by Lee Rose
Jackson nodded in agreement. “We weren’t far behind you two and my heart stopped beating when I heard him firing at you and Hannah. I would’ve killed him myself just for that.”
Billy nodded, agreeing with Jackson. “Thank God you’re both okay. I’m sure I got gray hair now and I’m blaming you, Gracie girl.”
Grace smiled at him. “I’m just so glad it’s over for good.” Now that the adrenaline had worn off she started to cry, hiccupping as she tried to hold it in. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I was so scared I’d never see you all again. Hannah saved my life. I would’ve been wandering around lost in the dark all night if Hannah hadn’t been brave enough to risk her life for me. I for one am glad Hannah has such courage. She is my hero.” She reached out and squeezed Hannah’s hand in thanks.
Jackson pulled Hannah out of Ben’s arms and hugged his sister tightly, kissing her cheek. “Thank you, Hannah. In saving Grace you saved my world.”
Hannah smiled brightly, feeling good in her role in all this mess. “All in a day’s work, people. Hey, Ben, maybe I would make a good deputy, huh?”
“Over my dead body,” he threatened then groaned. “I shouldn’t have put that idea into your head.”
Hannah shrugged carelessly but glared at him. “That can be arranged.”
Billy laughed at Ben’s disgruntled face. “Let’s call the state police to come and get James so we can put this mess behind us once and for all. All this running around has made me tired. Too much excitement around here, I might just go and reenlist.” They all laughed heading to Jackson’s truck.
“What about Kelly?” Grace asked, not wanting to see her. She still couldn’t believe Kelly hated her enough to help James.
Jackson’s face hardened with a cold look she had never seen before. “Deputy Warren took her to jail before I could kill her. I was so tempted.”
Billy hung his head in shame. “I can’t believe Stan and I fell for that stupid ploy. She really fooled me with those fake tears.”
Jackson grunted in agreement and patted Ben on the back in sympathy. “She sure does cry well and had a lot of people in this town fooled as to her true nature.”
* * * *
Once they were back at her apartment, Jackson made her a cup of hot sweet tea while she showered and dressed in a long baggy T-shirt. He sat on the couch watching Grace sip her tea, feeling tired from the stress of the night but glad it was all over once and for all. Now they could concentrate on the future without any worries. Grace grabbed his hand and smiled at him. “Jackson, I love you.”
He shook his head but she interrupted him before he could talk. “I knew I was falling hard for you already from the moment I looked into your eyes at dinner that first night. I’m sure of how I feel. I wanted to wait until everything was calm again to tell you but after all that happened tonight I need to let you know. I love you, Jackson Hawthorne, and you are stuck with me. I’m not leaving Bear Creek.”
Jackson scooped her up and put her on his lap, so thankful the nightmare was finally over. He kissed her lovingly, opening her mouth with his tongue and exploring her, feeling the excitement start in the pit of his stomach whenever he touched Grace. He knew Ben and Billy were at the station dealing with the state police so he might have time to make love with his woman and celebrate having her in his arms for good. He removed her T-shirt and grinned rakishly when he found her naked underneath. “You’re all I want in life. You’ve been my saving grace all along.” He carried her in his arms to the bedroom, ready to show her how much he loved her.
Jackson set her on the bed and stood over her by the bed as if waiting for an invitation.
“I need you tonight, Jackson. I want to make love knowing that we both love each other,” Grace whispered and opened up her arms to Jackson in invitation and watching his face.
Jackson grinned, needing no encouragement to make love to his woman. He was ready for her twenty-four seven. He took off all his clothes in a hurry while she sat up on the bed and stripped happily for her sexy cowboy.
As soon as Jackson laid on the bed Grace straddled his hips and looked down into his grinning face.
“I want to ride my sexy cowboy tonight.” She teased him, licking her lips and cupping her breasts, rubbing her fingers over her tips until they hardened into little pebbles. She could feel his stare burning through her.
“Well who am I to deny my lady what she wants?” Jackson grabbed her by the hips and lifted her and then lowered her onto his hard cock groaning at the feel of her tightness.
She leaned down putting her breasts in his face until he took the tip into his mouth increasing the pressure until she was moaning his name.
“Oh, Jackson, you’re driving me wild.” She moaned loudly as he nipped her nipple lightly with his teeth. Grace was feeling like she wanted to explode already. She held on to Jackson’s shoulders as he grabbed her ass cheeks and drove his cock up and down into her while she rotated her hips and threw her head back with pleasure at the feel of him thrusting into her over and over.
“Oh it feels so good, baby,” he mumbled going faster. She couldn’t hold it in anymore, the pleasure was burning inside of her building up until she screamed and let the fire inside her burst until she could see spots in front of her eyes. She didn’t even have the strength to lift herself off him and move so she just laid on top of him.
“I love driving you wild with passion. It excites me knowing that all that fire burning inside of you is just for me,” he whispered lovingly while rubbing her back up and down with his hands.
“Wow.” Grace sighed when she could talk again, kissing his chest softly. “I thought I was dying.”
Jackson chuckled. “Yeah, but what a way to go. I hope Billy takes a while ’cause I’m not sure I can even walk to the living room right now and unlock the door. You are an amazing woman and you’re mine, Grace, forever.”
