Country Heaven

by Vicki Green

  CRASH

  BOOM

  BOOM

  BOOM

  What the hell? My eyes snap open, and I fall getting’ out of bed. “Oh, my God! No, Memphis!” Sadie screams as I grab my jeans, pullin’ them up as I run down the stairs. Colby is already at the front window when I run up behind him but stop dead in my tracks when he turns around, aimin’ a gun straight at me. “Shit! Sorry!” I walk up slowly and reach out, pushing it away with my hand. We both look through the blinds.

  “What the fuck was that?” I ask. No movements from outside then Sadie yells down.

  “Memphis! The sheriff’s on your phone.”

  “Stay put and keep low!” I rush up the steps and take my phone, sittin’ down on the top step. She sits down next to me, and I put my arm around her shakin’ body. “Henry? What’s goin’ on?”

  “Riley called in that a rock was thrown at a window on the west side of the house. I have more men on their way. Stay inside and make sure everything is locked up. Riley is combin’ the area now. Memphis. Is everyone okay in there?”

  “Yes, just shaken up. But I don’t know about Mac or Dallis. They’re in the other house. I’ll call Dallis now. We’re stayin’ put.” I look down and into her wide eyes then lean over and kiss her forehead.

  “Okay, good. I’ll call you soon.”

  He hangs up and I hit Dallis’ number. He starts talking immediately. “You all okay over there? I heard some loud noises and Mac and me are about to run over.”

  “No! Dallis. You both stay put, ya hear?”

  “Okay, but maybe after this is over, we should move over there. Might be best to stay together.” I nod like he can see me. He’s right. There’s safety in numbers.

  “I agree. I’ll let you know when the all clear is. Thanks, man. You all stay safe.” I hang up and kiss her forehead again, squeezin’ her close. “Stay here, baby.” I start to stand and she grabs my arm, pullin’ me back down.

  “Be careful.” She kisses my mouth hard then releases her hold.

  I nod and get up and walk downstairs.

  Sadie

  I’ve never been so scared in all my life. Suddenly, I feel like I’m in one of those horror movies. My body shivers and I wrap my arms around myself. I hear faint noises of Colby and Memphis talking, making me feel a little safer. I jump when a loud bang sounds on the door. I creep down the stairs, sliding down step by step on my bottom. I peer through the railing and watch Memphis going to the door, Colby following with a gun drawn. My hearts beats frantically, pounding in my chest. My stomach feels queasy, and I feel a little lightheaded. I grip the rail tightly as Memphis opens the door a crack then he pulls it back wider and I slump in relief.

  “Memphis. We have an all clear. Riley and Paul are here and have looked all over the perimeter. Keep everythin’ locked up. Paul’s puttin’ a board over the broken window now.” Memphis pats the officer’s arm, thanks him, and closes the door.

  He turns to Colby. “I’ll take first watch. You get some shut eye.”

  “No! Memphis, you go stay with Sadie. I’ll take first watch,” Colby replies hastily.

  A knock comes on the door, and Colby opens it a crack. He opens it wider and Mac and Dallis walk in then he closes it quickly, lockin’ it. “Hey, all. Glad to see everyone’s safe. I’ll take first watch. Y’all get some sleep.”

  “You wake me when you get tired. Don’t take any chances and fall asleep. It’ll be mornin’ soon,” Mac says to him.

  “Y’all are too much. I thank ya. I’ll get some blankets and pillows. Mac, you can take the last spare bedroom,” Memphis says looking around at them.

  “Nah, I’ll hunker down here. Thanks though,” Mac replies.

  “What in the hell is going on? Can’t a girl get any sleep?” I look up behind me, startled. Tina’s standing there rubbing her eyes. She slept through all that? “What?”

  I stand and go up the few steps until I reach her, put my arm around her and walk her back to her bedroom. “Someone threw a rock and broke a window. Everyone’s okay. The police took care of it. Now, go back to sleep. I swear you could sleep through a tornado.” She smiles, rubs her eyes again and climbs under the covers. I reach down and brush back some of her wayward hair. “Night, bestie.”

  I feel his presence before I turn around. It’s like he’s become my other half, making me whole. Turning my head, I see him standing in the doorway, looking at me with softness in his eyes, concern and worry. I walk straight into his arms, feeling safe in their strength. He kisses the top of my head, and I tilt my head up, looking deep into his eyes. Then he kisses my forehead, down my nose until he finds my mouth. Even after the worst and scariest moments tonight, my body reacts quickly, longing for him. I need him.

