by Lise Fuller
Jake pulled her to him and her arms flew around him. She let her tears flow and they soaked his shirt. “Oh, Jake…”
“Shhh.” He rested his chin against her hair. “It’s over now. Everything will work out fine.” He kissed her temple and for a moment, she was at peace.
Slim walked up with the bag of papers.
“So what’s his story?” Jake asked Slim.
Slim sighed. “Ex-FBI. My mentor. His wife was brutally murdered by a drug dealer he’d staked out. He left the force after that. We’d heard rumors he became a vigilante.” Slim eyes narrowed. “I can’t blame him.”
Jake nodded as if he understood then Slim pulled out the documents. A small piece of paper fluttered out. “What’s this?” He picked it up. It was the mailing receipt for the package she’d sent to Washington.
“My life.” Marie took it from him. “I mailed copies of all the papers to your headquarters in D.C. I even made copies of the statements where I put the cash. Didn’t you get it?”
Jake took the slip, looked at it then handed it back to Slim as MacDugal walked up.
Marie frowned. “I included a letter that explained everything.”
“Great,” Mac snorted. “It’s probably sitting on someone’s desk.”
Slim puffed his cheeks and blew out a steady breath. “We’ll find it. In the meantime, Miss Taylor, you need to come with me.”
Jake’s arm stiffened around her.
“Jake, I don’t need to tell you what needs to be done,” Slim said.
Jake’s jaw set. “Don’t tell me you’re going to charge her?”
“I don’t have a choice.” Slim shrugged. “With this piece of paper and the other evidence we’ve collected, she’ll probably get off.” Slim took a deep breath. “I have my orders, Jake.”
Jake bit his lip and nodded then Slim turned to her.
Marie’s knees buckled. Jake held her tightly to him to support her.
“Marie, I’m sorry,” Slim said. “I promise I’ll do what I can to help you but we need your testimony. At minimum, you’ll be placed in a witness protection program, at least until the trial is over. If you’re cleared then you’ll be free to go, unless we still perceive a threat from the BAM organization. Then we’ll keep you in the program.”
She glanced from Jake to Slim. “Can we be alone for a moment?”
He looked at Jake. “Sorry, Jake. You have five minutes.”
Marie bit her lip as Jake’s arms comforted her.
It was the shortest, most precious five minutes of her life.
Chapter Eighteen
The day was unusually warm for November. A gentle breeze swept across Jake’s haggard face as he stood alone in the field dotted with old headstones. It’d taken two months to get the special permits to move Gramps’ remains. Alone, he’d dressed in uniform for the occasion, out of respect for his great-great grandfather.
He watched as wispy clouds glided across the azure sky. It’d been almost that long since Slim Jim Douglas had hauled Marie away and put her in the witness protection program. A month had passed since her acquittal. Slim had called to tell him that much. Evan had given testimony that showed her innocence. Not too surprising, Jake thought, considering the man’s motivation. He’d wanted to protect women from scum. That, coupled with the other evidence, cleared her. Now only the BAM threat kept her away from him and in the program.
He stared absently at the hole in the ground. The trial was about to conclude and Marie could be in her old life then, if the threat went away. Perhaps she’d rethink a move to Wyoming after everything that happened. He couldn’t blame her. She’d had a lucrative career, lived the plush life. Why would she want to spend the rest of her days in a desolate place with him?
Loneliness swamped Jake, made him empty inside. He wondered if he’d ever see her again.
He felt a cool tap on his shoulder. Jake looked up and into the face of the man who had been his guardian angel for so many years. He forced a small, but honest smile. “You say goodbye to Jesse?”
The centenarian nodded. Jake could see the sadness etched in the lines around Gramps face. “Yuh know I’ll miss yuh, boy.”
Water welled in Jake’s eyes and he found it hard to swallow. “It’ll be good to know I’ll have someone waiting for me.” He stood toe-to-toe with the spirit and hugged him.
Gramps cleared his throat. His voice wavered a bit as he spoke. “Take care of yerself, and Jesse. That boy won’t have anyone to watch after ’em now.”
