Jack sat next to Misty on the bed. "Why? Why is he casing you?"

"He's a sick bastard that likes to hurt me. It's how he gets off." She sniffled and shook her head. "I don't know why he picked me though."

Jack handed her the bowl of broth. "Drink this. You need to build up your strength." He patted her knee as he stood to leave. "I'll take Autumn and keep her occupied so you can rest."

"Thank you Mr. Silverman."

"Call me Jack." In rare humor, Jack winked at her. "After all, I've seen you naked." He left her with a smile.

#

Misty struggled to sit up, everything hurt. The room was dark and the windows were faintly tinged with pink- telling her it was a little before dawn. She wrapped the blanket around her to ward off the chill, panicking when she didn't remember where she was. A movement to her right had her stumbling backwards. "Here." That baritone voice rumbled through the room- causing goosebumps to litter her skin.

Two warm, calloused hands braced her shoulders and guided her down. Surely this was some sort of twisted dream where a man's touch wasn't scary, or how the huge shadowed figure of a man with a surly attitude could be so gentle.

He slipped a huge hoodie over her head and smoothed it down her back. The sweatshirt smelled of saddle soap and warm leather. It was soft and the frayed cuffs told her that it was well worn. "What do you need?"

"A bathroom would be nice."

"To the bathroom we shall go." Jackson helped her to her feet and guided her to the attached master bathroom. He flicked the lights on. Misty gasped at the sight he made. He had a few days growth of stubble on his jaw. He looked exhausted as purple stains circled under his eyes. "I ain't gonna hurt you. Now sit down and do your business." He helped her sit down before turning his back.

"I think I should leave-"

"We've been over this and the answer is still no. I've got more armed men than the national guard in this area. All fifteen of my ranch hands would rather cut their legs off than let harm come to a woman."

"Mr-"

"It's Jack or Jackson." He heard her flush, and turned back to help her stand.

"MR. SILVERMAN, please. I don't want to put you in any sort of situation. I don't want you or your men getting hurt because some lunatic holds a grudge against me."

Jackson mumbled something under his breath as he led her back to bed. "How did all of this start? I want the whole story." He picked up a notepad.

Misty shoved her hair out of her face. "A couple of years ago, I met a young FBI agent while I was off at college. He introduced me to his twin brother, who was in local law enforcement." She looked away and shook her head. "I had a funny feeling about him, like something was off. One night, we went to a bar together. I just had a coke, after that all I remember was waking up, but not seeing anything. I- some man was grunting on top of me and there was horrible pain. I was tied down, blindfolded and couldn't move or the pain was worse."

"Was it that Josh guy?" She nodded, her eyes squeezed shut.

"He let me go at some point. I felt drugged and oh God I hurt. It happened a few more times before I made a run for it. I was in Kansas City when he found me again. Two weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant. I hid everywhere I could think of. Once I had Autumn, I stayed in that city a few days longer than I should have in order to re-coop, he found me." A tear slipped down her cheek and more were quick to follow.

Jackson grumbled as he wrapped his arms around her. Misty stiffened for a moment, but the need for human contact had her clinging to him. Jackson lifted her to set her farther back on the bed. "It's okay."

#

After living with Jackson Silverman for nearly two weeks, Misty ventured down the stairs. Sneaking and snooping wasn't really her thing, but she was curious as to who was caring for she and Autumn.

Misty held the baby close to her as she roamed through the house in what she figured was Jackson's shirt. When she found the kitchen, her heart pitter pattered. It was amazing! Looking at the clock, she noticed that Jackson would be back in a little over an hour for supper. She placed Autumn in her new bassinet with a smile.

After locating an apron, Misty worked her magic on putting together some biscuits and creamy potato soup. She couldn't help but smile as she washed up the pans she used.

"What the hell?!" Misty whipped around and before she knew it, she was cowering in the corner holding her hands in front of her face to block whatever blow was to come.

Jackson had smelled something heavenly before he even stepped into the house. He had heard her humming some country western tune that hadn't played on the radio for years. He recognized it as The Gift by Ian Tyson, and couldn't help wondering why that song would be running through her head. When he came to the door of the kitchen, he had seen her swaying to the tune. He had said the first thing that popped into his head. He just didn't mean for his voice to sound so gruff or harsh, and Jackson didn't anticipate scaring the tar out of her. The sheer terror in her eyes sliced him to the core.

