Summer Solace

by Maggie Ryan

  “What time do you go in tomorrow?” he asked.

  Joanna thought for a moment and then answered, “Dan opens so I don’t have to be there until about ten. Why?”

  He took her hand and pulled her closer. “Joanna, it’s late and you are tired. It’s time to get you home.”

  She wanted to protest but realized she was exhausted. She hadn’t slept very well the night before after discovering him in her woods. The rafting trip had taken a great deal of physical strength as well as the sun leaching energy from her. The stress of not knowing what was happening in her world had also added to her exhaustion. She had also been very well spanked and then very well loved. She nodded.

  “Yes, Sir. I am tired,” she admitted. “Will - will you stay with me?”

  Gabe wanted to do exactly that. He nodded and put her into the chair while he made sure the fire was totally out for the night. He double-checked both his and Amber’s tents, zipping every window closed before pulling the flaps together and closing the doors. He made sure the rain flaps were secure. He turned to tell Joanna he was ready when he smiled. She had curled up in the chair and was sound asleep. He grinned and set about waking her for the second time. If he hadn’t known her so well, he might have wondered if she found him boring. However, she was a very passionate woman who gave it her all when they made love and inevitably fell asleep quickly afterwards. He felt a sense of pride that he had loved her well enough that she had fallen asleep, not once but twice, and he would bet his life on the fact she would be asleep by the time he got the truck down the trail.

  She was grumbling a bit by the time he loaded her into the truck. He was very glad he had insisted on picking her up. No way could she navigate home in the condition she was in. Gabe buckled her into the middle seat and climbed in. By the time he turned the key, she had her head on his shoulder, her legs bent and on the seat behind her. He was glad he wasn’t a gambling man. She was asleep before he even turned the truck around. He drove slowly down the mountain, watchful of any animal that might dart across the dark road. When he reached the store where her Jeep was parked, he realized he didn’t know where she lived.

  “Honey? Jo, wake up,” he said softly as he rubbed his hand down her arm. Her complaint at his attempt to awaken her was louder this time. Gabe sighed as he tried yet again. “Joanna, I don’t know where you live.”

  She stirred and lifted her head and pointed down the road. Gabe broke one of his own rules and rolled his eyes. She was adorable but he was getting very tired himself. The entire campground was dark and quiet. No lights were on at any of the sites. The campers had shut down their fires and were sleeping happily in their snug tents. He was more than ready for bed.

  “Joanna, pointing isn’t helping me. You’ve got to give me directions or else we won’t get to bed,” he said, stifling his own yawn. The mention of bed and the fact he had said ‘we’ roused her. She rubbed her eyes and sat up straighter.

  “I’ll just take my Jeep. You can follow,” she suggested.

  Gabe shook his head and answered, “No, you aren’t in any condition to drive. You can’t even keep your eyes open.”

  She shook her head hard as if shaking herself awake. “Gabe, I have to have my Jeep to drive in tomorrow. It’s not far and I’ll be fine. Just give me a minute.”

  He was unconvinced until she climbed out of the truck and did some stretches and then jogged in place. He grinned watching as she did some squats and then ran across the parking lot and back again. He leaned against the truck and simply enjoyed the show. After ten minutes of exercise, she jogged up to him and smiled.

  “See, I’m awake.”

  He nodded and walked her to her Jeep. She dug the keys from her pocket and handed them to him. He smiled, glad she remembered he enjoyed opening doors for her. He soon had her in the Jeep.

  “Drive slow, Jo. I’ll be right behind you,” he told her.

  “Yes, Sir,” she said and then giggled as she gave him a salute. He bent and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

  “Funny girl. I’m serious, be careful.”

  She nodded and he closed her door. She waited until he was in his truck and then pulled out of the lot. She lived about five miles down the road with only a few turns. She drove slowly and braked as a huge raccoon waddled across the road in front of her. She smiled at the masked creature remembering the one that had startled her earlier. She continued and made the last turn. It wasn’t much further before she pulled into her driveway. It was a perk of her position that she was allowed a small house within the Park.

