Guardian Angel

by Lise Fuller

  Jake pulled her to him. His engorged cock pulsated against her warm, moist center. She moaned again and cried his name.

  “Marie…” Jake pulled her head back gently. His eyes pierced hers with longing and some other deep emotion. “Don’t forget this.” His voice thickened with want and desire. “Please. Don’t ever forget.”

  He claimed her mouth as if tomorrow didn’t exist. The tip of his manhood grew heavy. It wavered against her sex and caressed the nub and the lips of her slick labia. The feel of him drove the desperate need within her.

  Panting, Marie bit the inside of her cheek as his sensual lips moved to her earlobe. His penis taunted her, teased as he eased the tip inside. The nerve endings in her pussy fired, ready for him.

  Then, as if Jake could wait no longer, he penetrated her. She groaned. Her body welcomed his. Marie bucked her hips upward to meet Jake’s urgent need. He pumped into her. Every stroke rose her higher, made her feel that they were as one. She had never felt so loved.

  Her desire exploded, sweetly. And as Jake rode her willing body, this time Marie etched the memory of the precious act and savored every moment.

  —

  Hardly a soul dotted the barren landscape, no buildings, not even an occasional animal. Bill Martin cussed as the snow fell thick and heavy, half blinding him. The lines on the road were indecipherable and the signs barely readable.

  A trucker flew by, trying to beat the worsened weather. Bill skidded to avoid him. He wiped his tepid brow and wondered if it had been a foolish plan to risk reaching Fort Bridger before dark. There was no place of comfort here, nowhere to pull off, and the last town was over thirty miles away.

  Another trucker flew by, as if the driver tried to catch the first semi that’d passed him. The rig disappeared into the whiteout. Bill turned the wipers a notch higher as the flakes whipped against the glass. The two trucks had been the only other vehicles on the road for the last ten minutes. He cursed the last man for throwing more snow in front of his vehicle. After he breathed a little easier, he turned on the radio to see if he could pick up a weather report. All he got was static and some country music station that would fade in and out.

  “Damn that bitch of a woman.” He snapped the fucking thing off. It was Marie’s fault he went through this. Bill pounded the steering wheel. He would make her pay big time for what he had to go through to get her. He kept score. For each inconvenience he suffered, he would mete out her punishment in trade.

  Bill chuckled at the thought. His dick jumped in his pants, eager. He forced himself to focus on the road. Oh yes. His revenge would be sweet.

  He flew by one green sign then another. Bill panicked. Had he missed his exit?

  He slowed as another sign came into view.

  Fort Bridger—28 miles.

  He relaxed in the seat. Almost there. Picking up speed, he hummed. Nothing could stop him now.

  From nowhere, red taillights appeared in the thickly falling snow.

  Bill slammed on the brakes. Glass shattered. He heard the loud screech of grinding metal.

  His vision faded. “Damn,” he cursed—before he lost consciousness.

  Chapter Twelve

  Time ticked by as Jim Douglas sat in his room and waited for Martin’s call. When seven o’clock came and went, he glanced out the window and figured the snow had delayed the man. He let the old curtain fall back into place and sat on the bed. He pulled his badge out of his back pocket then stared at the metal symbol for a while.

  He fingered the thing that had become his life. He’d been a federal officer for sixteen years now, survived two serious wounds and a disastrous marriage. He’d had his share of offers for promotions—mostly desk-jockey jobs designed to get someone ahead in the organization and allow the agent, in some form or fashion, to have a normal life. Those that required a pen and paper he’d turned down flat.

  He was good at his work. He still relished the excitement of bringing in the next Baby Face Nelson or Al Capone. His skill and experience made him the lead in this type of undercover work. His success in this operation would get him his next field promotion—the head of the branch office in Wyoming, a prized position for someone with his age and experience. But the post was still a desk-jockey job.

  Slim frowned. He seriously considered taking it. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger. He knew deep down even his old zeal for the work had lacked lately. He reached for a picture Katie had given him of herself. He thought maybe these new feelings had something to do with the flashy brunette.

