Dark Mountains (8 page)

I walked back to the living room just as Libby was returning with the paperwork for my therapy sessions. She brought them over to me and I scanned through them.
I’d be spending no less than six hours a day being tortured. I grimaced but I knew if I ever wanted to get back to some semblance of what I had been, that it would take a lot of hard work.

Chapter 14

I was finally heading home. Three months of intense physical therapy, a few more surgeries, a lot of frustration and I was now able to walk with only the occasional aid of a cane. I still had a mild limp that got worse when I stood for too long but I could completely take care of myself. It was time to get back to my life.

The Marine Corps had offered to extend my career if I wanted to continue serving. I was thankful but took the honorable discharge. I had a different life in mind than training young men to be the best snipers in the US military.
I’d had enough of seeing and causing death.

Sheriff
Gellars was waiting for me at the station when I pulled in. He’d lost some weight since I’d seen him last and for some reason; his face didn’t look as strained as I’d remembered.

“Good to have you home, Cole,” he smiled as I got out of the truck. It made me proud to be able to walk over to shake his hand without limping too badly.

“It’s definitely good, Sheriff,” I answered as I shook his hand.

“Call me John Paul,” he corrected stepping back to look at me. “How’s the leg holding up?”

“Better than I thought it would,” I answered, leaning against the wall of the station. “Not bad enough that I couldn’t chase down a bad guy if I needed to.” John Paul chuckled and leaned against the wall himself.

“I heard your dad saying that the Marines offered you a pretty decent position as a staff sergeant. Didn’t feel like training grunts?” It was my turn to chuckle.

“I’ve got a home here,” I answered. “And Libby.”

“And Libby,” he mused, scratching his chin. “She pretty much hasn’t left your side since the explosion, huh?”

“No,” I nodded. “I don’t know if I’d have made it without her.”

“She’s special, that girl,” John Paul commented as he lit a cigarette.

“Yes sir,” I blushed, feeling like I was interviewing to be with Libby instead of for a job. “You sure you need another deputy, John Paul?” I changed the subject before he had the chance to ask any more questions. “Lynch isn’t exactly crime central of Kentucky.”

“No, it sure
ain’t,” he chuckled. “Moonshiners, teenagers out past curfew, domestic disputes, the occasional drunk getting a little too stupid. That pretty much sums it up.”

“So why offer me a job?”

“Well for one, you served our country and deserve a good job when you get home,” he answered, flicking his cigarette and grinding it into the gravel with his toe. “And second, I’m starting to feel too old for this shit.” He reached down, picked up the cigarette stub and tossed it into the trash. I need a good deputy that people know and respect. Sheriff is a voted position, but nobody else ever runs. Basically, this is a warm up to be Sheriff on down the road.”

“I don’t expect that,”

“Nobody ever does, Cole,” he answered, slapping me on the back. “You want to make a life here, with Libby, I suspect. You grew up here, got roots. People know you and you know them. You’re pretty much tailor made for the job.” He led me into the station, flipping on the light as we walked in. “We just need to get the paperwork filled out and order your sidearm.”

“I’d like to keep my own if that’s okay?” I murmured, still in a bit of shock from all
he’d told me.

“Beretta M9?” I nodded.
“Didn’t think a Marine sniper would see much use for a handgun.”

“It saved my life more times than I’d like to remember,” I explained.

“Well it’s no problem with me,” John Paul answered. “I prefer my .38 Colt but to each his own, huh?” I chuckled and sat down at the desk he was pointing at. “It’s a shitload of papers but shouldn’t take too long. How do you feel about starting in two weeks?”

“Really?”
I wasn’t sure what to say. Now that I was done with physical therapy, my schedule was eerily empty.

“Why not?”
He shrugged and handed me a pen. “You know these roads like the back of your hand, you’ve known all the people since you were in diapers and you know how to shoot. You’ll ride along with me until you learn the law and pass your deputy exam. Shouldn’t take you too long.” He winked and tossed a large packet of papers onto the desk. “Here’s your homework,” he chuckled at that. “Study up and let me know when you think you’re ready for the exam. There’s a practice test in the back.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I told him, grinning like an idiot.

