by Ellis, J. J.
“Yeah, come on Dad, we want Pizza,” Jack directed toward Russell. “Please?”
“Yeah please,” Miranda giggled to her father while smiling big at Mr. Jack.
“Oh okay, we can get pizza,” Russell sighed. “If you behave we can even catch a movie.”
“Yay!” chorused Jack and Miranda.
“I do believe Dr. Mannon is correct, they are kindred spirits,” Emily said smiling. “Like two peas in a pod.”
“Don’t like peas,” Jack protested with a pout.
“Me either,” Miranda quickly agreed. “They’re yucky!”
“I just meant that you two are a lot alike,” Emily explained to the young girl.
“Yeah Jack, she doesn’t think you’re a vegetable,” Ethan laughed. “Though you are thickheaded enough.”
“Haha Mr. Know-it-all, I mean Doctor Know-it-all, a pea is a legume not a vegetable,” Jack replied.
“Well here we are, Pizza and a Movie Place,” Russell interjected into the sparring between old friends. “Thank God!”
As they stepped out of the vehicle, Jack looked to Miranda. “Race you inside.” Causing her to squeal and take off running. Jack followed close behind.
Ethan let out a long sigh. “He always has liked kids more than adults.”
“He seems to be such a kind soul, I wonder why on earth he has those skull tattoos.” Emily said quietly. “That work on both of his arms is so intricate.”
“He had those when we met in 1969. They both grew when he went back to Vietnam for his second tour,” Ethan told her as they followed Miranda and Jack.
“Do you know what they mean?” Emily asked Russell.
“I never asked him. He’s such a private person and although he was fun to hang around the couple of times I saw him as a kid, I never felt comfortable talking with him about it. If you really want to know, you’ll have to ask him.”
“I feel silly now for thinking so bad about him when I first saw him,” Emily said as she took Russell’s arm to head inside. “He’s such a sweet man.”
Being Saturday night, the place was packed. The noise coming from the arcade was a loud roar. Kids were running to and from the arcade to get and spend money. With all of the commotion, it took Russell a moment to spot his uncle.
“I feel sorry for the cooks tonight, they have their hands full for sure,” Russell grimaced as they made their way through. “I forgot how crazy Saturdays could be.” As they reached the table, he noticed that his uncle was sitting alone, looking over the menu.
“Well, sit down and don’t look so worried. The kids are in the arcade,” Ethan said with a grin.
“Oh good, good,” Russell sighed, relief obvious on his face. “I’m not used to Miranda wandering off. Plus, this crowd would normally put her in a near panic.”
“She was a little put out at first, but Jack has a way of making people feel safe,” Ethan replied. “He’s one man I would entrust any member of my family’s safety to.”
“I just worry so much about her.”
“That, my boy, never goes away,” Ethan said with a smile. “You never stop worrying about your children.”
“I’m telling you, that game stole my coins,” came Jack’s voice from nearby.
“You just aren’t a good shot, Mr. Jack.”
Ethan choked on his water as he heard the exchange between the two. Having witnessed Jack’s expert shooting skills forty-five years before, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“That shooting game is rigged. A total rip off,” Jack said as he sat down. “What a scam.”
“I’ll make sure to have an out of order sign put on it and refund your money,” Russell replied. “The game will be checked out, but I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Lost your touch eh, Jack?” Ethan asked.
The older man snorted at the statement. “No, the game is malfunctioning,” Jack insisted.
“Uncle Cowboy, Uncle Cowboy,” Miranda interrupted. “Mr. Jack told me to never get drunk around Marines. It can cause tattoos.”
“Good advice,” Ethan said with a nod. “I know from experience.”
“What is that about?’ Emily asked in confusion as Miranda was whisked away by Mrs. Platski and Isabella for a moment.
“Well, Cowboy here has a tattoo of a woman’s name, that isn’t his wife’s,” Jack snickered. “On an area of his body that I won’t mention.”
