Her body jerked when she felt a hard, warm fingertip graze a mark on her right breast. “How did this happen?”
“I fell against a countertop corner,” she replied, her voice quivery with nerves.
“Fell, or were you pushed?”
“Thrown, actually.”
She heard him mutter a curse, and then she felt the featherlight graze of his lips tracing the scar. “You’re so lovely, Mandy.”
He moved to yet another spot on her shoulder. Before he could ask, she said, “He worked at a mill then and kicked me with steel-toed boots.”
And so it went, until he’d found and kissed every mark on her body. He even discovered the lump on her lower left rib and the protrusion at the tip of her sternum. “It never healed right,” she whispered.
He nudged her to sit on the edge of his bed and knelt to remove her shoes, socks, and jeans. Opening her eyes, Amanda studied his carved features, his tawny brows, and the gleam of his toffee-colored hair. In her opinion, he was the beautiful one. When he’d finished divesting her of her clothing, he sat back on his heels and stripped off his shirt. She’d seen him naked from the waist up one night, but even so, the sight of his broad, powerfully muscled chest nearly took her breath away.
He pointed to a faded slash on his lower abdomen. “Table-saw mishap. I was ripping plywood, and the blade grabbed. A shard shot at me like a bullet.” He stood, unbuckled his belt, and dropped his jeans. Indicating another scar on his work-hardened thigh, he said, “Chain saw. I was sixteen and ignored my dad’s rule about wearing safety chaps.” His endlessly deep gaze met hers. “I’m not a perfect package either. Are you still sure you want to keep me?”
Amanda couldn’t help laughing. “You have the most gorgeous body I’ve ever seen.”
“Same back at you. So what do you say we forget all about our imperfections and just love each other for who and what we are?”
She nodded, and that was all the answer he needed. The next thing she knew, they were lying on the coverlet, skin to skin, one of his legs bent and pressed between her thighs. With one kiss, Amanda felt as if the world fell away and only they existed. With Mark, she’d only ever experienced pain. With Jeb, she discovered ecstasy.
When he skimmed a hand along her side and over her hip, he touched her as if she were made of fragile glass. She gloried in the steely feel of his back, marveled at how the muscles beneath his skin bunched against her palms when he moved. Jeb. The smell of him, a masculine blend of piney cologne, male musk, and fresh mountain air, permeated her senses. When he suckled her breasts, fiery tendrils of sensation spiraled through her, and she arched against him for more. Without abandoning her nipples, he slipped his hand between her legs and brought her to climax with only a fingertip.
Still trembling with the aftershocks, Amanda accepted the hard, silky length of him deep inside her. He established a rhythm, and she lifted her hips to meet each thrust, incredulous at the bursts of pleasure he ignited within her. As his passion increased, hers mounted as well, until they both reached a fever pitch, soared over the crest, and plunged into a dark yet sparkling void of exhaustion, clutched in each other’s arms.
When their heartbeats slowed, Amanda snuggled against him, sighing with contentment. Jeb hugged her close. “That was amazing,” he murmured.
“Beyond amazing. If I’d known it could be like this, I would have seduced you the first night.”
He smiled against her hair. “We’ve only just begun, Mandy mine. Just always know that nothing that takes place between us will ever be anything less than wonderful.”
Amanda believed him. Pillowing her head on the hollow of his shoulder, she toyed with his chest hair. “We used no protection.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Being with you was so mind-blowing that I plumb forgot.” He kissed her forehead. “I always practice safe sex, so there’s no worry about STDs.”
“I’m not thinking of that.” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I think I’m one of those women who gets pregnant easily. After one time with Mark, I was in trouble.”
Jeb arched a brow. “Will you be upset if that happens again?”
“I’d love to have another baby, but I’m not sure how you’d feel about it. I don’t want—”
“Mandy, if you tell me we’re pregnant, I’ll be the happiest man alive. I’m one of six kids, and I always thought I’d have a family one day. When I found no woman I wanted to marry, I gave up on the idea, but now, with you and Chloe in my life, I’m excited about the possibility that we’ll have more kids.”
