked. “You know it, but stand up, cowboy. I want to do something for you first."

  He rose to his feet and cocked his brow. “Hmm, what would...” Before he could even ask, Sherrie had removed his belt, slid down his pants and underwear, and licked the length of his shaft. “Okay ... I can't argue with ... Oh damn...” His cock throbbed as she sucked the tip and caressed his balls. “Sherrie ... Oh honey, I have to take you now. I hate to stop you because you're so damn good at this but..."

  Sherrie leaned back against the couch and motioned him toward her with a finger and come-hither eyes. “Take me.” She spread her legs. “I'm all yours."

  He removed his boots and kicked them aside, stepped out of his pants and boxer briefs. He positioned himself over her on the couch. He entered slowly, and then found himself all the way inside when she wrapped her long legs around his waist. He muttered a curse beneath his breath. “Damn, forgot about a raincoat. I don't think I can pull out now.” Jake was lost in the ridges and wetness within her, things he couldn't feel with a rubber between them.

  Sherrie wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with the loose curls at the nape, while she took over and began to move at a steady rhythm. “Don't worry, I'm on the pill. Just go with the flow and ride me until you can't take ... Oh yes ... like that."

  She tossed her head back as he increased the pace. She cried out when he squeezed both nipples, and he lost all control as she clenched her legs around him, and shuddered.

  "That's it ... Oh Sherrie...” he cried out as he rode her to his release. The sweat from his body dripped onto her glistening skin, as he withdrew and collapsed beside her. Jake wrapped a protective arm around her and sighed in contentment. “This is where I belong. Say you won't leave me, Sherrie. I want to spend the night with you."

  She kissed his chin. “I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay for as long as you let me."

  * * * *

  The shrill ring of a telephone assaulted Jake's ears when he awoke to use the bathroom. He knew it was probably a few minutes after midnight, because the cat clock in the living room had meowed out the hour just as he sleepily wandered to the bathroom. Not wanting the phone to awaken his sleeping beauty, he stumbled to the living room and answered it.

  "Jake, it's me, Soledad,” the panicked voice of his little sister replied.

  "For cryin’ out loud, why are you calling me this late?"

  "Look, I know you won't be thrilled about me sneaking out again—"

  "You're out this late? On a school night? Where are you? Let me know so I can drag you home and Daddy can smack your behind."

  "I'm at the Blue Bug and there's trouble. Daisy's ex, Justin is here. He started something with Daisy and her boyfriend, Sam ... You have to hurry."

  Jake ran his fingers through his hair. He hated leaving Sherrie's side, but didn't want her sister to get hurt. He considered the situation and finally replied, “Fine. I'll be there. Just let me toss on some clothes. I'll see you at the Blue Bug in about ten minutes."

  "Please hurry. I'll see you then."

  He hung up the phone and rushed to the bedroom. After dressing, he kissed Sherrie on the cheek. She rolled over, but didn't awaken. Hopefully, he'd be able to cover whatever bruises he earned with clown make-up before she awoke the next morning.

  * * * *

  When Sherrie awoke the next morning, in a bit of a sleepy haze, it took her a few minutes to remember whose bed she lay in. Of course, the quilt draped over her naked body was warm and cozy, but the scent attached to it was definitely masculine, and the quilt was an indigo checkerboard pattern. Much different from the floral quilt on her bed. She put it all together, and suddenly remembered, as she stretched, and spied a poster of herself wearing the itsy bitsy yellow striped bikini she'd posed in for Sports Illustrated above the headboard.

  A tear of joy slipped from the corner of her eye. “He kept my poster ... the cat clock and my poster. My God, he really does love me."

  She wiped the tear away and a flood of memories from the night before washed over her. Jake whispering everything he loved about her, the tender way they'd made love twice, and the way he lifted her half-asleep body to his bed and gently placed her on it.

  She found a fuzzy terry cloth robe on the closet floor next to his dresser, and slipped into it. Jake wasn't in the bedroom, but she smelled bacon, French toast, and the sweet aroma of fresh brewed coffee flowing through the open door.

  Sherrie stepped into the hall and scrunched her toes into the plush brown carpeting. She almost slipped on the pinewood floor spanning Jake's living room and open kitchen when she saw a yellow wigged clown wearing baggy striped overalls frying bacon on a cast iron skillet, humming the theme song to “The Dukes of Hazzard."

  Sherrie couldn't help it, she burst into a fit of giggles. “Oh ... Oh m-my G-god Jake."

  When he turned her direction and winked, she noticed he was in full clown makeup. White face, red lips, and purple circles around his eyes. “What are you laughin’ at darling? I wear this every morning."

  She climbed on top of a red stool, leaned over the breakfast bar counter, and kissed his shoulder. “Do you have any idea of how adorable you are? Nothing quite as cute as a clown cooking breakfast and humming in the morning. How'd you get into clowning around anyway?"

  Jake used a spatula to remove the bacon and placed it on a plate with the French toast. Handing the plate and a fork to her, he said, “Eat up and I'll tell you all about it."

  "Got a mug too? That coffee smells too fantastic to resist."

