Healing Her Spirit (Serenity Springs Book 2) (10 page)

It had been three and a half weeks since Clint had felt Lacey’s hot, slick wetness around him.  Three and a half long weeks since he sank deep inside her and lost himself as she came around him, squeezing his dick tightly.  He didn’t think he could wait much longer. 

Picking up his phone, he placed a call to Katy Caldwell and put his plan in motion.  An hour later, he and an excited Ethan were pulling up in front of the Caldwell ranch.  As soon as the truck stopped, Ethan was out and running to the barn.  Clint laughed as Justice walked out of the building and Ethan slammed into him, his arms closing around his legs.  Justice picked Ethan up and threw him into the air, catching him easily, then sat him back on the ground letting him go.  Ethan ran into the barn where Clint assumed one of Justice’s brothers must be.

Waiting nervously by his truck, Clint took a deep breath as Justice approached him.  Tipping his Stetson in Clint’s direction, Justice grinned, “Hey Clint.  What’s up?”

Clint leaned back against his vehicle and shoved his hands into his front pockets.  “I wanted to ask you something,” he hedged as he watched Ryder and Ethan exit the barn and go get on a tractor.

“I’m waiting,” Justice said, cocking an eyebrow.

Clearing his throat, Clint responded, “I would like your permission to ask your sister to marry me.”

Chuckling lowly, Justice replied, “I appreciate that, man, but I think Lacey is going to do whatever she wants no matter what I say.”

Shrugging, Clint said, “I figured as much, but it’s tradition in my family to ask permission, and you are the closest thing to a father Lacey has.  So, I’m asking you.”

Leaning against Clint’s truck next to him, Justice muttered, “You’re a good man, Clint.  I trust you will take care of my sister and my nephew.”

“With my life,” Clint agreed quietly.  “I would do anything for them.”

Standing, Justice held out a hand, “Welcome to the family.”

Grinning sheepishly, Clint replied, “She hasn’t said yes, yet.”

“She will,” Justice responded as he took off his hat and ran a hand over his short, dark hair.  “I have to go back soon, Clint.  The military is calling me in.  I have a couple more weeks, that’s it.  Take care of them for me.”

“I will,” Clint promised.  Straightening, he nodded to where Ethan was climbing up onto the tractor with Ryder.  “Ethan’s going to spend the night here tonight.  The nightmares seem to have stopped, but if he gets scared at all, call us.  We will come get him.”

“You got it,” Justice agreed as he accepted the small suitcase Clint retrieved from the truck.  “Good luck, Clint.”

With a wave in Ethan’s direction, Clint left the ranch and went back to his house to prepare everything for that night.

Lacey stepped into her house and frowned as the quietness enveloped her.  Walking through the living room, she looked out of the window into the backyard, but did not see Clint and Ethan.  Realizing she had not seen Clint’s truck out front either, she wondered where they were.

Deciding to take advantage of the quiet time, Lacey slipped out of her heels and walked into her bedroom, stopping at the sight of the beautiful light blue sundress laid out across her bed.  Walking slowly over to it, she reached out and picked up the note lying on top of the dress. 

Lacey,

     Ethan is staying with the Caldwells tonight.  I will be waiting for you at home.

Love,

Clint

With trembling fingers, Lacey slowly undid the buttons on her shirt and slipped it off, her skirt quickly following.  After one last look at the stunning dress, she made her way to the bathroom and turned on the shower.  An hour later, she was dressed in the soft, silky material with her hair down and heels on.  Grabbing her purse, Lacey left her house and headed to Clint’s.

Pulling into his driveway, Lacey parked beside Clint’s truck.  Turning off her vehicle, she stared at the dark house in confusion.  Opening her door, Lacey stepped out of her car and slowly shut it.  Glancing around the neighborhood, she was amazed at how quiet it seemed.  Looking at her watch, she realized it was already almost 8pm.  She had been working longer hours, trying to catch up after taking two weeks off.  Since Clint was on summer vacation, he spent most of his time with Ethan.

Walking up the sidewalk, she paused when she saw another note taped to Clint’s door.

Lacey,

     I have been waiting for this night for months.  If you are not ready for the next step in our relationship, do not open this door.  If you are, come find me.

Love,

Clint

Lacey’s heart skipped a beat and then took off at a run. Not hesitating, she opened the door.  The entryway was dark, but she could see flickers of light coming from beyond the kitchen.  Dropping her purse on the couch, Lacey walked through the kitchen and stopped in the doorway to the dining room.  There was a small feast laid out on the table, with two tall candles and a bottle of chilled wine.

The back patio doors were open and she could see Clint’s silhouette as he stared down at the ground, his shoulders slumped in dejection.  He swung around as she walked out onto the patio, her heels clicking against the concrete.  Stopping in front of him, Lacey reached out and lightly traced his jawline with her fingertips. 

“I was afraid you weren’t coming,” Clint admitted, as he captured her hand in one of his.