Amanda pushed up on an elbow to kiss him. When they were both breathless, she came up for air. “Let’s see if we can get lucky, then.”
He grinned, pushed her onto her back, and made love to her again. Afterward, Amanda’s bones felt as if they’d melted. “Wow. That was quite a roll of the dice.”
He chuckled and drew her into his arms. “We’ve got a little girl who’ll be up with the chickens. In order to keep pace with her, we both need some rest.”
Amanda wasn’t sure she could walk if she tried. “I should go back upstairs so she doesn’t find us here in the morning.”
He toyed with the ring he’d put on her finger. “We’re engaged. Just stay put, and if she wakes up before we do, say we’re going to get married.”
Amanda stirred. “We should at least be wearing something.”
He sat up. “Right. I’ll take care of it.”
Swinging out of bed, he entered the walk-in closet and returned a moment later with a T-shirt for her and a pair of fresh boxers for himself.
* * *
When Amanda awakened shortly before dawn in Jeb’s arms, her body ached for more of him. He blinked when she kissed him. A smile curved his lips.
“If you’re looking for trouble, lady, I think you’ve found it.”
“Oh, good.” She nibbled his neck. “I was afraid you’d be too tired.”
Jeb rose on an elbow. “Not on your life,” he whispered just before he settled his mouth over hers.
After they’d showered separately, Jeb got dressed and Amanda scurried upstairs wrapped in only a towel to get some clothes. When she entered the kitchen minutes later, Jeb presented her with a mug of hot coffee. As she took a sip, she opened the fridge and saw a slip of pink paper lying atop the eggs in the clear plastic storage container.
The note read, I’m the happiest man alive. Thank you so much for last night. Perfect. Beautiful. Mind-blowing.
Amanda grinned and turned into his arms to blow his mind again with a good-morning kiss. Before she knew it, his hands were under her top and cupping her breasts. She moaned as he teased her nipples erect and was disappointed when he suddenly stopped and kissed her forehead.
His voice thick with desire, he said, “We can’t do this. Chloe may come downstairs and find us making love on the kitchen table.”
Forced to agree, she said, “You’re right. Let’s focus on fixing food. For a minute, you made me forget that I’m starving.”
“Sex burns calories.”
“If I start to gain weight, I’ll remember that.”
“Trust me, if you ever go on a diet and come to me for a calorie-burning session, I’ll never tell you to just have a sandwich and leave me alone.”
She giggled. He stepped behind her to survey the possibilities for a meal. “Bacon and eggs sound good.” He bent his head to nuzzle her nape. “Too bad I won’t be able to have you for dessert.”
Smiling, Amanda grabbed a pound of bacon, six farm-fresh eggs, and a sleeve of English muffins. “Eggs Benedict?” she suggested.
“Yummy.”
As they worked together to prepare breakfast, Jeb gave her a mischievous sidelong look. “Please tell me you didn’t agree to marry me to avoid having to pay back that loan. A wife can’t very well repay her husband for money he gave her.”
Amanda rolled her eyes. “I’d never be dumb enough to marry a man for money. Only for love.”
“Music to my ears.”
* * *
Sometime later, Chloe stumbled into the kitchen, her dark hair tousled from sleep, her small fists rubbing her eyes. Amanda gave the child a quick good-morning hug, fixed her a cup of hot chocolate, and settled her at the table while Jeb brought out platters of food.
After saying the blessing, Amanda dished up a plate of scrambled eggs for her daughter, who didn’t care for eggs Benedict, and Chloe, though still bleary-eyed, caught a flash of the diamond on her mother’s left hand. “Oh, Mommy, what a pretty ring!” She shot Jeb a questioning glance. “Did you buy it for Mommy for Christmas?”
Caught off guard, Jeb sent Amanda an imploring look.
“No, sweetie,” Amanda inserted. “This is an engagement ring. Last night, Mr. Jeb asked me to marry him, and I said yes. He gave me this ring to make it official.”
