He undid her jeans.
"Hey,” she laughed.
"This is what you wanted?"
"In the barn?"
"Why not?"
"It's cold, that's why,” she sassed, laughing.
"We'll leave most of our clothes on."
"We can do that?"
He pushed her jeans down. They fell off easily due to their extra roominess.
"God, honey, you're beautiful,” he said, replacing the jeans with his wonderful hands. He followed with his lips, stringing kisses all over the place.
"Oh, my,” she gasped in response. “Reese."
At the sound of his name his hands flexed on her behind, smoothing, molding.
Her pulse soared, her breathing rasped and she moaned softly, pleading.
One of his hands slid forward in one stoke. She cried out and opened her stance. He went down on his knee. “Ashley,” he whispered against her, warming her, inciting her.
"So sweet,” he said.
"Don't make me wait,” she demanded. She yearned for him.
He laughed. “Tell me, love."
"I want all of you. Now."
He chuckled. “A little longer. You must be ready for me."
"I've been ready for two days, darn it."
"Oh, God,” he said. “Hold me, love."
She freed him from his jeans and wrapped her hand around his manhood.
"I didn't mean hold me there, love."
"Why not?” She drew him to her by his manhood.
"Hell, I don't know.” He surrendered and pulled her to him. Standing, he impaled her softness.
She cried out, “Reese, Reese."
Lifting her, Reese moved her up and down, side to side.
"I can't take...” she began, then moaned low. He felt the fine contractions as she clasped him to her. That was all he needed to follow her to ecstasy. She was right, it had been too long.
Quaking waves of orgasm took them both at the same time.
"Reese!"
"Ash."
* * * *
The fifth morning, they were up early working on sanding the old kitchen baseboards when the chopper went over. In silence, they went to the window to watch.
Reese swore, but his eyes were contemplative. He went back to sanding the woodwork after one last glance at the machine which was just dipping under silver strands of high-tension power lines.
"What are you thinking?” she asked.
"That maybe I could find an anti-aircraft gun...."
"You don't mean that."
"As long as they stay up in the air. Do you have the back-up files from your project?"
"Well, no, there didn't seem.... “She blushed. “...not a thing to bring on a honeymoon."
"No. But we aren't on a normal honeymoon are we? It might be good insurance to have something with us."
"Yes, I think you could be right. Insurance."
"Let's make a trip to Braxton."
He grabbed her hand and led her from the house.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Twenty Six
After the brief and fruitless visit with Braxton's incompetent new chief of security, Reese and Ashley headed down the hall to her office to gather computer files to take with them.
She observed from Reese's stony expression he was not one bit satisfied with the answers he got from Braxton.
"Well, he was evasive,” Ashley said as they walked.
"Damn right. I don't like the feel of this situation."
When Ashley unlocked her office door, she gasped in shock. The room was turned upside down. No attempt had been made to be covert this time. Her personal computer was stripped and toppled onto the floor in a heap of broken plastic and frayed wiring.
"Oh no,” she whispered.
"Damn, damn,” Reese whispered harshly.
"Why would they do this?"
"My guess would be they ruined the machine in a fit of anger after failing to get what they wanted from it. Stay there."
Reese grabbed a large Ohio State umbrella she kept by the door. Holding it like a weapon he searched the storage closet and under the desk.
"Yes, the safety precautions I put in place wouldn't have allowed them access."
"Do you have files backed-up?” Reese asked.
"Yes, I do. Of course. I hid them."
"Get them. Fast. The scum are getting desperate. They're out in the open now. They're likely watching our every move. Need to be quick. Have to get you out of here fast. I'll watch the door.” The predator in Reese's nature surfaced fully. His silver eyes glittered with unholy anger.
Ashley moved past a tall filing cabinet and then knelt to open a floor safe door. Hastily she removed her hidden discs.
"Got them,” she announced.
"Let's head for the airport, then."
"Reese, I realize you're trying to protect us. And I thank you. I'm relieved I didn't have to face the stark violence of what remains of my office alone. But...."
"But?"
"But, you go too fast and take too much for granted."
He clasped the back of her neck, his hand so firm it almost hurt. “You bet I do. In this case, speed can save your life. I won't let you end up as broken as your laptop."
She reached to the hand at her neck, stroking his fingers in a calming motion. “Hard earned grant money paid for my computer. The fastest and most versatile model available. Brand new. What a terrible waste."
"A small sacrifice for your life.” He clenched and unclenched his big hands as if he'd like to throttle the bad guys. “If they'd gotten to you.... Hell, I don't want to think about it."
* * * *
"Where are you taking me now?” Ashley demanded to know when Reese had her safely cocooned inside the sleek fuselage of his Texas neighbor's private jet.
Ashley smiled a wry smile. “I miss having some say in my travels."
He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “I always meant to show you San Antone, darlin'. A good place to hide you for a few days."
God, when he'd seen the state of her office, his heart had nearly stopped in his chest. Worry for her burned in his chest.
"Is it?"
Her eyes looked cautious. She wasn't used to turning her life over to a man. He didn't want to push her too hard. He took a deep breath, relieved to have her safely at thirty-thousand feet in the air. At last he could get some rest.
