Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2)

by Powers, Paige

  Brent cracked the reigns and directed the horse to park in front of the sheriff's home.

  "We have arrived."

  Brent exited the wagon first and then walked around to Lily, holding out his hand so that she could descend from the wagon.

  "Thank you," she replied with a smile.

  "I hope you enjoy yourself this evening, meeting my son and the two people here in Owen's Bluff that serve as my family."

  Brent led her to the door, opening it, and allowing them to enter.

  "Oh, my goodness. Samuel, they are here." Sarah met the two of them at the door.

  "Sarah, this is Lily Sanchez. Lily, this is Miss Sarah."

  The two women smiled at each other warmly and gave each other a hug. They began talking as if they had known one another forever.

  "And here is my little guy. Adam, meet Miss Lily. Lily, this is Adam." Brent grabbed Adam and swung him around before giving him a huge hug. The happiness on Adam's face lit a fire from within for Brent.

  "Hello, Miss Lily. Papa, she's pretty."

  Everyone laughed at Adam's frankness.

  "I love a man that can give compliments. A man after my own heart," Lily joked.

  "And you know Sheriff Dyer."

  Lily looked over to the sheriff.

  "Miss Sanchez. It is a pleasure to see you again."

  "Please. Call me Lily. And thank you so much for having me to your home."

  The night was light and everyone was at ease with one another. It was just the kind of night that Brent needed. Good food and drinks with good company. By the time he took Lily home, Adam had fallen asleep and Sarah convinced Brent to leave Adam there for the night and to just pick him up the next day after work.

  Brent thanked the Sheriff and Sarah for all of their hospitality and left to take Lily home.

  "I truly enjoyed myself tonight. Thank you for inviting me, Brent."

  "I enjoyed your company, Lily. And I think you have a new admirer," he joked.

  Lily laughed. "Your son is precious. You two are very lucky to have each other."

  "I know. He is a treasure."

  "Speaking of treasures, can I show you something?"

  Brent looked over at Lily. "What did you have in mind?"

  Lily gave him directions and Brent followed as he was told. They came to a clearing and a small lake.

  "Wow. I did not know this was back here. Actually, I had no clue that there was any water anywhere around here."

  The moonlight's reflection sparkled on the surface of the water. The sound of the crickets filled the air as they approached the shore of the lake.

  "It's one of my favorite places to be. So quiet and serene."

  She looked up at him with those round, doe like eyes and he almost melted. He helped her out of the wagon.

  Once down, she took him by the hand and led him over to the water's edge.

  "I often wonder what leads us to one another. Why we cross paths with the people that we do. I believe that when we cross paths with people that we are meant to find, it feels like we have known them forever because it is divine."

  Brent listened to her reasoning and wondered where she was going with her thoughts.

  "I feel as though we have crossed paths for a reason, Brent. What do you think?"

  She stared at him with a longing in his eyes that made him want to say yes to anything that she asked.

  Taking her hand in his, he responded. "I think that life throws us these loops and curves and we have to have the ability to go with it. Love what you have and appreciate those things or else you really don't deserve them."

  He pulled her close to him. The moonlight shone on her, illuminating the gorgeous woman.

  "I like to be in the moment and enjoy where I am. Right now, I am in the company of a beautiful woman that makes my heart truly skip a beat."

  Brent leaned her face up to his, gently brushing her lips with his. She was open to the kiss and returned the gesture. Passion was obvious and necessary all at the same time.

  Their clothes were simply in the way. The desire in Brent grew to an intensity he had not felt in a long time. In that instant, he wanted to devour Lily, but she was a delicate flower and he wanted her to know how much he adored her.

  They melted right there. Sinking to the ground, they made love there at the shore of the lake, under the moonlight.

  Every touch, every sound, they were in tune with one another. He wanted more, to have her with him forever. But it was too much too soon. Or was it?

  When they were spent, they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms.

  "You know that a love like ours is forbidden in this town, don't you?"

  She planted soft kisses on his face as she allowed him to cradle her in his embrace.

  "Is that something that I should really worry about? I mean, your parents have survived all of this time."

  Lily began to dress herself. "My parents have met with serious adversity. It is not the type of situation that I would wish on my worst enemy. They love each other and make it work despite what the rest of the world says. I'm not sure it is something that you can handle."

  Brent stood up, dressed in only his pants, his bare muscular chest visible.

  "Why don't you let me tell you what I can handle?"

  He pulled her to him, tasting her lips, leaving her breathless.

  "I think you will find out sooner or later. I would hate for our relationship to cause problems for you as a Ranger, and as a father to Adam."

  Brent shook his head. "Woman, why are you trying to get me to leave you alone? It does not make any sense. I'm right here, ready for you. Giving myself to you. I don't know what else you need."

  Lily looked out across the expanse of their surroundings. "Brent, I was born and raised here on this land. I know it well. I know its people well. And as sure as I know these things, I understand that things change as much as they stay the same."

  "I'm optimistic that we can air more on the side of things that change."

