by Hebby Roman
To say dessert was heavenly would be an insult to Jared. He was not only built like a Roman god, but knew his way around a woman’s body like no other lover she’d ever had. By the time he collapsed on top of her, Carmen had lost her mind. Her soul had left her body and returned at least five times starting at the sight of Jared fully nude and the rock hard situation between his legs.
“You okay?” he asked nuzzling her neck. “I’ll move as soon as I can.”
She slid her hand down his back. “I am way more than okay.”
“Carmen. Wake up.” This was the first time a dream was so vivid. Carmen dug her face deeper into the pillow and groaned. Ever so slowly she was waking up and that was not good. The longer she slept, the more she could stay in the make believe world where she and Jared had...
“Oh shit!” She sat straight up and looked around the room. “What time is it?” Carmen jumped from the bed, sprinted through the room gathering up her clothes and dashed to the bathroom. “Don’t tell me it’s past the crack ass of dawn when your family gets up.”
Jared was on the opposite side of the door. “It’s only five. Plenty of time to get you past my parent’s and to the cabin without anyone seeing us. Take your time.”
“Five o’clock,” she mumbled. Twice already now she wondered if Montana people ever slept. “You could have just rolled me up in the blankets and dumped me in my bed. I didn’t plan to get up before nine.”
When she walked out attempting to control her curls, Jared was fully dressed and damn if he didn’t look like a succulent morsel for it being five in the morning. “How can you look so good?” Carmen said accepting a kiss from him while keeping her lips closed. “I’m sure I have morning breath,” she explained.
Chapter Nine
It was the first night of the Winter Festival. Many man-hours of work and preparation were about to pay off by the line of cars pulling into the parking areas.
Carmen along with Natalie and Natalie’s sister Rita stood at the front porch watching the parking attendants guiding traffic. Soon they’d climb onto a huge sleigh and be pulled by a team of enormous plow horses to the festival. The team of four horses pranced in place, seeming excited at wearing collars decorated with lights and huge bells. The harness was also lit up with lights and garland, as was the sleigh.
Although it was not her event, tingles of excitement and goose bumps traveled up and down Carmen’s arms and spine.
“How can you be so calm? I’m about to pass out from excitement. People are going to flip out when they see how beautiful everything is,” Carmen exclaimed.
Natalie held a shaky hand out. “I’m not calm.”
Unlike her, Rita was shorter with curly short hair. She drank from a thermos that Carmen suspected wasn’t hot chocolate. “I bet they will buy out all the ornaments before the night is out. Those little Broken Creek post boxes are so perfect. I put several aside for myself.”
“I agree,” Carmen said. She’d already purchased some for herself, her mother, her Nana, and Mila. Natalie had told her, she didn’t have to pay for them, but she’d insisted.
An hour later, welcome speeches were completed. Rick and Natalie announced it would be their last year hosting the event, which sent the crowd into a tizzy. Finally it was announced the festival would continue, but the new coordinators were yet to be finalized. The second announcement seemed to mollify the crowd.
Even with the huge light displays, sleigh rides and crafts fair in full affect, the souvenir table was mobbed and as Rita predicted, every single ornament was sold within hours.
“Goodness, I ordered two thousand of them. Now I won’t have any for the next week.” Natalie frowned. “I’ll order some and see if they can get them here before Christmas. I can always have them available at local businesses.”
Carmen caught sight of Jared here and there. Throughout the night, both he and his father were constantly rushing around answering questions and helping with things.
Later that night, Natalie invited Carmen to go on a sleigh ride. Along with Jared’s sister, Molly, who Carmen had met several times, she climbed aboard. Molly was a younger replica of Natalie. Pretty, witty and very pregnant.
They settled into cushy seats and were given thick blankets to cover up with. As the horses pulled the sleigh along the path, there was a chill in the air that added to the magic of the bells ringing, the thousands of lights strung overhead and the soft Christmas music that floated from hidden speakers.
