by Cara North
A month had passed, and she still had not signed the documents. There was no need to. Jack had not asked about it, and she kept the treasure hunt to herself. Just in case it was a joke, she didn't want to get all their hopes up and let them crash and burn. The brothers all worked on the Johnson Family Ranch now. A few cabins were going to be opened for the winter, and a few summer reservations had already been made for next year. Two months remained of the season, and one cabin was booked for next month already. It was a slow start, but a start nonetheless.
Squatting down behind the tree, Bethany looked for the right root, a big one. It was supposed to rise out of the ground. Finding it, she paced twenty steps. Looking around before digging in, she prayed no one found her doing this. They would not be pleased. The Danes helped her dig, and she hoped they didn't make this a habit or Jack would really kill her.
After about ten minutes of digging, Blue Dog started barking at the ground, and Jessie Boy began to focus on the same spot also. Both dogs barked and jumped, and their excitement gave her hope. They had either found the buried lock box or an old aluminum can.
"What is it, boys?” she asked, and they started jumping around. The dogs were enormous, and when it came to digging, they made short work of making the hole bigger than she had anticipated. Their hole, however, turned up results. Getting them to calm down, she pulled the treat bag from her pocket, and they immediately sat. “Good boys."
After giving them each a treat, she focused on the hole. Sure enough, an old rusty box was there. Using her little shovel, Bethany dug around it and finally freed the box. Setting in on the grass next to the hole, she examined the box. It wasn't a lock box at all. Instead, it was a recipe card box, rusty but still functioning. She opened the top. There in sealed plastic bags were four sets of keys. She sighed.
"Well, Grandpa Johnson, I don't know about your grandkids, but I loved your will, and I hope we make you proud.” She stood, looked at the hole, and decided to leave it for now. They may not believe her.
"Come on, boys, we need to find your daddy!” she called to the dogs. At the mention of the word daddy, they took off. Bethany watched the two dogs race for the stables. She looked at her watch and decided they were right, he was probably there.
* * * *
"If you think he's a good buy, then get him,” Jack said to Rafe. His brother was debating a horse, actually a pony. He thought it might be fun for the kids, romantic for the couples since the pony could pull a small wagon, but he couldn't decide.
"What the hell?” Rafe looked over his shoulder and out toward the stable entrance. Jack turned to see what had caught his attention. He wasn't expecting it to be his wife.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?” He stepped toward her. She was dirty, sweaty, and carrying a little tin box like it was a bar of gold.
"Jack! I found it!” She beamed and handed him the box.
"Where did you find it? What is it?” She seemed entirely too excited about the small box. In the last month, she had been outside more, but she always remained clean. Even while riding the horses, she seemed to keep herself together.
Right now, she looked a mess. The amount of dirt on her clothes, not to mention on her forehead and hands, told him she had either dug this up by hand or the Danes had buried her somewhere, and she finally dug herself out. Her hair was loose from the ponytail, and sweat trickled down into her tank-top from her neck.
"Open it,” she prompted, pulling him from the stream of ideas including getting just as dirty by carrying her up to the hay loft.
"Open it, Jack.” Rafe nudged him. “I will if you don't."
"Okay.” Jack opened the tin box and scrutinized the plastic sandwich bags with keys in them. “What the hell is this?"
"They are the keys to the bank boxes. You didn't have to get married, Jack, none of you did. Jan can have her inheritance now even Rafe and Heath. He buried them by the tree with his and your grandmother's initials in it,” she explained.
"What tree?” Rafe asked.
"Hang on a second, how did you find this out?” He closed the box.
"I read his will, but it's actually more like a memoir or autobiography. He hid the keys until someone actually took the time to read it all, to understand how much he loved this ranch, how much it hurt him to watch it fade.” He watched her expression and realized she was definitely in love with the ranch. But now, he didn't need to be married, and she didn't need him anymore either. Would she stay?