  She shut off her Jeep and waited until Gabe pulled in beside her. He climbed out of his vehicle and opened her door. As she took his hand and walked up the drive, he took in the house. It was a small but pretty log cabin with a wrap–around porch with two white rocking chairs off to one side and hummingbird feeders hanging from the eaves. He could hear the sound of water and realized the house must back up on the river. The porch was bordered by a tidy flowerbed and he could easily imagine Joanna sitting here in the mornings enjoying her first cup of coffee. He again felt the waste of the lost years.

  “Gabe? Are you okay?” she asked quietly. He turned to see that she had the key to the door in her hand, the porch light illuminating her. He smiled and approached her. She handed him the key and he slid it into the lock. He pushed the door open and then bent to give her a quick kiss.

  “I am perfect, Joanna. For the first time in years, I am truly perfect,” Gabe answered, meaning every word. She smiled and held out her hand. He placed his in hers and allowed her to pull him inside. He closed the door behind him and made sure it was locked. Joanna smiled as she watched him. He was always strict about personal safety.

  “Welcome to my home,” she said, suddenly a bit shy.

  He wasn’t about to let her remove any part of herself from him. He pulled her to him and bent to kiss her. “Anywhere we are together will be our home, Jo. I will never allow you to disappear again. You will never let anyone convince you that I don’t want you. You will always come to me if you ever have any questions or concerns.” His voice deepened and was husky as he spoke directly against her lips. “Jo, I promise I will never, ever let you go again.”

  She felt her insides flutter at his promise and her heart filled with love. “Yes, Sir,” she said quietly and simply laid her head on his chest.

  Gabe held her and then chuckled. “Come on, let’s go to bed before you fall asleep standing up.”

  Joanna giggled and forced herself to push away from him. She led him to her bedroom and was soon in the bathroom brushing her teeth and undoing her braid. Gabe had stripped down to his briefs and turned on the shower. It would be a tight fit, but he knew she would sleep better if she showered first. He saw her lean against the sink and was soon helping her undress. He led her into the shower and put her under the water. She smiled, her body relaxing even further as the warm water cascaded over her head. Gabe removed his briefs and stepped in to join her. He poured some shampoo into his palm and then turned her around so that her back was to him. He washed her hair and massaged her scalp.

  “That feels wonderful,” she said, almost purring under his attention.

  Gabe grinned and instructed her to close her eyes and tilt her head back as he rinsed the lather from her hair. He went on to wash her entire body. Joanna felt pampered and treasured as he took care of her. He quickly washed himself and then helped her from the stall and wrapped her in a thick towel. He wrapped another towel around his waist and saw her pick up the brush and moved to take it from her. She looked up at him in surprise and then her eyes moved to the brush in his hand. It brought back another memory and Gabe grinned at the look on her face.

  “Relax, sweetheart. You haven’t earned a spanking, and besides, this brush sucks as a proper implement for your bottom,” he said, tapping the back of the brush against his palm. “It’s plastic and likely to break before I was through roasting your rump.”

  He adored the flush that crawled up he
r entire body to color her neck and face. “However, it will do just fine for your hair.” He picked up the hair dryer and guided her to stand with her back to him, her hips captured by his thighs as he sat on the edge of the tub. She moaned as he slowly but thoroughly dried and brushed her hair over and over until it lay like a curtain across her shoulders and down her back. He felt an intense feeling of peace flow over him as he quickly braided it into a thick plait that hung down her back. He was so grateful that she had allowed it to grow. He loved the feel of its silky strands running through his fingers. Once he was done, he grabbed an old t–shirt from her dresser and pulled it over her head.

  She was asleep on her feet by the time he tucked her into bed. He set her alarm and then slipped into bed beside her. He turned on his side and simply looked at her. A faint beam of moonlight came through the slatted blinds at her window and fell across her form. His heart swelled and he found himself blinking back tears. God, he had been adrift for so long. It was a miracle that he had decided on this place for the last family reunion before his little sister went off to college. A miracle he thanked God for before finally pulling Joanna to him. He spooned into her, his chest against her back, his arm lying gently across her waist. He heard her sigh in contentment.

