“No. A friend of mine in the jewelry business brought a selection to the ranch last night so I could choose one. Vance, Perry, and Ryan acted as security guards to and from his store; I doubted any robber would challenge three big guys like them.”
“Not one with any intelligence,” she jested.
Quentin pulled Rachel into his embrace and their lips met. They shared a long, deep, and tender kiss that sealed their commitment to each other. After their lips parted, they gazed into each other’s eyes as they mutely expressed their love and desires.
Rachel’s hand stroked his strong jawline, and her thumb trailed over his full mouth. She laced her fingers through his ebony hair and savored the way the dark strands surrounded them. She pulled his head downward to seal their lips once more. She loved kissing him. He could make her go wild with hunger and weak with longing, quiver with anticipation, flame with suspense. He opened his mouth just the right amount and slanted his head to perfection. He knew how much pressure to use for a gentle kiss and for an intense and passionate one. His tongue was deft and magical, exploring, stimulating. His taste was delicious. Her lips tugged on his lower one while his suckled on her upper one. His hands wandered her torso, enticing, titillating, pleasuring. He was splendid and intoxicating, totally disarming and irresistible. She was elated to have him there with her, to have him alive, to make him her future. “I love you and need you so much.”
“I love you and need you, Rachel. I get aroused just looking at you, touching you, thinking about you.”
“So do I, my darling. Do you think I can get these pants off without hurting your knee? I would love to sit across your lap.”
Quentin smiled and said, “Sounds excellent to me.” He watched her squat to remove his left shoe. After she unfastened a waist button and slid down the zipper, he lifted his buttocks so she could ease the tan pants and light-blue briefs off his hips and left leg. She allowed both items to remain on the right one, which she propped on a low stool because of the rigid brace. She unbuttoned his shirt, gingerly peeled it off his injured shoulder, and tossed it to the tiled floor. He watched her strip off her shorts, panties, T-shirt, and bra. His gaze adored her striking figure as it traveled her nude body. He soon closed his eyes and moaned in rapture as her generous hands and talented lips worked his eager and responsive organ into a slick and hard erection, upon which she slowly lowered herself until he was sheathed within her sweetness.
They kissed and stroked each other to exquisite enchantment and blazing desire, hands and mouths journeying to any spot they could reach without disturbing their erotic contact. He surrendered most of the control to her, as his leg and movements were restricted by his injury and their position. Her knees were buried in the cushions beside his hips as she lifted and lowered herself in rhythmic joy, undulating up and down on his fiery manhood. She reveled in her freedom to do as she pleased, feeling no modesty or inhibitions with the man she loved and would soon marry. When she rested for a minute, Quentin spread kisses over her neck and chest. She leaned her head back as he fondled and feasted upon her firm mounds. His tongue swirled around their points and flicked them into greater hardness. He playfully nibbled at the buds with cautious teeth between ardent suckles. Unable to sit still, she writhed on his engorged member, bringing them both to a feverish peak. It had been so long since their last union and he so enflamed her that she required little stimulation and only a short time to reach the brink of ecstasy. She relished that level of pleasure until she could endure the sweet torment no longer. She allowed herself to topple over passion’s precipice, tingling and warming as the splendid and powerful climax was achieved. Her mouth almost plundered his as their tongues danced in delight and she clung to him during the wild and wonderful ride to supreme victory.
Quentin’s body seemed afire, his veins coursing with molten desire, as he reached a glorious release and savored it to the end. He held Rachel in a possessive embrace as his breathing calmed and his taut muscles relaxed. “Lordy woman, I’ve surely died and gone to heaven. That was fantastic and sorely needed. I love you with every breath I take and with every beat of my heart, if the sucker doesn’t burst out of my chest,” he joked and chuckled. “I only thought I was in good condition. That lazing around in bed for days zapped my stamina and strength. As soon as I’m healed, I’ll work you over from head to feet. You’ll be shouting Uncle, before I’m finished with you.”