"We should get the others.” He handed the box to Rafe. “Come on, we need to talk."
All the way to the house, he thought about what to say, which meant he didn't say a word as they walked there. In the kitchen, he knew he had unsettled her with the silence. She washed her hands at the sink and patted a cool paper towel over her neck. The past month they had settled into a blissful routine. He had survived the trip to the mall, and she had stocked up on summer clothes and other necessities preparing her for winter. They split the cost fifty/fifty. She refused to let him pay for it all, and she paid her half in cash.
"What's wrong?” she asked nervously and pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Would you like one?"
"No,” he said. “How do you know what's in the bank boxes? It could be just another treasure map."
"How did you..."
"I read it. When you didn't go to the lawyer and started going out on your own private explorations, I got curious.” He shrugged.
"Jack, why didn't you look for it, or at least help me look for it?” Her hands went to her hips, and he knew she was mad at him. She was probably going to be less pleased when this conversation was over.
"I didn't want to find it.” He crossed his arms.
"What?” She looked shocked. “But you married me just to get your money."
"Then. But you showed us we could do it on our own steam, and now you found the key, and I can get the money, now what? You don't need me anymore. You have your social security card, your driver's license. You have everything you need to go out and start your new life.” He could feel his face tighten.
"You want a divorce?” she asked quietly, and his heart hurt.
"Do you?” His teeth would be powder by the time it was through.
She shook her head no, and it felt like the world was lifting off his shoulders.
"Are you sure?” He held his breath.
"Are you?” She looked up as tears threatened to slip down her dirty cheeks.
"I could never love another woman the way I love you.” The words were said so easily. She ran into his arms and climbed him like a tree.
"I love you, Jack,” she said and kissed him as the tears fell.
"Oh for crying out loud, get a room!” Heath growled as he entered the house. Bethany wiped the tears and smudged the dirt worse. Heath took one look and cringed. Jack bit back the laugh. “I take it back, get a shower."
"Yes. I do need a shower.” Bethany laughed and hugged him tighter. “I'll go clean up."
"Okay.” He set her back on her feet and watched her leave with a smile. His chest was full; the world was good.
"She's going to destroy you. You are aware of that, right?” Heath said as he opened the refrigerator. “Want some tea?"
"She's not mom, she's not Chance, she loves the ranch, and she loves me. We don't hide from each other.” He crossed his arms. “And yes, you big jerk, I would like some tea."
Heath laughed. “So, what's all the buzz about?"
"The woman who's out to destroy my life found the keys to the bank boxes.” Jack watched Heath spit the drink he just took all over the sink.
"No shit?” Heath started cleaning up his mess.
"No shit.” Jack walked over and grabbed the tea jug then a glass from the cabinet. Heath had asked, but in typical self-centered fashion, it was as far as his big brother took the gesture.
* * * *
Tears consumed her as she leaned against the shower wall. He said it. He told her he loved her. It was real and perfe
ct, and everything she ever wanted. For the first time in her life, she knew what real love felt like. She was a part of this family; it was her family. Nothing could tear them apart now. Nothing!
* * * *
"I know you don't like it, but I like doing it, so shut up and sit down.” Bethany scowled at him. She had done it once before, and he had to admit the rubbing was great, but the wax was weird.
"Now, give it to me,” she demanded. With reluctance, he lifted his foot. “Tell me if it's too hot."
"It's too hot,” he said before his foot even touched the wax.
"Jack, I swear you are the most difficult man sometimes.” She proceeded to push his foot into the paraffin wax.
"Sweetheart, I don't know any other man who would let a woman torture him this way.” He lifted his foot, and she wrapped something around it. The wax just felt gross, seeping between his toes and around his ankle. “I hate this."
"You do not.” She dipped his other foot in. “You know you love it. You don't have to get all macho man on me. I know you're a big strong guy, but I also know you have to take care of these puppies, or they will give out when you get older."
