Chapter Eleven

More than two hours later, Jackson managed to get himself outside, although it wasn’t easy. Every time they got close to one another as they dressed, the touching would start, which led to kissing, then to more. If they kept this up, they’d never see the light of day again.

He met with Garcia and Jeff and figured out what chores needed doing and set to work. The garden needed weeding, the barn was still a mess, and the pasture should be checked to make sure Morgan hadn’t cut the lines again.

As Jackson worked, his mind strayed to what his brother had said about combining the ranches. It was a good idea, one he hoped Clare would be in favor of, but looking up at the old farmhouse, he knew in his heart that she’d never want to leave it. It was one of the few places she had ever been happy.

A grin slipped over his lips as he studied the old place. There were a few new good memories made last night. His gaze drifted across the windows, the siding, the newly repaired porch, and he could see the two of them raising kids here. He might have to add on to the old place, but the structure was sound. It just needed some minor repairs here and there.

Clare stepped out onto the porch and waved him and the other men over to where she was setting up the picnic table with a light lunch. Near the edge of the house but on the eastern side out of the sun, they were able to enjoy their meal in the cool shade of an unseasonably hot day.

“I want to thank you for all that you’re doing for me,” Clare said, looking at Garcia and Jeff. “This old place isn’t much, but it’s mine.”

“We’re happy to help, ma’am,” Jeff said.

Garcia nodded. “And thank you for lunch, ma’am.”

Jackson grinned, relishing how well he already knew her. Yes, this was where they’d live, have kids, maybe grandkids. The image was so clear he couldn’t even begin to imagine another life for himself.

“Oh, my pleasure. It’s the least I could do,” she said.

Jackson gave her a quick wink just as his phone rang. He pulled his cell from the clip at his belt and looked at the caller id. “It’s the sheriff.”

As he listened to Sheriff Boyd, he gestured to Clare. She came over, and he held it out so she could hear what he had to say.

“Thanks to the informant, the men who attacked you were picked up and have given us a full confession,” the sheriff said. “Cutter was the one who broke into the house. His plan was to grab Clare and make a run for it back to California. But you showed up and interrupted him. That’s when he made a bad deal with the men who attacked you. It seems Cutter tried to stiff them on their deal, and things got out of hand. Supposedly the shooting was an accident. They were arguing over the money.”

Clare’s gaze met Jackson’s, the fear of what could’ve happened evident in her eyes.

“So Cutter really had been watching her,” Jackson said, slipping his arm around her waist.

“For a little while, yes. He showed up a few weeks ago and did some poking around for information before attempting to approach Clare. You just got in the way.”

“Thank God,” Clare whispered.

He squeezed her tighter against his side. “Thanks, Sheriff. I’m glad it’s all sorted out now.”

“That makes two of us. This thing with Morgan, however, is a different matter.”

“I think we’ll be able to handle that ourselves.”

“I kind of figured you would,” the sheriff said with a chuckle and ended the call.

Jackson put his cell phone away and wrapped both arms around Clare. “It’s over, sweetheart. You don’t have to worry about him or Morgan anymore.”

“Morgan’s not going to give up.”

“He will eventually,” he said, not about to voice his plans for the future just yet, but soon.

Clare too a long deep breath and rested her head against Jackson’s chest. “I know, but he’s such a pain in the rear.”

He chuckled and kissed the crown of her head.

“So we go home, boss?” Garcia asked with a wide grin.

“Nope, we get back to work. There’s still a lot to do around here. That is—” He looked down at Clare. “If it’s okay with the boss.”

Smiling up at him, she gave him a strong squeeze around the waist. “Oh who are you kidding?” She turned her gaze to Garcia and Jeff. “This ranch is part of—well, will be part of White Oak Ranch. So technically you are home.”

“So you finally asked her to marry you,” Kyle said, as he came around the corner of the house.

Billie Jo smacked him in the chest. “Sorry, Clare, he has absolutely no tact.”

Clare laughed and shook her head. “That’s okay, but I’m afraid Kyle’s got it wrong.” She looked up at Jackson and put her arms around his neck. “I’m asking him—you to marry me. Will you, Jackson? Will you marry me?”

He grabbed her by the waist and twirled her around with a whoop. “Whoohoo!”

Everyone laughed.

“I take it that was a yes,” Kyle said.

Jackson put Clare back on her feet and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips.

“And I love you,” she said, her eyes filling with unshed tears. She’d been loved by her surrogate grandparents on this land, and now she would love the man of her dreams, and with some luck, together they would love another generation on the same land.