“You can’t keep nothing secret in this town, so tell Mom. I’ll talk to you later.” He’d run into town and be back in time to help load a hay order for Tristan Carlson from the Double Dutch Ranch, one of his best customers. Getting his truck back had slipped his mind. In the barn, he reminded Wade.
Chapter 9
Beth cruised down Main Street on her way home after work. Living with her mom for a while longer wouldn’t bother her. Being alone would be different for her mom with her dad gone. For now, she’d remain with her mom instead of looking for a place of her own.
Buildings in town were aglow with white, red, and golden lights, bringing out the charm she’d always loved about Main Street. Every other building had green lights, but not too many to make it gaudy. Her little hometown with a manger in the center of the park where no one complained about a Nativity scene, was a place she loved this time of year.
Canyon Junction’s Family Favorite Ice Cream shop had a big Christmas tree in the corner where tables would normally sit any other time of the year. The Coffee Shoppe had a life-sized mechanical Santa Claus outside with a small mailbox for letters. A tree, close to twenty-feet tall, sat in the town square waiting to be lit at the official tree lighting. Beth removed her phone from her purse to call Jake.
“Hi, Beth.” Pounding in the background and an electric drill nearly drowned out his exuberant voice.
She turned the volume down on the station playing carols. “Oh, Jake. You should bring Trace downtown. It’s festive and magical!”
“What are you doing downtown? Hey, hold on a sec while I secure something here. I need both hands.” When he came back, he asked, “How was your day?”
“Boring because I already know all this stuff from my other job. I hate training sessions. I’m coming over, but I wanted to change clothes. How about coming up? We can meet for coffee and a sandwich if you and Trace haven’t eaten yet.”
Sounding out of breath, Jake continued, “What if we took a rain check and came for the tree lighting instead?”
What the heck had he been doing? Running around the ranch? Beth mentally smiled as she pictured him all dirty and grimy from working, or maybe he had stayed on the couch most of the day, recuperating, and now he had to catch up. “All right. I wanted to see the tree lighting anyway. I’m glad to be home. Are you feeling better than this morning? How come you’re all out of breath?”
“Uh huh, I am better, baby, but busy around here. I jumped off a ladder and now I’m running it to the barn. Get changed and come on.” Jake chuckled. “I got some premade cookie dough stuff. Trace instructed me to buy frosting for them. You know anything about that?”
She hung on to his every word. “Yes, I do. What if we waited until after the tree lighting to make them? Tonight sounds busy with us decorating.” Waiting at the traffic light in front of the Sunset Grill, a mom and pop restaurant, she observed the crowd inside, everyone smiling or laughing, happy to be together— seemingly contented to be living in a small town setting.
“Sure. We’re a great team.” Jake lowered his voice. “T.J. spent the whole day at my dad’s and never called once to check on me. I hope Christmas doesn’t set him back emotionally.”
“We’ll do the best we can to keep him upbeat, but if he falls back, we’ll be here for him.” Beth viewed the town through her rear view mirror on the way off Main Street. The inn outside of town took on a fairytale like appearance with its lighted and angelic display in the front. While the building itself wore tiny green lights as its trim, the colors complemented the surroundings.
“Come on, woman, I can’t wait to see you. I’ll get dinner cooking. Don’t worry about eating.”
“Ooooh, cowboy, you know the way to my heart, but maybe before I leave your place, you’ll take the dinner part off the cooking part.”
Jake snickered. “Ah ha, I see. You want me cooking instead of the food. Wow, you never lost the bold girl who lives inside of you. Good. This rancher might take you up on the cooking part.”
The vision of them wrapped in naked passion brought out a long and dreamy sigh. Fanning herself with one hand, she rolled her eyes at herself, surprised at how his words affected her. “I’m home now. The town is spectacular, though.”
“I was there today to get a tree, but I’m sure it’s better at night. See you soon.”
Beth hung up and ran into her house. “Hi, Mom. You should take a trip downtown. The city is beautiful. Mom?” She searched the house, finding a note on the kitchen counter. Hmm, her mom had gone to the senior center. Beth added to the note to explain where she’d be this evening, adding a smiley face at the end.
