A Dusty Dreams Wedding

by Kat Carrington

  "Jess!" the little boy crowed. "Where's Brady?"

  "He's working, but he told me to tell you hi. And I brought cookies."

  Kayla closed the door behind her as her son shouted, "Cookies! Mommy, can I have a cookie?"

  "Just one for now. You can have another one after dinner."

  "Yay! Cookies!" Caleb ran ahead of them to the kitchen.

  Kayla took the plate of cookies and gave one to Caleb. "Eat it in here; you know the rule."

  "Okay." The little boy closed his eyes with a blissful look on his face as he bit into the cookie.

  "Here, Jessie, give me your jacket. Should we have a glass of…oh my god, what's that?"

  She snatched Jessie's hand and gave a thrilled shout of her own. Jessie laughed as Kayla danced up and down, and Caleb stared at his mother as if she'd gone crazy. The two women hugged each other, both talking at the same time.

  "Oh, congratulations, honey, I'm so happy for you. We have to have a glass of wine! I don't have any champagne, but I have a good bottle of white wine all chilled and ready for us."

  Jessie grinned. "That's better anyway. I don't like champagne."

  Kayla grinned back at her. "That's exactly how I feel."

  Caleb finished his cookie and decided to escape to his toys. Kayla hugged her friend again and went to get the wine. They looked at each other and raised their glasses together to drink to the happy news.

  "We talked to Brady's family earlier, and I had to tell you next," Jessie said, unable to keep the big smile off her face.

  "When did this happen?"

  "He gave it to me last night. You know, he asked me to marry him before and I said yes, but he got down on his knee and proposed all over again. It was so sweet. And the ring is so perfect! I couldn't have chosen better myself."

  Kayla giggled in delight. "I'm so excited for you. So, have you set a date?"

  "Well, we have an appointment with Pastor Dean, day after tomorrow. If it's okay with him and the church is available, we'd like to do it on Christmas Eve."

  Kayla hooted with laughter. "I win the pool!"

  Jessie's mouth fell open and she said, "You've got to be kidding! Are you kidding?"

  Kayla was giggling uncontrollably. Some time ago, she'd told Jessie that there was a pool at the Rusty Spur selling chances on when Jessie and Brady would get married.

  "Nope, I'm not kidding. I chose Christmas. Everybody else has guessed spring or fall. Nobody is even close to Christmas Eve."

  Jessie laughed with her and they clicked their glasses together again.

  "Why did you pick Christmas? I hadn't even thought about it."

  "Every time I thought of you in a wedding dress, I just pictured a Christmas wedding. Oh, it's going to be so beautiful! I can't wait to tell Mitch."

  "Well, don't tell anyone else until we get the okay from Pastor Dean."

  "I won't, I promise. You two really are a perfect couple."

  "So how are things with you and Mitch?"

  "We're having fun," Kayla said. "He's easy to be around. I like him and we have fun together."

  "And?"

  Kayla mused, "And…I'm not sure. Sometimes I think there's a spark, just waiting to catch fire, and then I usually get a little spooked. I think maybe I'm keeping it behind a wall because it scares me. I know I advised you not to let that happen to you. I guess it just has to work itself out."

  Jessie reached for her hand and looked seriously at her. "Maybe you need to take a chance, Kay. Remember when you made me promise to kiss Brady? You were right, and maybe it's time to take your own advice."

  Kayla looked a little panicked. "I don't know. I know I think about it a lot and I wonder about it a lot. I can't rush it, though. I'm not ready to take the leap yet."

  "Well, sweetie, you can't avoid it forever. That wouldn't be fair to you or Mitch."

  "I know. I think I'll know when the time is right. And I won't just walk away without finding out for sure. It's scary, but not as scary as missing out would be."

  "Good. And don't think I won't keep bugging you about it." Jessie winked at her.

  Kayla laughed. "I'm sure you will."

