Jake (Demented Souls #16)

30

H eather didn’t know how to feel. It was clear from the way Aaron had come in searching for her, that he was worried. And Matt wouldn’t have driven all the way down if he didn’t feel the same. But for some reason, despite their obvious concern and that she knew she should be worried, she felt safe.

It hadn’t even occurred to her that Mitch or the idiots he was mixed up with would put out a reward for her, and she felt like it should have, but now that they had, she felt like at least they wouldn’t be coming looking for her themselves. And they’d added the stipulation that she couldn’t be hurt. So even if someone managed to take her, a long shot in her mind, they wouldn’t hurt her or they wouldn’t get paid.

“I’m fine. I told you I wouldn’t go anywhere without letting you know,” she said to Aaron. “And I meant it. I would eventually like to reach out to vets in the area, see if they’re looking for a tech, but I’m not ready for that quite yet. Though I should do it sooner rather than later.” She didn’t mention that it was partly because she was running low on money. If she did, either or both would tell her not to worry about it, they had her covered. But she couldn’t let them to do that. She needed to stand on her own two feet.

“It’s a little more now, Lynnie. With this news, I don’t want you off the ranch alone.”

She started to protest, to say she was a big girl and could handle herself, but Jake placed a finger against her lips.

“Hear me out first, please.”

She glared at him but nodded. He removed his finger and continued to talk.

“I’m not trying to keep you from doing what you want or going anywhere, I just want to make sure you’re safe. I want to go with you if I can or send someone if I can’t. With this reward, there will be plenty of less than ethical people looking for you, looking to make some fast cash. As much as I love your fire and spunk, please don’t fight me on this.”

The desperation in his voice, combined with the pleading in his eyes, stole all of the fight she’d been building toward. She didn’t want to fight with him, especially when all he wanted was to take care of her. His words the day before echoed through her mind. ‘If you let me, I’d set the world on fire to take care of you.’

Heather closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said what might have been the hardest thing she’d ever said. “Okay. I won’t go anywhere alone, at least for now.”

While it wasn’t the words themselves that were hard, letting go of her freedom, even temporarily, was. She only did it because she knew, deep in her heart, that as soon as it was safe, he would give it back. She trusted him to give it back. Because if he didn’t, then she’d be forced to take it and if she had to do that, then she’d never trust him again. She could only hope she wasn’t wrong in trusting him like she had been when she’d trusted Mitch.

“Thank you, Lynnie.” Aaron’s voice had gone soft. She kept her eyes closed, as he used one finger to lift her chin, then placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Are you sticking around?” The way his voice changed told her he wasn’t talking to her, but to Matt.

“I may stay for a day or two, but I can’t stay more than that. I have to get back to work. I’d say I can just stay in here, but from the way you came in, I’m not sure I want to. Even out here.”

She opened her eyes to find Matt looking around the room as if he was wondering if any surface was safe anymore.

“You can have my bunk in the bunkhouse, if you want it, or we can find a spare tent and bedroll and you can camp in the pasture with the Souls who are up from Tucson.”

“I’ll think about it. I have a bedroll in the truck. I might just unroll it in the back if the weather stays nice.”

“I’ll talk to Lurch, get it cleared. I’m sure there won’t be a problem, but you know how it goes.”

Matt nodded. “I’d appreciate it. Let me know if you need anything, or if I can help out with making sure she’s covered.”

Beside her, Aaron stood. “I’ll go do that, if you’ll stay here with her.”

“Be happy to.”

“I don’t need babysitting,” Heather grumbled, scowling at them both.

“Don’t think of it as babysitting, think of it as guarding. And thank you for dealing with it, for me.” Aaron bent and gave her a brief kiss on the lips. “Hopefully, it won’t be for long. Then you can go and do as you please.”

She watched as he left, wanting to call him back, to have him sit here beside her and tell her it would be okay. Not that she would ever do that or ask that of him. No matter how much she might ache for it.

“Things seem to be going well, if moving a bit fast,” Matt’s words reminded her she wasn’t alone.

“What makes you say that?” She frowned and tilted her head as she watched him. She hadn’t done or said anything for Matt to think things had moved quickly between her and Aaron.

He propped his head up on one fist, arm propped on the back of the sofa where they both sat and watched her a moment, both brows raised.

“What?”

“Do you want me to go point by point or just say it was obvious?”

“Obvious how?”

“Point by point it is.” He took a deep breath, then watched her a moment longer. “First was the way he came in here. He didn’t knock but came in yelling your name and you didn’t even flinch, didn’t act like his just walking in wasn’t something he did every day.”

She blinked but didn’t want to give any indication that it was something Aaron did. He wasn’t usually yelling her name that way, but he’d quit knocking after the first night they’d spent together.

“Second, after he shook my hand, he went to you and kissed your head, like it’s something he does every day. You didn’t react, as if it’s something you’ve come to expect. Third, the way he grabbed the chair and moved it where he wanted. He didn’t hesitate, he didn’t look around. He’s spent a bit of time here and he’s comfortable with you. Comfortable enough, he doesn’t hesitate to touch you, even the smallest touch, and my being here didn’t faze him. Which tells me you two touch a lot, and probably in front of everybody here.” He used his free hand to make a wide motion, that that could easily include everyone on the ranch. “Fourth, he offered me his bunk. Where else would he bunk but here with you?”

“What’s wrong with being comfortable with each other? It’s not like we’re screwing on the picnic table in front of everyone.” She ignored the last part about where Aaron would be sleeping.

“Cuz, I never said there was anything wrong with it, only that it was obvious things have moved quickly with you. And if you wanted to screw on the picnic table in front of everyone, and you were both into it, I wouldn’t judge you for that. As long as I don’t have to see or hear about it.” He let an exaggerated shudder run through his body.

Heather lifted her foot and shoved at him. “Knock it off. Why don’t we go see what they’ve got for lunch?”