The Crossing Trilogy

Chapter 14

14

The week flew by. Sydney and Jessie visited several seniors who lived rurally to educate them on the wildfire and added names to a central list of people who needed help with animals and leaving their properties. All of them were very appreciative that there were people in the community who would come to their aid. The ones who'd lived most of their lives on their acreages were more concerned about the loss of a way of life. Some whose mortgages were paid up years ago, had let their insurance lapse. This was bad. The local insurance company scrambled to provide policies that week to make sure people had coverage. Should the fire jump the border into Canada, the insurers knew the underwriters would refuse coverage on any new policies until the fire was contained.

Sydney was one of those who needed to scramble. She had received inspection approval to move into the upgraded farmhouse and renewed the insurance in her name with the improvements. But the insurance company could only insure the equipment building as it was until the building inspector approved it as a residence. Jax took documents and pictures of the upgrades to the insurer and they allowed for the work done thus far even without the inspector's final occupancy approval. At least it was something.

She sat on the branch of the magnolia tree musing about the past few months. Jax was almost finished with the residence. The new water pipes and sewage pipes had been run to the city line and connected. Imagine—city water. Her area had been taken into the Stoney Creek Tax Base five years previous. That meant any new buildings had to be connected to the city line. The farmhouse had been grandfathered on septic and well water but Sydney decided in the process to close the well and connect the house to city water and city sewage. Since the old plumbing in the house was being replaced anyway, it was cheaper to do the whole job with the city inspector involved now rather than later.

Jax would be done with the interior of the residence soon and all that was left to do included the exterior painting of all the buildings and landscaping. A smile spread across her face. She was content here and knew she'd fit into the lifestyle easily. Hell, I all ready have.

A sudden breeze brought a fresh cloud of smoke through the air, burning her eyes. She looked south at the haze and sighed. Her mood changed. What if I lose it all in a fire? Would it be worth starting all over again?

“Hey—you all right up there?”

Sydney looked down to see Jax at the base of the tree.

“Of course. This is my happy place. Wanna join me?”

Jax climbed up to the branch and Sydney wiggled over to make room.

“You didn't look too happy when I walked up.”

Sydney laughed. “Actually, I was until that last few minutes when the smoke blew in. Thank god for air conditioning in the house. I was thinking about how close we are to the finish line and then it hit me. What if I lose this whole place to the fire? It's really a scary thought.”

Jax took a hold of her hand. “If that were to happen, you'd start over. You're insured. I know it must sound exhausting now, but think of the fun we'd have building a new farmhouse without the restrictions of the old one.”

Sydney looked at Jax with sad eyes. “But I like the old farmhouse; a new one wouldn't be the same.”

“Then we would duplicate it exactly as you have it now. We'll make it look old but new just like this one.”

She saw the sparkle in his eye and smiled. “You do love these projects, don't you?”

Jax stared deep into her eyes. “I wouldn't want to do anything else.”

The moment was theirs. He bent down and kissed her. A soft brushing kiss at first. His tongue spread her lips and she pushed back, lost in a series of frantic kisses that left them both breathless.

Jax pulled back and spoke in a low, raspy voice. “The wind has come up stronger. Are we out of breath because of our passion or because we're sucking in smoke?”

They giggled like kids and kissed again. Finally, Jax moved towards the trunk. “Let's go in the house. This isn't healthy.”

“Our passion or the smoke?”

“I'll let you know—in the house.” Jax climbed down and put his arms up to help Sydney down when she reached the bottom.

They hurried to the house, happy to breath the fresh cool air. Sydney poured them both a glass of water and they sat beside each other on the stools at the kitchen island.

“When I saw the wind was coming up, I sent the boys home a little early. They've been working in this smoke far too long.”

“I feel bad for them. No one should be breathing in the smoke that much. I have a new respect for the firefighters.”

“Me too. Look, we may have to delay the exterior painting and deck work until the fire is done. There's ash on everything and I don't want it in the finishing touches.”

“Makes sense.”

“My father has projects in other areas he can send the workmen to. And they'll be smoke free.”

Their eyes locked. “What about you? What great project is next for you?” Sydney asked.

Jax frowned. “I'm not sure. My father is expanding the commercial side of the business. That's why he's spending a lot of time in the central Okanagan. He wants to phase out the residential side of the business which leaves me in a dilemma.” He filled her in on his father's plans and expectations where his son was concerned. “He let me do this project with the understanding we'd re-evaluate when it's finished.”

This time Sydney took a hold of Jax hand. “You have to listen to your own heart. Follow your gut. That's what I had to do when I made the decision to come back to the farm and leave Nan in Kelowna.”

“I know you're right but that will hurt my father. But years ago my dad hurt his father and never looked back. I have to be as tough as he was then. I'm hoping he'll help me set up my own company here in Stoney Creek. If not, I'll figure it out, even if I have to run a one man show.”

