Not His Type

by Shanna Hatfield

  “That’s exactly what I said,” Jake said, leaning over and nuzzling her neck. “No.”

  “Now, Jake, don’t be ridiculous. I need to get my things put away, so please either open the door or give me the key,” Anna said, stepping back and holding her hand in front of Jake. She shot him one of her stern librarian looks. The look didn’t work on him in the library and it sure wasn’t going to work on him at home.

  “No,” he said, kissing her cheek and walking into the foyer where Lisa and Sam were bringing in more of Anna’s boxes.

  Jake gave Lisa a peck on the cheek and shook Sam’s hand in greeting. “Hey, you two want to stay for dinner? I could barbecue some steaks.”

  “That sounds great,” Sam said, as they scooted around Anna’s boxes in the foyer.

  “Just let us know where to move all this plunder and we’ll help put it away,” Lisa said, carrying another box toward the bedroom and leaving it outside the locked door.

  “Just stack it up right by the door and I’ll take care of it later,” Jake said as he carried a suitcase and two duffle bags down the hall.

  “You will not,” Anna said, her temper starting to rise, following the trio down the hall with a large box of shoes. “Jake, I insist you open the door right this minute. Your adamant refusal is unacceptable. I find your pertinacious bearing repugnant. Give me the key, please.”

  “The answer is still no,” Jake told Anna as he set down the suitcase and bags, then went back for another load, ignoring her rising temper.

  Sam was grinning from ear to ear. Jake wasn’t going to have any problem handling his little sister, even when she was having a hissy fit. Knowing Anna’s temper, he still felt the need to quietly warn Jake of the approaching storm. “When she starts talking like a dictionary, it means she’s about ready to blow a fuse. You might want to watch yourself.”

  He and Sam picked up the last of the boxes with clothing and carried them to the door, where Anna stood tapping her foot, looking like she was seriously considering smacking Jake upside the head.

  “Why are you being such a troglodyte?” Anna asked, about to reach the boiling point. She didn’t have time to fool around with Jake’s stubborness and needed to get things put away now. Why couldn’t he understand that? Nevermind the fact that she really wanted to see if he had done anything in the room other than hang up curtains and blinds.

  Jake, however, was unruffled by her name calling and her attitude. Swinging his weight onto one hip, he hung his hands in his back pockets and leaned over until his nose was nearly touching Anna’s. “You can call me whatever you want, but I’m still not opening the door. Let it go, Anna.”

  With that, he gave her bottom a playful swat on his way back down the hall and walked outside. Sam and Lisa weren’t sure what to do, but following Jake seemed like the safest course of action.

  The guys carried in her office equipment and hauled it upstairs while Lisa continued to bring in boxes of Anna’s plunder.

  Anna tried jiggling the handle and was half-tempted to kick the door before she realized she was quite possibly being a bit difficult herself and finally wandered out to the pickup and quietly helped finish carrying in the last of the boxes.

  Jake and Sam took the steaks and went out back to the barbecue while Lisa washed up and looked around the kitchen, wondering what she should do.

  Washing her hands, Anna opened the fridge and took out the makings for a green salad. Not saying a word, she slid a cutting board and knife toward Lisa along with vegetables to cut up while she washed the lettuce and put everything together in a bowl before mixing up some dressing.

  “Anna, what’s got you so upset?” Lisa asked, hoping she wasn’t going to get an earful of words she’d have to look up when she got home. “It isn’t really about the door being locked, is it?”

  Jake and Sam’s laughter could be heard through the partially opened window which made Anna look out toward them and sigh.

  The anger that had starched Anna’s spine seemed to suddenly drain out of her. “No,” she agreed. “It isn’t about the door. I’m just irritated that Jake wouldn’t let me decorate the room in the first place and now it has turned into this top-secret project he won’t let me see. I guess I feel left out and like he’s intentionally keeping me from seeing the room. It is our home and that is going to be our room, so I feel like I should have some involvement with it. Not to mention our wedding is in two days and as far as I know the room is still bare and empty. I know its silly.”

