As Jake backed down the driveway, Cassie piped up. “Daddy, will we get there in time? I think Rhiannon will need us to help her. It’s not easy to have puppies, you know.”
“I imagine it isn’t. I’d call Tilda, but she probably has her hands full right now.” Smiling in the rear view mirror at Cassie, Jake reached for Tess’s hand.
“Rhiannon is having six puppies, Cass, we’ll be there in time to help, don’t worry,” Tess said reassuringly, turning to Cassie’s sparkling eyes.
“I can’t wait!” Cassie said excitedly. “And I’m so happy you are with us, Dr. Tess. It’s always a lot more fun when you are around. Did you like dancing with Daddy?”
“We had a wonderful time, Cass.”
“I like his suit, don’t you?”
“I sure do. Thanks for sharing him with me tonight.”
“That’s okay. You make him happy, I can tell.”
Jake’s dark eyes penetrating the darkness, with a smile just for her. Tess leaned against the comfy leather seat back and sighed. This evening has turned out so much better than I expected. Just goes to show, you never can tell.
***** Jake pulled up to the ranch house . The lights were on for them, and Cassie leapt from the car and headed for the mudroom, with Tess behind her, clutching her emergency kit.
Grinning, he grabbed Tess’s overnight bag from the trunk and followed them in. Two new puppies were already in the whelping box, and Cassie squealed delightedly at the births of the remaining four.
Much later, after they’d changed into jeans and slippers and sweatshirts, cleaned up the puppies, gotten Rhiannon comfortable and Cassie settled into bed, Jake sat next to Tess on the cushy leather sofa in front of the fireplace.
“I opened a bottle of Uncle Carlo’s Chianti to celebrate tonight, Tess ” he said quietly, pouring from a decanter. When he handed her a globe of deep red wine, Tess smiled at him, her eyes glowing with happiness.
“This was such a perfect night,” she said, “I never would have imagined things could work out so well for any of us, after yesterday.”
“It’s been intense,” he said, sipping from his glass. “Uncle Carlo’s Chianti will help put things in perspective.”
Tess smiled, settling against him, her casted fingertips on her thigh, wine glass in her hand. He rested his arm on her shoulders, playing with her hair. She’d unpinned it, and it fell over her shoulders in tousled waves.
After a long moment, he said,“About that job at New Bolton, Tess, I think you should do it. We’ll manage somehow. I don’t want you to miss out on an opportunity you’ll regret later.”
“I’ve been thinking about that, too, Jake, especially after yesterday.” Her pale eyes glistening in the firelight. “If I were working in Philadelphia, I’d be thinking about what I was missing here, you and Cassie, her ponies and the ranch. She’ll grow up quickly. I’d miss out on so much if I left. It would be good for me to do another year here in his practice first, for the experience, anyway, and Doc suggested I contact Colorado State, about their PhD program in microbiology. He’s spoken to some colleagues about me, and they’ve inviting me to apply. I’ll have good recommendations from New Bolton, so he’s almost positive I’ll be accepted. I’d really like to tour their facility. It’s only three hours away.”
He touched her curls. “Tess, that’s great. You’d consider the program at Fort Collins?”
“Well, as Doc pointed out, if I’d want to concentrate solely on livestock care, CSU has the best program.”
“So you think you’ll stick around then?” His heart leapt with eagerness.
“This summer and next year, too. I can apply for the program at CSU next fall, for admittance the following year. It will be a good balance for me, another year here for practical experience, then research and a PhD, but only three hours away.”
Thrilled at her news, Jake thought of what Alice had told him earlier, while Lotts and Tess were
dancing.“There’s more at stake here than you realize, Jake. If you are serious about Tess, you better not let too much more time pass. You need her here, and so does Cassie. She doesn’t want to leave, I hope you know that. You should ask her to marry you. You know that’s what you want.”
“Don’t you think that’s rushing things a bit?”
“Only if you don’t want to give her a reason to stick around. What’s to wait for?”
They drank their wine, Tess relaxed against him, sighing with contentment. He stroked his fingertip on the silky smooth skin of her collarbone, just above the neck of her sweatshirt, and took a deep breath. “After the past twenty-four hours with Cassie, Crash, I don’t know what we’d do around here without you.”
