Wiping her eyes she looked at CJ. “Will you hold me?”

Taking her hand he pulled her over and onto his lap, putting his arms around her. She buried her face in his neck as he stroked her hair. “It’s over baby, he can never hurt you again.” He heard his father walk in and looked at him. “Dad, what happened? I thought you had someone watching over the place.”

Calvin Sr. sat down across from them. “I did, Erin. When I called his cell and got no answer I came right over. I found him in the bushes, he’s been shot.”

CJ felt Sam shake, her arms around him tightened and she whimpered. “Is he dead?”

“No, he’s hurt bad but he’s going to live, help is on the way. I know Sam needs you right now but could you go check on him, bring him in here?”

She lifted her tear-stained face to CJ. “Go, go to him.”

He cupped her chin in his hand. “Alright, I’ll be right back and Dad will stay with you.” Kissing her forehead he headed out.

Calvin Sr. poured her another shot and handed it to her. “Here, take a sip of this, it’ll warm you up.”

Taking a sip she thanked him. “I killed Jonathan, will I go to jail?”

“No. That man thought he killed Erin, he planned on killing CJ and kidnapping you. You had no choice but to shoot him, you saved CJ’s life. From what I’ve heard he’s responsible for at least two other murders back home.” He placed his hand on top of hers in a comforting gesture.

It wasn’t long till the sheriff and paramedics arrived. Jonathan’s body was taken away and Erin was taken to the hospital. They were all questioned by the sheriff, having taken Erin’s statement he pretty well knew the story. Apparently, Jonathan bragged to him how he was going to kill CJ and take Sam. Telling him what all he was going to do to her and how that killing wasn’t new to him, he had left a couple of bodies back in the city. So no charges will be laid against her.

Calvin Sr. came from the front room into the kitchen where CJ was holding her. “You two can’t stay here tonight. You’ll come home with me and I’ll arrange for someone to come in and clean up the mess.” The mess being all the blood, the carpet would have to be lifted off and a new one laid down.

CJ ran his fingers along the bruise on her cheek. “Dad’s right.”

Sucking her bottom lip into her mouth she nodded yes.

“Take her out through the back door, I’ll follow right behind you,” Calvin Sr. said, not wanting Sam to see what was in the other room. Even though she had already seen it he didn’t think it would be good for her to see it again.

Dawn grabbed CJ and put him in a bear hug, having heard what had happened and being a mother was terrified of losing him. “Thank God you’re alright.” She moved back to examine his face and head. Tears filled her eyes. If anything had happened to her only son she wasn’t sure if she could survive the pain.

She then looked at Sam and drew her into her arms. “I heard you saved CJ’s life. Thank you, Sam, you are so brave to have shot that horrible man.”

Sam cried, and Dawn’s hug warmed her heart. “I had to, I love CJ and will always do whatever I have to for him.”

Dawn released her, her hands still on her arms as she looked at her. “You’ve been through so much and must be starving. I will heat up the stew and the rolls. Come,” she looked at CJ. ” Let’s get you both fed and into bed.”

With his arm around Sam’s waist, they followed Dawn into the kitchen. She made them some hot tea while the food was heating up. “Your father will be home soon, he said for you two to go ahead and eat.” She looked over her shoulder and saw how CJ was holding her on his lap with tenderness and love.

Neither one thought they could eat but the smell that came from the bowls set in front of them they realized how hungry they really were and dug in. Calvin Sr. arrived home and he sat down as Dawn dished out his dinner.

When Sam went to get up to help with the washing Dawn put her hand on her arm. “No dear, I’ll take care of it.” She touched the side of Sam’s face with the palm of her hand. “You look exhausted. I’ll get you a nightgown and you can take a nice bath before bed.” She turned to Calvin and CJ. “You boys put the dishes in the sink, I’ll do them later.”

CJ grabbed Sam’s hand, giving her one of his smiles. “I’ll be up soon. I’m going to have a beer with my dad first.”

She nods and left with Dawn.

Upstairs in CJ’s old room, Sam was given one of Dawn’s gowns and a robe. “Try to get some sleep dear.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep. I’m afraid that when I close my eyes I’ll see Jonathan and what he tried to do. Will I ever get over this horrible feeling of having killed a man?” She sat on the bed, her head in her hands. She felt Dawn’s arms going around her and she rested her head on the older woman’s shoulder.

Dawn stroked Sam’s head as she held her the way a mother would when comforting a child. “Shh sweetheart, it will pass and you and CJ will be married soon. All that matters is that you saved his life. You both are going to have a great life together and someday have children.”

Sam sat up straight and looked at Dawn. “Thank you for letting us stay here. I don’t think I could have dealt with being there right now.”

