Bar None (Aeon Book 3)
Page 22
“Hey, babe.”
The sight of Jackson on the sofa, Mr. Snuggles by his side, makes me smile. That cat has become just as attached to Jackson as he is to me.
Jackson still works in the bar most days, and some evenings, but he’s learned to let go a little. He lets Kayley close the bar most nights and comes to bed with me instead.
I sit on the sofa beside him and he raises his arm, wrapping it around my shoulder.
“How was your day?” I ask.
“The usual. I’m glad I put dinner on this morning because it’s been a long one.”
“Same. You two look comfortable.”
He laughs. “He’s taken a real liking to my sofa. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“I’m just glad you’re getting on. I was worried he might fret in a new place, but it’s been two months and he seems to be happy as long as he’s with us.”
Jackson lifts his hand from Mr. Snuggles and places it on my stomach. “Did you tell Molly?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. Every time I think about it, I think how nice it is that it’s our secret.”
“She’s going to know soon enough when you start showing.”
I place my hand on his arm and squeeze gently. “I’m nearly twelve weeks. It’s almost time. I’m not really that far along.”
“But you will be by the time you tell her. Which reminds me . . .”
“What?”
Jackson lets go of me and scoops up Mr. Snuggles into his arms. “You got this, buddy,” he says to the cat.
“Got what?”
“He’s got a present for you.”
I laugh as I take the cat from him. “Do you have a present for me?”
I smile when he starts purring, but still have no idea what Jackson’s talking about.
As I place the cat on my lap and stroke him, I feel something solid on his collar. “What the hell?”
I can do nothing but stare as I take hold of the little lump and twist it toward me. It’s a diamond solitaire ring.
“Jackson, I . . .”
“It belonged to my mother. My father would approve,” he says softly. “It’s time I did something about this before you have my baby.”
My fingers fumble with the ribbon that ties the ring to the collar, and Jackson steps in, taking the cat from me and untying the small bow. I hold out my trembling hand as he slips it on my finger.
“Mr. Snuggles and I would like you to marry us. Well, marry me. He just gets to keep sleeping at the end of the bed.”
“Yes.” I search his expression, and all I see is the deep love he has for me. I recognize it because it’s how I feel about him. How I’ve always felt about him. “I’d love to marry you. And Mr. Snuggles.”
Jackson grins, placing the cat on the sofa as he gathers me into his arms. “I love you so much, Miranda. I never knew my heart could be so full.”
I stroke his cheek with my fingertips. “I love you too.”
His kiss sets me on fire, just as it always does.
Dinner can wait a while.
By the time we eat, I’m starving and wolf it down.
Jackson looks up as I walk back to the crockpot to get more.
“Baby hungry?”
“Must be.” I laugh.
“I’ve got another surprise for you. I’m not sure how you’ll feel about this one, though.”
Spooning the meat into the bowl, I stand in silence for a moment. What could it be that I might not like?
“I think I found a house for us.”
I turn and walk back to the table. When I sit down, I roll my sleeves up. Jackson’s shirts are huge on me, but they’ll be great as the baby grows. The shirt makes me feel closer to him.
“Why wouldn’t I like it?”
“Well . . .” He takes a moment. “I saw Brad today and asked if he’d be interested in selling Lane’s house.”
My mouth falls open. “What did he say? I know that place means a lot to him and Molly.”
He nods. “He’s open to it. I didn’t tell him why we needed more space, but he knows how small this place is. And there’s a ton of room for the cat. He’ll talk to Molly, but he seems to think it would be a good move.”
“That’s huge.”
Jackson reaches across the table for my hand. “I think they’d rather it go to people they know will take good care of it. And we will. It’d be perfect for the three of us, and we could easily fit another couple of kids in there.”
I laugh. “How many do you want?”
“Two or three. I don’t know. I mean, you come from a big family, but I came from just me. We should have talked about this before, but I don’t want this child to be alone.”
Tears spring up in my eyes. It doesn’t help that I’m hormonal and all over the place at times. Jackson always speaks to my soul. He’s the other half of me, and I’m so grateful every day that I found him.
“Neither do I. I think two or three would be perfect.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement.”