  “It isn’t silly, Anna,” Lisa said, arranging rolls Anna pulled out of the freezer in a pan and popped them in the oven to heat while Anna sliced potatoes into a skillet of hot oil. “This being married thing, being partners in everything, is a lot of work. And you and Jake will both make mistakes. Just learn from them, forgive one another and go forward. You have to learn the fine art of compromise. Goodness knows Sam and I have had to work on that a lot. I don’t know if you realize it or not, but we both can be a bit hardheaded and set in our ways.”

  Anna laughed as she stirred the potatoes and added seasoning. “I can only imagine. I guess I need to look at the big picture, which is this wonderful house, instead of just one room in it. Right?”

  “Exactly,” Lisa said with a smile. “And don’t forget how much Jake loves you and adores you and most often spoils you.”

  “You’re right. I’m may have been a bit stubborn and childish about the whole thing. Maybe,” Anna said, smiling at Lisa while the tension drained from her shoulders. Wanting to apologize for losing her temper, Anna quickly whipped together a berry crisp, which she knew was one of Jake’s favorite treats. With his love for sweets, she hoped the dessert would help make amends for her tantrum.

  When the guys came back in with the steaks, cooked to perfection, Jake gave Anna a wary look. She offered him an apologetic smile and he sighed in relief. This skirmish ended much sooner and better than he expected. He supposed he could thank his in-laws in part for that.

  Sitting in the breakfast nook, the four of them enjoyed the meal, highlighted with lively conversation and teasing.

  “For not planning on company tonight for dinner, you two really put together a wonderful meal,” Sam said as he cut off another bite of delicious, tender steak. Steve and Bobbi raised some of the best beef in the county and Jake always had plenty in his freezer.

  “I had good help with good advice,” Anna said, smiling at Lisa, thanking her for more than just assistance with the meal.

  “I do what I can,” Sam interjected trying to look modest and failing miserably, causing them all to laugh.

  After visiting for a while once they finished eating dinner, Anna served the warm crisp with scoops of vanilla ice cream. She made sure Jake had an extra large portion. Setting his dish in front of him, he caught her eye and sent her a message communicated only by his raised eye brow, a message that said all was forgiven.

  “You know, Sam,” Jake said, savoring every bite of his crisp. “It’s a good thing your sister had already reeled me in with her beauty and charm before I ever tasted her cooking because once I did, she could have been a hunch-backed toothless ol’ hag and I think I would have still asked her to marry me.”

  Sam barked with laughter while Lisa shook her head, trying not to smile too broadly.

  “I somehow doubt that, Mr. Chandler. Considering your usual type of girl,” Anna said as she gently kicked at Jake under the table while shooting him a warning glare. “You would have turned tail and run, right after you’d eaten your fill.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Anna awoke bright and early the day of her wedding. She was nervous, excited and tied up in knots. That the sky was cloudy and gray didn’t help relieve her apprehension that the weather would cooperate. The ceremony was set for 3 p.m., so there was still plenty of time for the sun to make an appearance. She prayed that it would.

  Needing a bit of quiet time, Anna sat in her room, realizing this was the last time she’d sit in here as Anna Zimmerman.
She thought of today as the end of one book and the beginning of a whole new adventure story. A story she and Jake would write together. That thought made her smile. Just a little more than a year ago, Jake had bumped into her life, turning it upside down and inside out. Thanks to him, to his encouragement and his love, Anna had blossomed out of her protective shell and gained a whole different perspective on life.

  Anna took some time for prayer, asking God for his blessing not only on this day, but on their marriage in the years to come. Feeling peaceful, she left her room to find her mother already busy in the kitchen.

  “Morning, Mama,” Anna said, giving her mom a warm hug from behind and a kiss on her cheek.

  “Morning, Anna,” Sue said, drying her hands and turning to give her daughter a hug. This was the last morning she would spend with her baby girl. From now on, she’d be Jake’s wife, a woman grown with a life of her own. Sniffling back her tears, she gave Anna a wobbly smile.

