The Cowboy's Bride Page 2

  Tessa nodded. Jake leaned forward and, in front of her parents, kissed her deeply on the lips. Tessa couldn’t help, but return the passion. It was a minute or so before she could hear her mother’s throat clearing.

  Jake smiled and laughed. Tessa was laughing, too.

  “We’re getting married!” Tessa cheered. Jake smiled.

  William rolled his eyes, as Mary Jane patted Jake on the back. “Welcome to the family, Jake!”

  Chapter 3

  After Tessa’s parents left, Jake and Tessa sat on her couch and she couldn’t believe her luck! Jake Anders, the man that she had been in love with since elementary school. Tessa could feel the grin take over her entire face. Jake leaned down to kiss her and saw it, too.

  “What’re you smiling at, darlin’?”

  “You. Us. Jake, I’m so happy right now.”

  Jake smiled back and tightened his hold. “Me, too, Tess.”

  “When were you thinking?”

  “Hmm?” Jake said into her hair. Her scent was driving him nuts. She smelled like lilacs.

  “Getting married… when were you thinking?”

  “Oh, well, as soon as we can get someone to marry us.”

  Tessa laughed. Just like Jake, she thought. “I’ve dreamed about this for a long time now, Jake, and I want it to be absolutely perfect.”

  “Oh yeah? You dreamt about this, Tessa,” Jake asked as his palm caressed her breast. “And this,” Jake said as his other hand made its way down between her thighs.

  “Mmm,” Tessa moaned. “Yes, I’ve dreamt of that more than once.”

  Jake smiled then kissed her neck. “We are going to be so good together, Tessa.” Jake playfully bit her neck then moved both hands back up to push her down into the pillows. Jake maneuvered himself around so he was on top of her and then kissed her lips. “You’ve gotten me so hard, Tessa…so hard.”

  Tessa moaned once again and pulled Jake into her, crushing her lips against his. Tongue against tongue. Bodies wrapped into each other, seeking climax.

  Soon they were naked and in the throws of passion when the doorbell rang. The sound echoed throughout the house until it stopped Tessa and Jake. Tessa laughed, as Jake cursed.

  “Don’t answer that,” Jake said, pleading.

  “Jake, we can’t just…I don’t know!” Tessa laughed, then stood up to retrieve her clothing. Jake pulled on her wrist until she was back on top of him. Tessa gasped at the contact, then continued playing with Jake. A second bell vibrated, cutting off their lovemaking again. Jake groaned.

  “I really should answer that.”

  Jake didn’t make to move.

  “You have to get dressed, Jake! The door is right there!”

  “I don’t want to,” Jake pouted.

  Tessa laughed then yelled, “I’ll be right there!”

  “Jake, come on, here’s your clothes.” Tessa threw his shirt and pants over to him, taking his boxers and stuffing them into the couch cushions along with her underwear and bra. Jake smiled.

  “No,” Jake said once again, this time he reached down to the floor and plucked his Stetson up and covered his erection.

  Tessa nearly fell over in laughter. Her shirt and pants were on now and Jake was blessedly still naked.

  Jake grinned. “I’m not getting dressed.”

  “Suit yourself,” Tessa said, shrugging, then opened the door to Jake’s horror.

  Standing on the other side was the Ladies Auxiliary Group from Benton Baptist.

  Tessa grinned and welcomed them in, not an embarrassed bone in her body, until one of the women peeked in and spoke. “Well, son, don’t you know it’s impolite not to remove your hat when you’ve got company?”

  Tessa laughed. Jake grimaced and the rest of the seven ladies behind lucky, door number one guffawed.

  “So, what’s Jake Anders doing here in the buff?” one woman asked, it was the town librarian, Lilly Scott.

  Another question came shortly after the first, “And why, pray tell, was he the only one naked?”

  “And…if I may,” came another, “why in Sam Hell did you answer the door?”

  Tessa had been asking herself the same questions ever since she opened the door. Tessa’s skin flamed and she burst out laughing. Jake just walked into the room, fully clothed, Stetson in his hands this time. “Ladies,” he drawled smoothly.

