Slipping into snow pants, Tess grabbed the snowshoes Jake had left her all those weeks ago. The snow pack on the trail was almost a foot deep, and Tess climbed briskly, trying to clear her head. In the afternoon sunlight, the little town below looked like a Christmas village. The sun bounced off the bright snow and colorful rooftops, sparkling off of doors and windows already decked with wreaths.
Stunned by Jake’s admission, she remembered the words he’d spoken, when they’d first gotten close.“You may not know how it feels to have your life turned inside out by someone you tried to love.” He’d been right, she hadn’t known how it felt, then. Maybe that’s the hard part of love, staying vulnerable, willing to trust. Even when it’s turning you inside out and upside down, you have to stick around, see it through.
After her visit with Jake and Cassie, the evening at the dance alone, or, god forbid, with Ron, was a bit daunting. I’ll muddle through it somehow. Alice and Lotts will be there, after they close the bar at ten.
10
Dance the Night Away From: [email protected] To: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, November 20, 5:46 PM
Subject: My Big Little Girl!
Daughter Tess, Sounds like you’ve found something very special there. The opportunity to be a parent has been the most precious gift of my life, and I’m both humbled and thrilled that you are thinking the way you are. Bide your time, keep your eye on the prize, and one way or the other, you’ll know if it’s right. Sure is nice thinking there is still a way for me to make it all better for you~ I’ll always keep trying. And don’t worry about me. I’m on the mend.
Love, Your Dad PS. Your sister has struck up a friendship with Archie Lawson, and there seems to be a real spark between them. Glad some good has come of her time here, nursing dear old dad.
Tess went to her closet. The dress her mother had chosen was strapless, a gold satin sheath, with a sparkly beaded tulle overskirt in a paler gold, that hit just above the knee, with a matching bolero jacket, encrusted with gold and crystal beads. Noelle had talked her into patent gold sandals with four inch heels. They were completely impractical, but Tess had not even bothered to argue.
She’d also insisted Tess borrow the heavy, crystal encrusted, faux-sapphire jewelry she’d always dressed up in as a little girl. Tess loved the way the striking deep blue sparkled against the gold, like ice on fire. She fussed with her hair, clipping it up loosely with a barrette that matched the earrings and choker, curling bits with an iron, allowing tendrils to fall.
After she pulled on sheer sparkly gold hose, the dress and jewelry, she looked in the mirror, glad that the bolero jacket mostly covered her cast. She’d agreed to the outfit to make her mother happy, knowing that if she had the chance to wear it with Jake, she’d feel like a goddess. Even with the cast, this is way over the top for Green Junction.
Dreading the prospect of an evening with Ron, Tess stroked her cheeks and eyelids with pale, sparkly gold powder, rimmed her upper lids with dark blue, and tucked a sheer lipstick in the little gold evening bag she’d borrowed from her mother. Slipping her sandals into a bag, she pulled on her white faux fur boots and white wool coat and wrapped a scarf around her head. At the first sight of Alice’s little blue wagon, she was out the door. The note with the tickets had simply said,“Meet at Green Forks after Tree Lighting”. She’d just have to keep hoping Ron wouldn’t dare show up.
The dark night was cold, but the evergreens in the square in front of Town Hall sparkled with lights and ornaments. They’d been decorated by various civic groups for Tree Lighting. With everyone milling around, dressed in their holiday finery, it looked like a magical village.
Tess caught a glimpse of Jake in his long grey overcoat, and her heart skipped a beat. Cassie must be doing better, but why would he leave her?
He waved, flashing an eager smile, the heat in his eyes bolstering her spirits as he walked towards them, reaching for her gloved hand, squeezing it as he stood next to her.
As they watched the high school chorale perform, Tess glanced his way. His mouth twitched, but he broke into a grin, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Unable to help herself, she snuggled against him. After the music was over, Jake walked them to Alice’s car. “I have to go check on Cassie,” he said, running a gloved finger down her nose. Nodding, she smiled back at him.
As they hung their coats at Green Forks, Alice gasped, “Zowie, Tess, I didn’t see your dress, you look gorgeous. Ron’s eyes are going to pop out for sure.”