  He recalled the previous night’s events with warm appreciation. She was a rare woman. He traced the outline of her face with his thumb and considered what it’d be like to come home to her every night. Maybe have a small child of their own. He snorted a bemused chuckle as he thought about the sheriff’s mischievous, tow-headed son. He liked the kid.

  Slim smiled at the face on the picture and fantasized about a life he’d never known. A strange warmth spread though him. The night he’d spent with Katie hadn’t been your typical one-night stand. He’d had a real heart-to-heart talk with her. Out of it all, he realized the woman wanted to have someone else in her life to care about too. She wanted at least one child and Jim wasn’t too old to give her that.

  He puffed a breath through his parted lips. After running from his father’s ranch so many years ago, Jim now had a deep longing to return to the life he once lived.

  He cleared his throat and blinked at the unusual moisture that had built up behind his lids. His Pa had died five years ago and left the ranch, a settlement in the family for generations, to the church. Apparently his old man figured Slim didn’t want any part of the spread, not with the work he did.

  Jim threw the wallet on the bed then looked through the window once again. The neon sign over the diner flashed in the cold darkness, a token of shelter in the remote place. Slim thought perhaps he’d sacrificed too much for his daily thrill. God knows, his ex-wife could only put up with his fetish for so long. He stared at the diner and wondered if a woman like Katie could put up with it a mite longer.

  As if on cue, the generous woman walked out the back of the restaurant to empty a small load of trash. He hoped she’d catch him watching. The lady had a tough exterior, mostly from having lived a hard life, but inside she had more love and caring than any woman he’d known. Katie was the kind of lady a man like him needed. The type who would stand by a man come hell or high water.

  “Damn, James,” he mumbled and shook his head at his musings. “Never thought it’d come down to this, did you.” He watched her go inside. “And just after one night. Hell,” he muttered and sat on the edge of the bed. “You want the woman.”

  Love hit him. He knew now how Sheriff Colder felt. The two men led empty lives. Yet the sheriff had found a woman who could change his—if she wasn’t guilty. Slim huffed. They’d be hard pressed to prove her innocence. Still, Marie didn’t seem like the type to steal the money and run.

  Slim felt sorry for the sheriff. It would be hard on him and the boy. They’d come to rely on Marie.

  His stomach rumbled and he glanced out the window again. If he took Marie in, he knew Katie would be lost to him too.

  Vaguely, he eyed the silent phone and hoped the truth would come out. He glanced at the ceiling, stared for a while then started to pray.

  “God, I know it’s been a real long time…”

  —

  The boy’s giggle tickled her ear as Marie awoke from her haze. The dark day had grown blacker. “What time is it?”

  She rolled over to find Jesse hovering across Jake’s bed. The boy stared into her face.

  “Where’s your father?” Her voice sounded raspy. She wiped her damp face before she sat up on her elbows.

  “He had to leave. The snow’s started up again and there’s been some more accidents.” Jesse stood tall. “Dad told me to keep an eye on you.”

  “Me?” She felt a little dizzy.

  The boy got on one knee and touched he
r head with the back of his hand. “He said you weren’t feelin’ so good.”

  She smiled at the boy-who-would-be-man. “Thank you, Jesse, but I’m fine now.”

  “You sure?” His brows knitted. “You don’t look so good. Gramps said he put a scare into you. He didn’t mean to, you know.”

  “I know.” She ruffled his hair. “At least, I think I know.” Her face contorted in puzzlement. “Is your grandfather here?”

  “Nope. Dad was purty upset. He and Gramps had words.” The boy’s face tightened with worry. “I can git ’em, if you want. Gramps, that is.” He abruptly got up and ran into the hallway to yell for Jake’s grandfather.

  “Jesse,” Marie called after him as a mist appeared in the room. “Je-Je-Jesse?” She shouted louder as the form congealed into Master Sergeant Thaddeus P. Colder.

  She gaped as the ghost stood in front of her. His gloved hands rested on his uniformed hips. He scowled. “Now, Miss Marie, don’t get upset agin’. I’m here to help.”

