“Watching the road isn’t going to make him get here any faster,” Owen says, laughing.

I’ve been staring out the window for the past hour. Jake’s flight has already landed, but there’s no telling how long it’s going to take for him to grab his luggage and find a taxi. Not to mention, we’re a good bit away from the airport.

“Does my potato soup look good?” I ask. It’s so cold outside, I thought it’d be good to have something warm for dinner.

Owen peeks into the crock pot and breathes it in. “Smells great.”

I spot a taxi down the road, slowly making their way to the house. Butterflies swim in my gut and I jump off the couch, straight for the door. As soon as it turns down the driveway, I rush outside with the biggest smile on my face. The taxi comes to a stop and Jake steps out, his eyes focused solely on me. I run to him, not caring if I slip and fall on the snow, jumping into his arms. Tears fall down my cheeks.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I cry.

He holds me tight and breathes me in. “I’ve missed you too.” The taxi driver grabs his bags out of the trunk and Jake gives him money before he leaves. Taking my face in his warm hands, Jake kisses me softly. “I’m just glad I’m here. There’s so much going on at home.”

“Like what?” Owen asks from behind.

Jake lets me go but keeps an arm around me. “Have you talked to the detective today?”

Owen shakes his head. “No, what’s going on?”

He nods toward the house. “Let’s go inside and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“First,” I say, grabbing one of his bags, “I’m going to help you carry your stuff upstairs. You should see our room. It’s gorgeous.”

Jake winks and kisses me again. “Sounds good.” He pats Owen’s arm when we get onto the porch. “Thank you for keeping her safe, brother. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.”

Owen opens the door. “Anything for Ellie.”

We get inside, and Jake follows me up to the bedroom. I open the door and rush to the window. “Can you believe this view? And guess what . . . Owen bought this place. He was going to surprise us this Christmas by bringing us up here.” Jake’s gaze narrows as he looks out the window. I can’t help but think something’s wrong. “Jake, you okay?”

He glances at me over his shoulder, before turning back to the window. “I’m fine. Just looking outside. We’re out in the middle of nowhere out here.”

I sit in the windowsill, so I can see his face. “Forty acres is more like it. Owen plans on getting horses and a whole barn full of animals. I can take you for a tour.”

A small smile spreads across his face. “I’d like that. First, I need to tell Owen what’s going on.”

We go back downstairs, and Owen is by the front door, his vigilant gaze on the road. “Everything okay?” I ask him.

He jerks his head toward us. “Yeah. Just waiting on you two to get back down.” We follow him into the living room and I sit on the couch, while both guys stand by the fireplace. They look so serious, which makes me nervous to hear the news.

Jake sighs. “Before I left for the airport, I received word that the two phone numbers used to text you with have been traced.”

“To where?” Owen blurts out.

Jake turns his focus to Owen. “Tennessee. The police were on their way to investigate right before I left. So far, I haven’t heard anything yet.”

“Tennessee?” I say. “I don’t know anyone there.”

Jake shrugs. “Not unless they’re hiding out right now. Hopefully, we’ll know something soon. Have you found anything on your end?” he asks Owen.

Owen shakes his head. “Not yet. I’ll do more searching tonight. It’d be helpful if we could see the video of Snyder’s abduction. There has to be clues in there somewhere.”

Jake takes a seat beside me on the couch. “I watched it and didn’t see a thing. You can’t see the guy’s face.”

I lean my head against his shoulder. “Hopefully, they’ll have some answers for us soon. As much as I love this place, it’d be nice to get back home.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I agree, cupcake.”

Taking his hand, I stand and pull him up. “How about I take you for that tour? You should see the view out back.”

“Sounds good. Lead the way.”

I turn to Owen. “Want to join us?”

He waves us on. “Nah, you two go ahead. I’m heading out in a few to work in the barn.”

“Okay,” I say, grabbing my coat off the rack. Once Jake puts on his thick coat, we’re good to go. With his arm around my shoulders, we walk around the house and I fill him in on everything I’ve done the past couple of days. He listens intently, but I can tell there’s something troubling him.

“You haven’t taken the pregnancy test, have you?” he asks, leaning against the fence.

I stand in front of him and he folds me into his arms. “Not yet. I told you I’d wait on you.” Closing my eyes, I breathe him in and lay my head on his chest. “Do you want me to take it tonight?”

He rubs my back. “Hell yeah, I do. I just wish we were at home and alone. If you are, I’ll feel bad rubbing it in Owen’s face, especially since he’s not with Kimberly anymore.”

I point at the small mountain and smile. “Want to hike it? Owen cleared a trail around it yesterday.”

