“I can get myself settled, guys. You both probably have better things to do.”
“I am at your disposal. I made sure my deputies have tonight covered,” Jason responded a little too quickly.
“I think she just needs a good night’s rest, Jason, without two hovering men,” Brian spoke up before my mouth could open.
“Then, we will make sure she gets it.” Jason’s posture straightened.
“Oh, for fucks sake, you two. I’m a big girl and can decide what I need and when.” My hands slammed the couch as I stood. I took a deep breath before my mouth got me into trouble. “Brian, thank you for your help today. I appreciate it more than you know. I don’t know if I would have been able to handle that crowd as gracefully as you did. Now, I just want to go to bed and forget it all for a night. Jason, thank you as well for all you have done.” I walked to the front door and opened it. “But right now, I need you both to leave.”
“But, Genevieve, I don’t want you to be alone tonight. You’ll need someone when everything hits.” Jason’s eyes pleaded with me.
Brian placed the towel he had been holding on the back of the couch. “Jason, she’s right. She knows what she needs, and right now, she’s asked us both to leave.” Brian glared at Jason until he started to move.
“Fine, but I am only a phone call away.” Jason placed his cowboy hat on his head as he stomped out.
Brian stopped when he reached me, searching my face with his gaze. “Yes, if you need anything, just call. There’s a warm mug of tea on the side table in your room, and I placed your envelope there as well.” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear, his fingers softly trailing down my cheek as his hand dropped. He leaned forward and lightly kissed my forehead. “Get some sleep, pet. If you want company when you open that envelope, give me a call or a quick text, and I’ll be here in a flash.”
Butterflies had erupted in my stomach at his touch. My body was heavy with fatigue, but that small show of concern and gentle touch lit a fire in my core and had me leaning toward him for more. Jason cleared his throat as he stood on the top porch step. “I’ll call if I need to.”
“How about coffee in the mornin’?” Brian ignored Jason’s not so subtle sound of annoyance.
“I’d like that.” I smiled.
“Wonderful. Until the mornin’ then.” Brian stepped outside the door, and I began to close it, but not before Jason got one last word in.
“We’ll both see you in the morning.”
I didn’t respond, simply closed and locked the door behind them. I don’t know why Jason gave me such an uneasy feeling, but I would be fine if he wasn’t able to join us in the morning. I wanted to explore the desire Brian stirred within me a little more and without a babysitter in the room.
“Oh, Gran, I wish you were here. I know you would have some wonderful advice that would help me separate my head from my libido.”
I strolled through Gran’s small house, noticing Brian had cleaned the kitchen, put things away, and wiped everything down. He even left the little light above the stove on like Gran used to. My body was heavy with exhaustion, and I was emotionally drained. I left one lamp on in the living room and went to my room. Not only had Brian left a mug of hot tea on the nightstand, but he had also laid out my favorite pair of pajamas, my robe, and my favorite fuzzy blanket. I didn’t think long on whether it was a coincidence or if he had asked someone what my favorites were. I was simply thankful that someone took a moment to think about me and my comfort.
I stripped out of my sundress and gloried in the lightweight T-shirt material of my pajamas as they slid down my body. I ignored the robe and grabbed my blanket instead, settling against the headboard, pillows propped behind me, and a mug of tea, still warm, in my hand. The scent of the honey chamomile filled my nose and calmed my soul. I drank it half down before grabbing the envelope.
I opened it, and another smaller envelope bursting at the edges fell out along with a letter written in my gran’s handwriting. Tears ran down my cheeks even before I read the words she had painstakingly written for me. I gingerly opened the page, running my finger over the letterhead Gran favored. The words blurred in my vision, and I wiped my tears away, willing my eyes to focus on the words.
My darling Genni,
If you are reading this, then I met my maker before we were able to see each other again. Know that I will be with you anywhere you go, always in your heart. I’ve lived a full life, and you were an amazing part of that. I know life may seem unfair at this moment, and you may be feeling a bit lost. Remember, you have friends to lean on, and this town will always be here for you.
By now, you know I’ve left everything I have to you. I hope that you choose to move back home, but if you choose not to, then take the money from the sale of the house and find where you belong, no matter where in the world that is.
Before you make that decision, though, I want you to read what is inside the envelope I left you. As I began preparations for this day, I came upon some love letters I thought had been lost to me. They reminded me of why I stayed and why I chose to raise you the way I did. Read them, get to know the man behind them, and know that love is worth it, no matter how long or short of a span of your life you have it.
There’s someone out there for you if you stop looking. Let love find you—I hope it already has; you just have to let it in.
You are smart, kind, caring, and worthy of the best. You are strong, independent, and hardheaded. Don’t let those qualities get in the way.
With all my love, Gran
I read the letter three times before folding it up and putting it back in the manila envelope. I didn’t have the energy to read the love letters she had left me. I didn’t understand how doing that would make a difference; they couldn’t bring her back. I put the envelopes back on the nightstand, finished my tea, and snuggled under the covers, willing the darkness to take me under its wing and cradle me as I slept.
6
Brian
I knew I had to keep Jason away from Genevieve. I recognized the fire in his eyes tonight, the crazy desire raging within him. It was the same look he had with Heather. I barely brought him back from the brink then; this time, I wasn’t so sure I would be successful again. I needed to find him another sub to focus on, because his current one didn’t appear to be cutting it. One with more experience and the same predilection and need for pain as Jason. I wasn’t familiar with the area and had no clue if there were any clubs near. Brody might know and would hopefully be able to help.
“Well, good mornin’ there, Brian. What’s up?” Brody answered on the second ring. A giggle in the background, along with the cooing of my nephew, brought a smile to my face and a yearning to my heart.
“Did I call at a bad time?” He and his wife, Fancy, had the type of love and relationship I hungered for. They had recently added to their little world when Fancy had given birth to their son, Zane. “How’s my nephew doin’?”
“Nah, I’ll discipline the little brat later when we put Zane down for a nap. I’m sure she’ll do something else to earn a few more swats.” Zane’s giggles and squeals echoed through the phone. “He’s begun teething and still isn’t sleeping through the night, but I wouldn’t have things any other way. Hang on a second.” The sounds grew faint, then I heard the click of a door closing. “Okay, little brother, now, tell me what’s brought about this mornin’ chat.”