Rachel used the damp paper towel to absorb perspiration on his face and neck. She realized why he had asked for it earlier, to dry water from his hand and arm after he placed her engagement ring in the fish tank. “That’s a promise I’ll hold you to, and I can hardly wait to collect it.”
“It’s one I’ll gladly keep; and it shouldn’t be long in coming. I certainly wasn’t sluggish after you got a hold on me. Whew, that was great. I owe you big, and I always pay my debts.”
“I’m glad you’re an honest man, among your other countless good qualities and superior traits. Wait here and I’ll get you repaired, just in case we have visitors. No,” she said with a laugh, “not Janet; she’s been on an extended vacation since her showdown with Cliff. If we’re all lucky, she’ll be changed enormously when she returns.”
“That would be nice for everybody, and a huge shock.”
“Right, but it isn’t impossible, nothing is. We were reunited after twelve years, you survived a terrible accident, and we’re together again.”
“And we’ll always be together, thanks to our guardian angel.”
Rachel smiled and nodded before fetching a washcloth from the hall bathroom. She washed away the moisture of their union from his softened member. She replaced his briefs, slacks, shoe, and shirt. She smiled as she fingercombed his black hair. “Almost as good as new. That should hold you until I bathe you later. Relax and drink your cola. I’ll be back in a minute.” She went to the bathroom to wash herself and to re-dress.
“Now that we’ve gotten rid of our tension, how about some lunch?”
“Suits me; I’m starving. Been hours since breakfast.”
“That’s right, you ate in a different time zone. Food coming up.”
As they ate at the table nearby, they discussed their impending plans, dating the wedding for September the eleventh, less than two weeks away.
Tuesday afternoon, they reached Miller County and the small town of Colquitt, Georgia. Rachel followed Quentin’s directions to his parents’ home. She was excited and nervous about meeting his family. She drove her silver BMW into the Rawlses’ driveway and parked it. Almost instantly, his parents and his sister Mary and her family rushed out to greet them.
A beaming Quentin exchanged hugs and kisses with his mother and sister, then embraced his father and shook his brother-in-law’s hand. He introduced his fiancée to them, “Mom, Daddy, this beautiful woman is Rachel Gaines, whom I’m lucky enough to be marrying on the eleventh of next month. Rachel, my parents, Matthew and Inez Rawls.”
With misty eyes and a glowing smile, Inez embraced her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so nice to meet you, Rachel, and have you visit for a few days. Quent has told us so many wonderful things about you. I want to thank you for making my son so happy.”
“He makes me happy, Mrs. Rawls, and it’s a pleasure to meet you. You, too, sir,” she said to his father as they shook hands and smiled. She noticed that Quentin favored his father and got his height and part of his athletic build from the man. If Matthew had any gray amidst his coal-black hair, it wasn’t visible; and if there was any shading difference between their blue eyes, she couldn’t find it. Matthew was tall and muscular, the body of a man who worked hard and long hours. He smiled easily and often, his teeth white against the dark tan from countless days under the sun. The few wrinkles that etched his face appeared to be a result of squinting and smiling rather than from aging. She warmed to Quentin’s father, who gave her the impression he was gentle, honest, and dependable.
“Quent, you did good for yourself, boy; she’s
lovely and nice. We want to welcome you to our family, Rachel. I’m sure you’ll make Quent a fine wife and us a sweet daughter-in-law. I guess I’m biased, but I think my son deserves the best woman around, and looks to me as if he found her.”
“Thank you, sir. I know I’m happy and lucky I found him.”
Quentin also thanked his father. “Rachel, this is my sister, Mary, her husband, Steve, and their children, Bobby and Kelly.”
“Down you wild bucks,” Mary told the active children in a gentle tone. “Uncle Quent is hurt and he can’t roughhouse with you this time. I want you both to be careful with his knee and shoulder.”
“Momma said a big truck hit your pickup,” Bobby remarked.
“And tore up another car,” Kelly added, her gaze filled with wonder.
