By Marie S

Jessica laid her head against Egan’s chest. They’d had a particularly heated ride together exercising the horses. Most of the heat dealt with the time they weren’t actually on the horses and had nothing to do with the warm summer day.

She’d fallen deeply in love with Egan. It wasn’t something Jessica had intended to do; in fact it was something she’d almost rather not have done. She was young and just out of school exploring the world and life. Love wasn’t part of her plan.

She sighed contently and smiled up at him. His eyelids were drooping languidly from post coital bliss. He kissed her cheek and leaned his head back on the tree they were propped against. Jessica felt his breathing even and glanced up to see he’d fallen asleep. His arm was thrown lovingly and possessively around her.

Should she tell him? Egan hadn’t said a word to her about love. She was scared to tell him how she felt because she didn’t want to jeopardize the fun and carefree attitude of their relationship. It wasn’t liked they talked about it but Jessica got the impression that Egan wasn’t looking for something beyond what they had. And that was okay…wasn’t it?

Jessica wished she had more experience at this sort of thing. This was her first time to be in love. It was her first real relationship and her first sexual relationship. Truly it was the first time she’d allowed herself to focus on something outside her academic goals since high school. And Egan wasn’t the only one who’d seduced her. This great big beautiful land had done the same.

She’d been thinking about staying past the time Ashley needed her help with Katie Marie and start looking for a real job in The Glen or in Coffs. Right now there was enough to be done here on the White’s and Curry’s lands. And now Marie was pregnant too and had broken her ankle. She’d need extra help.

What would her parents think if she told them she wasn’t coming home? And how would Egan feel if she told him she was staying? There’d been no talk of a future between them and no talk of her leaving. Ashley had told her that Egan wasn’t a big talker. She grinned to herself. That was an understatement.

Yet she was getting to know the man he was. He was a good man who was kind, caring and loving in his special way. He treated her very well. And Jessica loved the way he was with horses. There was something very special in his bond with the beautiful four legged creatures.

Egan was a man who was used to being alone. That was apparent. Ashley claimed that he had "blossomed" (her word) since his arrival. He had certainly taken a protective stance over the women here that was more than part of his job. That had intensified since the possible threat from a case Bud and Zack were working on.

No wonder she’d fallen in love with him. Egan was the kind of man she would look for…if she’d happened to be looking. Maybe love wasn’t something you could plan like your future academic and career paths. The warmth and closeness of his body touching hers as her body still tingled from their joining made her heart speak out loud before her head stopped her.

"I love you Egan Varner." Said as a whisper to the man she knew was sleeping.

She’d mused out loud to Ashley this week that she might like to stay longer. Within moments Ash had her next two years planned including marrying Egan and buying the adjoining land to the two properties to live on. She was an incorrigible matchmaker who deeply loved Jessica and had decided that Jessica and Egan belonged together.

Perhaps the most deluded part was Jessica had been thinking about this grand scenario for the last two days since Ashley had described it. And she found she really liked the whole illusion/delusion/dream.

Jessica yawned and snuggled closer to Egan. Shortly she too fell asleep.

Egan opened his eyes and kissed her hair gently to not disturb her rest. He’d heard what she said.