Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

The next day Emma arrived at Charlie’s cottage mid-morning for her dog sitting gig. The only communication she had from Jake was a text saying he was on call the second day after their argument. No offer of getting together. It was plain he didn’t want to have a live conversation with her.

Disappointed and on edge over exactly where they stood, she roamed Charlie’s living room, perusing his mounted magazine covers and photos in his workroom. Restless, she decided to give Cody a spa experience and give him a bath, which ended with both of them getting a good soak. She barely had time to change into dry jeans and a T-shirt when the doorbell rang.

“Hi, Mads.” Emma opened the front door, holding a mostly dry Cody by the collar. Reluctant about leaving Cody alone on the first day of Charlie’s trip, Emma asked Maddie over for lunch and champagne chicken salad, courtesy of Faith.

“What smells like a pina colada?” Maddie sniffed as she entered the kitchen.

“Cody. I shampooed him with coconut-scented shampoo.”

Maddie chucked him under the chin. “Mr. Pina Colada, you smell good enough to drink.”

Knowing he was getting a compliment of some kind, Cody did his wiggle-butt dance around her, then parked himself beside the cookie jar.

“I am such a sucker.” Maddie shook her dark curls. “This dog pegged me the minute I got here.” She retrieved a biscuit from the jar. “Here is your cookie. Now let the grown-ups have their lunch.”

After washing her hands, Emma set out two plates, split the croissants in half, and spooned the delicious chicken salad inside. Next, she located grabbed two bottles of sparkling water and glasses from the cupboard.

“So.” Maddie gave her a questioning look. “Are we celebrating Charlie being your real dad?” She took the glass and touched it to Emma’s. “I still can’t believe it. Has it even sunk in yet? It’s sort of like he was hiding in plain sight, isn’t it?”

“Yes.” Emma took a bite of the sandwich. “You know, it’s not like he’s some random mystery man out of nowhere who turns out to be my biological father. This is Charlie, who I’ve known most of my life. So, I suppose we will grow from being friends to family. Also, I get an amazing aunt in the mix too.”

“It’s good to see you so happy, Em,” Maddie said. “I know Jake is at least partly responsible for your good humor.”

“He was, but I really messed up the night before last.” Emma cringed, remembering how things went down between them, especially the way he shut down on her.

“What happened?” Maddie asked.

“I found a painting of Mother’s that’s worth a lot of money. It would have taken care of all of her needs and paid the bills. I could have kept my life in the city.”

“You said that to Jake?” Maddie groaned.

Nodding, Emma slumped. The consequences of her misdirected words weighed on her like a fifty-pound backpack. “That’s exactly what I said.”

“Did you mean it?” Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “Would you rather have stayed in New York?”

She shook her head. “No. What I said was nothing but a knee-jerk reaction. What I meant was, with that money, Mother could have maintained her lifestyle, had nursing care and not felt destitute.” Emma looked at Cody, asleep on her foot. “Selling the grand piano broke her. Mother said she couldn’t bear the humiliation of her friends seeing her squatting in a half-empty apartment.”

“I get it.” Maddie slid her hand across the table and rubbed Emma’s wrist. “It was your mother’s life you wish hadn’t changed—her ease and well-being in her last year.”

“Yes, and I tried to explain that to Jake in a letter I wrote after he’d gone to bed.”

“And?”

“He texted me last night that he was on call,” Emma answered. “I was hoping we would talk before now, but maybe he doesn’t think it’s worth it…or I’m worth the drama.”

“Be patient. I’m sure he will give you a chance to explain how you really feel. I’ve always thought you two were perfect together. Jake believed it. But it’s taken you a while to get there.”

Emma leisurely stroked Cody’s broad back. “I love him so much, Mads, and I know I’ve been wrong all along about his control issues. If anything, I’m the one with the issues.”

“Well…grasshopper, you have found enlightenment.” Maddie grinned. “And you made the decision to move here all on your own, right?”

“Not exactly.” Emma chuckled. “You were the one blabbing in my ear all the time. ‘Move to Haley. We can rock our kids together on the front porch.’”

Maddie lifted her chin, staring down her nose at Emma.

“Just kidding,” she teased. “I’ll always be grateful for your encouragement.”