“I recall being told the name was just drawn on,” Ethan said frowning. “I told my bride it was. Plus, I wasn’t given much choice about drinking that night. I had a choice of strippers or beer, if I remember right.”
“Hey, I told them to just have it drawn on,” Jack said raising his hands in mock surrender. “Because it is my wife’s name.”
Russell and Emily burst into laughter. “So let me get this straight, Uncle Cowboy. You have the name Francesca tattooed on your backside because of a bunch of drunken Marines? Oh you guys really need to tell us more stories from when you two met!”
“We’ll make an evening of it,” Jack enthused. “Right Ethan?”
“What, you aren’t going to call me Cowboy anymore?” he pouted jokingly.
“Can we eat yet?” Miranda asked, coming back over to the table.
“Yeah, we should order,” Emily broke in. “I guess I’m not the only one getting hungry.”
“There is a two pizza and wings combo, let’s get that,” Jack suggested. “This meal is on me.”
“No Mr. Jack, you’re a guest,” Miranda spoke up. “Daddy owns the place.”
“No honey, Grandma owns this place. I just manage it.”
“Speaking of owned restaurants,” Ethan reported. “Abby said that yours are doing fine.”
“Thanks for the information. Now let’s order. The food is on the house,” Russell said. “The beer can’t be given for free so you can treat that instead, Jack.”
“Deal! Who’s drinking?” he agreed. “I know Cowboy will have one for old times’ sake.”
“Me, me, I want one,” Miranda shouted. “I want a root beer.”
Jack chuckled quietly. “How about Mom and Dad? You two game?”
“None for me, thank you,” Emily replied with a sad look. “Bad memories. Russell will have one I’m sure.”
“One pitcher with three mugs for the boys and root beer for the ladies then?” he said as the waiter appeared.
“Sounds fantastic,” Emily replied with a weak smile. The waiter wrote down the order then left.
“So Miss, other than being crazy enough to get hooked up with this bunch, what’s your story?” Jack asked her.
She smiled at the man she now thought of as a comforting influence. “There isn’t much to tell. I came to Harper’s Rock in middle school, left after high school and came back just over a month ago.”
The older man sensed there was more to the story but knew better than to push it. Everyone was entitled to their secrets. “Oh, so this is relatively new?” he asked, motioning to her and Russell.
“I guess you could say that,” Emily grinned. “It seems we had a mutual admiration society going on in school but we ignored it for other people.”
“Truthfully, I don’t think I’ve ever seen my nephew look at someone like he looks at you,” Ethan cut in. “I think he’s actually approaching true happiness.”
Russell tightened his arm around Emily and smiled down at her. “I think you’re right, Uncle Cowboy.”
The waiter returned with the drinks and took their food order. Just as he left, Russell’s phone rang. It was Evelyn.
“Hey Ma,” he answered.
“Hello Rusty. Did your uncle and Jack make it okay?”
“Yeah Ma, they made it just fine. We’re getting ready to have pizza at the restaurant.”
“Oh, I’m glad. Let them know that it may be a few days before I make it home.”
“Is Dylan okay, Ma?” Russell cut in. Why else would she be staying?
Evelyn sighed over the line. “Yeah, he’s okay. He’s just acti
ng like your father, stubborn as always. I’ll stay with him for a few days and try to convince him of what is best for him.”
“Okay, good luck with that. Give him our best.”
“I will, son. How does your Uncle look? You know I worry about him.”
Russell chuckled. “He looks great, Ma. Right this second he looks like an old cowboy.”
“Oh dear. He dressed like a cowboy with Jackson there,” she sighed. “I think my brother has a death wish. I’ll talk to you later, Rusty. Love you.”
“Love you too, Ma. He ended the call and explained what was going on to the others at the table. Their food soon arrived and they settled into the meal with friendly conversation. A movie was ruled out when Miranda fell asleep, leaning against Jack.
