“You killed for me,” Lizzie gulps. “You’re bleeding!”
“And I’d do it again in a heartbeat,” I tell her. I place a sweet, soothing kiss on her lips before finding a phone in the jeep, and calling for help.
Chapter 10~Lizzie
I’m bruised, battered, and shaken, but alive. Jack is my hero. I know for sure now that he will risk his life for me. My heart beats only for him.
Jack is being questioned. I’m finished with it. They tell us that the fat guy is giving up the names the Marshalls need to bring in the entire crew in exchange for medical care, and a lighter sentence. Joey, and his crew will never harm another person. Once the trial ends, I can return to my previous life, but I’m not sure that’s what I want at all.
Jack steps out of the tiny room the Marshalls use for questioning. He’s tired. I can see it in his eyes. His arm is bandaged, but the blood is seeping through. He needs to have the wound cleaned by a professional. He’s too stubborn, though, so I’ll do what I can.
“Let’s go home, darlin’,” he drawls, and makes my knees go weak.
Home? Yes, the ranch feels like home to me. My cowboy feels like home. “Gladly,” I reply.
Jack wraps his good arm around me, and we head out of the depressing building. We need to be alone with each other to get past what we’ve been through over the last several hours.
We’re quiet in the backseat of the squad car that takes us to the ranch. We simply sit, and cling to each other. Once in a while, Jack places a kiss on the top of my head, and I look up into his eyes and see the worry that remains there. I’m safe, so I know the worry has nothing to do with me. It must be about the damage to the ranch, his injured men, and whether or not all the animals survived the rampage.
The blackened ruins of the barn come into view, and even with the windows rolled up we can smell the still smoldering ashes. Tears roll down my face, and I stammer, “I’m so sorry, Jack. I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do to save the barn.”
“It’s okay, baby. You saved the horses despite your fear of fire, and you’re alive. That’s all that matters,” Jack says as he hugs me tight.
“The men! Are they okay?” I finally remember to ask.
“Hank called the Marshalls to give me a message. The men are in the hospital. The wounds aren’t deadly. They’re resting comfortably, and will receive a big bonus from me. It’s because of them that there wasn’t more accelerant on the barn to make it burn faster,” he explains.
Hank opens the car door for us, and starts giving us an update. “The horses are fine. They’re a bit skittish, but that will pass. I put them in the small barn for now. As soon as the investigation is over the fire is finished, we’re all set to rebuild. The cats made a home on the porch. I hope you don’t mind.”
Jack holds up a hand to stop the chatter. “We’ll talk later, Hank. Leave us be for now.”
Inside the house, I insist on checking Jack’s arm. He argues that he needs a shower first. He’s right, and I need one too. I’ve forgotten how dirty I am. My worry has been for Jack, and his has been for me. What a pair we are!
He takes my hand, and leads me to the bathroom. “No! Jack, you go first,” I insist.
“Together,” he commands, with a sexy grin.
Our filthy clothes hit the floor, and we sigh as the hot water streams over our exhausted bodies. I grab the soap, and start rubbing it over Jack. I feel his cock rise to attention as my hands roam over his muscular body. Nothing keeps a good man down!
His tongue delves deep into my mouth, and dances with my tongue. My soapy hand finds his stiff member, and gives it a squeeze. Jack groans, bites my lip, and covers my wayward hand with his own.
“Move faster, sweet thing,” he says, and guides my hand in the rhythm he prefers.
I love the way he feels in my hand. He’s hard, long, thick, and warm. Each stroke makes him pulse. It’s not long before his cock comes to life, and it’s difficult to hang on as it convulses. Hot liquid spills over my hand, and splatters my belly.
Jack growls, and drops to his knees. Before I know it, my legs are spread wide, and his fingers are moving inside me. His mouth covers my mound, and his hot tongue is playing with my clit; licking, sucking, and nibbling.
I can’t breathe as the pressure builds. It’s almost too much to bear, yet it feels so good.
“Come for me, cowgirl. I need my Lizzie’s version of fine whiskey,” Jack demands.
His words send me over the top. My hot walls clench tightly. The pulses send warm liquid pouring over his fingers, and down my thighs. Jack laps it up in a way that makes the orgasm begin again. By the time he’s done, I’ve come three times, and can’t stand on my own.
