I'll Remember You (Hell Yeah!) (22 page)

She sat on the wood plank floor, in the corner of the deck. Her knees were raised and she hugged her legs as close to her chest as possible. Harper tried to make herself small. Sometimes she just wanted to disappear.

Her days were half-way normal. She got up, went to work, then returned. If it weren’t for Natalie, she wouldn’t have made it. This beach house belonged to her. And the job she had at Joe’s Crab Shack kept her sane. Harper didn’t ask for much out of life. She didn’t seek out a club anymore, it was just too dangerous. Even though she couldn’t function sexually, in the vanilla world, she’d vowed never again to seek out a Dom. Men and pleasure. Love and sex. Romance and Marriage. None of those things were for her. Harper had resigned herself to just existing. What she was and what she needed was considered a perversion and she was weary of being condemned for what she was. She didn’t know how to be anything else and she was tired of trying.

What she needed was a hero. A man who would walk into her life and accept her for what she was. Give her what she needed. Protect her, love her, cherish her for what she was. But a man like that didn’t exist. Not for her. Once…once she’d known a man capable of that kind of unconditional devotion, but she’d pushed him away. And a girl like her, she wasn’t worth a second chance.

As the sound of the sea roared all around her, the wind steadily blowing, the seagulls crying, Harper began to weep. If she could just turn back the clock. Just be different. Dare she say his name? Closing her eyes, she let her mind wander to the bayous of Terre Bonne Parish, to the dark still waters, to the Spanish moss dripping from the trees. If she were really still, she could conjure up his voice.

“Harper, what are you doing out in this cold, baby?” Strong arms wrapped around her, picking her up and carrying her inside. God Almighty, she had lost her mind. Her imagination was going crazy. “Let’s get you warm. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for you?”

This was real. She had been so deep in her sorrow, for a few moments she thought her dreams were overtaking her. But he was here. She ran her hands down his arms. He was solid. Looking up into his dear face, she couldn’t believe her eyes. “Revel?” Her voice broke on the word. “What are you doing here?”

“What do you think?” He smiled at her tenderly. “I’ve come to take you home.”

***

On the highway between Bandera and Austin

“Cassie,” Bowie said the name and smiled. “Sweet Cassie.” He hadn’t kissed her, but it was just a matter of time. When he’d shown up at her house a couple of days ago, she had been shocked. Bowie hadn’t understood why. Didn’t she know how precious she was?

The look on her face had told him all he needed to know. She was as lonely as he was. And she needed him. There was work to be done around her place. A woman like her didn’t need to be alone. No, woman did. It just worried him sick thinking about her being all by herself in that house, miles from town. Oh, it wasn’t just because she was in a wheelchair, although that did make her particularly vulnerable.

He could still hear her voice when she’d opened the door and found him standing on her porch. “Bowie, what are you doing here?”

“I hoped you might welcome some company.” He’d waited for her to invite him in. For a minute or two he had doubted she would. “Could we have something to drink and just talk?” Maybe he should have called to ask her out on a date instead of just barging in unannounced. But Bowie knew, deep down, she wouldn’t have agreed to see him. She would have come up with some excuse. He smiled, remembering. Bowie felt as if he were harder to turn down in person. After all, he was cute.

“Please, come in,” she’d said. They had hit it off, even more so than they had at the Silver Dollar. Oh, she was shy. Every time she looked into his eyes, she blushed. Bowie’s heart pounded just thinking about her. Her skin was so soft. The few times he’d been able to touch her hand, he had trembled with the privilege.

Once they’d started talking, it seemed they couldn’t stop. Bowie was amazed at what they had in common—outlooks, beliefs, hopes, dreams. She shared his views on the environment and immigration – on the rights of animals and the protection of children and the elderly. Politics and religion. There was no topic they veered away from, and even though they had some lively discussions, it was clear they could become fast friends.

But he wanted more. He wanted to make her life easy. Her little house was good, but nothing was the right height for her. Bowie had watched her cope, seen her strain to reach something. She was making do, when she should have been taken care of. Her world needed to accommodate her. She shouldn’t have to merely make-do. He found himself wanting to create a world for her where she would be safe, happy and at ease.

Everything about her enchanted him. Her lips were mesmerizing. Driving down the road to Austin, here he was day-dreaming about how soft and sweet her kiss would be.

