“I don’t have to do anything, ” Heather stated flatly.
She watched him release a frustrated breath. “Would you please come down here? I need to tell you something.”
“Where are your friends?” she asked as she slowly descended the steps.
“Damned if I know and damned if I care.” He closed the front door, then walked over to stand at the bottom of the staircase.
“I would have thought you’d be out celebrating with them,” she said, drawing on every bit of strength and pride she could muster.
“That’s one of the things we need to discuss.” When she descended the last step, he started to take her by the hand, but she sidestepped him. He stared at her for a moment before he motioned toward the study. “Please follow me.”
“I don’t really want to discuss anything right now, Jake.” Did he think hearing that he was leaving her and Mandy would make everything all right?
She walked over to the fireplace and traced her finger along the frame of a snapshot that he’d had Clara or Daily take of himself holding their daughter. Just like the photograph, she was never going to be a part of the picture. The thought caused an ache so deep inside, she had to look away to keep from crying out.
When Jake put his hands on her shoulders to turn her to face him, she backed away from his touch. “Please don’t.”
“Heather, honey, you have to listen to me.”
“You don’t have to make excuses or explain,” she said, surprised that her voice remained steady. “You’re an adult. You can do as you please.”
“But I’m going to tell you anyway,” he interrupted. “Now, will you stop arguing with me and start listening?”
Sighing heavily, she walked over to sit in one of the chairs. “Let’s get this over with. I have things to do.”
He stared at her for several long seconds. “What do you have to do at this time of night?”
“I need to pack.”
He folded his arms across his broad chest. “Are you going somewhere?”
“I suppose now is as good a time as any to tell you that I quit effective immediately.” She had to pause before she could finish. “You’ll have to find someone else to manage Hickory Hills and oversee your horses.”
A dark scowl wrinkled his forehead. “You can’t do that.”
“Watch me.” A sudden anger swept through her and she started to get up.
He quickly stepped forward to block her. “I won’t let you quit and I don’t want you leaving.”
“You can’t stop me,” she said, settling back in the chair.
“Dammit, Heather, Hickory Hills is your and Mandy’s home.” He pulled another armchair over to sit in front of her. “You belong here.”
“Not anymore, I don’t.” She glared at him. It was much easier to let her anger build than to give into the misery of a broken heart. “You’re going back to your life in L.A. and I’m staying here. But do you honestly think I want to be here when you bring a woman with you for your next visit? Or wait for you to return so that I can be a diversion while you’re here?”
He shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
She watched him close his eyes as if garnering his patience. When he opened them, there was a determined spark in the cobalt depths.
“If you’d stuck around long enough you’d have seen me decline Cameron’s invitation to go barhopping with him and a few others I know from L.A.”
“Didn’t you want to reconnect with your friends?” she asked.
“Those people wouldn’t know how to be a friend if their lives depended on it. They’re too self-centered, too shallow.” He sat back in his chair. “You probably won’t believe this, and I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, considering my track record. But I’ve been tired of the party crowd for quite some time. I just didn’t realize it.”
“That is pretty hard to believe,” she said, tamping down a tiny bubble of hope.
Sitting forward, he reached out to take her hands in his. “Honey, I’m not going to pretend that I’ve been a saint since you and I were together in Los Angeles. But I can tell you that after you left, I realized that something was different about me. I suddenly felt like I wanted more out of life than being part of that scene.”
“So you’re telling me that I caused you to have some grand revelation about yourself?” she snorted.
He laughed. “I’m a little more thickheaded than that.” His expression turned serious as he stared down at their entwined hands, then looked up to capture her gaze with his. “It’s not an easy thing for me to admit, but all of my adult life I’ve been afraid to risk my heart, afraid to love. Deep down I was afraid I’d turn out to disappoint a woman the way my father had my mother. So I ran from it. I went out to clubs and dated more than my share of women to keep from becoming too involved.”
Was he telling her he was incapable of loving?
Without warning, he reached over to lift her onto his lap. “But then I met you and all that changed.”
“In what way?” It felt so wonderful to be in his arms, but she couldn’t let herself believe that everything was going to work out between them. When she tried to get to her feet, to escape the temptation he posed, he tightened his arms around her.
“I couldn’t forget your laughter, your smile. I couldn’t forget you.” He nuzzled her hair with his cheek. “I found myself lying in bed at night regretting that I hadn’t learned your last name, where you were from and how I could keep in touch with you. And that’s something that had never happened to me before.”
“Never?” She had a hard time believing that he’d been able to forget every other woman he’d ever gone out with, but her.
