Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  The driver opened the door, and first Lilly burst out giggling. She must’ve hit the champagne early. Her dress was pale peach, form fitting, and long. She wore heels to match the dress, and she rocked the whole look. Lilly had remained the same giddy girl he used to laugh at in school. She gave him a hug, and he returned it. “Thanks for helping with the wedding, Lilly-bean.”

  “You’re more welcome than you know, old friend. Take care of my best girl.”

  “Without a doubt.”

  Beth’s mom followed wearing a sapphire blue dress, also floor length with lace above the bodice, shoulders, and long lacy sleeves. Jake took Isabella’s hand to assist her out, giving her a hug before she entered the church with Lilly.

  He nodded to the driver, held his palm up to Beth to halt her, and scooted in, closing the door behind him, while the driver waited outside. “Yowsa. Let me look at you.” His gaze took in her beauty, beginning at the simple toeless, white sparkling heels to the glittery hairpiece woven into her hair. Her white ball gown puffed out all around her where he had to push against it to get close, but the fitted, strapless top showed half of her breasts and deep cleavage, leaving her sexy shoulders bare. “Lovely,” he whispered before raising his gaze to her eyes, grinning like his boy did on Christmas morning. A silver chain necklace with a teardrop between two emerald stones hugged her slim neck. It competed with the diamond-like sparkle in her eyes. The infinity bracelet adorned her wrist.

  “Hi, baby.” Beth leaned in to give him an alluring kiss. “You’re handsome in your tux. My goodness, but you’re sexy all dressed up as a man.”

  Jake still grinned. “As a man?”

  “I mean not a boy—a teenager, like the drop-dead-gorgeous guy with whom I first fell in love.”

  Her voice was as soft as her smile today. “I’ve been a man for a long time, darlin’. You’re a stunning bride. Your dress is…is, can I say charming without sounding too foolish?”

  “Yes, you can. You know what happens in the limo, stays in the limo. Thank you.” She gave a heartfelt smile and entwined their fingers.

  “I want to say sexy as hell and rip it off, but I’ll be nice…for now.” Jake twirled one tendril of hair around his finger. He peered at her hairdo, swept up or whatever they called it these days, leaving her shoulders exposed, the Texas tan faded now. It was a style he liked on her, but he observed ways to get it unpinned, released to fall down over her shoulders. He caressed one silken cheek. “I’ve waited a long time for this day.”

  Beth patted his lapel beneath his boutonniere. “Me too. My heart is beating hard right now. I’ve dreamed of marrying you forever it seems. Here we are.”

  For a moment, they only stared into each other’s eyes. Jake peered out the window as Wade made his way out of the church, and Jake snickered. Wade wasn’t about to let him have a quickie before the wedding. Jake rolled the window down. “We’ll be right there,” he told Wade as he neared the vehicle. Wade tapped his watch, twirled, and headed back inside to wait with the small wedding party.

  “Wade looks great, too, but you are one fine fiancé. I’ll be the envy of all those bitc…girls who hated me in high school. I’m sure they’re here.”

  “You can say bitches, honey. They are here, but I’ve always belonged to you.”

  “Shall we go inside?”

  Jake kissed her one more time, leaned back, and asked, “Do I have lipstick all over me?”

  “Nope. I have smudge-free today. And waterproof mascara!”

  “Ah, even better.” He pressed his lips against hers one more time before he opened the door. Once she was outside and straightened her dress, he took her arm and wrapped it around his. Jake peered at the blue, cloudless sky. Sweat beaded beneath the tight neck of his shirt, and he wouldn’t mind ripping the tie off. “Let’s get married.”

  Beth peered upward before taking a step. “I hope you’re watching, Daddy. I love you.” She became teary-eyed, and he handed her his handkerchief.

  “I knew you’d need this. Your dad’s watching you today, darlin’.” He cocked his head toward the church, grinning as if he finally got his way. He had.

  Beth halted him immediately upon stepping through the double doors, tilting her head toward the ceiling. “I hope the roof doesn’t come crashing down with me walking in.”

  “Nah, I’m sure the guy upstairs is smiling.”

