He shook his head. "I don't mind one bit," he told Celia. Getting to his feet, he retrieved the block containing her kitchen knives along with a whetstone, hand towel and a bit of oil. Taking them back to the porch, he sat on the swing and went to work. Joselyn nudged the table she was using toward him.
"We can share," she said.
The conversation continued in a low hum as they all worked. Presently, Aaron and Shaun joined them. With a kiss, Hannah sent her husband for a shower and Uncle Aaron stood in the yard watching the gathering clouds. "Going to be a bad one," he said nonchalantly. I'll go check the lamps in the house and shelter in case we lose power later." Climbing the steps, he disappeared into the house.
Yep, at this moment, River remembered every single reason why he loved this place but more importantly, he saw the best reason to want something like this in his future. The reason was sitting next to him, her cheeks flushed and her caramel eyes shining full of happiness as she shelled peanuts into a bowl.
Chapter 17
Joselyn settled into farm life with more ease than she would have thought possible. Waking early to help feed the animals and work in the garden took some getting used to but after two weeks, it had become second nature. Placing the basket of tomatoes she had picked on the counter, she called out a good morning to the ladies and went into the basement to retrieve a box of jars. Today they would make canned tomato relish (or chow-chow as Celia called it) for the winter. Joselyn loved the tangy condiment and was looking forward to learning Celia's special technique in combining tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and assorted seasonings.
Later that afternoon, she was fishing out the last jar from the water bath when she felt eyes on her. Glancing over her shoulder, she grinned at Maddox standing against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and a ratty straw hat pulled low over his brow. As was the norm, her breath caught and her heart stuttered when he flashed a heated gaze her way. Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked over to him and circled his waist with her arms. "Hi."
"Hi back. You look pretty domesticated there."
"I think farm life suits me."
He reached out and twirled a strand of hair falling out of her kerchief around his fingers. His clear blue gaze was full of longing as he watched it slide through his rough hands like silk. "It does suit you." He agreed. "Go for a walk with me?"
She froze. "Detective Jameson called you?"
He shook his head. "I thought you would like to get out a bit. Come on."
"I don't know. There's dishes to do and dinner to start."
"Go on, Joselyn. Hannah and I have this. A little fresh air would do you good," Celia called out. "It's pretty by the pond with all the wildflowers in bloom. Aaron used to take me there all the time for romantic little picnics. The stars are fantastic."
Joselyn snorted. That sounded about right. Celia had been playing matchmaker since the day they arrived. "It's the middle of the afternoon. I don't think we'll see many stars."
Celia shrugged as she wrote out labels for the jars. "Doesn't mean you can't go back when it's dark."
Maddox laughed in the easy way he had adopted over the past few weeks. The vigilant demeanor was still there but the stressful glare had all but disappeared. She hadn't seen the Frost Giant visage since New Orleans. She liked this version of him even more than the other.
He pulled the tie holding her apron around her waist and tossed it on the counter. "We'll be back in time to help with dinner," he called out. Curling his hand about hers, he tugged her out of the door and down the steps.
They walked together, hand in hand, through the pasture and into the wood line. Joselyn was happy to be there with him. He made her forget the problems back in New Orleans. Glancing over at him, she marveled again at how deep her feelings had become. In the space of a few weeks, he had changed from the cold Frost Giant to this loving, protective man. Ever since her time in WitSec, she hadn't felt the urge to date very much - she was too busy getting her life in order. It seemed perfect for him to appear when she needed him most, physically and emotionally. Wrapping her hand around his beefy forearm, she pressed her cheek against his shoulder. Even as horrible as the circumstances were which brought them together, there was a silver lining. To have even this small chance at something special with him meant the world to her.
After a few minutes, they emerged from the woods into a little clearing. Scattered about in the knee-high weeds were several piles of large stones bound together with some sort of gray mortar. Leading her over to one, he placed his hands around her waist and gently lifted her to the top. Once she was settled, he jumped up to sit beside her.
