John (Guardian Defenders Book 3)

by Kris Michaels

  “Let the team do what they’ve trained to do. We’re done with this.”

  “I miss Velvet and the smell of cows. And Cat. Sasha, too.”

  John laughed; his chest vibrated under her ear. “Then we should go home.”

  Shae leaned back and smiled up at him. “Home sounds wonderful.”

  Chapter 25

  The snowbanks were a pain in the ass to bust through first thing in the morning. John stopped short and cussed under his breath when a clump of snow snaked down the back of his leg and melted at his ankle. He reached down and yanked his jeans back down over the top of his boot and worked his way to the barn door. The hands would be starting the snow blower soon to clear a path, but as ranch manager, he prided himself at being the first to work, even though it meant pulling himself away from Shae’s warm body. In the weeks since they’d returned to South Dakota, all the debris of his past and hers settled into manageable rubbish that they, along with the occasional talk with Jeremiah, could handle.

  Shae had moved into his house immediately after they’d returned, which made Isaac and Lyric extremely happy since Isaac’s plans had changed and he needed to stay at the complex for whatever he did for Guardian.

  John stomped his feet and turned on the barn lights. One by one, horses dropped their heads over the half-doors of their stalls. He stopped by each to stroke and praise the animals. Velvet was in the stall closest to his office. The little cream-colored line-back dun had grown into a majestic animal, albeit a bit spoiled. He stopped and scratched behind the colt’s ears. “Today’s the day, bud. Let’s hope I don’t mess it up.”

  The colt bounced his head and puffed out a sound that could have been, ‘don’t worry you did,’ to ‘you’ve got this.’ Damn, he hoped so. He had to do a ton of research, and hopefully, he got it right. If not, well, then maybe he’d get an ‘A’ for effort.

  Within thirty minutes, the sounds of snowblowers firing up and the tractor they’d installed the snow blade on turning over made him smile. His men knew what to do and did it. There wasn’t a slacker in the lot. He finished feeding the horses and turned them out for the day. The weather forecast was for clearing skies and sunshine, which would help to clear the massive dump of snow.

  Nine hours later, he made his last check of the horses that had been brought back into the stalls and headed to the small corner of the tack room that he’d claimed. He had forty-five minutes to make it back to the house. He pulled the wooden crate out and opened the lid, examining the inside. The silver menorah he’d ordered from a specialty shop in New York sat cushioned on a royal blue and silver pillow. The candles, nine in total, were hand-dipped tapers that fit perfectly in the base of the menorah. He smiled at the gelt he’d purchased for her—traditional, but he couldn’t pass up the chocolate coins—and finally, he removed the small wooden box with the first night’s blessing—inscribed in Hebrew—on the top. He opened it and picked up her copy of the Torah, the one she had as a child. He’d contacted her mother via Guardian and asked if she still had it. The woman provided it but never asked about her daughter. Fitted along the side of the old, tattered Torah was a smaller box of the same wood. He lifted the lid and smiled. An oval diamond solitaire.

  “Starts tonight, huh?”

  John spun at Frank’s voice. “Hey. Yeah. First night of Hanukkah.”

  “Got to admit, I don’t know much about the holiday.”

  “I didn’t either, but I researched it. I’m sure I probably messed up things, but I kept it basic. I’m hoping for extra credit for intent versus execution if I bugger it up.” He placed the Torah and ring back into the box and replaced the cover.

  “Got word today that your sister has been formally charged.” Frank walked over to the bridles on the wall and trailed his finger along the reins of one of the fancier setups that had a hand-tooled headband and silver-heart conchos.

  John pushed the anger he harbored against his sister down. “Yeah? All the charges stick?”

  “They did. I hear a few more counts were added based on all the work you did.”

  He shrugged and hefted the crate into his arms. “She made her bed.”

  “That she did.” Frank turned out the light after him and walked silently with him through the barn and held the door open for him when they exited. The brilliant blue sky and crisp, cold air took his breath away both literally and figuratively.

