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It had been a week since Sylvie and Jake said their vows and still nothing had changed since that night. Their wedding night. Which was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She felt magic between her and Jake as they took their vows. How could she have gotten that all wrong?
She sat at her desk in the den at the cabin in front of her computer, gathering up some contacts to make for her new business venture. She had already designed her website and was ready to build her portfolio of work so that prospective clients could see. She was glad she could stay somewhere where there was room for her and Jackson while she built up her advertising business. That was a load off her shoulder not having to worry about bills or how she was going to pay down her debts. Her sister, though she didn’t mind helping her out, had her tiny apartment to herself again. She was glad for Louisa. Louisa had been so wonderful to her and Jackson all this time after her ex-husband lost their home.
Speaking of homes. She had a new home, for at least a year now. She loved the cabin. It was cozy and inviting, perfect for a small family with miles of land outside, on a beautiful ranch.
All this time her mind was also on Jake. And their fake marriage.
But Jake just won’t forgive himself for what happened to his late wife and his daughter. Why couldn’t he see it wasn’t his fault and that the Lord was giving him another chance to make it right, to have a family again?
Had she overstepped her boundaries? Had she asked for too much? Yes, she agreed to a marriage in name only, but it was a lot harder than she thought. And maybe that was because there were feelings between them. She saw the way he captured her with his loving gaze. That had to be real. Jake was no actor. A sweet sexy handsome cowboy, yes. But an actor? No way.
She thought she could have won him over. He’d been so sweet to her, making her breakfast every morning and cooking a delicious dinner for her whenever he got home early. She’d do her part around the house too and they’d shared in many household chores. But most of all, he was such an amazing step-dad to Jackson. Jackson loved spending time with him out on the ranch.
Her heart tugged inside her thinking about that. How much Jake was more of a dad to Jackson than Jackson’s own father. How could this be? How could this end soon? What would happen to Jackson? He would have lost two dads in such a short span of time.
She heard laughter outside the window and got up from her desk to take a break and stretch her legs.
Out the window, she saw Jake and Jackson together. Jake had bought a new bike for Jackson and was setting it up for him.
Her heart melted with joy and a mixture of pain. Why couldn’t they be a real family? They were real in every other way. Couldn’t Jake see that?
Every time she tried to get close to Jake, he pulled away, he stepped back, as if he were afraid of her. Afraid to love again. She’d tried everything to get closer to him. But nothing worked.
“Why are you afraid of getting close?” she’d asked Jake again earlier. “I can see it in your eyes. Love isn’t blind.”
“A deal is a deal,” he’d told her, softly. And maybe he was right. She should just leave it be. She went back to her desk to put the finishing touches to her online portfolio and her LinkedIn page.
***
Later in the afternoon, Sylvie went out to the poolside to spend time with Jackson.
“Mommy, look,” he said, holding on to the donut in the pool. He was in the shallow end and she was sitting at the side watching him like a hawk.
“That’s good, sweetie. Having fun?”
“Yes, Mommy. Come!”
“Oh, no, darling. Mommy’s not dressed to go inside the pool. I’m right here, watching you, sweetie.” Besides, Mommy isn’t a good swimmer.
Just then her phone rang and she placed it on speaker so she wouldn’t take her eyes off her son.
“Hello,”
“Hey sis, just thought I’d give you a quick call.”
“Hey, yourself, Louisa. What are you up to?”
“Was thinking of spinning by. What are you doing?”
“Just here at the poolside with Jackson. He’s taking a little swim.”
“Nice. Looks like married life is treating you well. Look at you, Miss Happy Housewife,” her sister teased playfully.
“I wish.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you know this is only for convenience, right?”
“Well, the way you two look at each other seems a little more than just convenience, sis. You two were made for each other. Can’t you work it out?”
“I want to, but...well, one step at a time.”
Suddenly, there was a gust of wind and the printout of her work on the side table got swept up. She reached out to pick them up then looked up.
“Jackson?”
Jackson was nowhere to be seen.