  Jessie stayed a little longer, coloring a picture with Caleb and then hugging them both before she left. She sighed happily as she got into her truck, taking a moment to admire her new ring again before she started the engine. The only way her life could be better would be if Jake was still there. She felt the familiar tug of missing him and silently hoped that he was watching her now. As she pulled into the driveway at the ranch, she could have sworn that she felt his presence there with her. Jessie was smiling peacefully when she got out of the truck.

  When Brady and Jessie went to their appointment with Pastor Dean, he gave them his blessing with a broad smile, clapping Brady on the back as he shook his hand. He checked his calendar and assured them that Christmas Eve would be a great time for their wedding, and he looked forward to performing their ceremony. The pastor kissed Jessie's cheek and shook Brady's hand again before they left. Jessie was blissfully happy that their date was set, and she looked forward to starting to plan and to going shopping for her dress with Brady's mom and sister and, of course, Kayla.

  Jessie spoke to Brady's mom again that evening, and they set a tentative date to spend a day shopping. Linda said that she and Becca would drive over the day before and spend the weekend. She mentioned a hotel, but Jessie wouldn't hear of it. They would stay at the ranch. There were two empty bedrooms and she was excited to have them come and stay. Kayla said she was available that weekend and Mike's parents would love to have Caleb so she could go shopping with them. So, once they got Becca's okay, it was set.

  Brady was having fun watching Jessie's excitement over the wedding and he was truly thrilled that her relationship with his family was so good. Jessie didn't have any family of her own now that Jake was gone, and he knew it meant the world to her to be welcomed into his. He thought back to when he had first met her. She had been lost and grieving, only a shadow of the joyous woman she had blossomed into. Every day he spent with her, he somehow loved her more. When she hung up from her final phone call, he grabbed her and kissed her with all the heat he was feeling at that moment. He took her breath away and her eyes darkened as she looked steadily at him after the kiss.

  Jessie reached for him and began to unbutton his shirt, and he slipped his hands under her top and around behind her to unhook her bra. He stroked her and she pulled harder at his buttons, popping one off in her haste. She gasped as he cupped her small, perfect breasts in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over her instantly hardened nipples. Jessie jerked his shirttail out of his jeans and pulled at his belt, unbuckling it quickly and opening his pants. Brady gave a low growl and then a groan when she pulled him free from his jeans, wrapping her hand around his erection. With his mouth on hers, he backed her toward the bedroom, his hands still busy.

  Once they reached the bedroom, their clothes were dropped on the floor in seconds. Brady wanted to taste every inch of her, and Jessie reveled in the feel of him under her hands. He laid her on the bed and opened her legs to fix his mouth on her sweet center. Jessie cried out at the shock of pleasure that bolted through her and bucked against his mouth, her hands gripping the covers in helpless sensation.

  "Brady, please," she panted.

  "Please what, darlin'?"

  "Please. I need you inside me, please."

  Brady brought his mouth up in a line of hot kisses and nips until he reached her breasts and fastened his mouth on one tender, swollen tip. He laid his rock-hard member against her belly, teasing her just a little, and she squirmed under him until he drove into her hot, wet depths with a single deep thrust. Jessie cried out, and he thrust again and again, settling into a deep, quickening rhythm until a blinding orgasm rocked her and her whole body shook with the spasms. Still, he went on, harder and faster, driving her up again until both of them reached an earth-shattering climax. They shuddered together with the power of their lovemaking and
slowly, slowly came down from the peak of their passion.

  Several minutes later, as her heartbeat finally calmed, Jessie said in a deeply satisfied voice, "I love you so much, so, so much."

  Brady tightened his grip on her. "I love you too, more than I ever knew was possible."

  They were quiet for another minute, and then Jessie said, "Brady? I haven't even started supper yet."

  She felt the low rumble of his chuckle in his chest. "That could be a problem because I think I, for one, just worked up a hell of an appetite."

  "Hmm, I guess this is the perfect time for a leftover night."

  "As long as it's your leftovers, I'm in." Brady rolled off her and swatted her bottom as she rose from the bed.

  Jessie squealed and escaped to the bathroom with a happy little laugh.

