Taming the Mountain Man (Tamarack Ridge Romances Book 3)

by Jeanette Lewis

  “Jennica!” a high female voice called from the entryway.

  Reluctantly, she pulled her gaze away from Jack’s and turned to face the onslaught of relatives.

  Aunt Michelle rushed toward them. She was older than Jennica’s mother by a few years, but they were obviously sisters with their oval faces, full lips, and blue eyes. She wore a lacy teal dress that screamed mother of the bride and she enfolded Jennica in a long hug, then stepped back to survey the two of them.

  “I’m so glad you could make it. I assume this is Josh?” Her perfectly drawn eyebrows rose.

  Jennica felt her face heat up. “Uh, actually this is my friend Jack Hale. Jack, meet my Aunt Michelle, Collette’s mother.”

  Aunt Michelle’s face registered her confusion. “I must have misheard. I thought your mom said your fiancé was named Josh.”

  Fiancé? “No, we—”

  Jennica’s explanation was cut short by an older man in a white apron, who looked flustered. “Some of the gelatin flowers for the cake have melted,” he said quietly to Aunt Michelle. “We’re making more now, but if they don’t take…”

  Her expression became pained. “Okay, I’ll come take a look right now.” The baker moved off, and Aunt Michelle turned back to Jennica. “We’re running a tad late. You’ll understand when you finally get married how hard it is to time these things. We’ve got hors d’oeuvres in the dining room, so you and Josh make yourselves comfortable.” She rushed off, fluttering her hands in a goodbye.

  “She thinks I’m Josh?” Jack leaned down and said quietly in Jennica’s ear. His cologne was deep and rich, and his breath tickled her neck and made goosebumps shiver across her shoulders. How was she supposed to think clearly when he did that?

  She took a small step away, trying to get her bearings. “I’m sure it’s an honest mistake,” she said lamely. “As you can see, she’s pretty busy.”

  He cast her a doubtful look and she quickly scanned the two-story foyer. “The dining room is this way.” Jennica pointed toward the sounds of conversation and clinking dishes coming from the left. “Why don’t we see what they’ve got?”

  They stepped inside to a crowd of relatives, and Jennica pulled Jack’s arm toward the buffet table, praying the rest of the day would go smoothly.

  Jack shoved a cracker smeared with some kind of cheese into his mouth and chewed with a satisfying crunch. Jennica’s family swarmed around the tables in the dining room—aunts, uncles, cousins … he’d been introduced several times and had immediately forgotten everyone’s names. He knew Jennica’s parents and her siblings—he’d even been in the same grade in Tamarack Ridge as one of her older brothers—but none of them had arrived yet. Or they weren’t prepared to brave the crowded dining room.

  He checked his watch. The ceremony was scheduled to start in less than ten minutes, but no one had directed them to wherever it was supposed to happen.

  “Sorry about this,” Jennica said. She’d been at his elbow the whole time, exchanging hugs with various relatives and making introductions. She’d been introducing him as “my friend, Jack,” but they were getting plenty of cheesy grins and pointed glances at Jennica’s empty ring finger. By the set of her shoulders, she was already as tightly wound as a coil spring and getting worse with each smiling relative.

  “Sorry about what?” Jack leaned down to better hear her over the chatter.

  She threw a glance around the room. “They’re running late.”

  “That’s expected, right?”

  Jennica took a sip of soda from a plastic cup. “My family has trouble sticking to a schedule. You get all of us together and it multiplies exponentially.”

  “Jennica!” They both turned as Grandma Ruby came toward them, leaning heavily on her walker. Jennica’s mother stood at her elbow, carefully guiding.

  “Hi, Grandma. You look so pretty!” Jennica leaned in to kiss her grandmother’s withered cheek.

  “So you do,” Grandma said. Her eyes fell on Jack. “And your young man is looking quite nice as well. Why don’t you introduce me?”

  “This is Jack Hale, Grandma,” Jennica said patiently. “He fixed your trees.”

