The Proposal & Solid Soul

by Brenda Jackson

Jason shook his head. “No, she doesn’t.” He paused for a moment and then said, “Our marriage was based on a business proposition, Derringer. She needed a husband to retain her trust fund and I wanted her land—at least co-ownership of her land—and Hercules.”

  Derringer stared at him for a long moment and then said, “I think you’d better start from the beginning.”

  IT TOOK JASON LESS THAN ten minutes to tell Derringer everything, basically because his cousin stood there and listened without asking any questions. But once he’d finished the questions had begun…as well as the observations.

  Derringer was certain Bella loved him because he claimed she looked at Jason the way Lucia looked at him, the way Chloe looked at Ramsey and the way Pam looked at Dillon—when they thought no one was supposed to be watching.

  Then Derringer claimed that given the fact Jason and Bella were still sharing the same bed—although no hanky-panky had been going on for almost a week now—had significant meaning.

  Jason shook his head. “If Bella loves me the way you think she does then why hasn’t she told me?”

  Derringer crossed his arms over his chest. “And why haven’t you told her?” When Jason couldn’t answer, Derringer smiled and said, “I think the two of you have a big communication problem. It happens and is something that can easily be corrected.”

  Jason couldn’t help but smile. “Sounds like you’ve gotten to be a real expert on the subject of marriage.”

  Derringer chuckled. “I have to be. I plan on being a married man for life so I need to know what it takes to keep my woman happy and to understand that when wifey isn’t happy, hubby’s life can be a living hell.”

  Derringer then tapped his foot on the barn’s wooden floor as if he was trying to make up his mind about something. “I really shouldn’t be telling you this because it’s something I overheard Chloe and Lucia discussing yesterday and if Lucia found out I was eavesdropping she—”

  “What?”

  “Maybe you already know but just hadn’t mentioned anything.”

  “Dammit, Derringer, what the hell are you talking about?”

  A sly smile eased across Derringer’s lips. “The ladies in the family suspect Bella might be pregnant.”

  BELLA WALKED OUT OF THE children’s hospital with a smile on her face. She loved kids and being around them always made her forget her troubles, which was why she would come here a couple of days a week to spend time with them. She glanced at her watch. It was still early yet and she wasn’t ready to go home.

  Home.

  She couldn’t help but think of Jason’s Place as her home. Although she’d made a stink with Jason about construction on her ranch, she didn’t relish the thought of going back there to live. She had gotten accustomed to her home with Jason.

  She was more confused than ever and the phone call from her mother hadn’t helped. Now her parents were trying to work out a bargain with her—another proposal of a sort. They would have their attorney draw up a legal document that stated if she returned home they would give her the space she needed. Of course they wanted her to move back onto their estate, although she would be given the entire east wing as her own. They claimed they no longer wanted to control her life, but just wanted to make sure she was living the kind of life she was entitled to live.

  Their proposal sounded good but she had gotten into enough trouble accepting proposals already. Besides, even if things didn’t work out between her and Jason, he deserved to be around his child. When they divorced, at least his son or daughter would be a stone’s throw away.

  She was crossing the parking lot to her car when she heard someone call her name. She turned and cringed when she saw it was her uncle Kenneth’s daughter, who was the mother of the twins. Although Uncle Kenneth had had an outburst at the trial, Elyse Bostwick Thomas had not. She’d been too busy crying.

  Drawing in a deep breath Bella waited for the woman to catch up with her. “Elyse.”

  “Bella. I just wanted to say how sorry I was for what Mark and Michael did. I know Dad is still bitter and I’ve tried talking to him about it but he refuses to discuss it. He’s always spoiled the boys and there was nothing I could do about it, mainly because my husband and I are divorced. My ex moved away, but I wanted a father figure in their lives.”

  Elyse didn’t say anything for a moment. “I hope Dad will eventually realize his part in all this, and although I miss my sons, they were getting too out of hand. I’ve been assured the place they are going will teach them discipline. I just wanted you to know I was wrong for listening to everything Dad said about you and when I found out you even offered to help pay for my sons’ attorney I thought that was generous of you.”

  Bella nodded. “Uncle Kenneth turned down my offer.”

  “Yes, but just the thought touched me deeply, considering everything. You and I are family and I hope that one day we can be friends.”

  A smile touched Bella’s lips. “I’d like that, Elyse. I really would.”

  “BELLA, ARE YOU SURE you’re okay? You might want to go see the doctor about that stomach virus.”

  Bella glanced over at Chloe. On her way home she had dropped by to visit with her cousin-in-law and little Susan. Bella had grown fond of the baby who was a replica of both of her parents. The little girl had Ramsey’s eyes and skin tone and Chloe’s mouth and nose. “Yes, Chloe, I’m fine.”

  She decided not to say anything about her pregnancy just yet until after she figured out how and when she would tell Jason. Evidently Chloe had gotten suspicious because Bella had thrown up the other day when Chloe had come to deliver a package to Jason from Ramsey.

  Bella knew from the bits and pieces of the stories she’d heard from the ladies that Chloe was pregnant when she and Ramsey had married. However, Bella doubted that was the reason Ramsey had married her. Anyone around the pair for any period of time could tell how in love they were.

