Page 37 of Jonathan

“A penny for them.”

His deep voice intruded on her inner turmoil and had her turning to look at him. They had taken a shower together, which had led to him taking her against the tiled wall and leaving herweak with longing. His hair tended to curl, and she had the maddening urge to brush back the fat strand that had fallen on his forehead.

“Just thinking that I am way behind in my writing.”

“Are you blaming me?” He raised brows, a little darker than his hair.

“Damn right, I’m blaming you.” They were approaching an area that had been cordoned off, with flowers growing in profusion. Tugging on his hand, she forced him to stop at what she realized was a cemetery.

“Your ancestors are buried here.”

“Including my dad.” He acknowledged as he stood there staring at the marked graves.

“Aside from the tombstones, you would almost think it’s a field of flowers.”

“My mother’s doing.” Letting go of her hand; he moved forward to open a white picket gate and stopped at the most recent grave.

‘James Elliot McCarthy. Beloved husband, father and the best rancher that ever lived. Sorely missed every single day.’

She joined him and it was only natural for her to slide her hand through his arm and leaned against him.

“He was the best father in the world.” He was secretly pleased that she had made the move to touch him. “Taught me everything I know.” Turning his head, he kissed her forehead, his heart settling as he inhaled her perfume.

She steadied him. It was uncanny that she had this effect on him, because she unraveled him as well. She excited him and made him feel at home. He never had that before, not with anyone.

“My dad was my hero.”

He turned to her and quickly hid the surprise at her words. She had never revealed anything of a personal nature to him before and he felt the hope sprang up inside him. Taking her hand, he led her to a padded bench that was somehow warm enough for them to sit.

It did not feel weird to be in the middle of a graveyard and she wondered if it was because of the beautiful setting. “He was a civil engineer and would be gone for several weeks sometimes.

But he would make up for it whenever he was home. He would call and ask me about school, wanting to know if there was anything I needed help with.” She slid him an impish smile. He was still holding her hand, but it felt natural and right. “Of course I didn’t, because I was a brilliant student.”

“I have no doubt of it.” Lifting his free hand, he stroked her cheek. “You loved him.”

“I adored him.” She corrected with a sigh. “He was the polar opposite of my mother, and I remembered asking him how they ended up together.”

“What did he say?”

“Opposites attract. He said it with this tender smile on his face. He also said that he was shocked that she even gave him a second glance. He loved her.”

“Are you saying the feeling was not returned?” He asked her quietly.

She shrugged. “I guess in her own way, she did love him. She hardly displays any emotion and since dad died, she has been with too many men to count. They get younger each time.”

“Perhaps that’s the way she handles her grief.”

His quiet summation of the situation had her going weak. The guy checked every box and was as close to being perfect as possible.

“Jon…”

“Baby?”

“Don’t. Please. I cannot handle…” She gasped as he jerked her towards him and rubbed his lips on hers.

“Oh God!” She whispered fervently.

“Give me your tongue.” When she did, he sucked it into his mouth and sent the volcanic fire bursting through her. He was about to gather her closer to him, when the silence was shattered by a sudden loud blast, followed by another and then another.

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