Chapter Six

Lorna drove to Clifton to pick up a few things. She smiled as Lily jabbered away in the back seat while holding her stuffed bunny. She'd lift the toy to the window and point out stores. Lorna chuckled as she talked to the bunny as if it understood her.

Who knew? Maybe it did and Lorna should find a bunny to talk to. It was better than talking to herself which she seemed to do a lot of lately. It was all because of Elijah W. Hawkins.

Frowning, she wondered what the W stood for. She'd ask him the next time she saw him. She quickly shook her head. She couldn't see him again. He was way too much of a temptation and even though she told him she wouldn't be with him, she wanted him so much.

She had never had hotter sex and that about killed her to say. She loved Mac but something had been missing in the bedroom. She had orgasms, sometimes, but not any as mind-blowing as the one she had with Eli.

"Ones. You had more than one with him," she muttered.

"What, Mama?"

"Nothing, baby. Mama's talking to herself."

"Again?"

Lorna burst out laughing. "Yes, again."

"Can we go see Connie, Mama?"

"Sure, we can do that and we'll have lunch too."

"I want a burger."

"Me too. We'll stop there first since it's after one, it might not be too crowded, and if you're good, we'll go to Scoops of Joy for dessert."

"Yay!" Lily clapped her hands.

Lorna smiled as she pulled into the parking lot of the diner and found a spot right away. She had lucked out and came at the right time of the day.

After removing Lily from her car seat, she took her hand and led her into the diner. Patrons inside waved or called out to her as she led Lily to a booth. They slid in and waited for a server. Lorna smiled when she saw Connie coming toward them with a smile on her face.

"Well, hello you two. It's been a while. How are you, Miss Lily?"

"Good. I want a burger," Lily said, making Connie and Lorna laugh.

"We'll take our usuals, please, Connie, and could we get a booster seat?"

"Sure. Let me get this order to Owen and I'll get the seat for you."

"Where is it? I can get it."

"It's on the stack by the chairs against the wall." Connie smiled.

"I'll get it, Connie. You have enough to do." Lorna slid from the booth. "Stay right here, Lily. I'll just be a few seconds."

"Okay, Mama."

As they ate their lunch, Lorna couldn't stop thinking about Eli and what he said yesterday about only needing her. She wished it could be different, but the thought of going through that kind of pain again was something she couldn't fathom. It had almost killed her when she had to bury Mac. She couldn't imagine having to do it again.

Lorna knew it was irrational to think that way. Losing a loved one is a common human experience. She couldn't even imagine the pain Mac must have felt when he got shot. But then she corrected herself; he didn't feel anything. He was killed instantly, before his body hit the ground. For that, Lorna was grateful he hadn't suffered. But she had. She was nine months pregnant at the time of his death, and the trauma of losing her husband put her on bedrest. The doctor was worried about her health and the baby's well-being due to the stress.

All Lorna could do while confined to bed was cry over her loss. Mac was not only her husband but also the father of her child and the person she thought she would spend the rest of her life with. Each day, it became easier to cope with his absence, but she never wanted to forget him. Still, she knew deep down that she needed to open her heart to love again. Eli crossed her mind, but as much as she wanted to get to know him, she couldn't take that risk again.

"You're being silly," she murmured to herself.

"Mama, you're doing it again."

Lorna looked at Lily and saw her little arms folded across her chest, giving her a stern look. She tried not to laugh but ended up smiling.

"When you're older, you'll understand why," Lorna said.

"Is there anything else you two need?" Connie asked as she cleared their plates.

"We're going out for ice cream for dessert," Lily announced.

"Ice cream is a great dessert, right?" Connie chuckled.

"Yep," Lily replied, causing Connie and Lorna to laugh.

Lorna drove them over to her father's house after they got their ice cream cones. She brought a container of ice cream for him, and she was eager to spend some time with him. She had always been close to her father, and now that he was living alone, she made sure to visit him as often as possible. She wanted Lily to have a relationship with her grandfather too; he was the only male figure in their lives now, and they both needed that bond.

****

Eli rang the doorbell and shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he waited for someone to answer. He couldn't help but take in the grandeur of the property, with its sprawling lawns and opulent mansion. Some people just had to flaunt their wealth, living in oversized homes with more rooms and bathrooms than they could possibly need.

He thought back to his own parents, who were also very wealthy but chose to live humbly in a smaller home that they loved. As he was lost in these thoughts, the door opened, and a pretty brunette greeted him with a smile. She was probably no more than seventeen/eighteen years old, but that didn't stop her from flirting with him.

"Miss, I'm Agent Eli Hawkins with the Montana department of livestock and I'd like to speak with Mr. Callaway, please," Eli said politely, showing her his badge.