His warmth felt good pressed against her side. Seeking more of it, she leaned against him and placed her head on his shoulder. They sat that way for a long while, taking in the serenity of nature and the comfort of being together.
"I love it here. So peaceful and pretty. What are all these blocks? They look like a foundation of some sort. Was there a house here at one time?"
His arm curled around her back until his hand rested on her hip. Gently running his fingers over the seam on the side of her jeans, he spoke. "In 1842, Jonas Rickers settled here on 480 acres of land he purchased using an inheritance he received from a relative in Europe. He, along with his three sons, two daughters and their families worked this land and made it profitable. Jonas didn't believe in slave labor, so they worked long, hard hours. Then the Civil War broke out. All three of the sons and both sons-in-law went to fight. Some say they all fought for the North and others believe they were split. Either way, he lost two of his sons and both sons-in-law to the hostilities. To add insult to injury, Northern troops razed the farm during the Meridian Campaign in early 1864." He patted the rock they sat upon. "This is all that is left of the original foundation." He motioned toward the trees. "There was a barn over there somewhere. According to family stories, soldiers slept in it one night and burned it down the next. Distraught over losing so much so quickly, Jonas refused to rebuild on the original site. The current house was completed in 1875 right where it sits now." He looked around wistfully. "There's something about the old homestead. I'm not saying it's haunted but there's an almost reverent quality to the place, a quiet serenity infused here. Sometimes, I would come out here to sit and think about things when I wanted to get away from Shaun for a bit. He could be a real pain at times." He reached down and pulled a stalk of grass and slowly shred it between his beefy fingers. "This is one of my favorite places and I wanted to share it with you."
Joselyn thought about what he was saying. He brought her to one of his cherished memories and shared it with her. She smiled up at him. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"You're welcome." He pressed his lips to her head in a sweet little kiss.
"Why do you do that?"
He pulled back. "Why do I do what?"
"Kiss my head. I notice you do it all the time now. I was just wondering why."
He drew in a breath and let it go slowly. "I do it because I want to touch you. I want to kiss you and be close to you."
"Then why don't you just kiss me?"
He cupped his hand against her cheek, traced the contour of her jaw and tenderly ran his thumb over her plump lips. His eyes searched hers as he murmured, "Because I don't think I could stop if I ever gave in."
Her breath hitched. Staring into the beautiful blue of his eyes she whispered, "Do you have to stop?"
He groaned and pressed his forehead against hers. "You tempt me badly and what I want is more than either of us can handle right now. Sweetheart, you are so beautiful, so strong and sexy, I can't think straight around you. The way you look at me with those big brown eyes of yours makes me have thoughts that I promised you I wouldn't act upon. I need to touch and tease and taste you. I want to hear your little moans of happiness as I show you how much I care for you. I want to explore you, learn your body and find out everything about you. I know this sounds Neandertal but I want to possess you, care for you, place
you up so high on a pedestal nobody can touch you. I want to mark you as mine so nobody ever thinks they can take you away."
She swallowed at his frank admission. "You do?" she squeaked.
He nodded slowly. "So much. Joselyn, I know we haven't known each other for a long time and many people may say what I feel is a natural progression brought about by my protective instincts. But it's not. What I feel is real and pure and so deep. I swore I wouldn't get involved. I told myself I could remain aloof and not let things get intimate between us. But it's a big lie because I can't do it. I can't be away from you. I wake up in the morning and rush to get things done so I can go find you. When I go to sleep at night, the only way I can bear being away from you is knowing you will be in my dreams. You are it for me, Joselyn. You are everything and more." Cupping her face in both hands he hesitated a second and said the words that rocked her world. "You are mine, sweetheart. Mine to keep, mine to protect, mine to love. I love you, Joselyn."
The tears that spilled down her cheeks were ones of happiness." I think I've been in love with you since the day I first saw you." She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He stilled a second in shock before taking over. Teasing her mouth gently, she opened to him and he dived inside to ravage and claim her. Tongues tangling, they pressed close to each other, clinging with abandon as passion flared between them. She moaned, her breath captured by him until they finally broke apart panting.