  He takes my hand and leads me back to our room. We get to the bed and he turns me around, his mouth covering mine so fast. Our tongues slide against each other’s, his hands reaching the hem of my shirt. Our kiss is broken briefly as he pulls it up and over my head then his lips are against mine again. My back arches when his strong hands cup my breasts, his thumbs rubbing over my nipples and I arch my back, aching where I need him the most. I move closer needing to be as close to him as possible. He stops long enough to remove his jeans. I sit down on the bed. My eyes fill with desire as I watch him take his hardened cock in his hand. My tongue runs over my bottom lip as he strokes up and down. I feel like I could lose my mind when he finally walks to me, his eyes darkened by his desire. I slide up the bed. My legs spread automatically, and he crawls between them eagerly. There’s no foreplay, no time to get adjusted, as he slams inside me. I turn my head. My moan is muffled in the pillow as I grab the sheets and squeeze them. I feel his lips on my cheek as he moves in and out in of me in a frenzy. It’s like we both hunger for each other, the fear of the night reminding us just how short life can be.

  He moans, deep, guttural. That arouses me even more. The wetness in my folds makes him slick, sliding in and out with ease. His thick cock hits a spot inside me that make my eyes go blurry. I release my tight hold of the sheets and dig my fingernails into his back, holding on. His thrusts become faster, deeper until I cry out his name into the darkness, my eyes losing all focus. He speaks my name, and I can imagine his beautiful face. His body collapses on mine, his weight making it hard to catch my breath, but I don’t want him to move. Air is overrated. I wrap my arms around his damp skin, keeping him against me. I don’t ever want to let him go.

  I sigh when he moves and then feel a chill when he leaves the bed. I watch through hazy eyes as he walks into the bathroom, trying to blink them clear. He returns, cleaning me, and then I watch him clean himself. Damn, that was hot! By the time he climbs back under the covers, I start to get sleepy. He wraps me in his arms, and my leg moves in between his. He grasps my arm and folds it over his waist, never letting it go, and I fall asleep in total comfort.

  Tina and I decide to try out her new pastry recipes she created while the guys work, but they’ve been making sure one of them stays with us at all times. Each time one of the guys took their turn babysitting us, they got to be our taste testers. They didn’t complain. “Wow! I think this one is your best yet! I love the lemon, not too tart and not too strong. This would go perfect with my chocolate covered strawberry coffee flavor!”

  “Oh! That’s sounds yummy!” Tina exclaims.

  “You all are making me crazy. Here, let me show you somethin’,” Colby states as he walks up beside us.

  We watch as he makes the most delectable cake I’ve ever eaten. “Oh, my God! That’s almost better than sex!” My eyes widen as I look at Tina. “I said almost!” We both start into a fit of giggles when the back door opens. Colby whips around, his hand reaching for the gun in the waist band of his jeans, but stops when he sees it’s Memphis.

  “What did I miss?” Memphis asks as he pushes his cowboy hat back. I walk to him, folding right into his arms and tilt my head up, smiling.

  “Oh, nothin’. Tina was just telling us how the cake
Colby made is better than sex.” I start giggling, burying my face into his broad chest. His arms tighten around me as he rests his chin on my head.

  “I did not! I said almost, dammit!” she yells. I start laughing harder. My sides hurt.

  “Glad to see you’re feelin’ better, darlin’.” I look up, my lips pressed together tightly, trying not to laugh. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. With everything that’s been happening, you’d think I’d curl into myself, be depressed, more scared. But I’m happy and feel so loved. I must be crazy. Crazy in love.

  Memphis stays inside for a while, telling us the roof is almost done on the shed but they’re all taking a much needed break. It’s unusually hot outside today. He said sometimes that happens before a storm or snow comes in from the mountains. I don’t mind, I love having him with me. We end up sitting around the kitchen table, Mac and Dallis bringing in chairs from the dining room. We laugh and eat a big lunch, gorging on all the baked goodies as well as some sandwiches that Tina and Colby made. The room is filled with laughter as Colby and Memphis talk about their childhoods, and then Mac and Dallis start in about some of their memories from their pasts as well.