  Her papery cheeks reddened as she looked up at Jack. “Oh, that’s right. You’ll have to forgive me; sometimes I’m not thinking clearly.”

  “No problem, Mrs. O’Brien,” Jack said. He rubbed one hand across his face. “Without the beard, I probably look different.”

  “That’s what it is.” She gave him a surprisingly young smile.

  “Hello Jack. Nice of you to come,” Jennica’s mother put in. She flashed Jennica a sideways look. “After Jennica ruined things with Josh, we were worried she wouldn’t find a date.”

  Jack’s eyebrows flew up. “I’m glad to be here,” he said quickly. “Jennica’s always fun to be around.”

  Jennica’s mother clearly didn’t believe him. Her mouth pinched and she tapped on her mother’s elbow. “We’re going to get seated now, so we’ll see you soon.”

  “You’re very handsome under all that hair,” Grandma Ruby told Jack as her daughter led her away.

  “Sorry,” Jennica said again. “She gets confused sometimes.”

  “Wait, so I’m not handsome under all that hair? That’s pretty mean,” he teased.

  “No, that’s not … I didn’t mean …” Jennica’s face reddened. “Just, sorry.”

  Jack put his arm around Jennica’s shoulders and pulled her close, enjoying the lemony smell of her perfume, mixed with the clean scent of her shampoo. The movement was something he’d do to his sister but Jennica didn’t feel like his sister tucked against him. She felt like a woman made of flesh and bones and amazing curves.

  “That’s about the fifth time you’ve apologized to me since we got here,” he said quietly in her ear. “I’m fine, quit worrying.”

  Beneath his arm, her shoulders relaxed a fraction. “Sor—” she started, then stopped herself and giggled.

  His laughter joined hers and he drew her closer, letting her lean into him and suddenly feeling lucky instead of obligated to play the part of “boyfriend.”

  Finally, the hostess announced the start of the ceremony and they hurried to snag seats near the back. He could feel Jennica’s anxiety as the rows in front of them filled with couples and families. More than one person cast a curious look in their direction and Jack could feel the questions of dozens of pairs of eyes.

  Sudden annoyance filled him. So Jennica wasn’t married yet. Big deal.

  He reached over and took her hand. She startled slightly and her blue eyes flew to his. He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile, along with a squeeze of her hand. Her eyes softened and she squeezed his fingers back just as the music swelled and the bridal party started down the aisle.

  Jack didn’t pay much attention to the ceremony. From what he heard, it was pretty standard stuff. Love, honor, cherish … the usual. He was much more interested in the curve of Jennica’s ankle, bound by the strap of leather on her shoes. She had nice legs.

  She had nice everything, to be honest.

  The sudden burst of applause startled him, and he yanked his gaze away from Jennica’s legs to watch the bride and groom share their first kiss. Reluctantly, he released Jennica’s hand to join in the applause, and they all stood as the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle.

  Then it was the chaos of the group photo with Jack and Jennica doing their best to stay unobtrusive. As they stood in the back, waiting for everyone to get in position, he brought his hand up to rest in the small of her back. A small touch, but the gentle contour of her waist was enough to send his pulse thumping. He quickly pulled away.

  Jennica twisted to send him a questioning look. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” Jack said, keeping his eyes on the photographer. He wasn’t going to be a sentimental fool who got caught up in the romance of a wedding. Jennica was beautiful and perfect, but there was a good reason he was single. All he had to do was think of Valerie and all the roma
nce rushed out of him, leaving the blank, empty space he was used to.

  “I’m fine,” he said again. As if by repeating it enough times, it would be true.

  Jennica looked like she was about to say more, but at that moment, the photographer spoke up. “Everyone, one, two, three, eyes on me!” he said brightly, and Jennica turned to plaster a smile to her face.

  After a few photos, they moved quickly to the dining room, where the hors d’oeuvre tables had been swapped for bigger dining tables, draped in teal cloths and set with china and silver. Much to Jack’s relief, they had been seated with Jennica’s older brother Tad and her sister Rachel, along with their spouses and children.

