“You must be Sierra. I have heard so much about you from the folks in town.” The man had long light brown hair and wore a cowboy hat upon his head. “You are however prettier than they said. Words cannot express your beauty.” He took her hand and grazed it with his lips.
“Thank you. Mr….”
“Oh yeah sorry. Jack. I’m Jack from the ranch next door. I was just coming over to invite ya’ll to the party.”
“The party?”
“Yes. We’re having a barn party tomorrow night and we are all going out to invite everyone. Everyone brings a dish. There will be music and dancing and lots and lots of good food too.” His smile was wide as he looked at her.
She looked over at Jacob in question. “It’s up to you.”
“That sounds like fun. How about it Lily? You wanna go to the party?”
“Yes ma’am. Can we take one of those apple pies that you bake with the cinnamon?”
“Sure. Can you help me make it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
The day went by fast as Sierra set out to make the pie and to do something special for Lily. It was the next morning and she and Lily had taken baths in the house while Jacob went down to the river. She had just combed Lily’s hair when she showed her what she had for her. It had taken her almost all night, but she was able to take in one of her smaller dresses and cut off the ends and hem it for Lily. It was dark blue and made Lily’s eyes shine. It was made of satin and Lily looked at it in awe.
“I have to say Ms. Sierra that I don’t like dresses but that sure is a pretty one. Are you going to wear that tonight?” Her wide eyes looked up at Sierra’s laugh.
“It won’t fit me silly.”
“Oh. That’s a shame. It sure is pretty.”
“I adjusted the size a little. It’s for you Lily. If you will wear it for me.” The little girl’s eyes shot up to hers.
“For me. That’s for me? Why Ms. Sierra I would love to wear it but I don’t have any of those frilly things to wear under it.” Her look of longing looked at the dress and she looked sad for a moment after she said it.
“That’s ok honey. It has them built in. See?” She held up the bottom of the dress to show her. “And you can wear your long underwear underneath it.”
“Oh wow. Pa’s going to be so surprised.” She giggled as Sierra began helping her into the dress. She knew they had to leave soon.
“You girls ready?” Jacob’s voice came through the door.
“Just a minute or two.”
“Ok. I’ll be outside. I’m gonna bring the buggy around.”
“Ok.”
Lilly looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair had a braid on each side that connected in the back and then the rest of her hair laid in blonde curls. She was beautiful and the blue of the dress made her eyes bright in color as well.
Jacob looked up when he heard the door open and then he almost choked. There stood his little girl in a dress. She had her hair done and looked amazing. He held his hands out to her. “You are so beautiful Lily. You look like your momma.”
“Thanks Pa but wait till you see Ms. Sierra.” Just as she said it, Sierra stepped through the doorway. She had on a long green dress that had a low neckline. Her Hair was pinned on the side and the back left down. It was the first time he had seen her without her hair being up. It was dark in color but not quite as much as he thought. It also had a lot more red in color than he thought. The sunlight shone off her hair and showed the redness in it. His eyes met hers as he began to talk.
Sierra met his eyes and read the intensity in them. “You are right Lily. She is beautiful.” At his words, her face grew warm with her blush. She averted her gaze only to bring it right back and meet his again. She sucked in a breath at the desire she read in his eyes. He held his hand out to her and without thought she took it with her own. As she let him help her up into the seat beside Lily she smiled down at him. Smiling back He looked up at her with such warm it made another blush creep into her cheeks. The ride was short and they listened to Lily’s chatter the whole way. They had made two pies to take with them and Lily was excited to tell everyone that she helped make them.
As Jacob helped her from the wagon, she looked around at all the people. There were a lot more there than she would have thought.
“Jacob. It’s about time you got here.” They turned to see an older man making his way across the ground. He had to be in his early seventies, but he still never missed a step.
“Ah Papa Scott. It’s good to see you.” She smiled at the man as he got closer. “This is Sierra.”
“Papa can I go play? I see Melissa and Joanna.”
“Yes go ahead.” His chuckle was deep as he smiled at his daughter. Turning back to the man in front of him he smiled.
“Ms. Sierra welcome. May I ask was that lilt girl Lily?”
Jacob chuckled again. “I have to say yes.”
“Why I never thought I would ever see her in a dress again.” The man looked at the little girl running away with wide eyes.
“That credit will have to go to Sierra. It is all her doing.”
“Well, Maddie will be pleased.” He smiled at Sierra. “Maddie is my wife and she has been trying for the last year to get that girl into a dress and cleaned up. She will be glad you finally succeeded in that.”
“I have to say it wasn’t too hard. Just a little persuading and bartering.” She laughed.
He laughed again. “You just stay away from the game tables then. If you could persuade that hellion into a skirt, I would hate to see the pile of money in front of you at the end of the night.” They all laughed. “Come on in. I’ll introduce you to the women folk.”