Grace yawned, snuggling into his warm body feeling replete and satisfied. “Always, my sexy cowboy.”
Chapter 16
Grace stood in front of her mom. “Are you sure I look okay in this dress, Mama? Maybe I should wear a sweater?” They were at the Walters’ house, ready to go the fair together. It had been over a week since the night James had kidnapped her.
Grace stood wearing the red-and-white spaghetti strap sundress Jackson had bought her to wear to the fair with white sandals and her hair up in a high ponytail.
Laura Henderson looked at her beautiful daughter and wanted to cry with happiness at her obvious glow of happiness.
Grace felt a little self-conscious about her scar but she was getting better. Even though the ordeal was over she had started having nightmares again. Between Jackson and her parents, she had finally agreed to start seeing a counselor in Austin, and she did feel better talking it out and understanding what she was feeling. Jackson insisted on taking her to each appointment, and she loved him for taking such good care of her and she knew her parents did, too.
“You look beautiful, honey,” Laura replied in an emotional whisper. “Jackson’s right. One little scar doesn’t matter to anybody, especially to him. I am so glad you found your true love. It’s plain to see how much he loves you.”
Grace’s dad, Ken, came into the room with Bill and Flo and all the supplies they needed for the firework display tonight.
They had flown out to Texas the very next day to make sure Grace was okay. Ben told them what had happened and all he could think was he was glad James would never harm his baby girl again.
“You look just like your mama—beautiful.” He added his own comment, having overheard his wife talking to Grace.
Ken hugged his daughter twirling her around like he had always done when she was little. “I have to say, Gracie girl, that I have never seen you look more beautiful than you do at this moment. I know Jackson is responsible for that. I like him very much and it’s a big relief to know you’re in good hands with him.”
Grace grinned happily, feeling confident again. “I
am happy, daddy, and in love with a wonderful man. I’m glad you like him. Okay no more teary conversations or I’ll show up at the fair with puffy eyes. We’re meeting Jackson and his family at the fair and Jackson promised to win me a stuffed panda bear.”
Flo laughed. “Billy is already there helping Ben and Stan out with extra security. So we’re all ready to go. You look beautiful, Grace, and Jackson will have to stick by you all night to keep the other men from flirting.”
Grace just giggled at Flo’s comment as they left for the carnival. She had the feeling Billy was ready to come home for good and that made her happy. Everyone had heard how Billy saved Hannah from being shot and his hero status had been elevated even more. She wanted to be surrounded by her family once again. No more hiding out. She had a feeling her parents would move here, too, since she told them she was staying in Bear Creek permanently with Jackson. Life was looking up and she couldn’t be more content. She had experienced something bad in life but it taught her to never take the good moments for granted. Life would never be just a smooth, easy road but with her cowboy by her side they could handle all the bumps together.
* * * *
Jackson looked at the ride going around in circles as if it was the most dangerous object in the world.
“You don’t have to get on, Jackson. Hannah is going with me. She went to go get tickets.” Grace smiled, hugging him around his waist and squeezing tight. The fair was in full swing, going on for the whole weekend. Grace loved the lights and the excitement of the rides and noises of the families having fun. Tonight there would even be fireworks and she couldn’t wait to watch them snuggled in Jackson’s arms.
With James gone for good and Kelly being charged with accessory, everything had settled back down to normal. She kept her job at the café since she loved it. When she wasn’t working she was spending her time with Jackson at the ranch. She now rode Daisy with confidence and actually enjoyed being on a horse. She spent time tanning by the creek with Hannah, too, and loved being a resident of Bear Creek. It felt like home.
She loved Jackson and wanted to be with him forever. It was too soon to talk marriage but now they had all the time in the world to plan for a future. Besides, she was busy enjoying the courtship and they had the approval of both families and even the bingo ladies had given in and declared Jackson to be a good man after all.
“Okay fine.” He finally gave in. He hated rides that twirled in a fast motion. “I’ll wait here for you and glare at all the men trying to smile at my woman. I should have bought you an ankle-length turtle-neck dress that covered every inch of your sexy body. Next time we go to Austin that’s what you are getting.”
Grace kissed his chin, laughing and hugging him tightly around the waist. “I just love the caveman in you, baby. It really turns me on.”
Jackson puffed up his chest playfully. “Damn right you do.”
“Got enough tickets for the three of us.” Hannah came running happily and waving the tickets in her hand, ignoring Jackson’s loud groan of protest.
“Quit teasing your brother, Hannah.” Grace laughed as Jackson agreed, hiding behind Grace and glaring at his sister. “If you make him sick I won’t be able to make out with him under the fireworks tonight.”
Grace’s words had Jackson grinning like an idiot and Hannah pretending to gag as she dragged Grace off to the ride. Grace winked at her sexy cowboy. “Wait for me, baby?”
He looked at her seriously. “Forever, Grace.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I have always loved reading, especially romances. I believe in a happy ending and that love does indeed conquer all. Now I love writing romance stories just as much. When not writing I spend my time with family and friends. I enjoy hearing from my fans and can look me up on Facebook.
For all titles by Lee Rose, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/lee-rose
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com