"If my brothers ever found out, I would never live this down.” He sighed, resigned to the fact his feet were now all waxed up. “I wonder if it would work on my..."
"No. You cannot put your pee-pee in it. You are shameless.” She shook her head and moved the wax away. Then, she climbed onto his lap and waited for the wax to set.
"I still think it would be cool to make a mold of it.” He shrugged.
"No, it would not. Then, they would call it the Jack and put your picture on the box and sell you to thousands of women,” she said it like it was a bad thing. In the foreseeable future, she was the only woman his real dick would be exploring, so why did it matter if a faux Jack Johnson got around?
"You think many women would buy it?” He bit her nose before she could make another face again. He loved this time with her. Sitting here, just hanging out. Enjoying each other's company. Even if it required him to suffer through pink wax on his feet.
"Ouch.” She rubbed her nose and then hugged him tightly. “I'd buy one, and I'm sure any other virgin who bought one wouldn't suffer any embarrassment on her first time though I don't know she would be interested in any other penis from that point on."
"You say the nicest things to me.” He laughed. She pinched him then laughed.
"Okay, time to remove the wax.” Bethany hopped up from his lap and kneeled before him. The position of submission made him horny despite the pink wax encapsulating his feet. “I know you like what comes next."
"I won't argue your point there.” Because it was true. Once she got the wax off, she used some fancy lotion to rub his feet. It was sheer bliss. “You know I could do this for you also."
"You already do enough for my feet thank you.” She winked. Stole his move. He was the winker; he must be rubbing off on her. Maybe she would eventually start calling him sweetheart. He shook his head. Yuk. He did not want a pet name; pet names were cute for women not men.
"Ohhh. It feels nice, sooo nice.” He closed his eyes and let her have her way with his feet. Who was he kidding, he loved it. The wax was the worst part, and it did help to remove a lot of rough callused skin, but her hands were just divine.
"Jack?” She continued revitalizing his foot with those magic fingers.
"Mmm?” She wanted something, he was sure.
"Wouldn't it be great if we found a chef soon?” The ranch, Bethany was always thinking about the ranch. She was as obsessed as he was.
"Yes, sweetheart,” he agreed, but until they got to those bank boxes tomorrow, he didn't know if they could afford one.
"Don't you know any?” He looked down at her. Not sure if she was plotting or scheming.
"Only one, but I don't know where she is now.” She nodded. Oh, she was definitely scheming but not on this topic. “Don't even think about it."
"About what?” she asked innocently and switched feet.
"Chance. I can read you like a book, Bethany. You're thinking how great it would be if Chance came back and cooked, but she left and has been gone almost a year. Heath's her husband, and I learned well to stay out of their affairs.” Trouble, right then and there, he knew she was not listening, and whatever she planned next was going to be nothing but trouble.
"I didn't say Chance. I just think we should post the position and see what pops up.” She shrugged innocently.
"You're not fooling me.” He pointed, and she shrugged again. “Come here."
As she stood, he pulled her in close and bent her over his knee. It was a spontaneous gesture, not one he had planned, but she was there now. “Jack!"
And giggling.
"Tell me you are not going to try to interfere with Heath's love life.” He palmed her left butt cheek, letting her know what was coming if she didn't agree to stay out of it.
"You're not the boss of me.” She giggled again.
"Okay. I gave you a chance.” Jack pulled back and swatted her butt. She yelped, and he was afraid he smacked it too hard, but then she giggled again.
"Please, I barely felt that.” She challenged.
"Really? Well, how about this one?” He swatted the other cheek, and she grabbed his calve muscle.
"Mmm. Barely. I think I have on too many clothes, don't you?” She looked over her shoulder at him, and he realized she was serious. He was just playing, but she actually liked it.
"I don't want to hurt you, sweetheart. I mean if I actually smack this tush of yours, it might sting.” He meant every word. He would never raise a hand against a woman, and he never wanted to be too rough with her.
