Tessa
Page 17
Jared nodded, then looked back at Frank. “Can’t say I blame you, kid.”
* * *
Tessa was so damn nervous she didn’t know what to do with herself. Jared had left saying he needed to take care of some things. After that, he was picking Raven up and bringing her over for dinner. Checking the house despite it being clean, spotless in fact, she couldn’t stop cleaning and worrying. Her thoughts kept going back to last night. They’d talked and made love until it was time for him to leave. He had opened up about his life, his family, and even Janice as well as Raven. Hearing the door open, she jumped.
She turned from the sink just as Jared walked in, with Raven following. He headed toward Tessa, giving her a kiss before turning toward Raven. “Well, I have a cow or something I need to milk out at the barn.” Jared hurried to exit.
“Ah, we don’t have a cow.” Tessa sighed, then rolled her eyes.
“Chicken,” Raven called out to his retreating back.
Rolling her eyes, Tessa laughed. “Is it just me, or do you enjoy seeing him sweat?”
“Oh no. I enjoy it way more than I should.” Raven chuckled, then seemed to become uncomfortable.
“Sit down,” Tessa offered as she grabbed a few glasses. Tessa had made Jared promise that he would bring Raven over. It was way past time that she and Tessa talked. “You want some tea or something? I have Coke, water, or…”
“Water’s fine.” Raven sat down, placing her hands on the table, then hurried and put them in her lap.
Realizing that she wasn’t the only one nervous, Tessa decided then and there that this was going to work. Excitement and nervousness filled her. “Listen, I’m sorry for the way I treated you.” Tessa began, but stopped by Raven’s confused expression.
“You didn’t treat me bad.” Raven frowned. “Who said you treated me bad?”
“Well, not to your face,” Tessa replied, honestly. “I thought you and Jared had a thing going.”
“What?” Raven’s eyes popped open in shock, then disgust. “With my dad? That’s disgusting.”
“Wait!” Tessa laughed, holding up her hand. “Remember I didn’t know he was your father. You’re beautiful, not much younger than me, and well, Jared is gorgeous.”
“If you say so.” Raven wrinkled her nose. “But still, that’s just wrong. He’s Dad.”
“Yeah, I’m still processing the fact that Jared has a daughter,” Tessa replied with a half smile. “It came as quite a shock.”
“But you seem to be taking it well,” Raven said, eyeing her hopefully. “Listen, I don’t want to cause trouble between you guys. If this isn’t cool with you, I’ll leave and you’ll never hear from me again.”
“No!” Tessa shook her head. “I’m more than okay with this. I mean, I’m not okay that I’m just finding out, but really I hope we can become good friends. I love your father, Raven. You’re a part of him and are welcome here always.”
“I appreciate that, Tessa,” Raven said, then frowned. “It’s okay that I call you Tessa, right? I mean, you don’t want me calling you mom or anything?”
Tessa knew she was teasing and laughed. “Tessa is fine since we are close in age. I mean, we look around the same age, which is weird.”
Raven nodded, then wrinkled her nose. “Ah, what’s that smell?”
“Shit!” Tessa jumped up, running toward the stove. Pulling out a covered casserole dish, she continued to curse. “Sid will kill me if I burnt this. He taught me how to make his famous lasagna and gets pissy if you mess it up.”
Jared walked in, with Adam and Angelina following. “What’s burning?” Jared frowned, heading toward Tessa who was pulling the Reynolds Wrap from the dish.
“Nothing.” Tessa sighed in relief. “I saved it just in time, thank God. Sid would have a major meltdown.”
Glancing over at Raven, who was in conversation with Adam and Angelina, he looked back at Tessa. “You good?”
Nodding, Tessa smiled. “She reminds me so much of you. It’s a little scary.” She chuckled, and kissed his cheek. “Stop worrying. We are going to get along just fine. We have plenty of time to get to know one another.”
“I love you so damn much.” Jared kissed her neck, making her sigh.