“My work is almost done,” Maddie said. “Now, if I can just get you two down the aisle, it will be my turn to find Mr. Right…or at least Mr. Right Now.”

Emma drummed her fingers on the table. “What’s going on in your love life?”

“As if I had one. When are you going to introduce me to the fabulous Jimmy?”

“Unfortunately, Jimmy isn’t working for Griff any longer. I’ll be exercising the horses for the next two weeks, and a female vet student is taking over after that. I’m sorry.” The disappointment on her friend’s face made her feel guilty for not creating a “riding date” so Maddie could meet Jimmy. “What about Ryan Rogers? Have any interest in him?”

“He’s considered the new shiny thing at the bank, and several ladies are stumbling over themselves to get his attention.” She frowned. “I’m not an advocate of dating co-workers. Too much fall out after the inevitable break up.”

Emma swallowed the last bite of her croissant and dabbed at her mouth. “Enough talk about men. Want to go on a walk with Cody and me?”

“I would.” She scratched the black dog behind the ears. “But I need to get back to work.” Maddie stood and walked over to get her handbag. “What is this?” She pointed to the tall pink shopping bag with Amber’s name written on the side. “A gift for nasty Amber?”

“Not a gift, really. An old wooden easel and a few of my mother’s journals from her early years as an artist.”

Maddie’s head jerked. “Why would you give those to Amber?”

“She’s an artist. I saw a few of her paintings and thought they were good. In the journals, Mother talks about doubting her talent, constantly comparing her work to others and finding fault with her own.” Emma shrugged. “I want Amber to know even artists who go on to become famous still had doubts in the beginning.”

“You have a big heart.” Maddie shook her head. “I hope Amber appreciates the gesture.”

She walked her friend to the door and returned to finish her lunch. Cody, his head resting on her knee, fixed his eyes on her chicken salad. “I don’t think so, buddy. For all I know, you could have food allergies.”

As if he understood, he trotted to one of his three dog beds, circled several times, then dropped into a snooze. Since she hadn’t slept much for the past two nights, Emma was thinking about taking an afternoon snooze herself when she got a text.

Jake: I only had to read it once.

Emma: Really?

Jake: Looking forward to those love letters.

Emma: Are we ok?

Jake: We are.

Emma happy danced in her seat.

Jake: In the mood for La Fonda Latina tonight?

Emma: Yes! But I don’t want to leave Cody alone.

Jake: Take out?

Emma: Your place?

Jake: Charlie’s. Getting another eight inches.

Emma: Definitely, Charlie’s.

Jake: Perfect. I’m off tomorrow. We can have a sleepover and a play date.

“Cody.” Emma clapped her hands, nervous anticipation zinging through every part of her. “We have a date tonight with Jake.” She knew exactly what she would wear, even if it was for a very brief time. “I’m going to leave for a few minutes to go up to the inn. You can watch TV until I get back.”

When she returned from the inn with supplies, the big black Lab was beside himself, barely letting her in the door before he ran circles around her, barking with great joy.

“Down, boy. I was only gone fifteen minutes.” Bouncing like a kangaroo, he pranced into the kitchen, where she put her borrowed items on the granite counter and got him a dog biscuit. “Settle down, Cody. We have a lot to do.”

Returning to the living room, Emma did a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree survey of the room. She picked up the coffee table—quite a bit heavier than she imagined— and lugged it into Charlie’s workroom; two tall chairs were next.

“There.” She rubbed her hands together and surveyed her handiwork. Cody woofed enthusiastically. “This, my four-footed friend, is called setting the stage.” Now there was a large lounging area directly in front of the fireplace. Spying a soft, heather blue blanket, she snatched it and a few pillows off the couch. “We want everything to be perfect tonight.”

Satisfied, she walked to the bathroom, the big Lab tagging along behind her. “Okay, pal.” She bent to scratch him under the chin. “You’re on your own for a while.”

Closing the door she turned on the water to run a bath and began preparations for her evening with Jake. Cody gave up a pitiful whine, and Emma almost relented but then he heaved his big dog body against the door and dropped to the floor with a thump.

After her scented bath of lavender and vanilla, she donned her brand-new pink lace teddy, which would be under wraps beneath her soft, faded jeans and off-the-shoulder pale pink sweater. She imagined how Jake would react when he discovered the lacy confection. It gave her goosebumps.