  Inside, his parents, Lilly and her husband, Damon, Isabella, and Wade waited at the partially opened doorway to the chapel. Damon took his seat after shaking hands with Jake and hugging Beth.

  Jake and Beth stood behind them, peeking around to observe the inside of the old church—the antique stand at the altar, bare wood floors, and pews of old.

  Though sparsely decorated, blue hydrangea, and white lilies combined beautifully with cream and white roses, to match her bouquet. Long stems of green and white carnations and pink roses were attached to the first few pews and around the altar. It was all simple, yet exactly what she had wanted, and he had agreed to whatever she needed to make this day perfect. Isabella hooked her arm around the usher’s and made her way to the front row on the bride’s side.

  “My mom is beautiful today.”

  “Yes, she is, honey.”

  With a reserved smile and light flutter of her lashes, she said calmly, “So is yours.”

  “Uh huh.” The sanctuary became quiet. Next, the que came for Jake’s parents. Silvia gave Beth a hug first and then Jake. She took Derrick’s arm, and they strolled to their seats in the first row.

  The first musical key chimed from the piano then stopped. Lilly turned to hug Beth. She smiled at Jake, then took Wade’s arm, and they strolled down the aisle together to take their places on either side of the altar.

  Beth’s hand shook as she held his arm, and he gave it a squeeze. “Don’t be nervous, babe. Today is our day.”

  “It’s a happy nervous, Jake, honey.” The wedding march began to play. “Omigod. It’s happening.” Everyone turned toward them when the door swung open. Beth took a deep breath, smiled at him, and together they walked down the aisle. Jake did a few fist bumps with guys on the way to the altar, while cowboys he used to saddle bronc ride with sitting on the other end of the pews couldn’t hold in their whoops and low whistles.

  Beth glanced at the guests as they passed by them on their slow stroll to the altar. Some of her haters even smiled. “I’m proud to be the one on your arm,” she whispered. They stepped up to the altar, faced each other, and their gaze remained connected—neither of them glancing away. Jake’s throat tightened, and he couldn’t swallow down the grit sticking there.

  Preacher John Higgins waited until the hum of voices quieted, and he began with his speech. “When true love is destined to be, it’ll be, and today we’re brought together to witness this. Beth Marconi and Jake Lawton stand before us—true love at its best.”

  “Right on,” said Wade loud enough for the back of the church to hear. The guys back there roared.

  Jake glanced back and laughed, did a fist bump with his son, who nodded with a big grin. Remembering where he was, he faced his bride. Her happiness today brought a warmth over his body, and his sweaty hands squeezed hers. Who had turned off the air conditioning?

  As Higgins continued talking about the unity of marriage, Beth leaned over, cupped her hand around his ear, and whispered, “I’m not wearing anything underneath my gown.” She batted her eyelashes and gave Jake a flirty smile. Preacher Higgins paused.

  Jake loosened the neck of his shirt and cleared his throat. He did his best not to laugh, although it could slip out at any moment. She was in so much freaking trouble later for doing this to him at the altar. Pull yourself together, cowboy. If only he could not picture her nakedness standing there. He forced down another swallow, narrowed his eyes at her, but the corners of his mouth quirked a bit at his musings.

  In a sugary sweet voice, she said loud enough for the preacher to hear, too, “Oh, Jake honey?” Beth held up her index finger for Hig
gins to wait before going on. Then she faced Jake with a smile that melted his heart.

  What the hell is she doing now? All he could think about was her going to detention for being bad. His body heated beneath the tux. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, his neck, the pits of his arms, his back. Damn her. He had to release her hand to swipe his arm across his damp face. Woman, what the hell are you doing?

  She placed her right hand against his cheek, tilted her head a bit, and beckoned him until close enough to whisper in his ear again. “I’m pregnant.”

  Jake gulped, reading a naughty excitement in her eyes. That was the last thing he had expected. “You’re pregnant!” Oh, holy damn. What had he just said out loud? Jake immediately turned to their guests, making eye contact with his parents and then Isabella. A buzz had started after his big announcement, but now a hush fell over the sanctuary after what he had blurted out. His throat didn’t work again. What a bad girl she was today. Jake narrowed his eyes at her while wetting his lips. He gave a subtle shake to his head and just stared. Dumbfounded.

