August -
The month of July ended in discovery and joy, the reuniting of two lost souls. August was proving to be just as exciting. Rayven was in the kitchen finishing up dishes from breakfast, Jaxon had left hours before to check on fencing for the lower south pasture. Her thoughts drifted to the night before as she lay in bed with Jaxon's strong body wrapped around her. A smile came unbidden to her face as she remembered how warm and secure she felt. How large hands and long fingers rested gently on her swollen stomach and how soft words and loving kisses from her tall lover made her feel so safe and happy. A knock at the door caught her unawares. She'd been so caught up in her thoughts that she never noticed someone standing at the screen door.
"Bobbie?" she asked in response to seeing the child standing on her porch. Looking over his head she noticed his mother getting out the vehicle parked in her driveway. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Donny were going to ride your horses down to where Jaxx is working."
"We were. OnlyÖ"
"Only what?" she prompted. Seeing that Bobbie's mother was drawing near she greeted the young woman.
"WeÖwell, we had a fight."
"You did? I'm sorry".
"Could I see him?"
"He's not here."
"Then where is he?" asked Bobbie.
Rayven looked at Bobbie's mother Rebecca and shrugged her shoulders. "Bobbie, I don't understand, what you are saying." As she placed her hand on the boys shoulder. "You had a fight and Donny isn't here. Do you know where he might be?"
"IÖIt's my faultÖ." The boy began to cry.
Rebecca knelt beside her young son. "Honey, what is your fault?"
"He said that since he turned eight his Mom would take him on all her rescues and that he can climb mountains with her and stay out all night by himself. He said that he has to prove to you and his Mom he's a big man now so you won't send him away."
"Oh my God!" stated Rayven. "Send him away? Why would he think that?"
Sniffling, Bobbie wiped the tears from his eyes. "He said that since you're back with his Mom and you're having a baby that you won't want him around anymore. So if he can prove to you both that he is a big man you will let him stay."
"Do you have any idea where he may have gone?"
"No, just that he said he was going to prove to you both he's big enough to allow him to stay with you." Bobbie quieted seemingly thinking. "IÖthink he's going to go up to where the bears are. He mentioned that if he could stay all night with the bears that would be cool."
"Okay, well I need to go get Jaxx. I think you for coming to tell me, Bobbie. We'll bring Donny back. Don't worry."
"How can I help?" Rebecca asked.
"I don't know. I need to get in touch with Jaxx, if you will excuse me, please."
"I'm sure you'll find Donny and he'll be fine." Taking Bobbie's hand she jogged to the vehicle.
Rayven rushed into the house and locating the radio on the kitchen table called Jaxx, thankful that her wife had bought the radios and shown her how to use them. She gripped the radio, speaking slowly in an effort to keep her emotions under wraps, disconnecting once as she had relayed all the information. Jaxon was on her way back as fast as she could.
Realizing that it would take Jaxon awhile to get back, Rayven decided to put her pack together and saddle up a fresh horse. She couldn't believe the boy actually thought that they didn't want him. Hurrying, she gathered up a few items and grabbed the backpack rushing down the hall. Stopping next to Donny's door she opened it and looked inside to see if something was missing. She noticed his sleeping bag as well as his backpack was gone. A note was lying on his pillow. Picking it up in shaky hands she read it. Dropping it back on the bed, she hurried back down the hall and out the back door.
Rayven got the ATV out of the barn, then went back to saddle Ginger, speaking quietly and calmly to the curious horse. The note mentioned the cougar's den Jaxx had told him about. He wanted to see the babies. To a child's mind, Rayven felt if Donny could get a hold of one of the babies it would prove he was a big boy.
She wouldn't be able to lift the saddle from the bench, but she could have the horse caught and haltered by the time Jaxx arrived. Grabbing a halter, she started to go out the side door when she saw movement in the back of the barn. Tentative she spoke, "Donny? Donny is that you?"
Waiting for a moment and not receiving an answer Rayven gently stepped forward. "Donny, I love you. I would never send you away."
