Do Not Forsake Me(149)

Jake said something to the Donavans. Lloyd and Katie were still clinging to each other.

Jake looked toward the house then, and Randy stepped into the street. Ignoring more questions, Jake kicked his horse into a faster lope, heading toward her.

Thin! So much thinner, Randy thought as he came closer. And so, so tired. He’s been to hell and back! She could hardly believe he was real and alive, and she saw in his eyes for a flicker of a moment the darker Jake, the outlaw Jake, the Jake who was suffering over what had happened to their daughter. But his gaze changed to the loving Jake as in seconds he was off his horse and hurrying up to her.

Neither spoke at first as he swept her into his arms. Never, ever, ever had those arms felt so good around her. She wrapped her own arms around his neck as he picked her up off her feet, whirling her around.

“Sweet Jesus,” he groaned. “I can’t believe it’s you and you’re all right.”

Randy buried her face against him, breathing in his scent—tobacco, leather, sweat, the lingering scent of gun smoke and even his horse. It didn’t matter that he needed a bath and a shave. It only mattered that she was in his arms.

“I thought I’d never see you again,” she sobbed.

“It’s true?” he asked. “No cancer?”

“Yes. Oh, Jake, don’t let go! Don’t let go!”

“Never. My God, baby, you feel so good…smell so good…” His voice was gruff. He sounded so achingly tired, yet here he was, holding her as though she weighed nothing. “How tight can I hold you? I don’t want to hurt something.”

“You won’t hurt anything. You can’t hold me tight enough.”

He kissed at her neck, her hair, her cheek, keeping her pressed close. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever hold each other again. When I first got back to Guthrie, I was crazy with rage over Evie. The only thing that kept me sane was finding out you were okay and on your way home.”

“When I heard what happened, I was afraid you’d hand yourself over to them just to free Evie.”

“She’s okay, Randy. She’s okay.”

“I should go to her.”

“No. Leave them alone. Brian and Evie need some time together.” He began kissing her, over and over. She smelled peppermint on his breath, felt the rough stubble on his chin. “I asked the Donavans to take Stephen and Little Jake and Ben to their place so Brian and Evie can just be with each other—and Lloyd and Katie need time too. Lloyd is hurt, but he’ll be all right.”

“Oh, Jake! What happened to him?”

“Just a flesh wound. Thank God Brian was with us.”

“Evie! Poor Evie!”

“She still has that baby. And she has Brian. She just needs time, Randy.” He found her mouth and savored it hungrily again. “God, I’m such a mess,” he groaned, “and you’re so beautiful and clean and soft, and I want you so bad, but I need a bath and a shave and I’m so goddamn tired, Randy. I don’t remember the last time I slept. Even after we got her back, I couldn’t eat for thinking about what happened.” He continued holding her with her feet off the ground.

“She’s alive, Jake, and so is Little Jake. That’s all that matters right now. You, my darling Jake, found them. God only knows how many men you had to go through to get them. And now you’re here and alive, and there is no one like my Jake. No one.” They kissed over and over.

“It’s you that got me through it…knowing you were all right.”

Randy finally leaned back to take a better look at him, touching the scar at the side of his face. “Oh, Jake, Dixie told me what happened to your face. She brought Ben here, and I already love him, Jake.”

“Dixie? She came here?”

“Yes. She’s probably off someplace watching us right now. She wanted to wait and make sure you got back alive. She told me about Ben, and what shape you were in after you found out about Evie. All of it had to be so horrible for you. If only I could have been there for you. It must have been so terrible!”

He groaned as he kissed her again, then nuzzled her neck. “There is so much to tell you, mi querida esposa. I’m so sorry, but if I don’t go inside and lie down, I’ll pass out right here in the street. It’s all catching up with me.” He kissed her again. “I want you so bad,” he whispered, “but I’m so goddamn tired, baby.”

“Of course you are.”

“Tell me you’re still just mine.”

“You know I am.”

“Who do you belong to?”

“Jake Harkner—always and forever.”