Shaking her head, Lacey replied, “I will always be here for you, Clint.  Don’t ever question that.”

Letting go of her hand, he cupped her cheeks in the palms of his hands and gently kissed her trembling lips.  Pulling back, he gazed into her eyes before slowly kneeling in front of her.  “I had this all planned out, Lace.  I knew exactly how I wanted this night to go.”  Lacey gulped as Clint pulled a dark, velvet box out of his pocket.   “Things never seem to work out quite the way I plan with you, but I hope this part of the night does.”  Lacey gasped at the emotion in Clint’s eyes as he continued, “You have claimed me, Lacey Donovan, my heart and soul.  There will never be another for me.  Will you be my wife?  The mother of my children?  Let me be a father to Ethan?”

Smiling tremulously, Lacey dropped to her knees before him.  “I have always been yours, Clinton, always.”

Clint took the ring out of the box and slowly slid it on her ring finger.  Raising her hand to his lips, he lightly kissed where the ring rested.  “I love you, Lacey.”

Standing, Lacey lightly traced Clint’s face with her fingertips before turning and walking back into the house.  Looking at him over her shoulder, she smiled, “Come show me.”

She beat him to the bedroom by mere seconds, giggling when he slammed the door behind them.  Slowly, Lacey slid the dress up over her thighs, then hips, then higher, baring her lace covered breasts to his heated gaze.  Dropping the garment to the floor, she stood in front of him in a pair of matching light blue bra and panties.  When she went to kick her heels off, he growled, “Leave them on.”

As Lacey watched, Clint shrugged out of the suit coat he was wearing and quickly undid the buttons on his shirt, letting it fall to the floor beside her dress.  She licked her lips as he undid his belt buckle and then unbuttoned his slacks.  He watched her closely, as he slipped the slacks down his legs along with his briefs, kicking them off.

Lacey panted lightly as Clint stalked toward her.  Her eyes on his thick, hard cock, she moaned softly as it bobbed against his stomach.  When he stood in front of her, she reached out and closed her hand tightly around him.  “Fuck,” he groaned as she began to stroke him slowly.  “I need you, Lacey,” he moaned as he arched into her hand.  “it’s been too long.”

Rolling her hand over the tip of his dick and back down, she leaned in and nipped lightly at the skin on his neck.  “Then take me,” she breathed, as she bit down lightly.

Lacey cried out in surprise when she was suddenly lifted up and pushed against the wall closest to her.  Clint’s mouth was on hers, as he ripped her panties from her body.  She gasped out loud when she felt his cock at her entrance, and screamed in pleasure when he shoved deep inside her.  Fisting her hair, Clint held her in place as he devoured her mouth and started to move slowly inside her.  Tearing her mouth from his, Lacey panted as she cried out Clint’s name.  She was so close.  “Harder, Clint,” she begged as she fought to find her release.  He did not disappoint, as he growled her name and picked up his pace.  She felt her muscles beginning to tighten up and then she was screaming his name as she fell over the edge, with Clint quickly following.

  As she fell asleep in Clint’s arms that night, Lacey knew there was no place she would rather be.  Clint was a strong, protective, caring man whom she loved with all of her heart. 

Epilogue

Two weeks later, Clint and Lacey stood in a beautiful white gazebo at the Caldwell Ranch exchanging their wedding vows.  Lacey had wanted Justice to walk her down the aisle, so with a lot of help, they had managed to set everything up for the wedding in record time.  Sadly, Justice would be leaving the very next day, but he would get to attend their wedding first.

Lacey’s heart filled with joy as she promised to love, honor, and cherish the man in front of her.  When he slid the ring now coupled with the wedding band on her finger, her eyes misted over at the love in his.  Then, Clint knelt down in front of Ethan who stood beside them.  “Ethan,” he said as he pulled a gold pocket-watch from his pocket, “my father gave this to me when I was just a little bit older than you.  It is passed on from father to son in my family, and has been for years.  Since you are now my son, I am giving it to you.  I promise to be the best father I can be to you, son.”

Ethan stared silently at the watch for a moment before slowly reaching out and accepting it.  Turning it over, he pointed to the lettering on the back and asked, “What does this say?”

Smiling, Clint pulled him close and replied, “It says ‘Brody strong and proud’.”

“But, I’m not a Brody,” Ethan whispered softly.  “I’m a Donovan.”

Shaking his head, Clint told him, “Not anymore, son.  I’ve started legal proceedings to adopt you.  That means you are my son, and soon you will have my last name.  You will be Ethan Brody.”

Ethan threw his arms around Clint’s neck and held on tightly.  Clint stood, cuddling Ethan close, and put his other arm around Lacey.  Her eyes filled with tears, as the minister pronounced them husband and wife. 

As they turned to smile at the cheering crowd, her eyes met her brother’s and she smiled.  She had come to Serenity Springs to find Justice, but had found so much more.  Leaning her head on her husband’s shoulder, she felt as if her world was finally complete.