“Almost time for you to be leaving us,” Natalie said. “I can’t wait to read the article you’ll write about us.”
Three days and she’d be back in Georgia. The day before Christmas, which was earlier than planned. She’d lobbied to leave early upon her arrival stating there was no need to remain longer than the first couple days of the festival. Now she wanted to kick herself. She and Jared had spent a few more evenings at his apartment. Although no one commented on it, Carmen was pretty sure everyone suspected.
“So what’s going to happen between you and my brother?” Molly asked. Carmen’s eyes went full on “deer in the headlights”.
Natalie chuckled. “I was about to ask the same thing.”
“Ummm...well, we are not.” Carmen gave up not quite sure what to say. Taking a deep breath she tried again. “We haven’t discussed it. I’ve grown to care for him a great deal. However, I do live a bit far.” Carmen sighed. “I think he likes me.”
“Like?” Molly almost screamed the word. “The boy is gaga over you.”
“Let them decide.” Natalie patted her daughter’s hand. “I’m sure they’ll work something out.” Jared’s mom gave Carmen a one eyebrow raised look. The meaning was either “do something” or “don’t make Molly upset.”
Carmen cleared her throat and looked around wishing Jared would materialize and help her. Of course he didn’t. “I will talk to him. I think we can work something out, but it has all happened so fast. Y’all know men don’t like the ‘where do we stand’ talk too soon.”
Molly sniffed. “I like you. You’re the first woman who’s made my brother look so happy. His job is so stressful and da-dangerous.”
If Molly started crying, Carmen would join her. Not because she was under any distress, but whenever someone cried, it made her cry. She made a horrible babysitter. Most babies didn’t like for someone to cry with them, it made them cry harder and louder.
“There now sweetie. I’m sure Carmen and Jared will make plans to continue to see each other. Carmen can fly up on weekends.”
Carmen blinked. What the hell was happening?
When they returned to the main area, Natalie leaned closer as Molly’s husband came to help her down. “You don’t have to fly back every weekend. I was just trying to keep Molly from crying.”
Jared walked up and gave her a side hug. “Enjoying yourself? Where have you been hiding?”
As much as she wanted to cling to him and pull the man closer, it was hard to when Natalie watched on with a wide grin. She took a step away. “Went with your mother and sister on a sleigh ride. This entire thing is amazing. I understand why people are so disappointed in it being your family’s last year doing it.”
He met her gaze for a long moment and boy was it hard to keep from kissing him. “Mom and Dad asked Molly and I if we want to continue it. I’m not sure I can do all of this alone. Molly is too busy with the kids and all.”
“I can understand. It is a huge job.” A sleigh neared, a couple stood up and everyone clapped.
“An engagement,” Jared said, his gaze on the couple. “They look a bit young.”
“Or maybe you’re just old,” Carmen joked, elbowing him in the ribs.
“Nah, that’s not it,” he replied with a chuckle and then to her shock, he kissed her lightly on the lips. “I better scoot, looks like Henry is waving me over.”
Molly and Natalie continued watching with wide smiles.
“Oh boy.” Carmen ducked her head and hurried into t
he huge crafts show area.
By the end of the evening, Carmen was too tired to even think. She grabbed a sandwich from one of the vendors along with chips and hitched a ride on a sleigh back to her cabin. The night had only gotten better, each hour that passed brought laughter, warm smiles and so many memories.
Once inside the cabin, she opened her laptop and video called Mila. Her friend answered on the third tone wearing a facial mask. “Hey, long time no talk.”
“We just spoke yesterday,” Carmen replied, laughing at her friend’s appearance. “You shouldn’t answer like that, I about screamed.”
“Ready to head home? Bringing the cowboy with you?” Mila spooned ice cream into her mouth and stared at her through the screen.
“About that. I’m dreading leaving. Ready for warmer weather where eating ice cream doesn’t seem so strange. But I am going to miss him.”
