Saved by the Rancher

by Jennifer Ryan

  “Sign here and we’ll get them unloaded.”

  “Jack, she bought me a car. Why did she buy me a car?” Stunned, they could only stare. “This can’t be real. People don’t buy other people cars. Not like this.”

  “I don’t know. She bought me one, too,” Jack said, dumbfounded.

  The drivers hauled themselves up to the back of the flatbeds. They uncovered the Camaro first, rose the front end of the flatbed, and backed the car down onto the driveway. They repeated the process with the other flatbed, uncovering the Mustang next and unloading it.

  Jack and Caleb stood in awe, unable to believe what they were seeing.

  The driver handed the keys to him and Caleb and took off. First thing, they both popped the hoods and stared at the amazing machines. They shoved at each other and grinned, slapping each other on the back.

  “Look at these beauties. Can you believe it? They’re our dream cars, a blue ’69 Camaro and a red ’67 Fastback Mustang. But why did she do this? How did she do this?”

  “I don’t know, man, but she did. We’ll ask her when she gets here.” Jack leaned over the engine wondering how she’d done this, how she could afford to do this, and what else she had planned for them. He wasn’t used to women buying things for him. This was something beyond even that. She’d made one of his dreams come true and brought back cherished memories of him with his dad flying down the highway, nothing but speed and fun.

  He needed to see her. He wanted an explanation. Nothing about Jenna added up. He was a man who liked to know exactly how things fell in line, how the pieces added up to make a whole.

  JENNA SMILED TO herself as they passed the tow trucks on the main road. The guys must have gotten her surprise.

  Summer drove, the back of the vehicle loaded down from their shopping trip. Lily napped in her car seat, crashing from too much sugar and fun.

  “Summer, how do you like driving this big car? I know you’re used to your little four-door, and I really appreciate you driving home.”

  “What’s not to like about driving this thing? Leather interior, all kinds of buttons and gadgets.”

  “So you like it, huh.” She smiled secretly to herself.

  “Yeah. It drives like a dream, even though it’s big.”

  They reached the front of the house and witnessed the perfect display of boys with their toys. The two cars were parked next to each other. Hoods up, the two men were looking at the engines with their backs to Jenna and Summer. They had a perfect view of Jack and Caleb’s butts hugged snugly in their jeans as they bent over the cars.

  “Now that’s what I like to see. A couple of nice asses bent over a really hot car.”

  “Jenna! You didn’t. You bought them cars.”

  “Yep. Cool, huh.”

  Summer gently woke Lily and got her out. She rushed over to her dad.

  “Daddy, guess what? We got to go on a plane. A jet. I got to see the pilot and sit in the cockpit. It was so cool. Then, we got to ride in a huge limo. You could fit a whole bunch of people. It even had a TV. Then, we went shopping and the people helped us. Their job is to shop with you. Isn’t that neat?

  “Jenna bought us all kinds of stuff. Diamonds, too. See my earrings. And I got a jeep. It’s in the car. You have to put it together. Then, we had a really fancy lunch, and we came home on the jet again. See my new dress and my shiny shoes. Aren’t they pretty? Jenna bought them for me. Not only this, she bought me play clothes too and toys. I like the Jeep the best though. Will you put it together now?”

  “Slow down, baby. It sounds like you had a great day. You went on a plane?”

  “A super fast jet the pilot said. He was really nice.”

  “I see. And you got new clothes, diamond earrings, and a Jeep.” Caleb picked up Lily. “Those earrings are very pretty, you’ll have to be extra careful not to lose them.”

  “I got more toys, too. Jenna said I could have anything I wanted. She got it all for me. Mama got stuff, too.”

  Beautiful in her new floral dress, Summer also wore her new sparkling diamond earrings. Caleb stared, appreciating his stunning wife. Jenna stood back admiring the family, feeling a pinch of jealousy along with a sense of utter happiness.

  “Did you have a good time, honey?” Caleb asked his wife.