“Just go on home and tell Libby the good news,” he answered with a laugh. “And start reading.”

“Will do, sir.”
I answered as I began to fill in all the paperwork.

“Hell boy,” he interrupted. “I know you’re itching to tell her. Take ‘
em with you and bring ‘em back tomorrow.”

I
didn’t need to answer but I grabbed all the papers and grinning again, I jogged out of the station. I could hear John Paul chuckling behind me. I smiled again and got in my car to head home.

I parked the truck next to Libby’s car, grabbing the paperwork and flowers
I’d picked up on my way home. Libby had her own key, though she didn’t stay here, we’d made a habit of having dinner together nearly every night. Whoever got home the soonest was the one that had to cook. I was glad she’d made it home first. Libby was a hell of a cook.

“Libby?” I threw my keys on the hall table and walked down the hall to the kitchen. Bowls and pans were scattered on the counter next to a carton of eggs and an open jug of milk. “Libby?” I called again and noticed the back door was standing open. I walked over and glancing out to the lake, I sighed in relief.

Libby was sitting on the rock ledge, arms cradling her knees. I put away the eggs and milk before walking outside.

“Libby?” I was quiet, hoping I
wouldn’t scare her. She didn’t answer so I sat down beside her. Like it had been since we discovered this lake, neither of us spoke. We just sat while the dragonflies dipped into the still water.

“I called Momma today,” she whispered, looking out at the lake. “We had a fight. I told her to leave him. That she
didn’t need to stay to protect me anymore. She said she wouldn’t talk about it, not yet.” I sat still, sensing she had more to tell me.

“He called a little while ago.” I
didn’t need to ask who it was she was referring too. Only one man on earth could upset Libby like this.  “He asked me where Momma was. It didn’t register at first. Momma never went anywhere when Pa was home. He started calling me all sorts of horrible names. He said he was going to find my whore of a Momma and then he was coming after me.” Tears had started falling down her face and she angrily wiped them away. “He said you should’ve died in Iraq, that you would’ve been better off. He said he was going to kill you, Cole.” She was sobbing, rocking herself back and forth. “I tried reasoning with him, calming him down but he started laughing and wouldn’t stop. And then the line went dead.”

“We’re going to go down to the station and file a harassment report.
We’re going to get a restraining order. Then we’ll find your Momma.” I wrapped my arms around her and held her while she cried.

“I’m afraid of what he’ll do to her. What he’ll do to us.”

“I’ll keep you safe, baby.” I kissed her forehead and turned her face to look at me. “We’re going to find her. She can stay here.” I stood up and held a hand out to her. “Come on, we’re going down to the station to fill out those reports.”

John Paul
wasn’t there but had left another deputy from the next county at the station.

“Well where is he?” I questioned as I watched Libby fill out the paperwork.

“He didn’t say,” Mitch answered. “Just that he needed me to cover for him this week.”

“How long does it take for the judge to look through these reports?”

“Should be first thing in the morning, Cole. If he approves the restraining order, it’ll be effective immediately.”

“Can you call me as soon as you hear anything?”

“Sure will, Cole,” he answered. “Or should I start calling you Deputy?”

“Deputy?”
Libby’s head snapped up. “What’s he talking about, Cole?”

“Well I was going to tell you when I got home,” I answered. “John Paul hired me as a deputy today. I start in two weeks.”

“That’s great, Cole!” Libby jumped up and kissed me soundly.

“Well I do have to pass the exam first,” I conceded.

“We better start studying then!” She laughed, her worries shortly sidetracked. She pulled me out the door and I chuckled.

“Call me,” I told Mitch as we left. He only nodded, trying to hold back a laugh.

Chapter 15

We got home a little late after deciding to eat out and Libby starting reading through the deputy packet with me. She was getting ready to head home when the phone rang.

“You want to get that, Lib?” I called as I took the empty glasses to the kitchen.