Once again Rayven listened intently. She heard the sounds of soft sobbing. 'Thank you God' she whispered. She walked back to the far corner of the barn and found Donny huddled in the corner. Dropping to her knees beside the young boy, she gently placed her hands on his small back.
Suddenly Donny burst into tears. Rayven reached out and drew the child to her, enfolding the boy in her arms. She rocked him as she sat on the hay covered floor, smoothing his hair, gently crooning to him.
"I'm sorry," Donny sniffed after a moment, obviously trying to get himself under control.
"What are you sorry about, honey? What's got you so upset?"
Donny just sobbed.
Rayven gently soothed the distraught boy and gradually Donny's weeping stopped. "Now tell me what's wrong." Rayven brushed back his blond hair, patted his leg, trying to offer comfort to the boy.
"My Mom been staying in your room at night, hasn't she?"
Rayven went still. She couldn't lie to the boy. She thought Jaxon had told Donny they were together. Suddenly she felt awkward, embarrassed. "Why hadn't Jaxon told the boy? Was she ashamed?" she thought. NO, Jaxx wasn't ashamed there had to be another reason. Maybe, she simple assumed Donny would understand.
"Yes she has," Rayven, said uncomfortably. Did the boy disapprove? Casting her mind around for something more to say, all Rayven could think about was where Jaxon was at that moment and why hadn't she told her son?
"Are you going to send me away?" Donny's said tearfully.
"Honey, why would I want to send you away? I love you. I thought we were good friends." Rayven asked gently.
"Bec . . . Because my dad hurt you and mom. Because of him you left Mom and she's been sad for a long time."
At that moment, Jaxon came running into the barn, tears rolling down her cheeks. She arrived a few minutes before and heard Donny's question. She knelt down in front of them placing her left hand on the boy's knee and her right on Rayven's shoulder.
"What are you talking about, honey?" Jaxon whispered. She had never talked about his dad or that time in her life. She didn't understand how the boy knew.
"When you would take me to Uncle Jaden's for the weekend I would hear him and Uncle Matt talking about how you needed to get away and work out the pain in your heart from what my dad did to you and Rayven. They said he was a bad man and that they were afraid for you. Afraid you wouldn't come back." He answered as he began to cry again. "If my dad was bad than I'm bad too and you will send me away now since Rayven is back."
"Donny," Rayven said crying. "We love you, honey. We're not going to send you away."
"No way, my boy. You are ours and always will be. You are not a bad boy. You don't have a bad bone in your body."
"But. . . but they said my Dad was bad. Said he did something really mean to you. They said I was a mistake." He couldn't continue as he was crying too hard.
Jaxon reached out and gathered her son into her arms. Tears continued to stream down her cheeks. "You listen to me, Donny boy." she said as she hugged him close. Feeling his small body shaking against her, she continued. "Rayven and I have loved each other since we were younger than you. We were meant to be together. I've told you this many times. Yes, something happened that caused us to be apart for a while, but now we are back together. I'm happy, honey. I love you and I love Rayven. We are all going to be a family. No one is going to take my boy from me. Never, do you understand?"
Donny turned his head so he could whisper into his mother's ear, "How can Rayven love me when my dad hurt her? She's going to have her own kid. She won't want me too."
Rayven was listening with a heavy heart to the small boy's worries. When she heard the whispered question she knew she couldn't keep silent any longer. Moving as close as she could, she reached her hand out and gently stroked Donny's curly blond hair. "You listen to me, my sweet, sweet boy. If . . . your dad wasn't a nice person that does not mean you won't be. I love you for who you are. I love you for your laughter, the joy you bring into my life. I've loved you since the first day we met when I looked into eyes the same color as my own. I want you to be a part of my life for a long, long time. I want you to be my son, too."
He turned to look at her with teary sad green eyes, wanting to believe, needing to believe.
"I love your mom, honey and I love you and yes I love our babies that will be born soon. My love is large enough for all of you. I had hoped you would love me and your sisters too." Rayven added.
"Sisters? He asked sounding surprised.
"Yes, my son." Jaxon responded. "You are going to be a big brother to two little girls."
"I always wanted to be a big brother. Can I have one sister and one brother?"
