by Laura Marie
* * * *
Thrust for thrust, Julianna’s body couldn’t seem to get enough of Johnny. It was as if there was some kind of imaginary depth they were each trying to reach in making love to one another.
Every kiss, lick, nibble, and pant seemed to ignite the feeling further until finally they merged and succeeded in reaching completion together.
* * * *
The feel of Johnny’s warm breath against her skin made her feel content.
He rolled to his side, taking her with him so she lay across his thigh and chest.
He pulled the sheets and comforter up and over them then snuggled close.
“That was just—”
“What the doctor ordered,” Julianna stated.
Johnny sat up a little and covered her belly with his hand.
“I wasn’t too rough, was I? Did I hurt you?” he asked, full of concern.
Julianna chuckled as she covered his hand with her own.
She snuggled into him, causing him to lie back down while he pulled her tighter against his body.
“No, silly. It was fantastic and exactly what I needed. I missed you so much. And…”
Julianna lowered her eyes. She didn’t want to admit to her fears or the uneasy feeling she had. But Johnny always knew how to make her feel better.
He shifted next to her and tilted her chin up towards his face.
“What is it, darlin’? What are you not telling me?”
“I’ve been anxious and scared for the last two days. I just can’t seem to get rid of it.”
He kissed her lips then scooted on his side to lean on his elbow and talk to her. Julianna did the same, and now they faced one another.
She smiled.
“That’s understandable, Jules. Kate’s call was upsetting. She was trying to trick you and put you on edge.”
“Well, she did a hell of a good job at it, Johnny. When she mentioned Uncle Roy and Aunt Ellie, I nearly cried out ‘no.’ I don’t want to bring any trouble their way. They’re the only family I have.”
He tilted her chin up toward him.
“No, they’re not. The whole town is backing you. The deputies say you’re one of us, and you’re my woman, so they all are gonna protect you too. You should know by now that it’s hard to keep secrets in Claire County. If anyone was unsure of your intentions or integrity, they’ve changed their minds. Even Jenny Wilson views our baby as a miracle, just like everyone else who hears about your story. Not that I give a rat’s ass what that old busybody thinks.”
Julianna gave his arm a slight smack.
“Be nice, Johnny. She’s just old and bored.”
He placed his hand over her bare hip and pulled her body against his.
“I don’t know if I like the fact that everyone knows what happened back in New York.”
“Why? They are all being supportive.”
“I feel embarrassed to have gotten involved with such a jerk like Lawrence.”
“Many of the townspeople know what struggles you went through here, Jules, with your Ma and Pa and stepmother.”
“She was not a stepmother. She was a thief.”
He caressed her skin and grabbed a hold of her backside to pull her closer to him. Now their bodies were pressed together.
“That’s all behind you now, honey. The future is ours. We’re going to have a baby, and everyday I’m going to ask you to marry me until you say yes,” he teased then kissed her quickly before pulling away and smiling.
Julianna caressed his cheeks with her hands then leaned forward and kissed his chest.
“You haven’t asked me today,” she whispered as she drew invisible circles on his pectoral muscles.
He chuckled then rolled her to her back, covering her body with his own.
“Miss Julianna…will you marry me and make me the happiest man on earth?”
She waited a few seconds then whispered as she held her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his chest.
“Yes…I’ll marry you.”
Johnny locked gazes with her and squinted.
“You serious?”
“Dead serious, cowboy.”
He yelled out a, “whoo hoo,” then covered her lips with his own.
Julianna held him tight as she opened her thighs, wrapped her legs as best she could around Johnny, and then melted as he slowly entered her, making love to her again and sealing their fate.
Chapter 19
“You are sure that you can hide us in Italy?” Lawrence asked Antonio Sinserri as they sat in Sinserri’s main office in Manhattan.
“Non è un problema mio amico.”
“You say not a problem, but I need to be certain, or other arrangements have to be made. I’m not staying in some shithole in fucking Mexico. Plus, that’s not good enough for Julianna.”
“You two will be quite comfortable in one of my villas in the old country. I have family that will protect you and be on guard for the right price.”
“Antonio, money is not a problem. You know that. I need to get out of the country, and I am taking Julianna with me.”
“You are sure she is living in her old hometown?”
“That is what my inside guys found out. They were only present for the connection of the phone call between Kate and Julianna at the station house. Dumb fucking feds didn’t even suspect anything. I told you that I have lots of resources and connections,” Lawrence stated with a smirk then stood up from his chair.
“When do you want us ready?” Antonio asked.
“The day after tomorrow. I’m leaving for Texas tonight. I’ll get her out of the town and contact your guy to pick us up and get us to the airport. Everything should be in order.”
“Sounds like you have this all figured out, Lawrence. I like Julianna. She is quite the woman.”
“She’s mine, and I’m not about to let her go.”
Lawrence left the room.
As the door closed, Antonio smiled at the other two men.
“Boss?”
“Be sure that the two of them never make it on that plane.”
“The woman, too?”
“As much as it hurts me, if she is with Lawrence at the airport, then death’s her fate.”