  Summer smiled and laughed. “Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t like being a Rockefeller for a day? She’s crazy, you know. A jet. We had personal shoppers picking things out for us and bagging them up. She’s insane, wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer. It was, I don’t know, the most amazing experience of my life.”

  They stared at her and she smiled back at all of them, feeling ten feet tall. She wore her new blue silk dress. Blue for Jack, it had a thin collar around the neck and the fabric draped down and skimmed her body to her knees, leaving her shoulders and arms bare. She wore her new diamond earrings, too. Diamond earrings for all of them, something to remember the day by. She figured it was time to do some explaining, but Caleb spoke first.

  “The cars, Jenna. How? Why? Not that I’m complaining, but this is too much. How can you do this for all of us?”

  “Yes, Jenna. How can you afford to do this for everyone? Jets, limos, cars, diamonds, shopping sprees?” Jack couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked like a million bucks in that dress and his mouth watered just looking at her. This was the real Jenna. Dressed like she was, smiling, enjoying herself. He didn’t know what to make of it.

  “Jack, you asked me several times who I’m running from. You neglected to ask who I am.”

  She wore a huge smile on her face, like the joke was on him for missing that fact. He guessed it was.

  “You may be rich, but I’m filthy stinking rich.” She let them absorb that little bombshell. Still smiling like the cat who ate the canary, she took in their shocked faces.

  “What I did today was just money. I could do this every day until I die if I wanted to.”

  Stunned into complete silence, she smiled even more.

  “Okay, here it is. You guys took me in and cared for me. A stranger. You didn’t know anything about me, except someone hurt me. You nursed me back to health and gave me something back that I’ve been missing for far too long.”

  She turned to Caleb. “Friendship.”

  To Summer. “Caring.”

  And Lily. “Hope.”

  She faced Jack again. “Kindness. That’s all I ever wanted. You know that. You all gave it to me, expecting nothing in return, without knowing who I am, or what my circumstances.

  “I’m returning that kindness. You all have my love and friendship, but I wanted to give you something to show you how much I appreciate having you in my life.” She raised her hand and gestured to the cars. “So, every boy should have a really cool toy. Hence, the really cool cars. I hope you like them.

  “Every girl should get to go on a marvelous shopping spree. The jet and limo were just, well, lots of fun.”

  They all spoke at once, saying it was too much, and they couldn’t accept.

  She held up both her hands to stop all the protests. “These are just things, and I give them to you with all the love in my heart. Accept them. Enjoy them. Seeing you happy makes me happy. That’s another thing I haven’t felt in a long time.

  “Now, the appropriate response is, ‘Thank you, Jenna.’”

  Heads turned this way and that as they all came to a silent agreement and in unison said, “Thank you, Jenna.”

  She laughed.

  Caleb couldn’t stop admiring his new car and Summer tapped him in the ribs. “Nice Mustang. Both my babies got new cars,” Summer joked with her husband.

  “That’s not true. The keys in your hand are yours, and so is this.” Jenna took an envelope out of her purse, the pink slip to the SUV she’d signed over to Summer and handed it to her.

  “Jenna, no. I was kidding. The shopping trip was enough. Really, I was only teasing.”

  “I’m not. The car is yours.” She looked down at Lily and then at Summer�
�s slightly swollen pregnant belly. “You need it. I’ll buy another one.”

  Summer came over and hugged her, tears spilling from her eyes. “You’re too much. This is too much. Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s nothing more to say. You’ve given me more than you know.”

  Summer released Jenna and her husband stepped in and gave her a hug. “Thank you. My dream car. I can’t believe it. How did you know?”

  “Easy, Jack’s office is covered in Camaros. He mentioned you liked Mustangs and a shop nearby where you guys like to go and drool. A calendar behind his desk had the name of the shop and their website. I’m a whiz with computers, so I logged into the site, found they had the completely restored vehicles in their showroom. I emailed Ben and had him buy them and have them delivered to you today. See. Easy.”