“He has me.” Jake gritted his teeth as he fiercely held onto Gramps and patted him on the back. Releasing him, he took a step back. “You ready?” He tried to steady his voice but failed miserably.
Gramps’ tender grin comforted Jake. “Don’t worry, boy. She’ll be back. And sooner than yuh think.”
The wall Jake built around his heart crumbled. “I hope so, Gramps.” He looked downward and kicked the hard ground with the toe of his boot. “Because I don’t think I’d ever be able to rest if I didn’t lie beside her, kinda like you with Josephine.”
Moistness rose in Gramps’ eyes and he turned his head toward the horizon. “There’s always tomorrow, Jake.”
With a sad nod, Jake eyed the old man, overwhelmed with the love and respect he felt for the person who was about to leave him. He turned and watched the edge of the sky and saw in his mind’s eye what his great-great grandfather had taught him about life.
For moments, neither of them spoke. Then the cry of an eagle pierced the silence. Jake and his grandfather stared as the winged creature circled higher then disappeared into the rays of the sun.
“Must be Ol’ Red Thunder callin’ me. I guess that’s my cue.”
Jake dropped the hand he’d raised over his brow to shelter his eyes from the sun. He nodded at Gramps then lifted the box of the remains that had been dug from underneath the aged pine tree at the fort. “I’ll miss you, Gramps.”
The old man grinned again. Gramps walked over to Josephine’s grave and laid a bouquet of white roses on it he’d brought with him. “She always did like them flowers best.”
Jake nodded. He lifted the box then lowered it reverently into the ground. The hole wasn’t deep. It didn’t need to be as there was little left of his patron’s remains. Jake took the shovel that sat nearby and began to cover the hole with dirt.
Gramps faded as he leaned against his old headboard and laughed. “Josephine, honey, I’m comin’.” He hooted again and looked at Jake. “Son, I can see her.”
Contentment settled in Jake. He returned the old man’s grin and shoveled another pile into the hole. Gramps’ spirit shimmered in the sunlight and Jake heard him whoop as his arms reached into the air.
It could have been his imagination but Jake would have sworn he saw a petite woman grasp his grandfather and lay a big one on his lips. “I love you,” he heard a woman’s gentle voice say, then Jake put another spade of dirt on the pile.
After a few more shovels, Gramps and his great-great grandmother faded completely.
A tear trickled down Jake’s cheek and somewhere on the wind he thought he’d heard Gramps’ voice sing, “I’ll see you agin’.”
Carefully, Jake smoothed the soil over the spot and stood. He looked at the neatly carved headstone he’d ordered. It sat next to the old wooden one. He sighed, relishing the one thing he had left of Gramps. His love.
The gentle caress of the breeze reached him again. Jake inhaled the winter smell of the grasslands. This was his world for now and he wouldn’t live in it without the woman who’d become his partner in this life. He lifted his jaw, determined to find Marie again. If he had to, he’d take Jesse and leave Wyoming to start a new life with her.
Behind him, he heard a sniffle and the crunch of snow under feet. Startled, he turned then froze, thinking he’d seen another vision.
Less than thirty feet behind him stood Marie in the jeans he’d bought her. She bit her lip and twisted a tissue in her hand. The rims of her eyes were red and s
wollen. Slim grinned next to her. Katie stood several feet behind him under a tree. Slim nodded at Jake. “Trial was over yesterday. Nailed all of the ones that were here and at least made a dent in the organization. We got here as soon as we could. I’d hoped we wouldn’t miss this.”
The weight of Jake’s worries evaporated. In a few steps he closed the gap between himself and Marie. He pulled her into his arms and she kissed him wildly. Jake held her like there was no tomorrow. He fingered her face, ran his hand through her hair. “I can’t believe you’re here,” he whispered against her soft skin.
She giggled.
Convinced she was real, Jake lifted her off her feet and brought her mouth to his. His lips burned and hungered for her. He drank her in as if it were his first kiss. “You’re here,” he murmured against her moist lips. “You’re really here.”