Her smiley face turned sad. The room carried an eerie kind of loneliness without her dad sitting in his chair. Beth fought with her own emotions to keep herself upbeat during the holidays. A thickness in her throat signaled the onset of tears. I miss you, Dad. Which made it easy to understand the loss Trace Lawton felt, and he was only a child left to deal with the death of his mother. Her heart clenched in sorrow for the lad.
Upstairs, she changed into a mint green sweater and black skinny jeans. Her dad always liked mint green on her, and tonight she wore it for him. She bent forward to bring her hair over her head and tossed it back to give it a fuller and disarrayed appearance. Cowboy boots were pulled on over her pant legs next. In no time, she headed back down Main Street. “If I had a dollar for every time I drove through this town toward Jake’s, I’d buy a horse!” She gave a quiet laugh. Glimmering lights bedecked many houses on the way back to the highway. Joy filled her up inside as she pressed on the accelerator to make her snazzy, little car move faster toward the beginning of a new future.
***
The split rail fencing along the ranch road was lighted with tiny lights. He had found time to do it with a hangover? Even the house was trimmed in red and white lights. Jake had had a busy day, and his ambition impressed her. When she pulled up, he came out the door to meet her at the top of the steps.
“Good timing. I just pulled chicken nuggets and French fries out of the oven.”
Beth laughed, but then smiled when she peered at him. A hair cut? It made his eyes bigger or deeper—brighter. Warmer. With it shorter, the subtle wave she remembered lay softly, inviting fingers to be shoved through the locks. “Hey there. What’s with the hair?”
Jake shrugged but had no comment.
“Did you get the pans out of the oven?” she kidded.
He stepped down one step. “My boy reminded me. What a kid, huh? Thanks, though.”
“Yes, he is. You’ve been busy since this morning.” She lifted a bag from the backseat. “I brought decorations for cookies after the town tree lighting. Tonight, we’ll have our own tree lighting!” This evening, her inner light already shone bright.
“A couple ranch hands helped with the lights. I can’t take all the credit. We’ll pop the top on those frosting containers. You still like to stick your finger into the frosting, Macaroni?”
“Does anyone ever stop licking frosting?”
T.J. and Kasha rushed out the front door, nearly toppling Jake as they ran off the steps. “Hi, Beth! Dad said you’re going to the tree lighting with us. Yippee.” Kasha wandered around the car, sniffing tires all the way around before ambling up to Beth.
She grinned at Kasha and gave her a good pat. “I’m excited, too, Trace. I missed it when I was away from Canyon Junction. There’s no place like home. You’re a lucky little boy to grow up here.” She didn’t care how decorated San Antonio had been throughout the holidays. None of it measured up to her hometown.
“Yup, I’m going to be a rancher like my dad. Even try saddle bronc riding.” He took the bag when Beth handed it to him and scuttled toward the door.
Jake glanced back at him. “Saddle bronc riding, huh?”
“Yep. Just like you, Dad.” He rammed through the door.
“First I heard of him wanting to be a rancher, or to ride a bronco.” Jake stopped her when she got on the porch. “Com
e here. What’s your hurry?” He pulled her close, peering down into her eyes. “You’re lovely tonight. Your eyes sparkle.”
Beth gulped and slipped her arm around his waist. The way he complimented her upon seeing her had become a habit. No complaints. “I’m happy to be here knowing you and I are growing into more.”
He gave her a kiss and a squeeze before releasing her and brushed his arm forward for her to enter the house. Beth glanced over her shoulder, catching him checking her out as she went ahead of him.
He whistled. “Dang, but you’ve taken good care of yourself.”
“I have tried. You don’t look so bad yourself, you know.” Beth did a wolf whistle back at him, chuckling afterward. “All the hay baling or whatever you do around here has done your body good. I’d love to see what’s underneath those flannel shirts you wear.”
“Yup, bold. Hah, you will before long if you keep talking like that.”
Beth laughed again, stepping over the dog who dropped to the floor as they entered the kitchen. “Is that something you’d complain about in a woman? Wanting to see your muscles, I mean?”