"There's a lot of it back there, Jack. It can take a girly swat like the ones you just issued.” Oh, how she loved to pull the tiger's tail. Bethany always pushed him farther than anyone had before. Such a sweet polite woman in her daily life, she became a bit of a ravenous vixen in the bedroom. He finally understood the meaning of “behind closed doors.” She acted like a sailor on shore leave. He, of course, became the willing victim.
She pulled up her skirt then resituated herself over his knees again. “Now, have I been bad?"
"You're definitely not being good right now.” Shaking his head, he knew she was into whatever role she was playing.
"Don't spank me, Sire, I swear I was just borrowing the apples.” Bethany feigned an accent and all!
"Um..."
"Jack. You're supposed to scold me and tell me you must issue the lashings.” She pinched his leg.
"Ouch.” He smacked her behind. She yelped. “Don't pinch me. And don't steal my apples."
The smile on her face was priceless. He decided he could play games with her forever. Maybe they would never tire of each other because they were always pretending to be other people in the bedroom these days.
"No, Sire.” Her deep exhale and soft voice signaled him to land another swat on the other cheek. “Yes."
"Yes? You plan to steal more apples, girl?” It was difficult to keep a straight face while playing with her, but he managed.
"No.” She shook her head. “I just love the way your hands feel, Sire."
Jack made another swat and then rubbed the area. Her bottom was pink around the underwear and probably below the blue cotton panties as well. “It's starting to feel warm to the touch."
"And it tingles, Sire.” She was all but limp over his knees. What she got out of this he had no clue. It was not doing a thing for him, other than pleasing her.
"One last swat young lady, and you will then pay for the apples.” Jack had better ideas of how to make her pay for stealing fruit.
"Oh yes, Sire.” Bethany agreed too eagerly, and he laughed. She frowned at him, and he secured his lips together and tried to form a scowl.
"Jack, you always laugh at my fantasies.” She started to get up.
He swatted her one more time, and she gasped in surprise. He got her good that time. His hand even stung a littl
e. “No, sweetheart. I don't think your fantasies are funny, but sometimes your reaction is cute, and it makes me laugh. I shouldn't have to be a serious man all the time, but since it's what you want ... Get on your knees, girl."
"What?” Her eyes rounded. He always let her lead them through these games, but they were always silly and centered around her except the doctor venture the first time.
"You heard me. You ate those apples you stole, now...” He pulled the boxers she had bought him to wear, rather than walk around nude during her salon days, over his hips. “Now, you will repay your debt."
"But I wanted to..."
"You want to repay your debt.” He tunneled his hands through her curly brown hair, luxuriating in the silky strands. He began to understand why she liked to lead these games. It was empowering, almost intoxicating. His dick had leapt to attention the moment she seated herself on her knees before him. Pulling her closer to it, he noticed her pouting lip. She wanted to make all the decisions like always. “Not this time, sweetheart. You wanted a master. Now, be a good slave and open up."
Her lips parted in shock more than obedience, but they parted nonetheless.
"Now, be a good girl and repay me.” Holding her hair back, Jack watched his wife, the woman who had made him play many subservient roles, to include bath boy, finally submit to him. Her pouting lips parted, and her bubblegum pink tongue licked him from root to tip. It had been weeks since he received this treatment, but he had generously given it to her almost daily. “Deeper."
She obeyed, and his blood pulsed in tandem throughout every vein in his body. His muscles clenched, and his chest heaved. Bethany used both hands and her lips to drive him right to the brink in a hurry. “Stop!"
"What?” She jumped and looked toward the bedroom door. “Did you hear someone?"
"Get up here. Sit on me quick.” He pulled at her shoulders. He was ready to explode, and he wanted to be inside her when it happened.
"But...” She slowly stood.
"Bethany, please!” He tugged the panties down her legs and lifted the skirt. She still wore skirts more than anything else. A benefit at a time like this.