  “Jake,” they said in tandem.

  Jake nodded a few times, came around to where Tessa had been standing and placed a small kiss on her lips. “Thanks for drawing me, Tess. I’m sure it will look great on my…er…wall.”

  Tessa laughed unexpectedly then covered her mouth. Drawing?

  “Nice try, cowboy,” Lilly Scott said, barely containing her laughter.

  “It was worth a try,” Jake said, laughing. “Tessa and I are getting married in two weeks.”

  Tessa gasped. Two weeks! Jake smiled at her as the others took in the little piece of information.

  “We were just… well, getting acquainted. But that’s okay. I can wait… until the wedding… Ladies,” Jake said once more then walked to the door.

  The ladies were all quiet for a moment, then erupted like a volcano.

  “Congratulations, Tessa! When did you get engaged?”

  Tessa grinned, forgiving Jake already for leaving her with the group. “About an hour ago.”

  “So we did interrupt something.”

  “You little, hellcat!” another said. “He was all naked and you still had your clothes on!”

  Tessa’s face reddened guiltily, but she didn’t say anything. What would she say? She was pregnant? She was basing life on a one night stand that turned glorious? Wait a minute—was this that? Was Jake marrying her just because of the baby? If there even was a baby?

  Tessa looked at the ladies expectantly, then shortly after, did what she had been doing for weeks—fainted.

  ***

  Jake walked into the barn on the Triple A ranch and smiled. Tessa was a huge surprise. She loved him. It was hard to believe, really. That after 29 nine years of living next to Tessa’s family, they were going to join.

  Jake knew he was smiling like an idiot, but couldn’t help it. He and Tess, together, after years of thinking they were oil and water, they were finally getting the chance that he had always wanted with her. And the sex! It was fantastic. Jake still couldn’t believe that she was a virgin, and he was her first. It was the sweetest gift that she could have ever given and she gave it to him.

  Saddling his horse, Midnight, Jake secured the saddle and mounted. It was going to be a long day, but he would see Tessa at the end of it, and that would probably make it even longer.

  Jake rode out of the barn when he saw Tessa’s father’s Chevy. Jake rode over to the truck and watched as her father got out of his vehicle. “So, what do I owe this,”

  “Cut the shit, Anders, I want to know what your intentions are with my daughter.”

  Jake nearly fell off Midnight. He dismounted, ready to square off with Tessa’s old man. “Listen, William, I’m—

  “Don’t William me. You slept with my baby girl and now all of a sudden you are marrying her. Is this because of the baby?”

  Jake swallowed deeply. He straightened his shoulders and looked Will into the eyes and spoke firmly. “No, sir. In fact, I’m insulted. I’ve loved your daughter nearly my entire life.”

  “Oh, really? How come I am just now hearing about you two? How many dates have you been on?”

  Jake winced. It really wasn’t like that. The way William acted made him look like a creep. His feelings for Tess were nothing common.

  “I love her, sir.”

  “You don’t have to fake it with me, son.”

  “I’m not your son.”

  “That’s right. You aren’t. My son would have asked a girl out. Taken her to dinner. Courted her. Not slept with her at an opportunity. Did you even use protection?” Tessa’s dad fumed.

  Jake gritted his teeth. “Don’t say something you are g
oing to regret, Mr. Jons.”

  “Oh now all of a sudden you are going to use respect?”

  “I have always respected you.”

  “Yeah, I can see your brand of respect. Now my daughter is going to have your child. How long will the marriage last? A marriage based on—what exactly?”

  “It will be based on love.”

  “It’s based on lust.”

  Will shook his head and kicked at the ground. He had never been so angry in his life. It took everything in him not to hit Tessa’s father.

  “I really don’t care what you think right now. I love her. I have always loved her.”

  Will shook his head then opened the door to his truck and got in. “If this marriage actually happens, you better be good to her. And I will tell you one thing, you better treat that baby right.” After that, he slammed the door.

  Jake shook his head, what kind of man did they think he was?

