Chapter 52

She gave me a second chance and I wasn't going to waste it. I was going to show her that I was serious and if it took me every day of the next two months to show her that I was serious that I wanted this, that I wanted her to be a part of my life as my best friend but as my partner for life.

I smiled, I had found my always and forever and I just had to show her that I was here for the long haul and maybe one day she'd do me the honor of marrying this big dumb cowboy.

We sat and talked and watched as the sun started to dip down and show us the most beautiful sunset. I kissed her forehead and whispered, "To new beginnings and to the future with you by my side the possibilities are endless."

She sighed, "You are becoming more and more of a surprise to me Mr. Houston who would have thought those words would come out of your mouth."

"You complaining about me being a mushy guy? I can become whomever you want me to be. I am all yours waiting to be molded into the man of your dreams. So, what does the lady want?" I looked her in the eyes, giving her my sexiest look that I knew would have her taking back one of the months she had requested.

She lowered her lashes, "Hmmm anything I want Mr. Houston?"

I had her just had to reel her in slowly. "Anything, Ms. Parsons."

She came close to my ear and whispered, "Ice cream, I want a scoop of ice cream from that truck on the boardwalk."

I groaned. I thought she was going to fall for the charm, and she just pulled the rug out from under me.

"Ice cream you want ice cream oh my poor ego you don't play fair."

She pulled back and started to get up, "Really? Look who isn't playing fair, Houston that look you just gave. You have used that signature look to charm your way out of trouble for as long as I can remember. That look would work on others but did you think I was going to fall for it? No way we made a deal for 2 months and we will be keeping to that schedule so come on let's get back before it gets dark. "

I rolled my eyes, my plan had been foiled, I wanted to pout.

She knew me too well and I'd have to change tactics on how to get her to see reason. Or my reason I was never a patient man and now that she knew how I felt I couldn't hold back. I didn't want to back down. I wanted her plain and simple. I got up and handed her the player. I folded the blanket in silence.

"Houston you know I'm right let's get Jake's situation handled and help Star, we've waited 20 years what's two more months. It's not like I won't be by your side just not the way you want it to be. Give me time it will be worth it I promise."

I looked down at her. "You are so worth it and sorry for my lack of patience but you're right you will be by my side and you are not getting rid of me."

She laughed, "Yeah don't I know it. I swear earlier when I asked you to give me space you couldn't follow those simple instructions. I knew you were watching me and I tried to find your hiding spot but I couldn't see where you were so Uncle Roy must have taught you some new tricks. It was a little unnerving. I knew you were watching but didn't know where."

I stopped and started to scan the surrounding area, pulling her close to me not wanting her to show any signs of panic. I had not been watching her and had been on the boardwalk by the same ice cream truck she wanted a scoop from. She had said that she had the feeling for weeks someone was watching her and now this confirmed it. I looked around but it was getting dark and getting hard to see. All I knew was I needed to get her out of here, I needed to get my girl to safety.

"Earth to Houston, hey where did you go."

I looked at her and she cocked her head to the side. I would not keep this from her. She needed to know that the threat was real and that she needed to be vigilant.

I took the player away from her and pulled her close making sure I was right over her ear, "CJ, I need you to pretend everything is alright don't stiffen up and just listen okay? I wasn't watching you. I was by the ice cream truck all that time till I gathered the courage to come to you and try to get you to give me a chance. You said at the office earlier that you've felt you are being watched these last couple of weeks, I believe you are and I wish you would have said something earlier but I'm going to kiss you and then take your hand and we will be walking to that ice cream truck I am going to be scanning the area and I needed you to do the same. I will not let anything or anyone harm you but if something happens I want you to be ready to run. I need you to go straight to my house or to the closest business that is open and call the police. Do you hear me?"

She started to shake and I held her closer, "I'm sorry darling I didn't mean to scare you. I shouldn't have said anything but I needed you to be ready just in case. You are my world now and I will not chance having you hurt or worse taken from me again."

She whispered okay. Looked up to me pulled me down, cupped my face and gave me a kiss, she pulled back and said, "I'm ready let's get to that ice cream truck and be on the lookout for something out of the ordinary I know you don't have your weapon on you but, we have our wits and this heavy CD Player."

"Don't forget, I have a hell of a fighter that I am so proud of. What are we worried about? They should be worried. Come on, let's go."

She took my hand and squeezed it. We walked to the truck, leaning into me and me with my arm around her waist. She looked to the left and I looked to the right. We didn't see anything out of the ordinary and made it to the ice cream truck where the owner was packing up to go.

"So it looks like the song helped? Glad you gave him another chance CJ, he looked like he lost his best friend."

CJ looked at me, "How much did you tell him Houston? Oh and he almost did lose his best friend so I take it this is yours?"

She showed him the CD player and he nodded yes.

"You helped me out and I didn't even ask your name, I am Matt Houston, this is CJ Parsons who found it in her heart to forgive me for screwing things up so badly."

