“Look what the cat drug in,” Tessa remarked, bringing her Bud Light up to her lips. She took one small swig, then placed it in front of her. Jake walked over to her booth and sat down right beside her, bumping her thigh into his.
“Gees, leave a girl some room,” she said. There was a tremble in her voice that showed Jake she was just as affected by his presence as he was to hers.
“Don’t mind if I don’t,” Jake commented. “So, slick, you drowning in your sorrows?”
“Eh, last day of school—thank God.”
Tessa was a third grade teacher at Benton Elementary. She was well loved by everyone.
“I bet. Kids driving you nuts?”
“Not so much the kids, but Mr. Radely.”
“Radely’s a dick. I’m glad you are rid of him for the summer.”
Radely was the school’s principal. He graduated with Tessa and Jake and had tried to act like his shit didn’t stink ever since. He was a pain in most people’s asses and twice daily on the days that school was in session.
“Yeah, definitely. So, are you getting ready for Round up?”
“Sure am. So’s your dad.”
Nothing like small talk. How do you go about asking a girl out that you’ve known your entire life?
Tessa nodded then went to get up, forgetting that Jake blocked the way, she touched his thigh with her left hand. “Oh!” she squealed. “I’m…” her face went red.
Jake’s did, too. “That’s okay, darlin’, although, I’d think a lady would at least by a gentleman a beer first.” Jake smiled at his joke, then got out of the booth so Tessa could use the restroom. She practically ran. Jake didn’t know if she had to go that bad, or she just needed to get away from him.
She needed to get away from Jake. The close presence to the one man that, she knew, could set her whole world on fire was Jake Anders. Jake. Sexy—confident—hardworking—yummy, Jake. And she touched his thigh! Tessa grabbed her lip gloss from her purse and applied some, and then with a smack she looked into the mirror. Perfect. Her hair was a bit mussed, but didn’t take much to look great. She wore a good, I’m a hot chick at a bar shirt, and her signature pair of Levis. Taking a deep breath, she looked at her Auburn hair once more, and then walked out into the bar. Jake was sitting at the booth where she left him.
Jake smiled as she walked toward him; he stood up, then handed her another Bud Light. Tessa smiled her thanks, took a drink then quickly set it on the table. Jake grabbed her hand, then took a drink out of the same bottle—swoon—then twirled her around once. “Let’s dance, beautiful.” His voice was a bit gravely, sexy and she wanted to hear more of it.
He pulled her close, bodies touching bodies, and they danced. It was the first time that she danced with Jake, and she never wanted it to end.
Hour after hour, dance after dance, and then drink after drink, they had fun, until the bar announced closing. Jake and Tess stumbled out onto the street and went toward the parking deck.
“There is no way I can drive, Tess, and from the looks of it, you can’t either.”
“Yeah, definitely not,” she said, giggling. “I’ll just call a cab,” she hiccupped as her hand went in her purse and searched for her cell. She pulled it out and dialed ‘happy cab’. They confirmed that they would send one out to her right away. Ten minutes later, they still didn’t show.
Jake looked across the street. The alcohol was starting to soak in to his pores. His bloodstream had to be caked with beer. “Tess, I’m going to go over there. Come with me?”
Tessa’s eyes widened when she saw the sign for the Benton Hotel. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, but it had a bed. Tessa took a deep breath and made her decision. “Yeah, no… it will be safer than us driving.”
Jake nodded and took her hand. They ran across the street, nearly falling over themselves then went in and paid for a room.
Twenty minutes later, they were both undressed and making out under the covers of the queen-sized bed. It was the first time that they had kissed. It was Tessa’s first time touching Jake’s body without clothing, and it was Heaven.
“Honey, as much as I want this, and believe me, I do. I can’t do this to you…to us. I want this to be special. I want to remember each sigh from you, each touch of your skin. Let’s take it easy now, and tomorrow, when we wake up, I’ll show you how very much I want you.”