He drew a ragged breath and cleared his throat, letting her face go reluctantly. "Okay then. "
She laughed softly. "See you can stop." Her fingers slid under his tee-shirt and caressed his warm skin lightly. Tracing the unseen scars on his chest she whispered, "I may not be able to."
He groaned and captured her wandering hand with his. "Darlin', you aren't making this easy. I'm already on the edge, so please don't poke the beast. "
"Oh," she whispered as her face turned red.
"Yeah, oh." He nuzzled against her neck. "I made you a promise and I'm not going to break it, no matter how much my libido is screaming otherwise."
"I know most people in today's age would think it's silly to want to wait. The whole white wedding dress and all. I mean, I know women still wear white, regardless but..." she started.
He pressed his hand against her back and gently caressed her. "No, it's not. It's special and I'm so proud of you for standing up for what you believe in. We can wait. We will wait because I'm not going to let either of us destroy a promise to your father and to yourself. It's been your dream for so long and I refuse to take it away - not even if we both want it so bad we can't think straight. I'll be strong enough for us both. But Joselyn, when this thing with Beecher is over, we need to have a long talk about the future. We need to make some decisions because I will wait for now. However, you must understand something. I intend to make you mine." Lifting her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "One day, I'll replace this ring with one of my own."
She nodded, too overwhelmed with emotions to speak. Unless she was mistaken, he was all but proposing to her. She glanced at the simple silver ring her father had given her and she had worn ever since. Tears welled in her eyes at the sweet gesture from Maddox. He understood her better than anyone else ever could and she loved him all the more for it. She would always remember this moment as the happiest of her life. Right here, right now, in the safety of Maddox's arms, she forgot about Donavan Beecher and basked in the knowledge that Maddox loved her.
They sat together for a while, watching the windblown branches sway, and talked about nothing in particular. Joselyn enjoyed being in Maddox's company and he did in hers as well. After a while, he stood and tugged her off the rocks and into his arms. They shared another passionate kiss before returning to the farmhouse.
"Celia will be thrilled, you know," Joselyn remarked as they walked arm in arm. "She has been trying to sell me on you since the day we go here. I didn't have the heart to tell her it was useless because I had already fallen."
"Aunt Celia means well. She fancies herself a matchmaker." He hugged her tighter to his side. "I'm sure she'll take credit for us."
"Hmmm," she agreed. "Let her. I don't care one way or the other. As long as I have you in my life, I'm happy. Right here is where I need to be."
"Forever," he whispered and kissed her head again.
They climbed the little hill in the pasture and stopped at the top. "Company," he said. "Stay close to me. It's probably a neighbor but better safe than sorry." He popped the lock on his holster so he could remove his weapon quickly if needed. "If I tell you to run, you run to the barn and into the storm cellar underneath. Lock the door and stay out of sight until I come get you."
"Okay," she said with a nod of her head and dug her fingers into his arm. "What about Celia and Hannah?"
"We'll take care of them. Calm down, honey. I'm sure it's nothing."
She didn't answer as they made their way to the house. Walking through the little gate, Maddox suddenly relaxed and replaced his sidearm in his holster. "It's good," he said, rushing up the steps. "Mom! I didn't know you were coming."
An older woman, who had to be in her late sixties stood on the porch talking to Aaron and Celia. Joselyn could see the family resemblance to her, her brother and Maddox. Her short, silver hair was done into a fashionable bob causing her pale blue eyes to pop. Dressed in jeans and a short sleeve shirt, she threw her arms around Maddox and hugged him tightly. "There's my baby boy! I thought I was going to have to go looking for you."
"Nah, we were taking a little walk." Taking a step back, he motioned to Joselyn. "Mom, I want you to meet Joselyn Kendrik. Joselyn, this is my mother, Sarah Benson."