Chloe’s eyes brightened, and she beamed a smile. “Does that mean Mr. Jeb will be my new daddy?”
Jeb spoke up. “Being your daddy would be one of the greatest honors of my life, princess. But only if that’s what you want.”
“It’s what I want. Having you for my daddy was my birthday wish yesterday.”
Jeb chucked the child under her pointy little chin. “Well, I guess this means your wish came true.”
“Can I start calling you Daddy, then?”
Jeb nodded. “I’d like that.”
* * *
Jeb originally planned to collect his ladies and drive to the Redmond airport to pick up Amanda’s mother, but when Christmas Eve morning dawned, he got nervous and changed his mind. The divorce hearing was now only eighteen days away, and according to Clyde Johnson, Mark was undoubtedly stewing in his own juice, imagining ways to retaliate against Amanda.
Stepping into his office out of Amanda’s earshot, Jeb called Barney and asked if he’d be free that afternoon.
“Hey, bro, it’s Christmas! Why do you think I’ve worked so many extra shifts? I was earning days of leave to take the holidays off. No work for me until the day after New Year’s.”
“Great. Mom can throw a birthday party for you since you worked on the actual date.”
As Jeb expected, Barney groaned. “God save us. When is she going to realize we’re all grown-up? Last Easter Sunday, I found a basket on my front porch. I liked the chocolate bunny, but those spongy yellow chicks are like eating flavored rubber.”
Jeb barked with laughter. “I have to agree. They’re awful. Kids seem to like them, but they’re not my deal.” Turning serious, he told Barney about Amanda’s Christmas surprise and what time Emma would arrive at Roberts Field, the airport in Redmond. “I know I’m being overly cautious, but I get a tingle up my spine when I think about driving that far with Amanda and Chloe. On this ice, even my truck might spin out of control if Mark rammed me.”
“How will her mother recognize me?”
“I’ll tell her to look for a deputy wearing a tan uniform and a dark brown Stetson.”
“Hello? I’m off duty. No uniform for me today. I’ll shave before going over to the folks’ house tonight, but otherwise I’m intent on being a slob for a change.”
Jeb grinned. “Wave a sign that reads, ‘I’m Jeb’s brother, the slob.’”
Barney sighed. “Oh, all right, I’ll shave. But I’m not waving a sign. What does this gal look like?”
“An older version of Amanda and Chloe. Her hair has gone partly gray, but she’s slightly built, with delicate features and big brown eyes.”
“Hmm.” Barney sighed again, a little louder and longer this time. “I’ll find her. You owe me one, though. I don’t get days off very often.”
“I really appreciate this, Barney.”
“How often have I heard that? And then when I need a loan, you always say you’re broke.”
Jeb took umbrage. “You haven’t asked me for a loan since your wild college days, and the only reason I said no back then was because Dad threatened to lop off my head if I gave you money. Your grades had gone to hell, and you were partying too much.”
“Those were the days.” Barney chuckled. “It’s a good thing I had Dad to bring down the hammer. Studying the law is no walk in the park, especially with a blinding hangover.” Silence. Then Barney added, “It’s a great Christmas surprise for Mandy, bringing her mom down for a visit. But I gotta know, have you even made it to first base with her yet?”
Jeb preferred to keep the sexual aspects of his relationship with Amanda private. “She agreed to marry me night before last. I went the whole nine yards. Even got down on one knee when I proposed.”
“Holy hell! You’re engaged? Mom will be so excited she’ll shit a brick.”
“Don’t tell her, Barney. I want to announce it officially at Christmas dinner tomorrow. We’re all meeting here, four o’clock. Show up early to help in the kitchen.”
“See there? I do you a huge favor, and in return I have to help cook. What’s wrong with this picture?”
* * *
When Jeb returned to the kitchen, he found his counters powdered from one end to the other with flour. Amanda, fretting about her hostess duties the following day for a huge family dinner, had decided to make pies.
“I’m not very good with pies,” she informed him. “Bread, fine. Cakes, no big deal. My brownies are to die for. But piecrust defeats me nearly every time.”