  Beth shook him. “Hey.”

  He met her gaze with one brow lifted. His gaze dropped to her mouth, back to the naughty smirk showing in her emerald orbs. Right now, he wanted to kiss her, run his hand up her leg, over her thigh, and higher until he found her unclothed, beautiful, and he’d bet wet— Oh. Shut. Up.

  He reminded himself, again, where they were—in front of God and Canyon Junction. His eyelashes fluttered involuntarily. Another gulp.

  Trace giggled.

  “Yay?” Jake grinned, punching the air in a fist pump. “Yay!” It took a moment for the crowd to hush again. Beth pressed her teeth against her bottom lip to suppress laughter, he supposed.

  With a slight nod toward the preacher, he took her hand, and they faced the man who waited for them to get real. In a quick motion, he kissed her cheek then faced forward again. He wasn’t aware of holding his breath until he had to blow out a big one.

  “Jake?”

  He gave a comatose-like glance to Beth. “Huh?”

  “Vows? I do? The ring? We’re waiting.”

  Trace giggled in the background, again. He got a kick out of seeing his dad become a bumbling fool in front of the town.

  “Say I do!” said Wade. The whole church laughed again, and it took a full minute to get quiet.

  “Um…” Jake said to the preacher, “Can you repeat that please?” Shaking his head, now he was embarrassed. He hadn’t heard the wedding vows. After this, Beth would kick his ass, or have fun trying once she got out from under him. He laughed.

  The preacher clenched Jake’s shoulder, squeezing hard with a hand big enough to clench a basketball while he repeated the vows.

  The grip digging into three layers of cloth kept him focused. Jake repeated after him. “Until death do us part.” Wade handed him the rings at the appropriate time, and Jake slipped the wedding band over her finger, lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed her knuckles. His gaze dropped to her abdomen before meeting her eyes again. “I love both of you.”

  “I now pronounce you man and wife!” The preacher rushed the words out a couple decibels louder than his normal voice. “I swear, Jake Lawton, you’ll put me in an early grave if you don’t kiss your woman.”

  Beth, Jake, and the crowd laughed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek.

  Kissing my cheek? “That isn’t a wedding kiss, Mrs. Lawton.” He took her into his arms and kissed her good right there, backed away, but kissed her again, and again, but when it finally ended, he laughed at himself. I’m married to Macaroni. Jake leaned down to lift her, and he rushed all the way down the aisle holding her in his arms before he put her down. Outside the sanctuary, he pushed the door closed, leaning against it.

  He framed her face with his hands, kissed her proper and sexy like a new groom should in case she had any doubts about the rest of their life together. “You’re in so much trouble, my bride. Nearly naked, and pregnant! Waiting until we’re standing at the altar to tell me? Oh, yeah, you’re in for it real good.”

  Beth giggled like a kid. Being bad was like her forte. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less. Let the loving commence, Jakey.”

  “Jakey isn’t the one doing the loving tonight—”

  The doors swung open, shoving them forward. Silvia and Derrick were the first ones to walk through, then Isabella joined them.

  He kissed Beth again in front of everyone who meandered out the door, and when it ended, he finished his sentence, not caring at this point who heard. “Jake is the one doing the lovin’ tonight, darlin. Put Jakey to rest, for good.” Boldness and pride covered over any embarrassment he had over blurting out to nearly the whole town that she was pregnant.

  Wade bumped his arm on the way out and grinned. “You two need a bed. Hot damn, I mean apparently, you already found a bed. Congratulations on the little Lawton.”

  The other ranch hands tossed their hats into the air, pulled him away from her, lifted him to their shoulders, ranting and hollering on the way to the limo. The girls took Beth’s arms and escorted her to Jake’s outreached hand.

  He bowed and swept his hand forward for her to get in. “Y’all have to find your own way to the party. This vehicle is reserved.” When he got inside and the door closed, Jake removed his jacket, as he kissed Beth, proceeding to his tie. “If you think you’ll make it to the high school unscathed, forget it. With nothing underneath your dress, consider me already…” He snickered, “inside of you, sweetheart.” Jake tossed his jacket and shirt aside, remaining in a t-shirt, and he slipped a bill through the window. “Take the long way. The real long way.” He raised the darkened window between the front and back seat, grinned, and removed her heels, sliding his hand up her leg as he spoke. “You take my breath away, Beth. You’re sexy. Pregnant?”