“Not a chance.” He glanced about the kitchen and peeked around the corner for Trace. “We can put a movie in after dinner. How about washing your hands?”
“I will.” Trace went into the small bathroom off the hallway from the family room.
Beth set down her handbag, took hand sanitizer from inside, and squirted some into her hands, swishing them together until her hands dried.
Beside her, he leaned an elbow on the counter. He smoothed a knuckle over her cheek. “I have soap and water.”
“This is fine. Can I do anything to help?” She touched his warm hand resting against her face, leaning forward to give him a kiss. When Jake didn’t release her, she pulled away for fear of T.J. running through the door, but she had wanted to enjoy his kisses. Having a child around would take some getting used to.
Jake caught her hand before she moved. “Ketchup is in the fridge. Grab a soda if you want, or wine. Milk for T.J.” He kissed her again. This time was longer, hungrier. “If I don’t mind T.J. walking in, you shouldn’t, either.”
“This is still new to me. I’ll get better.” Beth smiled and shook her hand free to remove those items, setting them on the table when found. Beth moved close to Jake—close enough that her body pressed against his while he dropped chicken nuggets into a bowl. Just touching him was enough for this moment. “How’s it going with you two? Is it hard for you to do this alone?”
“Not yet. I used to have him for weekends, so I got used to it fast. He helps a lot. I’m thankful I have him, which outweighs anything else.” Jake lowered his voice. “You know, T.J. would’ve been on the plane with them if I hadn’t taken control of his future.”
She peered toward the doorway. “Everything happens for a reason no matter how bad they may seem at the moment. Thank the dear Lord.” Beth searched his beautiful eyes. She had to remind herself of the same often, yet, it was easier to say it to someone else than to direct it to herself.
“I do every day.”
“Do what, Dad?” Trace asked upon entering the room before scooting into a chair.
“Thank the dear Lord for giving me you for a son.”
Trace grinned. “Cool!” He reached for the chicken nuggets. “I like you being my dad.”
“Hey, wait until we all sit down. It isn’t every day we have a pretty lady at our table.” Jake checked his words, winked at T.J. “Anymore, I mean.”
Trace glanced at Beth as she took a seat across from him. He handed her the bowl like a perfect little gentleman.
“Thank you, T.J.”
Jake poured her a glass of wine before sitting. When he did take a seat at the end of the table, he bumped his knee against hers and left it there. Beth didn’t move away. He’d done the same thing in the cafeteria in high school. Waves of heat lapped at her center. Sexy tingles shimmied down her back. She gave him a sideways glance. Tonight, he garnered a handsome persona showing in both his face and demeanor. If alone, she’d not be held responsible for her actions toward him.
Her gaze ran over his body with a shameless need. Jake held the bowl at a stop as he smiled at her. The boldness she admired about herself was raring to get out again—to reach for him, plant a long, slow kiss on his lips, and to take it further. She wanted him sexually this minute. With a deep sigh, she glanced around the table. Jake and Trace both peered at her after her loud exhale. Beth, now smiling, shot a not-so-innocent gaze to Jake. Her hands needed to be on him—to feel those muscles she could only imagine. To feel, everything. Omigod, get a grip!
***
After dinner, Jake shooed everyone out of the kitchen. He opened the boxes of Christmas decorations for Trace, hoping the memories didn’t sadden him. Damn, he should’ve bought new ones that held no memories. On second thought, Trace needed to have memories of his mom. “Want me to do the top ones first?”
T.J. nodded, taking a seat beside Beth. “My dad picked out a big tree, huh? It’s better than an old white one we had.” Trace’s voice lowered either on purpose or due to a pleasant memory. “My mom liked it, though.”
“Your dad picked out a nice one. It’ll be cool when it gets decorated. You had a white tree?”
“Yup. Dad, can I put the movie on?”
Jake stood on a ladder to get the top branches and peered down at his son. “Only if you can watch it and decorate.”
“Dad. Stop.” Trace leveled his gaze against his dad’s. “I can do both.”
