by Ella Cooper
Claudia smiled happily. She scratched Jacob’s back gently and replied, “I will, forever.”
Chapter Six
Jacob hugged Claudia from behind, one of his hands cupped her breasts, his chin rested on the back of her head. She caressed his arm as she looked around the room. Pictures of Jacob riding a bull and playing football hung on the walls, Claudia turned around and faced him.
“Why bull riding?” Claudia asked. “You played football, why the switch to bull riding?”
Jacob fell silent for a moment, he did not know how to explain the joy of riding the bull, the adrenaline, the thrill and the beauty of accomplishing a hard task in eight seconds. For those short seconds, the young rodeo felt like he owned the world – a world that can be shattered by one wrong move. But, that knowledge gave him the courage to take a risk, one he often avoided taking in real life.
“Do you want to know?” Jacob asked. “I can show you.”
Claudia became confused when a mischievous smile flashed across Jacob’s face. He grabbed her by the waist and positioned her on top of him. “Sit up,” he ordered.
She giggled and sat on top of Jacob’s lower torso, her warm slit brushed on Jacob’s sweaty skin, he instructed her to hold tightly to his right arm and to raise her right hand, it was the basic bull riding pose.
“So?” Claudia asked when Jacob just stared at her without saying anything.
“Damn, you’re so beautiful from down here,” he said. He then reached for Claudia’s breasts and added, “and these look more delicious.”
Claudia punched Jacob jokingly and looked at him lovingly, he laughed and repositioned her in a bull-rider pose.
“Ready?” Jacob asked.
Claudia nodded, she shrieked when Jacob suddenly moved his hips up and down – as if trying to push her from above him. She tried to hold on while giggling aloud, but she fell to the side after five seconds, Claudia dropped on the bed breathing heavily, her cheeks reddened from the adrenaline of riding him.
“It’s also like this,” Jacob said, as he climbed on top of Claudia, he kissed her with a fiery passion and added, “It’s like being with you, Claudia.”
Yes. The happiness of being with Claudia and bull riding were equal, the only difference was that Jacob knew that bull riding was not forever, but he wanted her forever. The desire sprung up in him when they first met in Barcelona and it terrified him, more than the fear of falling from the bull. That night in Barcelona was more than just lust, Claudia did not only satisfy his sexual needs, but she awakened something in him he never knew existed, the need to be complete, the need to be happy.
“Stay here forever,” Jacob said with a pleading look in his eyes.
Claudia’s eyes turned misty, she held his face and nodded, Jacob looked her straight in the eyes, she had a smile on her face, but he could see her uncertainty. Her eyes were filled with questions she was afraid to ask.
“I killed my wife,” Jacob said suddenly, her eyes widened with shock instantly. He looked away from her and added, “I killed her for not being there, Frank is in that condition because I was not there.”
Claudia held his face gently in her palms and urged him to lie next to her. She could not stand the pain in Jacob’s eyes, so she told him, “You don’t have to tell me if it hurts too much. I can wait.”
Jacob shook his head and sat on the bed, he held her hands and said with the saddest look on his face, “You have to know. I’ll understand if you want to leave after.”
“I’ll never leave,” Claudia promised.
“Six years ago…,”
Jacob was ready to retire and live a life as a regular wrangler. He had failed to become a professional bull rider despite winning every amateur competition. Jacob then decided to learn how to love Emily for their children’s sake. But life had other plans, his stepfather’s employer wanted to sponsor him as a professional bull rider and he jumped at the opportunity.
Emily pleaded him to refuse the offer, she was seven months pregnant and she needed Jacob by her side, but he was stubborn headed. His dream was right in front of him, he was not willing to let go. Jacob left for his first professional competition despite Emily’s pleas.
Emily had to do everything herself. Frank, who was only fifteen, was always there to assist her, they were together when the accident happened.
Frank wanted to learn how to drive, Emily loved him like a brother and offered to teach him despite her condition. On their way from the doctor, Emily decided to let Frank drive the car, they were merely a few meters away from home and she was confident that nothing would happen.
A ten-wheeler truck drove towards them and Frank panicked, he stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake, the car sped up and it bumped into the large oak tree. Emily did her best to protect the children.
Frank suffered from brain injuries, he was in a coma for six days. When he finally woke up, the doctor explained that his brain suffered from dementia as a result of the accident, his mental capacity was equivalent to that of a seven-year-old kid.
Emily was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, but the babies were strong and safe and the doctors managed to save them.
Her parents blamed Frank for the accident. Initially, Jacob blamed his brother as well, but he eventually realized that he had himself to blame for everything. He should have stayed back and been the one driving Emily to the hospital.
His wife’s family took the babies and Jacob placed Frank in a care home. He did not have enough money to take care of his children and his brother. Emily’s father refused to let him see his kids and threatened to use all their resources to keep him away from his daughters.
