by Jaycee Ford
“No, I need him here.”
Tom looked at me as I reassured him this was what I wanted. He squeezed my hand and kept his eyes locked on me for the entire examination.
When the examination was completed, Doctor Folse assured me that I had not been assaulted while I was unconscious. By the end of the exam, Tom’s head lay on my hand while he clenched it with both of his. It probably was a little too much to ask of him, but he was my only form of strength. I needed him like I needed air to breathe.
As the doctor and nurse left, a lady arrived at the door dressed in business casual attire, but I was pretty sure she was all business.
“Hello, Jordan,” she said as she walked over to me and shook my hand, “I’m Detective Jan Holdings. Please call me Jan.”
“Thank you, Jan. I want this over and done with.” I swallowed hard as I looked at Tom. I didn’t want to tell him the things that had happened, but he had to know. If I repulsed him after he knew, then it was better that I find out now than later.
“So Jordan, can you tell us where Rylan Gowin is now?”
My eyes narrowed in confusion as she looked up from her notepad, waiting for some sort of answer.
“I’m sorry. You must have the wrong patient.”
Tom squeezed my hand and brought it up to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckle.
“Ryan has done this sort of thing before.”
My jaw slacked as my blood ran cold.
“Do what?”
Tom turned back to the detective.
“Can you give us one minute? I need to fill her in on a few things.” He held my hand as we waited for the door to close behind the detective. He turned back around as I searched his eyes.
“What is going on?” I asked. “Who is Rylan Gowin?”
He took a deep breath.
“Rylan Gowin was a foster home kid who witnessed his mother being murdered by his father. Rylan Gowin then became Randy Goodson. Randy Goodson’s girlfriend dumped him in college. She then vanished, as did he. They never found the body or Randy Goodson.”
I turned away from the new information as I stared off into space.
“He would have killed me.”
“Do you think he would have?”
I turned back toward him and nodded.
“It was either him or me.”
He tilted his head to the side as his eyes questioned my statement.
“Let her back in.”
He nodded, stood up from the chair and opened the door to the detective. She joined Tom by my bedside.
“Jordan, can you tell us where Rylan Gowin is now?” She readied her notepad to resume questioning, and I was ready to finally put this all behind me. Hopefully, Tom would still be by my side when it was all over.
“Yes, I do know where Rylan or Ryan or whatever his name is.”
Tom leaned forward in his chair.
“Where is he, darlin’?”
I gazed up at him and took a calming breath. I had to do this. He had to know what I did.
“At the bottom of Mount Mitchell.”
His hand slacked in mine as he fell back into the chair.
• • •
After going through the whole episode of being knocked out and drugged, I was exhausted and Tom was shaking with anger. I gripped his hand until all police and doctors left my room, which wasn’t until sometime later. As soon as the door slammed, he let go of my hand and walked around the bed to the window. He folded his arms across his chest and I couldn’t help the tears that poured out of me. I shrugged to myself. After all of this… after all I had been through… I had lost him.
“Tom? Please don’t be angry with me. I did what I thought was best, but please don’t leave me because of my poor planning. I just had to get out of there.” I buried my face in my hands and sobbed. Not once after all that I had been through had I thought I had truly lost him, until this moment. My hands were yanked away from my face as Tom pulled me into his chest.
“No, Jordan. I could never be mad at you.” His voice cracked as his body trembled underneath my hands. “I thought I had lost you. I can’t believe you had to go through that. I should have killed him. I wanted to kill him. I’m just glad that he’s dead. I’m glad that he is rotting in hell and can never hurt you again.”
“It’s over, Tom. He can’t hurt me anymore.”
He leaned over and kissed me.
It was finally over.
IT WAS NEW Year’s Eve, and I was finally able to leave the hospital. My hand never left Tom’s as he handled the winding roads. I tried to pull it away a few times, but he squeezed it tighter. We drove up to our beautiful farm house that I now called home. As I reached for the handle on Tom’s truck to get out, he motioned me to wait as he ran around to open the door for me. I smiled at his adorableness. I would never tire of him.
