Kate Educates Jacob #31
Secrets, Problems and Beasts
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Kate’s Point Of View.
It was dark and smelled musty, like an old library. I’d been taken aback by the gold bullion in Jacob’s office, but the contents of this place felt so much worse. I slipped my hand into his, hopefully comforting my fiancee as much as it did me.
“I feel very proud of you, Jacob.”
“But terrified about these discoveries too, right?”
“I’ll freely admit to that.”
“I’m sorry Kate. If I’d known how this treasure hunt would turn out, I might have backed away sooner. Sometimes it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie.”
“I’d much rather you never did that. I trust you with my life, Jacob, and now it seems my mother does too. This is another case of you protecting both of us, in fact, my entire family.”
“Did you have any idea this vault existed?”
“No. The greenhouse above was always mom’s tranquil place.”
Mom stood a discrete distance behind me, looking sheepish. She held a hand up as though to make a point. I was off my game, eyeing her suspiciously, wondering how many more surprises were hidden. It was an unwelcome surprise when she slid aside the wooden compost bunkers upstairs, revealing an underground family vault I knew nothing about.
“Technically, upstairs is a solarium and has thicker glass than a greenhouse, allowing me to grow plants indoors all year around. I felt that difference was important to hide the vault permanently from curious eyes.”
“I’m more concerned about the two hundred million dollars in gold bricks down here than anything growing upstairs, mom.”
We had an ill-tempered standoff, not amounting to a full-blown quarrel. Mom and I both felt the impact of an unfairly dealt hand. When I considered her perspective, it seemed fair enough for her to be annoyed too. Dad’s passing away had left mom holding the baby, or in this case the total sum of one thousand kilos in gold that nobody could fully explain.
Jacob nudged me and tilted his head closer to mine, whispering.
“We need to pull together, Kate.”
I stared at him, smarting a little from his wisdom that cut through my anger and confusion. I sidled over to my mom, wrapping an arm around her waist, tilting my head onto the side of her shoulder.
We stared at the pallets of gold, almost in a trance.
“Sorry mom. I’m feeling bewildered by all of this.”
“I don’t blame you, sweetheart. Richard should have fixed the problem years ago when banks didn’t much care about traceability or money laundering.”
“Why didn’t he?”
“It became the Granger family moral dilemma and one that daddy could never solve. Hopefully, you and Jacob will have better luck than we did.”
“What was your advice to him?”
“I told him to use or return it. I can’t see any other option. This gold could have changed lives for the better, but instead, it sits here benefiting nobody.”
I stared at the gold, then at Jacob, and finally around the vast concrete floor of our family vault. Powerful lights brought a whole trove of family treasures out of the shadows. I saw art, sculptures, some old furniture, filing cabinets, even a small desk with an attached reading light and brown leather wing-back chair.
“I don’t understand any of this, mom.”
“Richard was a complicated man. There are all manner of family secrets dating back generations down here. Most are harmless or time expired in their potential to cause the damage they once might have.”
“And he wanted Jacob to discover all of this by himself?”
“Not the vault. He insisted I reveal that once Jacob discovered its backstory. Daddy wanted your future husband thoroughly tested.”
“And you went along with it?”
“I wanted to stop at the background check. Knowing Jacob’s history made me comfortable, but daddy was far less trusting and once he plunged down the rabbit hole, it was hard to drag him back out.”
I knew mom was right. There is a tiny obsessive demon in all of us, but dad’s paranoid monster was rampant and once he gripped a thread, there was little to back him off pulling it until the seams fell apart.
“What do we do now?”
I hadn’t aimed my question at anyone. Jacob had remained mostly silent, but I was glad when he moved closer to us, slipping his head between ours, wrapping a confident arm around both our shoulders. He seemed unflustered, but he wasn’t emotionally invested in dad’s folly to the extent mom and I were.
“Leave it for now, ladies. The gold has been here for decades, so it’s going nowhere. Have a good think about what to do, rummage around here and see what pops up. The solution will come to you when least expected.”
“Are we breaking the law by not reporting this, Jacob?”
“Probably, but the moment you come clean, Pandora’s Box will be open, and there will be no winners.”
“I agree.”
I felt subdued but also somewhat relieved when we slid two compost bins back over the entrance to my family vault, hiding its problems, at least temporarily. Mom lay a reassuring hand on my shoulder, looking more relaxed than I’d seen her in a long time, but honestly, I believed there was more to come.
I walked into our garden room with Jacob, willing my problems further behind all of us.
“You need to meet Tiffany now, right?”
“Yeah, she’ll be trotting around the lodge with a measuring tape, I’m sure.”
“I’ll see you later on then, sweetheart.”