  “None of that, now,” Anna said, drying her mother’s tears and wiping away her own. “We don’t have time to get sloppy all over each other. But I want you to know how much I appreciate all you and Daddy have done for me over the years. I’ve always felt surrounded by your love and I’m grateful for all that you’ve taught me.”

  “Sugar, you are so welcome,” Sue said, hugging her girl to her one more time. “You know your Daddy and I are so proud of you and I don’t think you could have found any finer man than Jake to marry. You know your Daddy still claims the credit for you two getting together, dense man that he is.”

  This made Anna laugh and set the tone for a lighthearted mood the rest of the morning.

  Right after lunch Anna’s phone rang. It was Jake. For a minute she panicked, thinking maybe he changed his mind, but she knew that was ridiculous.

  “Hi, fancy boy.”

  “Hey, Sugar, how are you holding up?” Jake asked, sounding cheerful and excited.

  “I’m doing just fine,” Anna said, although she felt anything but fine with butterflies chasing each other around her stomach. “How about you?”

  “I’m good. There’s so much fussing going on over here, I don’t know quite what to make of it, other than to stay out of the way. Callan’s marching around with a clipboard giving everyone their orders and you should see them hustle. No wonder she’s so good at what she does.”

  Anna laughed. She hadn’t thought to ask Callan to plan their wedding, since she had already helped them so much. But Callan asked Anna as soon as she came home from the hospital back in January if she could use some help and when Anna agreed, Callan jumped right in. When Jake tried to pay her, Callan refused, saying it was her gift to them. Anna was glad for her assistance and experience, because she knew Callan was going to make the wedding and reception amazing.

  “I can’t wait to see you,” Jake said. “Maybe I can sneak over for a quick visit.”

  “Absolutely not! You know you can’t see the bride until the wedding,” Anna stated, part of her wishing that he would sneak away.

  “If you’re sure…” Jake said, sounding like a little boy who had just received a vicious scolding.

  “Positive. I’ll see you at three at the rose arbor and not a minute before,” Anna declared, using what Jake recognized as her stern librarian tone.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be the one with bells on,” Jake teased then his voice softened. “I love you, Anna. I can’t wait to marry you.”

  “I love you, too, Jake.”

  <><><>

  Jake thought three o’clock would never arrive. He was tired of waiting, tired of shaking hands, tired of acting calm and collected. The slower time seemed to drag, the more nervous he became. Not about marrying Anna, but about everything else. Would it rain? Would he remember his vows? Would Jace and Jaret remember what was expected of ring bearers? Would they have enough chairs? Would everyone fit into the shop for the reception? Would Anna ever come down the back porch steps?

  Releasing a sigh, he stood with his hands in his pockets and waited.

  Anna was having her own minor meltdown upstairs in the house. Just after 1 p.m., she and Lisa drove from the farm to The Cottage. With Jake nowhere in sight, they ran up the stairs to the second floor where the girls would be getting ready. A big cheval mirror took up space in a corner of Anna’s office and a portable rack held their dresses. A table with a chair in front of it and a foldable mirror sat catching the light streaming in the dormered windows. It was a perfect place to primp and giggle and get ready.

  Lisa, Sam, Clay and Callan would stand up with Jake and Anna. Audrey was the guest book attendant while Emma would serve as flower girl. Little Jace and Jaret were thrilled to be the ring bearers.

  Anna was surprised and relieved that Jake didn’t have a half-dozen groomsmen standing up with him. She would have been hard pressed to find four other girls to stand up with her and she didn’t want it that way. This wedding, this celebration of their love, was something very personal and the two people standing up with Anna were two women she greatly loved and admired.

  A stylist had come out to do not only Lisa and Anna’s hair, but Sue’s as well. Callan already had hers done and her dress on as she worked downstairs to keep things running smoothly. Sue volunteered to go first so she could get outside and assist with any last-minute details. Lisa went next with Anna saved for last. Lisa took away the mirror sitting in front of Anna until the stylist was done. When she placed it back in front of her, Anna gasped in pleasure. Her long, golden brown hair was piled high on her head in a loose knot with curls cascading down the back and around her face. She was particularly glad to see a cluster of curls nestled above her right ear and fastened with her great-grandmother’s pearl barrette, effectively hiding the scar from her surgery.