“You’re always the gentleman, aren’t you?”
He took my hand to help me down.
“Well, of course, Ms. Hawthorne.”
He looped my arm through his, his eyes beaming in the moonlight. I was so glad the hospital let me go home to spend my New Year’s. The only medicine I needed was Tom. Ryan and everything that had to do with him was finally behind me. I knew that Tom was all I would ever need. I couldn’t help the smile that eased up my cheeks while we approached the front door.
He unlocked it and pushed the door open, allowing me to walk through. I gasped at the sight before my eyes. Lined from the entryway to the back door were dozens upon dozens of daisies and votive candles. Tom pressed his lips to my cheek.
“Welcome home, darlin’.”
I took his face in my hands and kissed him passionately. While my hands rediscovered his body, he kicked the door shut and pressed me against it. I hitched one leg around his hip as he leaned against me. I broke free as he kissed down my neck. I needed him. I needed to feel whole again.
“Come. I have something for you.”
I nodded as I followed the magical walkway through the house. As we approached the back door, he turned to me with a sexy grin and said, “Do you trust me?”
I smiled, remembering the first time he had a surprise for me, and I whispered, “Always.”
“Close your eyes, darlin’.” He kissed my lips, and with a case of déjà vu, I closed my eyes. He hooked one arm under my knees and the other around my back, carrying me out the back door bridal style. I honored my word and kept my eyes closed. I tucked my face into his neck, breathing in his scent and cherishing the fact that I had him for as long as he’d keep me. He set me on my feet and held my arm to make sure I was steady.
“Don’t open your eyes yet.”
I nodded as I bit my lip. He shifted and I could feel him standing in front of me. He gently cupped my cheek while his lips were close to mine. He grazed over my lips for a moment and then pulled away.
“I loved you the first moment I saw you. It was just the better that you were naked,” he said, and we both laughed.
“My first feeling of love was physical. I wanted every part of you, and I wouldn’t stop until I got you.” He let out a small breath.
“Then I was lucky enough to realize that my water goddess was the most amazing woman in the whole world. That she wanted to give me a chance. She allowed me into her heart, as she was already in mine.”
A tear escaped as my heart drummed a beat of pure happiness with his whispering words.
“Open your eyes, darling.”
The tears streamed down my face the instant my eyes settled upon the view. He had reincarnated our first meal on the farm the best way he could. He had strung thousands of twinkling Christmas lights throughout the open field. Being surrounded by the fiery lights that led me to peace, my heart danced. The deck mimicked the inside of the house with dozens of daisies and candles, making my home welcoming even more special. I looked into the eyes of the man I loved as I smiled a teary smile.
“Darlin’, I know that I could never survive without you. I felt hollow when you weren
’t here to fill my heart.” A tear dripped from his eye. I wiped it away with my thumb, caressing his cheek. A smile broke through his tears. He grabbed my hand in his and continued, “I believe with all of my heart that I was put here in this world to make you happy for the rest of our lives. Forever.”
My heart started to beat rapidly as he lowered down to one knee and opened up a small, square box. Per a woman’s instinct, I covered my open mouth with my hand as I gazed on my cowboy in awe.
“Jordan… my sweet darling… would you allow me to try to make you the happiest woman alive? Would you allow me to show you how much happiness you give me by just waking up in my arms every day?”
My eyes filled with tears as he let out a breath, preparing himself for the biggest question of our lives.
“Jordan, will you marry me?”
All I could do was to stare at Tom as the happiest of tears rolled down my face. I couldn’t believe he wanted me forever. How was I so lucky? I gripped his hand to stand him up, and as I gazed in the eyes of my future husband, I answered the best question any girl could ever be asked.
“Yes.”
He slipped an antique ring on my finger and I saw four small diamonds set in the center with a platinum band around. It was so simple and beautiful.
