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THE IMMORTAL
Sweet Contemporary Fantasy Romance
By Linda Mooney
Word Count: 26K
$3.99 e / $7.99 p

Jonah Cobb has lived for more than two centuries. He's survived wars, starvation, and plagues. He's been near death countless times, but he hasn't died because he can't. For some reason he's never been able to discover, he's immortal.

He's accepted the fact that he's doomed to roam the earth alone, perhaps for all eternity. But during one brutal winter he encounters Clea Hatch. She and her son Joey live on a farm on the outskirts of a small town. She helps him recover and feeds him in exchange for him working around the farm.

Jonah has had his share of women in his long past, but none of them have touched his heart the way Clea does. He knows nothing will come of it, and eventually she'll grow old and die, and he'll have to go on living without her. Regardless, he wants to be part of her short lifetime. But will she accept his request now that she knows what he is?

Warning! Contains a gold coin, a bell, deceit, theft by omission, and a man who'd given up on ever finding love and absolute contentment.

Excerpt and Buy Link: https://lindamooney.com/TheImmortal.htm

THE IMMORTAL, a Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney - Chapters 12 and 13

THE IMMORTAL
Chapter 12 - The Truth

            Jonah reacted instinctively. His first thought was of Clea and Joey’s safety.

Popping outside, he stared in horror as flames raced up the side of the barn. Nearly invisible smoke poured up into the night sky. So far, the house appeared to be untouched, but he knew that wouldn’t last long. He had to awaken Clea and the boy and get them out of there. Grabbing the rope handle, he fiercely rang the bell as he yelled for them to wake up.

            “Fire! Fire! Wake up and get out of the house! Clea! Joey! Fire in the barn! Clea! Joey!”

            Within seconds, Clea exited the house with Joey in tow, the both of them blinking in sleepy wonderment. The instant she saw the burning barn, she gasped in shock.

            Jonah waved for them to distance themselves from the structure. Although the barn was set back a ways from the house, that didn’t mean an ember couldn’t float over and land on the roof, setting the home ablaze.

            “Stay back!”

            He heard her call out to him as he headed back into the barn, but he couldn’t go over and find out what she’d said. Every second was precious, and he couldn’t waste any of it.

            He went straight to the stalls. Daisy was pressed against the wall, as far away from the encroaching flames as she could get. The bovine was terrified, and panicked when Jonah threw a rope around her neck. It tried to headbutt him, but Jonah jumped out of range.

            “Come on, old girl! We gotta get out of here!”

            It took some effort and a few whacks on the animal’s hindquarters before the cow took off, out of the barn. Next, he went to get Muffin, their other cow, which was easier to persuade to leave. He followed the creature out of the barn to make sure it was safe when Clea ran up to him.

            “I called emergency! The fire department’s on its way!”

            “Good! Grab the garden hose and begin spraying the roof and side of the house with water. Keep an eye open for sparks and embers, in case some land on the roof of the house!”

            He turned to go back inside the barn, but she grabbed his arm.

            “Where are you going?”

            “I must retrieve my backpack.”

            “No! The whole barn is aflame! You’ll be trapped inside!”

            It was then he realized she was right. By now the old barn with its aged wooden frame was almost fully engulfed, but the southernmost end of the building hadn’t been breached. There was a chance he could make it.

            Jerking his arm from her grasp, he dashed inside. Flames licked his boots, and he was forced to hold his breath to keep from breathing in the roiling black smoke. The place was a tinderbox, ripe for combustion, making him doubt the fire department would be able to save it.

When he reached the far stall he’d enclosed to be his private quarters, he snatched up the few items of clothing he’d placed on a wooden crate, grabbed his boots, and threw his backpack over one shoulder. Using the clothing as a mask, he turned to leave when a wall of fire breached the doorway, blocking his way. Holding his belongings tightly against his chest, he disappeared from the barn’s interior and reappeared next to the bell.

            Dropping his things on the ground, Jonah bent over, hands on his thighs, and breathed in huge gulps of fresh air. Clea and Joey quickly joined him and embraced him.

            He couldn’t help but chuckle. “This is one of those times I’m glad I’m able to do what I can do.”

            “Why did you run into the barn? Why didn’t you just vanish inside?” Clea asked. “Wouldn’t it have been faster?”

            “Because it wasn’t safe. I had no idea how far the fire had spread. It was too great a risk. I could have appeared in the middle of a blaze.” He coughed again, then straightened. Taking one of her hands in his, he kissed it. “I have to leave you for a while, my dearest.”

            “Why?”

            He temporarily ignored her question as he pulled on a pair of jeans over his boxers and slid his feet into his boots. “Did you also call the sheriff?”

            “Yes. He’s on his way, too,” Clea confirmed.

            “When he arrives, tell him I’ve gone to confront Vince Barnes. Tell him to come there immediately.”

            In the glow cast by the fire, her face was unusually pale. She understood what he was implying, but she had to ask anyway. “Why?”

            “I saw his truck leaving when I first ran out of the barn. After the cows woke me up and I smelled smoke.” Releasing her hand, he stepped away when she planted herself in front of him.