  He’d gone to school with Tad, and they spent the first part of dinner catching up. By the time the best man stood up to start the speeches, Jack was feeling much more relaxed.

  Whatever else they were, Jennica’s family was not big on brevity. The speeches and the toasts seem to go on and on until his back ached from sitting for so long.

  “How many are we on now?” Jennica whispered as yet another tuxedo-clad man stood and took the microphone.

  “I’m not sure,” he said.

  She sighed and picked at her fingernail polish. It couldn’t be easy to sit here and listen to everyone going on and on about Collette’s perfect life. Or to watch her siblings and cousins with their spouses and children and know you stuck out like a sore thumb.

  “There’s one thing I’m very sure of,” Jack said softly, leaning so close that his breath stirred the curls on her neck.

  “What?”

  “You are absolutely the most beautiful woman in the room.”

  She paused and her eyes grew doubtful, as if trying to decide if he was teasing or not.

  “Cross my heart,” Jack said.

  Jennica’s mouth formed a little “oh,” and her eyes softened.

  On her other side, Tad snorted. “Good thing I already have my speech worked out for your reception,” he said in a low tone. “All I have to do is swap the name of the groom.”

  Jennica’s face fell, and Jack frowned. He and Tad had always gotten along well, but it wouldn’t hurt his conscience any to pound the guy right now.

  He stretched out an arm and laid it across the back of Jennica’s chair, pulling her a little closer. He’d expected her to stiffen, even for a moment, but she didn’t. She relaxed into him, letting her head fall back on his arm. He wanted to bury his nose in her hair and smell the warm fragrance of it, maybe brush away the curls that lay against her neck and touch his finger to the smooth column of skin, feeling for her heartbeat.

  Finally, the speaker finished, and Jennica leaned forward to get her champagne glass. A pang of loss rushed through Jack as the weight of her head left his arm, and he fought back the urge to reach out and pull her back against him. He managed a half-hearted toast and wished the whole thing would be over so he could … what? Have Jennica all to himself? What was he going to do with her? Maybe get her away from all this so she could smile—her real smile, not the slightly strained one she’d been wearing all day. He wanted to see her smile like she had when she’d run her fingers through his beard the other night, wanted to see the glint in her eye, the softening of her mouth as she relaxed.

  Finally, after what seemed like forever, the toasts and speeches ended and the dancing began. The first dance went to the bride and groom and Jack watched in silence as they twirled around the floor—lost in each other’s eyes. The crowd applauded with every kiss, like a bride and groom kissing was some kind of novelty.

  When the first dance was finished, the DJ took the microphone. “Everyone get out here and have a good time!”

  He punched a button and the chicken dance blasted through the speakers. Laughter broke out among the guests as they pushed back their chairs and made for the dance floor.

  Jack stifled a groan. The chicken dance? Slow, romantic dances he could see, but this was simply obnoxious. It was like being back in middle school and forced to participate in the etiquette dances they held during the day. The teachers would prowl the halls to make sure no one was hiding and prod the boys to ask the girls to dance. He’d been the tallest one in his grade already, all gangly limbs, awkwardness, and acne. Dancing with a girl was the last thing he’d wanted.

  He shot a look at Jennica. She was watching the dancing, a small smile playing at the corners of her full lips. Her skin was soft and her hair was shiny, and he knew if he got closer, he’d smell her citrus perfume. If they were dancing, he could hold her close, only face-to-face this time instead of side-by-side. The thought of holding Jennica in his arms sent a wave of heat rushing through him and all the memories of the awkward middle schooler faded.

  He stood and held out his hand. “Ready to show me your moves?”

  She looked up in surprise and her face broke into a smile. “You don’t have to dance. That wasn’t part of the deal.”

  He grinned back. “What’s wrong? Don’t you have any moves?”

  “Oh, I’ve got moves,” she said, flipping a copper curl off her neck. “I’m not sure you can keep up with me, Hale.”

  “Try me,” Jack replied.

  The minute her fingers nestled into his, he felt a warmth in his arm, a stirring in his gut.

