Two hours later Jaci turned and smiled. They had dismounted about five minutes ago and Severus was feeling what it was like for cowboys. He limped around for a few seconds but when he caught her looking and laughing he quickly straighten up and walked normally but Jaci could see him wincing and it made her laugh even more.
She could feel him glaring at her and she quickly turned and began leading both horses back to their stables. She brushed down Diablo and let the other men handle Mist. When she was finished she found Severus sitting on the floor, legs brought up, head resting on his knees and gazing at her. She smiled and joined him.
"What do you want to do now?" she asked him, resting her head on his shoulder. He sighed deeply.
"You want the truth?" Jaci smiled.
"Yes."
"Sleep." Jaci burst out laughing and kissed him gently. She stood up.
"Come on, let's go eat something I'm starving." Severus smiled and followed her up to the house and into the dining area where there was chicken with rice and some fruits waiting for them on the table.
"This looks good." Jaci smiled.
"Yes, they cook wonderful here and they treat me so well, it's really cool." She sat down and they served themselves some food. When they were finished, they sat back, enjoying each other's company and talking.
"So at Hogwarts, where exactly is it?" Jaci asked him. Severus sighed.
"I can't tell you that." Jaci raised her eyebrow.
"Oh really?" Severus nodded. She scooted closer to him.
"Why not?"
"Because no one's supposed to know."
"Oh come on Severus," she whispered into his ear slowly. He gulped.
"I-I can't."
"Who am I gonna tell?" she began to run her hand through his hair gently and stroking his face softly. He gulped.
"You're not gonna stop until I tell you huh?" Severus asked. Jaci laughed.
"Nope I'm not gonna stop Severus." He sighed, then smiled.
"I might enjoy you trying to get it out of me."
"Oh really?"
"Yup." Jaci kissed him softly then took his hand.
"Come on, I'll show you the bedroom."
Several hours later, Jaci walked downstairs as Severus slept for a while, the horse back riding had really worn him out. She smiled, she had gotten him to tell her where Hogwarts was, she grinned and shook her head. She walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She took out a carton of orange juice and drank from it.
"That's unsanitary you know?" she jumped as she heard someone behind her, spilling a bit of orange juice on herself. She turned around, wide-eyed. She tried to tell herself it wasn't him, but it was.
Jake Cortez stood there, standing in his usual business suit, white slacks, black shirt, and white blazer. He had his usual briefcase and his black hair, which she had inherited, was combed neatly back.
"Da-dad?" Jaci stuttered. He smiled. He looked down at her, well Severus' shirt that she had thrown on.
"Hello to you too honey, I see you've been busy," Jake smiled. They heard the sound of feet making their way down the stairs.
"Jaci? Where'd you go?" Severus came down, wearing boxers and rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"Ah and you must be Mr. Snape," Jake said, his smile turning into a grin. Severus opened his eyes wide.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Mr. Cortez." Jake answered. Severus' eyes widened. His hand quickly ran through his hair, a sign Jaci learned that showed he was either shocked, nervous, or just didn't have anything else to do.
"Uh, hello Mr. Cortez," Severus walked over to him, hand extended. Jake laughed. He shook his hand then set his briefcase down on the table.
"Well Mr. Snape, shall we finish out business right now so you may be able to leave in the morning, or at your convince, I'll be right here waiting if you would like to go back upstairs with my daughter and kick it in the bed for a while." Jake smiled evilly. Severus blushed a deep red.
"No, I'll, I'll just go and get another shirt on, I'll be right back." Severus ran back upstairs to change. Jake looked at Jaci and grinned.
"Guess what I heard darling," Jake said.
"What daddy?" Jaci said in a little voice, she didn't like the tone he had, it was too calm, too nice. His grin grew until it didn't look like a grin at all; it looked like he was just baring his teeth.
"It's gonna rain, soon." Jaci whimpered. Jake laughed. He looked at her. "Go to my room, when this man leaves we're having a discussion." Jaci's eyes went wide with fear, but she nodded and ran off.
When Severus came down, he wasn't that shocked to see that Jaci wasn't there, but he didn't expect leaving without saying a word to her. When he and Jake finished off the deal and the paperwork was signed, Jake ordered the hands to pack Severus' things, he invited Severus to have a small midnight snack, which consisted of fruit, and then sent Severus on his way.
As Severus was walking out of the house and into the yard to apperate to an airport that Jake had told him Voldemort wanted him to use, but Severus turned to look at the house one last time. He saw a shadow in the window, then it was gone. He sighed and disapperated, just as the thunder rolled, the lighting flashed, and a girl cried in the night.