It was a good thing she still had work to do because she was too nervous to stay in one spot for more than a second. Off to the kitchen, with Cody at her heels, she smoothed the white damask cloth, from the inn, over the table. Next, came Charlie’s bright blue china and the silverware. For the final touch, an arrangement of several candles in the center of the table, surrounded by sprigs of pine. Voila! His everyday kitchen was now a romantic cantina. The candles were lit, and her work was done.

In the living room the only light came from the fireplace and the flickering candles scattered around the room. Cody’s bark alerted her to Jake’s arrival. “Showtime.” Emma tried to beat Cody to the door but his four legs to her two, were no contest. Take a breath, Emma. She stood still. You are not going to jump the man when he comes through the door.

“One…two…three…four.” As sedately as possible she opened the door. “Hi.” She smiled, drinking in the sight of him.

“Hi, yourself.”

She stepped back to let him in. Jake’s eyes widened, then he quirked a brow when he saw the seductive scene before him.

“All this, for me?” he asked, looking very pleased.

“Hmm, hmm.” Emma smiled again, taking his handsome face into her hands and kissing him. “It’s for us. I love you, Jake. You have filled my heart and my life with so much love, hope…and purpose. This is the life I chose. Here…with you.”

He took her into his arms; the bags with their dinner fell forgotten to the floor. “I love you.” His voice was husky, heavy with emotion. “I’ve always loved you.” He breathed, gently rocking her. “That’s never going to stop, I swear.”

Cody nudged his way in between them with a “what about me?” woof. Emma broke into laughter, and so did Jake, inciting the Lab to launch into his favorite canine activity of kangaroo hops on his two hind legs.

Relief overwhelmed her. She and Jake were solid, and that was all that mattered. The dark pall hanging over her for the last two days had departed, no doubt off to make another mortal miserable. It was time to get on with their lives, starting right now. Plus, she needed to get her seduction of him underway.

“Bring dinner in here,” she said, heading to the kitchen. “I’ll get our drinks.”

Emma felt Jake’s eyes following her as she transferred the various entrees, enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas into serving dishes and platters. Why was this nervous energy powering through her body? Not paying attention, she bumped shoulders with him when she was rummaging for serving spoons, and he was looking for a wine opener. She pointed to the far corner of the cabinets.

“Charlie has only the best.” He studied the mechanism. “This baby not only opens the bottle, but it also aerates it and seals it back up again. I have to get us one.”

When everything was on the table, Jake held her chair out for her, and Emma sat. Oddly, she was tongue-tied. For heaven’s sake, it wasn’t like this was her first meal with him. By now, between a handful of lunches and several dinners, she should feel totally at ease with him.

She smiled at him and gave herself a mental shake. Tonight was different because she felt different. Some of the things Maddie said at lunch hit home. It had never been Jake’s motive to control any aspect of Emma’s life. He simply wanted to be a part of it. Tonight, she wanted to show him she wanted to be part of his too.

“You’re awfully quiet.” His concerned eyes held hers. “Everything okay?” He slipped his fingers around hers.

“Yes, everything is very okay.” And it was. “Being here with you, sharing this excellent meal—there is no place I’d rather be or person I’d rather be sharing it with than you.”

He straightened in his chair. His lips melted into a beautiful smile as he brought her hand to his lips and lingered there.

She shuddered when he turned over her hand and kissed her palm. Tacos and enchiladas were the last thing on her mind. Finally, by some unspoken agreement, dinner ended. With Cody sequestered in the kitchen, they moved into the living room and settled in front of the fire.

“I like what you’ve done with the place,” Jake said in a low, sexy voice.

“Thank you.” It had been a long time since she’d been the seducer. He was always the aggressor in their relationship, which she quite liked. She turned away from the fire to face him. Curiosity brewed in his silver-gray eyes. Then, he tugged her onto his lap.

“That’s more like it.” He nibbled on her ear. “I’ve got to admit. A man could get used to this. Coming home to his woman, ready and waiting for him in the firelight.”

“Would she be clothed or unclothed? Any special requirements?”

“Hmm.” He sighed. “I think clothed would be nice with something special underneath.”

He was making this easy for her. “Would something like this be of special interest?” She lowered one side of her off-the-shoulder sweater to reveal part of the pink lace teddy.