Jaxon and Rayven laughed gently. "No honey," Jaxon said. "We get what the good Lord gives us, which is two little girls."
He thought about that for a moment than smiled. "I think I'll like being a big brother." Looking shyly at Rayven he asked, "Can I help name them?"
Rayven smiled, "Of course you can. That is one of the responsibilities of being a big brother."
"Another responsibility of being a big brother is letting people know where you're going," chastised Jaxon. "That's the first rule of wilderness traveling. You scared us to death."
"I'm sorry mom, I couldn't do it. I guess I'm still a little kid."
"You are just what we want you to be, honey. Don't rush growing up. It will come soon enough."
"I get to stay here with you and Mom and my sisters?"
"Of course, we wouldn't have it any other way."
"Can. . . can I call you momma?"
Rayven couldn't control the tears any longer. She reached out and Donny quickly moved into her arms. They hugged each other as tight as they could. Jaxon moved to surround them with her longer arms. "My family," she whispered.
<<<
The day finally arrived for the hay crew to come. Early in the morning trucks and equipment began to arrive. Before long the entire yard and area in front of the barn was filled with dusty pickups, various pieces of equipment and over two-dozen men and women.
Rayven and Jaxon's relationship was steadily becoming stronger and more solid than it ever had been. Those that looked upon them could see the love they had for each other. The hesitant smiles were now in full bloom, when they looked at each other and the touches that tentatively existed before were now constant. There was an aurora about the two women that spoke of a love so deep that few had ever experienced it - let alone see it in action.
Jaxx's six friends, along with many others, were there as well. Rayven and Jaxon greeted their neighbors and friends. Jaxon was standing beside her, giving her clues as to who each family was and their importance in the area. Many had helped in past haying, and many were willing to again this year. The 'free' hay the rancher's received would save them money and help the cows during the winter months. They depended on the Sleepy Springs ranch for their survival.
A short time later, Rayven was alone in her yard, the dust still settling from the machinery and humans. She sighed and turned toward the house. She and some of the other women would be feeding this horde and she knew she had a full days work ahead of her.
<<<
Rayven climbed into the Explorer that was loaded with the midday meal, along with a case of beer, pop, and several jugs full of fresh cool water, and headed out to where the crew was located. She knew that this meal would be just enough to get the workers by until the barbecue that evening, even through it seemed enough to feed a small army. She stopped the pickup and watched the scene before her.
After the hay baler made neat work of the yellow green hay, it was left bailed in long rows in the fields. A platform truck would drive along between the rows, the men and women walking alongside heaving the 100 - 150 pound bales up onto the slow-moving truck. It was a long, arduous process, much harder than haying with a unit that baled and stacked all in one. Of course, they had one of those units, but it had broken down and the mechanic was still working on it.
There were storm clouds looming on the horizon, and Rayven suddenly understood why so many workers were turned loose on the fields. The hay had to be in before the rains hit or many of the ranchers would suffer come winter.
It took Jaxon a few minutes to notice Rayven had arrived, but when she did, she made a beeline in her direction. She was wearing an open long sleeved shirt with a tank top underneath, her hair was pulled back with a leather string and her face and arms were slick with sweat; her battered brown hat was jammed down over her eyes to keep the sun out. She peeled off her work gloves as she continued to walk toward the pickup, her face as dark as the storm clouds gathering in the distance.
Jaxon opened the passenger door and eased her jean-clad legs inside. The scent of hay and pure female filled the car as she turned, placed an arm over the back of the seat and stared at her lover and soul mate.
"Hi," Rayven said nervously. "She is so beautiful and sexy," thought the blond.
"Hi, yourself," Jaxon said with a sexy smile. "Is everything alright? What are you doing out here in this hot weather?"
Rayven stared into her lover's sun tanned face, remembering vividly the feel of her mouth on hers, the brush of fingertips moving over her heated skin, the blaze of desire in her blue eyes. "Uh, I . . . I brought lunch and something cold to drink."
"Thank you," she murmured. Jaxon drew in a deep, slow breath and removed her hat, wiping her forearm over her brow. "God, it's hot out there."