  She grasped his hands in hers. "As do I. But I'm also realistic that things just may stay the same."

  He kissed her hands. "I have to admit that I have fallen for you. And in my book, that means that I will fight for us, no matter what. Will you let me fight for us?"

  Lily looked her beau in the eyes. "I will."

  Chapter 5

  Brent had heard Lily loud and clear. He heard her apprehension toward being with one another, and he also heard the way her body responded to his touch.

  He was not sure which was louder. All he wanted was to be with her and he could not understand why it was something that she would fight.

  Times were becoming more turbulent. The Great War was in full swing, and fortunately, because he worked as a Ranger, he had not been called to fight. He loved his country and loved the Confederacy, but he loved his son more. He took his job as a Ranger seriously and realized that all of the work that he did as a Ranger helped to keep his community safe and was just as important as being a soldier in war.

  The people of Owen's Bluff seemed so pleasant. If there was any tension between the races, it was not overt and he preferred it that way. In South Carolina, it was blatant and for him and his family, it was not their belief and he certainly did not want to raise his son in that manner.

  He sent word back to his family that life in Texas was progressing well and he was happy with his decision to move. His mother sent word that she would be coming to visit soon enough.

  His relationship with Lily became about stolen kisses and trying to find time to be together and spend time with one another out of the public eye. Her parents had explained that was what was best and that until tensions lessened, they could love each other but in their own world and in their own space.

  Brent was willing to do whatever it took to be with Lily. At any cost. The feel of her skin against his was like fire. Her smile ignited his soul and he was sure after such a short time that he was in love with her.

  Al
l he wanted was for her to feel the same. He was mostly sure she did. But he did not want to pour his feelings on too thick, so he pulled back as much as he could. He did not want to run her away or make her use the apprehension she already had as the reason why she would not see him.

  Going to meet her at her booth at the market had become a habit and he knew that if he did not give her a bit of room, she may pull away from him for good. There was no way that he could let that happen.

  He decided that it was best that he wait a few days before he went by to see her. It had been almost a week since they made love by the moonlight at the lake. As far as he was concerned, it was a necessary means to an end. The passion had been become a boiling inferno between the two.

  The kisses, the touching, the flirting. It had all been too much to contain. He was, after all, a very simple man.

  But he was sympathetic to the fact that he did not know as much about Owen's Bluff as she obviously would. He did not know as much about this part of the country as she did. So as much as he did not want to, he had to admit that she was right and that they would not be able to be together in the way that he envisioned, at least for the moment.

  He would just have to settle for the borrowed time that they had gotten used to.

  *

  Adam was attending school and getting used to his new home. He had taken to Miss Sarah easily and insisted that she was happy to have someone to look after. Sheriff Dyer joked that her looking after Adam took a little of the nagging off of him.

  Brent had been promoted already and was looking forward to stepping up to new responsibilities. He was now able to send money home to his family to help out and the ability to do so filled him with pride.

  With all of the work he had been doing, he had not gone past the market in the mornings. He had not heard from Lily in a few days. He had already explained that his job responsibilities would pick up the pace and Lily knew that there would be days where they would not see each other.

  That morning, all Brent could think about was Lily. His plan was to walk past the gardens and pick some flowers for her and bring her something to eat. His heart swelled with emotion at the thought of seeing his love for the first time in days.

  As he approached the market, he waved good morning to some of the other vendors. He had gotten to know quite a few of the townspeople in his time as a Ranger. He was becoming more respected as opposed to being the new man in town that they gawked at.

  His horse stopped in front of Lily's booth. Brent dismounted and stood there for a moment. She would be along soon. Petting the horse, then straightening his collar and clothing, he busied himself waiting for her.

  "Good morning, Ranger Abbott."

  Brent turned around to see Mrs. Almand. She was the woman who sold nuts and berries in the space next to Lily.

  Brent tipped his hat. "A good morning to you as well, Mrs. Almand."

  The older woman smiled a sly grin. "You waiting for Lily?"

  "I am. I thought that I would come by and help her unload this morning."

  Nodding the woman replied, "Really? Is that the only reason that you come by?"

  "As a Ranger, it is my job to protect the citizens of Owen's Bluff. She asked for help from time to time. I oblige."

  "Well now, is that how you young people are courting nowadays?"

  She passed him a bag of nuts. "A little something for your travels today."

  "Thank you, Mrs. Almand." He was happy for the break in the conversation flow because he was not sure how to respond to the woman when she mentioned the fact that he and Lily were an item.

  Was it apparent to others? Maybe Lily had confided in the older woman. He would just have to ask her about it later.

  Brent rode off for the day. He had a list of assignments that would take him well into the evening. By the time he finished, it was late in the evening and the only thing that he wanted to do was go home to his son.

  Adam was fast asleep when Brent arrived. Miss Sarah picked the sleeping child up and passed him to his father. Brent was thankful that all he had to do was put Adam in the bed because he had been fed and bathed already for the night.