He shook my hand and gave CJ a hug, "I'm Leo Stubbs and this is my side business I come down here on the weekends to make that extra cash and thanks to your fellow here I made some nice coin today he didn't have to but it is greatly appreciated so CJ would you like a cone on the house."

"Yes but not on the house. This guy is still trying to get on my good side so I will take a scoop of strawberry and chocolate and he will be paying."

"You heard the lady no freebies, I hate to ask but you don't happen to have a phone in that truck? I need to make a call, it's kind of important."

"Sorry friend I don't but there is a phone booth down the way there not too far."

Leo went to get CJ's cone, "Who are you going to call Houston? Maybe I was just imagining it. We were pretty loud and it could have been someone that saw us argue nothing more."

I shook my head and took her hand, "you said you've felt like you're being watched and it's not the first time I'm glad you said something earlier at the office and I did say we were going to talk about this so I am taking this seriously as will our family and we will protect you. I am calling for backup but I don't want to leave you alone and that phone booth doesn't have too much lighting and pretty far from the truck so I'm torn about what to do."

"Let's just walk back to my car. I left my weapon at the bar, I gave it to Devin to put in his safe. He was going to bring it to me at your house. He could still be there."

I really didn't want to go back to that bar. This Devin character was getting under my skin and I didn't want to cause any waves. Leo came back with CJ's cone. She went to sit on the bench I had sat on earlier. It was right next to the truck, I told her I'd be right back. I was going to go use the phone. I was asking Leo if he mind keeping her company and if he happened to have anything resembling a weapon.

"Ah son, are you anticipating a problem? I have a baseball bat. I've never had a problem here but I usually leave when the sun goes down. You two will be my last customers."

I was about to answer him when I heard a familiar voice, "Ah beautiful did he mess up already do I get to sweep you off your feet you won't regret it I promise."

I heard CJ laugh and Leo looked over to where CJ, Devin and Luca were standing.

"Hey, you know Popeye and Luca? They are good guys, I had a little trouble when I started coming down here with the non-locals and they handled some sticky situations for me. They can help you out."

We walked over and Popeye frowned, "great I thought she came to her senses and dumped you, it's okay I am a patient man."

"Sorry for my friend here Houston. I swear he was dropped on his head numerous times when he was a child and knocked the sense out of him. Popeye stop poking the bear buddy."

CJ stood up and came to stand by me, "want a lick?"

That got my attention,

"Wow, is it my choice what I get to lick?" I whispered to her and waggled my eyebrows. She turned a lovely shade of pink.

"Get a room or better yet, dump him. He's getting way to forward with you."

She shoved Popeye and turned to me, "Of my cone jeez get your mind out of the gutter Houston and now you don't have to make a call I feel pretty safe now with all this muscle around."

Before I got to respond Luca spoke up, "what did she mean feeling safe?"

"Oh the Houston fellow here was anticipating some trouble and was about to call someone for some back up when you two happened along which was a lucky break for them right Houston."

Popeye came closer to me and started to scan the area as did Luca.

"What's going on cowboy, why do you think there will be trouble, is she in danger?"

He looked at CJ who was asking Leo for a napkin to clean her hands. She stepped with him into his truck and I briefed them on what had happened to CJ and her feeling of being watched these last couple of months. They both didn't interrupt and looked at each other and the area to see if they saw anything strange after I was done. Luca went to see where CJ had gone and Popeye stood next to me.

"She was abducted? Damn. Star filled me in as she promised she would and she said something had happened to beautiful but she wasn't sure what but it had affected her and her family so how long was she gone and are they still breathing because their days are numbered also no one hurts the family."

I couldn't help but smile, he was like me and now I knew why I didn't like him but at times did. I went into detail about who had taken her why she was taken and the aftermath, I choked up when I told him I had almost lost her and how she was not breathing when we had dug her up and how in some miracle god had listened to my prayers and got her to breathe, her time at the hospital and the issues she was having now not remembering what exactly had happened to her during her captivity. I still was weary of them so I didn't tell them about having a seat front and center of what they had done to her and the tape that I still had not been able to see from start to finish.

He put his hand on my shoulder, "I'm sorry this happened to all of you, I would have burned this town down looking for her, I knew she looked familiar people had come by and asked if I had seen her and if I had heard of anyone looking hired help for a revenge job, needless to say I don't serve people of that caliber, I know the type and where to look but it's not my scene. If I had known anything I would have said something, so the bastards that did this to her are still in the jail ward at the hospital. How many weeks has it been?"

CJ laughed and I looked up to see her rolling her eyes at Luca. I answered.

"About 2 months, I did most of the damage to them. I don't remember much after the first blow but from what Too Mean and my best friend Vince told me it took both of them and Will to pull me off of them once I was done with one I went after the others since no one was talking. I was on top of the last guy and I just kept hitting till he told me he'd show us where she was buried if I would stop punching him. If he hadn't given in she wouldn't be here right now with us, Jake would have died in that trash can and Star…."

I turned away. I didn't want to cry in front of this stranger and rival for my girl's love. I had to shake it off. I didn't want to show weakness but all I had to do was look at CJ, the light in my life and I knew everything was going to turn out okay.