  Lily danced impatiently at Caleb’s feet, begging for her Jeep. Caleb went to the back of his wife’s new SUV and got the huge box out. Jenna stood at the front, pinned by Jack’s impenetrable stare and his quiet intensity.

  “Jenna, which of these packages is yours? I’ll take them into the house for you.”

  “The ones by Lily’s car seat are mine.”

  Caleb hauled out the packages, lots of them. Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Victoria’s Secret. “I hope Summer’s stuff includes a Victoria’s Secret bag.”

  Summer gave her husband a playful slap on the arm. “Knock it off. Take Jenna’s stuff inside and let’s get dinner started.”

  Alone in the driveway, Jack leaned against his new car with his arms crossed over his broad chest. His silence made Jenna nervous that he might be upset about the gifts.

  She walked over and stood in front of him. “Are you mad at me? Don’t you like the car?”

  Jack’s face gave nothing away. His eyes turned cool blue, staring at her. “I love the car, but you didn’t need to buy it for me.”

  “I wanted to say thank you, show you how much I appreciate what you did. You took care of me,” she explained without really conveying how deeply she felt about what he’d done for her.

  “No one has ever done anything like this for me, for my family.”

  “You said you always wanted one. It just so happens they had the ’69. A blue one,” she said with a smile and winked at him.

  “Yeah, I like blue. I guess you figured that out. Nice dress, too, by the way.”

  “It wasn’t that hard to figure out. But if you don’t like it, they had a really great black one. We could take it back and get that one if you want.”

  “I like this one. Come here.” He reached out for her, his gaze locked with hers.

  Jenna stepped into his arms, their faces inches apart. Looking deep into her eyes, he said, “I’m seriously falling hard for you. I can’t seem to stop myself.”

  “Is this because of the car?” She only half teased.

  Still serious, he answered, “It’s just you.”

  She’d seen it in his eyes, felt it in the way he touched her, but now it radiated from him intensely. “I’m falling pretty hard for you, too, Jack. I only wanted to make you happy.”

  “You make me happy. Just you, Jenna. You shouldn’t have done all this.” He was smiling now, a really big smile. “But since you did, it’s a really awesome car. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Want to take me for a ride?”

  “Absolutely, but later. We have dinner still, and you have some more explaining to do.”

  “I know, and I will after dinner. I have a few more surprises still.”

  That same mischievous smile she had this morning appeared on her face, and it made him nervous. “Are you kidding me? What surprises?”

  “You’ll see. Kiss me, Jack.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice. Not when it came to Jenna. He kissed her, long and passionately, burying his fingers in her hair. She held on to his shoulders. They lost themselves in each other. Jack trailed kisses over her forehead, down her nose, her cheek and jaw, and down her neck. She gripped her hands in his hair, holding him to her. Her body pressed against his.

  Jack mumbled against her throat, “Ever since I saw you get out of that car wearing this dress, I’ve wanted to get my hands on you. You’re so beautiful.”

  “Summer and Caleb are waiting for us.”

  Silencing her attempts to stop him, he crushed his mouth to hers. Sliding his tongue over hers, savoring the taste of her.

  Jack slowed the kisses and they ended on a long slow steady joining of lips. A breath away from his face, her eyes slowly opened. He pressed his forehead to hers and gazed into those green eyes that haunted him. “I missed you today,” he admitted.

  The longer he knew her, the more intense the feelings inside him grew. The easier it was to tell her how he felt. Open and honest, she made it easy to be with her. No games. No pretenses. Maybe because he’d taken care of her when she was most vulnerable, they both felt they could let down their guard and just be themselves with each other. Something inside him acknowledged what a rare gift that was. She was a rare gift.

  They started back to the house, Jack holding her hand. “Do I get to see anything on you from the Victoria’s Secret bags?”

  “Everything. Later.” She gave him a wicked grin and winked.

