| |
“So where’s this date supposed to be?” Jake said, reluctantly to Sue Mae.
A grin as wide as the river spread across Sue Mae’s lips.
“I’m glad you’re on board, Jake.”
“Hey, I didn’t say I was on board just yet. You know how I feel about blind dates, Sue Mae.”
“But you’ve never even been on one before.”
“Exactly. Because I don’t believe in them.”
She grinned and shook her head. “Well, this one is different. Regardless of what you’ve heard about blind dates.”
“How so?”
“Because I always vet my candidates.”
He creased his brows in suspicion. “Candidates? Sue Mae, just what are you running here? Some kind of matchmaking reality show?”
She feigned innocence. “Oh, come now, Jake. Do I look like a matchmaker to you?”
“Yes,” he said frankly. And he had to admit, she was a good one too. Look at his brothers Luke, Beau, Jesse, and now Chase. They all found the loves of their lives, a second chance at happiness. But their stories were different than his and he knew it.
He just didn’t think he deserved a second chance since he couldn’t even save the family he already had.
He thought for a moment. Sure, he’d go along with this blind date thing, just to get Sue Mae off his back and prove to her what he already knew. That he just wasn’t marriage material. Not anymore.
“Fine and where did you meet this lady?” He arched his brow.
Sue Mae clasped her hands to her chest with pride. “She goes to our church.”
“She does? So I might have seen her before.”
“Probably not. She goes to the early service.”
He knew that the Sweet Rivers Church was the largest church in the area and the congregation was so large they had to divide it up into two services since there wasn’t room for everyone. This made it difficult to know every member that went there.
Since Jake and his brothers were up early on the ranch feeding the cattle, it made attending the early service impossible. They often went to the later service or evening service at times.
“Of course she does,” he said.
“She’s been out of town so she hadn’t been going for a while, but she’s back now and...”
“And what?” he asked
“Oh, nothing.”
“Sue Mae?” he asked sweetly. “Are you hiding anything from me?”
Jake did not like surprises. He hoped his dear aunt would be honest and open with him about his blind date.
“Is there something I need to know about this nice lady?”
“You’ll find out when you see her, Jake.”
“Sue Mae.”
“Jake.”
“Listen, now...”
“No, you listen, sweetie,” Sue Mae said. “You need to keep an open mind and an open heart. Remember that. That’s what your dear father used to say. People are just too closed up in their own bubble these days. You need to be open and inviting for new friends and new people to come into your life.”
New people.
That’s just it. He didn’t want any new people in his life right now.
“I thought you said this was just a blind date?”
“Yes, but she needs something, and you need something, so maybe you can both put your somethings together, you know.”
Jake shook his head and grinned. “I don’t believe this.”
Sue Mae just looked at him, a proud look on her face.
“Fine, I’ll do it. Where do we meet?” He finally agreed.
“At the Sweet Rivers Steakhouse. It’s a cozy restaurant and I thought it would be nice.”
He sighed deeply. “I’ll do it. But no promises.”
“That’s all I ask for Jake. You know you have to find someone to marry so you can keep taking care of this fine land of ours.”
“I have no idea why Dad made that arrangement in his will. Did you know about this beforehand?”
She shrugged her shoulders. As she began to walk away, she turned back and looked at him.
“Jake, you know your dad loved you more than anything in this world. He loved all of you. He believed in family and even though he lost the ability to have kids after the war, he never gave up. And the Lord brought him to you. To you and your brothers through adoption. He was determined not to give up on love. On family. And...”
“And what?” Jake asked softly. He could see Sue Mae was filled with emotion now and walked over to her and held her shoulders.
She looked up into his eyes. “Jake, don’t give up on happiness. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Look at me.”
“Sue Mae, you’re a wonderful human being. A great aunt.”
“Thanks, Jake. But you know I was very picky back in my day. I too lost the love of my life. He died in the war. And well, I had the chance to find love again and I didn’t. Until it was too late. I wanted a family of my own and now I see the Lord put me here for a reason to help out my brother and his adopted sons. Now you’re like my family. The boys I never had, but I don’t want you to get to my age and look back with regret. Don’t punish yourself for what happened to your lovely wife and daughter. I know it’s painful. I wish I could make it better for you, but I think Bree and Amy would have wanted you to not give up on living. If you find someone else, it doesn’t mean you’d be replacing them. They will always be part of your family, Jake. You need to know that. They’ll always live on through your memory.”
Jake felt a wave of emotions ride inside him and didn’t know what to say. He squeezed and hugged his aunt and she hugged him back tightly.
Family.
The feeling of family was a blessing. As Pastor Dave said, that’s why the Lord made families. To share that blessing of love.
Could he ever start over again?
He knew Sue Mae was right—as she always was. A pool of wisdom, just like his dear father, whom he loved more than anything in this world. And truth be told, he lost his blood family, but God gave him another one. A close loving family. So maybe, Sue Mae was right. Maybe this could work.
Well, he couldn’t promise he was there yet with forgiving himself. He knew it took time and everyone was different. But at least he’d give it a try.
Yes, he’d give it a try and see what happened. But there was no promise as to how he’d react to this new blind date, this potential arranged marriage of convenience Sue Mae was setting up.
First thing’s first. He’d have to see if he actually clicked with this new blind date. And that might not be easy.