Page 77 of Soldier Cowboy
“I don’t think so. My incredibly sunny nature wouldn’t allow me to believe it, and by the time I did it was a little too late. It happened fast. A year from the time she was diagnosed with colon cancer. It spread to her liver.”
“If it helps, I don’t think you can ever be prepared.” He lowered his head to her shoulder, kissed her neck.
“No, you can’t.” She ruffled his hair, lightening the mood.
“So, what you’re telling me is I’ll be the cook in this family?” He wasn’t able to catch himself in time to stop the incredible assumption that they were afamily.
But even if for a little while, it sure felt that way.
She didn’t seem shocked or upset by the statement but nodded in agreement. “I’m afraid so, Captain Sparrow.”
“Yarr!” He did his best imitation of a frustrated pirate, picking her up in his arms and carrying her toward the bedroom. “Hide the rum! Hide the rum!”
She kicked her legs and laughed all the way to the bedroom where they both stopped laughing for a long while.
The next fewdays went by like a blur, Colton working long hours but coming home for lunch. They’d have amazing wall-banging sex, he’d take a shower and then go back out. She wandered the ranch, getting acquainted with the horses and livestock. She took photos of Freya and the wild horses as they galloped chasing the wind and Beer. She visited with Delores, Winona, and the children in the afternoons, taking photos of them running, their little chubby legs working double time to catch Beer. They played fetched and tumbled in the grass head over behind.
But no matter what time Colton walked in the door, Jennifer jumped him. His hat would fall off, and he’d pretend to stagger to the couch where he’d kiss her into next week.
Evenings became longer sessions of sex, making (she helped) and eating dinner, showering together, then sexy times again because they were both insatiable. They watched theHollywood Entertainmentshow and Colton swore he’d get satellite TV next time he was in town. But for now, they enjoyed making fun of all the actors while they ate whatever delicious dinner Colton had created.
One lazy sex-filled afternoon, Colton had just gone back outside when the landline rang.
It was Mallory. “How are you enjoying your vacation in the country? I see your socials are still completely dead. It’s like you fell off the face of the Earth.”
“Well, that was the plan.”
“What do you do all day long? You must be climbing the walls.”
Or climbing a certain cowboy.
“Believe it or not, I’m used to this now. Funny thing, without all the distractions I’mforcedto relax. You should try it sometime. I’m no longer worried about who’s doing what and whether or not they’re having more fun that I am. No more fear of missing out. I don’t really have any idea what everyone else is doing but IknowI’m having more fun.”
“Oh, really? Well, this sounds like the start of new podcast series.Unwind and Unplug.”
Funny, Jennifer hadn’t even considered it. It would defeat the purpose. She was going to get listeners to plug in just so she could tell them to unplug?
“Actually, I think my father might have been right after all. I’ll have to give up the podcast. Or he’ll find me again because I’m a public figure.”
“Well, you can’t just hide away forever!”
“Can’t I?”
“I haven’t even told you the best part about my call. For the past few days, Dan has been a no-show at the restaurant. After coming in every night for dinner and asking about you, I thought that was unusual. I asked around, and someone told me he moved to the East Coast where he had a better job opportunity.”
“Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
“Well, who knows if it’s true? I don’t think you can trust a word coming out of Dan’s mouth. But it’s at least encouraging that he hasn’t been coming by. Has he stopped emailing?”
Jennifer had checked early today and there had been no more emails. That made a few days now, which was a definite break in his routine.
“No more emails. It’s been days.”
“It sounds like he’s moved on. When are you coming home?”
Dan had stopped torturing her and obsessing. He’d finally gotten the message and given up. The sense of relief was almost a palpable swelling in her chest. She’d get her life back. Swim in her condo’s pool without fear he’d be watching. Go out with her friends to restaurants and clubs without worrying he might be following. She could resume her podcast and do the work that meant something to her.
But she’d have to leave Colton.