“It’s a bit late to worry about that now.” I laugh.
Jackson grins. “We did do this a bit backwards. I guess we should have had this discussion before we started making babies.”
I nod. “Probably. But we’ve had one now.”
“We’re getting married, Miranda.” His expression is so soft and loving, but slowly turns to one of horror as the implication drops. “Can we elope? I still have nightmares over your family at Leia’s wedding.”
Laughing, I stand and walk around the table. He shifts back so I can sit on his lap. “My mother would kill me if I eloped. You know this.”
Jackson nods, leaning his head against my breasts. “I do. And I’m kidding because I want to marry you in front of everyone we both love. I’ll tell the world how much I love you.”
“I like that idea. We could get married in Nettle Downs as a compromise.”
He raises his head, that broad smile back on his face. “Let’s do it. Your family can come to us, and we can get married by the lake.”
“Yes please.” I hug him tight.
He rubs my stomach. “Hear that, little one? Mom and Dad are getting married. Yesterday, if I have anything to do with it.”
“Are you volunteering to organize it?” I tease.
“I’ll have it all sorted tomorrow.”
I laugh, but if I know Jackson at all, we’ll have the venue sorted out and the guests invited by tomorrow afternoon.
“Let’s plan it together over the weekend.”
He lets out a dramatic sigh. “Okay. I’ll wait a few more days.”
“I love you, Jackson Booth.”
He grins. “As long as you keep on loving me, I’ll be patient.”
I sigh with contentment when he kisses me. “I love you too.”
Best one-night stand ever.
The house is beautiful.
Molly grips my hand as we stand in front of it. Tears prick my eyes at the sight of our future home.
“I think Lane would have approved. It’s going to two of my favorite people, including one I love almost as much as Brad and Grace,” she says, leaning her head against mine.
“It’s too much.”
“No, Miranda. You two deserve it. It’s been empty for a while, but you two will fill it with the love it needs.”
I swallow hard. “Three.”
Molly turns her head and stares at me. “Oh. Mr. Snuggles. He won’t know himself with all the space inside.”
I laugh. “Okay, then. Four.”
Molly’s mouth falls open. “You’re . . .”
I nod. “Jackson and I are having a baby.”
She breaks into a grin, and flings her arms around my neck, holding on as tight as her five-month baby bump will allow. “I was right. Our children will grow up together.”
“They will.”
“I love you to the moon and back, my friend.”
I can’t hold it in anymore, and tears run down my cheeks. “I love
you too.”
“You’re going to make such a great mom.” She lets me go. “Jackson’s going to be an awesome dad.”
“He really will.”
“Are you okay?” Jackson’s face is full of concern as he walks toward us from the car.
I nod. “Just a little overwhelmed by all of this. I told Molly our news.”
“Congratulations.” Molly beams.
Jackson folds me into his arms and kisses my temple. “Thanks. Shall we go inside and take a look?”
“I’d love to.” I bury my face in his chest, using his shirt to wipe my tears.
He lets me go but takes my hand in his. “Come on. Let’s and check out our future.”
My heart is full as we walk toward the front door.
We’re home.
Also by Wendy Smith
Writing as Wendy Smith
Coming Home
Doctor’s Orders
Baker’s Dozen
Hunter’s Mark
Teacher’s Pet
Fall and Rise Duet
Falling
Rising
Fall and Rise - The Complete Duet
The Aeon Series
Game On
Build a Nerd
Bar None
Coming 2020 Love on Site
Coming 2020 Common Ground
Coming 2020 Lost and Found
The Friends Duet
Loving Rowan
Three Days
The Forever Series
Something Real
The Right One
Unexpected
Chances Series
Another Chance
Taking Chances
Lifetime Series
In a Lifetime
In an Instant
In a Heartbeat
In the End
At the Start
About the Author
Wendy Smith published as Ariadne Wayne for three years before deciding she didn’t want to be someone else all the time. Heavily influenced by stories in the media, she decided to try something new, and the Copper Creek series was born. With lots of love and a touch of darkness, her stories will twist their way into your heart.
Find me online
www.authorwendysmith.com
wendy@authorwendysmith.com