When tears threatened, Carmen was startled. “I mean he’s so hot and great in bed.”
“Yeah right. There’s more than just looks and sex. I think you’ve fallen for Mr. hot cowboy. That’s horrible. Scandalous.” Mila loved to put the word “scandalous” in a sentence for emphasis.
“It does suck. I can’t possibly live here and there’s no way he would survive in Atlanta. He’s planning to retire here on the ranch and maybe even run the Winter Festival.”
Mila blinked.
Carmen sighed.
“So,” Mila said after swallowing her ice cream. “You know you can work from anywhere.”
“He hasn’t asked me and he’s aware I’m about to leave. Besides, why should I be the one to move?”
“Maybe ̓cause you live in a clinical apartment without one thing on the wall. Or maybe because every time we talk, you gush about how beautiful Montana is. Oh and also because every conversation starts and ends with a mention of Jared Bowden. And you only have one friend.”
Carmen blew out a breath.
Mila blinked.
“I better get ready for bed. I have this sandwich to eat.” Carmen held up her meal.
“It’s two o’clock in the morning here. I probably should crash myself,” Mila replied pulling the mask off. “Brandon is snoring, I can hear him from here, so I better take a pill.”
Carmen laughed. “He needs a breathing machine or something.”
“Nah,” Mila replied. “He’s tired. We played cops and robbers for a couple hours.”
“Who was the robber this time?”
A grin split her friend’s face. “He was.”
After they ended the call, Carmen looked around the cozy space. She’d grown to really like it. What Mila had said was right, her apartment in Atlanta was devoid of any personality. She’d needed something like that at the time. It was a perfect place to start a new life. Upon returning, she’d decorate and make it more like a home.
“I remembered something.” Carmen walked into the Bowden’s kitchen the next morning. “I saw what I thought was a wild animal the day I walked in on the dead body. But now that I think about it, it had blonde hair.”
Jared stood and came closer. He was too close for that early in the morning. The fact she’d only had one cup of coffee, Carmen was not prepared for that much sex appeal so early.
“Show me where.”
“Um okay. But first I need a cup of coffee.... or two.”
One cup of coffee later, Carmen climbed into the passenger seat of Jared’s truck and they headed toward the cabins.
“I hope they will resolve things so we can remove the police tape soon. If you look close enough, you can spot it from the main area.”
Carmen nodded. “The bright yellow totally clashes with the decorations.”
Jared grunted. “I know it sounds insensitive since it’s there because someone died. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I totally get it. It’s also an awful reminder of bad things when people will be coming to enjoy themselves and forget the real world and any worries.”
He frowned at her. “Thanks for trying to save me, but those thoughts hadn’t even crossed my mind.”
When they arrived at the cabins, Williams was already there.
“Where does he live? In the woods here? He always arrives so quickly,” Carmen asked.
“He likes to patrol out here, it’s part of our route,” Jared replied. “Plus he’s always hoping Mom will invite him over for a meal. His wife, Patty, is always pregnant and moody.”
They had Carmen retrace her route and point out where she’d spotted the “blonde wild animal”. Both snickered each time they said it and she narrowed her eyes at them. “Right about here.”
The men walked slowly from the cabin through the trees scanning the area. Meanwhile Carmen sat in the truck and checked her messages on her cell.
An hour later, the forensics team was back, more yellow tape had been put up and Jared remained talking with Williams.
Carmen climbed out of the truck cab. “Unless you need me for anything else, I’m walking back.”
Stabler hurried to her. “Just a few more questions.”
And so she remained for another hour.
Chapter Ten
“You can’t be serious,” Williams said, shaking his head. “Do you have any idea how different being a cop in Atlanta will be? Who’s to say they’ll take you on as a detective? Might be in for a demotion.”
Everything Williams said made sense. However, Jared wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t about to demand Carmen be the one to move. Although she could work from anywhere, it wasn’t fair to assume she’d leave her family. It would be hard for him to move to Georgia, but he planned to propose and it would be lame to do so and then ask that she leave everything.
