His physical beauty was a breathtaking thing and Anna wondered again that Jake had chosen her to love. More than that, though, was how loved and cherished he made her feel. She still couldn’t believe he would want to marry her, someone naïve and unsophisticated, but she was so glad he did. As her dad handed her over to Jake, she looked into his light blue eyes, saw the depths of his love reflected there, and knew again a sense of peace and assurance that this was what God planned for her all along.
Trying to focus on the words Pastor Douglas was saying Jake was afraid he would stumble over his vows. But both he and Anna said their part flawlessly. When it was time for the exchange of rings, Anna slipped a gold band on his finger, he slipped one on hers and the next thing he knew Pastor Douglas was pronouncing them husband and wife.
He turned to Anna, grateful she hadn’t worn a veil, and planned to give her a short, sweet kiss. However, the minute her lips touched his he couldn’t keep from giving her a kiss that let everyone know just how glad he was to have Anna as his bride. When the guests began to whistle and cheer, Jake looked up a bit chagrined while Anna blushed.
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Jake couldn’t believe he had survived his wedding day. The last of the guests finally left and the family and friends that stayed behind to clean up were preparing to leave. He was amazed at how selflessly they had given to both he and Anna during the past months.
In addition to the house renovations and help with anything they needed, he hadn’t expected any of them to stay and take down decorations, load the rented chairs and tables into trailers to be returned Monday, pick up garbage, put away food and not leave until everything was finished.
The wedding party took photos for what seemed like hours before the reception started and he smiled in every single one. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Anna looked more beautiful than he’d ever seen her look before, and he thought she’d been gorgeous on any number of occasions. The gown she wore showed off her fine figure to perfection and her choice of pearls for adornment was exactly what he was coming to expect from her, something classic yet lovely.
Thinking back to just more than a year ago when they met, he couldn’t believe the changes in her. Gone was the timid little mouse, replaced by a vivacious, beautiful young woman who had managed to completely change his life.
Jake mulled back over the events of the day. While it looked like it might rain, right after noon the sun came out and the weather warmed until it was quite pleasant. The rose arbor, where he and Anna exchanged their vows was filled with white and purple tulips and big baskets of white flowers sat in front of it.
Waiting to see their wedding photos was going to be a challenge. The blue of the sky, the green of the grass and the trees along with the abundance of flowers served as such a wonderful backdrop to his enchanting bride.
Callan had outdone herself with the decorations and planning. He had no idea some flowers here and greenery there could transform their backyard into a setting that looked like something he’d seen in one of Anna’s bridal magazines. Callan worked more magic for the reception. More than Jake would have thought possible, but then he should have learned by now that Callan, once she set her mind to it, could do anything.
Rather than rent tents, she suggested the newly repaired shop would be a great place for the reception. It was big and open. A tiny bathroom sat in one corner and a large sink, intended for cleaning parts, would be great for the caterers.
The shop had been completely gutted and cleaned, then painted inside with white paint as part of Jake’s renovations. He hadn’t gotten around to doing much more work in it, other than adding a long work bench with a high shelf.
Bringing in a set-up crew she used for various events, Callan spent the day before the wedding making the transformation complete. She told Jake to stay out of the shop and he was as thrilled and surprised as Anna when they did walk inside to find what could have passed for a fairyland.
White organza, intertwined with twinkling white lights, spread out from a circle of rope light in the center of the ceiling to all corners of the room in grand, dramatic swags, pooling in the corners. Organza and white lights scalloped across the edges of the ceiling and more lights and organza streamed down the walls in intervals, creating the illusion of waterfalls of light.
The work bench was covered in white linen where the caterers set up the buffet and the high shelf above it held a huge arrangement of greens, tulips, and assorted flowers with more organza draping and lights. Callan raided the yards of everyone who would let her and she filled the shop with bouquets of spring flowers. Small round tables took up a good portion of the shop, draped in white coverings with white covered chairs accented by deep purple sashes. Clear glass ivy bowls held a candle at each table. At the far end of the shop, a band was set up and ready to play.
Anna was astounded at how stunning everything looked. Callan created a setting beyond beautiful for them and left Anna feeling so fortunate to have become part of Jake’s family. They were, as her mother would say, good people.
The reception was fun, the food delicious and she even managed to keep up with Jake when he wanted to dance.
Now that the guests were all gone, everything picked up and put away, she felt her earlier trepidation return.
Jake had a wealth of expectations for the rest of the evening and Anna was not at all convinced she could meet any of them. Her uncertainty grew with every departing guest until she was nearly frantic with worry about what would happen when they were alone.
While Anna was saying goodbye to their remaining family members, Jake hurried to their bedroom, unlocked the door, turned on the fireplace and lit all the candles. Turning back the blanket and comforter, and switching the two bedside lamps to dim, the room looked pretty inviting if he did say so himself. Jake hustled through the bathroom to the walk-in closet he and Anna would share, used the boot jack to remove his boots, tugged off his socks and took off his belt. Unbuttoning his dress shirt, Jake removed his undershirt and then put the dress shirt back on. He would do his best to make things as uncomplicated as possible for Anna. Stopping at the vanity, he hurriedly brushed his teeth and ran a comb over his hair before joining Anna back on the porch.