            “Why do you have to leave?” she demanded. “Why can’t you wait until he gets here?”

            “I have to confront him before he has the chance to hide the evidence. Before he can wash the smell of gasoline from his hands and change clothes.”

            She opened her mouth either to protest or beg him not to go, but he had no other choice. Stepping back, he vanished.

            To be on the safe side, he didn’t appear directly in front of the Barnes farmhouse. There was too great a chance a car could be parked there. Instead, he chose the front drive and hoped he wouldn’t get run over.

            That was always the danger of “jumping,” as he personally called it. For some strange reason, whenever his body jumped on its own accord, he always managed to appear in a clear area. Sometimes he was bumped into, or nearly struck by something or someone passing by, but never actually placed directly in harm’s way.

            Or maybe I’ve just been lucky so far.

            But when he initiated it himself, that guarantee didn’t apply, and there had been a couple of times when he’d nearly been killed. After the second event, he’d sworn to himself that he would take greater caution, which was why he’d mentally and visibly targeted a particular spot in Barnes’ front yard when he and Clea had gone to confront the man earlier.

            The one security light atop a pole was the only illumination in the area this time of night. The house itself was dark save for one light coming from a window at the rear. The truck he’d seen driving away from the Hatch house was parked near the barn a few yards away.

            Rushing over to it, he laid a hand on the hood. It was warm, proving he hadn’t imagined seeing it. A check inside the truck bed revealed two ten-gallon cans of gasoline, which he bet if he hefted them, he’d find them empty. He turned toward the house when a harsh voice called out.

            “Halt! Whoever’s there, stop right where you are! I got a gun trained on you!”

            Jonah raised his hands. “It’s Jonah Cobb, Barnes! And I’m warning you that the sheriff is on his way here to find out why you set fire to Mrs. Hatch’s barn!” He made no effort to hide his anger.

            “Cobb?” The man sounded confused. “What in hell are you talking about? Get out here where I can see you!”

            Steeling himself, Jonah stepped out of the shadows surrounding the truck and into the brightness cast by the security light. He kept his eyes on the rifle the man was holding. If at any time the guy looked as if he was going to fire it, Jonah would instantly disappear.

            Barnes glared at him. “What the hell are you doing here? Especially this time of night?”

            “You know exactly why I’m here! You set fire to Mrs. Hatch’s barn! Would you have set fire to the house, too, if I hadn’t shown up? What else would you have vandalized if I hadn’t woken up when I did? Before you saw me and took off in your truck?”

            Barnes shook his head. “You’re crazy, you know that? Accusing me of something I didn’t do!”

            “I saw you take off in your truck!” Jonah yelled. “I didn’t imagine it! Right now, that barn is a goner. You better pray that house is still standing come morning.”

            Jonah studied the man’s expression. Something about the man’s demeanor didn’t sit well with him. It was like the guy was telling him the truth, yet at the same time was hiding something.

            Barnes seemed to come to a conclusion. “You’re lying through your teeth. I haven’t been to her place tonight. What’s the real reason why you’re here, skulking about in the middle of the night?”

            “You can lie all you want, Barnes, but I will testify that I saw you leave in your truck right after you set fire to the barn. Why did you do it? Because you’re mad Mrs. Hatch discovered you were skimming off the top? That you were cheating her of her rightful share of the profits?”

            “We done discussed this, Cobb! It ain’t none of your business anyway what kind of dealings go on between me and Mrs. Hatch!”

            “It will definitely be my business when Mrs. Hatch and I say our vows in front the Justice of the Peace,” Jonah informed him. “Then you’ll have to deal with me. And, believe me, I’m not as trusting a person as she is.”

            Oddly enough, Barnes laughed at the comment. “So you are shacking up with her. The gossip floating around town is true.”

            The distant sound of sirens alerted them that the emergency crews were coming down the small county road. The instant Barnes turned his head to look in that direction, Jonah vanished from where he stood and reappeared on the step next to the man. Before the guy could react, he grabbed the rifle from the man’s hands, but not before Barnes managed to fire off a shot into the air.

            Taking a few steps back, Jonah quickly emptied the weapon of its bullets and threw the gun into the grass several yards away. Almost immediately following, Mrs. Barnes appeared at the back door.

            “Vince! Vince, what happened? I heard a gunshot!”

            Barnes didn’t get the chance to respond. The sheriff’s cruiser with lights flashing came tearing up the caliche driveway. It slid to a stop and the driver’s side door opened. Lowden took partial cover behind his door as he aimed his service pistol at the two men.

            “Both of you! Freeze right where you are! Nobody move!”

            Behind him, a second car with red and blue lights pulled up next to the cruiser, and a deputy took the same position behind his car door.

            Not seeing another approaching vehicle, Jonah slowly turned to face the sheriff and raised his hands. “It’s all right, Sheriff. Neither of us are armed.”

            Unexpectedly, Mrs. Barnes stepped outside and pointed an accusing finger in Jonah’s direction. “He fired at my husband! He shot at my husband!”

            Jonah shook his head. “It was Barnes who fired. Not me. I was able to disarm him, and the rifle was fired by mistake.” He pointed over his shoulder. “I emptied the ammunition from it and tossed it over there.”