Jack has a cure for that issue. Even though it must cause his injured arm great pain, he lifts me up. “Wrap your legs around me, and guide me inside your pussy, darlin’.”
Enthusiastically, I obey. Jack’s cock fills me all the way to my womb. I rock against him, and he smiles. “This is where I belong. This is home,” he says, and I know I’ll never be able to let him go. I love this man so much.
I wrap my arms around his neck, and hang on for the ride. I sob his name as we come together. His seed fills me with warmth, and love. He’s right. This is where he belongs. I shatter around his thick cock, then go limp.
Chapter 11~Jack
The trial is rough on Lizzie. She’s sobbing on the stand as she tells the story of watching the man burn to death. She chokes on the words when she mentions his screams, and completely loses it over remembering the smell of burning flesh.
“That’s enough!” I shout into the courtroom. “Don’t make her do this anymore.”
The judge pounds his gavel, and orders, “Quiet in the courtroom, or we’ll drag you out of here!”
“Your honor,” the prosecutor says, “Can’t we let her off the stand. We’ve got the recording in evidence. Can’t you see that this is killing her?”
“Pictures don’t tell the whole story. They don’t give us the screams, or the smell. Finish the testimony,” the judge replies.
Joey is smirking from his seat, and I want to kill him right there in front of everyone. A trial is too good for his sorry ass. He should be dead just like the ugly man I shot.
My heart aches for Lizzie, and there’s nothing I can do to help her. She stares into my eyes for courage, and finishes her testimony. I’m so proud of my cowgirl. She’s stronger than she thinks.
I reach into my pocket, and rub my finger over the tiny box inside it. The ring inside is for Lizzie. I can’t allow her to go back to Michigan. I want her with me; forever.
My hand brushes hers as we trade places. It’s my turn to tell about what Joey did to my partner. He’ll finally pay for my friend’s death.
Joey is convicted, and will never see daylight again. I wish this were Texas, so he’d get the death penalty, but I’ll have to be content with him dying in prison. The ringleaders will face court next, including the big boss. After I apprehended the four on my ranch, they gave up the names of the rest. This mess ends with us.
***
Lizzie asks to return to the ranch instead of remaining in the hotel room the Marshalls paid for. I oblige because she’s been through more than anyone should have to. I have called ahead, and asked a favor of Hank. He’s setting up a surprise for my cowgirl.
In the glow of the security lights, I can see that progress has been made on the new barn. The ground is cleared of debris, and the foundation is done. There are walls to be raised when the sun rises on a new day. The cats are roaming over the foundation, seemingly picking out a spot to make their home.
I don’t lead Lizzie to the house. Instead, I take her to the corral behind it. Fairy lights cover the fencing. A table is set for two outside the gate, and our horses are watching us as we approach.
“What’s all this?” Lizzie asks in wonder.
“This is for you,” I say. “Thunder and Blaze want to say thanks for saving them.”
> “That’s so sweet. How did they tell you they wanted this?” she asks with laughter in her voice.
“Just like moms can tell the difference in their baby’s cries, I can tell what their neighs mean,” I answer with a straight face. However, the look she gives me has me bursting out laughing.
Thunder adds to the moment by whinnying, and we both crack up.
On the table is a bowl with apples, and we feed them to the appreciative horses, who truly do thank Lizzie by rubbing their heads on her shoulder. She no longer pulls away from them. She’s grown used to their affection, and that of the other animals on the ranch. The animals love her, as do I.
I pull out her chair, and she sits. Her gaze runs over the offerings, which include steak, a salad, and her favorite apple pie. Before she gets busy eating, I fall onto one knee, and begin my proposal.
“My darlin’ cowgirl,” is all I get out before the tears start falling from her beautiful green eyes. “I think I fell in love with you as you stepped out of Dave’s rental car. I know I gave you my heart under the tree at the river. I don’t want it back. I actually need you to keep it safe for me the rest of our lives. Thunder, and Blaze agree with me. You can’t leave. We love you more than life, and would give our own for you. Please, cowgirl, say you’ll marry me, and live here forever.”