  “I love you, Jo,” he whispered. He knew she was asleep but knew that somewhere deep inside, she heard his words.

  Chapter 9

  Joanna woke to the incessant buzzing of her alarm. She slowly turned over, her arm snaking out from under the sheet and her hand flapped until she connected and slapped down on the button. She seriously considered falling back into sleep but even as she did, the memories of the evening before flooded through her. She sat up and turned to look at the other side of the bed. She saw nothing but a pillow. Oh God, she had dreamed it. She had dreamed that Gabe had forced her hand. It had all been a dream to escape the sadness of her life. Tears welled in her eyes as she turned onto her side, her arms drawing the extra pillow towards her. She wrapped her arms around it even as she pressed her face into its softness. It had been such an incredible dream, so wonderfully fulfilling, so….

  “Oh no you don’t,” she heard and jerked up. “Your alarm went off. Time to get up, sleepy–head.”

  Joanna’s mouth opened and her eyes widened. “Gabe?”

  Gabe looked down at her. Her braid had loosened enough to allow several coppery strands to slip free. Her eyes were huge and he was shocked to see them shining with the sheen of tears. He immediately crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed.

  “Jo, what’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked, the concern evident in his voice.

  Joanna flung herself at him, causing him to lean backwards from the force of the impact. He straightened and held her close. She climbed up onto his lap and buried her face in his neck, her arms clasping him tightly around his waist. While it felt incredibly good, Gabe knew something had frightened her.

  “Jo, honey, talk to me…what’s wrong?”

  She shook her head, unable or unwilling to speak. Gabe gave her a few minutes and then shifted them both on the bed. He moved to lean back against the headboard and put his legs out in front of him. Joanna allowed him to get more comfortable but refused to release her hold on him. Once resettled, she finally felt she could speak.

  “You…you weren’t here. I thought it was all a dream. I woke and remembered but - but you weren’t here. I thought – thought,” her voice was shaking as she tried to articulate her fear.

  “Oh, babe,” Gabe said and bent to press a kiss to her head. “Joanna, I will always be here. You do not have to be afraid I will leave. I thought we had settled that last night. You are mine, and Jo, that means I am yours.”

  She heard his words and felt his arms holding her close. She desperately wanted to believe him, to never again worry that her life would continue without the one person who made it worth living. Gabe felt her relax but knew she was still unsure. He stroked her back softly, running his fingers through the escaped strands of her hair. She relaxed her hold on him but continued to keep her cheek pressed to his chest.

  “Joanna, I love you and will never let you go again. I promise you have nothing to be afraid of,” Gabe said as he kissed the top of her head. After another few minutes, Gabe glanced at the clock. He knew she needed to get up and ready for work. She’d be upset if she realized she was going to be late.

  “Honey, it’s getting late. I’ve got breakfast ready. Come on, let me feed you before you go in,” Gabe said.

  Joanna’s head had come up at the mention of food. “Breakfast? Does that include coffee?” she asked even as she caught the faintest whiff of her favorite beverage.

  Gabe grinned knowing she was going to be fine. “I’ve made sure there’s enough in the pot to stir into your cream and sugar,” he teased. “Now, get up.” He helped her move off his lap and then gave her bottom a quick pop.

  “Ow!” she yelped, her hands immediately going back to rub the injured area. “That hurt!”

  Gabe grinned as he watched the blush run up her neck and bloom across her freckled cheeks. He knew she had momentarily forgotten the spanking she’d received the night before. Her short t–shirt had drawn up when she climbed out of bed exposing her beautiful rounded cheeks. There was no physical evidence of her spanking but he knew she would remain at least a bit tender for a day or so. He quirked his eyebrow at her and she smiled. After another quick rub, she dropped her hands from her bottom and tugged the hem of the shirt down realizing that she had nothing on beneath it.

