Guarding Forever

“Good, and how are you, my treasure?”

“Feeling wonderful now. Someone is being too effusive with their endearments. What’s going on?” He’d been irritated with her last night and told her that they’d finish their conversation when he came home, so she couldn’t figure out why he was being extra loving.

“Because I love hearing the way your voice softens, and I can see the smile that graces your face when you know how much I love you. Your happiness is my goal, Hope.”

“What else, Mr. Gibson?” she insisted, knowing he was going to say something she wouldn’t like. They had only known each other about a year and a half, but she knew her husband inside and out. He was about to upset her with some news.

“Well, Mrs. Gibson, it’s going to be a long, brutally busy day, but I promise to be home by dinner,” he finished quickly, hoping to soften the blow. Hope could picture her husband’s face squinting as he braced for her anger. She loved her stolen minutes with him when he worked out in the field with his ranch hands.

“You’re not going to eat?” With the heat and hard work, Hope freaked out a little more than she knew she should when it came to Gage, but her reasoning was sound. The man hadn’t been ranching that long, even though it had been a part of his life as a kid. He’d spent many years in an air-conditioned office and courtroom as a District Attorney.

“We’re going to be on the far end of the pasture. One of the guys will run to the diner and bring back food to our truck.” Hope sighed with relief. At least he wasn’t going to work hungry.

“Thanks. I’d hate for you to forget to eat.”

“Do I ever really forget that?” He chuckled. Gage loved food as much as any other hardworking man. “I should say the same to you. Air conditioning or not, you let being a mom and my sexy assistant get in the way of eating.”

“Well, I am going to have a chicken salad for lunch since I’ll be eating alone. Besides, I’ve finished the billing and paid all the invoices, so after some filing, I’ll be done for the day.” Hope wiped her hands as if he could see her movements.

“Except for our little cowboy who will keep you on your toes.” As a mother, her day didn’t end until he fell asleep, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, Hope had both Gage and his mother taking Johnny any time they got a chance. Gage was the dad he’d always wanted and needed, stepping up even when he was bone tired after working all day out on the ranch. Hope knew how important fatherhood was to him after everything that had happened with his father.

Hope wished that her mother could see what a man she married. She would have loved Gage and would absolutely have adored Johnny. Thinking about her mother’s death left tears in her eyes. There were days when she’d visit her mother’s grave and tell her all about Gage and Johnathan. She’d grown close to Gage’s mother, but it could never be the same.

She stared at Johnny and grinned. Hope was lucky that so far he’d been an easy baby. Getting pregnant so soon after the first baby made Gage a little nervous for Hope’s well-being, but she wasn’t fazed by it at all. “Yes, but he’s not crawling away yet, so I’m pretty good.”

“I still want you to take it easy. You should be a spoiled princess.” Hope couldn’t fight the smile that came over her face. She loved how much he needed to take care of her. After years of abuse and neglect, it was a welcome treat.

“I will. I promise. I won’t do anything to incur your wrath.”

“Oh, and you will. I’ll bend your pretty ass over and show you how disappointed I am if you don’t rest.”

She grew wet, instantly turned on, pressing her thighs closed. To equally torment him, she teased, “When you say it like that, maybe I should scrub the floors on my hands and knees.”

He let out a needy groan, adjusting himself before he choked out, “Enough. My dick can’t handle picturing your bottom up in the air. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He ended the call as she let out a howling laugh. She loved to know how worked up he got over her. As they got older and she was no longer new and shiny, that lust would fade, so Hope would take what she could get.

Settling their baby down for a nap in his crib, Hope tried to take one as well. She nestled down onto the sofa, throwing a light blanket over her legs. Within minutes, she was passed out.