“It was my grandmother’s, and I know she would want you to have it.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, and I kissed him deeply. Not breaking the kiss, I jumped and wrapped my legs around him. My eyes filled with lust as I looked back into his, and with a sexy smile, I purred, “Take me to bed, cowboy.”
He carried me up the stairway into our bedroom. If my eyes weren’t solely on him, I would have noticed the flowers and candles throughout the room, but they were glued to his. My fiancé.
He put me down as we both knelt upon the bed. He slowly pulled my shirt over my head and started kissing down my neck and to my chest, unhooking my bra. He looked at my body as he had the first time… full of both love and lust.
I reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. He laid me down with his body pressed above mine, and he kissed from my neck down to my breasts, paying special attention to each nipple, which budded immediately under his touch. His hands roamed down my body as he unbuttoned my jeans, pushing them down along with my panties. I did the same with his pants and boxers. I needed him. I needed this.
His hand grazed over my chest, across my stomach, and down to my core. My body pulsated with the same yearning that erupted whenever he was near. He looked at me and our eyes were both heavy with want.
“I love you forever, Jordan.”
“I love you, cowboy.”
He licked my bottom lip, allowing me access to his perfect tongue. Never breaking the kiss, his hand returned to where I needed him the most. He slipped one finger inside me, slowly pumping and milking me, which had me begging for more. I gasped inside his mouth as he slipped a second finger inside. I couldn’t help thrusting into his fingers. I needed him so much. He kept a steady rhythm as he flicked with his thumb. I jerked with the intensity of my impending orgasm. I broke away from his kiss as I continued to moan and he kissed down my neck to my nipples again. I began to pant. I hadn’t felt this in so long. I missed his love.
He kissed down my body and nuzzled his mouth to my core. He used his tongue with such precision. I arched my body off the bed as I began to come. He didn’t break free as every molecule in my body exploded in delight.
When my body started to descend, he slipped inside of me and thrust gently, allowing me to ride the wave. We looked into each other’s eyes with every thrust and never broke contact as we continued to make love.
“I love you, Jordan.”
“I love you.”
Feeling me nearing orgasm again, he lifted my hips as he lunged inside me repeatedly. I screamed out his name as he covered my mouth with a kiss. He moaned inside of my mouth when he poured inside of me.
As he lay on top of me, we continued to kiss lazily, willing our breathing back to normal. He caressed my check as I wrapped my arms and legs around him.
“You are the most beautiful woman to have ever lived, and I’m so blessed to have the chance to marry you.”
He still made my heart melt. I shook my head and said, “We’re both blessed. No one could ever be as happy as I am right now.”
We lay there together for the rest of the night. The only thing I wore was my engagement ring.
I was going to be Mrs. McCloud, and it was the happiest day of my life.
• • •
Normal twenty-somethings would spend New Year’s Eve at a bar, ringing the New Year in together, but due to the circumstances of a little stay in a hospital, we kept our celebration for New Year’s Day. We still went to our local watering hole, and as Tom opened up the door for me, we saw we weren’t the only ones planning on continuing the New Year’s celebration. College bowl games were littered across the televisions as I peeked at a few when we passed by. Tom glanced back at me when I slowed my steps.
“What?” I grinned. “It’s football. You should be lucky that your bride-to-be is obsessed with football.”
“Oh, I am. I completely am.” He placed a chaste kiss on my lips as we headed back to the same table where we had all sat not too long ago. Tom paused as we approached it, and I wanted to prove the point that I had moved on. So, I pulled out my own chair and sat down. I grinned at my fiancé as he smiled back and headed to the bar for a couple of pitchers. I sat back and tilted my head, watching him walk to the bar. I was marrying that. I was the luckiest girl alive.
“Jordan!”
I glanced away from my fiancé’s ass toward my best friend’s voice.