  “God, you’re killing me.” Jack put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his side and kissed the side of her head. “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “Me, too.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  * * *

  DAVID SAT AT the center of the table, his grandfather and parents to his right, his fiancé on his left with her immediate family. Colleagues and close friends filled the rest of the long table. The restaurant was crowded, everyone’s eyes on the newly engaged couple.

  The diamond solitaire sparkled on Patricia’s hand, mocking him. He brought her fingers to his lips, kissing her knuckles above the offending ring.

  “You look beautiful tonight, darling, though I prefer the blue dress to this green.” He traced his finger along her cheek. “The blue matches your eyes.”

  Patricia’s pout at his first comment turned into a shy smile with the last. She’d learn how to please him in time. He’d make sure of it.

  Seeing Patricia in green reminded him of Jenna’s eyes, the pale shade so soft and unique. His family may have believed he was moving on, but he had no intention of giving up his true wife.

  “Are you enjoying the dinner?” Her eyes pleaded with him to say he was pleased with the small party she’d put together to surprise him. He hated surprises.

  “I’m looking forward to enjoying you later.” Her eyes darkened with anticipation and a touch of apprehension. She wanted to be romanced and made love to in the bedroom. Maybe he’d take her on the living room floor from behind. Tonight, he’d continue to teach her to bend to his will and demands when he wanted her. Wherever and however he wanted her.

  The guests tapped their utensils against their wine glasses, signaling the couple to kiss. David leaned in, pressed his lips to Patricia’s, and thought of nothing but kissing Jenna.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  * * *

  DINNER WAS A ruckus family affair with lots of laughing and joking. Jack tucked away the memories they made tonight. He loved having his family around, but adding Jenna into the mix made the night that much more special. She fit. With him. With his family. In his life. He’d have to give some serious thought about how comfortable and easy it was to have her living with him and what that meant for his future. Their future.

  Everyone moved into the Great Room after dinner, some entertainment news program playing on the TV. The coffee table and carpet were littered with boxes, plastic, tie wraps, and toys. Caleb and he had already put Lily’s Jeep together. Lily couldn’t wait to try it out, so she’d been driving it around the Great Room before and after dinner.

  Expectations ran high as they waited for Jenna to join them and explain who she was, and reveal her ex-husband’s name.
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  “Look, that’s David Merrick. He’s one good-looking man. Rich. Runs some huge company.” Summer watched the TV from the sofa along with Caleb, Jack next to them on the love seat.

  “What’s the matter with Jenna?” Lily asked.

  Jenna stood still behind the sofas, unable to take her eyes off the image of that monster on the TV. Jack jumped up and moved to her side. He cupped her face in his warm hands. The instant he touched her, everything inside her focused on him. Afraid of the image of her ex on the TV, she reached out for Jack and the safety, security, and comfort innately a part of him.

  “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “That’s him.” Barely able to speak, she saw Jack, but her mind switched to images of David hurting her and she flinched away. Jack refused to release her. “That-that’s him,” she stuttered. An eerie shiver ran through her whole body. She clamped her hands to Jack’s wrists near her face and held tight.

  Summer pointed to the TV. “He’s been the most eligible bachelor for years now. He’s getting married to some socialite, they said. That’s the man who did this to you?”

  “I’m going to be sick.” Jenna’s stomach pitched and rolled at the thought of some poor woman marrying that monster.

  “No, you aren’t.” Jack tipped her chin up for her to see him. “Take a breath.” She tried, but couldn’t suck in enough air. Jack’s warm lips brushed a kiss to her forehead. The heat from his body, so close to hers, warmed the chill from her bones. She leaned her forehead against his chest, inhaled the familiar scents of horses, leather, hay, and just Jack. He kissed her head. “Come sit down,” he coaxed, and led her to the love seat and sat her down before she collapsed. His strong arms wrapped around her, protecting her from imagined ghosts.

  Shocked, but trying to keep it together, she glanced at Lily playing on the floor.

  “Summer, why don’t you take Lily for ice cream with Beth in the kitchen? She shouldn’t be here for this. I’ll wait until you get back to explain.”