CHAPTER 14
Russell was in the kitchen drinking coffee when the household started to come alive again. He had been trying to figure out how to have the special night he’d planned for Emily when his babysitter was stuck in Billings and his back up, Miss Platski, was sick.
“Morning Russ,” Ethan said as he entered the room. “You look like someone punched you in the gut.”
“Yeah. I had a special night planned for Emily, but it looks like we’ll have to cancel. My list of babysitters is short and out of commission.”
“We’ll watch her,” Jackson said, joining Ethan by the coffee pot. “We’ll take her all day too, if you think she would like to go fishing with us.”
“Oh Daddy, can I?” Miranda asked excitedly as she bounced into the room.
“Are you sure you want to, Squirt?” Russell asked in surprise. “They’ll be at the lake all day.” He saw the flash of fear and uncertainty cross her features but when she looked at her great uncle and his friend, she smiled and her excitement returned.
“I’m sure, Daddy.”
“Well okay then. Thank you guys for taking her.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Ethan said as he prepared to cook breakfast. “Your Aunt Charlotte never lets me cook at home and if Evie was here she wouldn’t let me either. So prepare yourselves for a feast.”
A knock sounded on the back door and Russell opened it to Emily. Instead of letting her in, he pushed her outside and closed the door most of the way. “I want to kiss you in private,” he whispered before covering her willing lips with his.
“It’s okay, Uncle Cowboy. They just wanted to play kissy face before she comes in,” Miranda quipped in her normal but loud voice.
Russell and Emily broke apart laughing when they heard her. “I think we’ve been busted,” he said finally ushering her inside.
“Good morning Miss Emily,” Jack said with a polite smile as she set a garment bag on the counter.
“Good morning, Mr. Jack,” she said, returning his smile.
“Hope you’re hungry, young lady,” Ethan said. “We’re having a feast.”
“I’m always hungry, Uncle Cowboy,” she chuckled as Miranda hugged her.
“Come with me and help me pick out what to wear to go fishing today. Please Miss Emily.”
“You’re going fishing?” the counselor asked, surprised.
“Yeah, with Uncle Cowboy and Mr. Jack. That way you and Daddy can be alone.”
“Oh, all right,” she laughed. “Let’s go find you something perfect to wear.”
Ethan laughed when he saw the look on Russell’s face. “Why so down, son?”
“I think I’ve been replaced,” he murmured.
Jack and Ethan both laughed. “She needs new people in her life,” Ethan said. “And she needs a mother figure.”
“Yeah, don’t worry,” Jack said. “You’ll always be her daddy.”
“Yeah…yeah, I will,” he returned as he grabbed dishes and headed to the dining room to set the table.
**********
When Russell came back inside after helping his uncle and Jack load up his dad’s old pickup truck, Emily called him into the kitchen.
“What’s up?” he asked, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
“I just had a call from Dr. Jacobs. She said she is in Casper this weekend and then coming up here to visit family for a few days. She wondered if we would be interested in having Miranda’s appointment here, tomorrow.”
“Yeah, that would be great!” Russell exclaimed. “Much better than waiting so long to get seen in Denver.”
“Okay, I’ll call her and then we can do whatever you have planned.”
Russell smiled and walked to the doorway. “My plan is to make love to you in my own bed for once. Meet me upstairs when you’re done.”
**********
Russell was reclining on his bed with his shoulders resting against the headboard, his eyes closed. His legs were crossed, one over the other and he was wearing only his jeans.
Emily saw him on the bed and stood in the doorway taking him in. Her eyes skimmed over his muscular chest and down his denim clad lower body. Oh boy, someone wanted her bad.
“Unbutton and unzip your pants then close your eyes and don’t move.”
He sucked in a deep, shaky breath and reached for his jeans. His eyes never left her face as she watched him do as she asked.
“Close your eyes now,” she reminded him, her voice soft.
His eyes closed and his head fell back against the headboard.
