Searching for a New Home (9 page)

He raises her hand to his lips and brushes a
light kiss across the knuckles and hears Jana's breath catch again.
He smiles. Yes, he is looking forward to getting to really know
Jana.

******

When we get back to the ranch, I am surprised
by champagne, a sumptuous dinner, and a cake to celebrate my good
news.

Jason pours champagne for the adults and
apple juice for Dani. He then proposes the toast, "To freedom."

Clinking flutes we all celebrate the end of
my nightmare.

Dinner is composed of all my favorites and
the conversation flows smoothly. When Jenny brings desert of
Devil's Food Cake, Jacob looks at me and says,

'Jana, I have a proposal for you. To expand
on what we discussed on the plane, I'd like for you to stay on at
the ranch as Dani's nanny. I can pay you $5,000 a month plus room
and board. Would that be acceptable?"

My breath catches in my lungs and my heart is
pounding with excitement.
Wow! What an
unbelievable offer!
I look from Jacob's inscrutable
expression to Dani's hopeful one and back to Jacob.

"Jacob, you know I love Dani, but why now?
Why are you offering me such a fantastic job now?"

Jacob looks around at the four sets of eyes
staring at him. His glance lingers on Dani and he smiles before
traveling back to Jana. He responds,

"Well, ethically, I couldn't have you as an
employee at the same time I was representing you in a legal matter.
Now that the legal matter is resolved and with the Sam Willard
thing hanging over our heads, I want you to stay at the ranch, to
think of the Rocking J as your home. Staying on as Dani's nanny is
the perfect solution for all of us."

He glances at Jenny and sees shock on her
face. When he looks over at Jason, he sees his brother looking down
at the table and shaking his head. When he looks at Dani he sees a
tear slowly sliding down her cheek. Then he looks back at Jana.

I am glaring at him, "You are such a pompous
ass."

Jason and Jenny burst out laughing. Dani
smiles at Jana.

Jacob is panicking now. He is supposed to be
trained in persuasive techniques and up until now he hasn't ever
had a problem getting his audience to agree with him. Damn! What
now? He reaches over and takes Jana's hand in his. He feels the
zing of sexual attraction. Slowly stroking his thumb across her
knuckles he hears her inhale sharply and he says,

"Look Jana, obviously I am making a mess of
this." He feels a trickle of sweat down his back. "We all know how
much Dani loves you. It will break her heart if you leave." He
glances around looking for support from the others. His gaze
returns to Jana and he takes a deep breath and releases it slowly
then says, "The truth is I want you to stay, for me. You make me
feel things that I haven't ever felt in my life and to be honest it
scares me to death. I want the opportunity to explore these
feelings with you and see where they lead. Please say you'll
stay."

After what seems like a lifetime to Jacob she
smiles and says, "I'll stay."

Jason, Jenny, and Dani all clap. Jacob brings
my hand to his lips and places a gentle kiss on my palm. My stomach
does a somersault at his kiss and warmth flows through all of my
limbs.

My heart is pounding with excitement.
Jacob has special feelings for me? He feels
the same excitement when we touch that I do? Wow! Come on baby,
let's get this exploration started!

Then, wait
! Jana, are
you sure you want to do this? What if you stay at the ranch and
fall in love with the man? Will you be able to walk away if he
decides he doesn't want you? Are you willing to risk everything? It
could be a once in a lifetime chance. This man might be the man of
your dreams. It could also totally destroy you. Hang on to your
heart Jana! This could be a rough ride!

******

I helped Jenny clean up the kitchen while
Jason tended to the baby and Jacob put Dani to bed. "Goodnight
Pumpkin," he says.

"Daddy, is Jana really going to live with us
forever?" Dani asks.

Jacob carefully considers his response
because he doesn't know for sure how long Jana will stay, "I don't
know Dani. She is going to stay at least for a while. Can we try to
be happy for however long she does stay?"

"All right Daddy, but I want her to stay
forever," responds Dani.

After her Daddy leaves her room, Dani smiles
happily. Jana is staying and her Daddy seems to like her more now.
He held her hand at dinner tonight and told her he wanted her to
stay. He is going to love Jana just like she does. Yes, Jana will
be her Mommie. She just has to be patient.