She sat up and looked at him, her eyes like saucers. “You mean that, Jake?”
“I do. I love you, Tess,” he said, touching a finger to her lips. She let the tip of her tongue press against it, and the sensation sent a flame up his arm.
“I love you, too, Jake. And Cassie. So much. I was so worried about coming back from Philadelphia when I hadn’t heard from you. I didn’t want to think about life in Green Junction without you.”
“I never meant to cause you heartache, y’know.”
He set his wineglass down, and kissed her deeply. She kissed him back, with everything she had, and the fire she roused, filling him with heat and desire, and even better, the certainty and trust he finally allowed himself to belief in. She’s everything you could ever want. Let her make you and Cassie happy, because she will.
“Wait here a minute, Tess, will you?”
“Sure, Jake.”
***** Tess sat by the fire, a blanket over her shoulders, bathed in happiness. Things might actually work out for us, after all. He really loves me. She watched Jake come back down the steps, towards her, illuminated by the firelight, and her heart welled with the rightness of him.
He sat close, and she curled against him. Taking her chin in his hands, he kissed her, deep and long and slow, and she leaned into him, her hand on his heart, feeling it beat, strong and safe and steady.
No one else could ever make me feel this way. I can’t imagine ever wanting to be with anyone as much as I want to be with Jake.
Gently, he ran a finger along her jaw, tracking a line down her neck, and spoke. “I meant what I said earlier, about wanting so much to be able to just adore you, Tess, everyday. I’ve been thinking about how to best let you know how much I trust you.”
He touched her left fingertips. They fluttered from her cast, papery white in the fire light, and he nestled them against the strong, dark bulk of his chest. “Tessie,” Jake murmured, kissing her cheek, her eyelids, her forehead. “I called your Dad while you and Cassie were finishing up with the puppies.” She felt something cold against her palm, and looked down to see a diamond flashing there. “This is my mother’s ring. We’ll pick one out for you, if you’ll have Cassie and I.”
He slipped out from beneath her, helped her to sit, and got down on one knee, the fire blazing the outline of his shoulders. “Will you marry me, Tess?”
Astonished, she looked into his eyes. They were sober, and quiet, but in them, she could see his joy, and his resolve, profound and deep.
Choked with emotion, she said, “I’d really like to marry you, Jake.”
He slipped the ring on her left finger, kissed her fingertips and took her in his arms, taking her lips with a deep passion that resonated to her core.
After the kiss, he said, “I love you so much, Tess.”
“I love you too, Jake. No life could offer me what I can have here with you and Cassie. I can’t imagine wanting anything as much as I want a life with you two.”
***** “Neither could I, Tess,” Jake said, kissing her again. As she responded, he pulled her hungrily to the soft rug on the floor. “I’ve so missed you, baby. I’ve so wanted you for mine.”
“I’m yours now,” she smiled. He kissed her again, with deep desire to have her completely, this woman who would be his wife. Peeling b
ack the layers of separation that had kept them apart, they stripped each other to the flesh, eager to move beyond hurt and pain.
Naked, her nipples erect, Tess offered herself to Jake with complete abandon. Unable to hold back, he wrapped her legs around his waist, and plunged deep into her sweet ripeness. She responded with freedom and conviction. Consumed by fervor, they were lost in the ecstasy of their togetherness, stripped bare of everything but their desire to sanctify their commitment.
The heat rose in waves as he thrust himself into her again and again, whispering his love for her in a voice that grew hoarse with passion. As they climaxed together, Tess clasped his back with strong fingers as she writhed and bucked in ecstasy beneath him, crying out for him.
They laid quietly together until their breathing slowed. He ran a finger down her naked side, beneath the blanket, and she looked up, into his eyes, hers clear and gentle and happier than he’d ever seen her. “It’s never been this way, for me,” she whispered.
“Me neither,” he smiled, letting his lips wander over his face, feeling his heart break open again for her. “And that was just the first time, my darling sweetness.” He folding her against him, and carried Tess gently to his bed.
They rested there, but neither could sleep. When she turned to him, her mouth was hot and ready. He suckled her, nuzzling her breast, and she moaned and opened for him. Again, he entered her, and they joined together in his bed, crying out passionately, sealing their devotion to each other once more.