  Two hours later, Jake received a call from Lilly Scott. Apparently, Tessa had fainted and they took her over to the hospital to run some tests. It took Jake all of two seconds to get into his truck and head to the hospital. On his way, he called Tessa’s parents, who were already there. Jake felt like screaming.

  When Jake made it to the second floor of the hospital he nearly choked at the tears he saw on Tessa’s face. Jake came in to the room and stopped in front of her. “What’s happened? Honey, what’s wrong?”

  “She’s…she—”

  “It’s okay, Mom,” Tessa said quietly, tears catching on her lashes. “I’ve got cancer, Jake. It’s bad.”

  A million thoughts raced through Jake’s head. How could this be happening to her, to them. Just that morning they were talking about their future, planning a wedding, rocking chairs, babies—the whole nine yards. And now—what exactly was happening now?

  “Why didn’t anyone call me?” Jake asked angrily. “I was at the ranch all morning. Lilly said this happened right after I left!”

  Tessa flinched at his tone, deep sobs wrenching out of her. Mary Jane put her head down, but it was Will who spoke out. “You aren’t anything to her. You’re not married. You didn’t need to know!”

  Jake felt as if he were slapped—hard. The impact straight to the gut. “We’re engaged! We’re getting married in two weeks. I think I have the right to know.”

  Will scoffed. The fighting was upsetting Tessa so much that her heart monitor was beeping fast. A few seconds later the nurses were in the room and ordering the family away. Will escorted Jake out of the room, while Mary Jane stayed behind with Tess.

  “What the hell did you think you were doing in there?” William yelled. “She’s been through enough without you going all half-cocked!”

  Jake could only see red. His Tessa was hurting and he still didn’t know what was going on. “Why is it bad?” Jake asked quietly. The sound of the question tore at William. William closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  “She’s been having spells.”

  “What kind of spells?”

  “Fainting. She hasn’t said anything to anyone.”

  Jake closed his eyes then opened them back up. The pain was almost unbearable. “She fainted today, but I swear to God, William, I just thought it was because you and Mary overheard our argument.”

  William nodded in agreement. “We didn’t think anything of it either. Then she fainted again—only this time, it took her a lot longer to come to. Lilly Scott, as you know, called us, then she must have called you.”

  Jake nodded. “Well, what do we know so far? Does she have to do Chemo?”

  Chemo—such a dirty word—one associated more often with death than any other.

  “Yes,” William rasped. “She’ll have at least eight weeks of it, and then following that—radiation.”

  Jake’s lips trembled. “Then she’ll have it. And everything will be okay.” As soon as the last part left his lips despair set in. “What about the baby?”

  The baby. They didn’t even know if they were pregnant. Nothing like jumping the gun, but it was the one thing Jake wanted more than anything—to see their baby grow inside Tessa. Tears slipped out of his eyes.

  William noticed. “If there is a baby, then it will have to be aborted, or Tessa won’t stand a chance.”

  Jake felt as if he was going to be sick. “Of course.”

  “That’s what’s tearing her up, Jake. The thought of killing your child. It’ll ruin her. You need to cooperate with us.”

  Jake wanted to punch William in the mouth. “What kind of a man do you think I am, Will? I’ve loved her nearly my entire life! Haven’t you noticed? I wouldn’t do anything to harm, Tess. Nothing!”

  William’s face was red, but he kept quiet, only nodding a few times during Jake’s rant.

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d give me a few minutes alone with Tess. I want to talk to her.”

  “Don’t—”

  “I’m not going to upset her, Will.”

  Will nodded as Jake went into the room.

  ***

  Mary was sitting next to Tess, holding her in her arms when Jake walked in. Tessa sat up and her gaze bore in to Jake’s. Jake asked Mary if she could give them a few minutes, and before they knew it, they were finally alone.

  “So, Tess, what kind of cancer are we dealing with?”

  Tessa swallowed her tears down as Jake took her hand in his. “Lung cancer.”

  Jake wanted to punch something. As far as he knew, Tess never smoked a cigarette in her life.