“I’ll have to take a chance. Not sure how else to go about this.” Jared leaned back in his chair at the station. “This long distance shit is for the birds. Only a month and it’s killing me.”
Someone walked by pulling a drunk by the arm. The man smelled as if he’d taken a dump in his pants and Williams gagged. “Take him to the shower area,” he called out after the cop who replied with a middle finger.
He then turned back to Jared. “What about the festival? Has it been decided who’s going to do it next year yet?”
“No. Molly keeps hemming and hawing over it and I’m waiting for her decision. In a way I don’t want to do it, but then I think of all the memories and how it can be a tradition for our kids.”
“Yeah.”
“Bowden, Williams, come ̓ere,” the captain called and they rushed to find out what their next assignment would be.
* * *
He stood by a column at the Missoula airport and waited for Carmen to appear. Finally after Jared began to wonder if she’d made it, he spotted the head of curls and her bright smile. His chest expanded and he rushed to envelop her in a bear hug. She giggled, but didn’t protest. Thankfully, she only brought a carry-on, so they could go straight to his truck and leave.
“You look different,” Carmen said inspecting him. “Haircut and a bit thinner. Did you stop eating or something?”
It was hard to explain that lack of appetite was one of the side effects of her leaving and returning to Georgia. Even his mother had begun asking him to come over on the weekend, so she could try to feed him.
“I’ve been working out a bit more, so I guess it’s been burning up extra calories.” It was true, he did hit the gym in an effort to distract himself. It didn’t help that work was slow and even Henry, who’d been spending more time at the VFW, didn’t need him as much.
“You’re still the hottest man I’ve ever met.” Carmen leaned over and her tongue darted out. She licked up the side of his neck and nipped his ear. “Perfect.”
And now he wasn’t sure how to keep from pulling over and yanking all her clothes off. “Thanks.” He grinned. “Mom wants us to come for supper tonight. I hope that’s okay.”
“Sounds perfect.” Carmen checked her watch
. “We have the entire day to do stuff. What do you want to do?” She gave him a mock innocent look complete with batting of lashes.
Jared laughed. “Is that all you think about?”
“Pretty much.”
Of course he wasn’t hard to convince, and they passed the next couple of hours wearing nothing but smiles. He sighed as Carmen snuggled against him. “I’m staying a week this time.” Her husky voice made him inhale. How he enjoyed the sound of it. The silkiness of her skin was another detractor he’d fought against when his mind returned to it over and again while she was gone.
“Carmen, we need to talk,” Jared said, his heartbeat immediately picking up.
Perfectly impersonating Dracula rising from his coffin, Carmen was up and standing next to the bed. “You’d better not break up with me right after sex. I will find your service piece and unload it.”
He couldn’t help finding the humor in the situation. “You’re going to shoot me?”
Carmen rolled her pretty eyes. “No, but I’ll shoot up everything in this room.”
Admittedly, he’d started the conversation off wrong. On second thought, perhaps he’d wait and propose fully dressed. The ranch would make a good backdrop, and he could ask his mother to take a picture or something. Damn he was turning into a mushy bastard.
Fingers snapping got his attention. Carmen had yanked on her panties and was now fastening her bra. “Talk. What is it?”
He sat up and was glad he’d been working out when her gaze traveled down his chest to his flat stomach.
“On second thought, we can talk later. I’m considering how to see each other more often.”
“I don’t believe you.” Carmen’s eyes narrowed. “You’re up to something. Is it that woman Carol?”
“Cassandra?”
“Whatever. You’re on and off again relationship hootchie.”
He chuckled. “No, I haven’t spoken to her since she walked up to the table that one night.”
“Hmmm.”
They finished dressing; the entire time Jared kept kissing Carmen as she remained annoyed. It was wrong, but he enjoyed it tremendously. Damn he was in deep.