The girl folded her arms and leaned against the doorjamb, studying him for a moment before responding. "Is he expecting you?"

"No. I have a few questions for him," Eli explained.

She eyed him warily before nodding. "I'll have to see if he's busy—" but before she could finish, a teenage boy pushed past her and nearly knocked her over. He stopped abruptly when he saw Eli's badge, then cleared his throat and ran down the steps without a word. The girl sighed in exasperation. "For God's sake, Joey. Do you know how to say excuse me?"

"Whatever," the boy muttered as he climbed into a truck and drove away.

"I'm sorry about that," she apologized as she turned back to Eli. "My brother has no manners. If you'd like to come in, I'll see if Daddy can see you."

Eli removed his hat, followed her into the foyer of the house, and couldn't help but gape at its luxurious interior. A double winding staircase sat in front of him, leading up to the second floor where a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling. The floors were so polished, he could see his own reflection as he looked down.

"Have a seat," she offered with a smile before disappearing through double doors to his right.

Eli took a deep breath and waited by the door, taking in his surroundings. It didn't take long for her to return, but her expression told him everything he needed to know. Her father was not interested in speaking with him. Eli clenched his jaw in frustration.

"I'm sorry, but he's busy," she said, placing her hand on his arm. "You could talk to me."

"I'm not leaving until I speak with your father," Eli declared firmly, stepping away from her and crossing his arms across his chest as he stared her down.

"Mr. Hawkins—"

"Agent. Please inform your father that I need to speak with him, or I will enter his office myself."

"He's busy at the moment."

"So am I." Eli strode across the foyer and knocked once on the door before opening it and stepping inside.

"What are you doing, young man?" A man stood up from behind his desk, giving Eli a stern look.

"I have come here multiple times, sir, and I have called and left messages, but you refuse to meet or speak with me. Today, you will." He walked over to the desk, placing his hands firmly on its surface as he narrowed his eyes at the man.

Callaway sighed and sat back down, gesturing for Eli to take a seat. He did so, crossing his ankle over his knee and clasping his hands on his stomach.

"How can I assist you, Agent?"

"Do you happen to know anything about horses being stolen from the Palmer residence?"

The man leaned back in his chair, clearly taken aback. "Why would I know anything about that?"

Eli shrugged. "You were interested in purchasing their property, but Mr. Palmer refused to sell it all. I'm just wondering if perhaps taking their horses was a ploy to pressure them into selling."

"Son—"

"Agent," Eli interjected sharply, his tone betraying the irritation he felt.

"Agent. I honestly have no idea about the horses being taken from the Palmer ranch. Mr. Palmer said he didn't want to sell any more land, so I looked into other properties."

Eli's gaze sharpened as he studied the man in front of him. The slicked-back hair, tailored suit, and smug smirk all gave off an air of wealth and privilege that made Eli's stomach turn.

"Yet, you kept calling Mr. Palmer about it," he said in a low tone.

Mr. Callaway's smirk grew wider, oozing arrogance. "Agent Hawkins, I'm a businessman. Of course, I'll ask the seller more than once. Just in case they change their mind, but once I know how adamant they are about not selling, I move on. It's no big deal for me."

Eli glanced around the luxurious office, taking in the expensive leather furniture and ornate decorations adorning the walls. This man clearly had money to spare.

"I can see that," Eli replied with a hint of sarcasm. "What other properties have you purchased?"

"I don't see how that concerns you."

Eli sat forward, his demeanor growing serious. "Oh, but it does concern me. If livestock is missing from other properties you've bought, I really need to check into that."

Mr. Callaway's expression never faltered as he stared back at Eli.

"I haven't yet," he admitted with a slight hesitation. "I'm still looking."

"Uh, huh." Eli rose to his feet, his jaw clenched tightly. "I'll be in touch. Don't think you can ignore me or the department. Horse theft is a serious offense, and I will find who's doing this and arrest them." He glanced around the lavishly decorated room. "No matter how much money they have."

With a curt nod, he stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. As he strode purposefully across the grand foyer, Mr. Callaway's daughter made a beeline for him, her designer heels clicking on the marble floor. But Eli shook his head and continued out the door, determined to get to the bottom of this case and bring justice for the stolen horses.

Eli parked his truck at the Palmer ranch and quickly made his way up the steps. He was greeted by Marcus Palmer on the porch, who invited him inside.

"Good to see you, Agent Hawkins. Please come in."

"Thank you, sir. But please, just call me Eli," he replied as he removed his hat and wiped his feet on the welcome mat before entering the kitchen.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just a glass of water, thank you."

