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She’d come into town for more sugar. Jason, who Gray had following her every moment he wasn’t with her himself, had polished off the last of the apple pie and ginger cookies she’d made. As Gray seemed able to choke down the ginger cookies better than most things she made, she wanted to bake some more. Hopefully tempt a smile out of him. The only time he seemed himself was at night, in bed. He still made love to her regularly and with great enthusiasm, though something had changed. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was almost as though every time he was with her, he felt like he thought it’d be the last time.
Martha handed her Gray’s lunch basket, and Mercy gave them both the best smile she could muster. “Thank you, Martha. I’ll see you both later.”
They waved as she headed out. She did feel marginally better after talking to the ladies. But she wouldn’t feel completely at ease until Josiah was in jail and this damn bounty issue had been handled.
She passed Jason and waved him forward without stopping. “Come on, Mr. Sunshine. Let’s go feed the sheriff.”
Jason grinned and followed along behind her. Gray’s eagle eyes focused on her the moment she stepped off the sidewalk and stayed on her every step she took until she reached him. Had it been anyone else watching her like that, even if it had been him just a few short weeks ago, she’d have stumbled all over the street, uncomfortable with the attention. But she’d gained a confidence she’d never expected to have since their wedding. Watching that fire spark in his eyes when he saw her, knowing what he looked like when he came apart under her hands… It was a heady mixture of control and power that made her hold her head high and want to strut with pride.
Gray’s hard face relaxed a fraction, and he half grinned. “You come to feed me?” he asked, nodding down at the basket.
“Yes, though I swear there’s no point. You’ll just be starving again in thirty minutes.”
He patted his stomach. “Gotta keep my strength up.” He stepped closer so only she’d be able to hear him. “I’ve got an insatiable wife who requires my attentions all night long.”
Her mouth dropped open, her cheeks immediately flaming, and for a brief second, she considered hitting him over the head with the basket. He must have seen the thought cross her mind because he plucked the basket out of her hands with a laugh.
“Come on,” he said, giving her a swift kiss. “I’ll share my lunch with you.”
She shook her head as she followed him inside, Jason at their heels, but couldn’t help the smile that came readily to her lips.
He was incorrigible. But, to her surprise, she loved every second of it. He may have started out a reluctant necessity, but he’d quickly wormed his way into her life, and heart. And now…she didn’t know what she’d do without him.
And that terrified her to no end.
…
Gray stepped out onto the jailhouse porch, rubbing his overly full belly and stretching with a groan.
“I don’t know how that woman is still single,” he said, nodding toward the General Store. “But if it means she’ll keep making me lunch, I’m glad of it.”
“Oh,” Mercy said, lightly swatting him with the now empty basket. “There’s more reason to want to marry a woman than just her ability to cook, you know.”
“Well, there must be, or I wouldn’t have married you,” he said with a grin.
She gasped, her eyes flashing, and he laughed, wrapping his arms around her before she could hit him with something harder than the basket.
She struggled briefly but subsided when he nuzzled her neck.
“You’re terrible, you know that?” she said, though her voice had taken on that breathy quality that made him want to throw her over his shoulder and haul her straight back to their bedroom for the remainder of the day.
“I know,” he murmured, pressing a kiss in the sensitive hollow beneath her ear. “But you love it.”
“Hmm,” she said, pushing away from him. “Behave.”
He put his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her again. “How’s it going out here, Frank?” he asked the man sitting on the jailhouse steps.
“All’s quiet, Sheriff. Haven’t seen anyone I didn’t recognize.”
“Good. Thanks for keeping an eye on things. There’s some food inside for you if you’re hungry.”
Frank jumped up. “That’s mighty kind of you, Sheriff. I’ll come right back out when I’m finished.”
“Take your time,” Gray called after him as Frank hurried inside.
Mercy’s eyebrows rose. “You’ve got Frank helping out?”
Gray shrugged. “Never hurts to have another pair of eyes. He’s been surprisingly helpful. I’m thinking of making him another deputy.”