  Bella never had a best friend, no other woman to share her innermost feminine secrets with. That was one of the reasons she appreciated the bond she felt toward all the Westmoreland women. They were all friendly, understanding and supportive. But she was hoping that because Chloe had been pregnant when she’d married Ramsey, her in-law could help her understand a few things. She had decisions to make that would impact her baby’s future.

  “Chloe, can I ask you something?”

  Chloe smiled over at her. “Sure.”

  “When you found out you were pregnant were you afraid to tell Ramsey for fear of how he would react?”

  Chloe placed her teacup down on the table and her smile brightened as if she was recalling that time. “I didn’t discover I was pregnant until Ramsey and I broke up. But the one thing I knew was that I was going to tell him because he had every right to know. The one thing that I wasn’t sure about was when I was going to tell him. One time I thought of taking the coward’s way out and waiting until I returned to Florida and calling him from there.”

  Chloe paused for a moment and then said, “Ramsey made things easy for me when he came to me. We patched up things between us, found it had been nothing more than a huge misunderstanding and got back together. It was then that I told him about my pregnancy and he was happy about it.”

  Bella took a sip of her tea and then asked, “When the two of you broke up did you stay apart for long?”

  “For over three weeks and they were the unhappiest three weeks of my life.” Chloe smiled again when she added, “A Westmoreland man has a tendency to grow on you, Bella. They become habit-forming. And when it comes to babies, they love them.”

  There was no doubt in Bella’s mind that Jason loved children; that wasn’t what worried her. The big question was if he’d want to father any with her considering the nature of their marriage. Would he see that as a noose around his neck? For all she knew he might be counting the days until their year would be up so he could go his way and she go hers. A baby would definitely change things.

  She glanced back over at Chloe. “R
amsey is a wonderful father.”

  Chloe smiled. “Yes, and Jason would be a wonderful father, as well. When their parents died all the Westmorelands had to pitch in and raise the younger ones. It was a team effort and it wasn’t easy. Jason is wonderful with children and would make any child a fantastic father.”

  Chloe chuckled. “I can see him with a son while teaching him to ride his first pony, or a daughter who will wrap him around her finger the way Susan does Ramsey. I can see you and Jason having a houseful of kids.”

  Bella nodded. Chloe could only see that because she thought she and Jason had a normal marriage.

  “Don’t ever underestimate a Westmoreland man, Bella.”

  Chloe’s words interrupted her thoughts. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that from what I’ve discovered in talking with all the other wives, even those spread out in Montana, Texas, Atlanta and Charlotte, a Westmoreland man is loyal and dedicated to a fault to the woman he’s chosen as a mate. The woman he loves. And although they can be overly protective at times, you can’t find a man more loving and supportive. But the one thing they don’t care too much for is when we hold secrets from them. Secrets that need to be shared with them. Jason is special, and I believe the longer you and he are married, the more you will see just how special he is.”

  Chloe reached out and gently touched Bella’s hand. “I hope what I’ve said has helped in some way.”

  Bella returned her smile. “It has.” Bella knew that she needed to tell Jason about the baby. And whatever decision he made regarding their future, she would have to live with it.

  CHAPTER TEN

  JASON DIDN’T BOTHER riding his horse back home after his discussion with Derringer. Instead he borrowed Zane’s truck and drove home like a madman only to discover Bella wasn’t there. She hadn’t mentioned anything at breakfast about going out, so where was she? But then they hadn’t been real chatty lately, so he wasn’t really surprised she hadn’t told him anything.

  He glanced around his home—their home—and took in the changes she’d made. Subtle changes but changes he liked. If she were to leave his house—their house—it wouldn’t be the same. He wouldn’t be the same.

  He drew in a deep breath. What if the ladies’ suspicions were true and she was pregnant? What if Derringer’s suspicions were true and she loved him? Hell, if both suspicions were true then they had one hell of a major communication problem between them, and it was one he intended to remedy today as soon as she returned.

  He walked into the kitchen and began making of all things, a cup of tea. Jeez, Bella had definitely rubbed off on him but he wouldn’t have it any other way. And what if she was really pregnant? The thought of her stomach growing big while she carried his child almost left him breathless. And he could recall when it happened.

  It had to have been their wedding night spent in the honeymoon suite of the Four Seasons. He had awakened to find her mouth on him and she had driven him to more passion than he’d ever felt in his entire life. He’d ended up flipping her on her back and taking her without wearing a condom. He had exploded the moment he’d gotten inside her body. Evidently she had been good and fertile that night.

  He certainly hoped so. The thought of her having his baby was his most fervent desire. And no matter what she thought, he would provide both her and his child with a loving home.

  He heard the sound of the front door opening and paused a moment not to rush out and greet her. They needed to talk and he needed to create a comfortable environment for them to do so. He was determined that before they went to bed tonight there would be a greater degree of understanding between them. With that resolution, he placed the teacup on the counter to go greet his wife.