Tessa reached up and kissed him once more on the lips, then tore them away on a sigh. “Okay, Jake. Sweet dreams.”
“Definitely.”
Jake’s memory of the night they finally got together was brought to a halt as a car door shut. He looked up and saw Tessa.
“Don’t get up,” Tessa said quietly. She put her hand out in front of her to halt him in place. “I just wanted to let you know that I got my dress and that I love it. Mom’s in the car, so I’ve got to get going.”
“Stay here with me. I can take you home later.”
“You have work to do, and I’m not going to get in the way. Besides, you look exhausted. I’ve never seen you just sitting down on that stoop. What’s wrong?”
“I was just thinking about when we got together.”
Tessa blushed. “I thought about that the other night. I can remember everything, but a few things…”
“I remember everything. It’s hard to forget the best night of your life.”
Tessa flinched. “You’re not mad because I don’t remember, are you?”
Jake was slow with his smile. “No, Tess, I’m not mad.”
Tessa let a breath out that she didn’t realize she was holding. “Okay. Good, because that wasn’t the best night of my life.”
“Really?”
“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “The best night of my life was when you showed me how to ride.”
Jake laughed. “Damn’t, Tess, you aren’t supposed to remember that!”
Tessa was ten years old and she liked to tag along with Jake, constantly driving him crazy while he had to do chores. It was that summer, before they both turned eleven, that she came up and surprised him. He was with his horse, taking a break out by the pond on the East side of his property. She was wearing a dress, frilly little thing with yellow and white polka-dots. Jake was in the pond, naked as the day he was born, when she showed up and asked him to show her how to ride a horse.
Needless to say, Jake completely forgot that he was in the buff and got out of the pond to show the pest how. Well, they were both in for a shock. There he was in his birthday suit. It was the first time he was self conscious around a girl, and it had been the first time Tessa had seen man—or rather—little boy parts.
It didn’t take Tess long to figure out what she was staring at, but to his horror, she asked if it hurt! Sticking out like that, did it hurt! Jake looked down, and it was his first ever hard-on. It wasn’t the first time that happened where Tessa was concerned.
“You are a brat,” Jake said, laughing. “I think you scarred me for life that day.”
Tessa grinned. “I scarred you! I thought for sure that thing was going to stay that way.”
Jake stood up and wrapped his arms around Tessa, “Feel that?”
Tessa moaned softly. “You say I’m a brat.”
“You are…but it is always this way when you’re around.”
“That’s what I like about you, Cowboy. You’re always ready for round 2!”
Jake’s head fell back in laughter. He kissed Tessa’s nose, just as Mary Jane yelled from the car, “Okay, lover boy, unhand my daughter so we can get back.”
Jake smiled at Tessa then threw her mother a wounded look. “Alright, Mrs. Jons. Just make sure she calls me tonight.”
“She’ll be at her own home tonight, Jake. But I’ll remind her all the same.”
Jake turned back to Tessa, a look of concern etched his face. “You’re going home? Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I’ll be fine,” Tessa said quietly. “I’m tired of being a burden.”
“What if
you faint again?”
“I’ll be fine,” she said a bit harder this time. “I’ll call you. Don’t worry. I just want to be alone before tomorrow.”
“Before your chemo? You want to be alone?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you shutting me out, Tessa?”
“I…Jake, I don’t want to fight. I just want to have a normal night before tomorrow. I want to sleep.”
“I’ll let you sleep, Tessa.”
Tessa winked as she started walking back to the car, “Sure you will, cowboy, but nobody said I’d be able to.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, get back to work.”
Jake put his hand to his temple and mocked a salute. A few minutes later they were gone.
Round up was a bitch when you had a lot on your mind. Jake could barely stand it. Normally, it was something that he actually enjoyed doing. Getting the chuck wagon all set, getting supplies that they’d need while gone, and rounding up the guys for a weekend. It wasn’t a barrel of fun, but Jake liked it. But this year, all he could think about was if Tessa was okay. Was Tessa going to be fine with the chemo? Was she going to be really sick? Would she make it?