            Sheriff Lowden glanced down at the objects lying at Jonah’s feet. He slowly stood but kept his own gun trained on both men. “Armmin, you take Barnes. I got Cobb.”

            He waited until the deputy had cuffed Barnes before approaching Jonah. Silently, Jonah allowed himself to be placed in handcuffs. Lowden turned him around to face him when he was done.

“Mrs. Hatch said you saw Mr. Barnes set fire to her barn, then drive away.”

            Jonah gave a nod. “I came here to ask Barnes why he’d done it.”

            “I didn’t do it!” Barnes hollered.

            Jonah threw him a dark scowl. “Your truck is still warm.” Turning to the sheriff, he noted, “Go touch the hood of that truck. And check what’s in the bed. Find out for yourself.”

            “I haven’t left this house since I got home earlier this evening!” Barnes declared.

            Something in the man’s tone sounded truthful. Jonah stared at him, when he noticed something. The guy was still in t-shirt and jeans. He turned to Lowden. “Go smell him.”

            The sheriff’s eyes widened. “Why?”

            “If he set the barn on fire, he should smell of kerosine or gasoline. I smelled the accelerant when the fire broke out. He might also smell of smoke.”

            Barnes gave a bark of laughter. “How do we know you didn’t set the barn on fire?”

            Jonah had to give the man credit for the comeback. “Smell me, Sheriff. Yes, I smell of smoke because I was inside the barn at the time. I rushed back inside the structure to get the cows out to safety, but I don’t smell of gasoline.”

            Bending closer to him, Lowden sniffed Jonah’s shoulder. He also sniffed Jonah’s hands and arms. “You’re right. I smell smoke, but not gasoline.”

            “Go check Barnes,” Jonah insisted. He was starting to doubt himself, and that wasn’t a good thing. But he was certain it had been Barnes’ truck he’d seen leaving the farm. Plus there was the still warm engine, and the gasoline cans in the bed.

            He watched the sheriff saunter up to Barnes and sniff him over, including where the man’s arms were cuffed behind his back. When the lawman looked back at him and shook his head, Jonah gritted his teeth. He didn’t expect Lowden to gesture to Mrs. Barnes, who was still watching from behind the kitchen door. “Mrs. Barnes? May I have a word with you, please?”

            “What for?”

            “Just come out here and answer a few questions, please. It won’t take long. You have my word.”

            The woman, dressed in her bathrobe, opened the screen door and stepped outside. Lowden stood his ground, forcing her to come up to him. When she was close enough, he smiled at her.

            “Looks like you just bathed,” he calmly remarked. “And you washed your hair. Do you often take a bath this late at night?”

            “I was watching a movie,” she replied, unable to control the thread of nervousness in her voice.

            Without warning, the sheriff took her by the arm. Mrs. Barnes tried to wrench it away from him, but his grip was too strong. A look of uneasiness came over her face as Lowden lifted her hand to his face.

            “You know, there’s an odd thing about gasoline. It doesn’t matter how much you try to scrub off the scent, a trace of it still clings to you until it fades on its own. Armmin, go inside the house and find Mrs. Barnes’ clothes.”

            “Yes, sir.”

            As the deputy turned to obey, Mrs. Barnes burst into tears. “I just wanted to scare her! I didn’t mean no harm!”

            “Brigit, shut up!” Barnes snapped.

            Lowden nodded. “I strongly suggest you listen to your husband and wait until I read you your rights.”

            “Are you arresting her?” Barnes demanded.

            “Yes, sir,” the sheriff calmly answered as he applied handcuffs to the older woman’s wrists.

            “What for?”

            “For starters, arson. Destruction of property.” Lowden cast an eye at Jonah. “And attempted murder. There’ll be others, but that’s enough for now.”

            Barnes spluttered. “Attempted murder?”

            “I didn’t try to kill anyone!” Mrs. Barnes objected.

            Jonah turned to her. “I was sleeping in the barn when you doused it with gasoline and set fire to it. If the cows hadn’t awakened me, I could have been trapped inside and burned to death.”

            Mrs. Barnes stared at him for a handful of seconds before turning to her husband. “You told me the two of them were shacking up together!”

            Sheriff Lowden grabbed the woman by the upper arm and forced her to look at him. “Before we go any further with this, shut up and listen. You have the right to remain silent.”

            As the sheriff read the woman her Miranda rights, Jonah waited for the deputy to uncuff him. He wanted to leave now and go back to let Clea know what had happened, but he knew it was best if he remained here and got a ride back to the farmhouse.

            In the distance, he saw a pale glow on the horizon. Not knowing what time of night it was, it could either be the first rays of dawn or the light from the fire engulfing the barn.

            He prayed it was the former, but he didn’t hold out much hope for that to be the case.

 

THE IMMORTAL
Chapter 13 - The Morning

 

            Jonah dropped onto the sofa with a loud grunt and a sigh. Clea was sitting near the fireplace where she’d waited for him. Seeing her defeated posture, he made an attempt to be lighthearted. “I do believe a hot bath at the end of a long day is on the list of the top five pleasures afforded to man,” he proclaimed. When she didn’t respond or move, he cast her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for the barn,” he said in a more somber tone.