***** When Tess heard tiny feet padding across the floor and felt a small cold hand reach under Jake’s down comforter, touching her arm, she opened her eyes.
Two little amber orbs peeped at her face, and a thin voice whispered. “Dr. Tess, what are you doing in Mommy’s spot?”
“Morning Cassie,” Tess whispered back. The rising sun glinted on the white bare bark of the tall aspen outside Jake’s window.
Taking Cassie’s small cold hand in hers, she smiled at the sweet face of the little girl, her step daughter, now. The warm bulk of Jake’s leg pinned her down, his arm over her naked waist under the covers.
What am I wearing? She took careful mental inventory before she whispered, “It’s cold, Cass, you should have your robe and slippers on.”
“I woke up and wanted to see the puppies, so I came in to get Daddy. I didn’t think I’d find you here, though, Dr. Tess. You usually stay in the guest room,” Cassie said, her little voice tinged with curiosity. “Did you have a sleep over? ”
“We did. Let’s let Daddy sleep awhile, Cassie, I’ll take you downstairs,” Tess whispered. “We’ll go see what Rhiannon and her puppies are up to. You go get your robe and slippers and I’ll meet you in the hallway, okay?”
“Sure, Dr. Tess.” When Cassie was out of the room, Tess found her bag on the floor against Jake’s bureau. He must have carried my bag up after the puppies were born. Stretched across the bed, Jake opened one eye as she slipped into her t-shirt and jeans. In a sleep-drowsy voice, he said, “You handled that well.”
“Thank you. I’m in training, now. I guess we can dispense with the “Dr. Tess” tag now, huh?” she grinned, leaning to kiss his bristled cheek.
Grabbing her, he wrapped his strong arms around her torso and pulled her close. “We can. But it’s torture when Dr. Tess leaves my warm bed before the sun is up.”
“Get used to it. We’ve got a kid to raise,” she laughed. “And we’ll do it together, won’t we, my gorgeous, radiant, sassy bride?” he asked, smacking her denim clad
bottom. “What did you put your clothes on for?” he teased, tugging on her left hand, below the cast. He squeezed her finger just above the ring, and she smiled into his very satisfied, sleepy eyes. “You had plenty of Dr. Tess last night,” she whispered, plastering his face with kisses, her smile irrepressible.
“I did get my share of Dr. Tess last night, didn’t I? And I will again. Many times,” Jake said, his groggy voice assured and very content.
“We’ll have plenty of mornings together. It’s my turn to be with Cassie now,” she said, pulling herself away.
Cassie was waiting on the landing, pixie-cute in her fuzzy lime green robe and red wool slippers. “C’mon, Dr. Tess, let’s go see Rhiannon. We should be thinking of names for those puppies, huh?”
“Great idea, Cass.”
“It was a good that Daddy had a sleepover with you,” Cassie said, taking Tess’s hand and leading her down the stairs. “He and my mom argued a lot, and none of us liked that very much. He’s really happy when you’re around, I can tell. It’s good to see him smile. Tilda isn’t here on Sundays, and Daddy and I make pancakes. Sometimes we put blueberries in them, or chocolate chips, with banana. You can have pancakes with us this morning, if you want, Dr. Tess. Do you like pancakes?”
“I do like pancakes, Cassie.”
“Let’s take care of the puppies, then we can have pancakes. You should stay over tonight, too, Dr. Tess. We really like having you here.”
To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Subject: Re: That’s my girl! Date: November 20
Dear Daddy, Thanks for your love, advice and understanding, and most of all, your blessings! I can’t tell you how happy I am, how happy we are, together, finally!
I’m so glad you are feeling better ~ Jake and Cassie and I can’t wait to see you and Mom and Sam and Archie at the ranch for New Year’s Eve~ A puppy for every lap!
