Lone Star Burn: Lone Star Escape (Kindle Worlds Novella) (3 page)

“I can’t be here all the time, it would draw too much attention,” the agent said, still talking quietly. “But she has to stay safe. She’s been through too much, and yet is still willing to testify. Her ex almost killed her. She doesn’t have anyone’s money, they are lying to you. What she has, is her life. She escaped with that just barely. And the money we gave her to start over with.” The man’s face was full of concern. Not only for his job, but for the beautiful woman next door. The scared little kitten who was trying to grow some claws. Beau nodded and got up from his stool.
“I’ll do what I can. When do you think she will be needed to testify?”
“As soon as we find her slimeball ex and Mr. Ciminelli. Unless we find someone else who can testify. I hate the idea of her doing this. I got to know her while we were holed up. She’s a great person, just, she got in a bad situation.”
“Do you think that maybe we could speed that up? If I accept this job and lead them into a trap? Do you think they would come here to handle her themselves?” Agent Parker shook his head no.
“I won’t allow it. These men are dangerous. One, I can’t let a civilian put themselves in danger and two, I won’t allow you to put her in danger. What if it doesn’t work? If they follow you back here? Find her next door? I can’t do it.”
“No, but I can. You can just set up the trap. It’s our only choice. Instead of spending years on a man hunt, where they are the ones hunting her, let us hunt them. Bringing them to Dallas and springing a trap is the best chance to get them in custody and get this over with for her. It’s the only way she can truly move on. Also, I like it being quiet out here, I don’t need to spend my nights worrying that everything my dog barks at is someone who has finally found her. Or that when she gets that bed and breakfast rolling, that innocent people are going to be hurt when they try to get to her.”
“What do you get out of this Mr. Belmont?” The agent began to look at him suspiciously.
“Nothing, except maybe a chance with Mara, without the worry that someone is going to hurt her. You can tell just by looking at her that she’s a tightly spun coil. She’s ready to jump at the slightest noise. A scared little kitten. She has a chance at a new life thanks to you guys, I would assume, right?” The agent nodded in agreement. “Then let’s make sure she keeps that chance.”

Agent Parker made some calls and sat down to plan out the details with Beau. They got the go ahead from the case agent in charge. Beau would get to keep the money they paid him for this job and he would help them spring a trap to get Ciminialli and Mannetti. By the time the agent left, it was dark out. Beau took Bear for a walk in his own yard and stood staring at the light coming from Mara’s kitchen. Without thinking, his feet shuffled forward, propelling him unconsciously to her door for the second time that day.

Mara danced around her kitchen. Swaying her hips to the latest country song on the radio, she felt a feeling she had never had before. The ability to actually enjoy cooking a meal, listening to music, it was things she had only seen on TV or in movies. But to actually be doing it was a whole other thing. She had made progress today. Grocery shopping was done, she drove around the tiny town of Fort Mavis and looked at everything. She spoke with the grocery owner about deliveries when she was open and the lovely older man was open to it. George said there was a teenager who made deliveries to the older people in town, so he could certainly add her onto his trips. She stopped at the farm supply store and bought a bunch of seeds, potting soil and other gardening needs. The lady there was helpful in telling her how to plant flowers and vegetables so that they grew proper. Her mind was reeling at all the ideas the woman had. A trellis with flowers growing up it for weddings. A bench near the pond, flowers everywhere. She even helped Mara learn what food grew easily in their area and what didn’t. The woman was Jennie Marshall. She had moved here after retiring from teaching in Dallas and spent her days gardening. Though Mara had to be careful about meeting new people, this woman was so kind and even offered to come help clean out the garden the next day. Mara couldn’t say no. It felt good to actually be able to make a friend as well.

Stirring the sauce on the stove, she twirled happily, not having a care about the red liquid dripping onto her pajama top she had thrown back on. Feeling sweaty from unloading all her goodies, she wanted to eat dinner before heading off to shower and crawl into bed. As she spun around again, she shrieked. The open door on her kitchen patio was now full with a large man and hairy dog. The wooden spoon full of sauce splattered on her white kitchen floor.
“I’m so sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just was about to knock.”
“What are you doing here again? I mean, I get it’s a small town and you are all friendly, but now you’re starting to creep me out, always showing up and what not.” She laughed nervously as she bent to pick up the spoon, wiping the spilt food with a towel from her shoulder.
“No ma’am, I know you said you were getting supplies. I just wanted to see if you had need of help unloading anything heavy. Just trying to be helpful is all. I didn’t mean to scare you again.” He took a step back and Mara felt bad for snapping at him. She just wasn’t used to people actually going out of their way to help each other.
“Please, come in, I’m sorry. It’s just taking some getting used to, being in the country.” Beau stepped in, his tight jeans clinging to every manly inch of him, the blue shirt he had on, stretched tight across his chest and arms. She was used to being around men who had more muscle than brain, but none of them every made her feel as small as Beau did. Just his presence in the room alone made her feel swallowed up whole. As her heart rate quickened, she felt her body warm. The reactions this man brought out of her were new and slightly startling.