“I do love you, Jack. I want to stay; I really do. But, what about my job, and you’re constant risk of death with the U.S. Marshall’s? I’ll be terrified every time you leave,” Lizzie replies.
I know that argument is coming, and I’m ready for it. “I’m already semi-retired from the Marshalls. I’m starting to make a good living off the ranch, so I’ll make the retirement official. The book you are writing is captivating. It’ll get published, I’m sure. That’s how you can make a living, sweet thing. Keep writing, and help me here. We’ve got a charmed life ahead of us. Don’t think about anything else except how we are together. Marry me, baby. Please!”
Lizzie’s eyes light up, and she smiles. I think I’ve convinced her, but I really need to hear her say it out loud. She understands me like no one else, and answers, “Wherever you are is home to me. I love you, cowboy. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
We don’t eat. Instead we head inside for a few hours to seal our love with kisses, and more…. well, you know!
Chapter 12~Epilogue
Five Years Later
Lizzie
“Hold on tight,” Jack tells our son, James. “Kick your feet against the pony’s belly, and he’ll start moving.”
James is four. He is learning to ride the pony Jack bought for his birthday. His giggles, and squeals prove his delight in the choice of present.
Jack is almost as happy as our son seems to be. He glances my way, and laughs when he notices Lily, who’s one and a half, toddling after the cats. Each time she gets her little fingers in their fur, they run away leaving her giggling with a handful of hair.
The ranch is more prosperous than ever. We’ve hired more ranch hands to help us, and added horse breeding to our many duties. They’re multiplying faster than our little family. Although, I have a secret I haven’t shared with Jack yet. We’ll be adding another baby this winter. It’s the consequence of not being able to keep our hands off each other for very long.
I’m happier than I’ve ever imagined possible. I’ve published two books, and they’re best sellers. Now, I’m writing a fiction novel about how Jack, and I met. It’s been long enough for me to get past the horror of what Joey did, and I can guarantee my cowboy’s heroic story will get me lots of sells, especially if he agrees to pose for the cover. No female will be able to resist that ass in a tight pair of jeans.
“Me ride,” Lily states as she tugs on my shirt.
“Okay, baby,” I reply, picking up the red-headed miniature version of me. James looks like his dad, so he’ll be a heartbreaker when he gets older.
“Lily wants a try,” I say as we enter the corral.
“Anything my ladies want, they shall get,” Jack says with a wink. He lifts his daughter from my arms, and swings her into the air. She squeals just as he knew she would. She has her daddy wrapped around her tiny finger.
As he sits Lily on the pony in front of her big brother, and orders our son to help her hold on, he leans over and plants a juicy kiss on my eager lips.
“You’re glowing, cowgirl. What’s up?” he asks.
“I just can’t get over how happy we are, and how much we still love each other. We met under some awful circumstances, but we’re past it. How did such horror, and terrible death lead to this?”
Jack circles all three of us with his arm, and states, “We were meant to be, darlin’. That’s all that matters. We would have found each other no matter what. It just happened sooner than we expected, and I’m grateful for it. I love you too much to care how we met.”
“Do you love me enough to pose for the cover of my book wearing your tightest jeans, and going shirtless?” I ask with a leer.
“What??!” Jack shrieks.
“You heard me, cowboy. I want my book to sell, and your ass will get it done. Will you do it for me?” I beg, fluttering my eyelashes at my dear husband.
“Only if you make it worth my time,” he replies.
“Anything for you, darlin’,” I mimic his favorite phrase.
“Let’s spend some time in our bed making another baby,” he answers while pinching my butt.
“Too late, sweetheart. You already made that happen,” I explain with a grin.
Jack looks stunned by my confession. Then, he sweeps me off my feet, and throws his hat in the air. I think he’s happy. I certainly know I am, and will be for the rest of my life.
More Books By Scarlett Winters:
Mountain Man Guardian is FREE
Counter Terrorism: Alpha Agency Protectors 2
Outlaw: Alpha Agency Protectors 3
Ice Princess: Alpha Agency Protectors 4
Coming soon!
Accidental Wedding: Alpha Agency Protectors 6
North Side Kings Series
Driver
Racer
Jumper
Surfer
Fighter
Family
Cowboy Bodyguard (Alpha Agency Protectors Book 5) Page 4
