Joy scurried up the ladder wanting to get a look at her hunky husband. "Do you need me to help pile bales?"
Stamos walked toward her smiling. He looked like a hungry bull wanting his dinner. "No."
"No?" she squeaked. Her heart began to beat faster.
"I didn't get my good morning kiss," Stamos said lazily, pulling her into the circle of his arms.
"I didn't see you this morning," Joy replied, feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"Now you do." He leaned down, grazed her lips and pulled away.
"That's it?"
"What?"
Joy reached behind his head and pulled his head down. "This is what," she murmured, kissing him deeply, darting her tongue into his mouth.
The kiss lasted until Joy was sure she couldn't stand on her own two feet. Suddenly she let go and took a step back.
"Now that's what I call a morning kiss," she announced saucily.
"Yes, Ma'am. Do I get an afternoon kiss too?"
"Only if you're lucky." Joy scurried back down the ladder.
Walking outside to see the yearlings, she stopped in surprise. She just had flirted with a man. Hell, she'd been missing out.
Joy wanted to shout her happiness to the world. She settled on hugging Nanny and Nino instead. "You know what it's like don't you, Nanny? One minute I feel foolish and the next I feel bold."
Nanny's head bobbed up and down as did Nino's.
Joy's pleasure was short-lived as she watched Ida Perkin's car drive up to the ranch house. She quickly got out of her car, grabbed her briefcase, and seemed to be waiting for something.
That something turned out to be Joy's brother, Jamie. What was he doing with Ida Perkins? He was up to no good and she wasn't in the mood to have her happiness taken from her. Those moments were so few and far between that she wanted to cherish them for as long as possible.
"Joy, I think that you should come with me," Ida announced picking her way across the lawn in her ridiculously high heels. Her nose twitched at the smell of the horses and Joy enjoyed Ida's discomfort.
"I don't think so. You have nothing to do with me anymore. I'm a married woman and it's all on the up and up. Did my brother drag you out here with more of his lies?" she demanded narrowing her eyes at him.
"Don't be silly, Jamie has nothing to do with my visit. If you remember dear, I have the right to keep my eye on you. I owe it to the community and to the whole state of Texas to make sure you don't go crazy and kill anyone else."
"Well?" she asked, staring down her shiftless brother.
"Ida just gave me a ride. I met her in the diner and we hit it off."
Joy almost laughed as Ida blushed. Realizing that her jaw dropped open, she immediately snapped it closed. Whatever the angle, it didn't bode well for her. Jamie was using Ida. Joy tried to think of a way to get them off the ranch, but she didn't want to cause a scene.
"I thought I told you to stay away from here." Stamos put his arm around Joy's waist.
"Why didn't you call me, honey? I didn't realize we had company." Stamos kissed Joy's cheek.
"You can forget about the phony kisses. I know my sister and she ain't worth a kiss."
Stamos stiffened against Joy. She put her arm around his back and grabbed his back pocket. Stamos gave her a brief look and smiled.
"You haven't been around Joy since you helped to convict her. I don't think you are in any position to judge. For your information, Joy is a bright, loving woman that any man would be proud to have at their side. Lucky for me, I found her before anyone else had a chance."
Joy knew he was play-acting, but his words made her beam with happiness. "Jamie, please respect my husband's wishes. He asked you to stay off his property."
The evil stare Jamie laid on Joy made her want to run and hide. "I thought now that we are all family it would be all right for me to come over for a friendly visit."
The fake smile on his face didn't fool Joy. "Well maybe someday in the future, but for now, Stamos and I are enjoying each other's company. Call first before you come."
Jamie stared hard at Stamos. It made Joy sick to her stomach. "Is that how it is? I'm not allowed to be here?"
"You heard my wife. Now back off."
"Oh dear, oh dear." Ida shuffled the folders she had taken out from her briefcase. "I don't care for this one bit. Family should treat each other with respect." She found a pad of paper and a pen. She began to write quickly.
"I believe in the same thing, Miss Perkins, but for now Joy is my responsibility and I don't want her brother around her."
Any happiness that had lingered from the morning vanished with the word responsibility. Joy had thought, she had hoped...