  “The beauty of this land is addictive.” Frank shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at the horizon.

  John stopped and propped the wooden crate on his hip. He cocked his head and then nodded. “This land is amazing. Figure it would just be dirt if you weren’t around, though.”

  “Family is an important thing, son.”

  “That it is.” He smiled as his mind went to the ring inside the box he was holding.

  “You should get yourself one.” Frank winked at him and headed up to the big house.

  John chuckled. The man was either a mind reader or he’d rummaged through the box John had just retrieved from the tack room. He didn’t figure Frank would ever invade anyone’s privacy, so… mind reader it was.

  He loaded the box into his truck and headed back to the house. He pulled up and darted into the house because he could see Shae and Joy talking at the fork in the path. He placed the box on the coffee table and started the fire.

  “John? Is everything okay?” Shae called out as she entered the house. Cat darted in with her and jogged over to him where he was sitting on the floor by the box. “Oh. What are you doing?” She glanced from the box to him sitting cross-legged on the floor.

  “Come here. I have something for you.” John picked up the loud rumble and squeak-making cat and let her settle in his lap.

  Shae slipped out of her gloves, hat, and coat and came to sit down beside him. She leaned over and he took the kiss she offered. “Why are we on the floor?”

  “Well, I did a thing.”

  She rolled her eyes and nudged him with her shoulder. “The last time you did a thing I was learning how to drive my new truck. Please, tell me you didn’t buy me another truck.”

  He chuckled, “No. Not a truck.”

  “Well, that’s good. So, what thing did you do this time?”

  He rubbed his hands against his jeans; even though it was cool in the house, he was sweating bullets. He reached for the crate and set it in front of them. Cat leaned forward and sniffed the wood and meowed. “Well, I know what tonight signifies.” He lifted the lid and she gasped. He removed the silver menorah and placed it on the coffee table. “I also got these.” He lifted out the velvet pouch that held the hand-dipped candles.

  “Oh, John. It’s beautiful. What a thoughtful gift.” Shae lifted the menorah and examined it. “Exquisite.”

  “Remember that little shop we went through off Broadway when we were in New York? I called them.”

  Her eyes glittered when she lifted them to his. He could see the happiness and he prayed that the next set of gifts would be as well received. He dipped his hand back into the crate and retrieved the small box. “I did some research and I found out that two nightly scriptures are read each night of Hanukkah but on the first night a third is read. This blessing.”

  He handed her the box. Her hand shook as she took it. He caught a small sniffle as her finger traced the words inscribed on the box. “It is perfect.” She leaned onto his shoulder and his arm went around her, cradling her to his side.

  “Open it.” She shot him a quick questioning glance. He nodded to the box. “Please.”

  Her hands shook as she lifted the hinged lid. She gasped and nearly dropped the box. They both reached for it at the same time and righted it before the contents spilled. She pulled out the Torah and opened it to the front. A child’s writing had filled in the dedication page. He assumed she’d done it when she received it.

  “How did you get this?” She carefully turned the book over and lifted the back cover. “It’s mine.”

  “I was able to locate yo
ur mother. She still had it.” He carefully picked it up and handed it to her. “There’s one more.” He tapped the little wooden lid at the side of the box.

  She glanced at him again. “More?”

  “Just one more, I promise.”

  Her fingers shook as she reached into the little box and lifted the small lid. Her hands flew to her face, and the sudden move and gasp she gave startled Cat, sending her skittering into the kitchen.

  John lifted the ring and held it between his thumb and forefinger. “Shae, I know we already agreed we’d do this after everything was settled.”

  She held out her left hand. “Yes! A thousand times, yes!”

  John threw back his head and laughed, “You’re supposed to let me ask.”

  “You’re too slow. Yes, I’ll marry you!” She lifted onto her knees and tackled him, sending them both to the floor. She covered his face in small kisses before he captured her and brought her mouth to his. The connection could have morphed into wonderful sex, but he was going to make sure her night was perfect. He stopped the kiss and glanced at his watch. He slid the ring on her finger. “We only have a few minutes until sunset.”