Jack knelt in front of the small woman. He caught a flash of her creamy white thigh. He smoothed his hands up and down her calves, trying to soothe her as best as he could. Misty threw herself into his arms, Jackson slipped his own arms around her. Jackson stood from the hard kitchen floor, as he did so, she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms tighter around his neck. "Hey." He rubbed her back. "I didn't mean to scare you." He spoke to her like he did a spooked horse.

Misty could feel his stomach rumble. "I made you supper."

"I see that."

"I'm sorry that I keep having moments like this." Jackson held her tight as he continued to rub circles into her back.

"I've given more hugs in this week alone than I have in my entire twenty five years of life." He grumbled.

Misty tried to pull away, but he held her still.

"I've also received more more hugs in this week alone than I have in my twenty five years." Jackson turned his back to the counter to lean against. He had his hands full of a soft warm woman with her curves pressed against him, and his t-shirt was hiked up around her very womanly hips. He prayed that she was up high enough on his chest that she wouldn't feel what his body was doing, but he knew he should warn her. "Please don't freak out if you feel something. I promise not to act on it, but I can't control what that thing does." Misty went stalk still, she nearly started hyperventilating.

"I-I need to feed Autumn." She pulled away, but before she could escape his embrace, she felt him drop a kiss to her hair.

#

Misty groaned as her stomach clenched, she had been fighting paralyzing cramps all day, everything was hurting and she didn't dare take anything for the pain. She had somehow gathered the strength to get up and go down stairs to the den. The only bad thing was- now she didn't think she would be able to make it back up the flight of stairs.

She heard the front door open and the tattoo of boot heels on the hard wood floor. She strained to see what time it was. The clock said a little past noon. "Misty?"

She shot off of the couch, only to double over in absolute agony. She gasped as her stomach muscles spasmed. She had forgotten to make Jackson lunch! His strong, sun-tanned arms slipped around her and set her back onto the couch. Misty had become somewhat comfortable with Jack touching her and being near her all of the time. A friendship of sorts had formed between them in the month that she had been there with him. He knelt in front of her; his hands gently rubbing her sore stomach. "Are you still having cramps?" She nodded only slightly, as if scared of what he would do.

"Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry that I didn't get lunch made! I'll go whip something up."

"Shush girl. I can make myself a sandwich. If you're in pain, you need to stay still and rest." He frowned at the apprehension in her eyes. "I have survived three and a half years of eating my own cooking. I think I can handle another day of it."

"But you've been working so hard and I've just been here laying around-"

"I didn't bring you to my home to be my maid, I brought you here to recover and rest. Honey, you've done more than you ever needed to. I can handle making a sandwich." He gently pushed her back onto the couch. "Now where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere." Jack snorted and grabbed the bottle of lotion from the end table. He tugged the loose t-shirt over her head and tossed it to the ground. The fear that shone bright in her eyes irritated him.

"I'm not going to hurt you, or do anything. Now lay on your stomach and I'll work out the kinks." She quickly did as he bid. Jackson warmed up the lotion between his hands before massaging her sore muscles, starting with her dainty feet and up her shapely legs. Soon, Misty was practically purring from his ministrations.

"Jack?"

"Hmm?"

"Can IT feel good?" His hands paused on her lower back. Shocked that this innocent young lady was asking him, of all people, what sex was like.

Recovering quickly, he responded, "It can be wonderful, or even better than that. Sex shouldn't hurt at all, Misty. I mean the first time for a woman hurts, but after a few moments, if the man is patient, it shouldn't anymore."

Misty was quiet for a long moment, chewing on her bottom lip. "Can you show me?"

Jackson stuttered, "Misty, I- I'm not really the person to show you this kind of thing."

"Why not? I trust you." Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose. The innocence of this woman shocked him more and more each day. He dropped his forehead into the dip in her back, his arms draped over her. "I mean I'm always going to be scared, but you've never done anything to hurt me."