She touched her soft mouth to his. “To stay.” She ran her fingers over his cheek and pushed off his chest so she could look into his face. “That is, if my old job is still available.” A twinkle shone in her eye.
He cuddled her closer and rubbed his nose against hers. “It is if you promise to love, honor and cherish me so I can do it back.”
Marie’s lips turned upward. Her cheeks flushed. “I hoped you’d say that.” Her voice broke. She hugged his neck and kissed him hard.
“You two hungry or are we the only ones who realize we’re on this planet?” Slim called to them as Katie chuckled. Marie smiled at him then they went to join the other couple.
The girls walked off, making plans. Slim strolled along beside Jake. “Took that job in Cheyenne,” Slim started then shook his head as he watched Katie. “Don’t know what we’re getting into.” He looked at Jake. A big grin spread across his face. “But I know I can’t wait.”
Jake nodded in agreement as Marie turned around and winked at him then sauntered her sexy behind down the road. For him, the wait was over. He glanced back at Gramps’ resting place. “You go ahead, Slim.”
Slim looked at him then back at the small burial plot. “You sure?”
“Yeah,” he said and scanned the horizon, “I’ll be right there.”
Slim walked off.
Jake turned toward the gravesite and pushed his hands in his pockets. “Thanks, Gramps,” he whispered.
“Yer welcome, son.”
The airy sound vibrated. Jake glanced around as a breeze whistled through the trees then his eyes settled on Marie. She waited for him down the long drive. He ran to her and into her waiting arms. He brushed his lips down her temple to her cheek. When he brought his mouth to her lips, he murmured against her, “I love you, Marie. Forever.”
Her eyes shone. “I love you, too, Jake. For all time.”
He held her close with one arm and tilted her chin toward him with the hand of the other. “Marie, I know what kind of life you lived before you came here, how successful you were.” He swallowed. “You know with my pay I can’t offer you that. All I can give you is the love for our lifetimes. Are you sure you want this, to stay in Fort Bridger with me?” He peered into her eyes. He needed to know the truth.
The corners of her mouth twitched upward. “Jake Colder, you make it sound like I’ll be a kept woman. Does this still mean you don’t want me working at the diner?”
“No, I…” He didn’t know what to say. He wanted her to be happy. “Only if you want. I told you once I’d do whatever you wanted to keep you here.”
She reached up and kissed him. “Jake, all I want is you. Wherever you are, then that’s where I want to be.” She caressed his face with her fingertips. “You and Jesse are the family I’ve never had. That is more important to me than any fortune or glitz and glamour.” Her eyes shone. “You’ve made me whole. Reminded me what life’s about. Gramps was right. I need you. I don’t want to live without you. Besides, if I want to start up my company again, I can do it here. With you.” She quirked a brow. “Will you mind that? Because if I do, I’ll be making a lot more than you will.”
His anxiety fled. He cleared his throat and glanced away a minute, content inside. “Well, if it makes you happy.” He couldn’t help it. He grinned. “I guess my male ego can handle it. As long as I know you’re mine.”
She fingered his cheek. “Always, Jake.”
He cradled her to him. “I’m never letting you go again,” he warned then took her lips with his.
“And I never want you to.” She choked as she whispered against his mouth. “I love you, Jake. So much.”
He nodded. He knew how she felt. “Tell you what…” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Let’s skip lunch. Katie and Slim will understand. There’s someplace I want to take you.”
“Where?” she squinted accusingly.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” He swept her into his arms and carried her like a babe. She reacted by looping her hands behind his neck. “Have I ever told you I like holding you like this?” he asked.
She smiled. “No, Mister Colder, you haven’t.” She looked around. “So where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” Jake carried her along the path to the interior of the fort. “I’ve thought about this ever since—” He glanced at her. “Well, you’ll find out soon enough.”
She tugged against his neck as she pulled her face to his ear and nipped the lobe. “Sheriff, why am I getting this feeling that your intentions are not what they would call honorable?”