As they waved goodbye from the front porch to the last of the departing guests, Anna looked at Jake with a tremulous smile. He’d disappeared for a moment, only to return barefooted with his shirt untucked. She wasn’t entirely certain what he had planned, but she was pretty sure she wasn’t ready to find out.
Rather than leave for their honeymoon, they decided to take a week off and enjoy their first days as husband and wife in their new home. Jake suggested they take a trip in the fall, but for now he wanted to stay at The Cottage and keep his bride all to himself for the next several days.
Anna thought it sounded like a fabulous plan up until the tail lights of that final car disappeared down the drive. Now she thought she’d like to climb in the car and go right along with the last guest that was leaving. Trying to swallow down her fear, she turned to Jake and saw a look of desire adding heat to his already warm blue eyes.
Jake looked down at his new bride and saw the fear fly across her face, felt it as a palpable force. Running his hand through his hair, he took a deep breath. What he wanted to do was sweep her off her feet, carry her to their room and discover all the wonderful things about Anna he’d not had a right to until today. Having spent the majority of the last year dreaming about the moment when he’d finally make love to her, Jake was anxious for those dreams to become a reality.
Dang it all, he’d not been with a woman for a very long time. The regret and shame he felt every time he let temptation get the best of him was finally more than he could stand. So he promised himself the next woman he was with would be one he truly loved. With his new-found religion and change of attitude, he was glad he had kept that promise, especially in light of the fact that he was head-over-heels in love with his wife.
His wife! Jake found it hard to b
elieve he was actually married to this beautiful, wonderful, very frightened girl.
Pouring a dash of cold reality over the need searing through him, he decided a few more minutes or hours wouldn’t kill him. He’d wait as long as was necessary until Anna felt comfortable and lost the wild look of fear that now hovered in her lovely violet eyes.
Taking her hand, they walked inside the house where he carefully shut and locked the front door. He purposely walked through the house, closing blinds, locking doors, making sure they were tucked away from the world while Anna disappeared into the guest bathroom where she gave herself a strong mental lecture about acting like a ninny alternating with regret for every time she’d tempted Jake. It was one thing to flirt with him unmercifully when they both knew it wouldn’t go any farther than a few passionate kisses. It was something else entirely when he would finally expect payment for all her teasing promises.
They met in the kitchen where Anna looked to see if she could find something out of place, something that could possibly need her attention. The only thing she could see needing her at this moment was Jake. He suddenly seemed so tall and looming. So painfully, perfectly formed. Anna didn’t think he’d appreciate being called beautiful, but she couldn’t think of a word more appropriate, even with her extensive vocabulary.
Jake was watching thoughts fly across Anna’s expressive face and didn’t know what to do. She was afraid. He knew that without a doubt. What he was counting on was Anna’s passion pushing her fear out of the way. He already knew there was a wealth of it bubbling beneath the surface of his proper little librarian.
Jake admitted to himself that he was somewhat intimidated by the thought of finally making Anna his own. He’d dreamed of it for so long he wanted everything to be perfect. So he stood unmoving, in what he hoped was a relaxed stance, smiling at his reluctant bride.
It appeared she would have to be the one to make the first move. Jake leaned against the counter, as he had so many other times, looking like he was waiting for her to say or do something. Frightened half to death to bridge the chasm, Anna kept reminding herself it was just Jake. Her best friend. Her champion. Her husband.
It was that last word that was making her knees quake. Jake, the embodiment of everything virile and masculine, was now her husband and Anna was nearly scared witless at the prospect of what that fully entailed.
Finally, Anna summoned her courage and took a step toward him with a shy smile. Reaching out, Jake pulled her against his chest in a comforting embrace. Holding Anna in his arms, her warmth seeped into him, her perfume teased his nose, her nearness excited him. Jake bent his head and captured her lips, kissing her softly at first then slanting his mouth harder against hers as his blood began pounding through his veins.
Anna whispered his name and threaded her fingers into his hair. As their kisses grew more intense, more passionate, Jake lifted her to the countertop and continued kissing her. His hands kneaded the small of her back, moved around to stroke the front of her trim waist, then his caresses moved higher and he felt Anna begin to tremble. She dropped her hands into her lap. Looking down, Jake could see even her fingers were shaking.
“Baby,” Jake rasped, emotion filling his voice as he wrapped his arms around Anna gently, protectively. “It’s okay. You don’t need to be afraid. It’s okay. Don’t be scared.”
“It isn’t okay,” Anna hesitantly whispered, keeping her head tipped down, unable to look Jake in the eye. “I don’t… I haven’t… I’ve never…”
Jake ran his hands soothingly up and down her back. “I know, Sugar. I know you haven’t ever, and I’m glad. So glad. Right now I wish I hadn’t ever either, but it will be fine. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do tonight.”
Anna raised her head up, looking shamed and miserable. “But I do want to. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me.”