  Shae popped off his chest and grabbed the menorah. “Bring the candles. We need to do this by the…” She skidded to a stop and smiled at the table he’d placed in front of the window last night. “You knew.”

  “I read everything I could find. I tried to get it right.”

  “You did. Thank you.” She lifted on her toes and placed the silver menorah in the middle of the table. He handed her the candles and watched as she celebrated the first night of Hanukkah. Perhaps next year he’d be able to participate with her as her husband. He smiled at the thought of learning her religion and traditions, perhaps blending his into hers and raising children together so they knew and respected both.

  She leaned back into his chest and he dropped his arms over her shoulders, crossing them to hug her. “Happy Hanukkah.”

  “I haven’t celebrated it properly in years.” She whispered the words and shook her head. “You take away my ability to breathe.”

  He chuckled, “I like to make you breathless.”

  She turned in his arms and lifted onto her toes. “When are we getting married?”

  “When do you want to?”

  “Ummm…” She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and worried it. “Can we do something small here on the ranch?”

  He narrowed his gaze at her. “From what I’ve seen, it would be difficult. We could manage if you don’t tell a soul. Once Frank and Amanda find out, or the twins, or even Mike, well, things tend to snowball.”

  “Well then, how about we arrange everything and have them down for a dinner party, only they get a wedding instead? We can do it in the spring. Set up something outside.”

  “We’ll need to find a Rabbi and a priest.”

  “It couldn’t be that hard, could it?”

  “I have no idea, but we can figure it out. Together.”

  “Together. I like that. Perhaps we should practice this togetherness you speak of?” She leaned up and kissed him. This time he lingered in her sweet taste. She pulled away and smiled. “You smell like horses and cattle.”

  “True. But I thought you liked horses and cattle.”

  “I do, very much, but I don’t want to sleep with them. You go shower, I’ll make dinner and open a bottle of wine, then we’ll lay in front of the fire and make love.”

  John closed his eyes and groaned. “If I told you I’m not hungry could we skip the food?”

  Shae laughed and he opened one eye to glare at her. She smiled and stepped away from him. “Shower. Come back and find me over there.” She looked at the fireplace. “I’ll feed Cat for the second or third time today and send her home.”

  “Deal.” He dropped for another long, slow, tantalizing kiss. “Are you sure about that shower?”

  She sighed and shook her head. “Yes. I have something I want to slip into for you.”

  His head kicked back sharply, and he asked, “A purple box delivery?”

  She nodded, laughter dancing around in her eyes.

  “Be right back.” He dropped a fast, hard peck to her lips and jogged down the hall to the bedroom, her laughter following him as he went.

  Singing wasn’t one of his strong suits—actually, he couldn’t carry a tune in a five-gallon bucket, so he whistled through his lightspeed suds and rinse routine. He forewent the boxers and pulled on a clean pair of jeans, commando, leaving the top button undone. The towel he used to dry his hair was still hanging around his neck as he padded his way out to the front room.

  The lights were out and Shae had added several logs to the fire. The room was hot, or at least he thought it was until she walked into the room from the hall bathroom. Then the ambient temperature went into the nuclear zone.

  “I couldn’t resist.” She lifted the see-through, gauzy red material. The bottom was trimmed in white fur and the cuffs of the robe were treated the same way, but that only framed the beautiful package inside. A frilly red nightgown made of lace and something that made the tiny skirt flare out hugged her toned, lithe body. The thigh-high white leather boots were what did him in. On anyone else, he’d have rolled his eyes, but on Shae, the spike heels looked like an invitation to a feast of epic desires.

  “I want to get you out of that, but I don’t want to forget how beautiful you look.” He reached for her and pushed the fur collar off her shoulder, leaning down to kiss the skin that covered her shoulder.