  “Gramps.” Jesse hurried back into the room then ran to the apparition and gave him a big hug. “It’s about time you showed. I was worried you’d left for good after you and Dad…”

  “Hush now, boy,” Gramps soothed. His voice even calmed Marie. He put his arm around Jesse. “Ain’t no fight between me an’ your Pa gonna break us up. We’re family.”

  Jesse smiled at the strange man. Comforted, the boy gave him another hug.

  “Now, son,” Gramps patted Jesse on the back. “Go git that dinner heated up yuh talked about. Marie needs somethin’ tuh eat.”

  “Okay.” Jesse eyed the older man with admiration then flew down the hall.

  “Marie.” Gramps’ attention turned to her. “We gotta talk. And this time,” he walked toward her, “yuh gotta listen.”

  Marie tightened the robe around her. “You…you’re a ghost.” Her throat felt scratchy as she swallowed.

  “That’s right.” He nodded once then stuck out his bottom lip. “There’s certain advantages to that. Advantages you’ll need here in a day or two.”

  “I will?” A lump formed in her throat. “Jake said he knew. Did…did you tell him?”

  “Some.” The old man’s hard gaze stung her.

  “But how did…?”

  Gramps shot her his form of the Colder grin. “Like I said, one of the advantages.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” she protested and jutted her chin in the air.

  Gramps sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “I know. So does Jake.” He adjusted the bill of his cap. “But the law’s the law and they’re after yuh. They don’t know yuh didn’t steal that money.” The hard gleam showed in his eyes again. “And Bill Martin don’t care. He’s on his way.”

  “What?” Marie’s back straightened as a cold chill raced down her spine. “I’ve got to go.”

  Gramps shook his head. “I promised Jake I’d look after yuh. He won’t let yuh run.” The ghostly man stood in front of her. “And neither will I. Believe in yourself, Marie. We do.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “But I can’t fight Bill. I tried.”

  “Yuh won’t need tuh. That’s Jake’s job.”

  “But Bill is dangerous and he has friends who are even worse.”

  “Jake knows and he’s gittin’ ready.”

  “But what will he do?”

  The old man chewed at something in his cud and looked down at her. “That’s up tuh Jake.” He knelt in front of her and touched her head. “Your job is tuh get well.”

  “But I’m not sick.”

  “Honey, these few months of shouldering your problems on your own have gotten to yuh.”

  “You’re telling me,” she mumbled.

  Gramps snorted. “Yuh got a fever so don’t git yourself all riled.” He stared at her a moment. “I built a fire in your room. I suggest you go in there and relax.”

  “I need some clothes.” Marie tugged at Jake’s robe. “This is all I’ve worn all day.”

  “Here.” Gramps held out her bag. “Try these.”

  She took the bag with some remorse. “Gramps, I don’t want Jake and Jesse hurt on my account.”

  Gramps stood and chewed again then looked at her. “In some ways, Marie,” he pursed his lips, “your leaving would hurt them the worst of all.” He squinted and seemed to look at something far away. “Some things go beyond this world, darlin’. I know Jake’s love is one of ’em.” He turned and walked toward the door.

  “Is love what keeps you here, Gramps?” Part of her couldn’t believe she talked to a ghost.

  The old man looked at her with a sorrowed smile. “I ain’t leaving ’til they bury me next to the heart of my life.” He huffed. “I know it sounds corny in this day an’ age but I still love Josephine. I’ll love her forever. Remind me to tell yuh about her sometime. Purtiest woman in all ’o Wyoming.”

  Marie smiled. A warm, homey feeling filled a void in her. “I’ll remember.”

  The older man took another chew. “Now git dressed. We got some strategizing tuh do.” He walked out of the room.

  A sudden wind blasted the side of house. Normally the sound would send a chill through Marie. Instead, she snuggled into the sheets and laughed at the tender sensations that flowed through her. She’d become certifiably looney tunes now. As crazy as the rest of the family. But for some reason, she didn’t care. Jake loved her beyond this life. That’s what Gramps said and he ought to know. Jesse wanted her to be his mother. How perfect could life be?

  Despite Bill Martin’s threat, she felt safe. She knew then that she had absolutely lost her mind.