"I have a lot of questions, perhaps we can sit inside?" Ida suggested.
"Look, Ida, you brought Jamie here, you'll need to take him back. I won't talk to you with him on my property." Stamos walked forward, away from Joy.
It was a lonely feeling. The air suddenly chilled despite the wonderful sunshine. He walked forward without her. Her heart twisted. She had a bad feeling and she couldn't shake it off.
Joy stood there, watching Ida and Jamie drive off. Feeling at a loss, she walked toward the barn.
"Ready?" Stamos asked, leading out two horses.
"Where to?"
"I need to grab a few things in the house and then I'll be ready to go." Stamos handed the reins to her.
He didn't seem mad, what was he up to?
Stamos emerged from the house carrying his saddlebags.
"They are bulging. What have you got in there?"
"The kitchen sink of course." Stamos swung up into the saddle.
"I don't suppose you're going to tell me where we are going?"
"Nope."
His impish smile made Joy's heart begin to fill. Whatever he'd planned, he looked like he was expecting to have fun. Unsettled with the constant change of feelings, Joy urged her horse along and followed Stamos.
They rode next to each other most of the way. Joy admired that Stamos didn't try to take the lead. In fact, she admired too much about her husband. He had a great seat. He rode tall and proud and it was amazing to watch him in the saddle. In fact, the more she looked, the warmer she became.
The world opened up into a beautiful meadow, filled with tall Texas grass, goldenrod, and a sea of sunflowers. The sky above was painted a darker hue of blue. The cool breeze caused the foliage to gently sway.
"Wow," Joy said, in awe.
"I know," Stamos replied, but he wasn't looking at the scene before him. He looked at Joy.
Her face grew warm. Joy dismounted and turned away from Stamos. She wanted to collect her thoughts, but he made it impossible. Her only thoughts were of him. His handsome face, his silky hair, his sexy dark eyes were in her thoughts. His big strong shoulders, his hard chest, his tight ass tortured her.
Stamos stepped behind her and pulled her back against him. They shared the beauty of Texas.
Joy felt content until she started growing warmer and warmer. "I need to get out of this jacket." She pulled away from him.
As she took off her jacket, she noticed Stamos taking a blanket and spreading it in the meadow. "What's all this?"
Stamos grinned at her. "It's a picnic of course."
"Why?"
Stamos sat on the blanket and started to unpack his saddlebags. He unpacked one plastic container after another. "Come join me," he invited.
Joy eyed him wearily. "That sure looks like a lot of food. Just when did you plan this?"
"This morning. It's a beautiful day and I thought you'd enjoy a picnic."
"I thought maybe you were angry about Jamie," Joy said, hesitantly.
"Joy, look at me. You have no control over the actions of others. I know it's hard not to think about it, but come here woman. I need to feed you." His tone changed from serious to teasing.
Joy nodded. She couldn't remember ever going on a picnic. She knew now she was helpless against Stamos. He always found a w
ay to get around the wall she tried to build between them. She smiled and sat down next to him. "Thank you."
"For what, my sweet?"
"For this picnic, for being kind to me."
Stamos popped a grape into her mouth. "You make it easy to be nice to you, Joy. I happen to think you are a wonderful woman." He made a show of looking her body over. "A very sexy, desirable woman to boot. I won the rodeo by marrying you."
His smile was contagious and Joy soon found that she couldn't fight it anymore. Grabbing a grape, she popped it into Stamos' mouth. Her smile stopped as he held her hand and put her finger in his mouth. His warm soft lips surprised her. His tongue intrigued her. The sucking motion he made almost sent her over the edge.
Gasping, she looked into his eyes and what she viewed made her gasp louder. It looked reminiscent of raw desire, real desire for her. There was no leering involved. Her heart jumped and her body grew warm.
"Joy," he whispered, laying her down on the blanket.
"What?" she squeaked.
"Shhh. Don't talk." Stamos captured her mouth with his in a bold, passion filled kiss.
Joy opened her mouth to him. His warm tongue darted in and out of her mouth, making her feel a sense of excitement. Matching her tongue to his, she heard him moan. Stamos trailed kisses down her neck, causing her to shiver. She gasped as one hand made its way under her tee shirt and she froze, capturing his hand with hers.