"Don't you want a ice cold beer?" she asked, reaching for a frosty can.
The taller woman caught her lover's small wrist gently as she looked straight into green eyes.
"No, I don't want a beer, yet," she spoke softly. "You don't like the taste of beer if I remember correctly, do you?"
Rayven shook her head, feeling oddly breathless at the growing darkness in the blue eyes staring so intently at her. "I grew to like it over the years," she whispered.
Jaxon dropped her hat onto the floorboard and leaned toward the woman who held her heart. Ice blue eyes lowered to full, parted lips, she breathed, "I'm going to kiss you first." Her hand went to the small throat easing the blond head back against the seat as she bent closer. "It's all I've thought about since this morning."
Fingers went up to tangle in the thick black hair at the nape of Jaxon's neck, drawing her closer, eyes on soft sensuous lips. "I was hoping. . . you felt the same way," she whispered shakily.
"I do, sweetheart," she said huskily, her lips parting to take the smaller woman's.
Rayven felt the kiss like a volt of electricity shattering her body. She gasped involuntarily, clinging to the taller woman, her half-opened green eyes looking straight into sky blue ones.
"My God, you did want it as much as I did!" Jaxon whispered gruffly. Once more she crushed the mouth under hers, tongue darting possessively into the hot, wet mouth as her larger body pressed the smaller one back against the seat.
Rayven moaned at the hunger Jaxon was creating in her. Long fingers trailed down from her throat to her breasts, outlined by the sky blue maternity dress she was wearing. Those same fingers traced its low neckline with a caressing touch that caused the blonde's fingernails to dig into broad shoulders.
"I can't touch you like this," Jaxon whispered against the smaller woman's bruised lips.
"Jaxon!" she cried out, burying her face in the tanned neck of her lover while tears dampened her green eyes from the intense emotion the kiss had aroused. Her hands moved down to Jaxon's breasts, helplessly touching, feeling, connecting and savoring the feel of the hardened nipples against her small palms.
Jaxon's hands covered her smaller ones as the firefighter pressed against them. Long arms swallowed her, holding her hard and close while the smaller woman clung to muscular shoulders, trying desperately to get her own shattered emotions back under control. She felt an ache that seemed to go all the way to her very soul.
"I shouldn't have done that," Jaxon whispered in a small pink ear. "We were both too hungry for it."
Rayven drew back a little, her eyes wet with tears as they searched the blue eyes in front of her. "I feel strange," she whispered. "It's different between us now."
"So do I," Jaxon said quietly. "I burn in a way I never have. You weren't the only one who caught the fire, sweetheart. It's been so long and the feelings are so much more intense between us now."
Shyly Rayven looked into Jaxon's sky blue eyes and murmured, "I waited for you. I hoped and prayed that. . . I never. . . not with anyone."
Tears formed in the blue eyes and began to spill over, "I waited for you too. I tried to go on dates but I couldn't. . . it never seemed right. I felt like I was still connected to you and being with you was all I ever wanted. Nobody ever came close." She was so grateful she'd walked away from opportunities with other women whom she encountered along the way.
Rayven stared into the fiery blue depths of her lover's eyes helplessly. "I missed you, so very much," she whispered as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.
"I missed you, too." Jaxon brushed the blond silky hair away from the small cheeks with a tender hand. "I thought I'd die when you left. I didn't know what to do. Some days I didn't think I could go on," she said, brushing her lips against soft skin. "But I did."
Rayven reached up to touch the perfect lips, the smooth tanned cheek. It was exciting to be able to touch her best friend and soul mate without waking to find it was only a dream. "I would have lost the other half of my soul if you had died."
"No more talk about dying. We are together, forever, nothing will come between us again." She leaned forward and kissed Rayven's mouth hard. "I need to get back. Are you and the babies going to be okay?"
"I'm going back up to the house; I still have some cooking to do for tonight's barbecue."
"Please, take it easy. Let the other women help."
"I will. Go on now."
Jaxon opened the door and got out. Rayven stared at the broad back as she moved away, holding up the frosty case of beer and the lunch basket to the obvious delight of her co-workers. Rayven started the pickup and drove away, thankful she was driving, not walking. Her legs felt like rubber at the moment.
