marry you,” she said against his mouth. Tears spilled from her eyes to his cheeks.
“I love you so much. You’ve made me the happiest man these past months.”
“Being here with you has been more than I could have ever wished for myself even six months ago. Everything in my life has changed. I’m happy for the first time in years, because of you.”
They kissed and held each other for a long time. Savoring each other and the special moment they had shared.
“Come with me today. I don’t want to leave you here alone.” Jack was concerned every time he left the ranch without her. Ben had said several times her ex didn’t leave her alone for long. He hoped nothing would happen while he was away. He never wanted to see her hurt again.
He rubbed his hand over her thigh and the long scar that ran down the back of it. He never wanted to forget what that man was capable of doing. He’d been patient with her, waiting for her to finish things with her ex. So far, she wasn’t forthcoming with her plan to take him down, but her long phone calls with Ben told him she was working hard to do it.
“I’ll be fine, Jack. You’ll be back tonight. Beth and Lily will be with me most of today. I’m going to work on one of my projects later and send it to my client. I have plenty to do. Don’t worry. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“I don’t like the hang-up calls.”
“Two hang-ups in a couple of weeks is not unusual,” she responded, trying to downplay his concerns.
“The guards have mentioned seeing cars stop on the road and hearing strange noises in the woods.”
“Animals live in the woods.” When he rolled his eyes, she added, “They’ve never found any sign someone is on the property.”
“Come with me.” He’d suggested the same more than once. She tried so hard to live each day without letting the fear paralyze her from enjoying her life, but sometimes he caught her looking over her shoulder, or jumping at a strange noise. He tried his hardest to give her a sense of ease and safety when she was with him, but they both knew, so long as David was out there, she’d never be safe.
“We’ve been over this. I promised to watch Lily today. I’m having some plants delivered. Lily and I will plant them in the gardens. I know you’re worried something will happen. That’s what the guards are for. Besides, David got married yesterday in San Francisco. I doubt he’s thinking about me.” She hoped he’d forget all about her, and she’d never see him or fear him again.
“If I ever get my hands on that bastard, I’ll kill him.”
“Jack, calm down. He’s too busy with his new wife. They’re probably on their honeymoon. I’m here, safe on the ranch, with you. He doesn’t even know where I am.”
“He’s found you before. Lots of times before. Too many times before. You don’t even know how he finds you. How do you know he doesn’t know where you are this time?”
“Jack, this is the same argument we’ve had a dozen times. All I can do is hope he doesn’t find me this time. Maybe it’s over now that he has someone new in his life. Maybe he’s over his obsession with me. It’s not like I can call him and find out. All I can do is be careful not to alert him to where I am. That, and my other plans are in the works. When the time is right, I’ll use those plans to end this. If I can control the company, I can control him. It’s complicated.”
“Complicated. This plan is taking too long. He haunts every second of your day, and mine.” Resigned that he couldn’t keep her locked away, or by his side every second, he relented. “I want your word you’ll stay on the ranch while I’m gone. With the guards, you’ll be as safe as you can be, I guess.” He hoped. God, if something happened to her, he’d never forgive himself. He couldn’t live without her.
“I promise, I won’t leave the ranch. I know you’re worried. I am too. Believe me, the last thing I want is him coming after me again. You know what he did the last time. Next time, I think he’ll kill me.”
The same chill he felt run through her, danced up his spine and he held her