Chapter 5
They made their way inside the barn and she looked around. The hay had been cleared out completely and the walls of the stalls pushed against the sides. There was one huge room and although there were sporadic pieces of hay on the ground one would never know it was a barn. All around were lanterns hanging from the ceiling showing off a light glow. There were musicians in one corner who were playing and there was one long table that was filled with food. There had to be a hundred dishes on the table.
“My Maddie likes to go all out for these things.” He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. “It makes her happy plus I get to dance with all the pretty ladies.” He grinned over at her. “Which means you have to save me a dance young lady.”
She laughed over at him. “Of course.”
“That is after she dances with me of course.” Shocked Sierra looked up at Jacob as his dark blue eyes looked down at her. Their eyes locked for a moment and embarrassed she looked away.
“You must be Sierra. I could smack you Jacob for not bringing her over sooner.” The gruff voice came from an older woman who was as round as she was tall. Her cheeks were pink with color and she had a wide smile on her face.
“This be my wife, Maddie.”
“It is nice to meet you ma’am.”
“Oh please child, call me Maddie. Now come away from those men and come meet the ladies. You two go find some mischief while you can. We will be eating soon and Scottie you’re saying grace.”
“Yes dear.” Although his voice sounded aggravated he smiled at his wife as he kissed her cheek. “Anything for you my love.”
“Oh hogwash go on with you now. You won’t get no extra food trying to butter me up.” They laughed as they walked away. Sierra looked back at them as he was carted away and Jacob was moved in the opposite direction. Their eyes met and they smiled at one another as the turned around.
As Maddie brought her over to the women she began spouting off names as the women nodded towards them. In the end she guessed there were over 30 women.
“There is a lot of us but you will get it eventually. Come on ladies let’s get the food ready. I’m sure everyone is ready to eat.”
Sierra stood next to the other women and began to help uncover the food. Just then a handful of children came in and stood by the table. “Uh h
uh Christopher and Susan back outside and wash up.” One of the women said. As each woman sprouted off their children’s names they kids began to leave until Lily stood there alone.
Sierra looked down at her with a stern look. “Go on with you. The rules from home apply here as well.”
The young girl sighed before she turned around. “Yes. Ma’am.” She hurried off to clean up as well. Just then her eyes came up and met Jacob’s he grinned her way and she smiled in return.
“Why I never. Was that little thing Lily?” One of the women asked.
“Yes.” Sierra looked at the woman who had asked the question. A handful of men came over and the people around the table began to make plates and leave to eat.
“What was that all about?” She knew it was Jacob’s voice, but she didn’t know who he was asking.
Maddie’s voice answered his question. “All of us women were just wondering how long it was going to take you to marry this woman. Don’t let her get away. She’s a keeper.” Sierra’s head snapped up to look at the other women. Maddie winked before moving down the line on the table. Choosing to ignore the comment she watched as the children came to their mothers for help with their plates. Suddenly Lily was at her side.
“Uh. Can you help me Sierra? I can’t reach the middle of the table and those green beans look mighty tasty. I normally just go for the stuff around the outside that I can reach.” She looked up at her sheepishly.
“Well that won’t do at all will it?” Sierra smiled down at her and was rewarded with a returning smile. “Let’s see what we have here that looks good Lily.”
They made their way down the line and Sierra filled both their plates. When they were done she looked around. The place had been sectioned off by families. It was as if each family was in a small huddle. She stood there for a minute not knowing where to go. “Come on. We’re over here.” She looked down at Lily and smiled as she followed her over to a corner where Jacob sat with Maddie and Papa Scott. Lily took the seat next to Maddie putting Sierra next to Jacob. She felt his leg brush hers multiple times and she felt herself thinking things she shouldn’t. She was still a married woman and until she married another those type of thoughts were unacceptable. The others at the small gathering began talking and soon her thoughts were changed as she laughed with the others. Soon they cleared all the trash away and the music began to play again. Lily ran off outside to catch lightning bugs with her friends. Sierra stood there as she watched the dancers twirl around the room.
“Well come on Maddie. I may be old, but I can still shake it with the best of em’”
“You know jus the words to say to melt my heart.” The older woman laughed as she let him whisk her onto the dance floor.
“Would you dance with me Sierra?” She looked up from the hand that was outstretched in front of her to Jacob.
“I would love to.” She let him lead her onto the floor and then sucked in a breath when she felt his hand curl around her waist. His other hand still had hers inside his. The music started around him and she was only slightly aware of what went on around them. For that one moment, it was just the two of them dancing. She looked up into his eyes as he looked down at her.
“Are you ok?” His voice was soft and gentle.
“Yes. It’s just. It’s been a long time since I’ve danced with a man. My husband was sick for so long that it’s been years since I’ve been in the arms of a man. It just took me by surprise is all.”
“It has been a long time for me as well. Well, not dancing with a man but a woman. I always went outside before when the dancing started. I would watch but never joined.”
“Why did you now?”
“Because of you.”
“Oh.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” She looked up at him in surprise.
“For everything with Lily and helping out. She seems to like you a lot. She hasn’t had a woman in her life in such a long time.”