  With the fire crackling and a drink of whiskey in his hand, Brent's mind began to wander. He wondered what Lily was doing in that moment. He wondered how her day had been. It was too bad that he had not gotten the opportunity to see her. All he wanted was one kiss. One kiss would have made his day. He would have to try again tomorrow. Maybe he had been too early.

  He chuckled when he thought about Mrs. Almand. The woman had not wasted anytime discussing what she believed she saw. But she had not been wrong. Everyone could see the love in their eyes when they looked at one another.

  Brent drifted off to sleep with thoughts of his love comforting him.

  *

  "Adam, let's go. You have to eat breakfast a little faster."

  "Awe, Papa. You are always rushing off to work." Adam tapped his spoon against the side of his bowl.

  Brent ruffled his hair a bit. "I know, Son. Maybe one day I can take you with me."

  Adam perked up at the thought. "Do we get to catch those Indians?"

  "Well now, I just catch bad guys, no matter who they are."

  "And do you get to see the cowboys?" Adam asked, hyper and as if he did not even hear his father's first response.

  Brent laughed at his enthusiasm. Adam jumped up out of his chair and with his fingers, pretended he was shooting a pistol.

  "Whoa there, little one!" Brent scooped Adam up in his arms, as Adam giggled.

  His son threw his arms around his neck. "I love you, Papa."

  Brent hugged his as tightly as he could. "Son, I love you too."

  A knock at the door startled them both. Brent had no idea who it could be.

  "Who is there?"

  There was silence for a second. "Mr. Sanchez."

  Brent swung the door open to find a stout, brown skinned man standing before him with the eyes of his beloved Lily.

  Brent's heart was jumping out of his chest.

  "Mr. Sanchez. What can I help you with?"

  *

  "Hello, Brent. I come to see if you have seen my Lily."

  A look of confusion washed over Brent's face. "What do you mean? Sorry, excuse my manners. Please come in."

  Mr. Sanchez waved his hands and shook his head. "No. I do not plan to stay long. I think that maybe you saw my Lily recently."

  Brent looked back in the house and saw that Adam was finishing his breakfast. He stepped outside on to the porch and pulled the door closed a bit.

  "Mr. Sanchez. I'm not sure what you are saying. Are you saying that you have not seen Lily?"

  Lily's father simply nodded. His expression read frustration, confusion, and fear.

  "When is the last time that you saw Lily, Mr. Sanchez?"

  The man began to speak, his hands flying in the air to accent his speech. His English was broken at best, and with him being emotional, it was even harder to understand him, but Brent did the best that he could.

  "I see her last day before. She go to the market and come home. Like everyday. Yesterday, she no come home after leaving. I go to market and find that she no show up there either."

  Brent closed his eyes. Lily had not shown up to the market. That was the same day that he had gone to see her. Now he knew that she had never shown up.

  "Mr. Sanchez, do you have any idea where she could be? Did she say anything about wanting to leave or anything like that?"

  Brent found himself speaking slowly and in a louder tone as if that would clear the communication barrier that existed. Sheriff Dyer told him that he would have no choice but to learn Spanish living here.

  "No. And my wife and I think that maybe you can help us. You Ranger and you can help."

  "I will definitely help. Of course." Brent rested a reassuring hand on Mr. Sanchez's shoulder. The man nodded and his posture relaxed.

  "In the meanwhile, you go home. If she comes home, we want someone t
o be there to greet her. I will do everything in my power to make sure she comes home."

  "Thank you." Mr. Sanchez squeezed Brent's hand, and with a sigh and slumped shoulders, he walked away.

  Brent fell into the rocking chair on the porch. He had to replay the conversation that he just had over again. If it had not been for watching Mr. Sanchez walking away, he would not have believed it for himself.

  Lily was missing. Where could she have gone? Maybe she decided to take a sabbatical. But that would be unlike Lily to not let her parents know where she would be. They meant the world to her and he could not think of anywhere in Owen's Bluff where she would be hiding.

  She was, if nothing, a creature of habit. The only possible explanation Lily could think of was that Lily needed a break from reality. He was not sure why though. It seemed like her life was ideal as far as he was concerned. Her parents were wonderful and she seemed to have all the creature comforts that she needed. The more he thought about it, the more it did not seem feasible that she would just disappear and runaway.

  There was definitely something wrong and it was up to Brent to figure it out. He had given Mr. Sanchez his word and he would stand by it at all costs.

  *

  As soon as he dropped Adam off at school, Brent made it quickly to the Rangers office. He had to brief the sheriff immediately.

  "Sheriff, it seems we have a missing person case."

  "Tell me more." Sheriff leaned back in his chair and focused his attention on Brent as he chewed his tobacco.

  Brent briefed him on all that was going on with Lily. Sheriff listened intently.

  "Do you have any idea where she could be, Abbott?"

  "None, Sir."

  "Well now, she could have gone off by herself somewhere."

  "Her father is not sure where that could be."

  "A grown woman like that may have some personal business to take care of that she does not want to make others privy of."

  Through clenched teeth, Brent replied. "I'm not sure where that would be or why she would do something like that."