Framed Shadows: Shadows Landing #6, Kathleen Brooks [great novels of all time TXT] 📗

you had. You made sure everyone always had what was needed. You always said yes to any favor asked.” Ryker stood at the foot of the bed and his small smile turned downward into a frown. “I know what it’s like to feel compelled to do more. I won’t get in the way, but I’d feel better if I were close by.”

“You can visit Savannah upstairs all you want,” Tinsley said with a smile. “I’ll even carry Tina if it makes you feel better.”

“That would make me feel better,” Ryker said, reaching behind him and pulling Tina from his waistband. “Where you go, Tina goes. Got it?”

“Yes, cousin. I got it.”

Ryker looked down at the phone in his hand. “Paxton is here. I’ll see you tomorrow and we’ll all go to church together.”

“Thank you for looking out for me, Ryk.”

Ryker nodded and then left her room. Moments later she heard the pounding of footsteps running up the stairs and then he was there. Paxton looked frazzled. He’d raked his fingers through his hair so often, it was practically standing up. But his eyes said it all. They were dark with passion and his breathing was heavy. She opened her arms and he raced to her.

Paxton’s arms tightened around her. He buried his face in her neck and only then took a deep breath. His hand ran over her hair as he sat on the bed, just holding her. “I missed you.”

Tinsley smiled against his head as she gently threaded her fingers into his hair. “I missed you, too.”

“I’m sorry, Tinsley. I failed you. I didn’t shut the whole operation down.”

“You hurt them, though.”

“Yes, but now they’re like a wounded animal and even more dangerous. They’re coming here next. I don’t know when. I just know they will come for you to sell the paintings. They need them sold,” Paxton told her. He finally released his tight grip on her and leaned back enough to cup her cheeks with his large hands.

“They’re not coming tonight,” Tinsley said gently. “Tonight we can just love each other.”

A sly smile formed on Paxton’s lips. “Are you telling me you love me, Miss Faulkner?”

Tinsley laughed before leaning forward to kiss him. “You know I love you, Agent Kendry.”

Tinsley placed her lips on his, but then it was all Paxton. He angled her mouth to kiss her deep, long, and hard. Only when she was breathing heavily and lost in a pleasured daze did he break the kiss. “I love you, too, Tinsley. You’ve been the only one for me since I first saw you.”

Tinsley knew when there was a time for words and when actions spoke larger than words. Now was a time for action. “Make love to me, Paxton.” Tinsley scooted into the middle of the bed and pulled off the tank top she was wearing. She shimmied out of the matching sleep shorts and drank in the sight of Paxton undressing.

Their eyes never left each other as he grabbed a condom and crawled up her body. Tonight was different. It was deeper. It was slower. It was intense as every touch and every kiss painted the story of their love upon their bodies and hearts.

“Get ready,” Tinsley whispered the next morning.

“Did I really just put down a donation for barbecue? We are in a church, right?” Paxton asked as he surveyed the packed church led by Reverend Winston.

Reverend Winston had given a sermon about never underestimating the smallest of the flock. Paxton had looked repeatedly at Tinsley, but she didn’t act singled out. The littlest of Lydia’s kids came up to collect the donations. Tinsley had instructed Paxton to place the donation in either container one or container two after eating a sampling of the two different barbeques. This was the most surreal church service he’d ever seen.

“Yes, and as soon as Reverend Winston announces a winner, we run for that restaurant. Since I’m small, I can dart around the crowd easier and I’m usually the first from the family there. If you get there first, get a table for all of us. Darn!” Tinsley cursed as she looked around at the congregation.

“What?” Paxton still had to be dreaming after a night of the most amazing sex of his life.

“Quad Clemmons is here. He has a full scholarship on the top basketball team in the country. He’s fast. Really fast. Okay, here we go.”

Tinsley already had one foot into the aisle as Reverend Winston spoke. “We conclude today’s service with the winner of the barbeque. It’s close, but the winner this week is Low—”

Paxton couldn’t even hear the full name of the restaurant because people were suddenly going crazy. “Go!” Ridge yelled, shoving Paxton into the aisle. Paxton followed the crowd outside where he heard engines gunning, tires squealing, and two old men on motorized chairs racing off down the street.

Even the knitting club ran past him. That was enough to get him into action. “Tinsley!” he yelled, seeing her sprinting up ahead of him. Next to her was a young man with hair cut short on the sides and back, but long curls on top of his head. He had to be Quad Clemmons because he was at least six foot seven and was sprinting past people with ease. Tinsley tried to cut him off, but he practically hurdled her.

“Go, Tinsley!” Ridge yelled from somewhere up ahead of them.

Ellery ran past with the baby strapped into the stroller. “If you want to be in this family, you need to condition better!” she yelled over her shoulder.

Okay, Paxton was done. This might be the most bizarre event he’d ever witnessed, but Miss Mitzi the cat lady was not going to beat him to the restaurant. Paxton ran as hard and fast as he could. He’d caught up to Ridge as the line of people slid to a stop. Tinsley and Ryker were up front behind Quad.

“Up here!” Tinsley waved and the slowpokes of the Faulkner family moved up in line.

“That’s my