“If he shows up, I sure hope nothing else pops out. It’s a bit much, but it was my mom’s choice. Do you think he’ll get the wrong idea?”
“Ah, you can set him straight. You look like an angel, absolutely scrumptious. You do that ethereal mystic look so well.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I might fool some, but you know the real me.” Tess squeezed Alice’s shoulder. “You look pretty smokin’ yourself. I love the mink.” Alice had accessorized her deep blue velvet dress with blue sheer stockings, skyhigh, navy sued pumps, and vintage mink choker and cuffs. It hit just above the knees, long sleeves clinging to her arms, and the v at the front showing off her plump cleavage. “Not many girls would think of wearing mink as jewelry that way. It’s very chic.”
“This was from my grandmother’s coat. My inheritance. You got Grandma’s Angliotti’s Italian linens, and I got Grandma Rustevik’s Russian mink. Lotts happens to thing mink against bare skin is very, very sexy.”
“Well, he’s right. That man has good fashion sense.” Tess was floored to see Lotts behind the bar in tails and a deep blue velvet bow tie and cummerbund that matched Alice’s dress. “Wow, Look at you.”
“We turn it up around Green Junction every once in awhile,” Lotts joked.
“I’ll say,” Tess grinned. “Nothing very ‘green fork’ about that penguin suit, especially next to your lady in velvet and mink.”
“I don’t often get to dance the night away with the woman of my dreams, you know,” Lotts answered breezily, laying an arm on Alice’s shoulder. He turned to Tess. “What will it be, tenderfoot? Jake called. He said he’d be here any minute.” My date is with Ron. Why is Lotts bringing up Jake? Tess didn’t miss the ‘shut up’ look Alice gave Lotts.
“How ‘bout a champagne cocktail with cognac, Tess?” Alice asked.
“Sounds delish.”
“Open some champagne, Lotts,” Alice said, with a wink for Tess.”Let’s get this party started.”
Seated at the bar, Tess watched nervously as people began to meander in from Tree Lighting. Brett and Stuart came in with their dates, gathering at the bar near Tess. Neither of the girls were Vicki’s friends from Jackalope dinner, Tess noticed with relief. The girls introduced themselves and made small talk, and Tess was happy for the company.
***** When Jake saw Tess at the bar in her gold dress and sandals, he felt electrified. “Look at you,” he said, bursting with pride. Even her toenails were painted pale gold.
“Hi, Jake,” she smiled nervously, fussing with her purse.
He kissed her cheek. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Tess.”
She flashed a look of surprise as he folded his coat over the back of her barstool. Leaning into her, he tucked his nose in her curls, speaking softly. “Cassie’s doing just fine, and I couldn’t wait to be with you.”
Lotts poured him a whiskey and slid it over the bar, and Jake took the barstool next to hers. She looked around apprehensively as he sipped a whiskey. God, she’s so beautiful. He’d always been stunned by his attraction to Tess, but dressed like this, she was mesmerizing.
“How about another cocktail, Crash?”
“Mmm, thanks, I better not.”
“Waiting for someone?” he joked.
Her eyes wavered, but she smiled resolutely. “Ron Karachek sent tickets to the office. Are you going to the dance?”
His brow furrowed. “I thought I was your date. I mailed tickets to the office when you were in Philadelphia. Didn’t Alice tell you?
”
Tess jaw dropped. Her eyes got round as saucers, sparkling like the jeweled choker around her neck. “You mailed tickets?”
“I did.” He could barely hide his annoyance. “The message said, “Meet at Green Forks after the Tree Lighting.” You’re seriously going to this dance with Ron? How’s that going to work? I just saw him in the cruiser over by town hall.”
“Alice called me at my parents to tell me there were three tickets in an envelope, marked Lotts, Alice and Tess. The card wasn’t signed, and since Ron had mentioned the VFW Dance at Jackalope, we assumed they were from him. My date is with the guy who wrote, “Meet me at Green Forks after Tree Lighting.”
Jake grinned, shaking his head. “Oh, Crash, we crossed signals again. I figured you didn’t mention the dance today because you were still annoyed with me. I didn’t want to push it.”