Joselyn held her hand out. "So pleased to meet you," she said.
Sarah looked her over a second and broke into a broad grin. Grabbing her hand, she pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so happy to meet you, dear. I've heard so much about you." She glared at Maddox. "Mostly from Celia."
Beside her, Maddox coughed and mumbled something inaudible as Joselyn blushed slightly. "Thank you," she managed to say.
Sarah let her go and dropped into a rocking chair. "Have a seat. I want to get to know all about you, Joselyn. Celia tells me you two are thick as thieves. She told me about your problem. I know our Maddox is taking care of everything."
Joselyn nodded. "He takes excellent care of me. You have raised a wonderful son, Ms. Benson."
"None of that 'Ms. Benson' stuff; call me Sarah. Thank you but I have to admit most of the credit for this one goes to Aaron and Celia. Sometimes it really does take a village."
The topic changed to family, mostly Sarah's other children and grandchildren. Maddox sat on a bench and pulled Joselyn into his lap. She colored as everyone's eyes widened at this new display of affection but she didn't mind. He pulled her back against him and wrapped his arms around her waist. It felt special and right. He was following through on his vow to make her his and it thrilled her. At this moment she knew what it meant to be in Heaven because surely this was it, in Maddox's arms.
Chapter 18
"Good evening, Sam."
The guard started slightly and looked sheepishly from the novel he was reading. "Oh, hello, Artemis. Sorry, I didn't see you." He lifted the book. "Joselyn Chamber's new one came out this morning." He stuck a piece of paper between the pages and closed it. "I love all her books but this one is particularly good."
Artemis dropped a cup of coffee onto the window sill of the guard house and motioned to it. "Black as my soul, just the way you like it." He lifted his chin toward the book resting on the table. "It's so unusual in today's age to see someone still enjoying a hardback. I thought everyone had one of those electronic things with a thousand books at a time."
Sam took a sip, "Mmm good coffee and exactly what I needed." He chuckled. "My wife loves e-readers. She's an avid reader but dislikes carrying books around. She said when she was younger, she always kept one or two paperbacks in her purse and hated the bulky weigh
t. Now she has no less than four e-readers scattered around the house." He shook his head. "Give me the smell of paper and being able to feel the book in my hands any day. Not to mention, you can't get autographs on electronic readers." He picked up the hardback again and shook it carefully. "I'm hoping to get this one signed soon."
"May I?" Artemis motioned toward the book.
Sam handed it to him and watched him look the volume over, turning it in his hands and reading the back dustcover. Opening the front, he read the front blurb and nodded his head. Handing it back he smiled. "Looks like a good one. I'm usually more into the classics but there's nothing wrong with a good murder mystery. I'm not sure I've heard of this writer before. Is she new?"
Sam placed the book carefully on the little table housing the two gate screens and his keys. "She's still new but extremely good. This is her third one and so far, the best. I understand the fourth in this series is set to come out this fall." He glanced around and leaned in toward the man. "She lives right in this community! Can you believe it?"
With a widening of his eyes, Artemis looked around. "Really? We have a famous author living here? Where?"
Sam sat back. "I can't say, privacy and all. She's out of town for a while but when she gets back, I'm going to ask her to sign this copy." He placed a hand on the book. "I highly recommend trying one of hers. I have a paperback at home of the second in this series. If you like, I'll bring it so you can read it."
The man stared thoughtfully at the book, chewing his lip. He seemed lost in his thoughts so Sam nudged Artemis' hand where it sat on the guardhouse window sill. Artemis glared at him a split second and pulled his hand back. Smoothing his face, he smiled again. "Excuse me for my inattention, Sam. Blanked out there for a minute. You were saying?"
"I asked if you would like to read one of Ms. Chamber's books? I have a paperback copy at home.
"I would appreciate it, Sam. Thank you. If I like her, do you think I could get her autograph as well?"
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Protecting Joselyn (Kindle Worlds) Page 13