“Got it!”
She answered, and went around the couch to grab the phone. “Hello?” I put the glasses in the dishwasher and walked back to the living room. Libby was standing by the phone, her face pale. She was still holding the phone to her ear.

“Libby?” She flinched when I said her name and handed me the phone without a word. I held it to my ear. Someone was breathing on the other end. I
wouldn’t have known who it was if not for Libby’s reaction. She knew exactly who was on the other line.

“Listen you son of a bitch. You call here again... you come anywhere near Libby or Carol Ann and I’ll have you arrested.” The fanatical laughter that suddenly rang out from the receiver startled me enough to drop the phone. It thumped onto the hardwood. The laughter was loud enough for Libby to hear. Her eyes were scrunched shut and she was shivering. I reached down, grabbed the phone and set it back on the cradle. Then I unplugged it from the jack. Libby was crying now and I wrapped my arms around her.

“Why can’t he leave us alone?” She whimpered into my chest.

“I won’t let him hurt you, Lib,” I crooned as I led her to the couch. I sat and held her until her sobs quieted and turned into normal breathing. Soon her body went limp and when I shifted her carefully, I saw that she had fallen asleep. The mountains were dark and I knew Libby would not have peaceful dreams tonight so I carried her upstairs to the guest room. I glanced down the hall to the master suite and sighed. I wanted to share that room with Libby, for the rest of our lives but now was not the time to think about what I wanted. Libby needed me. Making sure she was sleeping peacefully, I closed the door behind me.

Remembering the manic laughter on the phone, I went through every room, locking all the doors and windows. When I was satisfied, I grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the couch. I couldn’t understand how someone could be so twisted and sick but remembered all the evil I’d seen in the Middle East. I remembered the day we baled hay and Jackson had charmed that snake as if he was the devil himself. Maybe he was.

Shivering, I forced myself to think about something else. I thought about
Libby and how much I loved her... how much I wanted her. I’d loved her for so long; I couldn’t imagine my life with anyone else. There was only Libby. I drained the rest of my beer and threw the bottle in the trash.

The walk upstairs was slower this time; my leg had stiffened up and was throbbing. I peeked in on Libby and made sure she was still sleeping. She lay on her stomach, with a leg hanging over the side. Her pants had pulled up to her knee, revealing her dainty foot and firm calf muscles. I felt myself twitch with desire and I sighed before closing the door. I was as bad as some horny 16 year old. Shaking my head, I decided to take a shower and try to get my leg and my body to relax.
Neither cooperated so I toweled off and threw on a pair of boxers before climbing into my empty bed.

It was 2 am when I heard the floorboards creaking in the hall. My hand crept towards the drawer of my nightstand where my Beretta lay, fully loaded. The handle of the door slowly turned and my nerves tightened as the door swung open.

“Cole?” Libby whispered as her head peeked in. My hand dropped from the drawer and I reached for the light as I sat up. The light blinded me for a second and I rubbed my eyes.

“Are you okay?” I asked as she stared at me.
I’d forgotten that I was half-naked. I used to never worry about Libby seeing me, we’d run around every summer half-clothed. But her seeing the multitude of jagged scars that crisscrossed my body horrified me.  I expected to see the same horror I was feeling showing on Libby’s face but was surprised to see what looked like desire. Still, I grabbed a shirt and pulled it over my head as Libby padded over to me.

“I had a nightmare and I woke up alone and I just…” she trailed off.

“It’s okay, Lib. What was it about?”

“Just him, laughing.
I woke up shaking.” I stood up and gathered her in a hug. It felt so right having her there.

“It’s alright,
Lib. I’m here and nothing’s going to hurt you.” She clung to me, her body fitting into the curves of mine.

“Cole?” Libby looked up at me, a bit of a blush on her face.

“Hmm?”

“I need you,” she whispered.

“I’m here,” I assured her. “You have me.”

“I mean, I want you,” she murmured.

“Libby,”

“
Shh.” She trailed her hand down my chest until it rested at the hem of my shirt. She started to pull it up and I sucked in a breath. I was already unbelievably turned on and talking was about to become difficult.

“Libby,” I started but she shushed me again.