  He reached above to the cupboard, pulled out a plain blue mug, and asked, “Still take a spoonful of sugar and a teaspoon full of cream?"

  She nodded. “I'm surprised you remember. Course you made breakfast for me plenty of times. You always put me to shame in the kitchen. I guess I didn't inherit Daisy's culinary skills."

  Jake chuckled as he prepared her coffee. “Ah, honey, you weren't too bad in the kitchen. I just got lucky that I hung around Grannie and she taught me well."

  Sherrie was about to take a sip of coffee when her cell phone rang. She looked around and was about to ask Jake where she left her purse, but he ru
shed out of the kitchen, grabbed her purse from a blue recliner, and handed it to her.

  By the time Sherrie rummaged through her black sequined bag and found her cell phone, Gretchen had stopped singing. She grimaced when she checked her recent calls and spied Max's phone number. “My brother called. He's probably just checking up on me."

  "You should call him back. I mean I'd worry too if Soledad stayed out all night."

  Sherrie nodded and dialed the number. Max picked up on the second ring and instead of saying hello, he demanded, “Sherrie, where the hell are you?"

  "Good morning to you too. Look don't get all angry with me. I spent the night at Jake's place."

  "I know. I heard from just about the whole town that you went home with him. Suppose I just needed to confirm it. Maybe I was wrong. I'm just calling to tell you that. Jake actually gave me a hand with Justin last night and—"

  "What? You're not talking about the dirt bag who hurt Daisy. Are you? He's not back in town ... Or is he?"

  "Jake didn't tell you? Well, he did one hell of a job of helping me and Sam kick Justin's ass last night. Earned himself a bruise in the process."

  Sherrie glanced at Jake. When had this happened? It was hard to see any bruises with all the makeup, which was probably why he'd made up his face like that before she woke up. She didn't know whether to throttle him for not telling her or kiss him all over for coming to her sister's rescue. “I should go. I need to talk to Jake."

  "Sure, but tell him I said thanks and that I was wrong about him. I know he'll take good care of you."

  Sherrie hit the end button on her phone and headed to the breakfast bar. Taking a seat on a stool next to Jake, she frowned. “So, what happened with Daisy last night?"

  "Oh honey, I ... Soledad called me just after midnight. I like your sister and I hated what Justin did—"

  She punched his arm. “You could've woken me up and taken me with you."

  "Sweetheart...” He stroked her cheek. “You looked so pretty I didn't want to wake you."

  Sherrie grimaced and rolled her eyes. “Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Serrano."

  Setting down the spatula, he moved to her side and caressed her cheek. God help her, the shivers raced down her spine before she could stop them.

  "I'm sorry, Sherrie. I suppose I didn't want you to get hurt. Justin's an asshole and I didn't want him touching my woman and hurting you like he did Daisy."

  "Well ... You did re-earn my big brother's respect. I suppose I can forgive you. How was Daisy holding up?"

  "She's fine. Last I saw her boyfriend Sam was taking her home. That boy knows how to pack a punch. He doesn't look like a cowboy, but he sure as hell fights like one. Justin was arrested and I don't think he'll ever lay a hand on your sister again.” He took a seat beside her and crunched into a slice of bacon.

  Sherrie smiled. She couldn't wait to see Sam again and thank him. “So, now that I know my sister is fine ... Tell me how you became a rodeo clown."

  Jake finished swallowing and chugged a bit of coffee. “I ran into Billy Connors when I got home and had my cast taken off. He's a rodeo clown and encouraged me to come to clown training camp in Colorado with him. I did and loved participating. So, I worked with Billy at a small 4-H Rodeo in Denver, then came home to work Wayback's rodeo. I've been doing it ever since. When I'm not working at the rodeo, I keep the peace downstairs and make sure my sister doesn't get into too much trouble."

  Sherrie bit into her French toast, savoring the sweet taste of cinnamon and powdered sugar, and then asked after swallowing, “How'd you hook up with Maizie?"

  "Pa sent me here to pick up Soledad one night. Got to talking with Maizie and she said my sister had been sneaking out to come here since the day her mother dropped her off. I knew someone had to look out for Soledad and when Maizie told me she needed a bouncer and had an empty apartment, it seemed like the best choice for all of us.” He flashed a huge grin and continued, “Oh and thanks for giving me a hand with Soledad. I think all that girl truly needs is a woman other than her aunt or grandmother to talk to."

  Sherrie laughed after swallowing a sip of coffee. “No problem. Might as well do something useful while I'm here.” Then she sighed. “Doesn't look like I'll be modeling again anytime soon."

  "Sherrie, what about your agent? If she finds you a job and takes you away from here, I'd—"

  She put a finger to his lips. “Don't worry about her. Maybe she'll find me something, maybe she won't. All I know is that I'm happy now...” She kissed his cheek. “And I'm not worried about the future anymore. Now let's finish breakfast so you can get to the farm. I can't wait to watch my silly clown entertain those kids."

  Jake plucked the strap of his overalls and proudly puffed his chest. “And I can't wait to have you watch me at the rodeo. There isn't a bull alive who dares to mess with the brave and mighty Colt."

