Romance in Big Sky Country

Chapter 2

I woke up from my nap. I didn't realize how tired I actually was. I walked downstairs to the kitchen. I saw Sawyer at the stove. A cowboy with a huge heart, and he knows how to cook. My stomach rumbled from the smell of spice in the air. Sawyer doesn't have his hat on, his light brownish sandy blonde hair isn't too long or too short either. He has very limited facial hair, a strong jawline.

"He won't bite," Jason whispered. I turned to glare at him. "I see how you're looking at him. Go on." He urged me around the corner.

"Need any help?" I asked. I turned towards Jason who was walking into the kitchen hiding a smirk. He knows I've been through hell, and aparently so does Sawyer. I glared at Jason.

"If you want to stir that glaze, that would be great." he smiled. I looked into his eyes and my throat went dry again. Ugh I'm so over this feeling.

The glaze smelled so good.

"Mmm" I moaned lighly as I breathed in the glaze. "Honey, brown sugar, and pineapple juice?"

"You guessed it. You have a nose in the kitchen much?" Sawyer caught me off guard with that one.

"I used to," I sighed. "Not so much these days. I loved cooking. I made this fantastic pineapple pie once. If I thought about this glaze, I would've used it with my filling." I smiled.

Sawyer came up beside me with a bowl for the glaze. His hands went on either side of me on the counter. My back to his chest.

"I'd really like to try it sometime." He whispered in my ear. My breath hitched, then he removed himself from me. My back felt cold without his warmth.

"I'll have to make it sometime," I blushed. Jason, Sawyer and I sat down at the table not long later to eat.

Sawyer made this incredible stew. The glaze went for cooked pineapple which was by far my favorite.

I guess he raises his own beef and pork products, but he also sells it locally.

After diner I needed some air since my phone kept vibrating. James would not give up. This time I had several texts from him.

Call me back.

I need to know where you are.

I'll file a missing person's report with the police. - James.

I sighed. I decided that I needed a number change. I'll call the phone company tomorrow morning. I placed the phone back in my pocket. I looked up at the night sky. I gasped.

"Don't see many nights like this back home." Jason said as he walked outside. I chuckled.

"Nope," I smiled.

"I gotta ask you something, Ali." I looked at him. My smile faded. "Why didn't you leave sooner?" I sighed.

"I guess I was afraid." I admitted. "Afraid he'd come after me, and do worse than he's ever done." I stopped.

"Alison, what did he do recently?" Jason sat down on the porch steps. I sat down next to him. I told him about the last couple of months. About the r**e, and how the abuse got worse. I could see the fury on his face.

"It's over Jay. There is nothing I can do about it now." My voice cracked. "He has a company, and I have nothing. If he comes after me he'll do worse than before. I'm actually afraid, but I couldn't stay anymore."

Jason held me as I cried. I have always confided in my big brother.

"I'm here for you Alison. Always will be." he kissed the top of my head. I wiped away the tears. I looked up at him an thanked him.

He had to take care of the animals before heading to bed for the night. I walked back inside. I saw Sawyer standing in the walkway of the kitchen. I walked past him to get some water. His top button of his red shirt was undone. My body felt hot.

He stood close to me as I grabbed a cup. I felt self conscious. His eyes were dark with lust. I was only wearing a T shirt, and shorts. Thankfully there are no scars on my legs, just some minor bruising.

"Can I help you?" I asked a little irritated.

"I want to know what a beautiful woman like yourself ended up with scum like him?" he asked with hate.

"I was a stupid 20 year old who didn't know ow any better." I snapped. "And now that scum won't leave me alone." I learned back against the granite counter top. "Maybe I deserved it, maybe I am not worthy of a decent human being to actually believe a man could truly love me." I placed my face in my hands. "And maybe I might be pregnant with his child." I slid down to the floor.

"Oh Alison," Sawyer's tone softened after I said that. He pulled me against him. I learned into him. For some strange reason I felt safe in his arms. "From what Jay has told me about you, you are the most incredible woman. You were going to school to get your medical degree. You have the strength to break away from him."

I looked up at Sawyer. I smiled a small smile. He wiped away my tears with his calloused hands. They were strong and firm, but yet gentle at the same time.

"Not many women survive what you lived through." He continued quietly.

We heard the front door open, and Jay called out. I had to tell him that I might be pregnant. It would explain the nausea, and the hightend sence of smell recently.

We sat down in the country style living room. I had talked to Jay about my theory. He said he would go to town in the morning to pick up some farm supplies, along with a pregnancy test for myself.

We watched a movie, and I had fallen asleep on the couch.

I could see James clear as day his black hair and green eyes staring into me. My hands instinctively went to my belly. I feared the worst. He had found me. I tried to scream, but nothing came out. I tried running, but I was frozen.