I’m truly the happiest girl in the world! Thanks for helping me stay on course, always, Dad. I have so much to be thankful for ~
Love, Love, Love,
Tess. To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Subject: Girls in White Dresses Date: December 25, 1:05 AM
Tactful, Tasteful Tessie, Break into the wine cellar, Yahoo Cowgirl, and let Aunt Olivia go wild for your Bridal Spectacular in July at McGreer Ranch, because Archie and I will be keeping Mom busy with our December Nuptial Event at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia~
Diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend, especially when I get to share all that sparkles and shines with my super sweet sister! Who would have thought things could get so glamorously glittery for the Bam Girls?? So many weddings, so little time! ( And such perfect husbands, to boot!!)
Can’t wait to see you next week and meet Jake~ Let’s plan a New York White Dress Whirlwind ASAP. Merry Christmas, my darling sister, and enough Love, Love, Love to fill the Planet, or at least, get us all from Philadelphia to Green Junction and back!
Your Sensationally Satisfied Sis, Sam
PS. Can I borrow Cassie? I’ll need a flower girl!
.***** 6 McGreer Lane
State Route 359
Green Junction, CO, 68432 May 3, 2012
Rancho Nuevo Rehabilitation Center 3851 Rancho Blvd,
Denver, CO 80205
Dear Tess,
!
! Thank you for bringing Cassie by last week for her visit. I was glad we had a minute to talk. It’s six months that I’ve been here now, and I leave soon for Los Angeles. I’ll do outpatient treatment there, and find a job, staying with my mother to begin with, probably for awhile. It means a lot to me that you and Jake have stuck by me. I know how terribly I behaved, in so many ways.
! As much as I hated Green Junction, I know now that it was really myself I was hating, too. Though if I never see another snow capped mountain, it will be too soon.
!
! I’ve talked to my therapist a lot, about how I hurt you, and Jake, and Cassie. I keep remembering watching Cassie leap out of my car that terrible day, into your arms. I saw the way you held her. I think its right that you two are together.
! I wasn’t really ever a very good mother. From the time she was a baby, I felt overwhelmed. I blamed it all on Jake, but now I see what the problem was. I was taking pills even then, to cope. I didn’t know how else to manage. Everything was always too much for me, from the time my parents divorced. Before then, even. I hated you from the time I saw you, probably because you had so mu
ch going for you, but I know better, now.
! Cassie seems happy. I guess I always knew she would be, at the ranch. I’m trying to start over with a clean slate, and I just want to say I’m sorry, about what I did to Cassie, and about your arm too.
! I know Cassie’s life is much better now. You’re a good mother for her Tess, better than I ever was, and she’s lucky to have Jake as a dad, too. I’m really, really glad Cassie is with you both. I want to make a good life for myself, but I still have a lot of work to do. I hope Cassie will be a bigger part of it, someday, and I hope I can count on you to help with that, when the time comes.
! I feel like you might even be willing to be a friend? I hope I can earn that, so I can count on you, too, the way Jake and Cassie do. It would mean so much to me.
! In gratitude,
! Victoria Scalamagotti McGreer (Vicki)
Author’s Note
I remember the jaw-dropping wonder I first felt traveling to Colorado. It was fun to capture the natural beauty of Tess’s adventure and her new life in that gorgeous place, as she emerges from a care-free thrill seeker to a loving partner and committed stepmother.
I’m always available for book-signings, readings and appearances, especially to benefit my reader’s favorite animal shelters and rescues. Please visit my website, LillyChristine.com, to find out more, or contact me at [email protected]
Coming Soon. . .
Visit the next pages to read excerpts from my short story “The Right Kinda Bull” about Jake’s cousin, Ty McGreer, and my coming novel, “Eva Smashing & Dashing”. Check back on Amazon for Eva soon!
“The Right Kinda Bull” copyright @ 2013 by Lilly Christine Texas A&M Veterinary Clinic Lindsay Robbins tossed short red curls from her face and peered at the night docket, “Ty McGreer, 6312 Red Rock Ranch Road, Elliston, TX. Black Angus bull weanling calf, # 2319, colic/irritated gut, possible obstruction. Departure time 3:37 PM. Expected arrival 6:30 PM.”
She hurried to the locker room, clattering down concrete steps in flex-step clogs. Ty McGreer? Why does that name sound familiar? The client’s name didn’t really matter; she only had fifteen minutes to prep for his bull calf ’s surgery.
Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers) Page 23