“Go for it.” He reached around to hang a few bulbs on the back side of the tree.
Beth strolled over to Jake, and when he turned back around he caught her staring at his, ahem…belt buckle. Like hell she was. She touched her fingers to her lips and peered up at him. Jake gazed down at her, arrogantly tempting her to deny what she stared at. Her glimpse alone was enough to heat his bones. “If only, Beth. I always knew you were the perfect height.” The pink in her cheeks brightened when she had apparently realized what he’d meant. If Beth blushed, it was rare. The fact he brought it out made him proud. I love it!
He narrowed his eyes when he met hers, grinning as if he were a snake at the ready for striking. She stepped back a half step when he got off the ladder. Close at her side, he slipped his arm around her waist as he added a clear bulb that immediately picked up reflections from the colored lights. He handed her one, and they continued to add a row around the middle circumference, leaving the rest for Trace.
Jake put his hand behind her head, slowly bent forward, and whispered in her ear. “I know what you were thinking, and you weren’t staring at my belt buckle.” Jake placed a light kiss below her ear lobe before he moved back to check his son’s whereabouts. Her shiver couldn’t be denied when she eyed him. “It’s all yours,” he said with a voice louder than he had meant.
“What is, Daddy?”
He cleared his throat and blinked a couple times. Busted! “Uh, I-I said, it’s all yours now to finish.” Jake ran his tongue over his lips to wet them, or not, when she smiled at him. He headed to the kitchen but stopped at the doorway. Over his shoulder, he asked Beth if she wanted another glass of wine. “I’m grabbing a soda with ice. Want ice, Beth? T.J., want some chocolate milk?”
“No, Dad.”
Connecting her gaze with his, she narrowed one eye. “I’ll have what you have and yes, with ice.” She gave a wink, making his stomach roll with hunger for her. Things began to heat up quickly between them. How long could he stand waiting? How long could she?”
While in the kitchen, Jake drank a glass of cold water. With them busy in the other room, he cleared the table, set leftovers in the refrigerator, loaded the dishwasher, so he wouldn’t have to do it later, or in the morning. He listened to Beth and Trace in the living room, taking his time in the kitchen while they bonded.
It surprised him when his boy asked Beth if she knew his mom. Staring at the ice cube tray when he removed it, a reflection to what h
e’d told Beth on their date flashed through his brain like lightning. A rush of heat ignited his body, but he went to the counter and added ice then poured two glasses of soda. His hands wrapped around both cold glasses didn’t help his excited body much. Joining them in the family room, he came to an abrupt stop. T.J. sat close to Beth, his young body up against her like he’d do with his mom, and she had her arm around his shoulder.
“I only met your mom once a long time ago.”
“I miss her,” he said as he cuddled closer to Beth. “You smell like her.”
Jake gulped. A lump as big as Weaver’s Needle in the Superstitions stuck in his throat. “Here you go. Let me know when you’re ready for anything, Trace.” He took a seat in the chair beside the sofa, nonchalantly glancing over at them. It was best he remained quiet to see what else came up. To him, Beth smelled nothing like Paige.
“Does your mom and dad live in Canyon Junction?” Trace asked, apparently feeling comfortable enough to have a conversation with her.
“Yes, my mom does. I live with her now, and you know what? I’m thinking of staying there with her.” Glimpsing Jake, she smiled. Her admittance of staying in Canyon Junction gave him hope of a future together.
He stifled a grin, although with the idea of her staying in town—close to him, it forced out a full smile.
“What about your dad?” Trace asked.
Oh, oh, it was time to speak up since Beth appeared to be speechless. “T.J., Beth lost her dad not that long ago. He’s in Heaven, too.”
Twisting his lip to the right, he contemplated. “Do you think he knows my mom in Heaven?” With pure innocence, he blurted out the question, but by the tilt of his head and widened eyes, he wanted an answer as he peered at Beth.
“Maybe they do, Trace, honey.” Beth blinked, glancing at Jake for help as if she didn’t know what to do.
“Hey, bud, how about getting this tree done. I’ll start the movie. Didn’t you already have Elf in and ready to play?”
Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1) Page 14