Jake closed his eyes and the tears started flowing. They weren’t married yet, they had barely had the chance to even be a couple. Alone time has been nil since her diagnosis. But he couldn’t imagine not seeing her again. Jake stood up, loaded the stuff he needed and worked himself to the bones. He looked at his cell. No calls.
He called Tess. No answer.
He called again. Nothing.
His nerves were wrapped tight. He ran to his truck, told his foreman and ranch hands that he wouldn’t be there and then he flew down the road, gravel spinning his tires, in order to get to Tessa’s little house in town.
***
Tessa was winding down after a long day and decided to take a sleeping pill. She couldn’t get her mind off the following day, so she took the easy way out. Climbing in to her bed, she shut off her night light and grabbed a romance novel. Hopefully the pill would do its job and she would soon be asleep.
***
Jake pulled in to Tessa’s driveway on adrenaline alone. He wiped his hand down his face and noticed the darkness of her house. He couldn’t see a light. Worry creased his brow as he walked up to the door and knocked.
After five minutes of knocking, Jake was worried. He pulled out his cell phone and called her again.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
Nobody answered.
Jake called Mary Jane and asked her if Tess was there. She told him that she dropped her off immediately after leaving his place that afternoon. Jake closed his eyes and prayed.
Walking around the house, he knocked on windows, still feeling the fool for not knowing which one was her bedroom. It didn’t take long for the police to show. One of Tessa’s neighbors thought he was trying to break in.
“Sir, what are you doing walking around this property?” Officer Smith asked, his flashlight shining directly into Jake’s face.
“I’m worried. She didn’t call. She was supposed to call.”
“Now, Jake, is it?” the officer asked, Jake nodded. “How do you know her?”
“I’m her fiancé.”
“How long has it been since you’ve spoken with her?”
“Six hours.”
The officer actually laughed. “Hell, boy, I’ve gone days without talking to my wife. When you haven’t spoken to her after twenty-four hours, give us a call. You better get home.”
“Something is wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong, boy. You’re just in love, as I can very well tell, but that’s not a reason to be knocking at her door in the evening. She’s probably asleep.”
“She has cancer.”
Officer Smith looked at Jake in pity. “I’m really sorry, son, but I can’t just be knocking at her door. Besides, what I’d like to know is why you don’t have a key?”
Jake felt like a horse’s ass. “We just got engaged a week ago. We are getting married this Saturday. With her cancer and everything else, we just haven’t gotten around to it.”
The officer nodded, but didn’t do anything. “Listen, you call me tomorrow if she can’t be found, okay? She probably just needs a break. But I need you to go home.”
Jake nodded. “Alright. Thanks,” he said, feeling sick over not getting to talk to Tessa and worry over if everything was alright.
Chapter 5
Tessa was livid. After a good eight hours of sleep courtesy of her sleeping pill wonder drug, she woke up to Gladys Underhill and her gossipy mouth. Apparently Jake had been there along with a squad car!
She told him that she needed sleep and he didn’t listen. It was just enough to send her over the edge. She had woken up happy, and ready to go. Now she was just pissed. He didn’t respect her at all. She told him she needed a break and what’s he do? He makes a fool out of her by knocking on her door all hours of the night, and then the police were there. It seemed everyone in the damn county would know of her cancer and their whirlwind relationship.
When she got to the hospital that morning Jake was already there with her parents. When she walked down the hall and he saw her his eyes clouded over and she saw his fists at his side. What the hell is his problem? Caveman didn’t get his way?
“Jesus, Tess, I was so worried about you. Thank God you’re all right,” Jake said, as his hands streaked down her arms.
“Get off of me!” Tessa said heatedly. It was barely above a whisper, but Jake got the message loud and clear.