He watched Tess’s smile get bigger. As the tension between them melted, he put his arm around her shoulders. Kissing her sheer, sparkly lips, he murmured, “Will you be my date tonight, darling, ravishing Tessie?”
*****
When Tess felt Jake’s cool, firm lips on hers, the uncertainty of the past four weeks melted down her back into a puddle at the floor, replaced with a warm, contented, buoyancy.
“You didn’t think I’d let you go to the social event of the year with anyone but me, did you?”
“How was I to know?” His brown eyes were amused. “I really do think I could use another drink,” she giggled. Alice was finishing up behind the bar. “Alice, Jake sent us the tickets.”
Alice jaw dropped, a look of disbelief on her face. Eyes flashing, she said to Jake. “Dude, next time sign the card. Do you know the trauma you caused around here this week? Lotts, open another bottle of champagne, we’ve got more celebrating to do here.”
Alice poured a glass for every patron still in the bar, then came from behind the bar, hugged Tess and Jake, toasting them wildly.
The wool of Jake’s blue suit mashed against her bare shoulders, and his next kiss brought her up off her stool. Arms around his neck, letting her fingers coil in his dark curls, her knees went weak. The longing she’d kept buried the past dreary weeks unfurled as desire coiled in her belly, making her toes curl. Remember what Daddy said. Take it slow this time.
He took her hand. “C’mon, gorgeous, you and I have a dinner date. I’ll pull the car around and meet you in back.”
Tess went for her coat, Alice right behind her. “What a relief,” Alice raved as Tess slipped into her boots. She held Tess’s coat and squeezed her arm. “Lotts and I will see you at the dance. Enjoy dinner.”
Out in the dark frosty night, Jake held the door to a vintage silver Mercedes sedan. Light snowflakes fell sparingly as Tess climbed into the heated seat of the cushy leather interior. “Where did this come from?”
“I couldn’t have you arriving at the dance in the ranch truck. This was Uncle Albert’s. Aunt Olivia insisted that we go to Tree Lighting in style. She keeps this in her garage. ”
“How does it handle in the snow?” Tess asked curiously, as Jake climbed into the driver’s seat.
“A Mercedes with snow tires is as good as a tank. We can go anywhere, as long as we go slowly,” Jake replied. A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.
“I have to apologize. The whole time you’ve had this planned, I’ve been upset, thinking you were letting me go to the dance with Ron.”
“I’d never let that happen, not in a million years.” Jake brushed the exposed nape of her neck with his fingertips, sending chills down her spine. He leaned over, kissing her mouth. He tasted cool and firm and masculine, with a hint of whiskey. “So I surprised you, huh?”
“You did. Twice today. Both were very pleasant surprises.” It was fun, being able to flirt with him again. The leather interior was warm and cosy, and she settled back into the comfortable seat. Don’t rush things, Tess. You’ll only be sorry. “I’m really glad to be with you tonight, Jake,” she smiled. “And thanks for telling how you felt, earlier today.”
“I realized I wasn’t doing any favors by not telling you how I felt,” he said, heat deep in his eyes. He took her hand. “I wanted to do something special for dinner, so I made a reservation at Steadman’s. We’ll be at the dance by the time Alice and Lotts get there.”
“That was a great idea, thank you,” she said, enjoying the sensation of his warm palm cupping her cool fingertips.
He brought them to his mouth, kissing each tenderly. A thrill shot up her arm, and another wave of longing coursed over her. Pace yourself, girl. Stop thinking about skipping dinner and taking him back to your place. Things worth having are worth waiting for.
***** Jake was pleased that he’d chosen Steadman’s, a classic French restaurant serving the finest cuts of free range regional beef and game, with seafood shipped directly from Louisiana. A harpist played in the center of the dining room as the maitre d’ led them to a table.
“This is lovely, Jake,” she murmured. “Got to give my Philadelphia girl as much swank as can be had, west of the Mississippi,” he whispered into the curls above her ear. It’s worth it to make this happen for us, even if it’s only until she leaves. When they were seated, he ordered a split of champagne. After the steward poured the Cristal, he raised his glass to her. “I’ve got some work to do to make up for the 400 heifers I stuck you with
Wednesday.”