There was only one problem. At the end of the evening, when he’d asked if he could see her again, she had said ‘yes’. But there was a condition.

She just wanted to be ‘friends’.

The thought had hit Bowie Travis in the gut. Oh yes, he could be her friend. He needed to be her friend. But he also wanted to be her lover. His body was fully engaged and onboard with the idea. As they’d sat and talked, he’d memorized her smile, the way her eyes lit up, the dimple in her cheek. He’d also seen the way her nipples hardened when she’d become excited. And he had excited her, he could tell. Several times, he had touched her, casually, or looked into her eyes, or winked at her. And he watched the blush rise on her chest, till it swept up her cheeks. And he could see her breasts swell, they wanted to be touched as much as he needed to get his hands on her.

So, when she’d turned those big eyes up to him and told him she couldn’t date him, he was confused, so he’d pressed. Maybe he shouldn’t have. God, he’d never meant to make her cry, but this was important. He covered his mouth, worrying the scruff on his jaw he could never seem to keep trimmed down. What she’d said to him would haunt him all of his days. He’d pushed. Why? Why don’t you want to have dinner with me? We get along. We enjoy one another’s company.

“Bowie, please,” she’d implored him.

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m broken,” she’d finally said, hanging her head. “I can be a good friend, but that’s all I’m good for. Can’t you see?” As he watched, she’d spread her little hands, showing herself to him as if he’d somehow missed the fact she was in that damn chair. In her mind, she was less. Stunned, he’d gone to his knees at her feet, making his case.

“I don’t believe that. Please, let me show you.”

God, his heart had ached when he’d seen fear in her eyes. Oh, she wasn’t afraid of him. She was afraid of how he made her feel, he’d bet his life on it. “I can’t. I’ve tried.”

What had she meant?

And then it hit him—she meant sex. Cassie was afraid she couldn’t be what he needed in a woman.

Well, to hell with that.

It became his mission in life to prove her wrong.

The wheels of his truck ate up the miles. Jacob had called him and the baby was scheduled to have surgery. And he was going to be right there to support him. All of the McCoys were his friends, but Jacob and this baby were family.

Now, he’d found someone else he wanted to welcome into his world. Cassie. And he would. He wanted her too much. There wasn’t any room for failure.

As the scenery passed by, Bowie saw it, but he didn’t. His mind was racing with the possibilities. Could she have an orgasm? Surely she could have sex? His heart pounded with questions. One thing for sure, he wasn’t about to let this go. He’d ask, subtle questions. He’d woo her. She might thing they were friends, but he intended to court his friend, seduce her and make her fall in love with him. Bowie intended to do his homework. He’d learn everything he could about her condition and then he’d set about proving to her that she was not broken. She was a woman. His woman.

***

Breckenridge Hospital – Austin, TX

“Help me pray, help me pray.” Jessie buried her face in her husband’s chest. He was solid. He was her rock.

“I’ve put in my petition, Jess. The Lord isn’t going to let me down.” Jacob’s faith was riding high. His son would be okay. Just hours ago, he had stood at the bassinet and let BT wrap his baby hand around his forefinger. He’d smiled at the little boy’s strong grip. The operation was going to be tedious, but their doctor was a good one and the family had rallied again. The waiting room was full of McCoys. His head was spinning, there was so much going on. The news they’d received that Aron was alive, and in need of their help, galvanized the brothers into action. True, they’d had to stop to be here together for Little Bowie, but as soon as he pulled through with flying colors, they’d take care of business for Aron.

Jessie nestled into his arms. She was still a little weak. “You wanna sit down? I could hold you.” She nodded her head and he picked her up, heading to a corner of the waiting room. Cady and Joseph scooted down one so Jacob would have plenty of room. He had never been so grateful for his armful. After finding out about Aron and thinking how lost Libby had been, Jacob had vowed to count his blessings every day. He squeezed her tighter. Her soft breasts nestled into his chest. Lord in heaven, he couldn’t wait to get his family home. He needed Jessie, in every way.

“How are plans for the wedding?” He tried to get his mind settled. Waiting was agony.