All Jacob knew was bull riding, so he used it to earn enough money to buy a ranch of his own and hire a lawyer to get custody of the girls. He also learnt to forgive Frank and decided to take care of him again. Jacob thought everything would be perfect as soon as he built a paradise for his daughters.
“I stole their mother from them,” Jacob said with tears streaming down his face. “So, I tried to give them everything, but it turns out that I was wrong.”
Claudia tried to control her tears, but she ended sobbing louder than Jacob. He turned to her and wiped her tears. She shoved his hands and hugged him tightly. “It wasn’t your fault, Jacob. It was nobody’s fault. You have to learn to forgive yourself.”
“I can’t. It was all my fault,” Jacob cried on Claudia’s shoulder. “If only I had stayed back.”
Claudia forced Jacob to look at her, she wiped his tears by kissing them. A soft smile flashed on her lips as she explained, “Emily saved your daughters for you, Frank is alive for you. They were saved for you to be happy, do not turn your back on them now. Live a happy life with them, just as Emily would have wanted.”
Jacob shook his head vehemently, he looked away and answered, “I don’t deserve any happiness or love. I’ll understand if you want to leave now.”
“You do, Jacob, more than ever. You deserve everyone’s love, including mine. Especially mine” Claudia countered. She hugged him from behind and said, “Let us in to help you heal, especially the girls.”
Jacob took Claudia’s hand and looked at her for a while. Why is this woman willing to take a risk on me? He wondered but did not care to find the answer, she was willing to take a risk for him. I should take a risk, too.
#
Claudia walked to the veranda, he offered her a seat, but she refused it. She took the cup of coffee from the table and looked out from the porch. The sun made her skin more radiant, happiness made her heart dance as she looked over the ranch. She had never felt more at peace.
The sunflower and canola plantation graced her eyes from the west. The beautiful waving fir and pine trees filled her nose with their beautiful scent. Below were two angels, playing with the makeup kit she bought for them, behind her was a handsome cowboy, holding his cup of coffee and looking at her like she was a Christmas gift in summer. “She was home, this is where she belonged”
Claudia never dreamt of having this kind of life when she was young, she grew up in Memphis. Her ideal husband was not a cowboy, but someone rich or someone famous. Thank you, Olivia. She would not have lived like this if Olivia Dylan’s story did not urge her to look for a cowboy of her own. She looked at the sky and thought, Thank you, Emily.
She was sad that Emily had to lose her life, but it was thanks to her that she now had two daughters and hopefully, a husband by the end of summer.
“What are you thinking about?” Jacob asked as he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
“Gratefulness, I was thanking everyone and everything that had led me to you,” Claudia said with a beautiful smile. She looked at Jacob, he had something hidden in his smile, she raised an eyebrow and asked, “What is it?”
“I have a competition in Denver this weekend, I need to leave again. Will you…?”
“Watch the kids and Frank? Of course, I’d love to,” Claudia cut in excitedly.
Jacob laughed. He shook his head and said, “I was going to ask if you would let me. I’ll let it go this time if you want me to stay.”
Claudia’s heart fluttered at Jacob’s thoughtfulness, her cowboy was right as they had only been together for two days. Most of the time was spent with the kids. She had encouraged Jacob to take the kids for a ride around the ranch, he needed to learn the joy of being a father. The only time they had for each other was when they were alone in the room.
She loved Jacob’s room the most, she felt like a wife the moment they were alone. The room was not only a place for them to become one body, the couple would also share stories about their past and their dreams after they made love. The shared stories and aspiration became their bedtime stories and a reason for them to fall deeper for each other. Claudia did not want anything to disrupt the streak, but bull riding was also Jacob’s happiness. She did not want to rob him of it.
“How long will you be gone?” Claudia queried.
“About three days,” Jacob replied. “I’ll return as soon as the competition is over.”
Claudia clung to his neck and warned him sternly, “Do not worry about us, I’ll take care of Frank and the girls. But, don’t pick up another girl. No more Barcelona ways for you!”
Jacob laughed heartily, he pulled Claudia closer and responded, “I’ll never find any woman better than you.”
“Of course,” Claudia said with a confident smile. “I’m one of a kind, believe me when I say I’ll cut that thing off if I catch you riding another woman instead of a bull.”
Jacob turned pale at Claudia’s warning, she laughed heartily as she slid her lips into Jacob’s. Her last statement was a joke, but it was a serious warning. She could share her husband with his passion for rodeo sports, but Claudia would never share Jacob with another woman. He was her happiness and she would not let anyone take that away from her.
“Ten!” the girls suddenly screamed. They jumped around and declared, “We’re going to have a baby brother!”
Claudia and Jacob pulled away from each other and looked at the girls with a puzzled look.
“A baby brother?” Claudia asked.
The girls looked up to her with a wide smile. “A baby sister is fine, too,” Alicia said sweetly.