“It’s the truth, honey.” He kissed her cheek. “I never thought I’d ever say this to a woman, but I think I’ve loved you ever since I spotted you standing there at that horse auction.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as the hope within her burst free and spread throughout her being. “You love me?”
“With all of my heart, Heather.” He cupped her cheek with his palm. “And I’m tired of running, honey. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me for being so thick-headed, I want it all. You, marriage, brothers and sisters for Mandy. I even want the minivan filled with car seats and clumps of dog hair.”
“Are you sure?” she asked cautiously.
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my entire life.” His smile caused her heart to skip a beat. “I love you, Heather McGwire. Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Jake, I love you, too.” The tears spilled down her cheeks. “But—”
“That’s all I need to hear,” he said, capturing her mouth with his.
Tracing her lips with his tongue, he deepened the kiss and she knew she had to take the chance. She loved being held by him, kissed by him. And knowing that he wanted to spend a lifetime showing her how much he cared for her caused her heart to swell with more love than she’d ever thought possible.
When he finally broke the kiss, he leaned back to gaze at her and the love she saw in his eyes stole her breath. “There’s something else we need to talk about,” he said, smiling.
“What would that be?”
“Where we’re going to live.”
She worried her lower lip for a moment. She’d never imagined herself living anywhere but in the heart of Kentucky’s horse-racing country. But as long as she, Mandy and Jake were together, she could live anywhere.
“I’ve never lived in a huge city.” She took a deep breath. “But they have horses in California, too.”
Giving her a smile that made her feel warm all over, he shook his head. “Don’t get me wrong, I love California. It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. But I think I’d like to live right here.”
“Really? Why?” She couldn’t have been more surprised. “You told Hunter you were looking for a house in Malibu.”
“That will be our vacation home. I want you to be able to continue making a name for yourself in the racing industry,” he said. “You have a real knack for choosing bloodlines and producing champions. I want you to have the opportunity to build your reputation as the best in the business.”
“I could do that in California.”
He nodded. “That’s true. But you’ve already made Hickory Hills a force to reckon with. Why not continue to build it into a racing empire?”
Loving him more with each passing second, she laid her head on his shoulder. “What about your law office? It’s in Los Angeles and quite successful. Are you sure you want to give all of that up?”
“Honey, I can practice law anywhere.” He shrugged. “But to tell you the truth, I’m tired of helping people end their marriages.” He paused a moment. “I think I’d like to give being a gentleman farmer a try and help my wife raise her champion thoroughbreds.” He laughed. “Besides, having me around all of the time is going to save you and Clara a lot of grief.”
She sat up to stare at him. “I don’t understand.”
“Mandy can practice her food-fighting skills on me, instead of you.” He smiled. “And Daily’s a good kid, but he’s a lot like I was at that age.”
“Heaven help us,” Heather said, rolling her eyes.
His low chuckle sent a shiver coursing through her. “No kidding. I think Clara is going to have her hands full when he gets a little older and could use the help.”
“I know she’ll appreciate it.”
Content with being in each other’s arms, they remained silent for some time before he spoke again. “You never did give me an answer, honey.”
“About getting married?”
He nodded. “You said you love me, but you haven’t officially accepted my proposal. Will you marry me, Heather McGwire?”
“Yes.”
“How soon?” His grin was bright enough to light a small city. “We’ve already wasted a year being apart and I’d like to make you mine as soon as possible.”
Before she could tell him that she wanted that, too, the sound of the front door opening and several people entering the house intruded.
“It appears that your family has made it back from the victory party.”
“Good.” He set her on her feet, then rose to take her by the hand. “Let’s go share our news with them.”
When they walked out of the study arm in arm, everyone fell silent and turned to look at them expectantly.
His eyes never leaving hers, he announced, “I’ve asked Heather to marry me and she said yes.”
Apparently shocked by the news, silence reigned, then everyone seemed to start talking at once.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Arielle said, rushing over to give both of them a hug.
Luke laughed. “I told you so, Jake.”
“Have you set a date?” Hunter wanted to know.
Smiling, Heather shook her head. “We haven’t gotten that far.”
Jake kissed the top of her head. “It can’t be soon enough for me. If I had my way, we’d be standing in front of a minister right now.”
“Me, too,” Heather said, gazing up at the only man she’d ever love.
“Do you mean that?” Alyssa asked, stepping forward.
When they both nodded, Heather watched the women exchange a brief look a moment before Arielle spoke up, “We can do this, girls.”
