They made it a little over a mile down the road before it became obvious it was not her farm that was harmed.

Piled around Jackies house were dozens of cop cars, an ambulance, and several fire trucks attempting to douse the flames that had engulfed the humble farmhouse.

As soon as Brad had stopped the cruiser Jessica was out and crossing the road to the crowed that had gathered around Jackie's two boys.

"Tyron, Darren! Where are your parents?" Jessica breathed as she slowed collapsing near them.

" Ma' is in town. Pa' is helpin' with tryin' to put out the fire," Darren sniffed wiping an arm across a runny nose as he sat with his younger brother under a blanket that the EMT's had provided. Tyrone was silent as he leaned against his older brother, seeing his home burn in front of his eyes must have been too much for the five-year-old.

Jessica frowned and ran a hair through Tyrones short tight curls before looking to Darren. His hair had obviously burnt some, but he seemed unhurt," Did this happen while you were inside? You look like you got some fire near you. "she stroked some of partially bald head, where it was missing the beautiful tight curls he had always loved.

"We were workin' with them new horses pa' bought last week," Darren frowned," Tyrone was playin', and by the time we saw the flames it was already pretty big. I thought Tyrone was inside, so I ran in to get him. Something fell and I guess some flames got me a bit. But pa' grabbed me before I could go in any farther saying' Tyrone was okay."

Jessica hugged them both, looking over to where Brad had listened to the boy.

"Did you see what may have started it, "he asked, sending those chocolate eyes comfortingly towards the two.

Darren bit the inside of his cheek," I didn't see nothin'. But when pa 'first got Tyrone he said he was talking about a shadow man."

"The shadow man came," a tiny voice peeped from Darrens side," And told me to go get my mama so I didn't get hurt."

"What did this shadow man look like?" Bret asked leaning forward.

Tyrone shook his head and hugged his brother tighter," He was all black. I didn't see nothin'. But he said that if I didn't go monsters were gonna come and get me. He was reeeeeaally tall. And had a cape on like a super hero. He said he was there to protect us from the monsters. I don't wanna get ate by monsters."

Brad nodded, poker face in place as he got up to go talk to some of the cops.

Jessica hugged them again," There are no monsters coming to get you. Thats why you have your brother, mom, dad, and people like Brad to help you. They protect you and keep you safe."

He didn't say anything but just hugged his brother tighter. Jessica stood, telling Darren she was going to find his mother knowing the woman couldn't keep a cell on her to save her life.

Looking up, Jessica saw that Brad seemed bothered by something as he nodded and left a couple of cops who were keeping the crowed calm. He made his way over to Jessica, laying a large hand on her back between her shoulder blades while coxing her to follow him back to his cruiser.

"They are going to double security in your area tonight. This is obvious arson," They sat in the cruiser, not turning the car on as they look at the crowed disperse and the flames slowly die down.

"I need to get ahold of May and Alex," she said suddenly, thinking about her own farm a few miles down the road.

Brad handed her his own cell and turned the key turning the engine," I would like it if you could stay elsewhere, at least until this has been investigated a bit."

"No, "she shook her head," I want to go to home tonight. I worked too hard to have what I do now to be scared away by some bullies."

He stopped the cruiser from where they had drove down the road and looked to her sternly," Jessica. This obviously isn't just some random incident by kids or pranksters. I think that there are people that are honestly trying to force you and your neighbors off this road. It stinks. I don't know why, but I would think it is safe to say that it's those men you are worried about. I am not going to let you just go home just so you could be waking up to your house burning down too."

"Why can't the police do anything?" she asked his phone still gripped in her hand, her call forgotten.

"I have been trying to bring attention to Sherriff Weller ever since his transfer here last week. But he is so overbooked it is ridiculous, it is as if every cop in this town has been transferred out and replaced by transfers like myself and many retired, either not replaced or replaced with those of very little experience and everything is a mess," he looked to her and frowned, "Jessica I cannot let anything happen to you. . .I know you have always been independent but I couldn't forgive myself if there was something to prevent you from getting hurt and I didn't do it."

And there it was. 

Everything else left and her heart fluttered in her chest. 

He staired at her intently and leaned forward, a large hand sliding smoothly against her cheek to cradle her head. His other hand snaked behind her back and he easily pulled her over to him, and she didn't complain.

"What about goin' slow," she murmured hoarsely as she sat on his lap, a hot feeling stirring in her stomach.

"With you," he said in a low voice, hot breath on her face," I can't seem to hold back."

And he didn't. 

Using his hands holding her to his advantage, he pulled her in, lips over her own and it was as if she too lost any sense of control. Her hands found their way to his shoulders, holding on tightly as if she would fall even though she were sitting.

Jessica probably would have kissed him earlier had she known how addicting it would have been to do so. 

There was no comparison with any of the other men she had ever kissed before. It was as if an electric shock had struck her and every one of her senses was working on high, the feeling of his hands slipping down to hold her hips firmly against his, and the massaging of his lips on her own woke something in her that had been locked away for far too long and she craved more as shivers of pleasure made their way down her back.

His lips opened and his tongue flicked across her lips, as if asking permission to deepen the kiss. She opened her mouth allowing him to continue his assault their tongues battling as their hands roamed each other's bodies. Skilled fingers slipped underneath her shirt, though stayed at the hem teasingly though at the moment she wished she could shed the annoy cloth in favor of having his muscled chest against her own.

He pulled away when they both needed air, and she sat back slightly gasping as she looked up through a hooded gaze.

"I would hope this would mean your takin' me out to dinner," she said flustered trying to right herself as he staired at her in an almost hungered manner.

Nodding he stroked her cheek and a fire hot trail seemed to follow," I believe you were trying to make a call. Perhaps you should and we head back to your house."

She nodded sliding back over to her seat where his smartphone had been forgotten quickly texting May and Alex to let them know what happened and ask if they knew where Jackie may be. A quick response from Alex let her know that they had seen and returned to town to let Jackie know and now they were looking at hotel rooms so that could have a place to crash after May's job hunt. Another text and Alex were also assuring her that they were separate rooms and then suggested she come and do the same for safety's sake. She of course turned him down and ended the conversation quickly, seeing her house coming up and not quite ready to say goodbye to Bret.

They parked in front of her house and he looked to her.

"You don't have to stay here. I can pick you up early to come back and take care of everything," he said.

She shook her head," No I do. This is my farm. My home. No one is going to take it from me."

With a smile he reached across and softly pushed some hair back behind her ear that had come loose during their last interaction," Well then I am here for you. I am not going to leave this neighborhood tonight if I can help it. I will radio in that I want to be part of the patrol team tonight."

Jessica's heart soared as he said this, his heart on his sleeve. Reaching out she put her hand on his  cheek, feeling stubble beginning to make its way noticeable on his strong jaw and smiled.

"I know I am safe with you, "she murmured.

With a slight push forward, she set a light kiss on his lips which he returned gently. 

It was a much different kiss than what they had shared only moments before. It held feeling, unlike the heat of previously that made her crave more, this was light, sweet, and made her heart hammer hard in her chest and her knees shake.

In that moment Jessica had no doubt that this was the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with.

Pulling away she murmured a quick goodnight before running inside and he pulled away down the drive. She watched as his taillights vanished behind the trees at the end of her property and she breathed a sigh she hadn't realized she had been holding.

Jessica was undoubtably head over heels, fully in love with Brad Harrison. Smiling she held a hand over her heart. 

And she knew he was too.