  Lisa applied Anna’s makeup and then it was time to get dressed. Anna started to pull on a pair of white pantyhose which Lisa quickly jerked out of her hands.

  “I don’t think so,” Lisa said, handing her an open package. It contained two thigh-high white silk stockings.

  Anna looked from them to Lisa and back again. “Are you kidding me? I can’t wear these things. They’ll be down around my ankles before the ceremony is over.”

  Lisa laughed and shook out the stockings. “Put them on Anna. They’ll stay in place, I promise. I want you to feel beautiful today from the skin out and this is just part of the master plan. Tell Jake he can thank me later.”

  At this, Anna blushed a deep shade of red, but put on the stockings, then added a blue garter to each leg as Lisa instructed.

  Callan came in just in time to help settle Anna’s dress over her head and button up the back.

  “Anna, I just love your dress and it is so perfectly you,” Lisa said, brushing down the skirt, making sure it hung straight.

  Anna had chosen a white satin gown with a scalloped sweetheart neckline, short-sleeves made of thick lace and princess seams that narrowed at the waist before flaring out into a full skirt covered in seed pearls and lace appliqués. The Venetian lace hem barely came to the top of the western-heeled white lace-up boots Anna wore. Ever practical, Anna knew a long gown would become grass stained beyond repair and she didn’t want to spend the day pulling a spiked heel out of the lawn. When she explained this to Lisa and Callan, they both shook their heads and laughed.

  Sue came in and fastened her own string of pearls around Anna’s neck.

  “Her something list is complete,” Lisa said with a smile.

  “Something list?” Sue asked..

  “Your grandmother’s barrette is the something old, her dress is the something new, your necklace is the something borrowed and her garters are the something blue,” Lisa explained to Sue. As soon as she said the word garter, Anna’s cheeks flushed, making everyone laugh.

  Lisa picked up Anna’s bouquet of white roses, tulips and stephanotis with trailing ivy, handing it to her. Taking a step back the three women looked at Anna and smiled.

  “Well, I guess I’m as ready as I’ll eve
r be,” Anna said, trying to swallow down her nervousness. She realized the bride is generally the center of attention on her wedding day, but she wasn’t quite sure how she would handle it all.

  Sensing her thoughts, Sue kissed her cheek, patted her shoulder and said, “You’ll be just fine, Anna. You look absolutely beautiful.”

  Sue went down to take her seat and left Callan and Lisa to walk with her to the back door where Ken waited with Emma and the twins. Once the music started, Callan sent Emma, Jace and Jaret down the walk. The twins were taking their job very seriously and carefully balanced the pillows they carried, each holding a ring. Lisa smiled at Anna and walked out next, followed by Callan.

  Ken kissed Anna’s cheek and brushed a tear from his eye. “I’m so proud of you Sugar and you are just about the prettiest bride I think I’ve ever seen.”

  Anna smiled at her dad and patted his arm. “Thanks, Daddy. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Sugar. Shall we get this show on the road?”

  When Ken came out the door with Anna on his arm, walking her down the porch steps and across the backyard to the rose arbor, Jake was unprepared for the overwhelming sense of love and gratitude that flooded his heart.

  There he stood, a reformed good-for-nothing good-time guy, about to marry one of the sweetest girls God had ever created. What he had done to deserve this he didn’t know, but the notion left him humbled beyond words and so thankful for the blessings that seemed to be continually poured out on him.

  Catching his breath, he stared at Anna, looking so beautiful as she smiled at him, violet eyes shining with love. When her dad placed her arm on his, he bit his cheek to keep from giving in to the emotions flooding his heart. It was hard to think that just a year ago he didn’t even know Anna’s name and now he couldn’t imagine a day without her in it.

  As Anna and her dad came down the back porch steps and across the yard, her eyes weren’t focused on the multitude of guests gathered in the backyard or on their attendants. All she could see was Jake. In a black cutaway tux jacket, his black Stetson on that head of glorious hair, black boots polished to a shine, he was handsome beyond words.