“You do,” she agreed, clinked her glass gently against his. After they sipped, her smile turned saucy. “But we had a really great trail ride afterward. That was a start. And you came clean today.”
“I sure did,” he admitted. His sheepish smile brightened at the look in her eyes. “You didn’t mind sticking around after lunch today, for two games of Candyland?”
The server was bringing their salad course. “Candyland is my favorite, especially when I can play it with you and Cassie.”
“Do you know how lucky I feel every time I’m with you?” He took her hand across the white linen table. She smiled at him for real then, her eyes soft and sparkling, her face radiant. I’ve waited to see that glow. I want to see it all the time, and I’m willing to earn it, every day.
After salad, the waiter set a shrimp and petite steak before Tess, and the rack of lamb in front of Jake. They chatted through dinner, and he was pleased to see the light in her face. The confusion between them had cleared, and the heat was back. The valet brought the car around, and he helped Tess in.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked, from the driver’s seat. “I’m fine. Thanks for a lovely evening, Jake. This is really special,” she said, flashing an encouraging smile.
“I haven’t handled us the way I should have,” he said gravely, touching her cheek. “Thanks for setting me straight on Wednesday. You said some things I needed to hear. You know how I feel now, but I wish I’d spoken earlier.”
Smiling, Tess put her right hand to his neck, and pressed her soft pink lips to his, in a sweet, understanding, tender kiss. He took her cheeks in his palms. The blue eyes looking into his were steady, and he knew he’d been forgiven. “Look, Tess, if you think there’s a chance for us, I want to give it another shot,” he said determinedly.
“You do?”
“I do, if you’ll still have me. Honestly, a girl like you only comes along once in a lifetime. Please, can we try this again?”
She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, a smile played across her lips. Her eyes glowed at him in the dark. “I’d like that, Jake. I can’t imagine anything being as much fun as the times I’ve spent with you and Cassie.”
Alice and Lotts were boogieing on the dance floor when they arrived at the VFW hall. Jake took Tess in his arms, pulling her close, and she folded her cold hands inside the panels of his suit coat. Planting his right hand on her waist, he took her good hand in his left, and she moved against him, like molten gold, sparkly and radiant. Inhaling, he breathed her hair, kissing her cheek, willing her to feel as safe with him as she
ever had.
It was eleven when he returned from the punch bowl. Handing a glass to her, he said, “Honey, Tilda left a message on my voicemail. Rhiannon is in labor, but she doesn’t want our evening spoiled. She’s happy to handle it, if you want to stay.”
“Oh, we’ve had our fun, and the dance is winding down now. Cassie will never forgive us if we let her miss the birth of the puppies, Jake. Can’t we go get her, and take her up to the ranch?” Tess pleaded, setting the glass punch cup down.
He smiled at her eagerness.“Sure, if you don’t mind. I’ll get our coats and call Olivia, let her know we’re on our way.” She’s always thinking of how to make Cassie happy.
*****
Tess put her boots on, hurrying to the warming car when Jake pulled around. “Can we go to my apartment, first?” There, she grabbed her emergency kit and a change of clothes. Cassie was in her coat and hat and mittens waiting at the door of Aunt Olivia’s tall white Georgian when the car swung up the drive. Jake held the passenger door, and Olivia hurried out in her nightgown and and overcoat, holding Cassie’s hand.
“Oh, Dr. Tess, isn’t this exciting! And you still have your dress on, let me see!” Cassie pleaded, peering over the seat back. “Your hair is so pretty, you look like a fairy princess.”
“Thanks, Cassie.” This kid is so incredible. A lump formed in Tess’s throat.
Olivia leaned in. “I’m sorry this has interrupted your evening Tess. You do look just lovely. And thank you for what you’ve done for Cassie these past few days, and always. I hope you’ll be able to join us on Thursday for our Thanksgiving feast.”
“I’d be delighted to, Olivia, thank you so much.”
“Stella and I will prepare everything, so just bring yourself. We’ll dine at three,” she intoned, regal as ever, despite her nightgown and galoshes.
“Wonderful. I’ll look forward to it.”
“I won’t keep you, I know Cassie is excited about this adventure.” Shutting the door, Olivia waved, stepping back towards the house.
Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers) Page 22