“Keep them closed,” she warned. “No matter what I do.” She walked over to the bed and sat down gently next to him. She spread the jeans open, her hands caressing his blue boxer briefs below.
Russell groaned, and shifted his hips. Emily took advantage of the movement and peeled his jeans down over his hips and off his body.
His boxer briefs were all that remained between her and the hard flesh she craved. One finger traced his length, causing him to groan and shift again.
“Close your eyes, Russell. I see you peeking,” she said as she hooked her fingers inside the waistband of his briefs.
“You’re no fun,” he grumbled as he sprang free and Emily discarded of the underwear.
“Oh, I’m tons of fun,” she teased, taking him into her hand. She straddled his thighs and stroked up and down until he let out a hissing breath, then she bent down spreading kisses across his taut abdomen and down. Her lips grazed the head and her tongue shot out for her first taste of him. She wanted more. He pulsed beneath her as her lips wrapped completely around him and started to move up and down, stroking, licking and gently grazing him with her teeth.
When he gasped, she paused to look up at him. His eyes were trained on her and a smile spread across his lips.
“Russell, close your eyes,” she stressed.
“No way,” he grinned. “I love watching you. It makes this even better for me.”
Emily giggled and shook her head at him. “Fine, you can watch.” She started stroking him again and his eyes bored into her, heating her body. Her lips found him again, teasing and tasting every inch, working with her hand to bring him to the brink. As her teeth grazed him he went over the edge. When she looked up at him his eyes were finally closed, but the smile was still there.
**********
Russell opened his eyes to the back of Emily’s head. It didn’t matter what part of her he set eyes on, his heart constricted. What was it about her? She was…exactly what he’d always wanted.
“Em?”
“Yeah,” she murmured, snuggling back into him.
“Sorry, I fell asleep on you. I don’t sleep well alone anymore for some reason.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “I take it as a sign that I’m good at wearing you out.”
Russell chuckled and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s my turn to wear you out now.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said as she tried to turn around in his arms.
“No,” he murmured. “Stay where you are. I don’t want you looking at me.”
“Revenge?” she asked.
“Oh yeah,” he chuckled, reaching around to run his hand underneath her shirt. He squeezed her breast. “You
’re wearing too many clothes.”
Emily wriggled out of her skirt and panties then Russell helped her out of her shirt and bra. His hands went back to what they’d been doing and his lips found her neck and worked down to her shoulder blades. His hand teased its way down her body, over her stomach to come to rest between her thighs. “Open up for me baby,” he whispered.
Emily let her hips fall back against him and her legs came apart. “Please Russell, I need you.”
“Patience,” he chuckled as one finger slipped inside of her. “Is that enough?” he asked nuzzling her neck.
“No,” she moaned, pressing against his hand. “Not nearly enough.”
“How about this,” he murmured, sliding a second finger in to join the first.
Emily’s head fell back and she ground into his hand. “Russell, Please.”
“I don’t know,” he chuckled. “With the way your body just reacted...”
Emily clamped her legs closed on his hand.
“Relax baby. Roll onto your back.”
She did what he asked and looked up at him expectantly.
“I need to see you,” he said, moving over her. “I love seeing the look in your eyes when I enter you,” he breathed as they joined together. He kissed her quickly and pulled back to look into her eyes again. “And when I move so completely slow inside of you.”
Emily whimpered and her hands clamped onto his hips, willing him to give her more.
“And when I lose myself in you so fast and hard I can barely breathe.”
Emily cried out in pleasure, meeting him, thrust for thrust.
“And when I hold you still,” he gasped, moving her arms above her head. “While I go excruciatingly slow and see the torture in your eyes. Until your body shudders and I know you’re ready to take my breath away again.”
Russell drove into her, his eyes never once leaving hers. “And,” he said breathlessly. “When you come apart in my arms.”
A brief moment after Emily’s eyes fluttered closed and Russell’s name slipped from between her lips, his eyes finally lost focus and he found his own release.