Mara stood, setting the spoon onto the counter. Beau took a step inside as Bear shoved past him, before he could shove the door shut. The dog sniffed at Mara’s feet, licking the little sauce that she had missed. When he found no more scraps to lap up, he sat, leaning his heavy body against hers. She instinctively reached down, threading her fingers in his long fur. It soothed her nerves somehow, that this large animal took to her so quickly.
“Are you hungry?” She asked. “I don’t need any help, I got it all unloaded myself, but I can offer you some spaghetti.” Her hand fluttered to her hair, tossed up in a messy bun. Her nerves were raw and she still felt the embarrassment of yesterday. This man always looked like he walked off the pages of some Western romance, but she looked like a bum. He smiled at her, flashing those pearly white teeth and Mara wondered how any man could get away with looking so perfect.
“I could eat, I spent all day in my greenhouse and forgot lunch, and dinner.” He moved easily to the counter as if he belonged there. Mara fixed them both plates of spaghetti, setting some homemade meatballs on a plate for Bear. Beau laughed at the dog as he inhaled the special treat. When Mara moved to sit near him, he noticed how she pulled her chair to widen the distance between them.
Stay close to her, protect her at all costs,
he thought to himself. He wasn’t sure why he felt such a protective need over this woman. Sure, her beautiful long blonde hair and pale skin looked good enough to kiss, lick, and taste. She was beautiful. But maybe it was the fragileness she had about her, that she could break at any time. He admired how strong she came across, but he could see beneath it.

“So, what all did you end up getting?” He asked her, hoping to break her from the quiet shell she was wrapped in.
“Oh, I met the loveliest woman. Jennie, she helped me find flowers and vegetables to plant. By next summer, I won’t need to buy produce from the grocery store. I can provide my own and the flowers will look nice. She’s going to come help me tomorrow. I also got my first pair of cowboy boots.” The way Mara’s face lit up sent his body into shock. Electricity flew throughout his extremities, his cock hardened. Her cheeks were pink and that smile lit up her whole face.
“Jennie’s nice. She moved here after her husband died and she retired. Her gardens are amazing; you should see them. I can take you by there sometime. She’ll really help you. I would love to see those boots too.” Beau had always felt there was more to Jennie’s story. There was a sadness in her eyes at times. But, that woman was a force to be reckoned with, so he never pushed her for more. She had been like a surrogate mother to him since they met.

“Yea, I’m excited. We spent hours in the store together. She just walked up when I was trying to figure out what to buy and off she went. I loved it. I’m not used to being around many people.”
“I thought you were from the big city?” Beau asked her. Mara instantly clammed up. Her skin paled and she stared at her plate. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?” Beau tried to lighten the mood, to bring back the excited girl that was there before. He shoveled food into his mouth, trying to keep quiet.
“No, you’re ok. I just, the city was a lonely place. I was surrounded by people at all times, but I wasn’t really close to anyone.”
“Hey, I get it,” he reached out, caressing her hand. She flinched but didn’t pull away. “It can be hard to adjust to Texas and our way of life. Down here, we don’t think anyone has private business. It’s all our business. You know? If we get too nosey, just shut us up.” He tried to laugh and fix the situation.  Mara pulled her hand away as if fire licked at her tips. She fiddled with her spaghetti, not looking up.
“Yea, it’s nice though. I like feeling like I belong, even if I don’t.”
“Why would you think you don’t belong?” She stood, taking her plate to the counter.
“I’m sorry, I’m really tired, I just need to get some rest. Thank you for offering your help. I do appreciate it.” She knelt, rubbing Bear. She muzzled her face into his fur, inhaling.

