“What is wron’, darling.”
“Shannon … she is terrified of me … she just … she just tore out of here!”
“It’s okay, darlin’. Give her time.”
“I’m afraid … I don’t think she will ever … forgive me!”
“Where did she go?”
Dylan worried that something might happen to her if she just ran out to the prairie. There are snakes and all sorts of dangers around. Jarrod would never forgive them if anything had to happen to Shannon.
“I don’t know … she just ran off.”
Dylan went outside and looked around the house and the paddocks, but could not find her. Rosa was in the kitchen when he walked back in.
“Where is Nonnie? James said he dropped her off a while ago.”
“She is upset, Rosa and ran outside. I looked, but I can’t find her. Do you have an idea where she might have gone? Jarrod will be livid when he gets here and we don’t know where she is. Would she perhaps have taken a horse?”
“Oh no, Nonnie can’t ride a horse yet. Jarrod is teachin’ her, but she prefers to ride with him on Hades.”
Rosa called James and asked him and the ranch hands to start looking for her. Two hours later Jarrod drove in and there was still no sign of Shannon. Dylan ran his hands through his hair. Melody sat wringing her hands and Rosa bit her lip in worry.
He strode through the door with a wide smile on his face, expecting Shannon to wait for him with Rosa. The smile faltered when all he encountered were morose and worried expressions. A hand clamped around his heart.
“What is going on here?”
“It’s Shannon. Melody came across her in the kitchen and she ran off. We have been lookin’ for her for hours.”
James came skidding through the door behind Jarrod and nearly ran into him.
“We found her! She’s in Hades’ stall.”
“What!”
“Yeah, but we can’t get near her. Hades keeps us all out. He even nipped David on his arm.”
“Bloody hell!”
Jarrod spun around and tore across the yard towards the stable. He did not stop and ran into Hades stall, only to encounter a furious super large stallion, which suddenly did his name proud.
He stomped on his feet and threw his head up and down. Jarrod saw Shannon sitting on the ground in the corner of the stall with her hands around her legs. He could see her trembling from where he stood and he cursed. He reached out his hand to try and calm Hades down and he nipped at his arm. He jumped back and glared at Hades. Hades glared back, shaking his head rigorously.
“Shannon, honey … are you okay?”
She just nodded her head, but did not move. Jarrod tried shoving Hades out of the way, but he turned and pressed him back against the stall wall, snorting angrily.
“C’mon boy … I just want to help her.”
Hades shook his head and snorted again. He turned his head and looked at Shannon and stepped closer gently, lowering his head and nuzzling her hair. Her hands loosened around her legs and she lifted her arms to hug him around his neck. He whinnied softly. Jarrod and James gaped at the scene in front of them.
“It’s okay, baby … I’m fine now.”
Her husky voice reached them and Jarrod’s eyebrows raised.
Baby? She calls this damn devil, Baby?
He skirted around the stall wall until he stood next to them. Hades lifted his head and he stared at him, then he blinked, nodded his head and stepped away. Jarrod went on his haunches next to Shannon and stroked her hair. She turned her head and her haunted eyes met his. He cupped her cheek in his hand and smiled at her.
“You scared me, doll face. You can’t just disappear like that.”
“I am twenty eight years old, Jarrod and I am terrified of my mother. Why am I still so scared of her? Why can’t I just get … over it? For so many years I never even thought of what she did … now … I …”
He sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest.
“It is the first time you came face to face with her since it happened. It is normal that you would react like this. I am sure it will get better from here on.”
“I … am not sure I will ever be able to forget what she did to me.”
“No one expects you to, honey.”
“But she’s married to your Dad!”
Her voice sounded so sad and so forlorn, he just wanted to hold her and never let her go.
“Stop worryin’ about it. We’ll work it out.”
He stroked her arms and was relieved that her trembling had stopped. He rose and pulled her up with him. Shannon turned to Hades before they walked out of his stall. She hugged him around his neck and kissed him on his nose.
“Thank you, Baby … you are such a beauty.”
Hades whinnied and switched his tail. Jarrod swore the stallion even smiled!
“Baby? Since when do you call him Baby?”
“Tsk … he is as sweet as a baby. None of you really understand him.”
The moment they got outside the stable, Jarrod bent down and picked her up in his arms.
“Jarrod, put me down! I am fine now.”
“Shh, doll face. I want to carry you.”
Oh Lord, this man is more than any woman can ever ask for!
Yet, you still have not told him about the babies.
I am worried he would be upset. I still don’t know if I am even ready for this!
Still not a good idea to keep procrastinating. You’re eight weeks along already!
Yeah, I know that!
It did not help her conscience when her Obstetrician repeated the same sentiment, when she went for her checkup the following week.
“I strongly urge you to tell the father sooner, rather than later. Especially if you are currently involved with him still. We really need to know his blood type as soon as possible.”
“I will, before my next visit.”
“You seem to be having a very easy pregnancy. No nausea or dizziness and you are very healthy. You are one of the lucky ones.”