"Misty, I've been- I'd be too rough on you. You need a gentler man-" Misty turned onto her back. Jackson was blinded by her creamy porcelain skin dotted with freckles. He swallowed hard. "Misty-"

"I want to know Jack. What if I never meet that man?" A little voice in her head told her, 'God, he and no other man would ever want you. You're damaged goods.' She shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes. "Never mind Jack, I can't think of any man who would want a woman like me. I'm an unmarried, single mother to a daughter conceived from rape, and I'm so skittish that I'd probably freeze up-"

Jack felt his heart crack at the hopelessness in her voice. "No Honey, you're more woman than anyone I've ever known." He brushed her hair behind her ears. "You're strong and you're beautiful, and you're a wonderful mother. I'd love to be the man to show you what it can be like, but I've got too much anger and too much sexual frustration. I'm terrified that I'll pound into you and hurt you." Jackson wrapped his arms around her, kissing her tear stained cheek.

"I don't care, Jack. I'd give you anything. I just want to know-" Jackson caught her lips in a fervent kiss. It was a slow melding of the lips. Her mouth was so soft, warm and supple under his, he could've died right there and then. Jackson moved up and over her, slipping on to the couch easily. He guided her legs over so he could lay next to her.

The loud knock on the door had Jack pulling away from the drugging kiss. Cussing under his breath, he stood from the couch. His eyes widened and he quickly turned his back to Misty so he wouldn't scare the tar outta her. He walked slowly to the door, forcing himself to cool down and giving Misty enough time to throw his old shirt back on. Opening the door, he found Colten on the other side. "What do you need Colten?" Jack's voice was gruff. His friend's gaze was caught on something behind him. When Jack turned to see, his breath caught in his throat. Misty's skin had flushed a pretty pink, making her glow, and her lips were swollen from Jack's kisses.

"I came at a really bad time. I'll come back later-" Colten turned to leave, fearing the wrath of his best friend.

"Colten!" The young Sheriff didn't have time to brace himself for the hug Misty gave him. Jealousy burned hot in Jack's gut. He never received happy, glad-to-see-you hugs. He got a lot of I'm-scared, or comfort-me and sometimes the I-need-to-be-held hugs, but never a I'm-happy-to-see-you hug. Colten twirled Misty around; happy to see the woman who had been living with his friend for nearly five weeks.

"How has he been treating you?" She blushed prettily and shone a smile on Jack.

"He's just as grumpy as a bear and as growly as a wolf." She mocked Jack's perpetual frown, and his serious voice as she looked back at Colten. Her face broke out in a small smile. "He's been good-" Jackson grumbled and stalked away, causing both Colten and Misty to smile.

"Are you happy here with Jack?" Colten set her back from him so he could look into her eyes easier.

"Yes. I don't know how when all he does is scare me half to death and then tease me relentlessly." She chuckled. "Last week he chased me through the house with a dead prairie dog."

Colten chuckled and turned her towards where Jack had gone. "Go grab yourself some happiness. I was just checking on you guys."

#

Misty stood the washing supper dishes. Two strong hands lightly gripped her hips in a silent hello. She leaned against a strong chest. "What did you think of supper?"

"I liked it. A lot." Jackson placed a kiss on her shoulder. He kept his arms around her and set his chin on the shoulder he had kissed. "I want to take you out tomorrow and show you how to shoot my .44 magnum and the shotgun."

"Alright." She looked out the window to see the snow falling. She wrinkled her nose. "It looks cold out there."

"I'll gladly keep you warm." She could hear the smile in his voice. "I have two fur parkas that my great uncle left here. One is big enough for the both of us and the other might fit you okay." Misty shook her head. He kissed her neck and nuzzled her ear as he pulled the plug out of the sink. "Let's go into the den."

The next morning, Misty came down the stairs dressed in a pair of insulated jeans, a sweatshirt and a thick cream colored scarf. Jackson had everything they would need and Fanny was there to take care of Autumn.

"Thank you, Fanny, for coming. There are bottles in the fridge and diapers in her room." Misty hugged the young girl.

Sixteen year old Fanny was happy to run off to watch over the baby that she thought of as a niece.

