Chapter Text
Sighing, Jarrod leaned back in his chair and dragged a hand across his face. The clock on the shelf started chiming and he was slightly startled when he saw the time. Already eleven o’clock. He sighed again as he organized the papers on his desk. By the time he got home, it would be well past when his family usually retired. The past couple weeks, he’d arrived back at the ranch much later in the evenings than he usually did; he wondered if anyone had noticed and if they did, remembered the reason.
Jarrod looked at his watch and told himself he was making sure it and the clock were running the same, but he didn’t look at the hands. He stared at the photograph inside the watch case and gave the woman pictured a sad smile. He hadn’t though it would hit him this hard; after all, they’d only known each other a few weeks. But ever since the anniversary of his marriage to Beth a little over a week ago and that of her death only a few days ago, he found himself growing more melancholy by the day. He wasn’t sure what he would do when faced with the memories tonight when he walked through the front door or when he entered the bedroom he’d shared with his wife for too short a time.
Jarrod grabbed his gunbelt and put his hat firmly on his head, left the office and locked the door. He started towards the livery to get his horse, but quickly changed direction and made his way to the next street and the Golden Eagle saloon.
The room wasn’t overly crowded, but there were enough people for a buzz of conversation, a few tables of cowboys and gamblers playing cards and the slightly out-of-tune tinkling of the piano in the corner. Jarrod didn’t see anyone he knew, which suited his mood just fine, and walked to the far end of the bar.
He was slightly surprised at not seeing Harry, the proprietor, behind the bar but quickly remembered the portly man was taking some time to visit his daughter in Reno. “Whiskey,” he told the young bartender taking Harry’s place. Pushing his hat back on his forehead, he took a sip and after a moment, downed the glass. Maybe a few more drinks and he’d feel like facing the memories at home.
“Why, Jarrod Barkley, it’s been too long.”
Jarrod looked up at the slightly breathy voice and sweet scent of jasmine perfume as a manicured hand slid across his shoulder. In spite of his mood, he couldn’t help smiling. The auburn haired woman had that effect on him the first time they met and he was sure she affected most other men the same way. I thought green would look good on her, he couldn’t help thinking as he took in the voluptuous form clad in a short, olive coloured satin dress with only thin straps instead of sleeves.
“Hello, Ruthie.” He gestured to the empty spot beside him. Not that he had come there looking for company, but the attention of a beautiful woman might raise his spirits. After all, it had been over a year and maybe it was time to think about getting on with his life. “Fancy a drink?”
Giving him a brilliant smile, Ruthie moved up to the bar. The hand on his shoulder slid down to rest on his forearm. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Jarrod gestured to the bartender, who brought over another glass and filled both. He started to walk away, but Jarrod called him back and tossed a few bills on the bar. “Just leave the bottle.” He held his glass up in a toast and Ruthie met it with hers.
“So what are we drinking to?” she asked after taking a sip. “I’ve never seen you buy a whole bottle unless you’re with your brothers.” Ruthie tilted her head and caught his blue eyes with her soft brown ones. A part of Jarrod’s mind reflected that softness wasn’t usually found in the eyes of the working girls he usually encountered. “Not that I know you well,” she continued with a flirtatious wink, “but I’ve wanted to remedy that for a while.”
Jarrod contemplated his glass for a moment. He wasn’t a stranger to the ladies of the night in Stockton and San Francisco, even if he hadn’t sought out their attentions for well over a year. But maybe some time in the arms of a beautiful, compliant woman might remedy a few other things. He tossed back the contents of his glass and turned to her with a rakish smile.
“Ruthie, I think that’s the best suggestion I’ve heard in a long time.” He readjusted his hat. “I’m assuming you were thinking of getting better acquainted someplace more… private?”
Ruthie’s smile beamed. “I have just the place.” She started to slip her hand around his waist but he offered her his arm instead. “Always knew you were a gentleman,” she commented as she took it, “but I hope not too much of one.”
Chuckling, Jarrod escorted her out of the saloon and across the alley to the staircase he remembered from when he’d met Ruthie, when he was looking into the death of her friend Frisco Rose. He hadn’t laughed very often lately and had almost forgotten how good it felt.
Ruthie unlocked the main door and locked it behind her when they were in. She led him down the short hall to another door.
“After you,” Jarrod said gallantly when that door was opened and followed her into the room. Taking off his hat, he closed the door behind them and was immediately pushed against it, Ruthie’s hands sliding up his chest.
“Well, where should we begin?” she asked huskily.
“How about right here?” Jarrod bent his head, taking her lips with his as he pulled her even closer.
“You do know how to make a first impression,” Ruthie murmured when they finally broke apart. “But I think you’re overdressed for the occasion.”
She pushed his jacket off his shoulders and slowly began to unbutton his vest. Jarrod let his hands roam over her curves as she made short work of the vest and began on his shirt. He shivered at the touch of her fingers on his bare chest.
