Jenna waved her hand. “I know, I know, but this is so exciting. How many people dream of finding gold?” She pointed to the stone in his fingers. “If that is gold and all I—we—ever find, then I’m thrilled with that.”
Chet snaked his arm around her shoulder and handed back her find. “Here, you hang on to it. It’s yours to do with whatever your little heart desires.”
“Thanks.”
Jenna leaned to him for a kiss and he met her hungry lips. He never failed to respond to her touch and even after their chilly session in the creek, his cock sprang to life again. She was too excited about her gold right now to take that away and tumbleher again on the creek bank. Chet bit his tongue and did his best to ignore the tightness in his groin.
“You’re very welcome, darlin’.” He smiled at her and took her hand. “Had you planned on coming back down to the house today or did you want to hang out a while longer here?”
“Does that mean you’re not going to stay?” She sounded disappointed and he hated disappointing her.
“I suppose I could fit you in for the night,” Chet teased.
Jenna gave him a playful punch on the arm and followed Chet down the trail. “Is that all you’ve got for me, to squeeze me in? Wow, I really have slid into the back seat, haven’t I?”
“Only if you mean the back seat for havin’ a little bit of hanky panky.”
“That’s much better. I’d hate to think you were getting tired of me and trying to find reasons to stay away.” He heard the teasing tone, but was that a worried edge to it? He needed to assure her all was well.
Chet stopped abruptly and turned to look at her. She halted and tipped her face up. He cupped her cheeks in his palms, leaning over her, shadowing them under the brim of his hat.
“Don’t you ever think that. You hear me?” He covered her lips with his and desire bolted through him when her tongue touched his. Chet couldn’t pull away and deepened the kiss until they were both panting. He lifted his head and curled his arms around her, holding her tight. “We’ve gone through an awful lot in a short space of time. I almost lost you once and I’m not about to let it happen again.”
Jenna’s arms slipped around his waist and she clung to him. “That was so awful. I’m so grateful you found me. That we found each other.” Her sigh was music to his ears. “Chet, let’s stay here tonight and I’ll come down with you in the morning. Maybe you can take me to your guy and we can get this little shiny stone looked at.”
“That, darlin’, is an invitation I cannot refuse.”
2
Chet was surprised to learn that Jenna’s rock was confirmed gold. She’d been fairly certain it was and was eager to get it tested. Over the years, Uncle Chester’s determination there was a major gold vein on the ranch had waned into a tall tale. He had long since died, and the drive to find the gold had died right along with him. Which if Chet thought about it, was sad.
Old Uncle Chester had been a character, and preferred living up in his cabin by the creek with his old dog, mule, and horse, alone in the bush. The quintessential Mountain Man. Chet smiled remembering him.
It wasn’t until Jenna’s visit last winter, when she’d learned of Chester’s search for gold and his history, had she brought the idea back to life. So, Chet had indulged her. Why not? He loved seeing her enthusiasm. So, he was shocked as shit to discover the sample she’d found was placer gold and once it had been confirmed, she was overjoyed. It was close to half an ounce, and proved to them that there was gold in them there hills. Now they had to make decisions.
He’d organized a team of geologists to do what they do. Chet knew Jenna wouldn’t be left behind and she’d joined him whenhe took them up to the creek. He’d made them sign an NDA, because neither she nor he wanted this to get out in the world. Both of them were well aware of the impact of mining, and depending on the deposit type, how it could affect the land
Their private cabin had become a hub of activity. Jenna and he settled in the cabin, while the team had their own tent city of sorts set up. Jenna was like a mother hen, fussing over them, making sure they had everything they needed, food, drink, facilities, that the horses and mules they’d use to bring up supplies were cared for.
She hovered around them, watching them like a hawk. Which she was doing now. They had two nights remaining here at the cabin. She was always looking over their shoulders as they sampled and recorded their finds.
The murmur of their voices was comforting and every now and then she pointed to something and they explained what it was they had found. Their patience with her was admirable, but he needed to give them a break to complete their work.
Chet went to her and took her hand. “Hey, darlin’, how about we give these boys a bit of a break? Let them do their thing. Let’s go for a ride. I’ve got our horses tacked up and it’s a sweet mountain morning, perfect for a ride up to the high meadow.”
She faced him, concern etched on her brow. “Should we leave them? Won’t they need us?”
Chet gently tugged her to the lean-to where they’d shared a steamy kiss last winter in the middle of a snowstorm.
“They’ll be fine. It’s what they do. C’mon, we could use a bit of private time as well.” He waggled his eyebrows and smiled when he saw her eyes dance.
“Oh, you meanprivatetime as in you and me, naked on a blanket under the blue sky?”
Chet grinned. “Clever girl. I knew you’d suss it out.”
“Let me grab a few things for the ride.”
“Already done. I’m a step ahead of you. Let’s ride,” he said and led the horses out into the sun. “See, backpacks are full, blankets tied to the back, we’re all set.