"Yeah, pretty good sized town,” he answered. “We can melt in. Disappear until we know how serious these dudes are. I'll have you all to myself. Your undivided attention.” He gave her a grin. The past week, he'd grown used to having a wife handy, day and night. Leaning back in the seat and folding his arms behind his head, Reese prepared to sleep during the long flight.
"Tired?” she asked.
He nodded. “For one reason and another I haven't slept a lot lately."
"Sleep now. I'll guard you this time,” she teased.
He grinned, “I appreciate that, babe."
"Darn it, I forgot to call Braxton."
"I left a message informing the top management of Braxton that you would be off the project until your questions were satisfactorily answered."
She lifted a brow, then smiled. “Thanks."
He opened one eye. “Don't mention it."
"Will we see Mandy? She's at the ranch, right?"
"Safer to let her be, I expect. Leave her at the ranch,” he said. “Clay will guard her as if she is his daughter."
"I know he will. Still, I'm relieved to know we're closing ground between us and Mandy. You'll take me to her?"
"If it's safe to do so,” he hedged. “The ranch is only a three hour drive from San Antonio."
She turned her gaze out the window to a navy blue sky that stretched into a red sheet of horizon. They were chasing the sun, a sun that was sinking fast into the west. Darkness would soon cover the landscape below them.
"Good,” she said, apparently satisfied for now.
"
You okay?” Reese noticed Ashley's thoughtful expression. He realized he'd never asked if she liked to fly. Maybe it frightened her. They'd not flown together before. Beside this crate was pretty small.
"Do you like flying?” he continued.
"I'm good. Yes, I do,” she said without hesitation. “I love it, in fact. I suppose it would get old if I flew everyday.” She shrugged. “I really love the moment when the plane breaks free from the earth and lifts to the sky,” she whispered. “And the landing, when I feel the backward surge as the engines reverse is nice, too."
She smiled a shy smile at what her enthusiasm had revealed. He smiled back. Relieved, he could see that she did enjoy the experience.
"This one is quite small, the experience is enhanced."
His Ashley embraced flying with the same enthusiasm she did every other aspect of life. How had he ever expected her to live without children? Selfish bastard. But damn it why hadn't she talked to him, made him see her side of things?
He took her hand in his. “Spoken like a true scientist, lady. I've always enjoyed flying, too."
He would use the next few days wisely. He'd show her she could love him. And he would find the courage to ask her to let him love her, Reese vowed.
From his seat beside her, her new husband smiled one of his brilliant smiles, winked at her, then closed his eyes to sleep. Ashley was as entranced by the smile as the white-cotton blanket of clouds below them.
She wasn't sleepy. She'd brought work with her, plenty to keep her busy. She should get to it, but for now she was content to enjoy the presence of the man in the seat beside her.
Remembering other times in the early days she'd flown to Texas, alone, anticipating her first glimpse of this same man at the journey's end, she smiled. Each of the hand full of times early in their relationship he'd been there, waiting at the gate for her. She'd been coming to him. Perhaps that colored her positive view of flying.
* * * *
Three hours later, Ashley and Reese walked from San Antonio's street level down to the historic Riverwalk. They'd set out after checking in and stowing their luggage in their hotel room, a room in a hotel that boasted having once served Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders as well as being a short walk to the Alamo.
Ashley saw that Reese was pleased to share with her the city that every Texan thought of as a second home. He'd spoken to her of this beautiful city before. And she'd expected to like it, to enjoy the sights of a city new to her—a city many called one of the truly special cities in the country.
She'd expected to like it, yes, but she hadn't expected to love it. She hadn't expected to love it with a deep and primitive love of home and place.
As soon as her feet touched the stone path of the Riverwalk, she'd felt the life of the river, embraced lovingly by the man-made walls along the banks, a marriage of man and nature like she'd seen no where else.
As they walked along the pathways, she was conscious of Reese's proprietary hand at the small of her back. She felt the warmth of his body as the walk narrowed at times, as comforting as the warm sun on her face.
"You like it here?” Reese tested her she thought. Instinct told her he wanted her to like San Antonio and knew he would feel it too sharply if she didn't love this place as he did.
"I do indeed."
"Many people come here and see no magic. They see the food, the shops, the Irish bar, and the jazz band, but not the life's blood of the river."
"It's as though the place lives and breathes,” she whispered, echoing his feelings.
"You see it, too. The best of man and environment interaction is here,” he said. “Allowing the river to live and to breathe.” He smiled, a little awkwardly, self-conscious of what he had shared.
She went up on tip toes and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.
With a low growl, he joined her in the kiss, taking her lips, drawing her to him and deepening it.
Abruptly, as if remembering they were not alone, he stopped the kiss and led her back in the direction of their hotel.
Another time they would sing in the Irish bar and listen for a time to the jazz band and sample the food in the restaurants, but not today.
As they walked back to their hotel, Reese was damned if he knew why it was so important to him that Ashley had said she loved San Antonio, but it was.