  After spending hours having a good time, the guys decide to get cleaned up and call it a day, saying they’d finish the shed in the morning. We all gather in the living room, too full to eat another bite, and watch some TV. I’m not a big football fan, but I guess these guys are. Tina and I sat on the couch and pretended to watch. Secretly, I played with Memphis’ fingers, and Tina ended up getting out my knitting needles and yarn, started making, um, something. I can’t tell what it is, and I don’t think she knows either.

  Since my mom passed so early in my life, I can’t remember sitting around with people that feel like family, comfortable, relaxed, and just enjoying each other’s company. I look around as the guys yell about some kind of foul or something, screaming at the TV. My heart is so full. I look at Tina when she bumps my arm and smile. She knows. I can tell she feels it too.

  It gets late, well, later than normal for people who get up at the butt crack of dawn. We all turn in and Colby tells the guys he’ll take the first watch. I kinda feel like I’m in a war movie. Memphis and I hold hands as we walk upstairs and into our room. Every time I think “our” room, I can’t help but smile. He leads me into the bathroom, grasping my waist and sets me on the counter. I watch him turn the knobs over the bathtub and soon can feel the warmth from the hot water filtering in the air. He walks over in between my legs and starts undressing me. I enjoy the tenderness in his touch, and the roughness of his calloused fingers as he moves them down my skin lightly. The look in his eyes, so full of care and love, makes me feel special and tingly with sensations. I no longer feel like he treats me like a child. Now, he makes me feel desirable. He worships me, wants to take care of me, and make love to me.

  I unbuckle his belt, pulling it through the loops of his jeans, and then I unbutton and pull down the zipper. His thick cock is straining, wanting out. I lick my lips. My eyes look up at him from under my lashes. His eyes have darkened to the point they are almost fully black. Taking ahold of the top of his jeans, I started pushing them down, taking his boxers with them. His cock springs fully to life. He kicks them off the rest of the way and lifts me, my legs hooking themselves around his slim waist. He doesn’t wait until we’re in the water. He pushes into me fast. My mouth opens, my hand squeezes his shoulders, and I’m full of him.

  He carries me over to the tub, steps into the water and sits down with me straddling his lap, his cock still inside me. I feel kind of strange this way, never having experienced this before. It’s not uncomfortable, and he fills me so much deeper this way. He lifts me and sets me back down, and I moan with the movement, the sound echoing off the tiles in the small area. I start helping by pushing up and down with my legs, each time he hits the spot that took my breath away last time, almost blinding me. I lean down and kiss him, our lips press together hard. He moans into my mouth and urges me on to move faster.

  Heat fills me. My stomach begins having extreme tingling sensations traveling up my body. I look into his eyes, full of desire, and the concentrated look on his face. My brows crease and I bite my lip hard, tasting blood, as an orgasm overtakes me. I lean down, my forehead against his neck, my body feeling like Jello and my senses on overload. He cries out my name and bucks his hips finishing his release. I barely feel him move me as he pulls out and sets me into his side.

  “Sadie? Are you still with me, darlin’?” His hand is under my chin, lifting my head. I open my eyes and smile, still feeling like I can’t move. “Damn, woman. You scared me.” He smiles, but his face is full of worry.

  “I’m good,” I whisper. “I’m more than good. That was just so…. Intense.”

  He tightens his arms and lays his head against mine. “It was. It was amazing, baby. You’re amazing.”

  We lay that way until the water becomes cool. He helps me out, dries me off and carries me to bed. As soon as my head lays on his chest, I am out.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Memphis

  It’s been two weeks and Jag hasn’t shown up again but I know in my gut it’s not over. We’re still on our guard. Woke up this mornin’ to snow on the ground, not much, but enough that it laid a small film over everything. Sadie’s birthday is next week and I have no idea what to get her. I went to the barn early, checked on Frisky and the calf makin’ sure they were doin’ good, gave Clancy an apple and then let them out into the pastures. I came back to find Colby makin’ breakfast. I gotta hand it to him, he sure is a good cook. With him, Sadie and Tina cookin’ all the time, I’m gonna get fat if I’m not careful. Although chores keep me pretty fit. Maybe I should look into gettin’ some workout equipment, just in case, especially with winter comin’ on. I could change Mable’s house into a workout place. It’s just sittin’ there with no one usin’ it. I guess I also need to think about givin’ her stuff to people who need it. I’m sure there’s a bunch of things I’d want to keep and maybe Sadie would like some things too.

