by Linda Warren
He stiffened and then held her a little tighter.
“Please don’t say anything. Tomorrow we can discuss it, but for tonight just let me believe that all these feelings I have for you are as real as the sun coming up in the morning and it’s always going to be that way.”
He kissed the top of her head and she drifted into peaceful sleep. The sound of Lindsay’s voice woke her, but she didn’t move.
“You’re back?” Lindsay said to Quincy.
“Yeah. Have you heard any more about your dad?”
“No. He’s heavily sedated and won’t be awake until morning. He’s talking out of his head and I don’t want Jenny listening to that.”
“Jenny’s not a child.”
“You’re not going to support her in her belief that Dad saw our mother.”
“My relationship with Jenny is based on honesty and the truth.”
“The truth is Dad has hypothermia and a concussion and was imagining things because he misses our mother.”
“I didn’t imagine the lights, Lindsay. That’s how I knew someone was out there.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Jenny said she turned the truck lights off because she didn’t want to run the battery down and she could still see well enough to look for your father. But there were lights.”
“She probably just forgot.”
“I don’t think so. Whatever happened, happened, and I would appreciate it if you’d stop ragging on Jenny. Your dad’s going to be okay and that’s the main thing.”
“Yes. I’ll check with the nurses, and it would probably be a good thing if you could get Jenny to go home. Dad is going to sleep through the night.”
“Jenny has a mind of her own, and if she wants to stay here that’s what she’s going to do.”
“Whatever.”
“My hero,” Jenny whispered.
“You’re awake.”
“Partially. Don’t think too badly of Lindsay. She gets that way when she’s upset—bossy.”
“I was under the impression she was that way all the time.”
“Bad boy.” She poked him in the ribs and scooted as close as she could get, and it wasn’t close enough.
“Go to sleep.”
“I will if you will. You once told me you could sleep anywhere.”
He pulled the blanket over both of them and settled back into the sofa. “Sweet dreams, Jenny Rose,” he whispered.
* * *
WHEN JENNY WOKE UP, it was light outside. She stared at the man beside her, his handsome face relaxed in sleep. He had a growth of beard that made him sexier than sexy with his raw-boned features and beautiful eyelashes. They were long and gorgeous. She’d never noticed that before. She wanted to stay wrapped around him forever, but she knew that was ridiculous. Life awaited and she was ready to take her chances on whatever came next because in her heart she knew Quincy would never hurt her. She quickly untangled herself and he immediately stirred.
“I’m going to check on Dad.”
In the ICU, her sister was already there talking to the doctor. Her dad was awake and she immediately went to him.
“How are you this morning?”
“Sore and weak.”
Jenny stroked his hair. “That will pass. You have two daughters who are nurses and we are at your disposal.”
Her dad coughed and Lindsay grabbed a stethoscope and listened to his chest. “I’m fine,” her dad grumbled. “Stop fussing over me. I’m ready to go home.”
“Not for a few days, Mr. Walker,” the doctor said. “We want to keep a close eye on you to make sure there are no repercussions.”
“Ah, okay.”
Jenny kissed him and walked back into the waiting room to Quincy. “He’s doing much better,” she told him. “Do you know where my truck is? I need to go home, take a shower and change clothes.”
“I’m driving it. I’m ready when you are.”
Her emotions had run the gamut in the past twenty-four hours and she was trying hard to stay ahead of them. But she was positive about one thing. She wasn’t ever letting Quincy go. They’d have to talk about the woman in Plano, and she planned to bring up the subject just as soon as they were alone.
* * *
SOON THEY WERE on their way back to Horseshoe. Jenny was drained and she knew Quincy was, too. Neither of them had gotten much sleep.
As Quincy turned onto Rebel Road, he asked, “Do you want to just drop me at the ranch?”
“No. I’d rather not be alone right now. Unless you have to go to work or something.”
“I spoke to Falcon and told him I wouldn’t be in today and the reason for that. He said to tell you he hoped your dad gets better real soon.”
“I hope so, too.” She turned to face him. “Did Elias tell you we saw each other the other night?”
“Yeah. He said you asked about me.”
“Mmm. I was miserable, but I tried to have a good time. Elias asked me to dance and I did because I wanted to hear about you. He said you needed a nurse.”
Quincy reached out and touched her arm and she covered his hand with hers. “I do, but not just any nurse—you.”
“Aw.”
Quincy drove up to the house and she leaned over and kissed his cheek. They got out of the truck and went into the house. A pang of sadness hit Jenny as she walked in. Everything was just as she’d left it. The TV was still on, a roast was on top of the stove waiting to be eaten and the doors were unlocked. She quickly pulled herself together and went to take a shower. She could hear Quincy fumbling around in the kitchen and that warmed her heart. He was here and that was all she needed.
It took a while to scrub all the dirt out of her hair. She wrapped it in a towel because she didn’t want to take the time to dry it. She slipped on a big T-shirt and went to join Quincy. Squatted on the floor, he was feeding Daisy.