"Take a seat and I'll bring it to you."

Eli pulled out a chair at the table and sat down while Marcus poured himself a cup of coffee, got Eli's water, and joined him at the table.

"So did you find anything?" Marcus asked.

"Not really. I was able to speak with Mr. Callaway finally—"

"Why would he steal my horses?"

Eli grinned. "I don't think he did now, but I had to rule him out."

"I never thought he would. He'd get his hands dirty."

"He could have hired someone else to do it."

"That's true, but he still would have gotten his hands dirty and has too much money to risk doing something foolish like that."

"I agree. His house alone is bigger than both of ours combined."

Marcus chuckled. "I'll never understand why people buy such huge houses."

"Because they can. That's the only reason I can think of," Eli replied. "Just to show off their wealth."

"You could have called instead of driving all the way here, Eli. Or were you hoping to see Lorna?"

Eli cleared his throat awkwardly. "I was actually driving by on my way home and decided to stop in," he admitted, meeting Marcus's gaze.

"I see. And were you hoping to see Lorna?"

"Yes... but it's probably for the best that I didn't," Eli replied, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "She doesn't want to get involved with someone who has the same kind of job as Mac did."

"Ah, I understand. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah, me too. But it's okay."

"I think I hear Lily. She's staying with me tonight," Marcus added, changing the subject.

"I'm sure she loves spending time with you."

Marcus laughed. "Because I spoil her."

Eli chuckled. "I bet you do." He finished his water and stood up, placing the empty glass in the sink before heading toward the door. "Thank you for your time, Marcus. I'll let you know if I find anything."

"Please do, son. Have a good evening."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, you too." Eli nodded and left the house, taking a deep breath of the warm air before getting into his truck and driving away.

As he approached the main road and prepared to turn right toward his home, he suddenly changed his mind and turned left, heading toward Lorna's instead.

****

Lorna stood in the kitchen, stirring the batter for the chocolate chip cookies, when she heard a vehicle pull up outside. She set down her bowl and grabbed a dishtowel to wipe her hands before walking to the front door. Her mouth fell open as she saw Eli stepping out of his truck. He hesitated for a moment before making his way toward her door.

Lorna watched as he removed his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and put it back on. After taking a deep breath, he climbed the steps to her porch. Lorna opened the door and stepped out to greet him.

"Eli? Is something wrong?" she asked.

"No," he responded with a shake of his head, "I just wanted to see you." Lorna was at a loss for words, but couldn't help smiling at him. "It's alright, I'll go," he said, turning to leave.

"No, please come in," she insisted.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"You could never do that. Please come in," she repeated as she stepped aside to let him enter. He hesitated once more before stepping inside and hanging his hat on a nearby hook.

"I shouldn't have stopped without calling, but I just left your dad's house..." Eli started to explain.

"So, you did find something?" Lorna asked eagerly.

"No, ma'am, I just finally got a chance to talk to Mr. Callaway and wanted to let Marcus know about it."

"What happened? Eli?" Lorna urged him to sit down, not wanting him to wait for her since she was in the middle of baking cookies.

"Okay," he agreed, pulling out a chair from under the table and sat down. "I've been trying to talk to Callaway since I started on this case, but every time he had an excuse why he couldn't meet with me," Eli explained, shrugging. "So, I went to his house and made him see me."

"You made him?" Lorna asked, slightly shocked.

Eli grinned. "Well, I waited while his daughter told him I was there, but she said he was busy. So, I just went into his office on my own."

"Is that something you can do?"

"I know I probably shouldn't have, but I was just so tired of him ignoring me. I had a gut feeling that he was hiding something."

"And was he?"

"No, it turns out he had nothing to do with it. After talking with your dad, we both realized that he had too much at stake to be involved in something like this."

"So, what now?"

"I'm not sure. Luke and I are currently juggling two cases because this one involving your father isn't going anywhere, and it frustrates me. I want to catch whoever is responsible for this."

As Lorna slid the cookie sheet into the oven and set the timer, she folded her arms and looked at Eli.

"I know you do, but even I know that you can't solve every single case. Mac used to get so angry when rustlers got away with their crimes."

"It's a terrible feeling."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Just water is fine."

"Okay, let me grab that for you and then we can go sit in the living room. Did you see Lily?"

"No, I think she was napping."

Lorna glanced at the microwave clock and nodded.

"Oh yeah, it's about that time." She placed his glass on the table. "Come on, follow me."

Eli pushed himself up from his seat, locked eyes with her, and she felt a rush of emotions as she gazed at him. She loved running her fingers through his hair and feeling those soft curls wrap around them.