As Quentin ruffled the boy’s brown hair and playfully tugged on the girl’s pony tail, he said, “Yep, but we’re all fine, just banged up a little. Soon as I’m healed, we’ll play some chase and ball.”
“We saw you play football, Uncle Quent,” Bobby said. “Papa let us stay up late. He says you ain’t gonna play no more.”
“He said you aren’t going to play anymore,” his mother corrected.
“Yes, ma’am, that’s right.”
Rachel noted how well behaved the children were and how vivacious; that said a great deal about how their parents were rearing them. She and Quentin talked with the children for a few minutes.
“Why don’t we go in the house and get out of this heat? I have some cold lemonade ready. Quent loves my lemonade, Rachel.”
“I’m sure I will, too, Mrs. Rawls.”
“Please, dear, call me Inez, and he’s Matt,” she pointed to Quentin’s father. “You’re among friends, make that family, and we’re so pleased about your news.”
“Thank you, Inez, Matt, for allowing me to visit with Quentin. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you all. It warms my heart to see such a close family.”
“Rachel is very close to her daughters, Karen and Evelyn,” Quentin told his parents. “Her parents are deceased and she has no brothers or sisters.”
“Well, you do now, Rachel,” Mary said with a sunny smile as she tucked a strayed curl behind her ear.
“Did you bring us anything, Uncle Quent?”
“Sorry, Kelly, but I couldn’t shop in this condition. But I promise to bring you something real nice next time.”
“Kids, behave yourselves. Quent came to visit, not bring presents.”
“But, Momma, he always brings presents. Don’t you, Uncle Quent?”
“I certainly do, Bobby, and I won’t forget again.”
“That’s all right, since you’re hurt.”
“I appreciate your understanding and generosity,” Quentin teased as the children, still keyed up from their second day in school, raced off to return to their game, one interrupted by the visitors’ arrival.
“Still a handful, eh, Sis?”
“Always. You’ll find out soon enough.”
Quentin just smiled, feeling it unnecessary to reveal their inability to have any children; that could wait until another and better time. “How about that lemonade, Mom; it’s as hot as Hades today.”
The group went into a tri-level ranch-style brick home and sat down in a den with comfortable furniture and a huge fireplace. Pictures of the children and grandchildren were everywhere, as were keepsakes, many of them having to do with their celebrity son. The clean house was decorated with a country flair. Pieces of lovely embroidery and crochet were under lamps, frames, and various objects. A brown sofa and two chairs were large and inviting. A LA-Z-Boy in shades of blue sat near the hearth, Mr. Rawls’s relaxing spot. Sports and farming magazines lay on one end table, a Bible and newspaper on another. A thirty-five-inch-screen TV was at the opposite end of the long room from the fireplace, visible from every seat and no doubt a gift from Quentin. A piano was positioned not far from it, with music books and a Baptist hymnal on its rack. A few toys were scattered about, as was expected with two grandchildren living on the property.
“Here, Rachel dear, you sit with Quent on the sofa. You prop that leg up, Son,” Inez said as she shoved an ottoman within reach.
Quentin grasped his leg and placed it there. “Thanks, Mom. So, what’s everybody been doing lately?”
“Besides pest control and waiting for harvest?” his father jested.
“It is about that time. How is the crop doing this year?”
“Fine, Son, since that flood didn’t attack us. Ruined a lot of farmers north and northeast of Miller County. Praise the Lord for His goodness in sparing us. Looks like we’ll have a bumper crop this season. We’ve been blessed with no pest problems, and all of the machinery is working fine. Steve’s a big help and he’s learned all I know about growing peanuts.”
“That’s because you’re a good teacher, Matt,” his son-in-law affirmed, “and I love my job.”
As the men chatted about peanuts and the flood, Inez and Mary prepared beverages and homemade cookies. When the women returned, Inez gently scolded, “You boys can talk farming another time; we have a guest, a very special guest.”
“I don’t mind, Inez; it’s very interesting. I grew up on a farm outside of Athens. My parents raised vegetables, but my father usually planted a few peanuts for us. Quentin tried to educate me one day about growing peanuts; it sounds like a complicated crop. You have a remarkable son; you must be very proud of him.”