“Oh, I forgot about poor Daisy.”
“She was whining at the back door so I let her in and gave her some of that roast on the stove.”
“Thanks.”
He stood and eyed her in the T-shirt. “Why don’t you get some sleep and I’ll check on White Dove and the other horses.”
They were talking like polite strangers and Jenny didn’t like that. “We need to talk,” she said, and walked into the living room and curled up in the corner of the sofa.
He followed and took a seat beside her, looking as nervous as she’d ever seen him. She just wanted to kiss that look away. But first they had to talk.
“Who is this woman in Plano that you see?”
He leaned back on the sofa and relaxed in a way that made her nervous. Placing his hands behind his head, he asked, “Curious, are you?”
“Yes. Why all the secrecy?”
He lifted a dark eyebrow. “There’s no secrecy.”
“Really? I’ve never hard anyone in the family talk about her.”
His eyes caught hers. “Her name is Wendy.”
The name sent a cold chill through her because by the tone of his voice she knew the woman was important to him. She’d never had these feelings about the women in Paxton’s life, but now she was feeling green-eyed jealousy because Quincy had known someone else.
“I was in Afghanistan with her son. He was my sergeant and we were close.”
All the jealousy dissipated with his words and she waited with bated breath for him to continue.
“He’s still in Afghanistan, but he has a small son who has spina bifida and Wendy has a hard time caring for him. The wife left, unable to deal with the boy. Every now and then, I take a weekend off and go and give Wendy a break. She goes out to dinner with friends or to the movies or shopping or whatever she wants to do and I take care of Little Will. He loves horses and I—”
Jenny crawled into his lap, losing the towel around her head in the process, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Knowing Quincy, she should’ve guessed it was something like that. “You are the most amazing man I’ve ever known. Your heart knows no bounds.”
With one finger she traced the shape of his lips until he caught the end and nibbled on it. She squirmed against him and brought her lips to his. She nibbled and tasted until he captured her lips with an intensity that took her breath away. He pressed his firm lips against hers and her heart jolted in anticipation. At the touch of his tongue, she opened her mouth and kissed him as if she’d never kissed anyone before in her life.
He tasted of sunshine, the outdoors and cowboy, and she floated away on a wave of pure delight as a current of desire ran through her. A current so strong she knew nothing in this world would feel the same again unless she was able to kiss this man just the way she wanted.
She planted kisses on the corner of his mouth, along his jawline and to his ear. “Take me to bed.”
“Are you sure about this? Absolutely, positively sure, no doubts, no insecurities, no turning back? This is it.” His voice was hoarse and his eyes as dark as she’d ever seen them.
She pulled her T-shirt over her head, exposing her breasts, and smiled. “Cowboy, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my whole life.”
Chapter Thirteen
Quincy cupped her breast, making it difficult for her to think. “First, tell me what you said at the hospital again.”
She leaned back in his arms. “What? That Daddy’s going to be fine?”
“No, not that.”
“That when Lindsay’s upset she gets bossy?”
“No, not that, either. Before that.”
“Oh.” She cradled his loving face in her hands. “I love you. It’s taken me a long time to realize that, but...”
His lips captured hers and she melted into everything she ever wanted, not holding back as he deepened the kiss. “I love you with all my heart, Jenny Rose,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ve loved you for so long, but I never could tell you because of Paxton.” He stroked her wet hair away from her face. “I don’t want this to be out of your need for someone today. I want it to be for real and lasting into eternity.”
“Oh, Quincy.” She caught his hand and kissed it. “It is. I know you’re conflicted about Paxton because he’s your brother and you have this honorable streak a mile wide. But I’m not in love with Paxton anymore. You have to trust me on that. He’s a friend, that’s it. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I decided at the hospital that I was going to fight for you even if I had to use my fists.”
She looked into his gorgeous eyes. “You don’t have to do that and you don’t have to feel guilty, because we’re two consenting, single adults.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “After my mother died, I was so lonely and sad. I missed her love, and I missed her just being in my life.” Her voice cracked and Quincy tightened his arms around her. This was so hard to explain. She didn’t want to sound wimpy and needy, but at the moment, that was exactly what she was. She knew Quincy would understand, though. “My dad and Lindsay loved me, but I needed more. I needed to feel loved and I got that from Paxton. It changed over the years, but I kept clinging to that feeling. No matter what Paxton did, I always forgave him because I had this desperate need to be loved. Last night when my dad said he saw my mother, I realized that she really isn’t gone. Her presence is always with me and so is her love. I don’t need to take crap from someone who always disappoints me. And I won’t again. This time, I’m loving for real and all the way into forever with a man I know I can trust. With a man I know will never let me down. With a man I know will love me as much as I love him. Does that make sense?”
He cleared his throat. “Perfectly. I just wanted you to be sure, because once we start this relationship there’s no turning back for me. We’ll have to tell Paxton. I don’t want to have a secret affair. I want everyone to know and I want to be up front about everything.”
