Safe Havens Bundle

by Sandy James

  Her face flushed, and her breathing sped to a faster cadence. “It’s daylight.”

  “Yep.”

  “You want to...you know...in the middle of the day?”

  “Yep.”

  Casting aside her calico dress, he flung aside his vest and jerked his own shirt over his head, not bothering to unbutton it. He knelt before her, untying the ribbons holding up her stockings, dropping them on the floor, and then slowly rolling her stockings down her sleek legs. After helping her step out of her petticoat and pantalets, he pulled her camisole off and just stared at her.

  So accustomed to seeing her with Isaac in her belly, he’d forgotten how slender she was. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  When she reached for his waistband, he smiled. She was nibbling on her bottom lip, but her nervousness didn’t stop her from unbuttoning his pants and shoving them past his hips. He chuckled as he toed off his boots and then stepped out of his pants, kicking them aside.

  Holding her against him, skin to skin, set his heart hammering so loudly the beat echoed in his ears. He kissed her, sliding his tongue into her mouth, caressing and showing her what he wished he could find the words to express.

  But his need for her was too strong to even try to talk. Perhaps after, once he showed her what was in his heart it might be easier to tell her.

  Scooping Sara into his arms, Caleb set her on the bed. He came down on top of her blanketing her body with his own, nudging her thighs apart with his knee so he could rest his cock against the curls between her thighs. “Now I’m home.”

  “For good?” Her gaze searched his.

  He gave her a smile. “Forever.”

  Then he captured her mouth for a kiss, probing with his tongue until she restlessly moved against him. He trailed his kisses across her cheek, tugged on her earlobe with his teeth, and nuzzled her neck. With little bites that he soothed with gentle licks, he moved down her neck to her breast. Drawing a taut nipple between his lips, he swirled his tongue around the tight nub as she drove her fingers through his hair and tugged.

  “You’re making me crazy,” she said, her words breathless. “I want you, Caleb.”

  While he wanted to tell her to be patient, he was rapidly losing his own control. So he rose over her, spreading her thighs a little farther apart before rubbing his cock against her wet, hot core.

  She reached between them, wrapped her fingers around his erection, and guided him home.

  The moment Caleb sank deep inside Sara, all his worries faded into nothing. Her past was gone, his stupidity forgotten. There was just his love for her and the love he knew she had for him.

  He used slow thrusts to stroke her body, hoping he could hold out long enough to bring her fulfillment. It had been so long since they’d shared this intimacy. Too long.

  She wouldn’t let him go slow. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she wrapped her legs around his hips. Raising her own hips each time he sank inside her, she urged him on, making him move faster. Harder. Just when he thought the battle was lost, Sara cried out, her body clenching around him. He threw his head back, shouting her name as the waves of pleasure rushed over him.

  Exhausted, he collapsed against her, trying not to crush her with his weight. Sara seemed every bit as boneless, her only movement the fluttering of her fingers as she traced the length of his spine with her hand. Her legs fell to his sides, and she hummed that way she always had whenever he’d pleased her.

  Now he had to find the words to tell her all that he needed her to know.

  Caleb flopped to his back, still trying to catch his breath. Sara pillowed her head against his shoulder and draped her leg over his thigh.

  “I’m sorry I left,” he said. “I just... I needed to think things through.”

  “So did you think things through?” she asked. The fearful tremor in her voice reached his heart, giving him courage.

  “I did. I realized one very important thing.”

  When he didn’t say anything more, she poked his ribs. “And?”

  “And I realized that no matter what happened before you knew me or how you came to me, I ain’t never gonna let you go.”

  She propped herself on her elbow. “My past—”

  “There’s only now. There’s only us,” he said. “Understand?”

  “Not at all.”

  Combing his fingers through her hair, Caleb sighed. “I ain’t concerned with your past. All I care about is your future. Our future.”

  “Isaac—”

  “Is my son. I’m home now, and today is a new start for us. For all three of us.”

  Sara rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. “I was so afraid you’d stopped loving me.”

  He strained his neck so he could look into her eyes. “I never stopped loving you, sweetheart. Never.”

  Smiling, she settled back against him.

  Caleb waited for what he thought was far too long before he patted her backside. “Don’t you got something to say to me now?”

  “Do I?” There was a lightness to her voice that he was relieved to hear.

  He growled in response.

  “I love you, Caleb. With all my heart.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Reverend David punctuated each entity’s invocation by pouring a small stream of water over Isaac’s forehead while Isaac accompanied each touch of water against his skin with a shrill scream.

  Caleb didn’t even try to bite back his laughter, even when Sara gave him a scolding glance. It was hard to take her scowl as a reprimand when her own lips were twitching with a grin every time their son wailed.

  The good reverend ended the baptism by setting a white handkerchief on Isaac’s forehead. “Congratulations.”

  Drew, who had been standing at Caleb’s side as Isaac’s godfather, cuffed Caleb on the shoulder. For once, Drew was quiet, appearing almost choked up over the small, quiet ceremony.