“We are,” Matt concurred. “You did a fine and brave thing rescuing that woman and her kids, Son. We saw reports on the TV, and the papers carried several stories about it and your good deed. Makes me happy just to think on it, and plenty grateful you’re alive. Your mother and I were sorry to hear you got hurt and can’t play anymore. We know how much you wanted this last season, but you have a new life and challenge standing before you.”
“It doesn’t matter now, Daddy, not since I found Rachel to share my life. At least, being retired means I won’t get hurt again.”
“That pleases me to no end, Son,” Inez said. “I never liked having those big mountains fall all over you. I cringed every time I saw it. At the school here, Rachel, they have a glass case with Quent’s jersey and lots of pictures of him. Game balls and trophies are in there, too. If you have time, maybe he can take you over there to see them. A lot of folks would be glad to see you, Son, but I know your time is tight. Around here, Rachel, he’s a big celebrity, a real star. After his first Superbowl victory, they held a parade for him around the town square and gave him a key to the city.”
“It was well deserved,” Rachel remarked. She took to the likable and unpretentious Inez with ease, as she did to Mary Mills, who favored her mother, except she was shorter and had a sprinkling of freckles.
“Will you two be living in Texas?” Inez asked.
“Yep, I’m going to ranch and Rachel is going to write books. She’s working on her first one now.”
“I bet it will be wonderful,” Mary said. “I can hardly wait to read it. This is so exciting; we’ll have two celebrities in the family.”
“Hold on, Sis; she has to get it finished and published first. That takes a long time. But knowing Rachel, I have no doubt she’ll succeed; she’s a smart and persistent woman.”
“She must be; she snared you, big brother.”
“Oh, I didn’t put up a fight, gave her no resistance at all.”
Rachel loved him for his response which implied when she was published, not if. She savored the way he joked with his sister. She liked these down-to-earth people who were warm and kind, hardworking, strong, and brave; they had to be those things to have reared Quentin as they did and to survive an arduous and unpredictable farming life. She detected no bitterness or resentment in Quentin’s tone as he spoke about football and retirement; he appeared happy, relaxed, glad to be alive, pleased to be home, and thrilled to be marrying her soon. As they snacked and chatted and got acquainted, she observed Quentin’s interaction with his family. It wa
s obvious he loved and respected each of them, and the family was as close-knit as he had claimed.
“Frankie is driving over from Dothan tomorrow to visit. He’ll be glad to see you, Quent. I believe that boy’s about to get himself straight.”
“That’s good news, Daddy; I surely hope you’re right.”
“You’ve done a lot to help him and us, Quent, and we’re grateful. I don’t know if Quent told you, Rachel, but he bought this farm and most of the equipment to run it for us. That boy has a heart of gold, not a selfish bone in his body. We’re real lucky to have a son like him.”
“And I’m lucky to be getting a husband like him.”
As the three women talked while they prepared dinner, Rachel learned many things about Quentin’s family and Colquitt. She told them a lot about herself, the people in her life, now and in the past, and her various interests and activities. She also mentioned her hysterectomy so they would know children with Quentin wasn’t possible; they took that news with kindness and politeness, and dropped the subject.
Rachel enjoyed working with Inez and Mary in the nearby well-stocked pantry. While fetching things from it, Inez gave her several jars of mayhaw jelly and related the fruit’s history. She liked learning more about peanut farming and the family’s lifestyle, which revolved around agriculture. The location was quiet and peaceful, green from irrigation. Their lives were busy and mostly routine, with early mornings and long days for chores and early-to-bed evenings. She warmed to the hardworking family, and was pleased by their devoted and cheerful attitudes.
Often, she heard laughter coming from the sitting room where the three men were chatting and relaxing, with two children playing, nearby. It touched her deeply to observe the ex-quarterback sharing details of his life with his family. Yes, she told herself again, she had made a perfect choice in him.
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