Chapter 12
Chloe must have dozed, Jack’s body heat warming her in the chilled night air, but a crashing in the trees behind them woke her. Still in a haze from their love making, she was sure that someone had come upon them, so she jumped to her feet and began searching for her dress. Jack immediately jumped to his feet as well, but instead of searching for his clothes, he stepped into his boots and headed straight for the noise.
Her head finally clearing, Chloe realized that the worst thing Jack could do was go in pursuit of whatever was in the woods. It was never a good idea to scare the wildlife, especially bears and since the canyon had an ample supply of water now, bears had begun making their appearance. She wanted to call out to him, but couldn’t seem to find her voice. Finally, she took a deep breath and calmed herself.
Throwing her dress on over her head just in case their visitor was human, she followed Jack into the woods. He hadn’t gotten far and she could see why, there standing on the bank of the river not far from where he stood was the biggest moose she’d ever seen. It only took her another second before she reached Jack and put her hand on his shoulder. A moose could be as dangerous as a bear and she wasn’t sure if Jack had ever seen one, she certainly hadn’t.
“Don’t get any closer, moose can be very dangerous.” She whispered in his ear.
The moose didn’t seem concerned with them so they watched as he drank from the stream then wandered back up towards the high mountains, past where they’d been sitting. They waited until they were sure he was gone then quietly crept back to the blanket, Chloe shivering in the cold night air. Jack wrapped the blanket around her, pulled her to him, hardly able to contain his laughter.
“So much for our romantic night, that sneaky moose crashed the party.” He finally managed to say.
Chloe looked at Jack standing there naked except for his boots and joined in his laughter. She watched as he got dressed, sad that the night was over, but relieved that they’d made up. Once Jack was dressed, he crossed the little clearing and took her in his arms and kissed her for a long time, igniting the passion between them again.
They stumbled back up the trail in the darkness, Chloe’s hand firmly gripped in Jack’s. When they got back to Honey Hills everyone was gone, but Marissa had left a light on for them. Quietly, they got into Jack’s truck and headed for the ranch where they’d both left their four wheelers. Instead of going home, they climbed into the loft of the barn and Jack made them a bed in the straw.
When they were finally settled in each other’s arms again, they left their clothes in a pile on the floor. "I'm not sure where we’re going from here, but I’m glad we’re doing it together.” Jack said, stroking Chloe’s cheek with his thumb.
“Me too.” Chloe said, pulling Jack down for a kiss.
The next few weeks were some of the happiest in Chloe’s life, Jack was a dream come true, the real man finally able to shine through the hurt that had been holding him back. He was not only a wonderful lover, but he found little ways to take care of Chloe. He cooked her dinner, brought her wild flowers, and left her little love notes all over her cabin.
Josh quickly found his way into her heart, and it wasn’t long before the three of them were inseparable, rarely spending the night apart. Jack moved Josh’s crib into the living room to give them the privacy they needed, knowing that it would be best for them all. Any worries he might have had about Chloe taking on the role of Josh’s mother were quickly settled when he found them asleep on the couch one night when he’d had to work late.
His heart melted at the sight and he knew right then that Chloe was the only woman he’d ever want. Without waking them, he sat down in the chair and watched them sleeping, happier than he’d ever been in his life. Someday, he and Chloe would have children of their own, but for now he was happy with their little family of three. Again he thanked the powers for giving him Chloe and the chance to love her, as he sat there he silently promised himself that he’d always take care of her, even when she didn’t want him to.
When Chloe opened her eyes and saw Jack sitting in the chair next to the couch, her heart swelled with love as it always did when she saw him, but the look on his face told her that he had something on his mind. For a moment, she was afraid that it was something bad, but then he smiled at her and his face lit up. Breathing a sigh of relief, she shifted Josh who was asleep on her chest.
Jack took Josh from her and put him in his crib, then helped her up and led her back to the bedroom. He made love to her that night more tenderly than he had ever before, her pleasure his only concern and when they were finished he held her close all night long. Chloe could sense a change in Jack but didn’t know what had prompted it. All she knew was that for the first time in a long time she felt loved and protected.
When it came time for the next flock of sheep to arrive in LA, they rode together both amazed at how much had changed since the first time they’d picked sheep up in the city. After the pneumonia scare, they’d wisely chosen to give the first sheep a bit more time to recover but now they both felt it was time to increase the flock before winter.
They arrived at the docks just as the sheep did and Chloe was pleased to see that this group looked much better than the first had, but still insisted on keeping them in LA for a few extra days. Jack didn’t fight her on the decision, simply agreed, looking forward to spending a few days with Chloe in LA, a town he found both exciting and overwhelming.
Chloe introduced Michelle to Jack, who charmed her, making her think that Chloe had over exaggerated his sour disposition. They went to the beach and Hollywood, spent time shopping, even hit one of the many amusement parks in the city. By the time the sheep were ready for transport, they were both exhausted and ready to get back to the quiet of the canyon. But before they headed home, Chloe had to stop at the university to pick up some new drug samples she had been waiting for.