  He led her through the crowd and they reached the dance floor, thankfully just as the chicken dance ended and the music changed to a slow song. Jack’s pulse jumped. This was better. He turned and wrapped an arm around Jennica’s slender waist to pull her closer. The soft scent of lemons washed over him, and he nestled his palm in the small of her back and felt that delicious moment when their bodies began to move in sync to the music.

  “Are you having fun?” he asked.

  She gave a tiny shrug. “As much fun as you can have at an all-day wedding that isn’t your own.”

  Jack chuckled. “I hear you.”

  “Why do they have to go all day?” she asked. “When I get married it’s going to be a short ceremony, some great food, and that’s it.”

  There was a pause as Jack turned over the thought of Jennica getting married in his mind. The night he’d driven her home from Starlane, she’d been at dinner with her boyfriend and … had she been expecting a proposal? “So you and Josh were pretty serious, huh?”

  Jennica pulled a wry face. “Obviously I thought we were more serious than he did.”

  “Like, proposal serious?”

  She gave a little shrug, and he felt her back move under his hand. “Maybe. I mean, we’d been dating for seven months. I figured it was time to take it to the next level, so when he said he wanted to talk, I thought that meant get more serious. Instead he wanted to break up.” A whisper of pain flashed through her eyes. “But it’s okay. I mean, that would have been worse, right? Get married to someone who actually didn’t want to?”

  His own painful memories rose, thick and fast, and he swallowed hard. “Yeah, that would have been worse,” he said gruffly.

  Jennica’s eyebrows came together. “What’s your deal, anyway?”

  “What do you mean by ‘my deal’?”

  “Why don’t you date?”

  “Who says I don’t date?”

  Jennica rolled her eyes. “Please. Give me some credit here.”

  The song ended, and another ballad started immediately. Jack didn’t change his hold on Jennica, just kept the two of them turning in slow circles on the dance floor.

  “You’re trying to change the subject,” Jennica accused. “I assume that means you don’t want to talk about your love life.”

  “Not really,” he admitted.

  They danced in silence for a few minutes, and the only thing in his mind was the music and the feel of her in his arms. She was the perfect fit.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “With what?” Almost unconsciously, his eyes dropped to her lips, pink and shiny in the lights of the dance floor. He quickly pulled his gaze back to hers.

  “Life in general. What did you want t
o be when you grew up, and did you make it?”

  “Who says I’ve grown up?” Jack teased.

  She giggled. “Oh, so you’re one of those growing old is a requirement, growing up is not people?”

  “Maybe with a little less optimistic slant,” Jack said.

  “What does that mean?”

  He paused, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought of the right way to put it. “Maybe that I can’t believe I’m this old and still haven’t accomplished what I wanted,” he finally said. There was a pause and he felt stupid. “That wasn’t …” He struggled. “Listen, I didn’t mean to be a downer.”

  “Believe me, I get it.” The silky fabric of Jennica’s dress shifted as she shrugged.

  She was making light of it, but Jack had seen the flash of pain in her eyes, felt her tension throughout the day as she was judged over and over by relatives and found wanting … at least in their eyes.

  His gaze traveled over her freckles, muted in the soft lights; her red curls; the almost brazen blueness of her eyes; and the lushness of her mouth. “I think you’re kind and funny and interesting,” he said with a hint of gravel in his voice.

  Her eyes softened. “Thank you,” she said softly. “That’s very nice of you to say so.”

  “Nice has nothing to do with it,” Jack insisted. “I’m prickly enough that you know I wouldn’t say something if I didn’t really want you to know. You’re amazing, not to mention … beautiful.”

  The freckles on her cheeks faded even more as a blush rose to cover them. Before she could say anything else, Jack took a step closer and kissed her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jennica’s world had been getting smaller all day, to the point where it was only Jack now, filling her awareness with his smile, his voice, the curve of his muscular shoulders under her fingertips. As they circled the dance floor, everything shrunk until it was just the two of them, dancing together as if they were on the moon, the only two people in the universe.