“She is an amazing young girl.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey you two know that the song is over right? And if you don’t mind I’d like a dance with the lady myself.” Jack was there wiggling his eyebrows at her. Before she knew what was happening, he was whisking her off to the beat of a fast past song. He whirled her around over and over and by the end of the song she was panting and laughing all at the same time. The night was filled with laughter and she danced to so many songs she had lost count. Her last song was another slow one with Jacob and it seemed that it made the ending of the day that much sweeter. Jacob made a pallet in the back of the wagon for Lily and before they were halfway home she was fast asleep.
“Oh my. That was so much fun. I am exhausted though.” She laughed as they started the trek home.
“Yeah. It looks like you’re not the only one.” He gestured his head backwards to show her an already fast asleep Lily.
“I see that.” She laughed.
As they pulled in front of the house he tied the reins to the front of the railing. “I’m gonna take her on up and then I’ll come back and get the buggy into the barn and such.” He helped her down and then she smiled as he hoisted a sleeping Lily into his arms. Murmuring soft words he walked into the house. Knowing he must be tired as well, Sierra began to walk the buggy into the barn. She was just taking off the reins when she heard him come up behind her. “I can do that. You don’t have to worry yourself.’
“No. It’s ok really. I love to work with horses.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Do you have a brush? I’ll start brushing them down.”
He gestured towards the wall of the barn and she grabbed one and started working on the first horse while he brushed the second one. Finished they both walked towards the house. Just as they reached inside they both turned towards the other and bumped into each other. His arm shot out to steady her. What started off as stopping her from falling turned into a caress as he looked down at her. Before they could stop it, his lips grazed hers. Softly he kissed her and she tentatively responded in return. Standing straight again he looked down at her softly. “Good night Sierra.”
“Good night.” She whispered. She walked into the bedroom and softly touched her lips where he had kissed her. They were both unaware of a little head peeking over the balcony watching them. They were also unaware of the smile that crept across her face.
Chapter 6
As soon as he got to the top railing Jacob knew his daughter was awake. “Go to sleep Lily.”
“Yes Pa but do you think we could have a picnic tomorrow? At the lake and then maybe we can go swimming too?”
“That sounds like fun but you have to help me plant the next day.”
“It’s a deal.”
The next day they awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs. “Oh man, that smells so good.” Lily laughed as she made her way down the ladder.
“Thank you.” Sierra turned to smile at her.
“Pa said we could go to the lake today and have a picnic. Can you swim? We go swimming there too when we go.”
“I wanted to make sure it was ok with her first Lily. Breakfast smells wonderful.”
“Thank you.” She handed him a cup of coffee as she flipped the eggs. “So a picnic uh? Well, I have just the thing. I have some chicken I can put with some biscuits I made this morning. I made extra for dinner and I have something special. Lemonade.”
“What’s that?”
Sierra looked over at Lily in wonder. “You have never had lemonade? Honey you are in for a treat today. It is so refreshing and sweet. You will love it. I promise. I put some in a jug we can put into the lake to keep cool.”
Lily bounded up and down in excitement. “Ok and there’s a pear tree and peach tree there too.”
“Yum. Maybe we can pick some before we leave and I’ll make some jam.”
“Yes please. But I have to help Pa plant tomorrow.”
“That’s ok. How about this. We can both help him tomorrow and then the next day w
e will make the jam.”
“Can we Pa? Uh?”
“Yes. Lily that sounds good.” He looked up and his eyes met Sierra’s. They both smiled at the other aware that the other was thinking the same thing they were. Their kiss the night before.
The picnic was wonderful and Sierra marveled at the beauty of the landscape as she sat on the side and watched the two of them jump into the water in their long underwear. She had worn her own as well and wanted to go in but was a little embarrassed about undressing in front of Jacob.
“Come on Sierra. You have to come in. It's fun right Pa?”
“Yes please do. It’s nice and cool.”
Shrugging she walked over to the side of a huge rock and began to undress. Laying her clothes on the rock she gently stepped into the water. She was unaware that the man right down from her watched every move she made.
Jacob watched as she began to walk to the lake. He would have thought them crazy if a man had told him that a woman looked sexy in long underwear, but there was Sierra looking gorgeous as always. The underwear did little to hide her curves or her body either and he could only imagine what they were going to look like when they were wet and plastered against her skin. He needed to think about something else. Turning, he hoisted Lily high in the air and laughed at her squeal as he tossed her. She came up sputtering and laughing. He felt her presence beside him before he heard her.
“You were right. This is great.” Just then Lily jumped up and splashed her. “Why you little fish you.” She dived under the water to tickle her toes and Lily swam away as fast as she could before coming back to her father and asking him to throw her again. After two more times she laughed and came up.
“Throw Sierra daddy. Like you used to momma.”
“I don’t think…” He started but was cut off.
“I don’t think your daddy can lift me that high.” Sierra laughed.
“Is that a challenge?”
Hang Em' Up: A Bad Boy Sports Pregnancy Romance Page 51