  Caleb inclined his head, figuring any words of thanks he gave Drew might make the emotionally sensitive man start hugging everyone. Again.

  Cassie passed the baby back to Sara. “I’m honored to be his godmother.”

  Settling Isaac in her arms, Sara smiled. “Think how much fun our children will have as they grow up together.”

  Grace Morgan, her husband close on her heels, rose from her pew and came to speak to Sara and Caleb. “I’ve made a cake to celebrate. We should all head to the Four Aces to share it.”

  “That was mighty nice of you, Grace.” He wrapped his arm around Sara’s shoulders.

  “Thank you, Grace,” Sara said.

  When Isaac got fussy, she let Caleb take him. As usual, his son settled down the moment Caleb laid him against his shoulder. They’d quickly developed a father-son bond. No matter how fussy, the baby would calm whenever he was with his father. That made Caleb happy to the depths of his soul, and he dreamed of the things he’d teach Isaac as the boy grew.

  The most important lesson would be the importance of finding a loving wife.

  Grace gave them a smile. “It’s such a special day. I wanted to help you have a small celebration.”

  As Ty and Cassie joined them, Ty held his daughter, Diana, against his shoulder the same way Caleb cradled Isaac.

  Caleb kissed Isaac’s temple. “You’re right, Grace. Ain’t every day a man celebrates his son’s baptism.”

  Ty only grinned at the teasing. “Just remember, I’ll be the one holding the shotgun when your son brings his friends ’round to court my girl.”

  Caleb threw his head back and laughed.

  ***

  “You truly love Caleb, don’t you?” Drew asked Sara.

  She just set her empty cake plate down and was preparing to start cleaning up the mess of dirty plates and forks scattered on the serving table. “‘Neither rhyme nor reason can express how much.’”

  He kissed her cheek and grinned. “I’m happy for you, Sara.”

  As fast as Caleb hurrie
d across the room, she looked around to see if danger lurked nearby. He put himself between her and Drew and scowled. “You ain’t gotta put your hands on my wife all the time.” A snort slipped out. “Your lips, neither.”

  “Come now, Caleb,” Drew said with a lopsided grin. “You’re well aware that I know the depth of your feelings for our Sara.” He leaned closer to Caleb. “Have you practiced the line?”

  “It’s s’posed to be a surprise, Drew,” Caleb scolded.

  “Judging from the confused look on her face, I’d say Sara is plenty surprised.” Drew swept his arm toward the front of the room. “What more perfect place is there than here? What time could be more appropriate than your new son’s baptism? What better audience than your family and friends?”

  Caleb leaned closer to Drew and whispered, “I wanted it to be private. Not sure I can do it in front of all these folks.”

  Sara strained to listen in on what the men were saying. Her curiosity was on alert, and she hoped Caleb would find the courage to do whatever it was he was planning. Otherwise, she’d be hard pressed to keep from hammering him with questions on their ride home.

  “Dear Caleb, ‘Cowards die many times before their deaths, the valiant never taste of death but once.’ Gird your loins and do this for Sara!”

  Caleb thought it over a good long while. Then he shouted at his brother on the other side of the room. “Gideon! Come here!”

  As Gideon strode across the room, Sara finally caught her husband’s gaze. “What’s going on, Caleb?”

  “I–I got something I want to give you.”

  “But I don’t need anything,” she insisted.

  “Didn’t say you needed it.” He passed Isaac into Gideon’s arms. Then he grabbed Sara’s hand and dragged her to the front of the room.

  Drew clapped loudly and then waved everyone forward. “If everyone will gather ’round, Caleb has something special planned for his wife.”

  Her face flushed hot as the dozen or so of their family and friends came to see whatever it was Caleb had in store for her. Not used to being the center of attention, she stared at her shoes.

  Cassie lightly touched her shoulder as she passed by. “Smile, Sara.”

  Grace and her stepdaughter, Victoria, also murmured their support as they passed her. Funny, but knowing these women were there for her meant the world to Sara, giving her courage. She straightened her spine.

  No other time in her life had she felt so at home, that she belonged. To this town. To these people.

  To Caleb.

  With a smile, she faced him. “What exactly do you have up your sleeve, Caleb Young?”

  He smiled back. “Ain’t up my sleeve, sweetheart. It’s in my pocket.”

  He fished through the breast pocket of his vest and pulled out a gold ring. Then he cleared his throat as everyone quieted down in response.

  “Sara, I want to thank you for our son. I never had the chance to get you a proper wedding ring.”

  “I didn’t ask for one,” she said softly.

  “That’s exactly why you’re so special. You ain’t never asked me for nothing. You give me so much, and now I have something to offer you in return.” He cleared his throat again, but then hesitated.

  “Go on,” Drew whispered. “You can do it.”

  Caleb pulled his lips into a grim line before tossing Drew a curt nod. “I got something to say to you, Sara. This is from that Shakespeare man you cotton to reading.”

  He was going to recite Shakespeare? Caleb hated reading. Even though he let her read to him from time to time, he said he enjoyed her voice more than the story. Yet he’d learned Shakespeare. For her.