            “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine for going after Mr. Barnes for what he’d done.”

            “Whoa there.” He held up a hand. “It’s not your fault, period, and I don’t ever want to hear you say that again. Barnes was in the wrong for cheating you. Just because his wife went off the deep end and decided to torch the barn as a way to get even is not and never will be your problem.”

            Rather than comment, Clea pointed to the end table by his elbow. “There’s some water if you want it.”

            He thanked her and took several long swallows before setting the glass back down on its coaster.

            “Jonah, do you really think it was all Mrs. Barnes’ idea? What if Mr. Barnes told his wife to come down here and take revenge?”

            “Personally? No. I think she did it on her own. But after she got back to the farmhouse, I’m guessing he must have been suspicious of where she’d been and had her confess to him. That’s why he tried to cover for her when I showed up. To give her time to finish bathing.” He snickered. “That was a nice move by Sheriff Lowden, making her think he could go inside and confiscate the clothes she’d been wearing.”

            Clea tilted her head slightly. “How so?”

            “I believe that technically he couldn’t have done that without a warrant, if my feeble grasp of the law is correct.”

            “But Mrs. Barnes didn’t know that,” Clea continued with a soft laugh. A silent moment passed before she spoke again. “Do we know why she did it? I mean, other than to get back at me?”

            “Sheriff Lowden and I had a short discussion about that when I told him about Barnes stiffing you. Maybe they’re desperate for money. Hopefully we’ll find out more later on.”

            “But why did she try to kill you?”

            “She didn’t.”

            Seeing her confusion, he couldn’t help but snicker. “The gossip in town says we’re shacking up together, so she assumed I was in the house. It was a good thing I wasn’t, or else we could have lost the cows. Or worse, the fire could have spread to the house.”

            She bowed her head again. “The barn is a total loss. The chickens… The garden…” Her voice was soft, but he could tell she had yet to absorb the full extent of what they’d been through. And how close they’d come to losing everything.

            Reaching out to her, Jonah silently invited her into his arms. Clea got up from her chair to take her place beside him, tucking her legs behind her and resting her head on his shoulder as he embraced her. He kissed her hair. “We will get more chickens, and the garden can be replanted. Although it will take a while to rebuild the barn, hopefully we can have enough of it finished to house the cows before winter sets in. We have lost nothing that cannot be replaced.”

            She lifted her head to look up at him. “Then why did you run back to get your clothes? Or your backpack? Why did you risk your life for those things?”

            Jonah smiled down at her. “Because of a certain coin I have stashed in the side pocket.”

            “That gold coin?”

            “Yes. If I’d left it in the barn, the heat from the fire would have melted it.”

            “That coin, it’s that important to you that you’d risk your life for it?”

            “That coin has saved my life more times than you guess,” he confessed. “There have been countless times when I was starving. Cold. Lost. Sometimes injured. That coin paid for food and lodging and medicine, and once I used it to purchase my fare on a ship.”

            As he’d expected, she shook her head, confusion clouding her face. “But if you spent it…” Then it dawned on her, and she began to laugh. “You went back later to retrieve it!”

            Jonah nodded, grinning. “If ever I needed something desperately enough, it gave me the chance to go on. It has never let me down. I wasn’t about to abandon it to a measly fire.”

            “Speaking of… Jonah, I’ve been wanting to ask you something about your…power.”

            “My ability to transport myself?”

            “Yes. When you leave or come back, are you able to do that time-wise?”

            “Time-wise? You mean, can I go back in time into the past or forward into the future?”

            “Yes.”

            “No. I cannot do that. At least, if I can, I haven’t discovered it yet. No, I can go from one place to another only if I have been there before. All in present time.”

            “But not to someplace you’ve never been?”

            “No.”

            “Hmmm. You said you’ve sailed on a boat? Could you go back to that boat?”

            He chuckled. “I probably could, but I don’t dare try. I don’t know if I’d end up wherever the boat is located at this time, or in the middle of the ocean.”

            “What if the boat sank? Could you transport yourself from the ocean back to someplace you’d been to save yourself?”

            He gave her a loving squeeze. “Funny you should ask that.”

            “Why?”

            “Because an incident exactly like that is how I discovered what I could do.”

            “Oh? That was going to be my next question.”

            “How did I discover my ability?” He hugged her again. “That story will have to wait for another day.” He checked the clock on the fireplace mantel. “It will be daylight in a couple of hours. Joey will be awakening soon to get ready for school, and we have yet to get any decent rest.”

            When he looked back at her, he saw her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Her expression was one of trust. She believed in him and needed him as much as he needed her.

They kissed, softly and sweetly, their lips briefly lingering before he released her. When she stood, she turned to him with a tender smile and held out a hand to him. He stared at it. If she was implying what he wished she was suggesting…

            “Clea.”

            “Come to bed, Jonah. With me. You have nowhere to go since the barn’s destroyed.” She chuckled. “Besides, if the townsfolk already believe we’re sharing a bed, what harm is there?”

