High Desert Haven (The Shepherd's Heart) Read Online Free Page B

from checking the ranch perimeter until later this evening.

    Jason whipped off his hat, taking the four creaky stairs up to Gram’s porch in two strides. The hinges groaned loudly as, not bothering to knock, he opened the door and entered the house where he had been raised. Excitement built inside him. Gram hadn’t changed a thing about the house since he’d left. Her rocker still sat by the front window with her worn Bible and spectacles on the table beside it. The woven rag rug that he and Marquis had spent all one winter creating still graced the floor in front of the fireplace. The settee still sported one of her handknit afghans draped across the arm, and the painting he’d done of a wolf pack when he was about thirteen still hung on the wall above the mantle in all its hideousness. He grinned. He’d tried to talk her into taking that down a number of times, but she had never done it. She said it was her reminder to pray for him. Well, he wouldn’t argue with that anymore. He could use all the prayers he could get.
    He made his way quietly through the house, anticipating the delighted surprise that would dawn on Gram’s face when she saw him.
    The living room and dining room were at the front, but at the back there was also a small parlor used just for family. It was there Jason assumed Gram and Marquis to be. If they were anywhere else in the house, they would have heard him enter through the squeaky portal.
    Jason stepped into the back hallway.
    “Jeff, don’t!” Marquis’ voice drifted through the door from the parlor.
    His heart seized in his chest. Don’t what? Jason had heard that strained tone before. She meant what she was saying.
    “Jeff, stop it!”
    Jason paused, wondering who Jeff might be. He eased the strap off his pistol and debated whether he should enter the parlor with gun in hand. “Jeff!”
    Marquis’ squeal sent shivers of alarm racing through Jason’s veins and, without further hesitation, he barged through the door.
    A man was leaning over Marquis, seated on the settee, about to kiss her! “What in—Marquis!” Jason lunged across the room, grabbed the man by one shoulder, spun him around, and smashed one fist solidly into his mouth.
    The man staggered and fell to the floor.
    Marquis screamed. “Jeff? What happened?” Hands outstretched, she felt swiftly for her cane.
    Before the man on the floor could even blink, Jason had the barrel of his gun leveled at his head. Never taking his eyes off the man on the floor, Jason said, “Marquis are you all right?”
    Marquis, one hand clutching her cane and the other on her chest, asked in a tremulous voice, “Jason?”
    “Don’t worry, Marquis, I’m here. This man won’t be bothering you again, ever .” The last word he directed at the man on the floor who now gingerly wiped the bloodied corner of his mouth. With a gesture of his free hand Jason directed the man to get up, but the barrel of his gun never wavered.
    Suddenly Marquis recovered from her shock. “Jason! Did you just punch Jeff?” Then her voice became truly alarmed. “Jeff! Are you okay?”
    “I’m all right, Marquis. Who is this madman? A jilted admirer?” Jeff was now on his feet but kept his hands carefully in sight.
    “Well...this is Jason.” Then, “Jason, is it really you?”
    “Yeah, I came home to see you and Gram.”
    With more confidence this time Marquis said, “Jeff, I’d like you to meet Jason.”
    “Well, honey, I know you have a brother named Jason, but this tornado on wheels couldn’t be him, could it?”
    Marquis smiled. “I’m afraid so, dear.”
    Jason frowned, perplexed at Marquis’ endearment. “Marquis? You know this man?”
    At this Marquis giggled. “Jason, I would like you to meet my husband, Jeff Grant.”
    “Husband!”
    Marquis nodded serenely and Jeff, hands now resting on his hips, glared passionately.
    Jason glanced down at the gun in his hand and then back to Jeff. A slow smile spread. “Husband, huh?”
    Jeff