  Sara’s vision blurred with tears, and she put her fingertips against her lips so she wouldn’t let a sob slip out.

  “This is from something called Hamlet. ‘Doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt I love.’” He took her left hand into his and slid the ring on the third finger.

  The threatening tears spilled over her lashes. “Thank you, husband.”

  His cheeks looked sunburned. “You’re welcome, wife.” Despite the accompanying catcalls and whistles, he tugged her into his arms and kissed her, long and deep. “

  Then they were lost in the crowd of well-wishers.

  ***

  “Is Isaac asleep?” Caleb asked. He’d propped the pillows against the brass headboard and kicked aside the covers.

  He wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.

  “He is.” She gaped at him, wondering if she’d ever grow accustomed to his handsome looks. He was a work of art, and she couldn’t tear her gaze away.

  One part of him began to grow, and her eyes flew wide. When she was finally to look away, she caught his smug smile.

  Perhaps there was a way to wipe that smile right off his face...

  Sara jerked her nightgown over her head and dropped it on the foot of the bed. She knelt on the end of the mattress before crawling toward him, kissing his feet, his strong legs, each hip. She smiled against his skin when she skipped the impudent part of him that stood ready.

  He let out a frustrated groan.

  The sound made her smile grow. “Since you had such a special gift for me today, I have one for you as well.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Something just for you.” She wrapped her fingers around his erection and traced the length of it with her tongue.

  His fingers laced through her hair, holding her someplace she loved being. His gasps and low moans urged her on, and she took him into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the cap, loving the drops of fluid coming from the slit.

  Although she felt awkward, unskilled, Caleb urged her on with gasped flatteries and an appeal or two to his Maker. When he tried to drag her on top of him, she shifted out of his grasp. “Give me this, Caleb—just as you demanded of me.”

  He stopped fighting her and surrendered by fisting his hands in the linens. A guttural groan rumbled from his chest as he lifted his hips and came, gasping her name.

  After a hasty cleanup, Sara lay in his arms. He kept humming softly, the way he often did when he was thoroughly relaxed. She ran her fingertips over his muscular stomach before tangling her fingers in the mat of dark hair on his chest. Although she knew he’d enjoyed what she’d done, she needed a few words of praise so she wouldn’t feel so awkward after such an intimate encounter.

  “D–did you enjoy... Oh, bother. Of course you enjoyed...” With a sigh, she laid her head on his shoulder. “Never mind.”

  Caleb kissed her forehead. “Sara?”

  “Yes?”

  “That. Was. Wonderful. Thank you.”

  She held her hand up. “As wonderful as my beautiful new ring?”

  “Better,” he murmured.

  “Thank you for quoting Hamlet. It was quite a surprise.”

  He grunted and held her a little tighter.

  “I have a quote for you as well,” she said.

  “I probably won’t understand it.”

  “Oh, I think you will.” She pushed up on her elbow so she could look into his eyes. “I remember the first time I saw you, standing there, looking so hopeful. I had one thought that day, one of the Bard’s quotes that filled my head.” She kissed him and then eased back. “‘Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?’”

  Caleb gaped at her. “Are you sayin’ you loved me the first time you saw me?”

  “I–I think I am. Do you know that you saved me, Caleb? If not for you—”

  His fingers gently pressed against her lips. “You got it wrong. You saved me, Sara.”

  “I did?” she asked.

  “I was nothing but a lonely man. Now I got a beautiful wife and a son. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.”

  “As am I. Because for the first time in my life, I’m home.”

  The End

  Author Biography:

  Sandy lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis, where
she teaches psychology. She owns a small stable of harness racehorses and enjoys spending time at Hoosier Park racetrack.

  Published through Forever Yours, Carina Press, and indie-published, she has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller multiple times and has won numerous awards including two HOLT Medallions.

  Represented by Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne & Miller Literary.

  Find her as “sandyjamesbooks” on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

  Other Books by Sandy James:

  Damaged Heroes Series

  Murphy’s Law (Book 1)

  Free Falling (Book 2)

  All the Right Reasons (Book 3)

  Faith of the Heart (Book 4)

  Twist of Fate (Book 5)

  Safe Havens Series

  Saving Grace (Book 1)

  Runaway (Book 2)

  Redeemed (Book 3)

  Hideaway (Book 4 ~ Coming Soon!)

  Ladies Who Lunch Series

  The Bottom Line (Book 1)

  Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Book 2)

  Sealing the Deal (Book 3)

  Fringe Benefits (Book 4)

  Alliance of the Amazons

  The Reluctant Amazon (Book 1)

  The Impetuous Amazon (Book 2)

  The Brazen Amazon (Book 3)

  The Volatile Amazon (Book 4)

  Single Titles

  Turning Thirty-Twelve

  Rules of the Game

  The Seeker

  Coming soon! Nashville Dreams Series

  Can’t Walk Away (Book 1)

  Can’t Let Her Go (Book 2)

  Can’t Fight the Feeling (Book 3)