            “Are you sure, Clea? I can sleep right here on the couch until we say our vows.”

            “And you’re an idiot if you think I’m going to let you sleep there.”

            “But, the boy. What will Joey think if he learns we’re sleeping together?”

            “He won’t think anything about it. To him, you belong here…with him and me.” She waved her hand at him. Grasping it, Jonah got to his feet and let her lead him into the master bedroom. Now their bedroom. Now his home. His home and family.

            The practical side of him said it wouldn’t last forever. But in his heart, he promised himself to make every moment, every day, and every year count. Because this time with her would become the dreams and memories he’d cherish for the rest of his days.

            However long that may be.

           

THE END

Linda Website  

THE IMMORTAL, a Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney - Chapter 11, The Admission

THE IMMORTAL

Chapter 11 - The Admission

Clea appeared to be asleep when Jonah rolled out of the bed. Pulling on his pants, he grabbed his boots and shirt and left the bedroom to finish dressing in the living room.

          His emotions were in a turmoil, yet he didn’t regret a single moment of what just happened between them. He knew he’d fallen in love with the woman. It didn’t take a mind reader for him to know she’d also caved to her heart.

          “And therein lies the problem,” he whispered to himself as he let himself out the back door and headed for the barn.

          At some point, and soon, they needed to sit down and discuss the issue before they took their newfound partnership to the next level. If it was to go to the next level. Personally, he was torn between the two possible outcomes.

          “Clea needs to know how the future will be if I remain with her and the boy. She needs to understand that, although we’ll both age, hers will be a hundred times, a thousand times faster than mine. By the time she’s in her sixties, seventies, eighties, or older, if she’s so blessed to live that long, I’ll still look the same as I do now. Perhaps with a few more gray hairs and a couple more wrinkles about the eyes, but overall my appearance won’t change as drastically as hers will.”

He stopped in the open barn door and glanced behind him at the house he’d just left. “Could you accept that, my dearest Clea?”

          And there was also the subject he knew she was bound to ask him. How many women in the past had he allowed to be part of his life? He snorted. “Far fewer than you may believe. Yes, I’ve had many dalliances with beautiful women. Powerful women. Fragile women. In all that time, I’ve only allowed one into my heart. When I lost her, I refused to let another take her place.”

Grabbing the hoe, he strolled over to weed the garden. “I refused, but I’ve since learned I have no control over what my heart demands. I have no control over the way I feel.”

He paused and straightened up when he heard the back door slam. Silently, Jonah watched as Clea got into the car and left to go somewhere. Probably to the market. She didn’t search for him or call out to him. Perhaps she’d already noticed he was in the garden when she exited the house.

Jonah sighed. These next few hours would be the most telling. Could they still be cordial to each other after what they’d just experienced? After they’d given in to their deepest desires?

“What’s next, Clea? Are we going to act as if nothing ever happened, and go on from there? I won’t be surprised if you take that position, and I won’t blame you if you do. But know this. Our feelings for each other are nothing to be ashamed of.”

Having spoken the words aloud lifted a great weight from his shoulders. He’d had his say. All that remained was for him to speak them to her. How she would react would determine if he would stay or go.

And if he were to stay, it would be for the rest of her life.

He was almost finished with the hoeing when he heard the car approaching the house. As he’d suspected, she’d gone to the market. Seeing her hefting a sack to take inside, he picked up the bucket of vegetables he’d picked and followed her into the kitchen.

“The tomatoes are coming in. There’s also a cucumber in there. And the first of the green beans should be ready to pick by the end of the week,” he informed her as he placed the bucket in the sink. “I’ll go get the rest of the groceries out of the car.”

Turning around, he found her staring at him. She said nothing, but the expression on her face spoke for her.

He was barely aware that he held out his arms, or that she rushed into his embrace. When his brain started functioning again, it was to acknowledge the softness of her mouth, the warmth of her body against his, and the scent of roses that surrounded her.

She dropped whatever she’d been holding and wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. It was as if neither of them wanted it to end, but Jonah eventually took the initiative to pull away first, albeit very reluctantly.

Clea rested her head against his chest. “You left without saying anything. I thought you were…”

He kissed her hair. “You thought I was what?”

“Ashamed of what we’d done. Or mad.”

“No. Never. I thought you’d be too embarrassed to look me in the eye again.”

“So you left without saying anything?” Lifting her face, she stared up at him. That’s when he noticed her red-rimmed eyes. She searched his gaze for a sign. “What are you thinking right now, Jonah?”

“I’m wondering why I’ve fallen in love with you, when it’s the last thing either of us need,” he softly confessed.

“Why?”

“Because there’s no future for us.”

A flash of anger crossed her face. “I beg your pardon!”

Jonah gritted his teeth. He’d mentally prepared for this fight, even though he’d wished it would never come about. “You know what I am. If I was to stay, you’d grow old and eventually die, and I’d still be alive long after you’ve passed.”

Her expression hardened. “Go on. I’m still waiting to hear a good excuse from you about why we can’t be together.”

Jonah felt surprised by her obstinance. “I just gave it to you.”

