CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

Nicole made the drive along the Taylor River with wide eyes, yet she saw little. When she realized she had a death grip on the steering wheel, she made herself relax. She was as nervous as she'd ever been and again, she was second guessing herself, wondering if indeed, she should have called first. What if Jake didn't want to see her? What if Jake really had gotten over her, as Rick said? Well, she would find out for herself. She'd made Rick promise he wouldn't call Jake, and Nicole believed he would keep that promise. She didn't want to give Jake any warning, she didn't want Jake to have time to prepare a defense. She wanted Jake as raw and exposed as she felt herself.

Raw and exposed... and God, so free. She'd left Catherine to figure out what to do with her appointments. She'd told her not to schedule anything for the rest of the month because honestly, she didn't know how long she'd be gone. She would stay for as long as it took. She and Jake needed some time, some real time alone, without a murder investigation hanging over their heads. They needed time to be together to see if what they had was indeed love.

Of course, this was all Nicole's thinking. Jake may have different ideas. She may actually send Nicole away, not wanting to pursue this. But Nicole knew in her heart that wasn't the case. That last day, when Jake had come to her office to say good-bye, Nicole knew then. She could see it in Jake's eyes. But she let her walk away. She shook her head. But not anymore. They would talk. They would get it all out. Then they would decide where to go from there. They were not going to hide from this any longer. And she blamed Jake just as much as herself. Jake could have said something, could have told her how deep her feelings were. But Jake kept quiet, just as Nicole had done. They were both to blame.

Nicole gasped when she topped the last hill and the Taylor Reservoir spread out before her, the snow-lined edges contrasting sharply with the deep blue open water. She had her first unobstructed views of the Collegiate Peaks, and she smiled from the sheer beauty of it. Yes, this was Jake's land. No wonder she called this place home instead of a tiny duplex in Denver.

She saw the sign for Tin Cup and turned right, thankful she'd rented a four-wheel drive SUV for the trip. The snow glistened in the bright sunshine, and she slowed, following the tracks made by previous cars. Rick could only get her to the general store in Tin Cup. After that, he said he didn't have a clue as to where Jake's cabin was. Nicole hoped someone at the store could give her directions from there.

However, the town of Tin Cup consisted only of the general store and a handful of cabins. There were two trucks parked out front, and she pulled along side them, her boots crunching on the snow as she walked up the wooden steps. It was warm and inviting inside, the huge, black cast iron stove hot and glowing.

" May I help you, miss? "

Nicole smiled, pausing to warm her hands by the stove. " I'm looking for Jake McCoy."

The man frowned and scratched his temple. " Don't believe I know him. Does he live around here? "

Nicole shook her head. " He's a she. Drives a dark green Land Cruiser."

The man's eyes widened. " Got a dog that hangs out the window all the time? "

Nicole smiled. " That would be her."

" Oh, yeah. She lives up toward Cumberland Pass, past Mirror Lake."

" I don't suppose you could draw me a map? "

Jake stood by the fire, staring out into the bright sunshine. She'd made herself stay inside today and rest. Her leg felt better, and her limp was less pronounced than it had been yesterday. So, she'd sit by the fire and read, although the book she'd started last night wasn't holding her interest. She sighed. She'd read more damn books in the last few months than she had in years. Maybe she needed to reconsider a satellite dish. Not only for television, but a computer as well. She didn't realize how much she would miss having access to the Internet.

She sighed again. She felt restless. Nervous, almost. Cheyenne lay on the rug by the fire, watching her. She tilted her head. Maybe a short hike wouldn't hurt. But not now. She'd let it warm up some. She suspected it was still in the low thirties outside.

Cheyenne startled her by jumping to her feet, a low growl coming from her throat. She stared at the door, and Jake did the same.

" We got company? " Jake asked quietly. Cheyenne stopped growling and cocked her head. Before long, her tail started wagging and Jake frowned. " What is it, girl? "

A light tapping on the door and Cheyenne's excitement caused Jake to wonder who had found her cabin. And walked from the road, no less. The gate was closed and locked.

" Come on in, " she called, as she leaned on her cane, waiting. The door creaked open, and she couldn't hide the shock on her face. Cheyenne danced around their visitor, then blue eyes looked up and met her own. Jake finally found her voice. " You lost? "

Nicole swallowed nervously. " Actually, I've been lost for the last four months. I thought maybe... maybe you might have been, too."

Jake's heart was hammering so hard in her chest that she couldn't speak. She just stared, drinking in the vision before her. A forest-green fleece jacket covered a flannel shirt that was tucked into faded jeans. Snow still clung to her hiking boots and Jake's eyes moved up Nicole's body, resting on her mouth before locking gazes with her.

Nicole's breath caught, as it always did when Jake looked at her that way. She waited patiently for Jake to answer her.

" Lost? " Jake tilted her head. " Miserable, dead inside, yes."

" I... I miss you terribly, " Nicole confessed. " And I feel dead inside, too, " she whispered.

Jake found it difficult to breathe, and she finally looked away, wondering what this meant. Wondering what Nicole was doing up here. " How did you find me? "

" I beat it out of Rick. He told me that I should leave you alone, that you were finally... over me."