  “Umm, I’ll get dressed and see you in a bit,” she said as she watched him look up and down her body. She shivered from the instant need that bloomed inside her.

  Gabe nodded, knowing that if he hesitated for even an instant, he’d have her stripped naked and beneath him. “Don’t take long,” he said and watched as she scurried around pulling her clothing from drawers and her closet. When she disappeared into the bathroom, he made the bed. He knew she would have done it, but he had no problem helping with the domestic chores.

  It was amazing how having a man willing to help with a chore pleased a woman. Happy wife, happy life! Gabe stood as that thought crossed his consciousness. Wife? He had definitely had that plan in mind before Joanna had disappeared. He remembered thinking how could any marriage work if someone as wonderful as she had lied about already being married. It had taken several years for him to discover again that some marriages were magical, including those of his parents and siblings as well as a few of those enjoyed by his military friends. As he fluffed the pillows and put them against the headboard, he found himself again thinking of marriage in a far more positive manner,

  Joanna came out of the bathroom fully ready for work. Her teeth were brushed, face washed, and hair neatly braided. She smiled seeing the bed had been made. She wondered if Gabe was trying to impress her. She walked out of the bedroom, through the small living room and into the kitchen. She moaned at the smell of fresh coffee and took the large mug that Gabe held out for her, prepared exactly the way she loved it. She took the first sip and moaned again.

  Gabe grinned at the sound of her pleasure. He knew she truly loved her coffee. He picked up his own cup and led her out to the back porch. He had been correct. She had a view of the river as it ran past her yard. A large swing hung from the rafters of the roof and he just knew where his girl spent most of her quiet time. Instead of the swing, he led her to a small table on the other end of the porch. She smiled, seeing fresh wildflowers arranged in a small bowl centered on the table. Gabe placed a plate down in front of her. She looked at the food and took a deep breath – she hadn’t even known she had the ingredients for the delicious looking omelet presented on the plate. Gabe put a plate of toast down on the table, made sure the salt and pepper were close at hand and then slid into the chair across from her.

  “Thank you, Gabriel,” she said as she looked across the table. “This is so perfect.”

  Gabe smiled and put a piece of toast he had just
buttered onto her plate. He had noticed the address. Joanna usually called him Gabe. When she used his full name, Gabriel, it was never out of anger or fear. She used it when she was deeply touched, when she was coming apart under his hands, when she allowed herself to let go completely, whether in submission to pain or to all encompassing pleasure. He treasured the simple gesture of immense respect and love.

  “You are welcome,” he said softly. “Eat up before it gets cold.”

  They were soon both tucking into the delicious omelet. Joanna ate every bite and two pieces of toast. As she reached for her third piece and spread blackberry jam over the surface of the toast, she saw Gabe watching her. She blushed and put down the knife she was using. Gabe stood and brought the coffee pot to the table, reaching down and refilling her mug without asking. He filled his own and took the pot back into the kitchen, bringing the sugar and cream to the table. He watched as she poured a tiny bit of cream into her coffee. He realized she was not spooning heaps of sugar into the mug and that the toast she had just spread jam on was sitting uneaten on her plate. She looked up and saw him watching her.

  “I forgot I’m supposed to be going back on my diet,” she explained as she took the first sip of her coffee. Gabe tried not to chuckle at the look on her face as she forced herself to swallow. He slid back into his chair and sipped his own. Joanna tried to appear as if the coffee was every bit as good as the first cup he had prepared for her. He pushed the sugar bowl closer to her.

  “Jo, if you are telling me that your doctor gave you specific directions to watch your sugar intake, then that is fine and I will help you with that,” he said. Her eyes lifted to his, puzzlement clearly showing in their depths. He held her eyes as the tone of his voice changed. “However, young lady, if you are telling me that you feel you need to lose weight, then I have problems with that.”

  “I - I gained weight. I’m not as thin as I was. I don’t want you - ” Joanna tried to explain but was interrupted.