“William said when a boy and a girl kissed for ten counts or more, the girl will have a baby in her tummy,” Elaine explained.
“Yeah. That’s why William stopped kissing Elaine at nine,” Alicia added.
Claudia laughed aloud at the girl’s innocent admission, she looked at Jacob and his eyebrows were already twitching.
“You kissed William?” Jacob asked Elaine, his voice was raspy with shock and anger.
The little girl turned pale, she looked at Alicia for help. The older twin stepped forward and defended her sister by saying, “Only for nine seconds.”
“Nine seconds?” Jacob repeated. He looked at Claudia, she could hardly contain her laughter at the cowboy’s worried reaction. “I have to talk to Bentley about this.” He said sternly.
Claudia let go of her laughter and it echoed around the ranch. Jacob glared at her, she slipped her hands around his waist and told him, “Relax, Daddy. They’re six, worry about it when they’re fourteen.”
“But…,”
Claudia shut Jacob up with a passionate kiss, she pulled away and giggled as he still worried about his daughters. Her heart raced faster as she discovered another side of Jacob. He was a good father, like her dad, the only thing was that Jacob did not know how to show it.
“I love you,” Claudia said quietly. “I can’t wait to have a baby with you.”
Jacob calmed down when Claudia kept kissing him, his boyish smile reappeared as he thought, “and my girls need a brother to watch over them.”
Claudia laughed, but Jacob stopped her with a hungry kiss, her lips curved into a smile when she realized that the kiss was not only to show of affection, it was to execute the cowboy’s plan. A brother for his daughters. And, Claudia was willing to give it to him.
#
“Aunt Claudia, Aunt Mandy is here!” Elaine yelled happily while dragging Mandy to the kitchen.
Claudia smiled at the beautiful black-haired woman in front of her. Jacob planned to introduce her to the Hawkins, but he had to leave before they came. She thought Mandy would be in her thirties like Becky. She was surprised that Jacob’s friend was younger than her.
“I’m sorry we’re late. I’m Mandy,” the woman said with a smile on her face. “My, you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you. So are you,” Claudia replied with a meek smile. She looked at the tall boy, who kept smiling at Elaine. She smiled and said, “This must be William.”
Mandy nodded. She laughed and told Claudia, “Jacob had a long talk about him with Bentley.”
Claudia laughed. She tried to talk Jacob out of it, but the cowboy was being a protective daddy and insisted on talking with his friend. The two young women stopped talking when the kids rushed upstairs to meet Frank. Claudia smiled as she watched Frank dance along with the kids in his wheelchair.
“The kids adore him,” Mandy said.
“He’s a loving kid,” Claudia agreed. “Jacob went to get something for Frank at the hospital, we might go to the party a little later.” Claudia added further.
“Okay. I’ll take the girls with me. Are you sure you’ll be fine with Frank?” Mandy asked with a concerned look on her face.
Claudia nodded as she walked Mandy to the stairs. Mandy called the kids and they hurried down the stairs, leaving Frank alone. Frank became disappointed, he punched his chair and accidentally unlocked the wheels. The automated wheelchair drove towards the stairs and everyone in the room panicked.
Claudia ran up the stairs to stop the chair, she grabbed the front before it could reach the edge of the stairs. She turned it to direct it towards the wall. The back of the chair bumped her and pushed her down the stairs, she tried to hold on to the handle, but she missed it. Claudia rolled down the stairs and landed on her back.
“Jesus, Claudia. Are you alright?” Mandy asked as she rushed towards her.
Claudia raised her upper torso, she wanted to respond to Mandy, but Mandy turned pale when she looked at Claudia’s legs. Blood flowed from her thighs, Claudia panicked. Why is there blood? She wondered. It was not yet the time for her period.
“We have to get you to a hospital immediately,” Mandy declared.
Chapter Seven
Jacob rushed to the floor where Claudia was admitted, his face was pale with worry. Not again. He had only been away for a day, just like when he was away when the accident with Emily happened. Let her be safe, he prayed silently as he searched desperately for Claudia’s room. Mandy and Bentley met him outside the room before he could enter, Bentley stopped him.
“I have to see her,” Jacob told his friend.
“There’s something you need to know first,” Bentley told Jacob with a sad look on his face.
“Is it seriou
s? Did she break anything?” Jacob worried.
“She lost her baby,” Mandy said flatly. Jacob looked at her with confused eyes. “She was pregnant?”
Jacob stood still, his eyes were full of questions. Bentley tapped his shoulder and explained, “You only met her three days ago. Claudia might have been pregnant before she came to see you.”
Jacob’s eyebrows curved in a mix of anger and curiosity, was this the reason she was desperate to be his wife? She wanted to blame the pregnancy on him and make him a father to her child?
“I know we’re crossing the lines here, but you have to know,” Bentley explained. “The doctor said she was about five to six weeks pregnant. It can’t possibly be yours.”