Emily came over and picked up the pop and water that Jaxx had unloaded. She walked beside the dark haired woman. "You look pretty, umm. . . satisfied," she said with a smirk.
"I'm walking on clouds, Emily. I hoped and prayed for so many years and then that hope began to die. Now I have everything I've ever wanted." Jaxon stopped walking as a frown covered her face.
"What?" her friend asked.
With an angry expression on her beautifully tanned face, Jaxon exhaled explosively, "No one better ever come between us again. I'm afraid of what I might do Emily." She began to walk briskly to where the others were waiting.
"Yikes!" Emily replied as she also hurried towards the group waiting for their lunch.
<<<<
Under the cover of the tall pine trees on the eastside of Sleepy Springs Ranch, an extremely drunk Jim Gilmore watched through binoculars at the activity below. Tonight he would make his move. "We're going to have some fun, girls. I believe you are going to have a unexpected guest for dinner," he snickered.
<<<<
By the time evening came around they were ready to take the prepared food out to the picnic tables set up in the back yard. Since children weren't allowed in the fields while the haying was in process, several of the surrounding rancher's families were just arriving. It was time to sprawl in the grass and enjoy feeling good and tired for a job well done.
Rayven hoped there was enough food to feed everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Storeholt had butchered a cow the day before and brought plenty of steaks, ribs and hamburgers for everyone. Several grills were set up and men in small groups were surrounding them, arguing over the best way to barbecue.
Rayven knew the lunch she took to the crew was small in comparison to what some of these men usually ate. They would all be hungry and consume a massive amount of food. Rayven wanted to make sure that everyone left full and happy. It was the least she could do for the amount of work they had done for her.
It seemed like utter chaos when the last of the items was placed on the tables. It was hot, dusty and noisy; three things that were making Rayven cranky. She knew it was due to her pregnancy, but still it was annoying.
When Jaxon banged the metal trash can top to let everyone know that the meal was ready, several men and women came over to the picnic tables and served up heaping plates full. This process was repeated until everyone was taken care of.
Jaxon, along with Rayven and Donny, stood in front of everyone and thanked them for their assistance. Hoots and hollers were heard, along with a "let's eat" from John Gordon.
Rayven talked, laughed and asked a million questions. Everyone was willing and eager to tell her all she wanted to know and then some about the events surrounding the past eight years. She wanted to connect again with the area and what better way than to ask those that lived in Silver Lake.
<<<<
Light-sensitive floodlights artificially chased away the darkness in front of the house and barn. Frogs chirped from their hiding places near the pond. A night owl mourned with a pitiful cry. Fireflies dotted the hayfields and a skunk slunk across the pool of light circling the front of the barn. As the evening wore down, families left taking their children home and putting them into bed. Many thank you's were said, not only for the day but also for wearing out the little ones. Parents were looking forward to a quiet night's sleep.
While Jaxon helped the last of the surrounding families load up leftovers and sleeping children, Rayven and the six-pack - as she had started calling Jaxon's friends - remained sitting at the tables enjoying a few minutes of peace and quite.
Rayven stood and went to go check on Donny. The last she had seen him was talking with a cute little red haired girl by the swing set. As she moved from the firelight into the darkness of the tall willow tree on the path that led to the play area a tall figure stepped in front of her.
Rayven squinted trying to see who it was; she felt a sudden chill run through her. "Excuse me," she stated as she moved to walk around the man.
"No, I think it's time you and I got to know each other," stated the rough voice.
"I don't think so. Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to go check on my son."
"He's not your son and you have better things to do with that mouth of yours than spout lies."
"What do you mean?" she asked as she began to back away while turning her head slightly to see where Jaxon was.
As she did so the man reached out and grabbed her arms, spinning her around so her back was pressed tightly against his front. As he pressed into her from behind she could feel his arousal. "I said," the man breathed hotly into her ear, "you have better things to do with that mouth of yours, one of which is to take care of my need," he hissed as his hand squeezed her breast hard, hurting her.