Curious to see an American university, Jack came with her, impressed by the school and the fact that almost everyone seemed to like and admire Chloe. That she had an impressive reputation was clear as she interacted with the people they met, until they came across a grumpy looking man at the very end of their visit. The man treated Chloe with so little respect Jack was about to jump in, but Chloe stopped him with a shake of her head.
Later as they were leaving the school she explained, “That was my advisor, he and I didn’t get along very well, but he can’t do anything to me now so it’s not worth the effort to insult him.” She said, with a grin.
“But it would have been so much fun.” Jack said, laughing.
“He did try to ruin my career but look where I am now; I think I won.” She said, only then realizing just how true her words were. If she’d never taken the job in the canyon she’d have never met Jack. “Actually we should be thanking him.” She added, taking his hand in hers.
“Thanking him? Why?” Jack was confused.
“If he hadn’t made me stay at school longer, I might not have ever applied for the job in the canyon.” She explained.
“Then I guess I do owe him a thank you.” Jack said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her, not caring who might see them.
Brandon was standing by his car waiting for a phone call. Ever since he’d broken things off with Chloe his life had gone to crap. It was clear that he wasn’t going to be able to pass his boards when they came up in the fall, his plan to ride Chloe’s coat tails hadn’t taken into account the fact that he’d still have to be certified to practice. He’d been combing the underworld of LA looking for some way out of his predicament, it was really Chloe’s fault he was in this position. If she hadn’t taken her boards early, he would have been able to slide in and use her answers.
Frustrated, he put the phone in his pocket and started to head into the building, but when he looked up he saw Chloe walking across the grass holding a man’s hand. Shocked, he watched as the man pulled her into his arms and kissed her, and it was clearly not the first time he’d done so, that much was clear by their body language. His first instinct was to confront her, cause a scene, but then he took a good look at the guy she was with and decided it might not end well for him.
Instead he ducked back into his car and hid from them as they crossed the parking lot and got into a truck that was twice the size of his little sports car, his mind spinning trying to find a way to make this work to his advantage. He was still sitting there when they finally pulled out of the lot and drove away, nothing had come to him, but he’d think of something. Chloe wasn’t going to ruin his life and come out unscathed, the whole thing was her fault. If she’d stayed in LA where she belonged, he’d on his way to the career he was destined for.
Chloe and Jack were completely unaware of Brandon presence in the parking lot. In fact, Chloe hadn’t thought about him since the day Jack had made her throw his shirt away, replacing it with one of his own, which was even bigger and more comfortable than Brandon’s. Nor could they possibly know that Brandon was hatching a scheme to destroy their relationship – the only way he could find to get back at Chloe.
The sheep made it safely to the pasture at the ranch with little problem. They were healthier than the first group and everyone now knew what they needed to do to get them loaded and unloaded from the truck. There had been no mishaps on the ship either, so there was no need to transport any of the sheep separately. Still, they were all glad when the trip was over.
Jack and Chloe were standing in the same place as they had all those weeks ago, both thinking about the first time they’d kissed. When Jack moved closer and put his arm around her, she went easily to his side and snuggled up to his warmth, although summer was still in full swing, at night there was a chill to the air that promised changes to come. Chloe looked up at him and smiled, glad that they were together and that all the pain and frustration of the past was behind them.
She knew that they still had challenges to face, but she also knew that together they would face them. Jack still had moments of doubt as she did, but they talked about them together and found they grew closer each time they shared those feelings. It was a new experience for them both to trust someone so completely, but they also knew that no relationship could survive without that kind of intimacy. They also knew that a real test of their relationship was coming. Jack had to fly back to Australia to take care of the sale of some property they no longer needed, so he’d be gone for a week, and Chloe already missed him.
But it was something he had to do, and she couldn’t take time away from the canyon to go with him. “I’m going to miss you. A week suddenly seems like a long time.” She said, as they got ready for bed that night.
“I know, I wish you could come with me.” Jack said, crossing the room to take her in his arms, “I’d love to show you the ranch back home.”
“Someday I’ll go with you.” She promised, burying her head in his chest and taking a deep breath, loving the way he smelled.
“We’ll talk every day, I promise.”
Jack called Chloe at least twice a day for the first few days he was gone, but during their last conversation he explained that he’d have to go up into the hills around the ranch with the surveyor to help him and that he wouldn’t be able to call for a few days. Chloe was disappointed but knew that he had responsibilities that couldn’t be avoided.
“It’s only for a few days Jack, I’ll be okay. We have to learn how to be separated.”
“Well, I still don’t like it. What if you need me?”
Chloe laughed, loving the fact that he thought he could help her from half way across the world. “I have your brothers here if I get in trouble. I promise not to do anything crazy until you get back.”
“Well, okay. I’ll call you as soon as I can.” Jack said, then added, “I love you, Chloe.”
Chloe’s heart melted, it was the first time he’d said it and she’d been waiting so long to hear it. “I love you too, Jack.”
