She whispered his name softly and buried herself in his arms as if she had found her treasure and she had.
They sat quietly for a moment, just holding each other until Ben and Billy came back inside, looking apprehensively at the couple.
“Everything okay now?” Ben asked. Grace smiled and nodded and took a deep, shaky breath ready to get James out of her life once and for all. She had a happy life to live starting now. “What is the plan, Sheriff?”
“Tonight you just rest honey, and tomorrow we’ll make plans. I’m glad to see you two working things out. Jackson is a good guy and will help us protect you.” Ben told Jackson and Grace who sat clinging to each other on the couch.
“I’ll stay on the couch tonight, Grace. No one will get past me,” Billy offered, smiling at his cousin.
Jackson got an angry look on his face and tensed up. Although he had never met Billy he had heard enough about his hero status and all the women in town gushing over him like some movie star.
“She’s coming home with me. We have a spare bedroom and she’ll be safe there with my family,” Jackson declared, sternly looking at Grace, as if daring her to argue with him.
“I’ll be safe with Jackson for tonight, Billy,” Grace answered, trying not to smile at Jackson’s surly attitude.
Ben nodded in agreement with the idea hiding his laugh behind a fake cough as Jackson glared at him too. “That sounds like a good plan, Jackson.”
Grace nodded and stood up and walked over to Billy, who looked like he wanted to argue. She hugged Billy good-bye. “That will give you time to visit with your parents and tomorrow we’ll get together and talk. I am so glad you’re back, Billy. I missed you.”
Billy kissed her forehead gently. “Okay. See you in the morning, honey.” He looked up at Jackson sternly. “Hurt her and I will kill you and hide the body so no one ever finds it.”
“On that cheerful note, let’s get out of here, Billy,” Ben suggested before the two men started arguing.
Chapter 13
Grace snuggled into Jackson as he drove out to the ranch. She yawned tiredly. “I’m sorry I doubted you, Jackson. Kelly is a bitch but she’s pretty and doesn’t carry baggage like I do. Look at all this trouble because of me.”
Jackson denied that. “None of this is your fault, baby, and as for Kelly, she has good looks going for her but she is self-centered and whiny. Outside beauty fades, Grace, but real beauty comes from within. You have both. So how close are you with this so-called cousin? He is way too handsome for my peace of mind, not to mention bloodthirsty.”
Grace giggled at his scowl. “Billy is my cousin. We’ve always been close but in a family sense only.”
Jackson sounded satisfied with her answer. “Good. You’re mine, Grace, and I am selfish. I don’t share well.”
“And you’re mine,” she whispered back softly to herself, finally believing it, letting the word seep into her soul.
When they arrived at the house, the dogs came running to greet them. “Down,” Jackson snapped at the two dogs jumping excitedly all over Grace.
Grace knelt down on the ground to pet them. “It’s okay. I love Roxy and Molly. I know they’ll bark in warning if strangers come around. Won’t you, my beautiful girls?” They wagged their tails happily.
The house was dark and quiet since it was late and Jackson led her upstairs to the guest bedroom where she usually stayed. He turned the small lamp on beside the bed and Grace sat down and kicked off her shoes. “I slept most of the day away but I’m still exhausted. What if I have a nightmare? I forgot to grab my sleeping pills and my purse.”
“Tonight I’m sleeping with you in here. I just want to hold you all night, Grace. I was scared earlier as I drove like a madman to your house and I don’t want to be down the hall worried sick about you all night,” he said, taking off his boots, too. He went to his room and got her one of his shirts to sleep in and he slept in his boxers and T-shirt, leaving the bedroom door open.
They laid down together on the bed and she put her head on his chest, loving his solid warmth, the beating of his heart, and the shelter his arms made around her. Molly and Roxy wandered in and settled themselves down on the carpeted floor on the side of the bed. Grace smiled, feeling safe with all her guards surrounding her.
Grace sighed softly as Jackson played lightly with her hair, telling her she was safe in his arms and to just rest. She closed her eyes and fell asleep within minutes, feeling secure in her lover’s arms.
* * * *
The next morning Grace woke up to see the sun shining in the window. Jackson and the dogs were gone. She got up and washed up and headed downstairs. Hannah and Ida were seated at the dining room table. Hannah got up and hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here with us Grace. Ben will catch this guy.”
Ida poured her some coffee. “Sit down, honey. You need to eat.” She served her a plate of scrambled eggs and made sure she ate them all.
Grace told them a little of what had happened and they listened with sympathy. It felt good to let it all out and to know she had good friends in this town willing to help her.
Jackson came in and kissed Grace’s head in greeting. “Ben called. We’re meeting at the café since it’s closed today to come up with a plan.”
Grace nodded and thanked Hannah and Ida for everything. They didn’t talk on the way to town. Grace’s stomach was rumbling with nerves and she wished she hadn’t eaten because it felt like it wasn’t going to stay in her stomach. Jackson grabbed her hand and squeezed it as if to remind her she wasn’t alone in this fight. As Jackson parked and they got out of the truck she took a deep breath and let it out slowly, telling herself to be brave and not fall apart.