* * * *
It was a cold December Saturday, the week before Christmas, and finally nice enough to have the winter festival. All the townspeople as well as tourists gathered around the large balsam fir adorned in colored lights and ornaments. Some of those ornaments were decades old and used since the first town tree many, many years ago.
Julianna listened to Johnny as he stood at the podium giving his annual speech and talking about coming to the town of Claire and why it means so much to him.
“Many changes have occurred recently that have brought the town of Claire onto the maps, and helped bring more tourists, which in turn bring revenue and more programs for our kids. A certain bed-and-breakfast, known as Palmer Place, has brought about new friends and even some new residents to Claire County. The town board has given me the honor of presenting this year’s Outstanding Citizen Award to Miss Julianna McKay.”
The crowd cheered, and Julianna felt the tears sting her eyes as Aunt Ellie and Uncle Roy congratulated her and helped her up to the podium.
“Here she is!”
Everyone clapped their hands as Julianna accepted the lovely marble plaque.
“I would also like to take this moment to invite everyone back here, Christmas Eve night at eleven thirty in the evening as Miss Julianna McKay and I become Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Black.”
The crowd erupted in excitement and cheers as Johnny knelt down in front of everyone, took Julianna’s hand and asked her for her hand in marriage again. Through misty, teary eyes, she accepted as Johnny smiled that toe-curling, sexy grin of his before placing a gorgeous diamond ring on her finger.
“Oh, Johnny!” she exclaimed as she pulled him up and into her arms. The snowflakes began falling and a loud “awwww” passed through the crowd.
“I can’t believe you. It’s lovely, Johnny, I love it,” she exclaimed as he carried her off the stage and down into the crowd. They accepted everyone’s congratulations as they made their way to a clearing.
* * * *
“I love you so much, and this plaque and award are awesome. Did you know about this last week and kept it a secret?” she teased.
“Sure did, and you deserve it. The town board is so pleased with everything you’ve done to improve business. They love the class and sophistication of Palmer Place and what it stands for. You truly deserve the award.”
“Thanks, Johnny.”
She looked at her ring and smiled wide. It was a stunning ring with a large diamond in the center and small pearls and diamonds clustered around it. On the sides was an intricate design.
“It was my mother’s engagement ring from my dad.”
The tears welled up in Julianna’s eyes at receiving such a meaningful heirloom.
“Where’s my daughter-in-law? I need a hug!” Lou Black exclaimed as Julianna turned toward his voice and he lifted her in the air, twirling her around before hugging her tight.
Julianna giggled at his pure excitement.
“My son is a lucky man.”
“Thank you, Lou.”
“Pa…you be sure to call me Pa now, young lady.”
Julianna felt the tear leak from her eye as Johnny held her hand. He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Julianna leaned into him then placed her free hand on Lou’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Pa,” she stated, and he smiled wide.
He took her hand and looked at the ring on her finger, smiling.
“My wife was real smitten with this ring. It took me a while to save up for it, but seein’ the smile on her face. I’ll never forget.”
“Thank you, Pa. It’s beautiful, and I will always treasure it.”
“So what do you want to do now?” Lou asked.
Julianna rubbed her belly then smiled at Johnny.
“Pie and hot chocolate?” she asked with a smile.
“For the baby or for you?” he teased, pulling her into an embrace.
“For the baby of course. Let’s get my grandson or granddaughter some pie, my treat” he stated then took Julianna by the hand and led her inside the diner with Johnny on their heels.
Beverly Ann, Deputy Troy’s pregnant wife, greeted them.
“What a great festival, and so much excitement between the award and the wedding,” she stated as she rubbed her hand over her large stomach. Julianna smiled as she moved closer to Beverly Ann.
“You look fantastic, Beverly. One more week, right?” Julianna asked with a smile.
They had met one another in the waiting room multiple times at Dr. Forbes’ office.
They chatted a little until Deputy Troy entered the diner to join them.
Everyone began talking about the festival as they gathered around a few tables.
Chapter 20
So the two-timing whore is screwing the sheriff. He’s a big fucking guy but probably dumber than dog shit. Fucking hick!
Lawrence had his tantrum as he hid outside the diner watching. It killed him to see another man touching his Julianna. That sheriff and his hillbilly, hick town deputies were as good as dead.
He needed to get her away from the big guy. She belonged to him, and no one else would have her.
Lawrence tried to remain calm. He lucked out that he arrived in this shit-ass town during a winter festival. The streets were crowded, every hotel in the three towns surrounding Claire was booked solid, and he was able to blend in. Not that the dumbass hick cops knew what he looked like anyway. The fact that he wore a shitty, cheap winter coat made him fit right in as well. Where the hell did these country bumpkins learn how to dress?
He looked again at Julianna. The windows were beginning to fog with all the warm bodies in the place, but he could still see her.
She was simply glowing, looking lovelier than he had ever seen her. Her hair grew much longer, no longer in a shoulder length hairdo, but instead it flowed down to her back. Abundant auburn and brown curls cascaded everywhere.