“It is so awesome to see you in this little town,” I said as she hugged me tight and then sat across from me.
“Where is everybody else?” She glanced around the bar.
“Are you wondering where Ellie is, or are you wondering where Lance is?”
“Lance, what?”
Lance joined our conversation and sat right next to Katherine. She smiled instantly, and he whispered, “Hi.”
Her nose crinkled and I knew exactly what she was doing. It was going to take some time, but Lance would get her if he didn’t let up. Tom came back and filled a pint for the four of us.
“Seriously, where’s Ellie?” Katherine asked as she tossed her hair back over her shoulder, trying to avoid Lance… or make him believe she was avoiding him. She turned her head.
“Hey, y’all made it! Ellie, come and sit right here.”
Katherine patted the chair right next to her. Paul went to get a second pitcher, and as Katherine and Ellie talked, Lance couldn’t stop looking at Katherine. As long as he didn’t screw her over, I was okay with it. Tom wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close to him.
“When are you going to tell everyone?”
“Soon. I just wanted to wait until everyone was settled.”
He pressed his lips to my forehead as Katherine’s voice pulled us away from our moment.
“Lance!” She groaned and turned away from Lance toward Ellie. “You really dated him for four years?”
“Yep, you get used to it.” Ellie grinned at Lance. I was just thankful that everyone seemed on better terms. I watched as Lance got Katherine’s attention again. The blush rose up her cheeks and I couldn’t help but smile.
“They just got here.” He whispered something in her ear again. She pushed him away and groaned again. “I should have never kissed you.”
The table gasped, and Tom said, “That’s it. It’s over.”
“What? What’s it?” Katherine asked as she glanced around the table and met Ellie’s eyes.
“He’s a goner,” Ellie said; Katherine gasped as she shook her head. Lance leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms with a smirk across his face. When the table fell silent, I looked at Tom and bit my lip to contain the smile. He nodded for me to let everyone in on our news.
“So, we have an anno
uncement.”
6 months later…
I GAZED AT my reflection in the mirror as I sat applying the finishing touches of my makeup. I had never seen myself so happy. I never thought the day would come when all of the dreams I had ever wished for would come true. This would be my last few moments to myself as a single woman. I studied myself in the mirror… soon to be Mrs. Thomas McCloud.
The smile radiated off my face as my mother and my two best friends walked in, all wearing shades of blue. Mom stood behind me, setting her hands on my shoulders. She looked at my reflection in the mirror.
“You are absolutely beautiful, baby girl. I’m so happy for you.” I smiled lovingly back at my mother as she continued, “Now, you can work on those grandbabies for me.”
I just laughed… if only she knew.
Ellie and Katherine came in wearing one of Ellie’s designs. The dresses each were peacock blue and strapless, tailored to the waist then flared into an A-line at the hip, reaching their knees. A white ribbon fit around their waists.
“Okay, Jordan,” Ellie said as her aura glowed. “It’s time for your dress.”
I was so excited! Ellie had made this for me as well, and it was absolutely perfect. It was a knee-length white satin gown with a lace overlay. It had a ribbon tied around the waist, matching the bridesmaids’ color of peacock blue.
I stood up and took my robe off as Ellie said, “Girl, I’m glad you finally made a switch from those granny panties you used to wear.”
I blushed. I wasn’t wearing anything overly lavish. It was a matching set of white lace… simple, yet elegant. Besides, it was June. I didn’t want to be hot all day. Katherine and Ellie held open the dress to allow me to step into it. They pulled it up over my hips, and Ellie zipped up the back.
I turned around to look at myself in the mirror. I hoped Tom would love it. I pulled my hair half up, leaving cascading curls hanging down my back. He always loved my long brown hair, so I wanted to please him, although I had to deny his suggestion of the girls wearing cowboy boots.
Katherine looped her arm through mine and said, “Yeah, I have hot friends.” I giggled as she whispered, “Jordan, I think I’m as nervous as you are.”
