Page 70 of Shielding Maya

Jasiah nodded and took his hand. "Thank you, Adam. I appreciate it."

Zara nodded, but didn’t move to hug him. Marni's sad eyes glanced up at Jasiah, and he knelt down so he could look into her eyes easier. "I'm sorry. I liked Mr. Gerard."

Jasiah grinned and nodded. "He liked you too, Marni."

Her eyes rounded and a smile formed on her lips. "Really?"

"Really."

She looked over to Maya and Maya stepped closer and knelt down. "I'm sorry for you too, Maya."

Maya smiled a big bright smile. "Thank you, Marni. And thank you for all of your help in catching a bad guy. We did it."

Marni's smile grew so large her eyes disappeared. Zara placed a hand on Marni's shoulder and the little girl turned and walked away with her parents.

Maya looked into Jasiah's eyes. "She's cute."

He leaned closer, "Not as cute as our babies will be."

Her heartbeat raced. "I love the way that sounds."

Lili approached. "We're cleaning up now. People have wood to get in for the night and chores to do. Please make up plates to take home. We have so much food."

They prepared plates as Jasiah walked them to the cabin as the women pitched in to clean up. Men tended the fire, cleaned up the leftover wood from this morning, and told stories about Gerard. Her parents said goodbye to Lili and others. Then hugged Jasiah. Finally, her mom squeezed her tightly. "I like him. He's special and good for you."

"Thanks, Mom." She squeezed her mom tightly. "You and Dad stay in my room. The others will be floating in this week to stay for Thanksgiving. I'll come down every day to visit. You're always welcome to come up here."

Her mom chuckled. "Believe me, we came this far, I'll be visiting with my baby girl."

"Don't hog her, Jax. I get some time too." Her dad chuckled. He scooped her up in his arms and squeezed her tightly. She'd always loved his hugs. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, baby girl."

He kissed her cheek and set her on the ground. He leaned over and shook Jasiah's hand and grinned. "You treat her right."

"It's my honor to do so."

They got in their vehicles and she watched them drive away. Jasiah wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. They waited until the last of the vehicles disappeared down the mountain, then he tugged her. "Let's go home."

She swallowed as they moved toward his cabin. She was incredibly tired at this point. It had been a lot of emotion today. But, she and her teammates had met all of the people who still lived up in Hickory Hills and she felt more confident than ever that Jasiah was the leader they needed. Her heart felt full.

Maya woke to voices outside of the cabin and the sounds of logs dropping on the ground. She rolled over to see Jasiah's side of the bed empty. Stretching, she slid from the bed, dressed quickly, and giggled when she saw a coffee cup on the counter next to a nearly full pot of coffee.

She pulled a heavy sweater over her long-sleeved t-shirt and stepped out of the cabin to visit the outhouse. Jasiah stood with a group of men, they were discussing building something and pointing to the logs. He turned to see her and grinned.

"Hang on, guys."

He hustled toward her. "I'm glad you're awake. I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

He chuckled and wrapped his brawny arm around her shoulders. Leading her to the side of the cabin he pointed to grooves drawn in the ground. It doubled the size of the cabin.

"So, this will be a larger kitchen and a bathroom. Complete with shower - for shower sex,” he chuckled.

"And, showers."

"Right. Yes, but shower sex too. I can't wait."

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