He picked up her towel and held it out, but gazed at her body still flushed from love making. His heart thumped a little harder and that quick, he was ready for her again. “You’re beautiful inside and out. I fear I’ll never get enough of you. We have more to explore.”
“Yes, we do.” Beth ignored the towel and stood in front of him, naked and warm, her palms against his chest. “Check you out. You’re a gorgeous man. It wouldn’t be long before some other chick came in and swooped your heart away. Planets are in line. The universe is smiling now. Timing is right for us.” She smoothed her hand against his jaw and gently rubbed her thumb over his lips. “I’m so in love with you.”
Jake wrapped his arms around her waist, lowering them to her bare behind, and he leaned down to kiss her. He didn’t know if it could be called timing, planets being aligned, or the universe smiling. “Whatever it is, it’s right and it’s ours. I want to marry you. I want you to be my wife. I always have.”
“I do want to be your wife one day. It’s all part of the big plan. We got a little waylaid is all. I’m a content woman. I belong to you, Jake Lawton. I’ll hold you to your forever promise.”
Jake moved a step back. His gaze ran over her naked body—her toned abdomen, exquisite breasts, slim neck. Sweet, perfect jawline. He gulped. Those emerald eyes staring back at him in the candlelight searched his soul. He picked up a long lock of ginger hair and wrapped it around his finger, pulling her closer for a kiss on those luscious lips. With a smile, he mumbled, “Stunning.” He closed his eyes a moment to take it all in. “Get back in bed. Let me check my phone real quick.” He opened the drawer beside the bed to search for another condom, tossing it to the bed.
Scooting to the middle, Beth leaned on one elbow and eyed him. “Why do you have those up here?”
He peeked at her with a lifted brow. She assumed he made a habit of bringing women up here? “I brought them up today when I made the bed and searched out candles. I don’t think the ranch hands burned candles, love.”
Beth snickered. “Get your ass back in this bed. I’m waiting for you. You have a lot to teach me, Mr. Sexy.”
A wiggle to his eyebrows, Jake cocked his head. “Teaching will commence. Prepare yourself for your lessons.” He checked his voice mail. No messages. He hung up and sauntered toward the bed. Her sexy, satisfied image waited for him to make love to her again. It was enough to rattle his soul. He stopped at the side when Beth held up the condom.
Her eyes softened and were filled with an inner glow. In a gentle voice, she whispered, “I want to have your baby one day.”
Giving her a proud grin, he took the package from her fingers and tossed it to the table. “We can start working on one now.”
Chapter 12
Jake and Trace picked Beth up early for dinner. She’d been correct that her mom would attend the tree lighting with a group from the senior center.
After they left the restaurant, they drove into town and parked behind the ice cream shop. “I figure by the time we leave, we’ll need ice cream.” Jake lovingly ran his hand over his son’s head. Trace peered up at him with an I-love-ice-cream grin.
They rounded the corner of Main Street, Jake and Beth holding hands. She squeezed his hand. “Are you ready to be seen as a couple now? You know what this means?”
“Tongues will be waggling. I don’t care. Let’s keep them guessing.” He nodded ahead as he pointed their hands forward. “Starting now. Look.” Coming toward them was Gavin, one of their high school friends.
“It’s kind of funny most of the kids stayed in Canyon Junction or returned. Do you keep in contact with many of our old friends?” she asked.
Jake possessively draped his arm over her shoulder. “Only those who are customers, but I run into one or two others now and then. I got invited to a lot of weddings after I sobered up. Lots of kids are coming up in this town, like this one.” He pulled Trace against his other side.
Shrugging loose, Trace jerked away. “Dad, not in front of everyone.”
Hauling him back, Jake laughed. “Hush, or I’ll even kiss ya.” The paternity test weighed heavily on his mind. Cope and wait were his only choices, otherwise, he’d go berserk. He had talked to his lawyer about the first test. Tom knew the right people to put on the investigation while keeping the tampered test confidential.
Trace ducked from beneath Jake’s arm. “Can I go talk to Bobby? He’s right over there.” He pointed toward one of the concession stands selling Italian sausage and hot dogs.
“In a minute. Hey, Gavin.” The two of them did a fist bump. “How’s it going?”
