He herded them inside and was grateful to see his sister and sister-in-law comfortably ensconced at the table with tall glasses of iced tea before them. Emerald was at the counter, looking calm and gorgeous as ever. She smiled at the men as they entered and continued to bustle around. Within a minute, everyone had something to drink and a huge plate of fresh-baked oatmeal cookies had been passed around.

“These are delicious,” Erin all but moaned as she took a bite. “I can cook, but I’m not much for baking.”

“They’re easy. It’s my mother’s recipe. I can write it out for you if you want.” Emerald sounded so normal and unaffected by what had happened between them that Jackson wanted to growl. His body was still primed and ready.

“Not that I’m not glad to see you,” his tone belied his words, “but is there some reason you’re all here?”

Emerald leaned forward suddenly and he could see the worry in her beautiful brown eyes. “Have you found out anything?”

Abel shook his head. “Nothing. It seems as if your stalker is laying low now that you’re away. He must have lost your trail after the last call he made to you and is waiting for you to make a mistake of some kind. It looks as if your investigator is in the clear.”

“Either that or he’s just playing it smart,” Nathan added.

Emerald chewed on her bottom lip. Jackson wanted to soothe her abused mouth with his tongue. And he would. Just as soon as he got rid of his family.

“How are my sisters?” It had been agreed that Emerald wouldn’t contact her family anymore just to be on the safe side. Abel had been in contact with the private investigator, who was in turn in touch with her sisters. It might have been excessive, but they preferred to err on the side of caution.

“They’re good. Although Topaz seems to be a bit put out by her bodyguard.” Abel chuckled. “Dane said that she’s really giving this guy a run for his money.”

Emerald smiled. “Topaz wouldn’t like feeling restricted. We had a lot of that when we were growing up even though Mom and Dad were good about giving us as much freedom as they could. As long as she’s safe, she can put up with it.”

Nathan stirred in his chair. “From all I’ve been able to find out, everyone around you seems to be clean. No police records, unless you count your friend Derek Locke. He’s had a few arrests for being drunk and disorderly.”

Emerald nodded. “Derek’s always been a bit volatile. His father casts a large shadow and has great expectations for his only son. In truth, I’ve always felt a bit sorry for him. But Derek is a great guy and has built quite a successful business.”

Nathan continued. “Your ex-boyfriend has been sniffing around your sisters trying to find out your whereabouts.”

Jackson could tell that surprised her. Her mouth dropped open and for a second she was speechless. She frowned and leaned closer to Nathan. “Beau? Why in the heck would he bother?”

Nathan sat back in his chair and settled his hands on his stomach. “You tell me.”

Emerald looked bewildered. “We broke up months ago.”

“Who broke up with whom?” Nathan queried. His wife elbowed him in the ribs and he sat up quickly. “What the heck was that for?”

“You could try being a bit more tactful, Nathan.” Carly tossed Emerald an apologetic smile, still shaking her head at her husband.

“It doesn’t matter.” Emerald got up and began to pace the room. Jackson wanted to pull her into his lap and cuddle her. “I broke up with him when I caught him in bed with another woman.”

Both women winced and then glared at the men. Nathan held up his hands to his wife. “Hey, it’s not my fault.” He turned back to Emerald. “Maybe he doesn’t want it to be over.”

She shook her head. “I made sure he knew it was over. Yes, he came around at first, apologizing and trying to get me to forgive him and take him back. But that didn’t last more than a few weeks. Besides, I’ve only seen him a few times in the past couple of months. I’m sure it’s not Beau. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t hide out here forever.”

Jackson’s hands fisted at his sides. She could damn well stay here until things were safe. “You can’t go anywhere until the stalker is caught.” His family all stared at him, but he ignored them. “Emerald,” he all but growled her name. “It could be your ex-boyfriend, the delivery guy, your investigator or a complete stranger. Heck, it could even be Derek Locke, even though you say he’s nothing more than a childhood friend. People change. It’s too dangerous for you to go home yet.”

She waved her hand absently as she continued to pace. “I can’t stay here indefinitely. Besides, my job here only lasts for a few more weeks.”