  Sadie opened the coffee shop three days ago, after Mac, Dallis and I did the small renovations she wanted. It looks really great and the town folks love it. Tina’s homemade pastries have added a big touch too. Everyone is going crazy over them. She can barely keep the shelves stocked. They may actually have to hire someone else soon to keep up.

  “Morning, babe,” Sadie whispers as she gives me a kiss.

  “You slept in. I’m glad,” I say, kissing her back.

  “Yeah, but I really need to get to the shop. Tina’s been there by herself.” She lays her head on my chest, and I rub her back. Her head rises and her sparkling eyes sear into mine. “That reminds me. Shouldn’t we go pack up Mable’s things? Maybe give what you don’t want to keep to the town’s Goodwill?” Damn, she’s a mind reader.

  I lean down and kiss her again, ‘cos I can. “I was just thinkin’ that this mornin’. Are you into readin’ minds now?” I chuckle.

  She smiles that beautiful smile that grabs my heart. “No, I think we are just in sync.”

  “Yeah, let’s work on that tonight after you get home.” I kiss her nose. Damn, I love her nose. Okay, I like every inch of her body but her nose is just so cute. She lets out a big sigh. Concern washes over me. “What’s wrong?”

  She pierces her lips. “Home. I’m just happy knowing this is my home now. Everything and everyone around me just makes me happy.” She leans up on her toes and kisses me again. “You make me happy,” she whispers.

  “Okay, you two. Cut the porn down a notch, will ya? Breakfast is ready,” Colby snickers.

  I kiss her again and she leaves my arms and walks into the dining room. I look at them both talkin’ and laughin’ in there and smile. Colby has ended up being such a good friend to both of us. Pa would be proud of all the things that have gone on here, well, with the exception of the bad stuff. Watchin’ Sadie pile food on her plate and talkin’ away to Colby, I think about how much she’s cha
nged since comin’ here. I’m not sayin’ it was all me that helped with that. The beauty of the land, the country way, and those around here helped mostly. “Memphis, you better come eat before these hoodlums eat it all.” I blink twice at the sound of Sadie yellin’ at me. I guess I’d better get in there. Mac and Dallis have already joined them. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t even see them walk in there.

  “Surely you want to keep this, babe. It’s so pretty!”

  She holds up the picture that hung over Mable’s bed. It’s of a cowboy sitting on a horse in a barn. It’s not anyone in our family or hers but it is a nice picture. “Well, it is nice but it’s not really of anyone I know.”

  “Yes, but it must have been special to her since she had it over her bed.” She studies the picture and then looks over at me. “May I have it?”

  I walk over and squat down beside her and plant a kiss on those luscious lips. “Of course you can, darlin’. You can have whatever your heart desires.”

  Her eyes sparkle, desire overtaking them. “Can I have you?” She whispers against my lips.

  I sit down, puttin’ my arm around her, bringin’ her in close. “Baby, you already have me. My heart, my soul, my love.” She smiles and leans into me more, her lips press against mine.

  “I can’t…. Not in here but…. I want you.”

  I stand, pullin’ her up with me, and start walkin’ towards the door. “I can’t either. Seems wrong somehow. I bet we can find a place in the barn.” I open the door and she walks through and looks at me over her shoulder.

  “In front of the animals? And Spotty’s only a baby. It might scar him for life!” She giggles, and we start walkin’ to our destination.

  We get to the barn, I walk around checkin’ to make sure no one is here then I get an idea. I lead her over to the right and grab her waist, liftin’ her up squealing until she sets her feet on the rung of a ladder. “Go on, baby. It’s safe.” She giggles and then climbs up with me right behind her. Damn, nice view of her bottom wigglin’ back and forth. I wanna just grab her now and do wicked things to that ass. She gets to the top and when I get there, she’s already takin’ off her shirt. I like the way she thinks. Her eyes are boring into mine, the light green now gone, darkened by her desire. I practically tear off my shirt and almost fall gettin’ outta my jeans. I had to sit down on a bale of hay to take my boots off, my girl gigglin’ at me the whole time. Okay, so I’m in a hurry. Who wouldn’t be when you see what’s waitin’ for me? In my haste, I didn’t even think to bring a blanket with me, so I lay my shirt down then take hers and place it at the end, makin’ a makeshift one. At least it will be better than the scratchy hay.