  Chapter 4

  One day, Jessie was in town at the farm store, picking up some plant food when she saw Devon Bridges leaving the store and heading to her truck. She stopped for a moment to look at some paving stones, and Jessie hurried to grab her change and her jug of plant food. She rushed out of the store, and looking closely at the receipt in her hand, she "accidentally" bumped into Devon.

  "Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going! Devon! Wow, this is lucky. I'm so glad I ran into you. Are you in a rush?"

  Jessie stopped talking for just a second while Devon nodded and shook her head, opening her mouth, but unable to keep up with Jessie's stream of words.

  "Oh, good, please come have a quick lunch with me. I've got so much to do, but I'm absolutely starving, and I just hate to eat alone. Come on; you can ride with me." She took Devon's hand and pulled her toward her truck, still talking the whole way.

  When they got to Jessie's truck, Devon put on the brakes, stopping suddenly with an exasperated look on her face. She raised a hand to stop Jessie from chattering and said, "Jessie! What are you doing? I've got things to do."

  Jessie's mouth opened in a startled 'o' and said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I just get so carried away. If you're too busy, I understand. Forgive me." The wounded, contrite look on her face was absolutely genuine. "Brady always says I get too far ahead of myself. I can eat alone."

  Devon sighed as she looked at the crushed expression on Jessie's face and reluctantly said, "Well, I guess I can spare a little time for lunch. I have to eat sometime. But I'll drive myself. Where were you planning to go?"

  A brilliant smile flashed across Jessie's face and she said, "Over to the Rusty Spur, do you know where it is?"

  Devon gestured down the street. "Just a couple of blocks that way, right?"

  "That's it. Should we go now?"

  Devon shrugged and said, "I guess, might as well."

  "Oh, good," Jessie gave a little hop of glee. "I'll meet you there."

  Devon muttered to herself the whole way to the bar. "What the hell am I doing? But she's just like a little kid, and I don't know how, but she doesn't take no for an answer. I don't need a girlfriend. I don't want one. I'm not looking for one. Dammit, this is the last time. I'm cutting this off."

  When she entered the bar, Jessie was sitting at a table waving at her with that brilliant smile of hers. Devon sighed one last time and made her way over to the table. She tried to think of a good way to let the other woman know that she wasn't up for a friendship, but Jessie was looking at her with pent up excitement.

  "I have to show you something. I know I'm showing off, but I just got it a few days ago and I just can't help it." She held out her hand so Devon could see the engagement ring that she wore so proudly.

  "Wow, that's beautiful. Congratulations!" In spite of herself, Devon had to smile back at her. "Was it a surprise?"

  "Well, not the engagement, he'd already proposed before, but the ring and getting down on his knee and, yes, I guess it was a surprise." Jessie was beaming.

  "Well, he did good. It's really lovely and you're clearly happy."

  "Thank you. He really did; it's perfect for me. I just can't believe this is where my life is today. I never imagined being so happy." Jessie's face was radiant.

  There was a shadow in Devon's eyes. "It's good that some of us get to live their dreams."

  Jessie looked concerned. "Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

  Devon shook it off. "Nope, I'm fine. My life is just the way I want it. Happily ever after with a man, just isn't meant to be for me. I have my son, and that's a million times better than any man could be."

  Troubled, Jessie said, "Devon, you're a young woman; you have a whole life ahead of you. The right one will come along when the time is right."

  "I don't want it. That kind of life isn't for me. I'm not interested. I have plenty to keep me busy and I don't need a man to complicate it."

  "Has there ever been a special man for you?"

  "Nope. I barely knew my son's sperm donor. And it turned out that he disappeared off the face of the earth anyway, and I got what I wanted. I'm perfectly content this way. You can be happy with your man. I'm happy for you, but I don't want that for me. So, when's the big date?"

  Jessie was positive there was a lot more to Devon's story, but she obviously wasn't about to talk about it. "We're getting married on Christmas Eve."

  Devon nodded thoughtfully. "I can see that; it would suit you. I bet you just love Christmas, don't you?"

  Jessie giggled. "I must confess, I love Christmas more than any other holiday. It will be the perfect wedding day for us."