“Then I'd say you've made your decision. And if my opinion matters, I think it's the right one.”

Jax stood and put his hands on her shoulders. “Of course your opinion matters. And so do you.”

Sydney was in his arms in an instant. Their frantic kisses led them to an instant passion that took them beyond the need for slow foreplay. Jax hands moved all over her body, stroking her breasts and down over her buttocks, while Sydney's hands rubbed his chest. One hand moved down to the swollen member in his jeans. They both fumbled with each other's jean snaps and zippers until they gave up, and raced amidst laughter at a frantic pace to remove their own clothes. “Hang on, one second.” Sydney ran out of the room and came back. She handed Jax a c****m. He eased her to the floor, his eyes never leaving hers. Sydney raised her hips to meet his heat. “Hurry,” she whispered. He entered her and took her to a place she'd never been before. They quickly ascended to the edge of o****m and released together. They laid in a heap on the floor, gasping for breath.

Sydney stood and grabbed his hand. She led him down the hallway and into her private bathroom. They showered together, washing each other's body, exploring as they did. They took turns drying each other. Jax led Sydney over to the bed and this time, their lovemaking was slow, methodical, aimed to please. Jax knew how to touch her and tease her. He moved from her breasts slowly down her body, touching every inch of her with his hands or his tongue. By the time he reached her sweet spot, Sydney was writhing with need and rolled over on top of him. She eased herself onto his manhood and slowly pivoted her hips until joined together as one, Jax rolled them over so he was once again on top. Their thrusts became rapid and continued until Jax gasped: “I'm coming.” Sydney murmured: “I'm ready”. They burst together in c****x, falling onto their backs, gasping for air.

Jax rolled onto his side and touched her cheek. “Syd? Are you crying?”

She rolled over to face him and giggled. “Tears of joy. Wow. I've never felt what you just made me feel. You took me there and beyond.”

Jax leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “I'm glad you're pleased. You were pretty incredible yourself you know. I've been wanting to do this with you the first day we met.”

“I know.”

He pushed up on his elbow. “You did? How?”

“Your eyes gave you away.”

“Really? So did you feel the same way?”

“God no. You were too cocky and self-assured. That may work on the other girls in your life but not on me.”

“You're a diva. So when did you want to jump all over my bones and do sweet things to me?”

“About an hour ago.” Sydney laughed. “If you could see your face right now.”

“I call bullshit. I've caught you checking me out and so have my boys.”

Sydney frowned. “You and your boys talked about me?”

“Not about this. But your eyes have given you away too. And more than an hour ago.”

“Okay, cowboy. I'll admit to it but I wasn't sure about it until now.”

Jax rolled onto his back and pulled Sydney into his Side. “What do you say we shower again, faster this time, and head to the Rattlesnake Grill? I'm starving.”

“Okay. I'll follow you in. So you don't have to bring me back.”

“But what if I want to come back and make sweet love to you?”

“Mmm…aren't you the stud. No staying over on work nights. I don't want to suffer the looks of your men in the morning when they discover you slept here.”

“Maybe I came to work early.”

“They're not stupid, Jax. You've already proven that.”

“Okay, we'll do it your way. But don't expect me not to show you affection in front of them. They'll figure it out pretty quick—because lady, we're just getting started.”

* * *

Jax and Sydney walked hand in hand to her car parked behind his truck. They'd had a wonderful dinner full of laughter and stolen kisses when they thought others weren't looking. Not that Jax cared who saw. He was happy. There was something about this girl that was different. People said he was fickle. I guess I have been—but Sydney? No way.

“Here we are.” Sydney let go of his hand to pull her keys out of her bag. She hit the unlock button and turned to Jax.

He kissed her on the forehead. “I don't want to say good-night. Look, Syd…I don't know what this is but I sure want to find out. You're special.”

Sydney smiled and tussled his hair. “Me too. Come for coffee in the morning before you start work. Okay?”

Jax pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She lay her head on his shoulder and they hugged tight.

“I'll be there. Good night,” Jax said.

He got into his truck and waited for her to pull out and make a u-turn. He watched in his rear-view mirror until her headlights disappeared. He didn't see a man standing in the shadows across the street—watching. He started his truck and headed to the gas station to gas up. Rather do it now than in the morning.

Jax left the station and five minutes later pulled into his driveway. When he got up to his stoop, his father was waiting for him. “Dad? What's up?” He put the key in the lock and opened the door, flipping the light on in the hallway.

“We need to talk, son.”

Jax looked at his father and frowned. After what had transpired tonight, the last thing he wanted to do was talk business. “Now? Can't it wait until morning? I can come by the office before I go to work.

His father pushed past him into the hall. He faced Jax. “No. We need to do this now.”

Jax weighed the grave expression on his father's face and shrugged. “Okay. Want a beer?”

“Do you have any scotch?”