Wanting to see more of her, he slipped his hands to her back and found the laces of her dress. Working by feel, he started to loosen them before he couldn’t get them untied any further.
“Jarrod, you need to move your hands so I can get your cuffs undone,” Ruthie told him. “Not that I can’t think of a few things to do with you tangled up in your shirt, but I’d rather have your hands free right now.”
Jarrod complied and kissed his way down her neck and across her shoulder as she finished divesting him of his shirt.
“Mmmm.” Her murmur of pleasure inflamed his desire and he fondled her through the fabric of her dress, his other hand trying again to unfasten the garment with no success.
“Ruthie,” he finally admitted, “I think I’ve created a problem.”
She just laughed, the sound sending pleasurable shivers down his spine. “You could just leave it on,” she suggested as her hands tugged at the fastenings of his pants.
Jarrod caught his breath as her fingers skimmed the skin under his waistband. “I could,” he agreed, “but that would deny me the pleasure of seeing those gorgeous tits…” He let out a low moan when his swollen cock sprung free and Ruthie gave it an admiring look as she caressed it slowly. “I thought you might be hung like a stallion.”
“Ruthie…”
She brought her hands up and pulled him in for another slow, sensual kiss.
He wanted to feel her skin against his, so he broke off their embrace and turned her around. Once he could see the knot he’d created, he made short work of untangling the laces and slid the straps off her shoulders, pushing the bodice down until the green gown lay puddled at her feet. He slid his hands around her until he was holding both breasts. Then it was Ruthie’s turn to moan as he massaged them gently, tweaking first one nipple and then the other until he could feel them harden. He nipped at her neck and her shuddering breaths aroused him further.
Releasing one of her breasts, his hand travelled further down, across her belly until his fingers touched the hair below.
“Jarrod, I… oh!,” she exclaimed softly as he worked his fingers into the moist cleft between her legs.
He’d initially come with the intent of her pleasuring him, but there’d be time for that. He was finding that Ruthie’s short breaths and little moans made giving her pleasure just as exhilarating.
She tried to twist in his arms but he only held her tighter, his fingers seeking and finding the little nub they were looking for. “You’re paying me…” She was cut off by another sharp intake of breath as he squeezed and rubbed it. Ruthie gave up her protests and leaned back in his arms. Thumb still circling, he slipped two of his fingers inside her.
“You like that?” he whispered in her ear.
“You can’t tell?” she moaned back. “Please don’t stop, Jarrod, please… oh, faster.”
He certainly had no intention intention of stopping. He plunged his fingers into her pussy as she requested, pushing her harder against his chest. Her moans came more quickly until he felt her clench around his fingers.
“Oh, Jarrod!” she cried out and he drove in a few more times as her muscles spasmed, slowing but not stopping until she collapsed back against him.
Turning her, he pulled her back in for a deep kiss. “Don’t worry,” he murmured against her lips, “I’m definitely getting what I’m paying for.”
Ruthie laughed. “After that, I should be paying you.”
Jarrod just chuckled.
Ruthie gave him a playful push back onto the bed. “Now you’re definitely wearing too many clothes,” she told him as she knelt before him and removed his boots. Her hands went back to the waistband of his pants and he lifted his hips obligingly for her to slide them off.
Jarrod reached down and pulled her up and into his lap, kissing her ardently before rolling her over on the bed, still held tightly in his arms.
Ruthie stretched out on the bed and Jarrod trailed more kisses down her neck, across her her collarbone until he reached her breasts. “I was right, your tits are gorgeous,” he told her as he took a taut nipple in his mouth and she twined her fingers into his hair.
“Mmmm,” she sighed when he shifted his attention to the other side. “But I think it’s your turn now.”
Ruthie’s legs wrapped around his and she moved her hips so the tip of his erection was positioned against her soft folds. Jarrod took her lips again as he pushed into her and then it was his turn to moan when he was fully enveloped in her tight, wam body.
“Oh, Ruthie,” he groaned against her cheek and began to move. Ruthie’s fingers dug into his shoulders as their speed and intensity increased and her hips met his thrust for thrust. Jarrod lost himself in the feelings of their bodies joined together, in Ruthie’s responses to his every movement and it wasn’t long before he reached his climax. Shuddering with its intensity, Jarrod felt Ruthie spasm around him again and he was delighted that he’d made her come a second time. When their bodies relaxed, he rolled onto his back and Ruthie curled up beside him, her hand drawing lazy circles across his chest.
“I’m glad you finally noticed me,” she told him with a smile.
Jarrod turned her face towards his and kissed her softly on the lips. “I’m just sorry it took me this long.”
Ruthie laughed and nestled her head against his shoulder. “Just so you don’t leave it that long again.”
“Well, if you can wait a few minutes…”
She laughed again and Jarrod knew it was a sound he wouldn’t tire of.
