Page 16 of Jack of Hearts

I stand and toss her over my shoulder, then take us to the bathroom where I fuck her against the shower wall before we finally get ourselves clean.

chapter

eight

Jack

After breakfast, I drive us out to Great Dane’s Dog Sanctuary. It’s as good a time as any to see my buddy and what he’s got going on out here. Plus I kind of want to show Lucy off. Sitting with her in the diner was one thing, but I don’t really know those people yet.

I’ve gotten to know Jared and Audrey some because they own the hardware store, and I’ve been in and out of their store over the last few days

The drive out to Dane’s is beautiful. Even with most of the landscape browned out from winter, the rolling hills dotted with cattle ranches are pretty. But nothing is prettier than the view I get when I look over to the passenger seat.

I pick up her hand and bring it to my lips for a kiss.

She looks over and gives me a bright smile.

“You’re like a hit of sunshine when you look at me like that,” I tell her.

Her smile turns wistful. “My Nana called me ‘Sunshine.’”

“Makes sense.”

We drive through the arched metal signing to Great Dane’s, then drive down the dirty road. Fencing lines the property out the Lucy’s window. Then the dogs appear. There’s got to be at least forty of them all running together towards the fence.

“Look at all the puppies,” Lucy squeals. “I totally forgot I’d heard about the dog sanctuary. This is really cool.”

I pull up to the large gate and park my truck, then we both climb out. The barking is loud, but still makes me smile. Those are some happy dogs.

“Yeah, he told me that some of the guys from his last unit are relocating here to work it with him. I guess it was originally started by their unit leader, but he couldn’t keep the dogs on his land anymore. So Dane opened up his property for it,” I explain.

“I think it’s amazing what they’re doing.”

It’s on my tongue to tell her I think she’s amazing, but then I catch movement by the gate.

“Jack,” Dane says. He comes through the first gate and closes it behind him and the blonde woman walking behind him. “Good to see you, man.”

“You too,” I say as we exchange a hug. Once you’ve lost enough friends in service, you stop doing those one-armed hugs and just go in for the full thing. I reach behind me and pull Lucy close with my arm around her shoulder.

Dane’s eyes follow my movement. He looks at my girl and nods, but doesn’t say anything. “This is my wife, Shelby,” he says, grabbing the blonde woman’s hand.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Jack,” she says.

“Well, that’s never good,” I reply. “I think you probably already know Lucy Watson.”

I glance over at Lucy and her face has gone ashen, she’s so pale.

“Pocket? What’s the matter.”

She’s looking at Dane’s wife. “Sugar Coleman.” She says quietly. “I didn’t know, or I would never have come here. I meant no disrespect, truly.”

Shelby’s lips part as recognition fills her features. She shakes her head. “It’s perfectly⁠—”

But Lucy has already pulled herself out from under my arm and is headed towards my truck.

“What’s going on, Shelby?” Dane asks.

“It was her dad,” Shelby says, as if that explains everything, then she passes me on her way to Lucy. “Please wait, Lucy.”