  —

  Jake sat in the station house and pondered the scant information he’d retrieved from the web. Slim had filled him in on Back to America. The FBI had a few infiltrators attached to the Movement and they were able to track some of the group’s crimes even though they lacked firm evidence to pin on them.

  The thought of a bunch like that made Jake cringe. The fact such a group could form in this country with such strength in numbers frightened him. There were enough problems in the world, particularly in this country, without something like this.

  No way someone as tender-hearted as Marie could be part of this. Yet from the way Slim saw it, Marie’s crime stood in cashing in on the Movement and using the money for herself. And her problem was she’d been caught by Martin. At least that’s what the scoop on the BAM organization’s grapevine said.

  Jake glowered. The tale had to have been Martin’s lies. Jake was sure Martin wove the story to keep his ass out of a sling. It wasn’t every day you lost several million dollars.

  Jake rubbed his forehead and tried to think. It didn’t make sense. If Marie had been involved, she wouldn’t have waited to use the money. And she sure as hell wouldn’t have run to Wyoming.

  Jake reviewed the screen again while he waited for Slim’s call. The agent should have checked in by now. His brows furrowed deeper. He didn’t like leaving Marie and Jesse alone. Not with Martin so close.

  The phone rang and Jake jumped to answer it. “Colder.”

  “Jake, he ain’t showed and I’m hungry. I’m headed for the diner.” Slim’s gravel-laden voice sounded like a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

  “And where after that?” Jake asked.

  Slim chuckled. “Miss Katie’s if she’ll have me. If not, I’ll be here. I’ve asked the innkeeper to call you if I get any messages. Hope you don’t mind.”

  “Nope. Have a nice dinner.”

  “I will. Sheriff…” Slim paused. Jake could hear him breathe on the other end of the line. “The man’s dangerous. Don’t try anything yourself. If he calls, get me right away.”

  Jake nodded. “I will. This is your collar, not mine. But I can tell you this, if he pulls anything, I’ll find him a short rope.”

  “I understand. You oughta get Jesse to a safe place.”

  “He’ll be with Cal.”

  Slim paused again. “You may need to hide Marie.”

/>   Jake grimaced. “I already thought of that.”

  “If you do, let me know where. I don’t want anyone to mistake your intentions. You got my cell phone number.”

  “Right.”

  “Jake, I know how much this means to you, proving Marie’s innocence.”

  “Let me put it to you this way. The man hurts anything of mine and he’ll have me to answer to. That includes Marie.” Jake felt the tension on the line.

  “I understand,” Slim croaked after a moment of silence. “I’ll be in touch.” He hung up.

  Jake grimaced and replaced the receiver. He shouldn’t have threatened but then again he wanted Slim to know where he stood. He’d kill the sonofabitch if needed.

  Jake walked out of his office to get a cup of coffee. He met Kyle as he came in from another call. “How’s it going?” Jake asked.

  “Same.” Kyle walked with him to the small kitchenette and warmed his hands on a heated cup. “Another passerby trying to rush through the weather. Took him to Memorial since the road to Evanston is blocked. The guy looked pretty cut up but the dude kept insisting he be released. The doc was with him when I left.”

  Jake nodded. “Leave the report on my desk. I’ll look at it in the morning.”

  “You betcha, Sheriff.”

  Jake started to walk out but turned back to his deputy. “Remember, you and John are on call. I may need you later.”

  Kyle nodded. “Yeah, yeah, but you can’t tell us why.”

  Jake pressed his lips together. “Nope.” He frowned. “If I pull you in, make sure you’re fully armed and protected.”

  Kyle nodded. “Sure thing, Sheriff.”

  —

  The deputy watched Jake put on his coat and walk out the door, hat in hand. Something was up. Jake didn’t usually keep things from them.

  He shook his head and sat down at his desk. He lifted the receiver and made a call to his insurance agent. Kyle didn’t like times like this. It made him uneasy. He wanted to make sure Alice and the boys would be taken care of in case something did happen.

  The insurance agent reassured him everything he had was up-to-date. Kyle hung up the phone and touched the picture of his wife and kids. They’d been married five years since last spring. He wanted their life together to last a lot longer.