******

Later that night after everyone else is in
bed, Jacob joins me in the great room where a fire is smoldering in
the grate. He sits on the couch next to me and places his arm
around my shoulders pulling me close to his side. Surprised by the
show of affection, I look up into his eyes, "Jacob?"

He tenderly strokes a finger down my cheek
and a streak of fire roars through his veins as he lowers his head
brushing his lips against mine. My breath catches at the contact of
his lips and my hand rises to his nape, my fingers tangling in his
hair. Jacob continues to nibble at my lips, tasting, savoring, then
his tongue slips inside my bottom lip. Fire shoots through my veins
and a moan escapes my lips.

Jacob pulls away slightly; then turns me so
that I am lying across his lap. He lowers his head again as his
arms pull me close against his chest. My mouth opens for him and
his tongue slips inside. He sips, he plunders, and he explores
every corner and crevice drinking deeply of my unique taste.
She is so sweet, so responsive, why did he
wait so long?
Breathless, he pulls away and presses my
head to his chest, brushing his lips in my hair. As our breathing
returns to normal, he whispers, "You are so sweet and you feel so
perfect in my arms. You scare the life out of me."

"I know. I'm scared too. I've never had this
strong reaction to anyone before."

He holds me close for a long time without
talking. He slowly strokes his hand up and down my spine. Then he
puts a finger under my chin and raises my face to his. He lowers
his lips to mine and kisses me warmly, "I think I should walk you
to your room now. I think we need to take this slow, don't
you?"

I nod, "Yes." I rise off the sofa and wait
for Jacob to rise then we walk hand in hand up the stairs.

When he leaves me at my door with a chaste
kiss, I watch him as he continues down the hall into his room.
He is so gorgeous and boy can he kiss! I have
read about sexual chemistry and that must be what Jacob and I
share. I have never had such a strong response to a man before. I
went from zero to eighty in one second flat with the first touch of
his lips on mine. Wow! I can't wait until we are intimate. Wait!
What if it doesn't work out Jana? Will you be able to survive an
affair with Jacob?

Jacob heads straight from Jana's door to the
master bath where he steps into the icy cold shower. Man oh man!
That was some kiss! He knew they were going to be spectacular
together but the reality is so much more than he expected. A few
more minutes and he would have taken her right on the sofa in the
great room. He can't believe how quickly he responded to Jana. He
could absolutely lose himself in her. It scares the life out of
him!

With only a few weeks left until Christmas,
everyone is extremely busy at the ranch. Jacob and Jason have
promised to have ten horses ready for pickup in two weeks and they
are working long hours to make sure all are well trained and ready
for pickup.

Dani's Christmas play at school is scheduled
for Friday and she is very excited. Dani is to be an angel which I
think suits her perfectly. Jenny and I are busy creating Dani's
costume along with helping her practice her lines, baking cookies,
purchasing presents, and decorating the house.

On Wednesday afternoon, someone knocks on the
front door and I hurry from the kitchen to answer. As I swing open
the door, my breath catches and a look of surprise covers my face.
Standing on the threshold is none other than Barry Farrady, Academy
Award winning movie star.

"H..H..Hello." My heart is pounding with
surprise.

His face breaks into a huge grin, "Well,
hello. What a pleasant surprise! I am Barry Farrady and I'm looking
for Jacob."

"Hi, Come in, I'm Jana Bowen. Jacob is down
at the barn. Make yourself comfortable and I'll call him for
you."

I lead the way into the great room. "Can I
get you something to drink?"

"Jana, who is at the door," calls Jenny.

"A beer would be great." answers Barry.

"Excuse me," I say as I hurry back to the
kitchen. "It's Barry Farrady. He's looking for Jacob."

Jenny looks at me dismay on her face, "You're
kidding, right?"

"No, it's him, in the flesh."

"You'd better call Jacob. He's not going to
be happy. Here, let me have that, I'll carry him his beer," says
Jenny.

I place the call to Jacob who tells me he is
on his way. It surprises me when both Jacob and Jason walk into the
house.