“Good to see you, Jake.” Gavin took a step back, eyeing Beth in a way Jake didn’t like. “Beth? Hi there! Hey, Trace, you’re almost as tall as your daddy now.”
They all laughed and before Gavin left, Jake told him to have a good one, agreeing they’d get together sometime. They had said the same thing last year, yet neither followed through. Same old same old. “Come on, T.J., we’ll head over to see Bobby now. Don’t go running off where I can’t see ya.”
Trace ran forward a couple steps, spun around, and walked backward in front of them, stumbling over his own big, growing-boy feet. “I want some cotton candy. Beth, do you like cotton candy? Huh, Dad, can I? Please. Come on.”
“I love it, honey.” She held Jake’s arm tight against her. “I’ll take him over. Where will you be when we get back?”
“Right here, darlin’, listening to the band.” At least tonight he wouldn’t insult them. To see Beth and Trace together gave his heart a tug. It’d been a while since Trace cried more than a couple minutes at a time. Rob Adams from the bar, was the MC tonight. Jake sauntered toward him, holding up his palm. “Hiya, Rob. No, I’m not drunk. Hey, about that night—”
“Not to worry, Jake. I knew something bad bothered you. You here by yourself?” Rob checked the stage when the band began another song.
“Nope.” He cocked his head toward the cotton candy stand. “Right over there.” A sense of pride swept over him along with an emotional slug to his gut. Shake it off.
Rob chuckled. He set his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Good for you. See, it all works out. Aren’t you glad I didn’t let you drunk dial?”
“Absolutely. You need to turn your phrase, “No Drunk Dialing,” into a sign for the bar.” When Beth and Trace came toward them, he put his arm around her shoulder and stole a piece of cotton candy. “You remember Rob Adams?” Jake asked her.
Beth eyed him. “Ah, umm, I’m not sure.” She laughed. “Teasing. How could I forget the guy who spilled punch all over my dress while you were the MC at the prom? Jake didn’t even kick your butt for it.” She hugged him. “How you doing, Rob. Wow, you stuck around this little town, huh? Still the MC, too.”
“Had no choice. Got my own bar now. I gotta go. Band’s taking a break.” On the way to the stage, he said to Jake, “Hey, y’all come on up one night. Tuesday is Oldies Night.” He ran all the way up the steps and when he took the microphone, he pointed at them. “Great talking to you Beth Marconi and Jake Lawton.” He made sure anyone within earshot heard. Jake gave him a thumbs up. Anyone who wasn’t in sight of them right now cranked their necks around looking for them.
“Let the games begin, darlin’.” Jake dragged her over closer, placed a kiss on her cheek, and gave a smile. “Life is never going to be the same.”
“Dad? You called Beth darlin’.”
“Get over here. You’re my darlin’ too.” He grabbed his son against him again just as his phone beeped. When he peered at the message indicator, his heart sank. Raced. Might’ve fallen from his chest and down his pant leg. Now? He licked his lips, and his hand shook as he stared at his phone.
“Is something wrong?” Beth asked.
“A-a message I’ve been waiting for.” His gaze flicked to Trace and back.
Beth put her hand on T.J.’s shoulder. “Let’s go over here and take a seat while your dad checks his phone.”
“This is good cotton
candy!” Trace stuck more of the blue cottony concoction into his mouth.
Beth teased, “I wonder if yours is as good as mine. I might have to try yours.” T.J. held it up, and she swung her hair to the side to keep it from the sticky cotton candy. “Come on. Let’s go sit down and listen to the band—”
“Beth wait.” Jake shook his head no. “I’ll check it later.”
“Trace, just a second, honey.” She leaned in closer, her words for no one but Jake. “You’ve been waiting days for this call. How can you wait any longer?”
“I can’t check now. Not here. Let’s continue with the night, our plans. I want to make this a good night for my boy. Whatever that message says, I don’t want to mix it with the memory of the three of us being here.”
“You’re expecting it to be negative. All right, but now my nerves are on edge. I’ll remain confident.” She glanced at Trace who kept his attention on the pretty lead singer in the band. Beth kissed Jake on the cheek, giving his back a loving pat at the same time. “Confidence.”