Joseph gave him a knowing look. “Everything is set. Tricia and Avery have everything handled. It’s going to be amazing!” He winked at Avery and then smiled at Jacob. Joseph wasn’t known for his subtlety. Since they’d been thinking about the rescue operation, everything they talked about had to be veiled.

“I’ve tried to keep it small,” Cady confessed. “But the guest list keeps growing. We’ve invited the cousins, my family, and Joseph and Harley.” A smug smile came on her face. “Why, you never know.” Her voice took on a mysterious quality. “There may even be a surprise guest or two.”

Hmmmm, Jacob thought. Cady and that sixth sense of hers! He didn’t know for certain, and he wasn’t about to ask, but he wouldn’t put it past this woman figuring the whole thing out. Honestly, he didn’t know how long they could hide big news like this from any of the women. He’d thought about just telling Libby, but he was so afraid something would go wrong, and the time frame would surely frustrate her. It was frustrating them. Because it wasn’t something they could rush into, they had to be ready and getting ready took time.

“How’s Tina, Nathan?” Noah asked.

Nathan was sitting between Isaac and Avery, he’d been working at trying to convince the Badass to teach him to ride a motorcycle. So far, he hadn’t had any luck. “She’s getting out of rehab in a week or ten days. I’m hoping she’s home by Christmas.” There was a secret he was going to have to tell his family sometimes. But it wasn’t going to be easy. If Aron was here, he wouldn’t be so nervous. But he wasn’t. “Do you think she could visit soon?”

“Of course,” Libby spoke up. She was sitting on the other side of Avery. “We’d love to have her, Nathan. You know that.” She had leaned up to look at Aron’s youngest brother when one of the babies gave a well-placed kick on her bladder. Libby jumped.

“What happened?” Avery laughed, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“One of these rowdy McCoy’s letting me know he’s awake.” She rubbed her tummy, which was getting quite round. Seeing an opportunity, she took it. “Avery, I want to ask you something.”

“Of course.” Avery turned in her chair. “Anything. Do you need something?”

“No, no.” Libby shook her head. “I just wanted to talk to you about your writing.”

Avery’s smirked. “Sable Hunter? Oh, that girl is trouble!”

“I want to write something.” Libby confessed, lowly.

“Great!” Avery grinned. “I’ll help you. I have connections. You write it and I’ll get it published, we’ll do some promoting, I’ll help you choose a cover. What’s the title?”

“Wait.” Libby grabbed her arm. “I don’t want to sell the book, I want to write about Aron and me and our love story. I want to preserve the memories.”

“You’re not giving up. are you?” Avery was shocked.

“No, no.” Libby shook her head. “I’m not, I never will. But I have to hold on to something, and maybe this will help me.”

“Sure, I understand.” Avery held her hand. “What do you want to know?”

“Well, just how to go about it. I don’t know where to start.”

Just looking at Libby’s face made Avery’s heart ache. “Well, if I was going to do it, Sable style, I’d start by writing about Aron and who he is, his family, show some of his personality. And then I’d do the same for you. I’d tell about how you met and relate every memory I could. Make it real with dialogue and put into words all the love and tenderness you’ve felt for each other. Write your love story. And when you come to the end, don’t let it end, put a big TO BE CONTINUED on it.”

Libby chocked back a small sob. “Okay. I’ll try. I have to do something. I have all of this love in me for him, and it’s got to go somewhere.”

Avery put her arm around Libby. “It will be beautiful. Aron is going to enjoy reading every word.”

“I hope so.”

“Jacob.” A voice at the door got their attention. Jacob carefully put Jessie down and jumped up. “Malone, I’m so glad you’re here.” He hugged his friend.

“Where else would I be?” Bowie Travis greeted Jessie with a kiss and spoke to the rest of the family. “What’s the word?”

“We’re waiting on the doctor to come out and tell us something,” Jessie said, tremulously. “He’s so little, Bowie. It just breaks my heart.”

Cady came over to where Jessie was standing by Bowie and Jacob, putting an arm around her. “Come sit by me. There’s something I want to tell you.” Jessie followed Joseph’s fiancé over to the other side of the waiting room. They sat down.

“What is it?” She studied Cady’s face, carefully. “Do you know something?” Everyone knew Cady was psychic. She came from a family of unusual powers. Lately thought, her powers had seemed to be stifled by her pregnancy.