“And I say it’s a bullshit reason, pardon my French.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because all couples face the same future, the same reality. Because in most cases, eventually one of them will die, leaving the other to go on with their lives until their own deaths. Just because your case is a bit unusual doesn’t mean you can’t be happy with someone. With me. Or that I can’t be happy with someone like you.”

A moment of numbed realization left him speechless. He’d never thought of it that way, but she was correct. He opened his mouth to comment when she continued.

“I’m willing to take the next step, Jonah. Tell me if you’re with me or not, because when Joey gets home from school, I want to be up front with him. I don’t want us to be sneaking around and doing stuff behind his back, and I damn sure don’t want to keep fueling the gossip mongers in town!”

He grinned in spite of himself. “The next step?”

“I want to marry you. I want it to be legal.”

“What if Joey protests and doesn’t want us to become man and wife?”

She smiled as she chuckled. “You don’t know him the way I do. Do you want to break the news to him? Or do you want me to?”

“I feel it would be better if we spoke man-to-man.”

She gave a single nod. “Deal.”

“One other thing, Clea, before we sign off on this. This is an issue neither of us can avoid.”

It took her less than a second before she spoke. “My missing husband.”

“Yes.” He could tell the thought had already crossed her mind.

“He’s no longer an issue,” she firmly stated. “The statute of limitations in this state is seven years. When that time came and went, I went to City Hall and had the marriage officially annulled on the grounds of abandonment. That way I could have the titles to the house and lands switched over to my name.” She winced. “Even if he came back before that time, I would still divorce him, even though I wouldn’t have been able to have the house and property.”

She started to say more, but he couldn’t wait to help himself to another kiss. This time, Clea pulled away first. “About sleeping with each other again…”

“Ah. I was wondering when you’d mention it. I am at your disposal, my dearest. But until we officially tie the knot, I suggest I still spend the nights in the barn, for propriety’s sake.”

The smile that came over her proved he’d made the right decision.

Jonah cleared his throat. “Now, before we continue on with what we’re doing and lose all track of time, I need to get back to my chores.”

“And I need to start thinking about what to fix for supper. Joey will be getting home from school soon.”

Releasing her, Jonah left the kitchen, his spirits being brighter and higher than he’d felt in ages.

That evening, as they sat around the kitchen table, eating supper, he caught the expectant looks Clea cast him. Figuring there was no sense in putting it off any longer than he had to, Jonah set his knife and fork down and turned to Joey.

“Joseph, your mother and I have something serious to speak to you about.”

The boy never missed a beat. “If it’s to tell me you two wanna hitch up, what’s stopping you?”

Clea gave a soft yet audible gasp. “How’d you know?”

The child all but rolled his eyes. “Mom, I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. And I like Mr. Cobb. Jonah,” he quickly corrected himself. “I don’t want you to be sad anymore.”

“Joey.” Jonah drew the boy’s attention back to him. “You know I’m…different.”

“Like when you disappear and stuff? Yeah. I seen you come and go when you don’t think anyone’s watching.”

Jonah raised an eyebrow at him. “It doesn’t bother you when I do that?”

“Heck, no.” Joey grinned. “I think it’s kinda neat. Can you teach me to do that sometime?”

“Unfortunately, no. I wish I could,” Jonah confessed.

“So you don’t have a problem with us getting married?” Clea asked.

“Nah. In fact, I’m glad. I’m glad ‘cuz he makes you happy. And when you’re happy, that makes me happy. Now can I have dessert?”

With that settled, Clea burst out laughing and hugged her son before getting up to get the half gallon of ice cream she’d bought from the freezer section of the refrigerator.

Jonah leaned over and extended his hand to the boy, who took it. They shook.

“I promise to take care of your mother for all her days. You’ll never have to worry about her being sad again,” he vowed.

Joey grinned, and the look of relief on his face made him appear older than his years. “Thanks. So when are you gonna get married?”

Jonah loved seeing the blush that came over Clea’s cheeks.

“I…don’t… We haven’t made a decision when,” she told him, and threw Jonah a questioning look.

“Soon,” he promised the boy. Turning to Clea, he emphasized the word. “Soon.”

After they had their ice cream, they resumed their normal routine they’d already established over the past few months. Joey went to his room to do his homework. Clea cleaned up in the kitchen before parking herself in the living room to read the paperback she’d gotten at the market. And Jonah went to make sure the cows and chickens were settled for the night.

Standing outside in the shadows, Jonah stared through the living room window at the figure immersed in her book, and mulled over his recent decision. He was amazed by how content he was at the outcome.

“I have a family again. I have a sense of purpose and a destiny. Yes, I will long outlive you, my beloved Clea, but I will also live to see Joey grow up and start a family of his own. And as long as I’m able, I will continue to follow your line of descendants until I eventually join you in the afterlife…if I should be so lucky.”

That night, after he’d showered, wished Joey a good night, and kissed Clea, he retired to his cot in the barn with the realization that his luck had finally changed. He felt blessed in more ways than he could admit.

It was sometime in the middle of the night when the cows began bellowing. Jonah awakened to the smell of smoke filling the barn.

Rushing into the main structure, he stared in horror at the fire racing and growing brighter and hotter with each passing second as it consumed the hay stacked along the north wall.