Jacob always hugged me tightly when saying goodbye. I thought maybe saying farewell to loved ones in the Army bore a morbid sense of finality. He kissed my right cheek twice, then my lips gently, lingering long enough to convey his deep love without suggesting impropriety in front of others.
Mom followed us outside and we chuckled when he set off at his usual brisk pace. We watched him tear across the gravel car park in front of Granger Hall until he swept around a corner.
The sunrise felt soul-lifting and standing there with mom felt moving to an extent that I didn’t want to leave her. Dad’s death still felt raw, highlighting how quickly loved ones might be snatched away.
Mom glanced at me and smiled.
“He could take a truck or the golf buggy around the estate and certainly get to the lodge faster.”
“Jacob prefers walking because he says it’s great thinking time, mom.”
“I have to skip a few steps every dozen to keep up with him, you know?”
“I’m just able to keep level too.”
“Kate, if I could choose a son, he would be it. Jacob is such a fine man.”
“I’m looking forward to getting pregnant.”
“Me too, sweetheart. Richard was right about wanting the house to be full of children. It will be nice.”
I left mom to whatever secrecy would occupy most of her day. When I snuck away to steal my own thinking time, Andrew tracked me down at the stables where I busily groomed Beauty in peace and quiet.
“Hi Miss Granger.”
“How did you find me, Andrew?”
“Your mother suggested I look here.”
“Maybe I’m too predictable.”
“You’re definitely late for meetings today, Miss Granger. That’s not predictable and very out of character. “
“Yeah, sorry. Are the contractors assembled?”
“Yep, some are already grumpier than others.”
“Let’s do this.”
I’d been pleasantly surprised by the way Andrew and Tiffany had collaborated from day one. She being responsible for all personal matters and him being my primary interface with GD might have been awkward, but so far, everything worked out great.
On the way out of our main stable, I spotted Claire, lingering romantically with a groomsman who kissed her, gripping her ass cheeks, suggesting it was definitely time for me to make tracks and leave. I caught both their eyes with a casual glance and smiled inwardly, remembering the day Catherine spoke with Josh about CCTV footage of him thrashing my sister.
I liked Josh and found him to be a positive influence on my wayward sister, but I didn’t want to see her fucking him, so I put an inch in my step all the way back to my truck.
I’d chosen to meet our contractors at my proposed new office complex venue, two and a quarter miles from Granger Hall on the edge of our estate. The major road three hundred metres away from the site left a ten-mile drive into town for staff.
I wasn’t anticipating push-back from planning committees but then, I wasn’t expecting to find a tonne of gold on the property this morning either.
What were you going to do with it all dad?
I was pleasantly surprised to see Jacob at the contractors’ meeting, assuming he’d come to give me moral support.
“How was your meeting with Tiffany?”
“Can we discuss it later, please, Kate?”
“Of course, honey.”
Andrew had set up an easel with a colorful A1 size flip chart. We had around thirty contractors bidding for our design contract and construction works, all of whom seemed an amiable bunch. Jacob stood beside me, looking more sturdy than the giant oaks nearby.
“It’s about to go badly wrong, Kate. When it does, we should leave.”
“What could possibly go wrong?”
“Angry townsfolk are on the march.”
“Where?”
“Listen carefully and you’ll hear them.”
It wasn’t easy to hear them, but when I closed my eyes and listened intently, the chanting became clearer.
Stop Granger Town!
Stop Granger Town!
I laughed, seeing the comedic side of it.
“Stop Granger Town? Is that serious, Jacob?”
“It’s that fuckwit Simon, the old estate manager.”
“Strike one Jacob, c’mon.”
“Tiffany told me one of the grooms said this might happen, so I rushed up here. The guy met friends in town a couple of days ago and saw alcoholic Simon in a bar, whipping up rent-a-mob.”
I glanced sideways and saw rage rising in Jacob’s face. His eyes blazed and honestly, he scared me a little. The warrior was prepared to deliver retribution, and I needed to get him away.
“Come with me now.”
“We need to stay here long enough to confront them before leaving, Kate.”
“We’re leaving now.”
My tone wasn’t harsh because Jacob was in protector mode, something ordinarily treasured, but I feared he might react badly to a confrontational situation if we found ourselves in the middle of it.
I nodded to Andrew, who’d heard the protestors heading our way.
“You deal with them. Call the Sheriff and disperse our contractors. We’ll reconvene at Granger Hall in a few days.”
“Okay, Miss Granger.”
I tossed my truck keys to Jacob and leaped into the passenger seat, belting up. He floored it and soon we were racing across open prairie like a posse heading to a lynching.
“What’s Simon done now, Jacob?”
“He’s told the townsfolk that we’re building a couple of thousand houses on the estate to establish a new community. I only found out from Tiffany, who was terrified to say anything.”