“Get a room!” Adam grouched. “But first serve up that food. I’m starving.”
Once everyone was served, they ate and talked. Tessa just sat and listened. She watched Raven’s mannerisms, realizing how much Raven really was like Jared. She had also caught sly looks at how proud Jared seemed to be of his daughter.
“I met Pam and Duncan’s little boy today,” Raven said out of the blue. She looked toward Jared. “Did you know?”
“I wondered, but wasn’t certain,” Jared replied with a frown.
“Wondered what?” Adam asked, which Tessa was grateful for as she wanted to know too. Daniel was adorable and growing so fast, both physically and mentally, that Pam and Duncan were both worried.
“He’s got it.” Raven gave a nod, looking down at her plate.
“Damn.” Jared rubbed his forehead.
“Got what?” This time Tessa frowned, not liking this one bit.
“The Vision,” Raven answered. Glancing around and no doubt seeing the confusion on their faces, she explained, “He has the gift of knowing the future. Charger confirmed it.”
“Is that a bad thing?” Tessa felt fear grip her for Daniel.
“If the wrong people learn he has it, it is. Daniel is young, doesn’t know how to use it or process it. That could also be dangerous.” Jared frowned then pulled out his phone. “Hope you have plenty of food left. Looks like we’re going to have a house full.”
“How could Charger confirm something like that?” Tessa frowned.
“His gift…” Raven glanced first at Jared who nodded, then at Tessa. “…is knowing what gifts people have.”
“That’s a gift?” Adam frowned. “Lame.”
“I’ll let him know you think that.” Raven cocked her eyebrow at him.
Adam’s phone went off before he could respond. He took it out and looked at it. “You seriously sent another group text.” Adam chuckled.
Jared smiled. “Anything that pisses Sid off you know I’ll do.” He then looked at Raven. “Welcome to the family.”
Tessa smiled, seeing the look of contentment that flashed across Raven’s face at Jared’s words. He didn’t seem to notice, but he was a guy. Guys didn’t usually pick up on that kind of stuff. Thoughts of adoption were even more prevalent in her mind. Jared was a good father; she knew that in just this very short time. Now she wanted to give them both a chance to be parents together. While Jared had his worries about his past coming into light, tomorrow was never promised, and she knew what she wanted. Soon she would talk to Pam or Nicole and set things in motion. But for tonight, she would enjoy her family, which by the sound of Adam’s and Jared’s phones going off was going to get much bigger very soon.
Also by Teresa Gabelman
Lee County Wolves
Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves) Book #1
Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves) Book #2
Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves) Book #3
Forbidden Temptation (Lee County Wolves) Book #4
Forbidden Secrets (Lee County Wolves) Book #5
The Protectors Series
Damon (The Protectors Series) Book #1
Jared (The Protectors Series) Book #2
Duncan (The Protectors Series) Book #3
Sid (The Protectors Series) Book #4
Adam (The Protectors Series) Book #5
Slade (The Protectors Series) Book #6
A Warrior Wedding (The Protectors Series) Book #7
Jax (The Protectors Series) Book #8
Sloan (The Protectors Series) Book #9
Blaze (The Protectors Series) Book #10
Invisible Warrior (The Protectors Series) Book #11
Ronan (The Protectors Series) Book #12
Viktor (The Protectors Series) Boo
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Bishop (The Protectors Series) Book #14 Coming Soon
The Mate Series
Nicole (The Mate Series) Book #1
Tessa (The Mate Series) Book #2
Pam (The Mate Series) Book #3 Coming Soon
Other Books by Teresa Gabelman
Sanctuary (Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary) Book #1
Refuge (Stone’s Wolf Sanctuary) Book #2
Claiming Jade
The Enforcer
Blind Faith
Rodeo Romance
Karma’s Revenge
Magic & Mayhem Universe
Wicked *itch
Sinfully Wicked
Blissfully Wicked
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