Eyes narrowed, he studies the mountain. “What’s on the other side of it?”

“A small town. Why?”

Sighing, he looks around at the land. “Just trying to see if anyone can do a sneak attack. The main road is pretty visible . . . you can see someone coming from a mile away. But this,” he says, nodding at the mountain, “is a different story. Someone could easily hike over it and be near the house in a matter of minutes.”

I grab his hand. “You worry too much. No one’s going to find me here.”

By the look on his face, he doesn’t seem too sure. “I’ll hike it tomorrow and see what it’s like. Anyone could be hiding in the woods.”

A shiver runs up my spine. “You sure do know how to scare me.”

He pulls me into his arms. “That’s not my intention. All I care about is keeping you safe. Now that I’m here with you, I feel much better.”

I squeeze him tight. “I feel better too. Come on, I’ll take you to the barn. Owen’s been working like crazy in there.”

We walk toward the barn and his phone rings. He pulls it out and his eyes widen. “It’s the detective.” I step away from him, so I can watch his reaction.

“Detective.”

I can hear a deep voice on the other end, but I can’t tell what he’s saying. Jake replies with a yes and a few no’s, but in the end, he lowers his head and huffs. “Thanks, Detective. We’ll be on our guard.” He hangs up and pockets the phone.

“What’s going on?” I feel the knots in my stomach return.

Owen walks out of the barn, his concerned gaze on Jake. “What’d he say?”

With a heavy sigh, Jake glances at us both. “Looks like his computer system was hacked. Whoever broke in will have the information on my flight. They’ll know that I’m up here somewhere.”

“Which means?” I ask nervously.

Owen clears his throat. “It means that this place is not safe. There’s a chance this person could find you.”

Groaning, I lean against the barn door. “Do we have to leave now?”

Jake shakes his head. “Actually, I think we should stay. If this person finds us, then let him. This shit needs to end.”

Owen nods and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly. “I agree with Jake. Let’s end this.”

They both wait on my answer and I can’t help but feel like it’s a mistake. “Okay,” I give in. “Let’s draw him out.”

---

Once our potato soup and salad dinner are consumed, we all sit in the living room. Jake hasn’t left my side for a second. He even helped me with the dishes. “Have you talked to your parents?” he asks, soothingly rubbing circles on my thigh.

I flip through the TV channels and settle on Miracle on 34^th Street. It is almost Christmas. “I talked to them yesterday, to let them know I was okay,” I reply. “My mother’s terrified.”

“She has good reason to be.”

Snuggling into his side, I place a hand on his chest. His heart is racing. “I know. She’ll be even more terrified if I tell her the bad news.”

Jake snorts. “She’ll be on her way up here to protect you herself, if you do.”

I can’t help but laugh, even though it’s not funny in the least. “Exactly.” Sitting back, I stretch my arms over my head. It’s getting late. “I’m not far from going to bed.”

Jake wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck. “I’ll join you.”

Owen sighs and it draws my attention to him as he sits down in a gray leather recliner. He runs a hand over his face and focuses on Jake. “We might want to take lookout shifts tonight. That way, if somebody tries to sneak in, we’ll know. Want to take the first or second shift?”

Jake helps me up off the couch. “Second. It’d be nice to spend some time with my wife.”

“Can’t argue with you there,” I say, winking up at him. “I’ll stay awake with you when it’s your turn.”

Owen gets to his feet. “All right, it’s settled then. You two go get some sleep.”

Jake lifts me up in his arms. “I don’t think sleep is on the agenda right now.”

Cheeks burning, I smack his shoulder. “Jake.” I’m too embarrassed to look at Owen, so I hide my face against Jake’s chest as he carries me up the stairs. Once hidden behind the bedroom door, he sets me down and I smack his arm again. “Now Owen’s going to know what we’re doing up here.”

Jake shrugs. “You’re my wife. It’s no crime to want to make love to you after we’ve been separated for a couple of days.”

I throw my arms around his neck. “True. We just have to be quiet. I don’t want him hearing us.”

His lips pull back slyly. “I’m not the one who likes to scream.”

“Hey, that’s your fault.” We both laugh, and for the first time in days, I feel complete. “Now that we’re alone, do you want me to take the pregnancy test?”

Jake’s eyes light up. “More than anything.”

I hurry to my bag and pull out the test. Butterflies flutter in my stomach, but I try not to get too excited. It’s heartbreaking when you get negatives.

Jake pulls me into him and kisses me. “I’ll be right here.”

Taking a deep breath, I walk into the bathroom and shut the door. So many emotions war within me. I want to be pregnant, but not when a psycho killer is coming after me. If something bad were to happen and I’m taken, I don’t want my unborn baby to be negatively affected.