Jeb watched her cut shortening into the flour with painstaking care. “Why are you doing that?”
“Because all recipes for crust say to do it.”
“I just throw the whole works into my KitchenAid mixer. I do a killer meat pie. I don’t see how fruit fillings would make any difference.”
She handed him the mixing bowl. “Wave your magic wand, then.” Jeb could tell by her expression that she felt edgy. “Otherwise we’ll have patchwork pies.”
“You’ve met my family. We’re not fussy.”
“It’s different now! They’re going to be my in-laws. I don’t want to be the worst pie maker in the whole family.”
Jeb stared into the bowl. “You know how to make the fillings, right?”
She gave him a look that said he had to be dumber than dirt to have asked the question. “In order to reach the filling stage, what do you have to make first?”
Jeb felt as if he’d just stepped onto thin ice. “Um, I guess the dough.”
“Which has to be rolled out, and it all needs to stick together. And mine doesn’t.” She planted her gooey hands on her hips. “I never got to the filling.”
“Well,” Jeb replied, “I’ll do the dough. In the meanwhile, get online and find some filling recipes.”
“What kinds do your family like?”
“All kinds, but for Christmas we usually have pumpkin and apple.”
“Apple?” Her eyes widened. “I’ve heard the filling’s difficult to thicken. Oh, my stars, it’s going to be a disaster.”
* * *
The disasters were cooling on racks at two o’clock that afternoon when the front doorbell rang. Jeb glanced at the monitor. Amanda checked the camera views sporadically, but she wasn’t diligent about it. He saw Barney standing on the porch holding a suitcase. Emma stood beside him, fussing with her coat and pushing at her hair.
“Who on earth can that be?” Amanda asked. “I didn’t order anything. Did you?” She started toward the front door to peer out the peephole. Jeb stepped over to the security console to disable the alarm. Biting back a smile, he yelled, “Who is it?”
The only response he got was a shriek from Amanda. Then he heard her wrestling with the new dead bolt. More shrieks followed. He moseyed in that direction, grinning when Chloe, who’d been package-snooping again, dashed from the living room into the entry hall.
“Momma?” Amand
a’s voice rang with incredulity. “Momma!”
Jeb saw Barney step aside and switch the suitcase to his other hand as Amanda catapulted out onto the porch to hug her mother. “How did you get here? You said you couldn’t afford—” Breaking off in midsentence, Amanda looked at Barney. Then, pulling from her mother’s embrace, she turned to face Jeb, who approached the doorway with a wide grin plastered on his face. “You didn’t.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart. It was the best gift I could think to get you.”
Amanda let loose another squeal and threw her arms around her mom again. “I can’t believe it. You’re real. You’re really here? Oh, Momma.” She burst into tears, her shoulders jerking with sobs. “Oh, God, oh, God, I am so blessed!”
Chloe moved in to hug her grandmother’s hips. “Grammy!” the child cried. “Now I can see you for real!”
Emma untangled herself from Amanda’s embrace and bent to wrap her arms around her granddaughter. “You are so beautiful!” she said. “Far prettier than on a computer screen.”
When the initial excitement died down, Amanda raced back into the entry hall and catapulted into Jeb’s arms. “Thank you! Thank you! This is the best gift ever.”
Pivoting, he swung Amanda in a circle. When he drew to a stop, he bent to kiss her cheek and said, “Merry Christmas, honey.”
As Jeb released his fiancée, he saw Emma limping toward him. When she stepped in close for a hug, Jeb enfolded her in his arms, taking care not to squeeze too hard for fear of hurting her.
Tears slipped down her cheeks when she tipped her head back to smile at him. “You’ll never know how much it means to me to be here.”
Jeb’s first introduction to his future mother-in-law was as simple and wonderful as that. She was shorter than her daughter, but she so greatly resembled Amanda that he loved her on sight. He couldn’t believe she worked at an assisted-living center, cleaning apartments and common areas when her hip clearly pained her with every step. No matter how he circled it, that seemed flat-out wrong.
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