Jackson slipped an arm around Misty's waist, leading her toward the door. The cold air colored her cheeks rosy and the tip of her nose bright red.

Jackson stood extremely close behind Misty, helping her hold the pistol properly. She didn't have the heart to tell him that she already knew how to fire the weapon proficiently, but being wrapped up in his arms was almost like heaven on earth. Jack's heat permeated her clothing, his lips pressed against her ear as he talked. She didn't know how she could feel hot when standing knee deep in a snow drift.

Jackson bumped her legs farther apart, widening her stance. He helped her squeeze off a shot before he moved his hands to her hips. He saw the tiny smile on her lips as she fired off five consecutive shots in a grouping no bigger than a 50 cent piece.

"How'd?" She looked up at his puzzled expression. Misty started laughing and it had to be the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

"I have two older brothers. All of us had to learn how to shoot as kids. We had to hunt in order to eat."

"Damn." Misty set the pistol down on the small tarp before turning to him. Jackson covered her cold cheeks with the palms of his hands, cupping her jaw. Before he knew it, he was swooping in to gently kiss her smiling lips. He drew her in closer to him. She arched against his body, her hands gripped the lapels of his sheepskin coat. Jackson wrapped a corded arm around her back. Jack slowly pulled away but don't let her go. "To think that I had a sharp shooter living under my roof and sharing her daughter with me." He tucked her hair behind a bright red ear. "We need to talk about a few things."

"Now would probably be a good time. We're obviously alone."

"But you're half frozen."

"Fanny is staying a few days and whatever you have to say, you won't do it with her around."

"You've got a point."

"Come, Mr. Silverman. We can go sit up against that old cottonwood."

Once settled, Jackson sighed and wrapped his arms around her. "I don't trust people. I've been burned badly in my life. I can't promise you that I won't hurt you, but I can promise you that I will do my best not to. I despise most women. My wife cheated on me with one of the ranch hands. It was a hard pill to swallow that day. I left the house late that morning because I was loving on her. Not three hours later, my ranch hand was in my bed fucking my wife." Jackson's jaw popped loudly with how hard he was clenching his teeth. "I haven't been in a relationship since then, hell I married the only girl I ever dated." Misty wrapped her arms tightly around his waist as she curled up into his side.

"I'm so sorry Jackson. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be betrayed like that." She rubbed her cold nose against his shoulder.

"I'm scared that three years of hatred will make me hurt you." He kissed the top of her head. "Believe me when I say that is the last thing I want to do."

"You said you don't trust people, do you not trust men either?"

"My dad was a bastard. He was alright I guess until my mother died, after that he was impossible to be around. My brothers and I got out of there as fast as we could."

"Well, you already know all of my secrets."

"I've also seen you naked." He squeezed her tight for quick moment.

"Can we-? You know?"

Jack shook his head. "Nope. Because I want you to be so ready for that next step that you go insane from waiting. I will go just as slow as you need me to."

"Can we sleep in the same room? It's comforting to have you around." Jackson captured her lips once again.

"I'd be happy to." Misty wrapped her arms around his neck drawing him in, missing the feel of his lips already. Jackson slipped his arms around her as he delved his tongue into the sweetness of her mouth. Jackson pulled her onto his lap as he moved his kiss from her mouth to her eyes and every pale inch of skin he could find. "So much for going slow."

"Did I ever tell you that you were my first real kiss?" Misty bit her lip. "Josh never- he just-" Jackson gently kissed her lips to silence her.

"Your first was with me?" His voice was tender as he cupped her cheek. "I'm honored." Misty blushed from the heat in his gaze. Jackson kissed her forehead as he hugged her tight.

"Jack, I have a favor to ask you."

"What would that be?"

"If something does happen to me, will you be Autumn's daddy? She adores you-" She noted the look on his face. Pulling away, she crossed her arms about her, her eyes down cast. "Please Jack. My daughter needs a constant in her life. I will do my damnedest to be that constant, but I am not in the position to make promises."

"What? No- Misty- I just never really thought about being a dad before."

"I want her to be taken care of by someone who loves her, not getting lost in the foster care system. Even if I am gone-"