Saved by the Rancher

chapter Twenty-Nine


THEY FINISHED THE evening off with cherry pie and vanilla bean ice cream. Jack opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate the good fortune Jenna had bestowed on them. Such a magical day, Jenna was feeling much better now that everything was out in the open.

Summer took Lily home to bed, but not before she cried and hugged Jenna, thanking her profusely for changing their lives. A little after eight, Jenna was already tired after such a long day. Her thigh hurt from all the walking and the high heels she had bought to go with the new dress.

Jack and Caleb stood in the driveway, the cars’ engines revving, and talked about their new toys. The lights from the porch spilled down to them. Jenna stood, leaning against the post, watching, enjoying seeing their bond and appreciation of the cars.

“Boys with toys.” She smiled from the top step. “You guys look happy.”

“What’s not to be happy about? These are the coolest cars ever,” Caleb said with the exuberance of a teen with his very own custom hot rod.

“You owe me a ride, Jack.”

“Honey, I aim to give you the ride of your life as soon as this one goes home to his wife.” Jack gave her a wicked grin and closed the hood of his car.

Jenna laughed and smiled. “You have a one-track mind.” When was the last time she felt this light?

“Honey, my mind hasn’t been off you since I saw you in the diner.”

“I got the hint. I’m going.” Caleb closed the hood of his car, still purring like a really big kitten. He walked over to Jenna as she came down the porch steps to the gravel drive. He wrapped his arms around her, careful of her healing back, and she wrapped hers around him. So easy to do now that she’d opened herself to him, the whole family.

He bent and whispered into her ear, “Thank you. Thank you for what you gave to my wife, my children, and me. I’ll never be able to repay you. If you ever need me, I’ll be there for you, no matter what. You can count on me. You’re an angel, an absolute angel.”

“Get your hands off my woman. You have one of your own at home.”

Jack watched his brother-in-law with Jenna. They’d created a close bond, the same as with his sister. She didn’t shy away from him when he embraced her; instead she held him and drew on his strength. Caleb would be like a big brother to her. He would protect her.

Caleb drew Jenna away just enough to look into her eyes. He put his hand to her cheek, his other arm still wrapped around her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Caleb. You’re a good man.”

“You make me want to be a better one.”

“I just want you and your family to have a happy life.”

“We will, thanks in part to you and Jack. You’re part of that family now, too. Don’t ever forget that.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re a wonderful person. The best I’ve ever met.” He kissed her cheek and released her, turning back toward Jack.

“I already punched you for kissing my sister. I guess I have to punch you for kissing her now, too,” Jack teased. Caleb didn’t rise to the bait.

“You hurt her, and I’ll be the one throwing the punches.” He smiled back at Jack, then walked over and gave him a big bear hug. “Thanks for what you did for me, Summer, and the kids. It means everything to us. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He smacked Jack on the back before getting into his car. Caleb revved the engine, beamed them an excited smile, and took off like a rocket toward home.

“You going to hurt me, Jack?”

“Not if I can help it. I’ll spend the rest of my life and yours trying to make you happy. How’s that sound?”

“Like heaven. Take me for a ride.”

He raised his eyebrow and grinned, but decided to give her a break. He’d hold off on trying to get her into his bed. She knew that’s where he wanted her. Besides, she looked tired and rough around the edges.

“Hop in. I’ll show you one of my favorite spots.”

Jack took her five miles down the main road, taking a right down a dirt road through the lush trees. They came to a meadow, and beyond, a lake. Jack pulled the Camaro through the meadow and backed up to the shore. He helped Jenna out of the car and they sat on the back of the trunk with their backs to the window. Jack had his arm under Jenna’s head, her body pressed against his side. They stared up at the stars and the full moon. A beautiful clear night, crickets chirped in the distance and an owl hooted from the nearby trees.

“It’s so peaceful here. This is beautiful. Where are we? Your own personal make-out spot?”

He smiled down at her and kissed her softly. “Not exactly. We’re still on the ranch. I love it here, especially at night. This is where I come when I want to think and be alone.”

“I can see why. It’s as if you’re the only one alive out here.”

Worried she felt too isolated, he asked, “Do you think you could live on the ranch for the rest of your life?”

“I love the ranch. It’s so beautiful. I’d like to ride the horses. I love horses.”

“You can ride whenever you want. I’ll even get you your own. What I mean is, the ranch is somewhat secluded, the town is small, there isn’t much to do. Can you deal with that? Can you live in a small town and on the ranch with me and my family without resenting being stuck here?”

“Jack, if you really want me to stay, I wouldn’t be stuck here. We could travel. I can work anywhere. All I need is my computer. I’ve traveled all over, and I’ve been alone for a long time.” She didn’t feel isolated. More like right where she belonged. “Being on the ranch, with you, with your family, is the best place I could be.”

“You mean it. You wouldn’t feel trapped?”

“Not trapped, Jack. I’d be part of a family.”

“We’ve only known each other a short time. It’s too soon to ask, but someday soon will you be my wife and have babies with me?”

“I want that more than anything. But it’s only been a few days. Are you sure you want to make that kind of commitment? With my past, you may decide I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”

“I’ll take all the trouble you can throw at me as long as I have you. I want to know we have a future together.” He couldn’t lose her and go back to living the kind of life he’d been living the years before he’d met her. He didn’t want to go back to not feeling anything. With her, his feelings were all good and happy and hopeful for their future.

“I hope you know how I feel about you. I told you before, I don’t play games. I don’t want to waste time beating around the bush. I’ve lost more than two years of my life. I don’t want to spend another day without you.”

“I hoped you felt the same way I do.” The tightness in his belly eased. He hadn’t realized how much he was counting on her to stay with him and give them a chance to really explore the overwhelming feelings they had for each other.

“I know you need time. Time to recover and figure out what comes next. Time to settle in with me at the ranch. We’ll take that time to be together without all the craziness of the last few days. Soon, I’ll give you a ring and ask you to marry me properly.”

“Jack, I don’t need all that. I only need you.”

“I want to give you a ring, my ring, and I want us to have a wedding with flowers and cake. Most of all, I want you to have the happy ending you deserve. I’ll spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

Overwhelmed by the words, knowing he meant every one of them, filled her with so much love.

They sat in silence watching the stars for a long time. When they spotted a shooting star, they both made the same wish, for a happy ending.

Jack slid off the trunk and pulled her off the back of the car.

“Let’s go home. I’ve wanted you all day.”

He kissed her softly and pushed his body against hers. His thick erection pressed to her belly. Tonight they would finally be together. Anticipation raced through her veins. She held on to his hips, pulling him closer. He groaned low in his throat as she rose to her toes to better align her body with his. He pressed his hard shaft snugly into the apex of her thighs. Heat pooled then washed through her. He kissed her neck and cupped her breasts in his hands. His thumbs rubbed over the soft silk and her hard nipples. The thin fabric added another layer of sensual caresses over her heated skin. She sighed and arched into his touch.

“I don’t think I can wait to get you home,” Jack rasped against her ear.

“Take me to bed. We have all night.”

He released her reluctantly and took a deep calming breath. His hands slid down her arms to take her hands. He drew her to the car door and settled her in the front seat. She gave him one last kiss before he went around to his side and slid in beside her. Thanks to the Camaro’s speed, he drove them home fast as lightning.