  Mitch came over, Jessie introduced him to Devon, and they ordered their drinks. "Special today is a double cheeseburger with fries for $5.50 or the grilled chicken sandwich with fries, same price. I'll leave these menus and be back with your drinks in a minute."

  "Double cheeseburger sounds great," Devon said. "One thing about remodeling your own house, you always have an appetite."

  Jessie asked, "How do you do meals? Your kitchen is completely gutted."

  "I invested in a deluxe grill that can basically do anything I can in a kitchen. Hopefully, I'll have that kitchen done well before winter comes."

  Jessie was impressed all over again. "It's amazing, what you're doing here. You should get written up in a magazine or something."

  "No way! That would mean talking to reporters, having photographers looking at every bit of my house. That sounds like the worst kind of torture to me."

  Jessie laughed. "Duly noted. The lady is not looking for fame and fortune."

  "Nope, just a quiet, safe place to raise my boy. Once the house is done, I'll get him a dog and maybe someday a little pony. Things he couldn't have in the city. That's the perfect life as far as I'm concerned."

  Mitch came back with their drinks and took their orders. Devon asked Jessie what her ranch was all about. Jessie told her all about the ranch, raising the cows, what it was like when the new calves had started coming, making hay, gardening, riding their horses.

  "It sounds like you're living the perfect life for you," Devon observed. "Have you been on the ranch long?"

  "No, this is the fourth year. We started small, and we're very slowly building up the herd. Oh! You said eventually you want to get your son a dog. I should introduce you to my dog, Indy. She loves kids."

  Just then, their food arrived, and the conversation was interrupted. They enjoyed their cheeseburgers, which Mitch was famous for in local circles, and chatted about the community through lunch. Jessie tried to delicately pry more information out of Devon, but the woman was adept at avoiding talk about herself. She didn't give up much more than Jessie had already learned about her, not even her son's name. She did say that she had moved to Nebraska from Georgia, which was amazing to Jessie.

  "What on earth brought you to Nebraska?" Jessie asked.

  Devon shrugged. "It sounded like just the kind of place I wanted to settle in to raise my son. I knew a guy who was from Nebraska and he talked about it a lot, so when I got ready to make my move, I spent a lot of time checking it out. And here I am. I could never have afforded a place like mine in
Georgia. There's so much demand for housing there."

  As she finished the last bite of her cheeseburger, Devon said, "I hate to rush, but I've got to get some things done before it's time to pick up my son." She motioned to Mitch for the check.

  "It's on me," Jessie said. "I was so glad to have your company at lunch. I truly hate eating alone."

  "No, I can get my own," Devon protested with a frown.

  Jessie waved a hand and said, "It'll be your turn next time. I had fun today."

  Somehow, Devon found herself leaving without being able to change Jessie's mind and with the sneaking suspicion that she was going to end up having lunch with the persistent woman again. She was going to have to do a better job of keeping her guard up; that much was clear. She refused to admit to herself that she had kind of enjoyed the lunch with Jessie. Shaking her head, she went on her way and concentrated on the task she was working on at home.

  When Jessie got home, she had to hurry a little to catch up on what she had planned to accomplish for the day. It had been well worth it, though, to spend the time with Devon and get to know her just a tiny bit better. Jessie was an open and social person but, even so, she found herself with an unusually strong interest in Devon Bridges. She wasn't sure what it was, but she was drawn to her and really felt a strong need to know more about her. She knew they hadn't ever met before, but something told her that she needed to know the woman. Not being one to ignore those kinds of urges, she instead planned her next contact with Devon. Maybe she would hit it off with Kayla.

  With her washer and dryer humming and her bathroom sparkling clean, Jessie went out to work in the garden for a bit. Her dog was at her side, as usual, and the ranch was peaceful, with the occasional mooing of a cow or whinny of a horse, and the chickens clucking and scratching in the background. She tossed the ball for Indy and thought about how full her life was. That was a good reason to get to know Devon better. She suspected that there was a sad story in her background, and she'd love to be able to help her if she could. And she was really anxious to meet her little boy.