With a pert nod, Jake sought out his son. “Come on, bud, if you still want to talk to Bobby, we’ll find him. You know your lips are blue now from cotton candy. He’ll think you turned into a zombie.”
“Cool!” He took off running when they got closer to where Bobby stood outside of the crowd at the Elephant Ear stand.
Jake put his arms around Beth from behind while they listened to the music, but he kept his eye on his son and his mind on the DNA results, unsure at this point if he needed to know. A twisting in his gut about made him sick. His whole outlook could change with the dialing of a phone. Why did it matter now if he knew? Trace was his no matter what. That should be good enough.
Beth tossed the empty cone to the already overflowing trash bin a ways off to the side of them. The cone made it inside instead of falling to the ground. Beth’s body fit perfectly against his, which helped distract him from the churning. He pulled her hair to the side and placed a kiss on her neck. “I love your blue tongue. Can I taste it?”
Beth faded into him as he held her tighter, giving a glance over her shoulder. “Mmm, you’re sexy with the way you talk. Tonight’s been great. Trace is having a good time.”
Two women came up to them and Marcie McKenzie took Jake’s arm, breaking their embrace. “Jake? Hi there. I thought that was you! It’s been so long since we’ve seen you. You must be hibernating out there on your big old ranch.”
“Busy working is all. Making a living. Taking care of my boy.”
Her sister, Melanie, leered at Beth. “We were out of town and so sorry to hear about Paige when we returned. Please accept our condolences even though late.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Jake yanked Beth to his side. “You ladies must remember Beth Marconi.”
They didn’t say anything at first, yet eyed each other, perused Beth from head to toe before giving a fake smile, and Marcie curtsied. “Sure.”
Beth looked away and rolled her eyes.
Gripping her arm tighter, Jake continued, “You remember the McKenzie twins, right, Beth.”
She nodded, peering back and forth at both of them, unable to hide her displeasure, he assumed, at the memory of the hell they had put her through in school.
“We had our moments in high school.”
They were in his grade, both having a wild crush on him. Neither hid their jealousy nor their dislike of his younger girlfriend. They didn’t give a lick about making Beth’s life miserable because of it. He didn’t forget things like that though they were the hottest set of twins he had ever met outside of a gentleman’s magazine. He could’ve had both of them—the invitation given to him many times. Even after he married Paige.
“Where’s your son, Jake?” Melanie asked as she glanced around the area. She placed her hand on his forearm again, perhaps to be sure he didn’t hold Beth too tight.
“Over there talking to one of his friends.” He squeezed Beth’s hand and kept her at his side when he knew she probably wanted to become invisible—but those twins needed to back off.
“So,” asked Marcie with a grating tone to her voice. “Are you two back together?”
Apparently his lips on her neck and arms around her told them nothing? Jake chuckled. “Well, what do you say, Beth, honey. Are we back together?”
Beth slipped her arms around his waist, held her chin high, and straightened her shoulders. “You know, Jake Lawton. I believe we are, and for good this time.”
“Humph,” huffed Melanie. “Well, we’ll see you around. We need to go find our husbands. They’re babysitting the kids for us so we can mingle.”
“Have a good one, ladies.” Jake turned to Beth, and they both burst out laughing.
“With Marcie’s screwed up face, I’m surprised I wasn’t struck dead. She’s still got the hots for you, whether she has a husband or not.”
“Forget it, Beth. It takes two, and I got you. And, I got a ranch, truck, kid, and a dog. None of which they’d be interested in.”
Beth hooked her arm around his to hold him close. “Ooh, now you’re a song writer. I love you…you cowboy of a big old ranch.” She mocked with a laugh.
“Yeah, I know…almost Mrs. Beth Lawton.”
At first Beth tried to ease away, but Jake was serious. “Gosh, I wrote those words a million times in my notebooks. The ink is fading now on my bedroom wall above my headboard.”
“We can make it real, and you can write it on your driver license.” He wrenched her around to stand in front of him as he glimpsed Trace out of the corner of his eye, having a few laughs with Bobby, and his sister, who was a year older. “Now. Say you’ll marry me thirteen years too late.”