“Why couldn’t she mention it to me?”
“She and the groomsman are dating.”
“Are they sleeping together?”
“Not yet. She’s confused by wanting to be with your mom badly and is taking things slowly with this guy. She doesn’t want to land him in any trouble.”
“So she avoided you?”
“Weird right?”
I nodded, resolving to take the matter up with Tiffany myself. If she wanted to date staff, I didn’t mind, so long as confidentiality regarding my personal matters was maintained.
“Where did the story about a housing development come from?”
“That’s all Simon’s invention.”
“It’s a complete fantasy.”
“Yeah well, Simon’s got some angry people stirred up.”
I felt like too many problems were escalating unnecessarily and needed some time for me and Jacob. The day was slipping away, and I’d achieved little. Something had to be rescued from a shitty day.
“Let’s get to the stables right away, please?”
“I thought that was only strike one, Kate.”
I chuckled and linked my arm through his.
“It’s not for a thrashing sweetheart. Since we have nothing left to do today, we could enjoy some manual labor and maybe hunt down a nice stallion for you.”
“A horse?”
“Other than you, fiancee, are there any other stallions on the estate?”
I found spending time with horses relaxing and Jacob was overdue in his equine training boot camp. He parked my truck near the stables and we walked towards my nirvana. The grooms were busy preparing a few mounts for the evening ride while feeding others.
As we walked inside, I absorbed the tranquility an ounce at a time for every meter closer we got.
“You get nervous whenever we walk into the stables, Jacob.”
“The animals are so unpredictable.”
“Being skittish makes them perfect companions for you. Have you spoken with mom about locating your puppy’s yet?”
“We’re visiting breeders this weekend.”
The stables had been mucked out, reducing their unpleasant smell. The horses inside were devouring an oat mixture from feedbags. I stopped in the square concrete central administration area for Jacob to absorb the ambiance.
“I find the munching rather cathartic. Their heavy breathing and non-judgemental stare blocks out my negative thoughts. Feel it for yourself while I check their health and feeding sheets.”
When I visited the head groomsman in a nearby small office, Jacob looked lonely, shuffling around the center of our stable administrative area until he closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
Being forced to stand still amid the smells, sounds and general ambiance of the stables brought out the warrior that had lain silently for days in dark caverns waiting for his enemy.
Jacob’s mouth opened slightly to improve his hearing and his eyes flickered gently, processing moving shadows and the flickering light of a late afternoon. I approached him cautiously, not wishing to ruin the moment while ensuring he heard my shuffling footsteps. When I knew he was aware of my presence, I circled around behind and hugged him, wrapping both arms around his midriff.
“Go to a calm place, sweetheart. These beasts won’t harm you.”
“It feels comforting, although a bit whiffy.”
“You’ll get used to that smell in time.”
“Which horse will you allocate for me?”
“That’s entirely between you and the animal. You’ll choose each other.”
I left Jacob alone again, ushering three remaining grooms outside under a ruse that I needed to talk to them. From an unobtrusive vantage point, I watched Jacob absorb the atmosphere of a place I loved. He stood tall and looked proud, reminding me how lucky I am.
Jacob’s head twitched slightly. He’d heard hooves scrape the concrete, probably guessing as I had that a stall was improperly secured. The grooms all turned to see what grabbed my attention, one heard the hooves and started back towards the stable, intent on settling the horse.
I reached out, gripping her wrist gently.
“Leave it for now. Shall we see what happens?”
“It’s Sierra, she’s slipped her own latch again.”
Another groom nodded, chuckling.
“She only does that when feeling curious. Let’s watch and see if she likes your fiancee.”
We fell completely silent, and I was sure Jacob detected that because the corner of his mouth flickered a hint of the faintest smile. Sierra was a good natured filly, albeit very fussy who she befriended. Whenever Beauty was around and Sierra wasn’t in estrus, they grazed together and had become inseparable, almost like an early love.
When Sierra halted inches away from Jacob, she sniffed him curiously, and he did the same. Her head dipped, almost touching my fiancee’s nose, and she breathed gently in his face, a sign of love.
When Jacob opened his eyes, I saw two faces glowing lovingly at each other, both with large saucer shaped eyes. They were checking each other out. Sierra bobbed her head further down, catching the underside of Jacob’s hand, tossing it gently upwards for a nose rub. Her jaw, lips and nostrils were relaxed, a sure sign she’d finally picked an owner.
He scratched and stroked Sierra’s nose gently, shooting me a sidelong glance. I saw a deep happiness in his expression that most horse lovers understand and yearn. My heart soared because I’d just witnessed a newly founded loving relationship that would bring my future husband closer to me.