It was even harder to hang up after that, but finally they disconnected the call, both feeling an intense longing for the other. The next day, Chloe was able to lose herself in her work, but when night came and she was alone, her longing for Jack and Josh came roaring back. Tomorrow she promised herself, she’d go have dinner with someone, which would help distract her from his silly emotions. Marissa was the perfect choice; there was always a group of people at Honey Hills and surely that would provide enough entertainment to keep her mind off her missing boys.
When she arrived at Marissa’s the next evening, there were indeed a bunch of cars and trucks in the yard and she began to look forward to dinner. She recognized most of the vehicles but there was one that made her blood run cold. There parked between two huge trucks was a sports car that looked remarkably like Brandon’s, but that was impossible, Brandon had to be hundreds of miles away.
She hadn’t heard anything from him since she’d move up to the canyon, but she’d heard rumors that he wasn’t doing all that well. Evidently, he’d been hopping mad when he found out that she’d sat for her boards early, and there was a rumor that he was shopping for someone who could arrange it for him to pass without taking the test. Deciding that it couldn’t possibly be Brandon, she climbed the porch and went in the front door.
Marissa was there to meet her, a strained look on her face. When she walked into the kitchen, she could understand why. Brandon was sitting at the kitchen table, looking decidedly out of place surrounded by the men of the canyon. When he saw her, he jumped to his feet and crossed the room, a big smile on his face, and hugged her. She was so shocked she didn’t stop him, but when he tried to kiss her on the cheek she pulled back.
“What are you doing here?” She demanded, not the least bit happy to see him.
“I wanted to apologize to you. I think you deserve it.” He said, trying to keep his voice low.
“I don’t want you to apologize, I want you to leave.” She said.
“We have things to talk about, I didn’t mean what I said.” Brandon wasn’t going to give up. “We can talk about it here in front of everyone if you want, but I doubt you want your sex life discussed in front of these people.”
Chloe considered his words, then knowing that he’d do something to embarrass her, she nodded her head. “I’ll meet you on the porch, I just need to talk to Marissa for a second.”
“Don’t keep me waiting.” Brandon said, with a decidedly false smile.
When Marissa and Chloe got into the other room, Chloe sank into a chair and put her head in her hands. “What’s wrong?” Marissa asked.
“Do you know who that is?” Chloe asked, looking up at Marissa with tears in her eyes.
“I have a feeling it’s someone you don’t want to see. He showed up here an hour or so ago, said that he knew you and that you were expecting him. If I’d known that he wasn’t someone you wanted to see, I would have warned you.” Marissa sounded so sorry Chloe felt guilty.
“You had no way of knowing that I wouldn’t want to see him. I’ll just have to get rid of him.” Chloe said, taking a deep breath.
“Who is he?” Marissa didn’t want to pry, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her.
Chloe knew that Marissa deserved an explanation she briefly filled her in on her relationship with Brandon and how he’d broken her heart. When she’d finished Marissa rolled her eyes and said, “This guy’s up to no good. We need to get rid of him and fast.”
“That’s exactly what I’m planning to do, but if he’s not gone in ten minutes will you come save me?” Chloe asked, wanting to know that she wouldn’t be completely on her own.
Heart pounding, she went out to the porch where Brandon was waiting for her, a smug look on his face. “Looks like you’ve done okay for yourself here, wouldn’t it be a shame if something messed that up.” He said, propping his feet up on the railing and leaning back in his chair.
“What are you doing here? You need to leave; you’re not wanted here.” Chloe said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I just thought I’d come and check on you, I thought maybe you were lonely but it looks like you have lots of company and they’re all just the kind of man you like. Personally, I don’t really care for the smell of horse manure but that’s just me.”
“Brandon, you need to leave.” Chloe said again.
“Oh, I’ll leave soon enough, but first I just want to make sure that you remember what you left behind.” He said, and got up from the chair and crossed the porch.
Before she could stop him, he’d pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She immediately pushed him away but as luck would have it, Owen and Flynn pulled into the yard just then. When Brandon saw them, he sniggered at her and ambled off the porch, taking the steps slowly. Chloe wanted to die right on the spot, but Marissa came rushing out of the house just then and pulled her inside.
“I’m sorry Chloe, I wasn’t expecting him to do that.”
“Me either.” Chloe said, her heart sinking. “It wouldn’t have been so bad but I know that Owen and Flynn saw that.”
“You’ll just have to explain it to them.” Marissa said, with a sigh.
But Owen and Flynn weren’t going to give her a chance to explain. “Looks like our brother managed to snag himself another liar.” Flynn said.
“Your timing was bad Chloe; you should have waited until tonight to get it on with your little boyfriend. What were you planning to do, get what you could from Jack then dump him? I thought you were different.” Owen looked a little bit upset at the turn of events. “I really liked you.”
“Wait, let me explain.” Chloe said, trying to find the words to make them understand that the kiss hadn’t been her idea.
“You can explain to Jack; he’s going to be here in a few minutes. He wanted to surprise you.” Flynn said, then pointed to Jack’s truck pulling into the yard.