With a deep sigh, she led him into the living room and they both took a seat, Lorna on the sofa and Eli in the recliner. He sipped his water as they chatted.

"What's Callaway like?"

Eli smirked. "He's a flashy, arrogant snob who thinks his money makes him better than everyone else. His house is massive with chandeliers, marble floors, and the most expensive things money can buy. I saw his two children, and it was clear right away that they were spoiled brats."

"Does he only have two kids?"

"Yes, I did a quick search on him as soon as I found out his name. To say he's rich would be an understatement, and he certainly acts like it. I bet his suit cost more than what I make in a year."

"Some people are just like that. So where do we go from here?"

"I honestly don't know, Lorna. I feel like I'm at a crossroads with this case, and I'm not sure which direction to take."

"I wish I could be more helpful."

"There's nothing else you can do that we haven't tried already." He let out a sigh. "So, do you miss your job at all?"

Lorna grinned. "Not one bit."

Eli laughed. "What will you do if you don't go back?"

"I'm not sure yet. Part of me wants to stay at home and take care of my daughter, thanks to Mac's life insurance. I don't want to miss any moments with her. But once she goes to school, I could go back to work."

"If that's what you want and are able to do, then go for it."

"I'm seriously considering it. My boss calls me every week asking if I'm ready to come back, and I keep telling her no."

Their eyes met and lingered before he got up and headed to the kitchen with his empty glass.

"I should probably get going," he said, placing the glass in the sink.

Lorna followed suit and couldn't resist stealing glances at his Wranglers covered ass as she placed her cup in the sink beside his. She caught a whiff of his aftershave and couldn't help but imagine burying her face in his neck. The scruff on his face made her want to scrape her fingernails against it. God, he was so attractive.

He turned to leave, meeting her gaze again. She shivered when his eyes dropped down to her lips and then back up.

"Eli?" she whispered, and before she knew it, his lips were on hers and he was pulling her closer.

He pulled back slightly, gazing into her eyes.

"You're all I think about," he murmured against her lips before kissing her again.

Lorna moaned, her nails digging into his broad shoulders, then she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his. His muscles rippled beneath her touch, making him groan in response. His hands slid down from her waist to her ass, kneading the soft curves and eliciting a shiver from Lorna.

He pulled her tighter against him, their bodies fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. She could feel the heat emanating from his skin, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't control.

Breaking away from their embrace, she gazed into his eyes, seeing the raw passion and longing reflected in them. He was asking for permission to take things further and she couldn't deny how much she wanted it too.

"Tell me to go," he whispered.

Lorna's heart skipped a beat at his words, knowing exactly what he meant. But instead of saying no, she whispered back with equal fervor.

"The only place I want you to go is to my bedroom. Please."

His eyes darkened with desire as he picked her up effortlessly.

"Where?"

Lorna pointed toward the living room, her voice shaky and filled with anticipation. "Down the hall, last door on the left."

Eli nodded in understanding before striding down the hallway with purpose, Lorna still held tightly in his arms. As they entered the room, he placed her gently on the bed before lying down beside her.

Their lips met in a passionate frenzy, each kiss igniting a thousand sparks within Lorna's body. Tears sprang to her eyes as she realized how much this man could come to mean to her. Yet even as fear gnawed at her heart, she pushed it aside for now. In this moment, all that mattered was their intense attraction and the promise of what was to come.

****

Eli took a step back from her, swiftly pulling off her T-shirt and letting it fall to the floor. He moved to the foot of the bed and tugged down her lounge pants. As she lay there completely naked, he couldn't help but feel his arousal intensify.

With a sense of urgency, he yanked off his own T-shirt and threw it aside, causing her to burst into a fit of laughter when it landed on the lampshade. He kicked off his boots, unbuckled his belt, unsnapped his jeans, and unzipped them in one fluid motion. He tossed his wallet onto the bed as he pushed his jeans and boxer briefs down.

"God, Eli, you have an incredible body," she breathed out.

"So do you," he replied with a grin.

Leaning down, he trailed kisses along her legs until he reached his destination. She squirmed beneath him.

"Patience, sweetheart. I'll get there," he murmured.

"To hell with patience," she growled through clenched teeth, making him laugh. "Please."

As Eli reached for his wallet, he carefully extracted a condom from its confines and presented it to her with a grin. Gently, he lowered himself back to the bed, his lips finding their way to her ankles before trailing a path of feverish kisses along her quivering legs. The slow ascent heightened their anticipation, her breaths growing shallow as he approached the sensitive juncture where her thighs met.