  “You like it?” Her husky voice rolled to him through a lust-filled haze.

  “Love it. Love you.” He murmured as he lowered them both to the bearskin rug that he rolled out each year at the first snowfall. With her underneath him, he feasted on her and memorized her body again as if each taste and touch were the first time. He made love to his fiancée, but she was so much more than that. Their bodies combusted in the consuming heat of their shared passion. The sensation of being consumed by her body was too strong to ignore and it required every trick he knew to push back his release and wait for her. Shae’s long arms wrapped around him when her body clenched him in wonderous, rippling waves. He followed her into his climax, unable to do anything except luxuriate in her warmth.

  Shae pushed his hair away from his sweaty face and traced his eyebrows with her fingers. “I love you, Johnathan. You were my salvation and my destiny. Your strength and kindness gave me the courage to reach out for your hand.”

  He smiled at her and rolled onto his side, bringing her with him so they were face-to-face on the rug. He extended his hand. “Take my hand, Shae. Walk with me into the best part of our lives.”

  She laced her fingers through his. “Only with you. Forever, with you.”

  Epilogue

  Jeremiah picked up the phone without looking at the caller ID. “Doctor Wheeler.”

  “Jeremiah, how have you been?”

  Gabriel’s voice was a pleasant surprise. He cast a glance at the display and smiled. Unknown caller. Like all his calls from Guardian. It was why he didn’t bother to look at the display anymore. “Doing well, thank you. To what do I owe this call?” Gabriel didn’t just pick up the phone to pass the time of day.

  “Just the way I like it, straight to business,” Gabriel chuckled.

  “I’m not one to let moss grow under my rocks.” They both laughed at his corny-ass joke.

  “I have a special situation I’m monitoring. I needed to know what your schedule looks like. The Guardian I’m watching is…”

  Jeremiah leaned forward at the silence and asked, “Is he working with Joseph?”

  “No. He’s a regular operative, although we had him paired up with one of the operatives from Joseph’s location, that is until recently. He’s offered to tender his resignation, but we haven’t accepted it and put him on administrative leave. He’s right back in the mess he barely escaped from when he joined the service.”

  “What is your primary concern?”

&n
bsp; “He’s a damn good operative. He has a past that makes most of our day-to-day dealings seem like a walk in the park. While in the service he was too close to an IED and sustained some brain damage. He is smart and resourceful, but he has a bad stutter which we overcame with the use of sign language.”

  “All right.” Jeremiah picked up his pen and carded it through his fingers.

  “I have a feeling when he comes back to us, he’s going to need help.”

  “Is there anything we can do to help him while he’s there?”

  “I’m working on that,” Gabriel admitted.

  “Do we have a timeframe?”

  “Any day or maybe next year. It depends on a myriad of factors. None that I can manipulate.”

  “Excuse me, can you repeat that? The all-powerful Gabriel is admitting defeat?”

  “Har, har, smart ass. Even I can’t cure incurable diseases.”

  “Damn, someone close to him?”

  “Yes and no. He’s caring for his mother with cancer and his father, who has dementia. His father was abusive to him and his mother.”

  “Siblings?”

  “Not any relation that would lift a hand to help.”

  “And he caught your attention how?”

  “He’s a friend of a friend who has helped us in several situations. Homeland.”

  “Ah. I can make room. Want me to talk to Doc about a place for this guy to stay?”

  “Not yet. Not just yet. I’ll let you know if or when he’ll be coming up.”

  “There is doubt?”

  “Personal choices are in play. If he is pushed into a situation and makes the wrong decisions, it could be very difficult for anyone to help him.”

  “Damn. Well, you have my attention. I’ll be ready when you call, that is assuming you’ll send me his jacket so I can understand everything.”

  “Of course.” Gabriel cleared his throat and added, “I’m glad you said yes when I offered you the position. You’ve been an integral part of keeping my people safe. Thank you.”

  “I think we both know I wasn’t going back to Lompoc.”