I returned to my fiancee’s side, joining him in stroking his new best friend.
“We need to leave now, sweetheart.”
“Why Kate?”
“Because I want to make love.”
“Where is Sierra stabled?”
“Walk in the general direction and she’ll show you.”
She had no reins, so Jacob had zero control. Once he set off, Sierra wheeled around and followed, nudging under his arm as though playfully directing. At her stall, the filly, who was almost a mare, halted, nodded and whinnied gently at her new best friend before strolling inside.
Jacob bolted the stall gate, stroked his new love with a gentle palm, kissed her forehead and walked back to me.
“That felt incredible.”
“She loves you, Jacob. I’m so proud because others might have run away.”
The grooms returned inside, and I realized we’d be disturbing their routine by staying any longer. I gripped Jacob’s hand and set off with our bedroom in mind.
“Is she old enough to take my weight?”
“Of course, but I recommend you spend time together, walk and care for her before riding lessons. She’ll be covered by Beauty in about a year.”
Jacob looked horrified.
“Your horse is going to fuck mine?”
“I’l give you a pass on that one, sweetheart, but yes Jacob, our horses will produce a foal.”
“Sierra’s foal and our child will grow up together?”
“I hope so.”
In a couple of weeks, my birth control would wear off. I didn’t want our lovemaking to become a chore, deciding not to plot body temperatures, optimize my cycle, or interfere with his bodily functions.
In our bedroom, I faced Jacob, smiling with a heart melting from an enormous weight of love.
“When you do nice things, it turns me on, babe. I spend most of every day feeling aroused when you’re nearby, Jacob.”
“I feel the same way.”
He unbuttoned my blouse, letting it fall before unhooking the front bra strap, then cupping both breasts, kneading gently before he bowed to suck both nipples, betraying my arousal.
My head leaned back, and I felt long strands of hair tickling the small of my back. I rifled my fingers through Jacob’s hair while he licked the sensitive areola, before sucking, then chewing my nipples so hard, I thought they might pop.
Goose bumps shimmered on my arms and legs while both knees buckled slightly and I whimpered.
Jacob’s intensity hit me with shivers running like lightning from the ass cheeks he was peeling a pair of jeans away from to my neck. I was almost naked before my lover had removed a stitch of his clothing, so I pushed him gently with both palms.
“Please, just take me and cum inside my pussy quickly. We can fuck harder and for longer later, Jacob. I need you right now.”
By the time I’d peeled my own simple white knickers off, Jacob was naked. I lay on our bed, clawing my way backwards to the pillows using both elbows, My fiancee inched after me like a cat hunting prey until I enveloped him in my arms, kissing him deeply, conveying all the love I felt. When I wrapped both legs around his waist, my pussy lips opened and I felt the slick lubrication Jacob had evoked.
He moved his hips gently until Jacob’s glans nestled between my swollen, sticky labia.
“You turn me on so much, darling.”
“I can feel that between your pussy lips now. I feel proud the wetter your arousal becomes.”
“It’s time to make love to me, Jacob.”
When his cock slid inside, I felt my soft tissue pussy walls swell and stretch, engorging on an oxytocin release that sent my blood flow soaring. All I could do as he rode my pussy with his immense cock was hold on and pray for a baby.
More and more, I felt a delicious desperation to experience the moment of conception, knowing my egg would receive its catalyst for life from the man I loved most. Jacob fucked me so gently, lovingly and while stroking my legs that were prised wide open as a welcome to him.
When he emptied his precious seed inside me, I orgasmed just from looking into his eyes that spelled out true love for me. I kissed and held him close, squeezing my pussy walls against a wildly twitching cock.
“I’m milking every drop out of you.”
“I know Kate, I love you so much.”
We fell asleep in each other’s arms and I felt so comfortable it seemed a shame to move him off me. At some point Jacob rolled off, and we held hands, sleeping peacefully, completely missing dinner.
It was nearing midnight when I woke feeling thirsty and hungry. My arms drifted across our bed hunting for my lover, but Jacob wasn’t there, so I donned a bathrobe and snuck downstairs to the kitchen. I suspected he was raiding.
The kitchen was empty but mom had a sidelight burning in an adjacent office, as was her habit.
“Why do you watch TV here?”
“Daddy and I preferred it, sweetie, because we could have anything we wanted from the kitchen. Some habits I can’t break.”
“Have you seen Jacob?”
“No.”
I strolled through the dining room, which was empty, and looked outside. Jacob’s car was gone and for the first time in ages, a chill of foreboding ran through me.
Next Chapter:
Kate, you have such a depth of knowledge about such a range of topics. Your research must be prodigious. This time you’ve left us with a cliff hanger, but luckily I can go on to the next chapter straight away.