"Don't. You already know how ugly my chest is," she pleaded as her eyelashes became spiked with tears.
Stamos stayed perfectly still, looking at her. "Oh, Joy, there is not one single part of you that is ugly."
"But my scars."
"Battle scars. You survived each knife wound. It's a blessing, Joy."
Taking a shaky breath, Joy nodded and let go of his hand. It surprised her that he didn't pull off her top. Stamos started kissing her again, stoking her passion.
Before she knew it, her top and bra were off. Looking at his face as he gazed at her chest floored her. The look of appreciation on his face was unsettling. It also made her feel beautiful for the first time in years.
Taking off his shirt, Stamos gave her a knowing look. "Not bad for an old ex-lawman?"
"Not bad at all," she replied, huskily, reaching out to touch him. She ran her hands over his hard chest and pushed him onto his back. She kissed one bullet scar, then the other. She hurt for him as she traced his knife wound that ran the across his hard abs.
"Are my scars ugly to you?" Stamos asked.
"No not at all," Joy said, kissing his chest. She laughed as Stamos rolled and put her on her back.
Her body filled with flames of desire. "Stamos, hurry," she cried.
"Whoa, darlin, we'll get there."
"Oh," she said, feeling a sting of pain. Seeing the look of concern on his face Joy smiled. "I need you," she whispered.
Suddenly she shivered out of control. "Stamos?" She was spiraling through the air.
Joy heard him groan and shudder. His body spiraled too. The wonder of it astounded Joy.
"Are you alright?" Stamos asked, looking down into her eyes.
"Hell yea, can we do it again?"
Stamos laughed and held her tight. "Give me a minute and I'll see what I can do."
"Lay on your back," he said.
"We doing it again?" Joy asked hopefully.
"No, just lay on your back. Do you feel it?"
Joy closed her eyes and let the Texas breeze float over her bare skin. It caressed every part of her naked body. She'd never been so completely free. There were no brick walls, no wire fences, no bars. It went beyond the physical. There was no fear. Amazing, it was utterly amazing and she wanted to embrace the feeling. Tears poured down her face and into her hair.
"I feel it," she whispered. "Stamos, I feel it. I'm afraid that it will all disappear. I'm terrified that you and Dillon will disappear."
Stamos reached over and entwined his fingers with hers. "No one is taking this away. I'm not going anywhere and neither is Dillon. I know you have secrets. I have a pretty good idea why you won't talk about your conviction."
Joy tensed waiting for Stamos to say more. He just squeezed her hand instead.
"Are we going to do it again or not?" she asked.
Stamos laughed. "You are a greedy woman, Joy Walker," he teased. "Unfortunately we have to get back and I'm afraid if I give you another dose of The Stamos you won't be able to sit in your saddle."
"The Stamos?" she asked, laughing hard. "Maybe you're right, The Stamos is very powerful."
Stamos reached out, grabbed her, and pulled her on top of him. He kissed her deeply, almost senseless. "No one makes fun of The Stamos."
"I'll try to keep that in mind," she said, still laughing.
"We'd better get dressed." Stamos lifted her from him.
Joy liked the twinkle in his eyes. He looked adorable with his hair all mussed. The rest of him looked sexy. She looked him up and down and she smiled. "Well let's get The Stamos home."
Stamos stood up and grabbed his jeans. His whole body blushed.
"The Stamos doesn't look like it wants to go home."
"I meant The Stamos to mean my magnificent love making not a name for my... my..."
"Fine, I'll be good. Can we do it again tonight?"
"Woman, you'd better rest up for tonight."
Bea gave her a knowing look when Joy brought all the extra food inside. Joy blushed. What was happening to her? She was a hardened criminal, wasn't she? She hadn't doubted that in years.
Dillon reached out his chubby arms babbling, "Ma Ma," to her. Happiness washed over her as she picked him up and held him. He smelled of innocence. Joy breathed in his scent. It was more than baby lotion and powder, it was the pureness that made her heart swell.
