AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think we could make this farm into a place where wounded men and women come to recover from what happened in Afghanistan. Horses are used extensively as therapy animals. Something about riding them -- bonding with them -- is healing. No one knows exactly why, but horses are champs at therapy.”
She grabbed his hand. “I’ve talked to Mel. You know she’s set up a security business. Blackhawk Security. She told me they occasionally need safe houses, and she’ll pay us to use the house from time to time. She’ll even put a safe room in the basement.
“And the VA will pay us to take in veterans. They’ll hire therapists to work with them and the horses. All we need to provide is the housing and the horses. And I have leads on two or three more therapy horses.”
Jase settled back into his chair. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?”
“I have. When I look at this farm, I see possibilities. But I’d need you to make it work, so you get an equal say in this. If you think it’s insane or stupid, I’ll let it go.”
He stared at her for a long moment. Finally he reached over and pulled her against him. Slinging one arm over her shoulders, he said, “You know I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. All I knew was the military. I don’t have a lot of marketable skills. And the nothingness in front of me felt like a deep black hole.
“But this? Live on a farm? Help other vets recover from PTSD? I think I could do that. And I’d like to try.”
He swallowed hard. “You’ve done so much for me, Laila. And now this? Finding this farm? Figuring out how to help me find my way back? Why are you doing it? Why don’t you tell me to get the hell out of your life? I know I’ve been a pain in the ass since we came back to Madison.”
“I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, Jase. I love you. I want you to be happy.”
* * *
Jase sighed. Looked down at his thigh, where the denim of his jeans covered the scar. But he was always conscious of it. Whenever he took a step. Whenever he shifted his leg. Whenever he sat down. His physical therapist had told him that would get better, but he wasn’t sure he believed her.
Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Are there any good psychologists in Madison?”
“Why do you ask?” she said. “Is it because you think you’re driving me crazy and want to make sure I’ll be able to get help?”
His gaze fixed on his leg, he shook his head. “You won’t need a therapist, Laila. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met. But I need one. I’m pretty sure I’m depressed, and I don’t want to be this way anymore. I need to talk to someone about all my issues.” He looked up at her. Held her gaze. ‘I need to be a better man. For you, Laila. I’m dragging you down, and that’s the last thing I want to do.”
Laila edged closer and wrapped her arms around him. Swallowed once.
“That’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done, Jase, and I know you’ve done too many brave things to count. But you shouldn’t do this for me. You need to do it for yourself.” She pressed her face into his head and let her tears drip onto his skin. “I’ll find you the best therapist in Madison. Someone who’ll listen and not judge. Help you find your way back.”
His arms crept around her, and he held her tightly. “Thank you, bae.” Swallowing hard, he said, “I love you, Laila.”
She tightened her arms around him, and he wanted her to hold him for the rest of his life. “I love you, too, Jase,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes and savored the feeling of holding Laila against him again. He knew he was holding her too tightly, but he needed to feel her breathing. Feel her heart beating. “I want to live again, Laila. With you at my side.” He eased away from her and brushed the tears from his cheeks. “I didn’t know what love was until I met you. And since you showed up at the hospital, you’ve shown me every day what love was. You’re the one who saved me, Laila. Not the doctors. Not the nurses. Not the PTs. You. I’d have died in that room if you hadn’t moved in and started bossing me around.”
She managed to smile in spite of the tears. “You know how much I love a challenge,” she said.
“I know I don’t deserve it, but please don’t ever stop loving me, bae,” he said, snatching her into his arms again.
“I won’t, Jase. You’re stuck with me.”
She pushed him backward, so he was lying on the blanket and tucked herself in beside him. Her face and body were dappled with the sunlight that filtered through the sycamore leaves above them. He wanted to make her his in every possible way.
Bending, he brushed a kiss over her mouth. Lingered, until she hummed in her throat and pulled him closer.
When she deepened the kiss, Jase swept his hand down her back. Smoothed it over her ass and pulled her closer. Savored her shiver at his touch. She smiled against his mouth and whispered, “I like the way you think.” She worked her way down his body, pressing kisses to his chest. His abs.
Then she pulled the tee shirt over his head. Unzipped his jeans and shoved them and his boxer briefs down his thighs. Kissed her way down the trail of hair, humming in her throat.
When she took him in her mouth, he groaned. Tightened his grip on her shoulders. “Oh my God, not now, bae,” he said, his hips lifting to meet her mouth. “It’s been way too long, and I won’t be able to last. I want to be inside you when I come. And if you don’t stop, this will be over far too soon.”
She let him go with a pop and danced her fingers back up to his chest as she grinned up at him. “Just wanted a little appetizer before the main course.”
He trembled beneath her fingers. Swallowed hard. And finally pulled her hands away from his chest.
“Not doing this today,” he said, pulling her on top of him. “I’ve fantasized about you driving me crazy, but I’m in charge today, and I’m going slow.” He bent his mouth to her breasts, tasting first one, then the other. She moaned his name and shifted against him. Positioned herself so her heat washed over him. He groaned. “It’s been way too long since we did this. I’m going to go off like a rocket.”