Jake smiled. " Little does he know, I'll never be over you."

Nicole took a hesitant step toward Jake, then stopped. " I'm in love with you, Jake. Please, can we try this again? "

Jake bit her lip, trying frantically to keep her emotions under control. A part of her wanted to cry like a baby and bury herself in Nicole's arms. And a part of her wanted to yell with elation at the top of her lungs. But she did neither. She met Nicole's eyes head on, seeing nothing but truth and honesty in her words, and the love that Jake so desperately needed to see.

She finally gave in and let the tears form and fall. With the arch of one eyebrow, she grinned. " Forgive me if I'm a little... sappy, " she said. " I've been listening to John Denver for the last few months."

Nicole closed the distance between them, sliding her arms around Jake's shoulders as she pulled her close. " You can be as sappy as you want. I happen to love John Denver."

" Nicole, please, I'm dying here."

Nicole laughed as she slipped the robe off and let it fall to the floor. " You're not dying. I swear, for someone with an injured leg, you sure have stamina."

" I've been saving up, " Jake murmured. She pulled Nicole to her, relishing the feel of Nicole's naked flesh against her own. For so long, she had dreamed of this, and now it was a reality. Nicole was here, finally. She relaxed as Nicole's mouth found hers, soft, gentle kisses that spoke of love.

" I'm not going anywhere, you know, " Nicole said for the third time. She moved to her side, shifting her weight off Jake. With a gentle touch, her fingers moved down Jake's body, pausing to lightly caress the tender scar on Jake's thigh.

Jake closed her eyes, wanting to believe Nicole. They spent two days talking, and loving each other. They'd taken time for short hikes, and they'd taken time to make love. But the fact remained that Nicole's life was in Denver. And Jake, with her career over, had no desire for the city. She was right where she wanted to be. Yes, there was no doubting the love between them. What they were going to do with it remained a mystery.

Nicole's mouth moved lower, suckling Jake's breast. She smiled as Jake drew in a sharp breath. Her hands moved across Jake's flat stomach, pausing when they reached her hips.

" Tell me you love me, " Nicole whispered against her skin.

" I love you, " Jake murmured.

" And you can't live without me, " Nicole breathed as her mouth moved lower.

" I'd die without you, " Jake whispered as her eyes slammed shut. Her hips arched against Nicole's mouth, giving in to the pleasure that the other woman gave her. " God, Nicole, " she murmured as she opened wider.

" I love you, Jake, " Nicole murmured as her mouth finally claimed her. Her hands spread Jake's thighs, holding her down on the bed when Jake would have arched against her.

Jake's hips raised off the bed, her injured leg screaming in protest as her muscles clenched. She ignored the pain, instead she embraced the love she felt for Nicole and the love that Nicole showered her with. Her hips pressed firmly against Nicole's mouth and she didn't try to hold back the cry that escaped as she climaxed.

Then Nicole was there, brushing soft kisses across her face. Jake finally opened her eyes, pulling Nicole close.

" I love you so much, " she whispered.

" Oh, Jake... I love you, too. I'm sorry I wasted all these months."

Jake leaned back, pulling Nicole with her. They settled against the pillows, arms wrapped around each other.

Jake knew they couldn't put it off forever. They'd talked about everything except their future. " What now? "

" What do you mean? " Nicole asked.

" You've got your office in Denver. I'm here. That's what I mean, " Jake said. She kissed Nicole and gathered her closer. " We've talked about everything but that. What are we going to do? "

Nicole smiled as she burrowed against Jake. " I'm thinking maybe I could get a teaching job at the college in Gunnison, " she said.

Jake sat up. " Are you serious? "

" Yes, I'm serious."

" But what about your practice, your clients? What about Catherine? "

Nicole laughed. " Catherine adores you. I'm sure at this very moment, Catherine is assigning my patients to other doctors, knowing that I won't be returning."

Jake took both of Nicole's hands and pulled them to her chest. " Are you sure, Nicole? I mean, Gunnison is hardly Denver."

" Jake, the only thing I'm sure about is that I love you. Whatever happens, happens. I just want to be with you."

Jake reached out, cupping Nicole's face with her palm, rubbing her thumb lightly across Nicole's lips.

" I love you... totally, completely, " she whispered. " I want to spend my life with you, Nicole. If you need to be in Denver, I'll go with you. This little cabin, Gunnison, it's hardly what you're used to."

" What I'm used to is pretending to be someone I'm not. This is real, Jake. Right here, with you. This is real." Nicole lay back, pulling Jake on top of her. " You know what? I think I've had my fill of Denver, anyway. I think I'm ready for a little... mountain living. It's hard to find secluded hot springs in the city, you know."

" Ah. So it's the lure of your own private hot springs that has you wanting to move here, huh? "

Nicole kissed Jake softly, then smiled against her mouth. " Well, that... and the prospect of seeing you naked in the hot springs, making love to me."

" That can be arranged, you know." Jake pulled Nicole on top of her. " In a few months, that is." Her kiss was lingering, promising more. " For now, you'll have to settle for this bed and the fireplace."

" And I like this just fine."