Her breath caressed him. He captured her mouth with his, savoring her, then he whispered against her sweet lips. “They will be when you marry me.”
When he reached the gazebo, he held her tight and bounded up the stairs.
“Mmm,” she twisted her mouth and suppressed a smile. “You want to dance again?”
He grabbed her rear and eased her down his body to her toes. He let her sexy form stroke the front of him then held her against him with the cheeks of her ass. “You could say that.”
His hardened penis pressed against her.
Marie looked around then stared at him eyes wide open. “Here?” she squeaked.
He grinned. “You said outside and in public. I can’t think of a better place.”
“But…it’s the middle of the day. What if somebody finds us? Jake, your position in the community…”
He interrupted her by squeezing her rear cheeks then nodded. “Guess that’s a risk we’ll have to take.” He peered into her face. “I love you, Marie. You said you wanted to try this. I told you then I’d do whatever I had to in order to keep you.”
“But…”
He kissed her to silence her protests. “I need you, Marie,” he whispered between pecks. “I want to show you that.”
She moaned and tilted her head. Her eyes fluttered shut. The sound of her arousal made his cock hard as a rock.
“Oh, Jake…” Her sex-laden voice made him bolder. He ran his palms down her back, leaned her over one of his arms and slid his hand to her front to cup her breast. His thumb flicked over the tip as he savored the skin of her exposed neck.
“Jake…” She rubbed her hips into him.
“I’m here,” he murmured against her skin, “I’ll always be here for you.”
“Yes,” she uttered as her breaths grew shallower and the tempo increased.
He toyed with the buttons on her shirt, teased her at first then popped the fasteners open. Her silky skin was like heaven to him. He eased his fingers under her bra and played with her nipples then tugged and pinched them ever so slightly, in the way he’d come to know she liked.
She sucked in a breath. He tucked the cup of the bra under her breast and pulled her flesh out then bent and took the tip in his mouth and laved it.
She mewed and pressed her pussy against him again. Jake slipped his hand to her crotch and rubbed over the vee a few times then hastened to undo her pants.
“Jake…” Her mouth nipped at his neck. “It’s been too long.”
“I know.” His cock jumped. He slid his hand down the inside to her clit an
d rubbed. “God, Marie, you’re so wet.” He nibbled at the skin of her chin then her lips. “You know how much I love that about you? How wet you get? How you taste?”
Her eyes were heavy with lust. “You like my taste?”
“Hell yeah.” He pulled her pants off her hips. Picking her up by her ass, he set her on the railing and lowered himself between her knees. “Hold onto my shoulders,” he schooled her.
Her fingers gripped into him as he touched his mouth to her. “Mmm,” she moaned again and arched her hips to his face.
He licked her, penetrated her with his tongue. He felt her shake, knew it was her body responding to him. “Use a hand to pull your breast, darlin’. I want to see them. I want to see you make love to them.”
She did.
He watched her as he tongued her. He loved seeing the lines on her face while she was pleasured. He clamped down on her legs to hold them in place and let her slip down a bit to lean against the rail. “Go ahead and use your other hand. Expose yourself to me.”
She looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes, her lust thick in them. She released his other shoulder and parted her blouse. In moments, both breasts were exposed to the breeze. The warm air blew against them. The nubs pebbled. She ran her fingers over them, caressed and tugged at them. “Mmmm.” She released a husky sigh again.
“God,” he moaned himself. He’d have to take her soon or come in his pants.
Her wetness bloomed. Her musky scent grew thick. He inhaled her aroma then licked her, nipped on her clit and nibbled along her labia. When he’d sucked on both sides, he penetrated her with his tongue again. Her hips bucked against his mouth as he sucked her, thrust his tongue in and out of her and savored the taste of her.
“Oh Jake.” She pulled at the shoulders of his shirt.
He stood. He was so needy he fumbled as he opened his belt and unzipped his pants. She was more than ready. He shoved into her. She took him. All of him. Ground her hips against his crotch as the muscles inside her vagina clenched around him.
He pumped her—hard. She cried louder with each pass.