  BELLA’S GROOMING AND social training skills had prepared her to handle just about anything, but now that she was back at Jason’s Place she was no longer sure of her capabilities. So much for all the money her parents had poured into those private schools.

  She placed her purse on the table thinking at least she’d had one bright spot in her day other than the time spent with the kids. And that was her discussion with Elyse. They had made plans to get together for tea later in the week. She could just imagine how her uncle would handle it when he found out she and Elyse had decided to be friends.

  And then there had been her conversation with Chloe. It had definitely been an eye-opener and made her realize she couldn’t keep her secret from Jason any longer. He deserved to know about the baby and she would tell him tonight.

  “Bella. You’re home.”

  She was pulled from her reverie by the pure masculine tone of Jason’s voice when he walked out of the kitchen. Her pulse hammered in the center of her throat and she wondered if he would always have this kind of effect on her. She took a second or two to compose herself, before she responded to him. “Yes, I’m home. I see you have company.”

  He lifted a brow. “Company?”

  “Yes. Zane’s truck is parked outside,” she replied, allowing her gaze to roam over her husband, unable to stop herself from doing so. He was such a hunk and no matter what he wore it only enhanced his masculinity. Even the jeans and chambray shirt he was wearing now made him look sexy as hell.

  “I borrowed it. He’s not here.”

  “Oh.” That meant they were alone. Under the same roof. And hadn’t made love in almost a week. So it stood to reason that the deep vibrations of his voice would stir across her skin and that turn-you-on mouth of his would make her panties start to feel damp.

  She met his gaze and something akin to potent sexual awareness passed between them, charging the air, electrifying the moment. She felt it and was sure he felt it, as well. She studied his features and knew she wanted a son or daughter who looked just like him.

  She knew she needed to break into the sensual vibe surrounding them and go up the stairs, or else she would be tempted to do something crazy like cross the room and throw herself in his arms and beg him to want her, to love her, to want the child they had conceived together.

  “Well, I guess I’ll go upstairs a moment and—”

  “Do you have a moment so we can talk, Bella?”

  She swallowed deeply. “Talk?”

  “Yes.”

  That meant she was going to have to sit across from him and watch that sensual mouth of his move, see his tongue work and remember what it felt like dueling nonstop with hers and—

  “Bella, could we talk?”

  She swallowed again. “Now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Sure,” she murmured and then she followed him toward the kitchen. Studying his backside she could only think that the man she had married was such a hottie.

  JASON WASN’T SURE WHERE they needed to begin but he did know they needed to begin somewhere.

  “I was about to have a cup of tea. Would you like a cup, as well?”

  He wondered if she recalled those were the exact words she had spoken to him that first time she had invited him inside her house. They were words he still remembered to this day. And from the trace of amusement that touched her lips, he knew that she had recalled them.

  “Yes, I’d love a cup. Thank you,” she said, sitting down at the table, unintentionally flashing a bit of thigh.

  He stepped back and quickly moved to the counter, trying to fight for control and to not remember this is the woman whom he’d given her first orgasm, the woman who’d awakened him one morning with her mouth on him, the first woman he’d had unprotected sex with, the only woman he’d wanted to shoot his release inside of, but more than anything, this was the woman he loved so very much.

  Moments later when he turned back to her with cups of tea in his hands, he could tell she was nervous, was probably wondering what he wanted to talk about and was hoping he would hurry and get it over with.

  “So, how was your day today?” he asked, sitting across from her at the table.

  She shrugged those delicate shoulders he liked running his tongue over. She looked so sinf
ully sexy in the sundress she was wearing. “It was nice. I spent a lot of it at the children’s hospital. Today was ‘read-a-story’ day and I entertained a bunch of them. I had so much fun.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “I also ran into Uncle Kenneth’s daughter, Elyse.”

  “The mother of the twins, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “And how did that go?” Jason asked.

  “Better than I expected. Unlike Uncle Kenneth, she’s not holding me responsible for what happened to her sons. She says they were getting out of hand anyway and is hoping the two years will teach them discipline,” Bella said.

  “We can all hope for that” was Jason’s response.

  “Yes, but in a way I feel sorry for her. I can only imagine how things were for her having Kenneth for a father. My dad wouldn’t get a ‘Father of the Year’ trophy, either, but at least I had friends I met at all those schools they shipped me off to. It never bothered me when I didn’t go home for the holidays. It helped when I went home with friends and saw how parents were supposed to act. Not as business partners but as human beings.”

  Bella realized after she’d said it that in a way Jason was her business partner, but she’d never thought of him that way. From the time he’d slipped a ring on her finger she had thought of him as her husband—for better or worse.

  The kitchen got silent as they sipped tea.

  “So what do you want to talk about, Jason?”

  Good question, Jason thought. “I want to talk about us.”

  He saw her swallow. “Us?”

  “Yes, us. Lately, I haven’t been feeling an ‘us’ and I want to ask you a question.”

  She glanced over at him. “What?”

  “Do you not want to be married to me anymore?”

  She broke eye contact with him to study the pattern design on her teacup. “What gave you that idea?”

  “Want a list?”

  She shot her gaze back to him. “I didn’t think you’d notice.”