“What was all that about?” She asked.
“Just something I wanted Noelle to know,” Jake told her, handing back a now quiet and restful baby. Bending down, he placed a gentle kiss on the sleeping child’s forehead. When he raised his head, MacKenzie was still watching him. Jake held her gaze for a few more moments before he again looked down at the baby. “I think she was just too hot. Why don’t you go and put her down.”
MacKenzie turned away to carry out his suggestion, and Jake leaned back against the balcony railings. As he watched them through the open doors, he couldn’t help but wish he were somehow more a part of the scene he observed. When Noelle was settled, MacKenzie made her way back outside.
“Do you want to sit down,” she asked, gesturing towards the small table and chairs that sat in a corner.
With a nod, Jake indicated that she go first. Once she was seated, he too sat down, and waited. Aware of the uncertainty in her eyes, he remained perfectly still. That she had something on her mind was obvious, yet she seemed reluctant to express it.
“If you don’t tell me what’s bothering you, I can’t help you, MacKenzie.”
When she still said nothing, Jake found countless thoughts picked that moment to invade his mind, most of them negative. Recalling that she had been the one to ask him to stay, he relaxed. He decided to be patient and give her the time she needed to collect her thoughts and tell him what was bothering her.
“You have a nice family, Jake...” MacKenzie broke off and looked at him with a frown. “Well, apart from Diana that is.”
Her eyes seemed to flicker around for a few seconds before they landed back on him. “Now I think about it, you guys are cool, but you are also kinda out of control.”
“Specifically?” Jake wanted to know, unsure of what she was trying to say.
“Specifically, what happened to Aviva in London, she told me all about it. Then there’s that night at that rich man’s house. Actually, Jason’s a bit odd as well, but Aviva loves him, so he’s got to be okay. Oh, and let’s not forget about Diana!” MacKenzie reeled off repeating Diana’s name.
“Is there a question in there somewhere?” Jake asked, feigning unconcern.
“Being around you people is dangerous, Jacob! Have you forgotten what happened to Aviva just a few days ago?”
“I forget nothing, MacKenzie, and we are all thankful that she wasn’t hurt more than she was. Diana was the problem, and we took care of the problem. We always take care of anything that threatens our family.”
“I admire that, Jake, honestly I do, but it’s frightening. The way you guys handle anyone who opposes you scares me, especially because of Noelle.”
“I love that little girl. To keep her safe, I would give up my life without a second thought. I know this is also true for all the men in this family.
Believe me, if I could, I would promise you right now that the things that have happened in the past will never happen again. I can’t do that, MacKenzie. There is no doubt that unpredictable things happen around this family. It always has, and it will probably always be that way. The only thing I can do is to promise you my love and protection. Is that enough for you, MacKenzie?”
She sat in silence for such a long time; Jake became troubled, yet at the same time he understood her concerns. To be a member of their family meant she would have to accept the things she already knew about them, even though there was so much more that had been left untold.
“I don’t know Jake. I’ve managed to mess up every relationship I’ve ever had, that still bothers me. Now that I have a daughter, I need to make sure all my choices take her into consideration. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Reaching over, Jake pulled MacKenzie from her seat onto his lap. Lifting her hands, he placed a kiss against them. “I understand, and I admire you for that. Just remember that I love you and that the only thing I want to do is to make you and Noelle happy.” Jake imbued his eyes with love and tenderness before he continued speaking. “I know what I want and I’m prepared to wait for you. The question is, can you accept me exactly as I am?”
Pushing to his feet, Jake placed her on the floor before him. Taking her face between his hands, he gave her a tender kiss and hoped she wouldn’t take too long to realize that she loved him as much as he loved her.
“Good night, Lovely,” were Jake’s parting words.
Chapter 35
Jake heard his bedroom door open and close. Then came the sound of soft footsteps that hesitated just outside the light from his open curtains.