With his knee, Eli carefully parted her legs to reveal her arousal, and locked his smoldering gaze with hers. The tip of his tongue began to trace the contours of her slit, and drawing an impassioned moan from her lips. He saw her hands clenched in the tangled sheets as she submitted fully to the sensations.

Eli"s mouth settled over her swollen clitoris; his suction firm yet tender as he teased her. Her breathing grew erratic, until finally she cried out his name in release.

Her flushed face glistened with perspiration as she tore open the condom packet with eager fingers, the sound sharp in their ears. Eli took it from her trembling hand and unrolled the protective sheath onto himself.

Positioning himself between her legs, he locked eyes with her once more, seeking silent permission before he slowly pressed forward. As they connected inch by careful inch, a comforting warmth spread through him; a profound sense of belonging that exceeded mere physical pleasure.

As they moved together, Eli knew that she was everything, the missing puzzle piece he had been searching for. Her soft curves molded against him and her touch ignited a raging fire within him. He held her tight as her legs wrapped around his waist, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. With every thrust, he could feel her inner muscles clenching around him, urging him on. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold on until she reached her orgasm first.

And then she cried out, the sound echoing through the room and sending shivers down his spine. In that moment, he lost control and surrendered to the intense pleasure coursing through him. As he collapsed against her, his face buried in the crook of her neck, he struggled to catch his breath while listening to her own labored breathing in his ear. The afterglow of their lovemaking enveloped them both, creating a sense of warmth and contentment that he never wanted to end.

As he lay on his back, chest heaving from their passionate encounter, he looked over at her and saw the content smile on her face. He leaned in for a kiss before getting up to dispose of the used condom in the bathroom. When he returned to the bedroom, a scent filled the air and he looked at her with curiosity.

"I think your cookies are burning," he said with a smirk.

"Oh, my God!"

She jumped up, pulling on her robe as she rushed toward the kitchen. He chuckled and pulled on his jeans before following her. As he entered the kitchen, he saw her tossing a burnt batch of cookies into the sink. She turned to him with a playful glare.

"I didn't burn your cookies," he teased.

She burst out laughing. "Oh, you definitely burned my cookies."

Eli laughed and walked toward her, pulling her into his arms. He kissed the top of her head. "And I loved every minute of it."

Lorna gazed into his eyes and asked, "Will you stay tonight? Lily won't be home until tomorrow."

"If you're sure," Eli replied.

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

"Alright, I'd love to."

"I have to make another batch of cookies, so stay away from me for a little while, Elijah Hawkins," Lorna joked.

"Yes ma'am," Eli replied with a playful salute.

"And please put your shirt on. You're too distracting," Lorna added with a smile.

Eli shook his head and went back to the bedroom to find his T-shirt and put it on. He then returned to the living room where he settled onto the couch. Eli grabbed the remote and turned on the TV while Lorna worked in the kitchen.

Later that night, they lay in bed wrapped in each other's arms. Lorna rested her head on Eli's chest and asked softly, "Why aren't you married, Eli?"

"I was engaged three years ago," he responded.

"Really? Mac never mentioned it."

Eli shrugged. "Probably because we had too much going on with a case at the time."

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking?"

He let out a small laugh. "I got shot."

Lorna sat up in shock. "What?"

Eli nodded. "Kathy said she couldn't handle the thought of me risking my life every day. She said she couldn't live with the constant fear that I might not come back."

"I can understand that," Lorna whispered with sympathy. "It terrified me every time Mac left the house. People don't realize how dangerous your job can be."

"Like any other law enforcement agent, livestock agents also risk their lives," Eli replied.

"Yes, you do," Lorna agreed, shaking her head. "But you love it, don't you? Just like Mac did. How did you get into it?"

"My grandfather on my dad's side was a livestock agent," Eli explained.

"Is your dad one too?"

"No, he's a neurosurgeon. As is my mom," Eli replied.

"Well, that's quite the contrast," Lorna commented with a smile.

"My family has always supported each other, no matter what profession we chose. My grandfather wasn't disappointed that my dad didn't follow in his footsteps, just like my dad wasn't disappointed in my choice. My sister also didn't become a doctor; she owns a coffee shop in town called The Daily Grind."

"I've been there before. They have great coffee," Lorna exclaimed.

"Yeah, my sister bought the shop after her divorce and though it's not her dream job, she loves running it. Her true passion is horses though; she's always wanted to own a boarding stable," Eli shared.

"She should go for it," Lorna encouraged.

"I think she will eventually," Eli replied with a yawn. "But for now, I need some sleep, baby."

"Me too," Lorna agreed, reaching over to turn off the lamp before snuggling closer to him. As they drifted off to sleep, Eli couldn't help but think that he could get used to waking up next to her every day.