“This will always be CJ’s home, and now yours. I’ll let you go and take your bath and CJ will be with you soon as he and his father are done talking.” Giving Sam a hug she left the room.

She added the bubble crystals that Dawn had given her and got in, leaning back she closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure how long she lay there when CJ walked in. They exchanged a knowing glance and when he started removing his clothes she moved further up so that he could get in behind her. He wrapped his arms around her when she laid back against him.

“Kiss me CJ,” she said, turning to face him.

He lowered his mouth, slowly kissing her lips. After what she had been through he knew she needed to be treated with tenderness, not taken sexually. What she needed was to be kissed and held, to know she was safe with him. “Sam, I love you.”

They lay holding each other in the tub until the water turned cold. Getting up he held out the towel for her to walk into and wrapped it around her, kissing the side of her neck. After drying off they got into bed, Dawn’s nightgown laid over the chair. Sam wanted to feel CJ’s warm naked body against hers.

Laying in his arms she yawned, her eyes growing heavy. “I’m so tired but I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep.” She raised her body to look at him, her hand went to the bump on his head. “You should have gone to the hospital to get this checked.” She then looked down at the bruises on his stomach and her eyes teared up again. “Look what he did to you.”

With his finger, he lifted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes. “I’m alright, you don’t have to worry. Lay back down here next to me and close your eyes.”

It didn’t take her too long to fall asleep but he noticed how every now and then she would whimper as though she were having a bad dream, only it wasn’t a dream. All he could do was hold her close, stroking her back.

He woke early, knowing his parents would be awake. Sam seemed at peace while she slept so not wanting to wake her he slowly moved his arm out from under her and slid out of bed. He got dressed and went downstairs. His mom was making breakfast and his father was having his coffee while he read the paper.

“Sit down dear, breakfast is ready,” Dawn told CJ. “Where’s Sam?”

CJ sat and accepted the mug of coffee she handed him. “She had a rough night and is still asleep. I didn’t want to wake her.”

“That poor thing, it’s terrible what she went through,” Calvin Sr. said, folding the paper laid it down. “Maybe with the wedding in two days, she’ll be kept busy and forget what happened. Your mother and I were talking. We’d like for you two to stay here till then.”

CJ looked up from his plate. “That’s really nice of you but I’ll have to ask Sam first.”

Dawn sat down next to him. “It makes sense to stay here, she’ll be staying with us the night before the wedding and you’ll be at Parker’s.”

“About that Mom, I think we’ll skip that tradition. After what we went through we don’t want to be apart, not even for one night. If we stay here I’ll leave early in the morning for Parker’s place. I hope you understand.”

“Of course dear, I totally understand.”

“Morning.”

They all turned to look at Sam when she appeared and said morning.

CJ got up and went over, taking her hand. “Mom has made your favourite, Belgium waffles with fruit.” He kissed her lightly on the lips before they sat down.

“This is delicious Dawn, just what I needed,” Sam said as she took another big bite.

Dawn and Calvin left the other two alone to talk.

“Mom and Dad were wondering if we would like to stay here until the wedding. I told them it was up to you. I also said I wasn’t spending the night before away from you, that’s one tradition I want to break.”

Sam didn’t have to think about it, she thought it was a great idea. “I’d like that, after all, Dakota and I will be changing here, the kids too so yeah, it’s ok with me.”

“CJ smiled. “You aren’t going to give me a hard time about being together the night before are you?”

She smiled, tracing his lips with her fingertips, those lips had the power to make her melt. “No, but there will be no sex that night.” Seeing the scowl appearing on his face she gave him a warning look. “It’s either that or we will be apart the night before. It’s your choice Doc.”

“You drive a hard bargain Miss Cain, but I’ll agree to it.” He smiled inwardly to himself, she actually thought she had won this battle. Little did she realize he would have his way with her, he knew just how to get her motor running and she would be putty in his hands.

His smirk didn’t go unnoticed. “I’m serious CJ, no sex that night. I want our wedding night to be special.”

He snickered, here he thought she wouldn’t know, she knew him better than he thought.

Day later:

That whole day and part of the night were busy with all the final touches being done for the big day. It was arranged that CJ would leave for Parker’s place early in the morning. The women would be getting their hair and nails done. Everything was set to go, the church was decorated, the ranch was finished and ready.

As they lay in bed CJ started making moves on Sam, but she put a stop to it. “If you persist I’ll have you go sleep downstairs.” She laughed when he pouted, looking like a little boy who was denied some sweets. “You can make it one night without sex.”

He rolled over onto his back, hands behind his head with his hard-on throbbing. “Easy for you to say, you don’t have a boner.”

“Good night CJ, I love you,” she said, leaning over gave him a kiss and then snuggled into his arms.

“I love you too baby.”

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