"I'll feed him," she said to Bea as she approached with a baby bottle.
"If you're sure?"
"Positive," Joy replied, settling Dillon into the crook of her arms and fed him the bottle. He was a little wonder. He looked so much like Stamos. They both had the same soulful dark eyes and black hair.
"You're going to be a heartbreaker when you grow up," Joy kidded.
"Just like his dear daddy."
Joy looked at the screen door. A woman about her age stood on the other side. She was a beauty with rich, shiny dark hair and sultry eyes. "I'm sorry? I guess we haven't met yet." Joy nodded for the woman to come inside.
Joy was fascinated by the other woman's curves. She looked perfect.
"I'm Dilly's mother, Stacey. Is my man around?"
Joy's heart skipped a beat. "Nice to meet you, Stacey. Stamos is probably out working with the horses."
"I've heard about you," Stacey said, walking around the living room, touching anything of value and examining it.
"My name is Joy."
"I told you I already know who and what you are. I came out here to make sure my son is being cared for in a proper fashion," Stacey said in a low warning voice.
"He's doing really well." Joy wondered what Stacey's game was.
"I will be the judge of that. I am his mother. Maybe I should just walk out of here with him."
"You'll have to speak to Stamos about that. You can't just take him."
Stacey smiled viciously at her. "I can do whatever I want. After all, we are talking about my son and my man."
Bea walked into the room and her eyes grew wide at Stacey's last statement. "Oh my, I'm going to get Stamos."
Joy watched her rushing from the room wishing she could take off after her. She didn't trust the woman standing before her smirking.
"I'm sure that Stamos will get this all figured out." Joy put Dillon against her shoulder and patted his back. He burped and Joy smiled.
"Did you want to hold your son?" Joy offered.
"No thank you. Isn't that your job?"
"Well not exactly..."
"Hello Stacey." Stamos didn't even try to hide his annoyance. His eyes narrowed and he frowned.
Stacey's face lit up at the sight of him. "You are still the sexiest cowboy alive," she said, rushing to his side.
She tried to hug Stamos, but he sidestepped her. "Why are you here?"
Joy grew disgusted watching Stacey's fake happiness turn into fake pouting.
"You know why I'm here."
Stamos shook his head and walked over to Joy. He sat on the couch next to her and took Dillon into his arms.
"We are so good together. I want us to be a family, babe."
Stamos laughed, causing Dillon to laugh too. Joy would have laughed, but she didn't know what the heck was going on.
"I'm married."
"To who? Oh no, not to this murderer. Bailey didn't mention that in her call. Hell no. Dillon goes with me. Right now."
Dillon started to cry and Bea rushed in to take him. "I'll put the little mister down for his nap."
Stamos nodded absently, handing Dillon over to Bea, never taking his eyes off Stacey. "Now you listen to me. You abandoned our son three months ago. I have a lawyer and I have full custody. You don't have a leg to stand on."
Stacey's eyes grew small. "I'll just get me a lawyer too. I'm sure once the judge hears that I'm in fear for the life of my little precious baby boy, you won't have a leg to stand on." She whirled around and stomped out of the house.
"Stamos..." Joy began to shake.
Stamos took her into his safe arms. "Don't worry about it, Joy. It won't happen."
Joy knew that although he tried to sound convincing he wasn't convinced himself.
Stamos rode Frankie a bit harder than usual. He smiled wondering when he'd started to think of Franklin as Frankie. Stopping, he watched his cattle. Business was booming, it was his personal life that was out of control. Rubbing the back of his neck, Stamos took a deep breath. He never even saw it coming. How foolish, thinking that Stacey was out of their lives.
He was in no way as confident as he acted in front of Stacey and Joy. He didn't know what a judge would think. Hell, Joy was convicted of murdering her stepmother. That was as bad as it got. Trying to keep her safe might cost him his son.
He loved his land. Land that he had worked and built into a fine ranch. Everything was going to hell and he didn't know if he had the power to stop it. There was no way in hell he was going to give up his son. Stacey didn't even care for Dillon. Damn that Bailey anyway. From the sound of it, she had called Stacey and told her about Joy's background.
Lone Star Joy Page 9