“Except for my constant craving for apricot jam! I eat it with everything!”
He chuckled, signed her file and walked her to the door. She was smiling when she got in her car, not noticing the black SUV parked a short distance from her.
The rest of the week was so busy with the launch date nearing rapidly, that she fell asleep the moment her head touched the pillow at night. She even missed Jarrod’s phone calls when he phoned at night, which angered him to no end.
Jarrod was waiting for her in her office when she arrived on Thursday, his face like thunder. He attacked immediately, his voice raspy and tight with anger.
“Who is he?”
She frowned and skirted past him to stand behind her desk.
“Who is who?”
“Don’t patronize me woman! Who have you been out with the past three nights?”
Shannon gaped at him.
“Jarrod, I have no idea what you are talking about!”
“Every time I have phoned you after nine in the evenin’s this week, you didn’t answer your phone. Who have you been with?”
“How does me not answering my phone automatically equate to seeing some other man?”
“Just answer me!”
“Babe, I have been so tired these past few days, I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.”
“By nine at night?”
“More accurately around eight already!”
He walked around the desk and lifted her chin to glower into her eyes.
“You are mine, Shannon. Remember that. I do not share what is mine! Especially not you! Do you understand?”
“Yes Jarrod.”
“If you’re asleep when I phone, you phone me the moment you wake up the next day! Is that understood?”
“Yes Jarrod.”
“Even better, phone me before you fall asleep. Understand?”
“Yes Jarrod.”
; “And stop sayin’ ‘yes Jarrod’!”
Shannon laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him. He tugged her under his chin and breathed in her fresh Jasmine flavored perfume.
Chris peeked in after a brief knock and startled when he caught the intimate embrace. He knew there was something going on between them, he just never realized it had gone that far already. Shannon desperately tried to draw out of Jarrod’s arms, but he held tight.
“Sorry to interrupt. Our bankers are here, Jarrod. I’ve set them up in your boardroom.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Shannon scowled at Jarrod the moment Chris closed the door behind him. She slapped him on his chest
“What must he think? You can’t just grab me while we’re at work!”
“Me grab you? This time I plead innocent! You were the one that hugged me.”
She blushed and sank down on her chair with a groan, holding her head in her hands. Jarrod chuckled and leaned over to kiss her on her hair.
“I am in meetin’s the whole day until around six, but I am stayin’ with you tonight. We can go to dinner on the way to your apartment.”
“Why don’t I rather cook something for us? I have to pop in at Global Media around three. I’ll go home from there.”
“You want to cook for me?”
“You don’t think I can?”
“Oh, I am sure you’re a good cook. It’s just …”
So intimate. So married like. So … what I wanted! Damn! Where did that come from! When did wanting and needing her turn into thoughts of … permanency? Yeah right, as if I did not know!
Jarrod stared into her eyes, his heart running away it was beating so fast. He spun around and strode to the door.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
Shannon stared after him, wondering what spooked him that he ran away so quickly.
He is so sweet when he is jealous.
Oh, you are so screwed, doll face!
Don’t I know it?
Hells bells, you’ve got it bad! You’re even agreeing with me!
Chapter Twelve
Shannon and Rosa colluded to arrange a birthday cookout party for Jarrod for the past month. His birthday was the next Saturday, which also celebrated her tenth week of pregnancy. She knew she would have to tell him and tell him that weekend. Her breasts have noticeably grown bigger. She was surprised that he, who was so enamored with her breasts, has not noticed it as yet. When she got dressed in the morning she turned sideways in front of the mirror and noticed her belly becoming quite rounded. Bennett warned her that as she was expecting twins she would start showing and would be quite big towards the end.
Noah assisted her to pick out his gift and would bring it with on the night of the party. He was also appointed to issue the invitations to all their friends. Chris was responsible for inviting the rest. Shannon made it very clear that she would not tolerate any of his prior … agreements … at the party.
Dylan was responsible for arranging everything they would require for the outside barbeques as well as the meats. Noah was also responsible for arranging drinks.
Rosa, Shannon, Melody, Sheila and Noah’s mother were responsible for all the salads, side dishes and dessert.
They had everything under control. The only problem they still have not managed to find a solution for, was how to keep Jarrod away from the ranch until everything has been set up and the guests have arrived.
Everyone suggested that Shannon keep him in Houston. She shot it down, knowing that he would then want to take her out to a special dinner.
In the end Chris mentioned that it has become tradition between his brother, Reed Jarrod and him to go out on the prairie the night before either of their birthdays. They went ‘horny toad’ hunting.
“Horny toad hunting? You have got to be kidding, right?”
Chris chuckled and wiggled his eyebrows.
“By the time we start huntin’ them, they appear as bi’ as dinosaurs.”
“Aah, so you actually go on a drinking party and justify it by calling it ‘hunting’?”
“Somethin’ like that, yes. I did not suggest it this year, yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because of you.”
“What do I have to do with it?”
“We thought he would rather want to be with you.”
“We are not attached to the hip, Chris. We … see each other. We have not even put a name to what it is that we have. Besides, it is the ideal solution! Talk to him this morning still, please.”
