Chapter 21

Lynn woke up that morning with a terrible headache and nausea. Mija had to help her into the bathroom so she could take a shower to help ease her aching head and side. After showering she got out and dressed then made her way downstairs to join Jeff and Mija.

As she made her way down the steps Jeff came out of the living room. "Hey, you feeling any better?" he said stopping at the bottom of the stairs.

She gave a weak smile and nodded, "Yeah, the hot water really eased the muscles in my side." She stopped at the last step in front of him.

"How's your head feel?" he reached up and gently touched the bump on her head.

"It's eased off," she closed her eyes momentarily. "Look um...I want to apologize about last night. I didn't mean to...get the way I did."

He shook his head, "You've got nothing to be sorry for sugarbutts."

She smiled at one of his nicknames. "I guess with what's happened the past three months its just been building and I couldn't hold it in any longer," she tried to explain herself.

He regarded her for a moment, "You're only human."

"I know but it's still embarrassing," she chuckled. "Not exactly the image I want to make."

"You don't have to impress me Lynn..." he said shaking his head slowly. "...I know who you are...probably better than you do yourself."

She smiled and narrowed her eyes at him, "You've been spending too much time with Mija."

"Did I hear my name?" Mija said walking into the house. "Feeling better darlin?"

"Yeah, the shower really helped," Lynn rubbed and popped the back of her neck. "It's doesn't feel like a kicker for the 49's decided to use me as a put."

"Well don't stand there all day make up your mind where you're going to go. You don't need to be standing so much," Mija berated waving her finger at her like she did something wrong.

Lynn rolled her eyes and instantly regretted it and made herself dizzy. She faltered and slumped against the railing and Jeff quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and caught her. "Easy, you okay?" he asked concerned as she leaned into him.

"Guess I shouldn't have rolled my eyes," she muttered.

"That's it! Back to bed!" Mija ordered marching towards them.

"I'm okay Mija I just got a little dizzy that's all," Lynn tried to reassure as she pulled away from Jeff's welcoming arms. When she was sure she wouldn't loose her balance she mumbled an okay and made her way into the living room.

"You lie down on the couch and I'll get you some tea," Mija rushed into the kitchen.

Jeff followed Lynn into the large living room and sat at the other end of the couch so she could lie down if she wanted too.

"So, did you find anything out about our pal?" she said referring to DeMarco's man as she laid against the arm of the sofa.

He nodded, "His name was Bernard Alderez. He worked for DeMarco in the Cartel as one of his hitters."

"Hitter?" she asked.

"They do all the dirty work. If someone has to be killed, they do the job," he explained.

She nodded in understanding. "So what's the plan?" she asked running her hand through her hair.

He sighed, "I called the Sheriff in town and let him know what happened and what was going on. He's a good friend of mine he understands my...situation and who I used to be so we won't have to worry about outsider authorities."

"Are we gonna leave the ranch?" she asked in a bit of a saddened tone.

"It's probably best at this point," he informed.

"Where are we gonna go?"

"Mexico."

"Mexico?" she said surprised. "Isn't that where DeMarco is?"

He nodded, "It'll work to our advantage. We've been trying to get as far away as possible but that obviously hasn't worked so...now we try to get as close as possible. Plus, I need to get in contact with Mariachi."

"Won't that put him in danger?" she said concerned. She had never met the man but she was being hunted down to draw him out and she felt responsible for his own troubles to an extent.

Jeff smiled, "He's just like me darlin...he can't get any more attention."

She shifted on the couch and cringed a bit.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, the shower didn't work out all the kinks," she mumbled as she rubbed her temples.

"Head still hurt?" he asked sympathetically.

"Yeah, I think it's getting worse," she groaned in pain.

"Come here, put your head in my lap," he offered softly.

Without an argument she turned and laid down placing her head on his lap. She closed her eyes as she felt his fingers mesh into her hair and start to massage her scalp.

"That's feels good," she breathed.

He ran his fingers through her hair over and over sending pleasant shivers up and down her spine. The pain in her head was starting to subside and she was almost asleep.

"Feel better?" he whispered.

"Don't stop," she whispered back.

Mija walked into the living room and saw them on the couch and smiled. Jeff looked up to let her know he knew she was there and smiled softly. She smiled back and quietly put the glass on the coffee table and left them to be alone.

As Jeff continued to ease her pain he let the last day sink in. He had gone to town and when he came back things had gone completely out of control. One of DeMarco's men had found them and almost beat the hell out of Lynn. He remembered being more scared at that moment then at any point of his life. The thought of loosing Lynn was unbearable. He swore to himself he wouldn't become attached from the start...but he was way beyond attached at this point.

"You scared me to death you know," he whispered.

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He had the most serious look on his face, like when she first met him. She sat up and turned to face him. "I have so much to thank you for," she said softly.

He tilted his head and reached up to place a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You owe me nothing," he whispered softly caressing her cheek.

She turned into his palm and kissed it tenderly almost timidly while watching his reaction the whole time. She wanted so bad to kiss him at that moment. She leaned forward and stopped when he pulled back slightly.

"What is it...what's wrong?" she whispered.

He swallowed and looked at her with a controlled hunger. "Nothing..." he breathed taking her face in his hands and kissing her deeply. She responded eagerly with a satisfied moan. All the pent up tension was being released into the kiss. The past three months was finally being released.

In the middle of the kiss she hissed and pulled back slightly. He knew instantly what he had done.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you," he apologized resting his forehead against hers.

"It's okay," she smiled kissing him on the forehead. "Just a little tender still."

"How's your headache?" he asked against her lips.

"What headache?" she teased smiling into their small kisses.

They shared a laugh and just enjoyed each others company. Because in the next few days...things were going to get messy.