Copyright 2007 Bianca D'Arc. All Rights Reserved. "Justin is mad as a hornet about something," Caleb said as he smacked his work gloves to rid them of the perpetual dust. He laid his hat aside and took off his jacket as he stomped inside the big kitchen, greeting his wife with a smacking kiss. Jane put her coat on and picked up a wire bucket. "I have to get the eggs anyway, maybe I'll try to see what's up with him." Caleb stayed her with a hand on her arm. "He's in a foul temper, Janie. Don't let him upset you." She patted his hand and reached for the doorknob. "I won't. But Caleb, he needs a friend." Caleb muttered as he watched her traipse down the path toward the chicken coop and the barn nearby where Justin kept his Harley. "What he needs is a woman," Caleb muttered out loud, knowing Jane couldn't hear him, trying hard not to let guilt flood his mind. Jane would be back like a shot then, and he would have to explain why he felt guilty about being the only brother with a wife. He'd tried desperately to hide the fact that the larger part of the guilt came from the fact that he felt he'd stolen Jane out from under Mick's nose, or that he suspected Justin would have courted her too, had he been home at the time her daddy died. Caleb felt like a heel. He was supposed to protect his little brothers, not cheat them out of the best woman in the world. At the time though, he'd figured they would find other great women and settle down. Now though, with the shortage of women of any kind, the prospects were grim, and Caleb felt worse each day and each night he spent in Jane's loving arms. Caleb watched her through the kitchen window, but staggered a moment later, as he was hit with a wave of precognitive vision that clouded his senses as it hadn't done in years. At least not this strongly. Not since the dire vision of the alien invasion had he been gripped so tightly by his gift and he slumped into one of the hard wooden chairs, letting the vision take him where it would. Surrendering to his vision, he almost feared what he might see, but resolved to use his gift to protect his family - the most important thing in his life. Jane collected her eggs, setting the pail down on a shelf where it would be safe while she went to find Justin. He was really touchy lately, and mostly refused her offers of friendship and a friendly ear, but if she got close enough to him, she could read his emotions and at least give Caleb some clue as to what might be wrong. Caleb was the problem solver of the family, but he needed something to go on before he could put his quick mind to work to find a solution. Jane's empathic powers had provided those much needed clues in the past and she didn't mind helping him in this small way if it meant she could help the other men as well. She loved them all and she wanted them to be happy. Jane knew Justin usually hid himself in the big stall he'd arranged to house his Harley and the various tools he needed to keep it in prime condition. It was about the size of one of the large birthing stalls in the barn, but unlike the rest of the building, it was spotless, with nary a piece of hay in sight. The concrete was a little oil stained, but there were good lights in there so Justin could easily see into the engine of his beloved machine. There was also a huge stack of spare parts and fluids that he had managed to stock up on before the cataclysm that would ensure the machine functioned well for the next twenty years at least. Caleb's precognition had allowed them to stock up on all sorts of things that were unavailable or hard to get now. Jane approached slowly, seeing the light on through the partially opened door. Justin had made this small room his very own retreat. There was a space heater, a comfy chair, and a small cooler with the bottled beer she'd learned how to brew for her men. They'd loved that little surprise, she knew, and a smile dawned on her face as she thought of their incredulous reaction when she'd served up the first batch a few months ago. The door was ajar just a few inches and she approached cautiously. Justin's temper was so unpredictable, though she knew he would never hurt her. Still, she didn't want to alienate him. She hated when he turned away from her. Only Caleb could console her when Justin's anger made him shut her out and of course, then Caleb would have words with Justin for hurting her tender empathic feelings and only make the situation worse. If at all possible, she wanted to come out of this encounter with nothing more than the information she knew Caleb would be waiting for, and no overwhelming emotions that would cause further strife between the brothers. She edged forward, into the small patch of light that was spilling into the dark barn. "Justin?" she asked tentatively, not wanting to startle him. His reactions were lighting quick and she'd learned not to sneak up on him unless she wanted to risk bodily injury. "Go away Jane." The words held anger and she heard a frantic sort of rustling as she pushed the door wider to peer inside. It was obvious what she had interrupted and her face flamed red. Justin's magnificent tattooed chest was bare, his fly was open, and his hand was barely covering his thick erection. She was caught, like a deer in headlights, her mouth forming a perfect O of surprise that only made things worse. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, feeling waves of his anger, desire and turmoil that literally took her knees out from under her. He saw her begin to crumple and moved to catch her. "Dammit Jane," he growled as he caught her behind her knees, bringing her into the room and placing her on the overstuffed chair he'd been sitting in. He left her there while he tried to tuck in his stiff cock and force the zipper up, but it hurt like hell and when she gasped and he looked up to see her wide eyes watching him, he nearly came right then and there. "Justin," she said softly as he turned away. "I'm sorry. I just… got overwhelmed for a moment with your anger." Her lovely, sympathetic eyes made him squirm. "I'm so sorry." He knew he had to get himself under control or risk hurting her more. Her damned empathic senses were too closely attuned to the O'Hara boys. She'd always been able to read him like a book and he knew his anger and turmoil could hurt her. |