“Absolutely,” Callie agreed. “Would tomorrow evening work for both of you?”
“Yes, but we can’t possibly get ready in time,” Heather said, disappointed. “Tomorrow is Sunday. We can’t even get a marriage license until Monday.”
“Don’t underestimate this bunch,” Haley said, laughing.
“Let’s make a list.” Cheyenne reached into her purse for a notepad and pen. “Nick, go get Emerald and Luther. We’re going to need their help with this.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nick said, his grin wide as he left the house.
When he returned with the elderly pair, Emerald breezed into the room in her satin and chiffon robe to hug Jake and Heather. “This is wonderful. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you.” Then, before Heather’s eyes, the woman turned from a doting grandmother into a decisive, corporate giant on a mission. “Luther, find out who we know in the Louisville city government and get them to open the clerk’s office first thing tomorrow morning so the kids can get their license.”
Distinguished-looking even in his slippers and robe, the older gentleman gave a stiff nod. “Consider it done, madam.”
Turning back to the group, Emerald continued, “Caleb, Hunter and Nick, call your nannies and babysitters and tell them my corporate jet will pick them and the children up by noon tomorrow. I want the entire family to be here for this. Luke, you and Zach are assigned to helping the girls with whatever they need to pull all of this together.”
“Wow!” Heather could understand why Emerald Larson was the highly successful businesswoman she was. Seeing her in action was like watching a battlefield general direct his troops.
“Heather, dear, would you prefer the ceremony be performed here or do you have somewhere else in mind?” Emerald asked, smiling.
There was no question in Heather’s mind. “Right here.”
“Excellent. Indoors or outside?”
“I’ve always dreamed of coming down that staircase to meet my groom at the bottom of the steps,” Heather answered, pointing toward the sweeping structure.
Jake gave her a tender smile. “And I’ll be there waiting for you.”
“Another excellent choice,” Emerald approved. Turning to Heather’s soon-to-be sisters-in-law, the woman grinned. “Divide up the list and get started first thing in the morning, girls. We have a wedding to get ready for tomorrow evening.”
When Jake walked out of the master suite the next evening, Luke was waiting for him. “Are you ready to take the plunge?”
“I never thought I’d ever hear myself say this, but it can’t be too soon,” Jake admitted as they descended the stairs.
Taking his place at the bottom of the steps, he looked around. He’d never loved or appreciated his family more. They’d all worked hard to pull a wedding together on the spur of the moment and everything was picture-perfect. Heather was going to love it.
When the string quartet began to play, Jake’s attention was drawn to the top of the stairs and the sight of his bride robbed him of breath. Heather was absolutely stunning. Her golden brown hair lay in soft curls around her bare shoulders and the white lace and antique satin wedding gown emphasized her enticing figure. But it was her radiant smile that he knew he’d never forget as long as he lived.
As she came down the circular staircase, he heard the baby start fussing, and walking over to Clara, took Mandy from her. Then, with his daughter in one arm, he extended his other to her beautiful mother and together they walked over to stand in front of the minister to exchange their vows and become the family he wanted with all of his heart and soul.
“Oh, Luther, I was so afraid this day might never happen,” Emerald said as she dabbed her eyes with her linen handkerchief. “I was worried that Jake would turn out to be like his father and remain an irresponsible philanderer for the rest of his life.”
“There was that possibility, madam,” Luther agreed, nodding.
As she watched the minister pronounce Jake and Heather husband and wife, Emerald couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. The investigative team she’d hired to find all of her grandchildren had concluded their search and they’d reported back that there were no more heirs to be found. Her family was finally complete.
When the group gathered in the foyer for pictures, Emerald motioned for Luther to join her. “You need to be in the picture, too, Luther. You’ve been instrumental in helping me find my heirs.”
“It was my pleasure, madam,” he said, walking over to stand at her side.
“You know, I’m going to miss helping my grandchildren find their soul mates,” she whispered wistfully as the photographer tried to get the children to stand still for the picture.
“You’ve done a fine job with that task, madam,” Luther said, keeping his voice low as he patted her hand. “They’ve all made good matches.”
“After all of the unhappiness that my son caused, I’m pleased that we were able to make everything right and give them all their rightful place in Emerald, Inc.” Clasping his hand with hers, she gave it a little squeeze. “Now, I can concentrate on trying to find my own bliss.”
He squeezed her hand back. “I don’t think you’ll have far to look, madam,” he said gruffly.
Turning, she gave him a happy smile. “Neither do I, Luther. Neither do I.”