“You are a lifesaver, Charlotte,” Jenna praised.
“Anytime,” Charlotte said with a gentle grin.
She was so glad she’d come here to get her baby checked out and to unload her stress.
Now, she could go and do her shopping in peace.Knowing what was happening regarding her body and her feelings, she’d just have to reign herself in from reacting despite Charlotte saying there wasn’t anything she could do.She’d just masturbate.Yes, that’s what she would do.
But have mercy, those two men sure did make her feel alive.More alive than she had felt in quite some time.
“Okay, I’ve got to get to my incoming patients.I’m glad I could help.Call or come in anytime.And if Nick feels worse, I can make a trip out to check on him so as to not set off that ankle alarm you’ve mentioned.You’ve got my personal number too.So take care and have fun.”
Charlotte gave Jenna’s hand a final reassuring squeeze and then she left the examination room.
Jenna blew out a long slow breath before getting off the exam table.The paper gown crackled throughout the room as she hurried to get dressed.Each movement felt lighter, as if she were stepping back into her clothes with a new understanding of herself.
Wow, Charlotte sure had made her see what was going on with her.
Widow’s fire, pregnancy hormones, and unresolved feelings from the past.
She was now armed with answers, and she hoped she could control herself.But did she even want to?A tiny, dangerous thrill curled low in her belly.Sure, control was comforting to her, but the idea of letting go with Axel and Nick tugged at her in ways she didn’t want to examine yet.
She sensed that time would tell.
* * * * *
Nick decided to whip up an early supper for everyone while Axel went to meet Jenna at the highway entrance.She’d been away for several hours, missing both breakfast and lunch and had called a little while ago to let them know she was heading home.He hoped she’d grabbed something to eat while in town, but if she hadn’t, he wanted to have a meal ready for her when she returned.
Earlier this morning, Nick had suggested that someone follow Jenna part way on her trip, as long as she called when she was heading home so she could be met again.He was pleased that both Axel and Jenna had agreed to this arrangement, especially since Axel had made it clear that he wouldn’t let her go to town alone.Axel’s protectiveness was evident, and it was a good trait in a decent man to have for his woman.
With about an hour to spare, Nick focused on preparing a meal that Jenna would appreciate.Something simple yet nutritious.
The act of cooking for her brought him a sense of joy and gave him an opportunity to reflect on the female police officer who had visited earlier.She had been professional and serious, asking detailed questions that challenged Nick’s memory.
He’d been able to recall specifics, such as a German Shepherd bobble head toy on the dashboard and a crack in the truck’s right front bumper.The officer’s approach was thorough but not intimidating, a welcome contrast to his past experiences with prison guards.
Axel also participated in the conversation, asking about leads in the investigation.The officer shared that neighbours had reported nighttime visitors on the same night as Jenna’s incident.One neighbour had surveillance footage of one intruder stealing his truck’s plates, though the video quality was poor, so they couldn’t make an identity of the thief.Another neighbour had seen a suspicious truck parked in his yard the night someone broke Jenna’s window.
Knowing that the police were actively investigating the complaints provided Nick with some comfort.
He was also glad that the building supplies they’d ordered had arrived.The supplies were stacked in the parking lot, protected by tarps that Axel had found in the barn, following the driver’s warning about impending rain later this evening.The driver had noted that the replacement window would take a couple of weeks to arrive.
Despite being surrounded by vast wilderness dotted with small ranches and farms, Nick realized that trouble could still find its way even to the most remote places.The officer promised to stay in touch with any new updates.
As Nick worked in the kitchen, he hummed along to the loud, buzzing sounds of the cicadas outside the open window.The afternoon had brought more humidity and heat, and occasionally he’d checked on the horses out in the pasture.
Some had taken shelter in the shade of nearby trees, while others contentedly grazed in the sun, their tails flicking lazily at flies.
Although he’d only been at the ranch for a little over twenty-four hours, the place already felt like home to him.Funny how years spent in prison seemed to fade away in the comfort of a place where he finally felt like he belonged.
Bear Valley Ranch felt like a slice of heaven, although he had yet to see a bear.
He smiled to himself, grateful for the newfound sense of home.It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced since he’d been an innocent kid, and truth be told, it really felt good.
* * * * *
“I haven't had such a good meal since...yesterday!”Jenna quipped with a laugh.The laugh felt good.It was a brief, welcome crack in the pressure building inside her.She speared her baked potato and flicked a glance at Axel, letting him know that she truly had enjoyed his cooking too.
“Absolutely delicious.My compliments to the chef,” Axel said from across the table, flashing a grin at Nick.
