Guarding Forever

“Do you think the two events are connected?”

“It’s hard to say. I know that the email had to be from Cummings regardless of the fact that he was in the hospital with severe injuries. One of his lackeys could have been the one to hit the button.”

“True. We’re going to ride over to Colt’s ranch and get all we can from the bull and then have a talk with Mr. Perkins. Do us a favor and don’t contact Perkins. Understood?”

“I won’t. I’m not interested in going to jail. I have a family to look after.”

It was already five when he went looking for Hope and their son. His stomach was rumbling, so he was sure hers would be too. His stomach had been in knots with everything going on, so he hardly touched the lunch Hope brought him after Bill left to search for the bull. They were in the baby’s nursery just outside their bedroom. “Are you hungry, Hope?”

“No. I want to spend time with Johnny.”

Gage stared at his wife as questions circled in his mind. Was she pushing me away? Did she blame me for spending so much time away from her? “Do you want me to join you?”

“Of course. Unless you don’t want to.” She seemed unsure. The both of them were shaken by the constant danger they’d had to go through—the doubt and fear challenging their young love.

“I always want to be with my two favorite people.” Gage got down on the floor with Hope and Johnny, who sat around his playmat and toys.

“Ouch, shit. I think I got a toy up my ass,” Gage said, digging a toy phone out from under his rear.

“I’m not even going to go there.” She giggled, which made Gage’s heart swell.

“I always want to go there,” he growled with his hand cupping her ass.

“Gage,” she whimpered, pressing her ass back into his hand for even more attention. “I love you.”

“God, I exist for you, Hope.” Gage crushed his mouth to hers, biting on her bottom lip. The softness of her plump lips always drove him insane. He arched up onto his knees, thrusting his fingers into her hair.

The sound of their son cooing stopped the passionate moment and they returned to playing with their little boy. For an hour, they gave him his tummy time, helping him strengthen his already large body. Gage’s mother informed them that he had been a big baby as well, so little Johnny was taking after his daddy. “He has everything from you. If I didn’t give birth to him, I wouldn’t know I had anything to do with making him.”

“And I’m sure any little girl we have will look just like you—stunningly beautiful.”

“Thank you, my sweet husband.” She rested her head on his shoulder as they watched their baby try to crawl. He’d get one leg up and then one hand on one side and accidentally roll over onto his back. He could flip himself onto his tummy again, and he did it after two tries.

“He’s going to…” Hope yawned “…be crawling soon.”

“He will be for sure. Then he’ll run amok just in time for our other little one to arrive.” Gage brushed her hair away from her face and could see the fatigue in her eyes. “Baby, if you’re tired, you can lie down.”

“No, I don’t want to miss any time with you two. If it wasn’t for the attack, you’d be working with the guys.”

“I’m sorry. I know I work a lot, but as soon as I find enough hands, I’ll take a step back.”

“You don’t work too much. I’m just greedy. It’s never enough time alone with you.”

“Damn, I fucking love you.” He stole another kiss before taking their son and setting him in his bouncer with the hanging toys. The baby giggled with each bounce before yawning. A wail and a pungent smell set Gage on his feet to change his little boy. After a fresh diaper and a bottle, he set the baby down for a nap. When he finally came out, he found his wife asleep on the floor. He scooped her up despite the soreness in his muscles and carried her to bed.

“My hero,” she whispered.

“Always.” He sat her down on the bed and then took off her bra while she rested her forehead on his chest. Once he got her down to her T-shirt and panties, he tucked his beautiful, sleepy wife into bed and then went into the kitchen to make a sandwich. After making it, he walked into his office and went about contacting his friends who’d set up the surveillance system. He needed more protection for his family.

“Hey, Sean. This is Gage Gibson.”

“Hey, what’s up, man?”

“Did you catch the news?”

“Not in the past two days. It’s been one hell of a shit storm around the office.”