A vision flashed into his mind. He saw them living here as an elderly couple. Holding hands and strolling by this river. He smiled, liking this particular Peacewatcher premonition a lot and hoping against hope he could allow that future path to happen for them.
* * * *
On the morning of their third day in San Antonio, Ashley and Reese returned from breakfast to find the red message light on the phone flashing.
So far, there had been no news from the director of Braxton Institute.
The message was from Clay. It said simply, ‘Urgent. Call home'. His brother, being a straightforward man, believed words were for utility and few of them at that.
"Mandy? Do you think ... there's something wrong with Mandy?"
"I'm sure she's fine, hon,” Reese said as he dialed, but his heart sped. Clay was not one to use the phone without good reason.
"What's up?” Reese asked when his brother's voice came on the line. Ashley sat on the edge of one of the beds looking at him with large, worried eyes. He expected the usual disasters and small wars associated with ranching. In fact, it was about time his brother got around to calling for a bit of advice.
What he got was something different altogether.
"The kid,” Clay began with no preliminaries.
"Mandy?” Reese interrupted, his voice becoming hard edged at the thought that something might really be wrong with his beautiful little girl.
Across from him, obviously listening to his side of the conversation, Ashley's hand went to her throat
He tried in a split second to reassure her with his eyes. The fiercely maternal look in her eyes seemed to say she'd hold him responsible if his high-handed decision to move the child had led to harm.
"Yes."
"Is she hurt?"
"No. Hell, no, she's not hurt,” Clay answered.
Clearly Clay's first experience as an Uncle was not going smoothly. Reese sat down heavily on the bed, relieved Mandy wasn't hurt. He smiled at Ashley who was now standing close, trying to glean any clues. Her obvious relief at his reassuring smile was pitiful.
He covered the receiver and said, “She's fine, not hurt.” He reached for her hand. “I think it's Clay who's in trouble,” he whispered.
"What's she done?” he asked, then continued, “Dropped Josie's antique china on the kitchen floor?” Reese had noticed Mandy had a considerable talent for breaking dishware. He knew Josie on the warpath could strike fear in the heart of any male, his brother was no exception. Josie guarded the supplies of her domain with her life.
"No, not yet. What she did was threaten me with Great-Great Granddaddy's Civil War saber. The little monster stacked herself a furniture ladder and got the weapon down off the wall. Then she came to me—I was minding my own business reading the paper—she threatened to use it on me."
"The old saber?” Reese asked in disbelief. He supposed he had a lot more to learn about the industriousness of a small child.
"Yeah, the old soldier would've been proud of her,” his brother laughed, beginning to enjoy the telling now that he had passed the responsibility on to Reese.
She said, ‘she hated to do it, but she needed to get my ‘tention'
"What the hell did she threaten you for?” Reese's own voice was serious and hard again. Ashley's face had gone pale with worry and puzzlement.
"What? What?” she asked.
He tried again to reassure her with his eyes as Clay went on.
"Wanted to know what we'd done with her mommy."
"I'll be damned."
"Yeah, right,” Clay said. “Your daughter is demanding to see you."
"Mandy wants to see you.” Reese spok
e to Ashley, reluctant to offer the news about the big, sharp weapon. “We'll be there as soon as we can, Clay."
"I hoped you'd say that,” Clay said, relief in his tone. “I have no idea what to say to her."
"Just tell Mandy her mother will be there shortly. Maybe that will hold her off you until we get there. We'll rent a car and drive. Be there in about three to four hours."
"Right. Funny,” came from his brother.
After he hung up, Reese had a moment to regret that three days had passed and he hadn't yet gotten Ashley to tell him she loved him.
His time alone with her had just ended.
* * * *
As the miles of I-10 to Houston passed the car window, Ashley thought of their days in San Antonio. She felt they had approached a new level in their relationship, a closeness and understanding that they'd not before now shared. If she and Reese could've spent just a little more time alone in the city so perfect for lovers.
"You look sad."
"It's funny. I'll miss San Antonio. I don't think I've ever missed a city before.” She smiled over at him. A quizzical little smile.
"San Antone is special, honey, a lot of people feel that way. I sure do."
"I'd like to return some day."
"Sure.” Reese remembered the vision he'd had as they walked in San Antonio. Her words dovetailed with that well, implied a future for them. Hope. Something he wasn't at all confident they were going to have as a couple.
A few weeks ago he'd felt as if the foundation of his life had been hit by an earthquake. The one thing that came of it was his determination to keep this woman by his side at all costs.
Even the ranch work that had been his life came second to Ashley. Besides he wouldn't have to give up the work to keep her happy. He could breed and train horses in Ohio. Sometimes a man had to work and sacrifice for what he wanted. Nothing new there.
The land and even his considerable Caldwell pride were unimportant when compared to his new family.
Soon, the landscape beyond the rental car window signaled the closeness of the only home he'd ever known. Reese wondered if he could really walk away for good.
As they turned in through the dual tubular steel gates barring the gravel driveway and on to the Triple C homestead, Ashley sighed with relief. She watched as Mandy, dressed in a black and pink playsuit, ran across the drive to greet them.
The Horseman's Heritage Page 21