Jackson pushed away from the table, coming to his feet. “The hell with the job.” Reaching out, he snagged her arm and waited until she faced him. “Your safety is all that matters.”

She glanced nervously at his family and then back at him. Why he felt the need to claim her in such a public fashion, he wasn’t sure, but it was there inside him, goading him onward.

“It’s not your decision, Jackson.”

And that was the problem. Emerald had no real ties to him or this community. She could pick up and leave at any moment. The thought made his heart stutter and his stomach cramp. He pushed the fear aside and drew on his anger instead. “No, it’s not. But it’s not smart to do anything to get this guy going again, maybe even send him after your sisters.”

He could have kicked himself the moment the words left his mouth. The fear in her eyes almost undid him. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself and he could see the fine trembling in her limbs. Unable to stand it any longer, he tugged her into his arms. “I’m sorry, babe.” He rocked her in his embrace. “I don’t think he’ll bother your sisters, especially since they have bodyguards. He seems focused on you.” He leaned back and stared down into her precious face. “Give it a while longer. Maybe your investigator can come up with something.”

She sighed and nodded. “A few more weeks won’t hurt, I guess. But I’d like to talk to my sisters. It shouldn’t hurt if I call from here. I did it once already.”

Jackson glanced over at Abel, who shrugged. Nathan shook his head. “It’s risky.” Jackson knew his brother was right, but he weighed the risk against Emerald’s need.

“You can call them later tonight.”

She nodded again and then pulled herself together. Taking a deep breath, she faced the audience seated at the table. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it,” his sister said.

“Totally understandable,” echoed Carly.

They all turned to him and he knew he had to distract them from asking questions about his and Emerald’s relationship. Since they both knew that she was eventually leaving, there was no point in getting into things with any of them. Their relationship was private between him and Emerald.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to all of you about and now is as good a time as any.” He pulled out Emerald’s chair and seated her before yanking out his own, turning it around and straddling it.

“What is it?” He could see the curiosity in Erin’s face.

He took a deep breath and took the plunge. “I want to buy your and Nathan’s share of the farm.”

Erin protested even as Nathan began to object. “There’s no need for you to buy out our share of the farm. The damn place is yours and we all know it. It’s your blood and sweat that’s gone into it. If it hadn’t been for you, we’d have lost it years ago.”

“I agree with Nathan,” his sister added, a mutinous glare on her face.

“But the two of you worked hard all these years and helped to pay it off.”

“It was our home, Jackson.” Nathan surged to his feet and planted his hands on the wood tabletop. “I might be younger than you, but I remember how things were. My God, you practically raised Erin and me. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs or food on the table. If it had been left up to the old man, we’d have all starved.” Anger was evident in every line of Nathan’s body. “He hightailed it out of here so quick as soon as you offered to buy the place, he left a tornado in his wake. I don’t know many other eighteen-year-olds who would have taken on the work of the farm and the burden of two younger siblings.”

“It wasn’t a burden, Nathan,” Jackson said quietly. “You’re my family. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for either of you.” He held up his hand before Nathan could protest again. “Look, you both have new families now and you,” he turned to Erin, “you have a child on the way. You could use the extra money to make a fresh start.”

“But where would that leave you?” Erin asked worriedly. “You’d have to take out a mortgage on the place to pay us, and besides which, I don’t want your money.”

“I can take care of my wife,” Abel added softly but firmly.

“I know you can. I wouldn’t have let you marry her if I hadn’t thought that.” Erin bristled, but Abel just grinned. “Look,” he continued. “I have the money set aside for this. It’s no hardship.” Jackson glanced over at Emerald, needing to reassure himself that she was okay. Her eyes were luminous and she looked on the verge of tears. He wanted this done and his family gone so he could comfort her.

“Where the hell did you get that kind of money?” Jackson thought about ignoring his brother’s question, but knew Nathan wouldn’t give it a rest until he knew.

Pushing away from his chair, he stalked to the counter where he’d laid the folder. Grabbing it up, he returned to the table and dumped it in the middle. Photos scattered. “I have a hobby.”

Erin reached out and picked one up. Nathan was more vocal. “So you took a few cute pictures as a hobby. So what?”