“What?”
“Don’t you, what, me! I told you I needed sleep. In case you’re small brain couldn’t wrap around the real problem here. I have cancer, Jake! I’m doing chemo today, and I really didn’t need your selfish ass to be at my home at all hours causing a ruckus!”
Jake flinched. “Tessa, I called you several times, I…I was worried that you may have fainted.”
“And I didn’t want to talk to you. So, I didn’t answer.”
“What?”
“I didn’t want to talk to you, Jake. I needed a break. You are suffocating me. I…you know what? The wedding is cancelled.”
Jake’s eyes widened and his hands fell to his side. “You don’t mean that, Tess.”
“Yes I do. I mean it. I want you gone. Now! Get out of this hospital; stop acting like you can boss me around. Get out!”
Jake swallowed and his eyes clouded over. “Tessa, I’m sorry. I was…you said you would call. I worried. Please.”
Tessa laughed. “You came over for sex last night.”
“Tessa, I swear to you, I didn’t. I couldn’t go to bed last night without talking to you. I wanted to see how you were doing, that’s all.”
“So you come to my house late and disturb the neighbors?”
“No, that’s not what happened. I knocked on your door. You didn’t answer. I called you; you didn’t answer your phone. Then I walked around. I didn’t know which room was yours, so I knocked on all the windows. One of your neighbors saw me and reported it to the police. She thought I was a creeper.”
“I can see why. Jake, I want you to leave.”
“Tessa, please don’t do this. I love you so much, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, that was all.”
“No, Jake. I told you that I needed to be alone. And I had a wonderful sleep, then I woke up to the town gossip talking about the man that I love acting like an idiot. I should have known better. I’m done. This is too much. You are too much for me right now. I have to concentrate on beating this, not having to worry about you on top of it.”
“Damn’t, Tessa, I want to be there for you. That’s what husbands do.”
“You are not my husband, Jake. I didn’t want a caveman, I wanted a partner. You are not a partner! Please,” she said defeated. “Just get out.”
Jake ran his hand down his face and turned. Tessa’s parents were right behind him, listening the enti
re time. Jake walked over to the waiting room and slumped down in one of the chairs. His body was exhausted. Tessa’s parents wrapped her in their embrace and they walked in to her doctor’s main office and shut the door, closing Jake out once more.
Four hours later, Jake still sat slumped over in the waiting room. Mary Jane came out twice to check on him. The look on her face spoke volumes. She felt sorry for Jake. And he couldn’t blame her, he felt sorry for himself.
“How’s she doing?”
“The doctor said that she’s doing a good job. She’s sicker than hell though. She didn’t want us watching so she made us leave.”
“She’s all by herself?”
“Yeah.”
“Why is she doing this? She doesn’t have to be alone.”
“I know, Jake. All we can do is respect her decision. That’s my daughter in there. I’ve seen her through cuts and scrapes, boyfriends, cliques… she doesn’t want us in there. I’m going to let her do it on her own, until she can’t anymore.”
“She said she doesn’t want to marry me.”
“Oh, Jake, she does. She loves you so much, has always loved you. I think she’s just scared. Scared to love you and then to leave,” Mary Jane said, crumbling into tears. Jake put his arm around her and they cried together. A few minutes later, William came out.
“You moving in on my woman, Anders?”
Jake laughed. “One Jons woman is enough for me. No offence, Mary. I have all that I can handle right now.”
William chuckled. “I know that you do. She didn’t mean what she said. She feels real bad about it, Jake. She’s just stressed.”
“I hope so. I couldn’t leave. I don’t want her to know I’m out here and make it worse for her. She doesn’t want me here, but I just can’t leave. I have to make sure she’s alright.”
“I think she is as well as she can be.”
Jake nodded. “I’ll wait a little longer. But when she gets ready to go, could you please give me a heads up? I’ll head on out before she sees me.”
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