"Damn how am I going to hate you when you are starting to look like a good guy? You and your family. I was trying to find something wrong with you guys but can't find anything, Luca is smitten by your Doc, Momma G is talking about making one of her legendary pies that will make you weep. It's that good. She said she wanted to make a good impression on you folks and Tiny wants to go head to head with this Chili cookoff. He is adamant that he can beat you and you have beautiful, that look at you like the sun rises and sets on you. How can I compete? Come on Cowboy you have to have some flaws."

I shook my head. He did what I always did deflect with humor. Before I got to answer CJ stepped in.

"He's got plenty but one thing about him he won't kick you when you are down. Houston? What's going on, what did you do to him Devin? Okay enough of this leave him alone he's had a hell of a weekend and I don't need him upset. Do you hear me or are we going to have to words again, you know how the last time turned out?"

I smiled at her and put my arm around her but she shrugged it off. She stood in front of me hands on her hips staring up at Popeye ready for a fight.

I fell just a little more in love with her in that minute.

Popeye put his hands up, "Hey Cowboy little help here? Beautiful you got it all wrong we were just talking I didn't do anything. Jeez he just realized what a lucky dog he is. You stand by him kicking ass and ask questions later. I get it Houston. Damn girl I think I just might have met my match and damn I might have to drop to my knee and ask you to marry me right now. Come on beautiful, give me a chance dump the cowboy."

She turned to me and I told her we were just talking and I got something in my eye but everything was good. She came to me and hugged me and whispered to me if I wanted her to kick him I chuckled and said no.

She turned around, "So did he tell you everything?" She looked down and I held her tight.

Popeye and Luca came close, "He told me what I needed to know, don't worry we got your back and we will be happy to help out. We sent word around about asking for the surveillance tapes for Friday from the businesses around our end of the pier they will be dropped off within the hour and Luca sent out word to our customers and friends we will find Jake's mom and we just added keeping you and all the ladies safe, Houston if they've been seen with Beautiful they might be in danger, that includes Momma G. So we need to get together and form a plan on how we are going to keep everyone safe."

CJ stiffened and started to shake. Popeye cursed.

"Hey beautiful I'm sorry but I am not going to sugar coat it, if you've felt someone's been watching you and if you have been around the others they will find a weak point and go from that angle, tactically that's what we would do as I'm sure Houston would do too. Military minds think alike. I think it's time to get to your house Cowboy and have a talk with the rest of the family and keep everything transparent, no hiding and everything on the table, everyone needs to take this seriously till we find out who's stalking our girl."

She nodded and we said goodbye to Leo. CJ held my hand tightly, never letting go and looking all around. I hated that she had to deal with this but as much as it pained me Popeye was right. We had to tell the rest of the family and have them be diligent. Their lives could depend on them being ready for any type of attack. I asked Popeye if he had brought CJ's gun. He handed it to me and said he and Luca were armed also. I felt better knowing we would not be sitting ducks and if need be we'd be able to defend ourselves. We didn't know who the enemy was but this felt like it even out the score a little. Luca walked in front of us and Popeye slightly behind us it looked like we were friends walking the boardwalk, Luca started to ask CJ questions about Doc and she started to relax and I looked at Popeye canvassing the area and on alert.

"Damn, I wish we had that mongrel right now who looks like he could take down a team of men."

I chuckled and told him what he had done to Star yesterday, the story had him and Luca laughing, and it felt good to laugh. But I could feel the tension in CJ. I kissed her temple and put my arm around her waist.

We kept walking and as strangers approached, I'd put my hand in my pocket where CJ's gun was and it turned out they were acquaintances of either Luca or Popeye, they were both well known by the people around this area especially the women that came up to Luca, CJ shook her head, "Carol is going to get a full report on this Luca."

He turned to her and placed his hand over his heart, "Aww come on CJ you can't do this to me they mean nothing just ships in the night passing by, I think I found my true love my reason for being, my Heaven here on Earth my angel in the morning."

My girl laughed and wagged her finger at him, "you break her heart I break your face you got me?"

Popeye laughed out loud, "She's got your number buddy, maybe you should quit while you're ahead."

"You'll see, this is a tale as old as time you are going to tell mine and Doc's kids and grandkids when they are here how their aunts and uncles tried to keep true love from blossoming and how good, trumped evil."

"Oh brother he's on a roll, Heaven help Red, Beautiful you are in for a treat this guy is going to charm the pants off of her… ah never mind."

CJ giggled, "Devin I think he's met his match. My girl won't put up with his shenanigans, she's smart and can smell the bull crap a mile away. I think he's in trouble and doesn't even know it."

I watched them banter some more. She was keeping up with him and I didn't butt in. I wanted her to feel normal again and I looked at Popeye and he nodded slightly. I thanked him with a nod that she needed this.

This new branch of our family was going to work out just fine, they knew the priorities and were in agreement.

Heaven help those that would try to harm our family.