Her mouth remained open as if she was ready to pronounce an “O” over and over. “It’s never too late. Marry you? When?”
He wrapped one arm around his midriff while the other swept to his side, and he bowed. “Hell if I know. Tomorrow. In this lifetime. Marry me.”
“I will marry the most handsome man here tonight!” Beth peered at the crowd, flicking her gaze back to him. “Heaven to Betsy, what am I saying? I will.” She threw her arms around his neck, and he lifted her off her feet. Her legs curled around his waist as he spun her around in a circle. “I can’t believe it,” she squealed.
Off to the side, Paige’s parents stood, holding T.J.’s hand. Oh, shit. He lowered Beth to the ground, refusing to be guilty of having a good time.
“What’s the matter? I thought you wanted me to—” She followed his gaze.
“Hi, Jake, nice to see you here. Trace was running around wild on his own,” said Fran Barnes.
“No, I wasn’t, Grandma.” He released her hand and came to stand by his dad.
Jake rolled his eyes and gave a slight shake to his head. “He was talking to his friend. I knew where he was.”
Bill Barnes took a step closer to where Jake and Beth stood. “We’ve been meaning to come to see you both, you and Trace, but—”
“No problem. We’re all busy.” He shook hands with his father-in-law. It was his business what he did now. The shocking look on both of their faces said it all. They expected him to be in mourning. His mourning took place a long time ago. Where were they then?
“We’ve also been meaning to tell you we’re moving out of town,” said his former mother-in-law as she eyed Beth callously.
Bill explained, “Tropical waters call us. We’ll be back in town around October every year or so, so we’ll be able to see Trace for the holidays.”
“That’ll be great.” Jake took Beth’s arm to bring her nearer. “This is Beth Marconi. We went to high school together.” He turned to Beth. “This is Trace’s grandparents, Bill and Fran Barnes.”
Beth took a step toward them and held out her hand. They both reluctantly shook hers. “Nice to meet you. You have a great little grandson here.” She put her arm around Trace when he stood beside her.
His mother-in-law gave a subtle smile when Beth put her arm around T.J. Could she have been gl
ad he had moved on with someone who accepted Paige’s son? Maybe he had been wrong about them. “Let us know before you leave, and we’ll stop by to see you.”
“Sure.” Fran took her husband’s arm. “We want to get a good spot over by the tree. We’ll see you around, Jake. Nice to meet you, Beth. Come here, T.J., give Grandma a hug.”
“He’s kind of shy in public.” Jake tried to save his son from some more embarrassment.
Trace remained in his spot, so his grandmother came over to hug him. His young body tensed, and he shied away. Bill patted Jake and Trace on the back, turned, and went on their way. Jake’s gaze connected with Beth. “Where were we before we were interrupted?”
She glanced down at Trace and smiled. “We can pick the topic up later.” She blinked. “Much later, or maybe over coffee in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am. Morning, it is. Come on, T.J., let’s go find a good place to watch the tree get lit up.”
“Hey, Jake, hold up.”
He spun around yet again to find Dane Carlson walking up to him. “How’s it going? I wanted to tell ya Baby Bell is settled in fine at the Double Dutch. She’s a beauty.”
“I miss her,” said Trace.
“Yeah, kiddo, but she’s happy at Dane’s barn. There’s more horses over there for her to, um, socialize with, and now she has a pasture buddy. Baby Bell never got along with Atlas and Blue.”
Dane tapped Trace on the shoulder. “Yeah, she’s doing great. Anytime you want to come over to see her, tell your dad to bring you over to my place.”
“Okay. Thanks. Dad, can I go talk to Destiny? I see her over there, and can I have some popcorn?”
“How about passing on the popcorn since we’ll get ice cream later. You can visit with Destiny though.”
Dane peered at Beth. “Holy hell, it’s Beth Marconi? Wow, girl, where you been all this time? You pop in and out like a jack-in-the-box.”
“It’s true, I’ve been in and out, Dane. Just busy when I do come to town. I’m staying this time.”
Dane glanced at hers and Jake’s entwined hands. “Yeah, I heard. Sounds good. You know I was out of town, over at Ft. Benning when your dad passed away, or I would’ve been there.”
Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1) Page 19