Jacob extends his hand, "Barry, it's good to
see you again. What brings you to Wyoming?" He then walks to my
side and places his arm firmly around my waist. Jana notices Jason
has encircled Jenny's waist as well.

A red flush slowly crawls up Barry's neck at
their not too subtle statement of possessiveness, "Well, honestly,
I need a few days away. I hope you don't mind my dropping in
unannounced. I also want to take a look at the property you told me
about. I need somewhere to get away on a regular basis."

Jacob responds honestly, "You are always
welcome here Barry. I hope you left the Paparazzi in Los Angeles
though."

"Excuse me please, I need to go pick up Dani
at the bus stop," I say as I leave the room.

"I hope so too. I flew into Cheyenne last
night after midnight and drove over today. I don't think I was
followed but you know how they can be." answers Barry.

"Unfortunately, I do" responds Jacob.

******

As I reach the end of the drive where the bus
always stops to drop off Dani, I notice a strange van parked a few
hundred yards down the road. I am a little apprehensive remembering
Sam Willard is still around somewhere. The bus is stopping as I get
out of the car. Dani jumps down and heads toward me. All of a
sudden several people jump out from behind bushes and cameras start
flashing.

Dani screams and freezes. It seems to me that
everything is happening in slow motion. Terrified for the child, I
bolt toward Dani and scoop her into my arms. My heart is pounding
as I rush back to the car with reporters calling questions at me
and flashes blinding me as Dani's screams fill the air. I drop Dani
into the passenger seat and jump behind the wheel. Gravel sprays
behind the car as I head back to the house. Dani is still
screaming. My heart is pounding with fear and tears are sliding
down my face.

The minute Jana pulls to a stop, Jacob hears
his daughter. "Aw hell!" He bolts from the room and down the steps
pulling open the car door and enclosing Dani in his arms. "I'm
sorry Pumpkin."

He looks up and sees that Jana is shaking
with tears running down her face. He picks up Dani and walks to the
other side of the car where he encloses Jana in his warm embrace
also. "I'm so sorry. I'll get some security guards to keep them
under control."

When we walk back in the house, Jason is on
the phone with the security firm they used after Beverly's death.
They promise to have guards at the ranch within the hour. Jacob
thinks this may work out for the best. The extra security will be
welcome, at least until they know about Sam Willard. Plus, he is
sure to stay away as long as the press is all over the place. He
hopes the FBI manages to catch him soon.

Barry is sitting on the couch with his head
hanging. "I'm sorry man. You know I would never hurt Dani
intentionally."

Jacob answers, "I know. It's done. Let's just
deal with it."

After Dani has calmed some, she looks at her
Daddy and asks, "Why are they here Daddy? Why are they back?"

"Mr. Farrady came for a visit. You remember
him don't you? We're not going to let them hurt you Pumpkin. I
promise." answers Jacob.

******

After that one ambush by the Paparazzi, the
guards take over and everything seems to be settling into a
semblance of a routine. Two guards accompany me to escort Dani all
the way to and from school daily. Barry Farrady doesn't venture
anywhere close to the road. Jacob is frustrated with Barry but he
understands the Paparazzi are unavoidable when you are as high
profile as Barry is. He knows that Barry hates them almost as much
as he does. He just wishes he could get a few minutes alone with
Jana. He doesn't know how she is feeling since she was ambushed two
days ago.

Tonight is Dani's Christmas play. The family
will be escorted by the guards and Barry will remain at the ranch.
Jacob hopes to have a few minutes alone to talk with Jana.

I take Dani backstage and help her don her
costume for the play then I return to the audience and slide into
the chair next to Jacob. He immediately takes my hand in his and
smiles warmly as he brushes his lips across my knuckles. The
expected zing of electrical energy flows through both of our bodies
as I smile back.

The play is a tremendous success. Dani's
performance is perfect and Jacob beams with pride. As we leave the
auditorium he pulls me close to his side and carries Dani on his
hip. He has the warmest feeling that all is perfect in his
world.

Then as they are leaving, Jason's cell phone
rings. The head of the security firm informs Jason of a break in at
the ranch. Jana's room and car have been ransacked but nothing else
seems to have been disturbed. Evidently, Barry heard a noise
upstairs and when he went to investigate he scared the burglar
off.