“Oh, I think I can do better than that,” she told him. “You’re welcome to spend the night if you’d like.”
“It would be my pleasure,” Jarrod answered and kissed her once again, feeling better than he had in a long time.
*
“Good morning, everyone,” Victoria greeted her family as she entered the dining room.
“Morning, Mother,” Nick answered between bites. “You seen Jarrod this morning? Got some shipping contracts I need him to sign and he wasn’t back last night when I turned in.”
“No, I haven’t.” Victoria sat and helped herself to some coffee. “Actually, the last time I saw your brother was the day before yesterday at breakfast.” She looked thoughtful.
Heath helped himself to another serving of eggs. “Has Jarrod seemed a little down to you lately?” he wondered out loud. “I thought maybe he had a big case coming up and just had a lot on his mind, but even so, it’s not like him to be gone this much when he’s in Stockton.”
Nick paused with his coffee halfway to his mouth. “Come to think of it, haven’t seen him for dinner in a few days. I mean, we’ve been busy with spring calving but I usually see him at least for a nightcap before bed.”
Victoria’s expression turned to worry. “And I’ve been caught up in organizing the fundraiser for the orphanage with Audra out of town.” She thought for a moment. “It’s not like we’ve forgotten his birthday, that’s not for a couple months. I can’t think…” She paused and her hand flew to her mouth in dismay. “Oh, no.”
Both Nick and Heath put down their utensils.
“Oh, no, what?” Heath was the first to ask.
“We did forget something.” Victoria shook her head with concern. “It was about a year ago that Jarrod…” Her voice caught. “That he and Beth were married, and she was killed,” she finally finished.
Heath gave Nick a disquieted look. “And we forgot,” he said slowly.
“Yeah,” Nick replied with a big sigh. “We forgot and Pappy’s been grieving by himself, without our support. Well.” He drained his coffee and stood up. “I reckon the rest of the crew can do without us today, Heath. Whaddaya say we head into town and take Jarrod out for lunch. Or drinks. Or fishing. Whatever he wants. Try to make it up to him.”
“I don’t always agree with your ideas, Nick.” Heath stood up as well. “But I’m not going to argue with that one.” He walked over and kissed Victoria on the cheek. “We’ll take care of him, Mother,” he assured her before following Nick out of the room.
Victoria sat for a while, staring at nothing. How could they have got so caught up in their own lives that it had taken this long for anyone to notice Jarrod was hurting? She remembered how proud he’d been when he introduced Beth as his wife and and remembered how happy Beth had made her eldest son in the brief time they were together. Victoria understood why no one noticed the significance of the date; none of the family had even known about the wedding and the too short time Beth was with them before she died saw to that. But not to notice how Jarrod was feeling? She knew he’d forgive them. Even though he’d shown brutal savagery when he went after his wife’s killer, Jarrod wasn’t the type to hold grudges. She just wondered how long it would take for the family to forgive themselves.
*
Pausing at the door to Jarrod’s office, Heath turned to Nick. “Reckon we should knock?”
Nick pushed back his hat. “Probably a good idea. He might be with a client or something.”
Heath raised his hand and and stopped. “Do you want to knock or should I?”
They both knew why they were hesitating. Neither of them wanted to face the fact that their inattention might have added to their brother’s grief.
“Oh, I’ll do it,” Nick grumbled and rapped firmly on the door.
“Come in,” they heard from inside. Another long moment passed.
“He’s in there,” Heath observed helpfully. They both stared at the door before Heath took the initiative and opened it.
Jarrod looked up from what he was reading. “Nick, Heath. To what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked with a smile.
Both cowboys took off their hats and looked at them before meeting their brother’s eyes.
“Oh, we were in town and...” Nick was trying to sound nonchalant, but his hesitation betrayed him. “We just remembered, Pappy,” he finally said apologetically. “About Beth.”
Jarrod nodded and sighed.
Heath took a couple steps towards the desk. “We’re sorry, Jarrod. We got no excuse.”
With a slight smile, Jarrod got up from behind his desk and walked over to his brothers. “Thanks, boys.” He shook his head. “It’s not like I’ve been very forthcoming, either. I thought if I didn’t mention it, the pain wouldn’t be as bad. But,” he grinned and clapped both of them on the arms, “I think I’ve finally got past the worst of it. And I’m glad you came by.”
Relieved, Nick and Heath returned the embrace.
“So, counsellor,” Nick gestured around the room, “think you can knock this off early and come drown some worms? Hear the fish’re biting pretty good.”
Jarrod answered by grabbing his hat. “Brother Nick, that’s the second best suggestion I’ve heard all week.”
“What was the first, Jarrod?” Heath wanted to know as they went to the door.
“A gentleman never tells, brother Heath,” Jarrod responded with a wink. “A gentleman never tells.”