Beau took his empty plate to the sink, turning towards Mara.
“Hey, would you do me a favor?” She turned her pale blue eyes towards him and for the first time, without the sun blinding him, or her looking away, he got a chance to sink into the ocean that she held within them. His gut churned in excitement, his body begging for her. His fingers itched to touch her, to stroke her skin.
“Um, I guess?” She sounded uneasy.
“Listen, I have to go into Dallas on business tomorrow morning. Would you mind if Bear just slept here with you tonight? I’d feel much better about someone keeping an eye on him while I’m gone. He’ll stay with you while you work in the garden and I’ll toss some food on your porch before I leave. Please?” She smiled, standing with the dog by her side.
“Absolutely. I’d love to have him stay. It will help me too. I’m still getting used to this huge quiet house by myself.” Beau could hear the loneliness in her voice. It would make him feel better knowing that Bear was there with her. While he was gone, that dog wouldn’t leave her side or let anyone strange near her. He knew Miss Jennie, he had helped her move into her new home. While he ran to Dallas, though the people after Mara didn’t know where she was, he didn’t want to risk it. Kneeling, he called Bear over.
“Hey buddy,” he whispered, “You keep her safe for me ok?” As if understanding, the furry beast ran right back over to her, sitting by her side as if on guard. Beau smiled, moving towards Mara. She sucked in a breath as he neared, her body stiffening. His damn dog, taking his word to heel, moved between the two. Beau stopped abruptly, looking down at him.
“Really boy?”

“He’s a good dog,” Mara said, barely audible. The words quietly escaping her mouth. Her tongue darted out, licking at those pink lips. She reminded him of Sleeping Beauty. The beautiful princess who doesn’t know she’s in danger, doesn’t know how perfect she is.
“He is,” Beau murmured back to her. His arms reached out, wrapping her in those powerful muscles. Her body pulled flush against his, sent her senses into over drive. Her brain frizzled out, she lost all cohesive thought. Her heart raced, and Beau could feel it against his chest.
“I’ve been thinking about kissing you since I met you yesterday, Mara.” Her fingers reached up, pushing against him. She found resistance as she tried to pull away. His chest was like a brick wall. Turning up to look at him, she was met with his lips. Mara had to admit to herself, she wondered how his lips would feel against her skin.
“I’m not used to this. I just, I’m sorry, you make me nervous.”
“You didn’t date much?” His whisper against her neck caused shivers down her spine.
“No, same man since high school.”
“We should fix that, give you your first real grown up kiss,” he said. Without any further commentary, his mouth crushed against her lips. His kiss lit a storm in her body, awakening a hurricane of emotions. She parted her lips, allowing his tongue to dart past hers, tasting her. His scent of sweat, dirt and sunshine infiltrated her nostrils, pulling her in deeper. His rough hand pulled at her hair, as if she could get any closer than she already was. His other hand slid down, cupping at her ass. She fit perfectly. He groaned against her mouth, wrapping both arms under her butt, lifting her. She could feel his hardened sex pressing against her as she slid up. Beau set her on the counter, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. Her mewls pushed at his resistance. Coming up for air, Mara’s eyes were glazed over with lust. She panted, greedily sucking in air as Beau stroked her back.
“I apologize, there’s just something about you that causes me to lose my southern manners. My momma would tan my hide if she saw me pawing at you like a high schooler.”
Mara nodded and pushed on his chest. She closed her eyes, groaning at the feel of his muscles under her fingers.
“I’m sorry, you have to leave. I’m,” she fought to get the words out. “I’m just not ready yet. I been through a lot the last few months. I just, I can’t right now.” She slid off the counter, turning to start cleaning the dishes. Beau ran a hand through his hair, his cock was rigid and pressing against his pants, but he would deal. He was more upset by the fact that he even let it get this far. He knew what she had dealt with, yet he lost control anyways.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that happen Mara. Thank you for dinner. I’ll grab Bear when I get home tomorrow night. Thank you again for keeping an eye on him.” Beau walked out the door shaking his head as Mara stood there, staring at the soapy water she was filling the sink with.

Her lips were swollen from his kisses. Her body still hummed. It had been a long time since she felt that way. She just wasn’t ready. Not yet. She had to learn to be on her own before she could handle being with someone else. There was also a big trust issue. How could she trust another man? In school, Jimmy had been a prince. Her whisked her off her feet. It wasn’t until they were graduated and living together that those things changed. Mara knew that not every man was an abuser. She just couldn’t move past her fears yet. She almost lost herself in Beau. Once his lips touched hers, she was thrown into an ocean of passion and if they hadn’t stopped, she would have drowned. Once the kitchen was clean, Mara looked at Bear. He cocked his head and looked at the door. She sighed and poured a glass of wine. She made her way to her bedroom, the dog following. Mara opened her doors, collapsing onto her swing. As she swayed, Bear bounced around the yard, chasing invisible things. Sipping on her wine, she stared off into the night, relishing the quiet crooning of the crickets. She couldn’t help but glance at Beau’s house. She watched as the lights downstairs went out.
“Come on Bear, let’s go cuddle.” She curled up with paperback she had already read several times while in the safe house and curled up in bed with the furry beast next to her. It was oddly comforting to have him pressed up against her. She fell asleep her fingers threaded in Bear’s fur.