  She stroked the rough stubble of his jaw line with her thumb. “I hope not, because I can't live without Colt or his sexy alter-ego, Jake."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Nine

  Out of the corner of his eye, while he made a balloon dog for a little girl with Downs Syndrome, Jake watched as Sherrie spoke to Soledad. Grannie had arranged for Soledad and Grace's daughter Lucia to miss their first couple hours of classes to help out at the once-a-month program for the disabled kids. His half-sister actually laughed and smiled a few times, as she sat at a corner table of Grannie's restaurant chatting with Sherrie and a couple of the kids. Soledad rarely laughed, so he knew Sherrie was on the right direction with the girl.

  He handed the doggie balloon to the little girl. Her light blue eyes lit up as she quietly said, “Thank you."

  Jake loved this doing this on the third Friday of each month, but somehow it just seemed more special with Sherrie in the same room. Sherrie rose from her chair, hand in hand with Soledad, and both of them approached him. An autistic boy named Tommy tugged on Sherrie's skirt. Sherrie responded by kneeling down, talking to the little man, and then giving him a hug.

  For the first time, he wondered what sort of mother his woman would be. A great one, if she doesn't run off to California again. Jake wished he could tell that cynical voice to shut up, but he couldn't. Especially considering the fact that Sherrie's viper of an agent could be damned persistent when she wanted something.

  Sherrie kissed his cheek. “Soledad's application is all filled out. After the rodeo, I'm taking her to the beauty salon for a makeover and then I'll let her choose one of my—"

  "Still not sure about the dress thing,” Soledad cut in. “I mean, I'm much more comfortable in blue jeans. My mama never wore a dress."

  Jake shook his head. “She wore a dress at least once honey, the night she took Pa dancing at the Blue Bug.” He ruffled his sister's hair. “She was a looker...” And then he lifted her chin, “So are you."

  Soledad shrugged, lowered her gaze, and scuffed her boot along a table leg.

  "Wait till you see her later. Your kid sister is going to be the prettiest girl in Wayback."

  Jake kissed Sherrie's cheek. “Nope. I think it'll be a close tie."

  "I gotta get to school. I'll see you later though Sherrie and Jake. Could you drop my application off at the rodeo?"

  "Drop what application off?” Jake's sixteen year old cousin, Lucia, walked into the room. Lucia's turquoise gaze turned to the sheet of paper in Soledad's hand and she flicked her long auburn hair over her shoulder. “You cannot be serious. Soledad, why would someone like you want to enter the rodeo queen contest?"

  Soledad shot Lucia a venom-filled glance, but Sherrie quickly wrapped her arm around Soledad's shoulder and came to her defense, “Are you jealous or something, Luci? You used to be such a sweet little girl. Why are you acting like such a little snot now?"

  Lucia opened her mouth for one minute, and then snapped her jaw shut.

  Sherrie put her hand on Lucia's shoulder. “She's your cousin. Maybe if you got to know her, instead of think
ing the worst about Soledad, you'll get to like her. She's part of your family and your family will never let you down. Isn't that right, Jake?"

  Jake put his arm around Sherrie's waist. “Yep, darling.” He turned to Lucia. “Now can you make an effort for once and try to get along with Soledad? Wish her luck in the contest."

  Lucia huffed, rolled her eyes, and then muttered, “Good luck I suppose. Although even with Sherrie's help you'll never wear that crown, because I want it."

  "Well then, may the best contestant win,” Sherrie cheerily replied, and then whispered in Jake's ear. “My money's on Soledad."

  Jake clutched her hand. “Mine too."

  * * * *

  Sherrie sat in a box seat at the rodeo arena, sweating in the hot Texas sun, and wondering how the same sweet, adorable clown who was so cute with the kids at the barn restaurant an hour before, could be dumb enough to take on a raging bull. Come on, now. He fell from tall buildings, he skydived out of airplanes ... Lordy, does my man have a death wish or something? The fact that he just might made her clench the railing in front of her a little tighter.

  The arena wasn't crowded. Friday afternoon was just for preliminary rounds, and most of the town was still at work or school. Jake had had no trouble arranging for her to get a seat up front. “So, I can steal a good luck kiss now and then,” he had told her before he kissed her cheek and wandered off into the center of the arena.

  So far, Jake hadn't needed to put himself between a cowboy and a bull, and Sherrie was thankful for that. After the steer roping event, Jake stood in the center of the dusty arena preparing to do some sort of routine with three other clowns. Sherrie watched him until she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  She turned and smiled at Jennifer. Her red hair was tucked into a sleek ponytail beneath a brown leather hat. She wore a white sleeveless top with laces down the bodice, a pair of snug fitting jeans and a belt with a gold star buckle. “Hey, Jen. You here all by yourself?"

  Jennifer glanced around the stands. “Oh, Daddy's around here somewhere. He's probably campaigning since he really wants that senate seat. Mama had to work. And as for Craig ... He said something about competing, but I don't know what's going on with him these days.” Jen took a seat next to Sherrie. “We haven't had a chance to get together yet and talk. Have we?"