Do Not Forsake Me(9)

Jake groaned her name as he filled her with stunning thrusts that told her his desire for her was as strong as ever. A second, even more intense orgasm made Randy arch up to him with hungry desire. Jake reached under her hips and filled her until he could no longer hold back his own orgasm.

They lay there quietly for several long seconds, wrapped in each other’s arms in glorious joy that all was well and they were alive and still able to enjoy each other this way.

“I missed you so much, mi esposa. Tú eres mi vida.”

“And I missed you holding me. I love your arms around me. I feel so safe and loved when you’re here.”

He kissed her several times over—her mouth, her neck, her breasts, her belly, the hairs between her legs, back up to her lips—and soon he was ready for her again, pushing deep inside her with an aching need to be sure he’d pleased her after over three weeks apart. They groaned together with their climax, then Jake wilted beside her. They took a moment just to enjoy the quiet, the feel of naked body against naked body, to listen to each other’s soft breathing, to stroke each other lovingly. Finally Jake rolled away from her with a deep sigh. “God, I hate this job. I hate not being here to watch out for you every single day.”

“Evie and I get along fine when you’re gone.”

“But you’re Jake Harkner’s wife and she’s Jake Harkner’s daughter, which means you’re always in danger, and so are the grandkids—all because of me.”

“Jake, stop it.” Randy put an arm across his chest and nestled into his shoulder. “You were in prison for four years, and we were just fine.”

“You had Jess York to watch out for you. And it was different with me locked up. Most thought I’d stay in prison the rest of my life, but I’m out now, and a target for those who want to lay a claim to fame through me.”

She kissed his neck. “You’ve just been through a lot and it’s got you on edge, that’s all. We’re safe here in town, and Evie has Brian.”

He rubbed his eyes. “I suppose. Damn, I’m suddenly really tired, Randy,” he told her, the weight of the last three rugged weeks and the pain of Brad Buckley’s remark clearly taking their toll. “I’m sorry, but I need to sleep. I can’t even get up to eat any of that stew you made.”

Randy pulled the covers over them and snuggled against him. “For heaven’s sake, Jake. Do you think I wouldn’t understand how tired you are? It’s all right.” She kissed his chest. “I love you. Thank God you’re home safe and sound and Lloyd is all right.”

He closed his eyes. “He’s fine.” His words came in a lazy mutter. “I love you.”

Randy settled against his shoulder, and in moments he was breathing deeply in an exhausted sleep. She lay still, enjoying the feel of his warmth in her bed again. The sun wasn’t even completely set yet, but it didn’t matter. She knew Evie would make sure no one bothered them. The stew would simmer on the cookstove for several hours. There was no need to do anything with it right now. It was enough to just lie here with her husband beside her.

Remarks like Brad Buckley’s earlier today brought forth pieces from Jake’s past that he might never be able to put behind him, memories that evoked pain and rage. And because she didn’t want to worry him, she kept silent about the pain in her belly. It was nothing. It would go away. The Jake Harkner who lay beside her now was a far cry from the man he became when he put on guns and badge and walked out the door. He needed this peace. He didn’t need something new to worry about.





Three


Lloyd trotted his horse closer to the Donavans’ cabin, hoping Katie was home. He’d always liked her, and the part of him that wanted more kept arguing with the deeper part of him that missed Beth so much that he’d almost lost his mind when she died losing their baby eighteen months ago. The only thing that kept him from returning to a life of drinking and despair after her death had been his father, who’d literally slugged him and hog-tied him one night. Jake and Sheriff Sparks had dragged him into a jail cell and left him there until he sobered up.

A lot of long talks with both his parents had brought Lloyd around, but it was mainly Jake who’d managed to get through to him, reminding him he had a son to live for, a son he never wanted to disgrace…the way Lloyd once felt his own father had disgraced him. He never wanted those same hard feelings between himself and his son, Stephen.

Now he had to face the fact that he was a widower with a six-year-old son to raise. He’d loved Beth desperately, but she was lost to him. Stephen was his whole life now. The boy stayed with his grandma Randy when Lloyd and Jake had to go out on a manhunt, but he couldn’t expect his mother to keep doing all the raising. The woman had been through hell over years of living with a wanted man who’d ended up in prison and now lived the life of a U.S. Marshal. A loving grandmother she was, but she needed some peace.