“How long have you wanted me, Cole?” She asked, her hands wrapping around my waist.

“A long time.”
My voice was hoarse as I answered.

“Why did you wait?” She was looking right at me now and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

“I didn’t want you to feel rushed,” I murmured, reaching for her arms and holding them still. “I wanted it to be right, I want us to be right.”

“We are right, Cole,” she whispered
, grabbing my shirt and lifting it. I raised my arms and she slid it over my head and tossed it onto the floor. I used to be able to force my heart rate to slow but it was pounding against my ribcage as Libby’s fingers trailed the length of my scars, gently exploring the ridges of my skin. My mind was so full of my need to take her that my control was nearly gone.

My mouth covered hers, hot with desire. Gone was the clumsy kiss of the young man that had kissed her nearly five years ago. My tongue plunged and took, heat building between us. Buttons tumbled to the floor as my hands pulled at her shirt. Her pants were next and as she stepped out of them, I tried to rein in my desire enough
to really look at her.

Her breasts rose and fell with her breath as she stood before me. My gaze trailed down past her flat belly to the white fabric beneath her navel. I pulled her to me, my mouth on hers again. I fumbled a bit with the clasp of her bra and she let the straps slide down her arms. My mouth moved down to ravage her breasts and I heard her gasp in surprise. She cried out when my tongue circled her taut nipples and moaned when my hands slid beneath her underwear to grip her backside. My hand moved around her hips, pushing her underwear down her legs. They fell to the floor while my hand found the soft mound of hair between her legs. All thoughts of being nervous and inexperienced fled my mind. I instinctively knew what to do and gave in to what my body was telling me to do.

I reached for her and she gasped as my fingers brushed against her. I kissed her again as I felt how wet she was and slowly slid a finger inside her. She trembled and groaned as I explored her tight, warm center. I stroked her faster as her eyes darkened, passion clouding them. With my thumb, I gently flicked the sensitive nub and she cried out, her body clenching.

I lowered her to the bed as her body sagged against me. She watched with lazy eyes as I slid off my boxers but widened as they settled on my erection. I smiled with male pride as I
slowly lowered myself above her. I let myself rest against her leg as I realized that I didn’t have any condoms. My body screamed at me as I forced myself to focus.

“Libby,” I cleared my throat, finding it hard to speak. “I don’t have anything to protect you with.” It took her a moment to understand what I meant but she smiled and reached her hand up to cup my face.

“Have you been with anyone else?” She asked in a soft voice.

“No,” I answered truthfully. “I’ve only ever wanted you.” She smiled, pulling me down for a kiss.

“You’re my first too,” she murmured, reaching a hand down and wrapping her fingers around my erection. I shuddered as her fingers tentatively stroked my skin. “So there’s nothing to protect me from.”

I
didn’t think I could get any harder, but knowing that no other man had touched her had the blood flooding to my groin. I took her hand away and kissed her again, bringing my hand back down to stroke her again. When she was writhing beneath me, I entered her, feeling her tight, wet center surround me. I felt her muscles tighten as my tip reached the barrier of her innocence. My pride swelled and knowing she was completely mine, I plunged through the opposition. Libby cried out in pain and I instantly stilled. Forcing myself to relax, I kissed her trembling lips.

“I’m sorry, Libby,” I whispered as I very slowly pulled back. “You’re just stretching for me.” My body shook from the effort as I slowly slid back in. My body was screaming to plunge and take. I could feel her starting to relax, though she remained tight around me. I moved my lips down her throat, nipping at the skin. She groaned, her hips rising instinctively. I moaned as I slid deeper into her warmth. I took her nipple in my mouth and this time she cried out in pleasure. Her body began to move with mine and I began to move faster as my body screamed for release. I held back, wanting to please her as well. She was moaning, her fingers digging into my back.

“Look at me, Libby,” I ordered as she began to climax. “I want to see you go.” Her eyes locked with mind, dark and swirling with need as one more thrust swept her over the edge. With a final, savage cry, I felt myself explode inside her and I followed her off the cliff.