“Yeah. I mean, we had our own adventure and all, and we’ve had a few days to adjust to being a couple.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Although we haven’t been alone as much as I could hope for.”
He smiled, pulling her against him. “True enough. But I’ve come to realize even more these last two days how much being with you means to me. I didn’t want to leave you alone to deal with this, and I, well....” He looked her in the eye. “Life is short. Too short not to just tell you what’s on my mind, so I’ll skip all the usual angst and just tell you. I love you, Janie. I don’t know what it means or where we’re headed but, well.... There you have it.”
She put her finger to his lips and touched the smile that lingered there. He’d been a great shoulder to lean on, had helped her keep it together when she thought she’d fly apart with worry.
“I love you, too,” she said, then followed up by kissing him.
⋘⋆⋙
Just like he had every morning since he came to work at the Lazy J, Jax woke to the sound of the starlings squabbling in the tree behind the barn, and for a moment, he just lay still, listening.
All was right with his world.
When he felt Kylie shift against him and pull the saddle blanket off his shoulder, he became aware that he’d bedded down on a bale of straw, and the love of his life was spooned against him, her head resting on his biceps. Across the aisle, Vera lay curled up on another bale with saddle blankets piled around her. As he watched, her eyes flickered open, too.
Kylie stretched and groaned, then sat up, leaving him cold, so he sat up, too.
“I guess I gotta work today,” he said, and reached for the blankets to start folding them.
“Yeah,” Kylie agreed. “I can’t see sitting around, thinking, instead of keeping busy.”
Vera yawned, then sat up and ran her fingers through her tousled red locks. “My folks want me to see a therapist,” she said. “They mentioned it last night.”
Jax glanced at Kylie, but addressed Vera. “My dad's not going to like it, but I'll be taking advantage of the counselor the FBI said we'll have access to.”
“Me, too,” said Kylie. “I don't know about you guys, but my dreams were crap last night.”
Jax nodded, and so did Vera. “We have each other to talk to, too,” he said. “It might not hurt—”
“When you get your phone, Vera, be sure to put our numbers in it,” Kylie broke in. “You can call me anytime, day or night. I’ll be glad to talk.”
“Me, too,” Jax agreed.
Once the blankets were folded and put away, Jax pushed the big equipment doors open and they walked outside.
Vera’s parents were on the porch of the house, talking with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, and as they approached, Miss Janie joined them. Nobody seemed shocked or worried that they hadn’t spent the night in their beds, so he guessed someone had seen them go into the barn. It was weird to think he didn’t feel like he had to justify himself to anyone about where they’d been, or even answer if anyone asked him what they’d been doing out there in the barn. The fact that no one even asked made him feel more like an adult than ever before.
There was a time that would have thrilled him to no end, but he almost missed the feeling of simplicity—of naïveté—he’d known up until three days ago.
But, for better or worse, he was an adult now—by experience, as well as age.
It was Kylie who lightened his mood by running across the lawn and up the porch to give enthusiastic hugs to her mom, then her grandparents, and even to Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. “Hey, y’all, you know what?” she said as she put her arm across her mom’s shoulders and slung her other arm across Vera’s.
“What’s that, baby?” Janie asked.
“It’s a great day to be alive.”
⋘⋆⋙
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the people who helped me polish this book. I must give a shout-out to Edwin Rosales, my go-to guy for any Spanish phrases I use. He helps me keep it real. Johnny and Stacy, my “alpha” readers, who helped allay my fears by assuring me that One Last Song was on the right track. Kim Young, my editor, who helped me whip it into shape. Lynda, Donna, Ellen, and Paige, my “beta” readers, who were my last best defense against errors in this manuscript and who gave me some great feedback. And once again, Christian, who designed the cover for me.
I’ve said it before, and it remains true. You are all integral to the creation of this novel. I can write the story, but I would never dream of trying to publish without your vital help. Any errors that remain have surely been added after it was handed back to me.
Special thanks and all my love to my husband for giving me the opportunity to write full-time. May I live up to your faith in me.
If you enjoyed this book...
Please consider leaving a review.
I love writing stories for you.
One of the best and most important ways YOU can help me continue to write them is to tell other people whether and how much you enjoy reading my work.
Reviews encourage other readers to try an author or a book they might not otherwise take a chance on.
It helps an author on so many levels, and we’re grateful when readers share their experience with a book.
So don’t be shy. Let the world know how you feel.
Post a dissertation. Post a paragraph. Post a sentence.
Or just post a star rating.
From an author’s perspective, the only wrong way to review is to not post one at all.
Please consider posting your review with the vendor you purchased it from, and/or anywhere you visit to find the books you enjoy.
Watch for the next Thomas Family Novel
Last Refuge
When the Lazy J Ranch finds itself in need of a cook, the arrival of a beautiful Creole woman seems to be a surprising answer to their prayers.
Colton Thomas III – “Trip” – finds himself drawn to the mysterious woman who can set his heart racing with just a look, but there’s far more to Savannah Dawn’s story than she’s letting on.
Release Date to be announced.
⋘⋆⋙
Find information on this (and other titles) at:
www.kristicramerbooks.com
Find and follow Kristi online at:
Amazon:
www.amazon.com/Kristi-Cramer/e/B00HLUEAT4/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/KristiCramer.Author
Google+:
www.google.com/+KristiCramerAuthor
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966064.Kristi_Cramer
Website:
www.kristicramerbooks.com
Visit Pinterest:
www.pinterest.com/KacyAuthor
for links to the various songs mentioned in her books, and photos of actors or models
Kristi thinks represent the characters in her books.
Visit WattPad:
http://kcbooks.us/wpKCpro
for opening chapters of published works and sneak peeks at works in progress.
Be a Patron of the Arts:
Support Kristi and other artists you love and get exclusive rewards.
https://www.patreon.com/KacyAuthor
All titles by Kristi Cramer
In The Knights of Juneau series:
Adult Romantic Suspense
Standalone novels featuring the Knight family, residents of Juneau, Alaska.
Knight Before Dawn (#1)
The Thomas Family Novels:
Suspense with a Dash of Romance
Standalone novels featuring characters connected to
the Thomas family of Syracuse, Kansas.
Last Shot at Justice (#1)
Last Second Chance (#2)
One Last Song (#3)
With Elaine Cramer:
Adult Dark Humor
The Musician & the Alien
(a Sci-Fi short)
Historical Fantasy for the Whole Family
In the B
onnie Isles Trilogy
(eBooks available on Amazon only)
A True Prince (#1)
To Make a King (#2)
Should Monarchs Stumble (#3)
The (Complete) Bonnie Isles Trilogy
(available in paperback and at most major retailers)
###
Find these (and other titles) at:
www.kristicramerbooks.com
One Last Song (A Thomas Family Novel Book 3) Page 16