Jake smiled and kissed her nose. “Did anyone talk to you about …umm…you know?” Jake, who up until his recently acquired modesty could have talked about anything to anybody, couldn’t believe what a challenge this conversation was turning out to be.
“Lisa tried. It is hard to listen when your mind is blocking out every word,” Anna admitted with a grin that made Jake chuckle. “I’m not completely ignorant and I’m not afraid of you, Jake, or afraid that you’ll hurt me. It’s just… I’m… I’m afraid of not pleasing you. That you’ll find yourself wishing you’d married someone else when I can’t meet your … expectations.”
“Anna, you have no idea how very much you please me. As for expectations, the only expectation I have is that you love me without holding anything back,” Jake said in a deep rumbling voice that made warmth spread through Anna and cease her trembling. “We’re married now. That means all the teasing and tempting doesn’t have to stop with a few kisses. It’s okay to keep going, it’s okay to enjoy what you’re going to feel.”
Looking intently into Anna’s eyes, Jake caught one foot and unlaced her boot, followed by the other and let them fall to the floor. When he began massaging her feet, he could visibly see her relax as she closed her eyes and leaned back with her arms braced on the counter. Finally, he asked, “Do you trust me?”
“Absolutely,” Anna whispered opening her eyes. She resigned herself to conquering her fear and surrendering completely to Jake.
“Then don’t be afraid, Sugar.”
Jake pulled her off the counter into his arms and carried her down the short hall to the master bedroom. He gave her a kiss that left them both trying to catch their breath and smiled down into her eyes, now lit with an undeniable fire. Pushing open the door with his elbow, he carried her inside, where her eyes grew wide in wonder. He stood in the center of the room, slowly turning around, so Anna could see the entire room before setting her down.
“Oh, Jake,” she gasped in pleasure. “It’s wonderful. How did you… when did you… Oh, it’s just perfectly wonderful.”
Turning to him, she squeezed his hand, “Jake, this is beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Anna was walking around the room, running her hand over the dresser top, touching the chest of drawers, looking at the headboard. Then she read the lettering on the wall and choked back her tears. Her eyes found the keyhole in the headboard and she ran her fingers over it in awe. She couldn’t believe Jake would do all this for her.
It had to be one of the loveliest rooms she had ever seen. It exuded warmth and welcome. It was romantic without being feminine, a combination of old-world elegance and modern comfort. This room, this wonderful, beautiful room was a testament of Jake’s love for her. It was evident in every detail.
Anna felt Jake’s warmth at her back and a small box, tied with a white ribbon, appeared in front of her. Taking the box in her hand, she turned around, looking at Jake in question. “Jake, what more could you possibly give me? You’ve done too much already,” she said.
Untying the ribbon she lifted the lid to find an old skeleton key that looked like it would fit into the keyhole in the headboard.
“I’m giving you the key to my heart,” Jake said tenderly. “Forever and always.” Taking the key from her hands and putting it on the nightstand along with the box, he pulled her into his embrace, hugging her warmly. Anna was melting into the feel of his arms around her when she looked over his shoulder and noticed the painting above the fireplace. Stepping back from Jake, she took his hand and walked closer to see it better in the dim light.
“Gosh this painting looks just like Mom and Dad’s backyard. Right down to the swing,” Anna said, admiring the pastoral scene featuring a young woman on a swing in an oasis of green.
“That’s because it is,” Jake explained. “That day you ran and jumped on the swing was the day I knew I wanted my forever to begin and end with you. See the title of the painting? Serenity is what you give me, Anna. I’ve never known such peace and happiness until I fell in love with you.”
Anna couldn’t spe
ak through her tears. The painting was truly lovely, but what was about to break Anna down into a sobbing heap was the depth of love and caring Jake had shown. It was something almost beyond Anna’s ability to comprehend and she felt so unworthy.
Anna knew Jake could have chosen any girl he wanted. He could have chosen sophistication and glamour, someone exciting and experienced. Instead he was getting plain and practical, sensible and unsure. She was nearly deaf with a hole in her head and an occasional neurotic way of dealing with life. But despite all that, he loved her completely, faults and all. That knowledge humbled Anna to her very core.
Placing her hand over her heart, eyes glistening with unshed tears she turned to Jake and whispered, “I love you.”
Jake watched Anna try to keep her composure. He realized he hadn’t anticipated Anna being so moved by the things he’d done to make the room special that she’d dissolve into tears. He had pictured her thinking it was wonderful, sweeping her into a passionate embrace and things progressing nicely from there.
Now he didn’t know what to do. Anna’s emotions were raw and very close to spilling over the surface. If he gave her a hug and comforted her, he was fearful she’d completely break down. If he didn’t he was afraid she would think he didn’t care.
He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her tight to his chest and rubbed his hands comfortingly along her back. Dang it all, he should have given more thought to springing this room on her the night of their wedding.
As he held Anna, he felt some of her tension ease. Her shoulders started to relax and she released a sigh. Hearing her mumble against his neck, he pushed her back his arm’s length.
“I didn’t hear what you said, Sugar,” he said, hoping she was calming down.
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