At the same time, he saw a pair of headlights back away from the structure as the truck turned and roared down the drive toward the county road, sending dirt and rocks flying from its tires.

A truck he recognized as belonging to Vince Barnes.

 

TO BE CONTINUED

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THE IMMORTAL, a Fantasy Romance by Linda Mooney - Chapter 10, The Threat

THE IMMORTAL

Chapter 10 - The Threat

When Clea saw Jonah step in front of her, she knew why. He would protect her in the event Barnes got violent. Although she didn’t expect her neighbor to try anything, especially in front of his wife, the fact that she and Jonah were on his property was enough to give him just cause to forcefully evict them.

          But that didn’t let the man off the hook for what he’d done.

          Elbowing Jonah aside, she took a stance next to him. “We have proof that you’ve bilked me out of my fair share of the profits.”

          Barnes almost scoffed. “What are you talking about? I paid you! I got the cancelled checks to show I paid you! Now get the hell off my property before I call the sheriff!”

          “Go ahead, Vince. I’d like to see how you explain these receipts from the farm bureau to Sheriff Lowden.” Holding up the envelope, she shook it in front of his face.

          The man stared at it in confusion but continued to bluff. “What are those? What are you trying to pull?”

          “You’ve been taking two loads to the granaries for the past three years, that we know of, but you only paid me for one of each of those loads. One load per year, not two!”

          “I’ve paid you every dollar I owed you,” Barnes objected.

          “Not according to your records, and certainly not according to your checkbook!” She pointed to the two volumes on the table. “Show me I’m wrong.”

          “Vince.” His wife held out a hand to touch his arm. “Tell us the truth. Be honest with us. Have you been shortchanging Mrs. Hatch?”

          “I’ve done nothing wrong!” Barnes insisted, brushing away her hand. Turning to Clea, he took a step toward her when Jonah threw an arm out in front of her.

            “There’s a very easy way out of this, Mr. Barnes,” he calmly stated. “All you have to do is pay Mrs. Hatch her fair share of those second loads, and this matter will be settled.”

            “Not quite,” Clea objected, glaring at her neighbor. “I want your word that you’ll never pull this kind of stunt again, or else I’ll be filing charges of theft. In the meantime, I’m having the farm bureau mail me copies of every transaction with you. I hate having to do such a thing, but you gave me no choice.”

            Mrs. Barnes interceded again. “Vince, pay her what you owe her. I’m sure it was just a mistake on your part, and that you intended on paying her for that second load, but you got busy or something and just forgot.”

            Clea caught the look Jonah threw her. It reflected exactly what she was thinking. Mrs. Barnes was trying to act as a mediator, giving her husband excuses to explain his actions. It was to be expected.

            “Your wife is a wise woman. I’m certain this can all be resolved if Mr. Barnes pays Mrs. Hatch her share for those extra loads,” Jonah repeated.

            Barnes marched over to the table and flipped open the checkbook. “If it’ll get you off my back, I’ll write you a check right here and now.”

            Clea was about to thank him when Jonah spoke again.

            “No, sir. No check. Cash.”

            Barnes narrowed his eyes. “I ain’t got that much cash on hand. What’s wrong with writing you a check?” He looked at Clea. “You never turned down a check before.”

            The instant Jonah demanded Barnes pay in cash, she understood why. There was nothing to stop the man from calling the bank and putting a Stop Payment on it as soon as they left.

            “I agree with Mr. Cobb. I prefer to be paid in cash from now on,” she replied, struggling to remain calm.

            “Then you’re gonna hafta wait until I get down to the bank,” Barnes stated. “I can’t do it right this second. I’m busy right now with other stuff. I won’t be able to make it back into town until tomorrow.”

            “Vince, I can go to the bank,” his wife offered. “Just tell me how much I need to withdraw.”

            The man whirled on her. “You’re not going to the bank, you hear me?”

            “Why not?” Jonah questioned, then addressed Mrs. Barnes. “You told us earlier that your husband does all the bookkeeping and writes all the checks. That makes me believe he also handles all the bill paying. Am I correct?”

            The woman mutely nodded.

            “In other words, you have no idea what’s going on with the financial side of this farm, do you?”

            Placing a hand on Jonah’s arm, Clea looked at the woman. “Brigit, do you have any idea how much money is currently in the bank?”

            Mrs. Barnes shook her head, confirming what Clea and Jonah already suspected.

            “Brigit, if you don’t mind me asking, how many bank accounts do you believe you have at the bank?” Clea questioned.

            “Now stop right there!” Barnes bellowed. “What the hell are you suggesting? That I’m squirreling money away? Putting it in secret accounts without my wife’s knowledge? Trying to hide how much we really have?”

            Clea met the man’s eyes, noting his flushed and sweaty face. “Funny that you should mention that. It makes me wonder…”

            Barnes blanched as he realized he’d said too much.

            Jonah adjusted his stance again, keeping Clea within his protective reach. His actions were why she felt no fear, in spite of Mr. Barnes’ mounting anger.