“Yes.” He growled. “That would definitely get my attention.”

With a boldness she didn’t think she had in her, she wiggled her sweater over her head and flung it into space.

The scorching look Jake raked over the top half of her sheer lace teddy stole the breath out of her body. Maybe this seduction thing wasn’t going to be as challenging as she’d expected.

“You’re halfway there, baby. Let me see all of you.”

She popped up on her bare feet and shimmied out of her ragged blue jeans. Then, adding a little drama, she kicked them aside, thankfully only jarring a table lamp and not knocking it over. Standing there in the little bit of lace, the heat from the fireplace didn’t really seem that hot, but she could swear Jake appeared to have beads of perspiration across his forehead.

“I’m definitely overdressed.” He got to his feet and stripped off his sweater, slacks, and socks.

Then, dropping to his knees, he stood her before him. His eyes, darkened to pewter, were full of appreciation as his gaze roamed over her breasts, belly, and down her legs. The way he was looking at her raised her temperature. If a look had this effect on her, imagine what she would feel when he put his hands and mouth on her.

She didn’t have long to wait. He drew her down to him, pressing her back onto the soft blanket. Gripping her waist, he rolled her beneath him. A sigh shuddered through her as he settled his weight on top of her. She’d always relished the feeling of bearing his weight and the way their bodies aligned perfectly, hip to hip, chest to breast, his male to her female.

He invaded her mouth with deep, possessive kisses. One led into the next, and the next, sending her into a vortex of need and desire. Then, wanting to feel his touch on her breasts, she pushed the sheer lace aside, guiding him to her. The strong pull of his mouth was the most glorious sensation. From there, she gave herself over to him until pleasure overcame her.

When their breathing slowed, Jake rearranged their tangled limbs and tucked her against his side, nudging her head to his shoulder. There was so much she wanted to say to him. Now wasn’t the time for words or thoughts. It was a time to rejoice.

~ * ~

When Emma’s eyes finally closed and her breathing was deep and steady, Jake knew she was fast asleep. Looking down at his incredible woman, who was finally and irrevocably his, he kissed her gently parted lips, his eyes sweeping over her naked beauty, then covered her with the thick cashmere blanket from nearby.

Picking up the discarded pink lace teddy, he ran the smooth silk through his fingers and chuckled to himself. It was a bold move for his girl tonight. In the future, he imagined Emma would have an entire wardrobe of delectable lingerie. With visions of black silk camisoles and wispy bits of lace, barely there nightgowns, he slipped on his black briefs and padded toward the kitchen, almost tripping over a joyful Cody.

“Come on, buddy. You must be starving.” Jake entered the laundry room through the kitchen, located the dog food, and dropped two scoops of kibble into Cody’s bowl. When he’d eaten, Jake opened the back door for the dog to go into the fenced backyard.

He glanced at the clock. Ten o’clock wasn’t late for Blake Donovan, who never missed Jimmy Fallon. He scrolled to his friend’s number.

“Hey, Doc,” Blake answered. “How’s it going?”

“All good. I wanted to see if the stones you ordered for me have come in?”

“Sure did. Came in today. You ready to pull the trigger?”

“Yes.” Jake had never been more ready in his entire life. Still, he needed a few days to plan the proposal. “Can you have it by Friday?”

“No problem.” He paused, then said, “And Jake, congratulations.”

Jake swallowed twice before he could say thanks. Getting to spend the rest of his life with Emma was almost in his grasp. When he looked into the future, he could see her as a bride, a mother, and a best friend for life. His breathing was deep and full, his heartbeat strong and true, his whole being imbued with a sense of hope and limitless possibilities—all because of his sleeping beauty.

Cody barked and came into the kitchen covered in snow. “Wonderful.” Jake grabbed a towel from a neat stack on top of the dryer. Hopefully, they were considered dog towels.

His thoughts returned to his beautiful, perfect Emma. The anticipation of putting a ring on her gorgeously tapered fingers made him want to shout to the rooftops. Yet, he was staring into the brown eyes of a black Lab who couldn’t understand a word he was saying.

“She’s mine,” he informed his canine companion. “She’s going to be Mrs. Jake Cutter.” He tossed his friend a biscuit. “Dr. and Mrs. Jake Cutter.”