His groin tightened. How he would love to run his fingers through those locks and have his way as he feasted on her body.
Just then, the sheriff placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. She was so small compared to him. The sheriff was gigantic, and boy, did he look like one mean-ass son of a bitch despite his handsome features. Not that Lawrence found men attractive, but he knew competition when he saw it. He would have to avoid the sheriff at all costs. He needed to get to Julianna, and he needed to get her fast.
The plane for Europe would be leaving tonight.
Just then he saw the sheriff reach for his cell phone then excuse himself as he headed to the other side of the diner. Quickly, he moved around to the side entrance, making his way inside the diner. He had come in earlier for a shitty cup of coffee and an even crappier, unintelligent conversation with some knocked-up trailer trash.
“Hey, did you come back for that pumpkin pie?” the little trailer trash asked as he met her in the hallway between the bathrooms, a kitchen entrance, and the side-door entrance. The fact that she was so fat with baby made him sick. No woman of his would be that fat. If that’s what being pregnant looked like, then Julianna could adopt a kid, if she absolutely had to.
He grabbed the waitress and pressed the gun to her back.
* * * *
Beverly Ann gasped in shock. “Please…please don’t hurt my baby. I’ll do anything, just don’t hurt my baby,” she cried.
“You know Julianna, right?” he asked as warm breath hit her hair and neck.
God, she wished Troy would look this way. Come to the bathroom, honey, do something, she thought to herself.
“I want you to go tell her that you need her in the ladies’ room. Get her in here alone or I’ll kill you and the baby.”
Beverly Ann was so scared. This must be the crazy man who killed Julianna’s baby. My God, he’s not going to kill my baby. She swallowed hard then slowly made her way to Julianna.
* * * *
Julianna watched Johnny as he spoke into his cell phone in the corner of the room. He didn’t look happy. Instantly she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Julianna,” Beverly whispered next to her, interrupting her thoughts.
“Can you help me in the ladies’ room? I need something.”
“Sure. Are you okay? Are you feeling all right?” Julianna thought that Beverly Ann looked pale and scared. As they walked down the hallway and out of view of the dining area, she knew why.
Lawrence grabbed her, placing the gun against her ribcage.
“Don’t make a sound or I kill the bitch and the baby.”
Julianna shook with fear as Beverly covered her stomach and began to cry.
“I’m sorry, Julianna. He threatened to kill the baby.”
Julianna began to cry.
“Get into the bathroom and don’t come out.”
As Beverly entered the bathroom, Lawrence hit her over the head with the barrel of the gun.
Julianna covered the scream that nearly escaped her mouth. She wouldn’t let Lawrence hurt anyone else because of her. Aunt Ellie and Uncle Roy were out there too.
She had to remain calm and wait to make a move.
“Come on.” Lawrence grabbed her, forcing her outside the door and into the cold. She didn’t have a jacket, and instantly she felt the cold.
“Why are you doing this? It’s over, Lawrence. I’ve moved on,” she stated as he abruptly pushed her against the building. She slipped on the ice and nearly fell as Lawrence backhanded her across the cheek.
She grabbed her cheek and cried out in pain.
“I see you fucking moved on all right. Right into the arms of some oversized asshole.”
Julianna was getting angry. Lawrence had taken so much from her, and now when she was most happy, he was going to ruin it a
ll. Instantly she thought about her baby.
“You’re coming with me, now move.” He grabbed for her, and she pulled away from him.
“I’m not going!” she screamed, and he hit her again. She cried out in pain only for him to pull her up and hit her a third time.
As she fell to the snow-covered ground, she saw the engagement ring Johnny gave her. It was the ring that belonged to his mother and represented how much she wanted to be part of his family, while growing their own family. Lawrence wasn’t going to take it all away from her.
“I’m not going with you!” she screamed.
“Get up or I’ll shoot you.” He pointed the gun at her.
“What’s going on over here?” Julianna screamed as the shot was fired.
* * * *
Johnny got off the phone, and his heart was pounding in his chest. Jeremy called and said that Kate was murdered and Lawrence was the prime suspect. He also added that Lawrence was nowhere to be found. Instantly, his gut warned him that Lawrence was coming here and after Julianna.
“Where’s Jules?” he asked as he approached the table of friends.
“She went back there. What’s wrong?” Lou asked.
Johnny didn’t respond as he headed down the hallway with Lou and Deputy Troy following.
“Julianna!” Johnny called out before opening the ladies’ room door. There lay Beverly Ann, unconscious on the floor.
“Beverly!” Deputy Troy yelled as kneeled down next to his wife.
“Call an ambulance!” Johnny yelled to the others as a crowd began to form by the hallway.
Suddenly they heard a gunshot, and everyone froze in place.
“Dad, you carrying?” Johnny asked, and his father nodded his head then pulled up his pants leg, revealing a 38 caliber in an ankle holster.
“You cover the front and go around the side. Watch yourself.
Everyone else stay inside and away from the windows.”
Slowly Sheriff Black exited the side door.