She got up and walked towards the door of his office. She turned and scowled at him. She pointed a stiff finger at him.
“Just don’t get so drunk that you are all useless at the cookout.”
“Rosa did warn you that Jarrod is not bi’ on birthday parties, right?”
“She mentioned something like that, yes.”
“Clearly that is not goin’ to sway you in any way?”
“Nope … you just get him to agree. Tell him you spoke to me and I am fine with it.”
Chris shook his head when she disappeared through the door. Not put a name to it, my ass. Jarrod has never been exclusive with a woman before. Never. He also had no compunction to openly flaunt his possessiveness for her. He picked up his phone and dialed Jarrod’s cell number.
“Hi Chris. Problems?”
“No, just phonin’ to fix our horny toad huntin’ party for Friday night.”
Jarrod was silent for a spell and Chris smiled. He just knew what was coming.
“I …er … am not sure I am up to it this year.”
“What? Don’t tell me you’re gettin’ too old?”
“Careful, cuz. I can horny toad hunt you under the table any day.”
“I’m not so sure. With my party in January, both you and Reed looked way worse for wear than I did.”
“Yeah, you would think so. Especially as it was him and I that had to lift you on your horse, you were so out of it.”
“Well, we’ll take it easier this year. Shannon made me promise that we would not get drunk as skunks.”
“You spoke to Shannon on this?”
“Yeah. Shouldn’t I have?”
“And she is fine with it?”
“Yip. So what time Friday?”
“Let’s hit the trail at two, but brin’ Shannon with when Rocco brings you.”
“I suppose you aren’t comin’ to the office tomorrow then?”
“No, but I’ll be in most of next week. I should finish the changes on the software by tomorrow. We need to get the launch finalized. I received another threat today.”
“Email again?”
“Yeah. Reed is already lookin’ into it. Any specific orders for food for Friday?”
“No. You choose. We’ll brin’ the horny toad juice.”
Jarrod just chuckled and ended the call. He immediately phoned Shannon. She picked up within the second ring.
“Hi, Babe. This is a surprise. You never phone this early.”
“Mornin’ doll face. I believe you are fine with me goin’ horny toad huntin’ on Friday.”
“Why would I not be? It is not as though they are going to turn into busty blondes, now are they?”
“Well, there was this one year on Reed’s birthday … a redhead and two blondes, if memory serves me right. With those two, one never knows what you’ll find under a shrub.”
The silence was deafening and Jarrod smiled.
Good! I was worried I am the only one with a possessive and jealous streak in this relationship! Wait … relationship?
“Are you ribbing me, Babe?” There was a definite iciness in her voice.
“Well, maybe it was two redheads and one blond … I can’t remember … we were quite willin’ to share.”
“And there flies your whole defense about not being a womanizer and a gigolo out the window! I guess that means I will see you when you come to the office on Wednesday next week. Enjoy your birthday … you … you ho
rny toad!”
“I was kid … Shannon!”
She put the phone down in my ear!
He dialed her number again, but as expected, she did not answer. Nor did she, when he phoned her in the evening, nor the next day or evening. He phoned Chris, highly annoyed.
“Shannon had a … reaction to a joke I made on Wednesday and is ignorin’ my calls. Sayin’ she will only see me next week. You better make sure you brin’ her with tomorrow.”
“No problem, cuz.”
He chuckled when he put his phone down. His cousin has lost his bachelor status. Whether he knew it, or not.
Chris cursed Jarrod. Why did he not warn him he told Shannon about the time they took girls with on a ‘hunting’ trip? How was he supposed to know what he was allowed to divulge and what not? He glanced worriedly at Reed that sat chuckling across from him in the chopper.
“Er … what exactly did Jarrod tell you?”
“What are you trying to hide, Chris?”
“Nothin’!”
“Something about a redhead and two blondes.”
“Actually it was two redheads and one blond.”
“Thank you, Reed!”
“So there are women on these trips! Why did you never give me that little tidbit of information?”
“Shannon, that happened when we were still in our twenties! I swear, it was the only time! We realized horny toad huntin’ and chicks did not go hand in hand. In fact … it was quite a disaster.”
Reed chuckled with Chris. “Yeah … did not do much for our reputations!”
“What do you mean?”
“We … er, the horny toads … er …”
“Yeees?”
“The horny toads … er …disabled our ability to … er … perform.”
“You couldn’t … hahaha … perform. And he tells me you even shared … ooooh! I am going to murder him!”
“Now Shannon, it is his birthday. Maybe he just needed some … reassurance.”
“Him … Jarrod Parker … needs reassurance? Are you kidding? Do you know what women see when they look at that damn cousin of yours? They don’t even care if there is another woman with him! They still flirt with him. If anyone needs reassurance, it’s me!”
“Shannon, the fact that the two of you are exclusive should be reassurance enough. He has never, and I mean ever been exclusive with any one woman before.”
Her Prada Cowboy: McCulloch County Series #1 Page 11