Once I’ve peed on the stick, I set it on the counter and open the door. Jake’s eyes light up. “Well?” he asks.

I shake my head. “We have to give it a minute. And maybe if you’re the first one this time, it’ll give us the answer we want.”

With the past tests I’ve taken, I’ve always done them on my own time, without him. He’s never seen the disappointment and heartbreak on my face. Taking my face in his hands, he kisses me softly. After a minute goes by, he slides past me into the bathroom and picks up the test. His expression is unreadable, and it makes my heart drop.

Fighting back tears, I back up toward the bed and sit down. He’s still in the bathroom, most likely not wanting to give me the bad news. “Jake, just tell me,” I call out, and he walks into the bedroom. “I don’t have to see it. Judging by your expression, it’s not good.” I turn my head away and the tears fall.

“I’m sorry, Ellie.” Jake sets the test on the bed right in front of me. Chest tight, I close my eyes because I don’t want to look at it.

“It’s okay, Jake,” I whisper, wiping away my tears. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

He bends down on his knees and turns my body toward him. “Look at me,” he murmurs.

Releasing a heavy sigh, I meet his gaze and it only makes me cry more. There are tears in his eyes and it breaks my heart. He grabs my face in his strong grasp. “I don’t think you understand me.”

“Oh yeah? Why is that?”

His lips pull back into a grin and he grabs the test, holding it up so I can see it. “I was saying I’m sorry because you’re going to be stuck with me for a long time. We’re having a baby!”

Either the breath leaves my lungs, or I forget to breathe. All I know is that one minute, I’m crying, and the next, I’m screaming with joy. “We did it,” I squeal, jumping into Jake’s arms.

He bursts out laughing. “We sure as hell did.”

“Everything okay up there?” Owen shouts.

“Yes, we’re fine,” I shout back. “Sorry!”

Jake kisses me. “We’re more than fine. This is just what I needed.” He leans down and kisses my stomach. “Something else to fight for.”

His words bring a chill to my spine. “Do you really think we’ll draw this guy out by staying here?”

Jake meets my gaze. “I have no doubt, but let’s not worry about that right now. This is our moment, our time. I’m not going to let anything spoil it.” He nuzzles my neck, pushing my hair out of the way so he can kiss his way up my jaw. Tilting my head to the side, I moan and close my eyes. “Nothing’s going to spoil tonight.”

Chill bumps race across my skin and I shiver, leaning against him to steal some of his warmth. He chuckles in my ear and presses his erection against my stomach, lightly thrusting it up and down. I hold him tight.

“I want more,” I breathe.

Kissing me feverishly, he picks me up in his arms and gently sets me on the bed. “I’m going to give you more, cupcake. Don’t worry,” he promises.

Sliding his fingers under my shirt, he lifts it up over my head and throws it on the floor. He moans deep in his chest when he gazes down at me with his sexy blue eyes, licking his lips. Kissing the mounds of my breasts, he lowers the fabric over one and begins to suck on my taut, sensitive nipple, while reaching behind me to unclasp my bra. He shoves it away, while keeping his lips enclosed over my breast. I want to feel him inside me, to satiate the craving between my legs.

Already, my body responds to his touch and I’m so achingly wet, so close to letting go. Fumbling with his jeans, I try desperately to get them undone, so I can wrap my fingers around his cock and feel it pulsate with my touch. Jake helps me by kicking off his jeans once I have them undone. Taking his length in my hands, I squeeze, pumping him from base to tip.

“Fuck, that feels good,” he groans. “I’ve missed this.”

“So have I.”

Harder and faster, I stroke him, enjoying the satisfied rumble in his chest. His fingers deftly unbutton my jeans, and he slides them down my legs. Now I know why they’ve started getting a little snug.

With his arm around my waist, he moves up the bed and spreads my legs wide with his knee. Keeping his gaze on mine, he kisses me gently at first, and then harder as he pushes his fingers inside me.

“Harder, Jake,” I beg, spreading my legs wider.

He does as I say, and soon after, I feel myself tightening around his fingers. He bites down on my lip and sucks as I cry out in pleasure, riding the waves of my orgasm. Slowly, he rubs my overly-sensitive clit with his thumb and swirls his fingers in the wetness between my legs.

Keeping his gaze on mine, he traces my nipples with my desire, leaving wet trails in his wake, and sucks them both greedily. I can feel his cock pressing into my opening, and as soon as he pushes the tip in, I gasp.

Plunging the rest of the way in, it’s a shock to my system and I revel in the feeling of being split wide open. “I love you,” he murmurs against my lips.

Tears fall down my cheeks. “I love you too.”