Ride With Me (A Quaking Heart Novel - Book One)

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  Jessica felt large hands clasp her shoulders. Startled, she screeched and flailed her arms. The hands slid to her upper arms and restrained her. "Whoa, sweetheart. It's Clint."

  She stopped thrashing and whipped about to face him. Relief washed over her in waves as she threw herself into his arms. He held her tightly for a few heartbeats, then carefully shifted to lift her into his arms.

  "Oh, Clint . . ." She wrapped shaking arms around him and pressed her face into his neck.

  "It's okay now, honey. I've got you." Pulling her closer, he pressed a kiss to her temple. Her body shook as he carried her back to the cottage.

  Once inside he took her to the bedroom, situated her on the edge of her bed, and crouched on his haunches before her. He reached up to cradle her face in strong, callused hands and stared into her eyes. His were distressed. "I'm sorry, Jessie. I had no idea Turner would still be lurking about after I fired him, or I would have warned you about him. Can't imagine what it must have been like to be attacked, not knowing who he was or that you should stay clear of him."

  She was still trembling, but managed, "I somehow knew he was up to no good." Her voice shook. "I did try to get away from him pretty early on. It's just—he was so strong—"

  "Aw, little one." He stood, scooped her up, and turned to sit on the bed, bringing her to his lap. He held her in his embrace and tucked her head under his chin. Did he . . .?" He swallowed. With her ear pressed to his chest, she heard the depth of that gulp.

  "No! No. He never got the chance." She leaned back and fixed her gaze to his. "I'm fine, really. He didn't get very far before he was yanked off me by two men. I think it was Max and Pete."

  "I heard your scream." He sighed heavily. "Can't tell you what that did to me."

  As he gazed down into her face, she couldn't restrain the silent tears that slid down it. His hands cupped her cheeks, and with the pads of his thumbs, he wiped the tears away.

  She felt her eyes glaze over as a memory came to her.

  "What is it, Jessie?"

  "I remember you doing that before."

  "You mean this?" His thumbs passed over her cheeks again.

  She nodded.

  "Yeah. I did. Right before I did this . . ." He leaned in and brushed a sweet, tender kiss to her lips. Her head spun with sensation and elusive memories.

  "Clint?" A man's voice drifted in through the open front door.

  He lifted her from his lap and onto the bed. "That's Max. Stay, here."

  She watched as he left the room. In minutes he was back.

  He sat on the bed next to her and captured her in a side hug. Loosening his hold, he looked her in the eye. She felt pulled in by the longing she saw there. But, his captivating eyes, one minute full of warmth, in the next went cold. "Jessie. I have to go."

  Surprised, she frowned. "You do?"

  Muscles bunched up in his jaw. Delicately she touched them.

  "Brad got away, but they know which direction he ran off to. We're going after him." "Clint, no! I don't want you hurt. Please, just let him go."

  He brought her to her feet with him and towered over her. "Sorry, Jessie, can't do that. He attacked you. He will not get that chance again, I can promise you that." Clint pulled the edges of her torn blouse together. Her hands went up to hold it in place. "We'll leave right away, and I'll be back once we've jailed him. You'll be safe here."

  Worry deluged her. "Can't the sheriff track him?"

  "No time to get the Sheriff or we may lose his trail. Don't worry. There'll be three of us."

  With that he leaned down, kissed the top of her head, and walked away.