            “Sir, you have until this time tomorrow to produce the amount of money you currently owe Mrs. Hatch,” Jonah informed him. “If she does not have the money in her hand by…” He looked around the room and found the clock sitting on the fireplace mantel. “By eleven-forty. No, let’s make it straight up twelve o’clock. If she doesn’t have payment by noon tomorrow, Sheriff Lowden will be notified. Are we clear?”

            Clea held up the paperwork again. “I’ll know exactly how much you owe me if you’re thinking about shortchanging me again, Vince. So don’t even try. And remember what I told you. From now on, I’m having the farm bureau send me a copy of every load you deliver.”

            If there was such a thing possible as the phrase “if looks could kill,” she knew she was getting a heavy dose of it from her neighbor. However, he seemed to be giving Jonah a heavier dose, and she could guess why. Barnes knew she probably would have remained blissfully ignorant of what was going on if it hadn’t been for her new tenant. And he would be right.

            She glanced up at Jonah, who remained locked in silent eye-to-eye combat with Barnes. “Come on. Let’s get back to the farm.”

            He didn’t reply, but nodded. “Tomorrow at noon, sir.” Turning to Mrs. Barnes, he added, “Good day to you, madam. And thank you for all your help.”

            Barnes stepped aside as Jonah escorted her out of the house. As Clea turned the truck around to leave, she noticed Jonah staring at the side rearview mirror. A glance at hers revealed Barnes standing in the doorway, watching them leave.

            “I do not trust that man,” Jonah remarked, voicing what was also going through her mind as they left.

          “Same here. Do you think he’s going to try to cheat me again?”

          Jonah shrugged. “The only way to find out is to wait and see what he does.”

          She looked over at him. “Thanks for suggesting he pay me in cash from now on. Now I’m wondering if all that talk Mrs. Barnes was telling us about things being tight isn’t just a ruse to make me feel sorry for her.”

          “I would not be surprised to learn that Mrs. Barnes is completely innocent. I believe she had no knowledge of what her husband was doing because he deliberately kept her ignorant.”

          Clea sighed. “When we get home, I’m going to call Dell Bochart. He’s a local real estate agent. I’m going to put that parcel of land Mr. Barnes is farming up for rent. See if there’s another farmer willing to work it under the same agreement.”

          “What about the agreement you had with Mr. Barnes? Won’t he declare it a breach of contract?”

          She shook her head. “We never had a written contract. Just a verbal agreement. Jonah, am I doing the right thing? I mean, what else can I do?”

          “You are doing exactly what you must do, in my humble opinion. Speaking of verbal agreements, if Barnes doesn’t show up with the money, what will be your next step?”

          “Report him to the sheriff,” she answered. “What other choice do I have? I hope I don’t have to. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”

          She slowed the truck and turned onto the dirt driveway. But instead of going up to the house, she stopped the vehicle and fiercely gripped the steering wheel.

          “Jonah, I don’t like confrontation. I hate what Vince did, but I wish there was a better way of handling it.”

          “I thought you handled it quite well, madam,” Jonah softly praised her.

          She looked over at him. “And I have you to thank for that. If you hadn’t been there to provide me with a sense of security…”

          He reached over, grasping her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I will do whatever I can whenever you need me. You have my word on that. Now…” He pointed ahead of them. “I have chores to finish. I’m certain you have some things you need to do before Joseph gets home from school. I suggest we put all this behind us for the time being.”

          “You’re right.” She fingered the envelope she’d stuffed inside her purse sitting between her and the center console. “I need to do a little math so I’ll know how much Barnes owes me before he shows up tomorrow. If he shows up tomorrow.”

          “He will. Of that I have no doubt,” Jonah firmly stated.

          Clea chuckled. “You sound so sure of yourself. I wish I had your confidence.”

          “You have more than you give yourself credit more, Clea. Trust your instincts.” He smiled at her, and for a few seconds she wished he’d move to kiss her again. He was so close.

          So close.

          To her dismay, the chance passed, but she promised herself there would be another time. Another kiss. Another embrace.

          “Clea.”

          She turned her head to see what he wanted when a hand cradled her cheek and warm lips fulfilled her wish. This time, it deepened, drawing her to him until her hands were pressed to his chest.

          She allowed herself to relax and enjoy the feel of him, the scent of him. The way his hands caressed her back and shoulders, and a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years began to blossom within her.

          Unexpectedly, he broke the kiss, released her, and exited the truck. She watched as he began trudging up the small rise toward the house and barn with his hands shoved into his jeans pockets and his head bowed.

When he didn’t glance back at her, she slowly drove the truck past him and up to the house where she parked. Getting out of the cab, she went over to unlock the back door, but instead of going inside, she remained on the small step and waited for him to catch up.

He wasn’t expecting to find her standing there. Pausing, Jonah stared at her as if waiting. Clea thought she saw a flash of hope in his gaze. It was enough to break down that final barrier and take the risk.

She held out her arms to him in a silent plea. It was all he needed.

Hurrying up to her, he pulled her back into his embrace, into a kiss more fervent than they’d ever shared. And when he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, she smiled and buried her face against his neck as he carried her into the farmhouse, kicking the door closed behind them.

TO BE CONTINUED 

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