  Beth opened her legs when his hand went higher, and brought his face closer to hers for a kiss. She barely removed her lips from his. Propping herself into the corner, she smiled. “We did it, Jake. All those years ago we set out to get married. A short time ago we set out to make a baby.”

  “So, you’re going to be a mamma. Let me remind you how that happened.” He slowly slid his hand higher. A seriousness lingered on his face. “Have I told you today that I love you?”

  “Fantastico, sì, ti amo, amore mio—this is something I look forward to. Bellissimo!” They lay on the seat side by side, Jake’s leg possessively over hers to bring her up against him.

  “You’re speaking a foreign language again. You want me to be smoking hot, don’t you?”

  “Sizzling! You’re already smoking hot.” She wasted no time unhooking the cummerbund and then his pants. “Nearly naked in a Hummer limo. Now there’s a memory I’ll keep forever. Bring it on.”

  Jake’s hands were all over the dress, feeling, touching, exploring. “Your dress is stunning, but how the hell do I get into you…it.”

  Beth reached to the back of her dress to pull apart the Velcro at the waist, removing the full skirt to reveal a sparkly, shortened new bottom to her dress. “Remember the dance we’re doing later? I prepared.”

  “Whoa! Sex-x-x-y.” He attempted to pull off his pants, but she stopped him. “Ugh, come on!”

  “Uh uh, we have to wait. This is too embarrassing with the driver up front.”

  “Want me to send him away?”

  “No, baby. Be patient.”

  “Woman, I’ve been patient for over thirteen damn years. You ask a lot of your husband.” He plopped his ass down on the seat and cocked his head for her to come onto his lap. He smiled when she accommodated his wishes. Both hands went to her waist, slowly gliding over the dress until he grasped the bottom to hike it up. He kissed her, slow and easy, sending his brain into a blur of lust. His lips dragged over her skin to her breasts. Each movement made him hungrier. Needier. His heart beat erratically. He had to have her completely. “Come on, ride your husband fast and hard…even if it is through our clothes.”


  ***

  Jake eyed her with a glint in his eye that’d melt a glacier, but at the moment, it melted her heart. She loved him so. Beth’s insides sparked like a broken electric wire after a storm. She glanced over her shoulder to the window between them and the front seat. Staring back at him, she grinned and lowered herself over him for some playful pretend sex. His dark eyes closed and lips parted as she began to move slowly at first. She held his face and kissed him. Out of breath, she whispered, “Knowing I was marrying you tonight made me want you like crazy, all the day long.”

  “You have me now. Here’s your chance. Come on, he’s taking the long way. Keep doing what you’re doing,” he said breathlessly. “Keep on…oh, God, Beth, you’re so good at this. Holy damn, stop moving now, or…”

  She kissed him to quiet his words, and picked up the pace, circling her hips as she moved. His hands pressed against her back holding her tight as she breathed deeply. Her eyes closed. Emotion filled her up. Her body was ruled by its own cravings now. “Okay, take off your pants. Damn you.”

  Wasting no time, he slid them off, pulled her back on top of him, and lifted the sexy short dress higher.

  “Omigod!” she mumbled. “Hurry.”

  “This’ll be the quickie Wade prevented back there. You’re getting it hot and quick, sweetheart.”

  Moments later, she welcomed a shattering, pure lustful climax that blasted through her head, sending the signal to radiate pleasurable sensations throughout her body.

  Electric!

  Hot.

  Sexy.

  Jake slid one hand to the back of her head, bringing her closer for a kiss, but drew away from her in a sigh as he exploded into her, collapsing against the back of the seat.

  She smiled, satisfied he had received what he wanted—quickie or not, and so had she. She remained on his lap long enough for their breathing to slow. Beth rested her cheek against his shoulder. In her wildest dream, loving him was everything she could have hoped for, but reality was a thousand times better.