“Quincy,” she murmured and kissed his lips. The moment she did, Quincy relaxed. He loved her, and any guilty feelings he had, he pushed aside for her. He lifted her into his arms and carried her down the hall.
“On the right,” she said.
He went through the bedroom door and kicked it shut with his foot. Gently laying her on the bed, he ripped off his chambray shirt. Jenny stood on her knees and ran her hands across his broad shoulders, loving the way his muscles tightened at her touch. She pulled him forward, wanting to savor every morsel of those magnificent muscles. They tumbled onto the bed. After that, it was a frantic effort to get out of unnecessary clothes. Not once did her lips leave his. She couldn’t bear to be away from him.
Quincy ran his hands across her body and a warmth charged through her, centering in her lower abdomen with an aching need. His hand massaged her breasts and she thought she would die from the pure pleasure of his touch.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a throaty voice.
She kissed the rippling muscles in his arms. “So are you, cowboy.”
Nothing was said for some time as they became acquainted with all those intimate places known only to lovers. His calloused hands were like velvet against her sensitive skin. Nothing had ever felt more erotic.
Her hand found all the hardened planes of his body, and the touch of his roughened skin against hers sent the pleasure meter spiraling out of control. He rained kisses from her breast to her stomach and lower and back to her lips once again. All she could feel was him and all the emotions that he created in her.
When he came to her, she was more than ready. It seemed as if she’d waited all her life for this man to make her his. The coupling was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. He was gentle yet rough, caring yet thorough and loving with every ounce of strength in his body. Jenny felt it in the spasms that shook her, in the moans that left his throat and the sighs that filled her until there was nothing left but undisguised pleasure.
He rolled away and took her with him. She lay atop him, their sweat-bathed bodies entwined. She’d never felt so relaxed in her whole life, as if her world was complete now. Resting her head beneath his chin, she gave in to the peaceful feeling and went to sleep.
* * *
A LONG TIME LATER, Quincy woke up and watched Jenny sleep. Little moans escaped her throat and he found that enchanting. She was enchanting. But then he’d been smitten with Jenny Rose for a long time. He’d never thought they would reach this point. But now he wondered why he had waited so long. Paxton had made his choice and Quincy had now made his.
He would tell his brother as soon as he could, because he didn’t want him to hear it from anyone else. Paxton was getting married in the spring so it shouldn’t be a big deal. But still, Quincy had a hard time with the word betrayal.
He reached for the comforter and pulled it over them. Snuggling against him, Jenny sighed and Quincy went back to sleep. The next thing he knew Jenny was shouting at the top of her lungs.
“Quincy! Quincy!” He loved the way she said his name even when she was screaming it.
She ran around the room like a crazed person, pulling out clothes and jumping into them. He rose up on his elbows watching her and he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. Her hair was everywhere; her breasts were round globes of temptation. Her butt was perfectly formed and all he wanted to do was...
“Quincy, get up. It’s three o’clock. I have to get to the hospital. We overslept.”
He dragged himself out of bed and she threw his shirt and jeans at him. “Oh, this is the way it is, huh? Wham, bam, thank you, sir?”
“Don’t tease me.” She attempted to pull a brush through her hair, but the tangles were stubborn. “I’m sure Lindsay has called me about fifteen times, but I don’t know where my phone is
. It has to be out in the pasture somewhere.”
Pulling on his jeans, he said, “I’ll find your phone and take care of everything around here. Take your truck and go.”
“I love you.” She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck and he lay back, pulling her on top of him. He held her for a moment just remembering their lovemaking. It had been everything he’d ever wanted, or expected.
“No regrets?”
“No regrets.” She kissed him and before he could kiss her back, she jumped up. “If we get started, it’ll just make me later. I have to go. Tonight.” She winked and disappeared out the door.
“I love you, too,” he shouted after her, smiling, and grabbed his shirt from the floor. He stretched his shoulders and smiled. This morning, he’d eased a lot of tension, and he felt more at ease than he had in a long time.
The cold wind nipped at him as he let Jenny’s horses out of their stalls and fed them. They were eager to romp in the pasture. He walked to where Clyde’s truck was parked near Quincy’s barn. It didn’t take him long to find Jenny’s phone in the mud. It was ruined. He put it in Clyde’s truck and drove back to the house. Then he made his way to his barn to take care of his horses.
Jericho was there, putting sweet feed in a trough. The horses gathered around, stomping in the mud.
“Thanks,” Quincy said.
“I finished feeding early and noticed your horses weren’t in the pen, so I came over to let them out and feed them.”
“I got held up.” For the life of him he couldn’t stop the silly smile plastered across his face.
“Yeah. I see.” Jericho slapped him on the back. “Enjoy it, man.”
Quincy walked about six feet off the ground for the rest of the day. He didn’t even mind Grandpa calling him three times asking what they were going to have for supper. Elias was right. He’d spoiled his grandfather.
He didn’t know how to get in touch with Jenny so he just waited for her to call. The call came about eight that night. She said for him to meet her at the house and he was out the door in a flash.