  “I know—not a smoker. Go figure,” Tess said, sounding somewhat light-hearted.

  “Well, you know what they say,” Jake smirked, “beginner’s luck?”

  Tessa laughed. “I guess. When they did the scan they saw what they believe to be cancer—the doctor is almost 100% positive. Of course, they won’t really know until they take a biopsy.”

  “When will they take that?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Jake’s eyes widened. Everything was going so fast. “Tomorrow. Well, I’ll be here with you.”

  “Jake, you can’t. You have branding and you have to get ready for the Round up.”

  “Tessa, I will be here with you. Nate or Jack can take care of that stuff. That’s what we pay them for.”

  “Jake, there’s something else.”

  Jake thought for sure she was going to bring up the baby. He braced himself for the conversation, then looked into her eyes.

  “We can’t get married.”

  “No.”

  Tessa looked affronted. “Jake, I mean it. We can’t. It’s really bad, and I don’t think…”

  “Tessa, I swear to God, if another dumb thing comes out of your mouth I will put you over my knee right now. We are getting married in two weeks. You promised.”

  Tessa’s lips quivered. “Why?”

  “Because I love you.”

  “Because of the baby?”

  “No. Because of you. You’re such a brat, you know that?” Jake asked. His lip quirked to the right in its familiar place and Tessa smiled. Jake used to always say that to her growing up.

  “Yeah, takes one to know one,” Tess replied her own quip. “It’s going to be hard, Jake.”

  Jake didn’t care. Nothing good in life was never not worth a bit of work. “I look forward to it. Besides, Ms. Soon-to-be-Anders, you promised me grandchildren.”

  Tessa slumped down in her bed, fearing that her promise would be short-lived.

  Chapter 4

  That next week turned out to be chaotic. Nearly every day of the week, Tess was getting some kind of test done. The results from the biopsy came in, and sure enough, it was Stage 2 cancer. Not the worst it could get by any means, but it was still cancer, none the less. Chemo was scheduled for the following Monday, and their wedding was scheduled for the Saturday after.

  Jake knew that it was a bad idea to get married right now, especially while she was going to be so sick. He offered to marry her before the chemo, but Tess wanted everything t
o be perfect, and he wanted that for her, too.

  The wedding plans were coming along nicely. They were going to get married in a private family ceremony on the small area that split both properties. Jake planned to build an arch for them to get married under, and then after the wedding they would live on Jake’s ranch with Jake and his mother, where five generations of Anders had lived before.

  It was a good thought, knowing that he would live in the same place as would his and Tessa’s children.

  Tessa got her period a few days after the cancer diagnosis, which was a good thing. With the way Tessa’s life had been going lately, Jake didn’t think she could take another disappointment. Jake, however, was still disappointed. He couldn’t help but mourn the child that never came to be. He wanted a family with Tess, and couldn’t wait for the cancer to be gone, so they could have that.

  Jake knew he was selfish, but he waited twenty-nine years for Tess, and he didn’t want to wait a moment longer. Sitting on his front porch steps, waiting for Tessa to come home from dress shopping with her mother, Jake thought about how he and Tess finally got together.

  “Jake,” Mike, the bartender at Recluse, called. Jake turned to the sound and grinned. He put one finger up, singling his need for a beer. A tall one—no foam.

  “Mike, what’s up?” Jake asked, fist-bumping the bartender. He and Mike went to school together and had been pals ever since.

  “You meeting up with Tess?” Mike asked.

  Jake turned his head to the left and then to the right. “Why? Is she here?”

  “In the back,” Mike said, motioning with his chin. “She looks like she needs a stress relief.”

  “You watch yourself,” Jake said, half-jokingly/half-serious. “See you later.”

  “See ya.”

  Jake walked toward the back of the bar and noticed Tessa right away. She wore a pair of Levis like they were made just for her. Tight, form fitting to each and every curve of her hot body. She wore a peasant top in white, that came down to a ‘V’ a little lower than appropriate for work. Jake smiled. Tessa looked up right away.