"Jaxon!" Rayven screamed as she struggled wildly. But he was a big man, and his hold tighter on her breast, bringing tears to her eyes, as his other hand grab her hair yanking hard. "Stop! Let me go!"
"That's it, whore, fight me, I like it rough. Fight me. It's great. It's what I want. It excites and thrills me the more you fight." He ran his wet sloppy tongue up the side of her face.
"Jaxon! Help!" Rayven yelled again. "Leave me alone."
"You know you want it. You're nothing but a whore."
"Let her go." Jaxon advanced on the man. Getting closer, she realized the assailant was Jim Gilmore.
"Not on your life, bitch. I said she's a whore."
"I said let her go," she sneered.
"Hey, no woman turns this down," he made an obscene gesture as he took a step away from the small blond.
Jaxx then notice the tears streaming down Rayven's face and the way her hand cradle her breast. "You son-of-a-bitch. You hurt her." Jaxon's voice was deep, growling and filled with a rage Rayven had never heard before.
Everything became a blur of movement; Jaxon, gently pushed Rayven out of the way, spun on Gilmore to kick the legs out from under him. She ducked an open-handed killing stroke aimed at her throat, barely deflecting in time with the palm of her hand. Working instinctively, Jaxon parried another strike, and a third . . . then lashed out sharply with her elbow, heard a confirming grunt of pain when soft tissue gave way under the impact, then extended the muscular attacker's arm out and twisted it sharply, wrenching it out of the shoulder socket.
Gilmore was screaming profanities and thrashing around as Jaxx reached for him and wrapped her hand around the guy's neck and squeezed.
Rayven started to move quickly toward the fight when Jaden reached out to stop her. "What are you doing? You'll get hurt."
Removing his hand from her arm she said, "No, I won't."
"When I get her to let him go, get the guy out of here."
By now the others had arrived and everyone stood in shock at the sight of a five foot four seven-month pregnant woman walking into the middle of the fight scene. Rayven almost laughed at their expressions and would have if she weren't scared to death. She walked up to the left of her lover and began to talk gently. "Jaxon, it's Rayven. Let him go."
Touching Jaxx left hand that was now balled into a fist, she stroked it gently. She could feel the anger radiating through Jaxon's body. I know of only one way to bring her back, she thought.
Lifting the arm she held, she ducked underneath it and placed her body against Jaxon's. Feeling the tremors and vibrations of the taller woman's anger was, in an odd way, exciting. The blue eyes held disgust and murder in them. "Jaxon, come home," she spoke softly. Her right arm was like a vise grip on the man's throat and he was turning a light shade of blue.
She reached up and, standing on her toes, circled Jaxon's neck pressing her lips against the older woman's. For a second nothing happened. Then slowly she felt the lips soften and warm against hers, soon she felt a tongue sneak out and run across her lips. "Come on, baby, that's it. Kiss me like you mean it."
Jaxon dropped her hand that was holding the guy prone and he fell to the ground gasping. The next thing she knew Jaxon had picked her up and was cradling her tight against her and was kissing her like there was no tomorrow. Mouths opened, tongue battled and twin moans echoed. "I love you, Rayven." Her eyes darkened. "I need you, please, I need to make love to you."
"Yes," Rayven whispered as she resumed kissing her lover.
A stunned Gilmore looked at the scene before him. Speaking to no one in particular, he grunted. "Why didn't she fight like that when I attacked her last time?"
"Because, you idiot, you attacked her only reason for living." Deputy McRoberts reached down to handcuff the beaten man.
Not looking around, not caring who saw, not bothering if the world came to an end, Jaxon walked off into the darkness holding her world in her arms. They knew their friends would look after Donny, take care of Jim Gilmore and give them the privacy they so desperately needed.
Their loving was by turns gentle and desperate, eager and tentative. They kissed and stroked, gazed and worshipped, touched and teased, until the morning Rayven. The small woman curled up in her lover's arms, feeling very satiated, secure and protected. Rayven snuggled closer, breathing in Jaxon's scent. Their bodies were made for each other. Perfect. Inside her were their children, living, growing, developing, warm and safe, a gift so precious, no other miracle could surpass it.