“Not a career change.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going to get a position with the U.S. Marshalls’ office here in Texas, and I’ll hire a manager for the ranch who can also train my brothers properly.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought this thing through.”
“I have.”
“You think they’ll go for it?”
“We’ll work it out.” He rolled onto his back, and Jasmeka snuggled to his side, laying her head on his bare chest. “Jas, I came to the conclusion that what I want more than anything is family. It’s what I’ve always wanted, and I never realized it until I met you. And them.”
* * *
Two years later…
“Tony, can you get your little nephew, please? I’ve got to get this menu together before I ring Tren’s neck.” Jasmeka rocked her son in one arm while she struggled to take notes for her next catering event.
Her sister came strolling into the kitchen and flopped down at the table. She stretched her arms over her head, and Jasmeka’s mood went farther south seeing how thin her sister was compared to her. Jasmeka’s hips would soon need their own zip code if they grew any wider.
“Why are you blaming me?” Katrenda said. “I told you Laredo wanted all that meat on the menu.”
Jasmeka frowned. “And I told you to take control of him. He doesn’t know what’s good until you tell him.”
Katrenda’s eyes sparkled. “Just like you told Miguel?”
“Don’t get me started.”
Antonio burst through the kitchen door and stretched his arms out for the baby. Angel followed on his heels, and immediately started making cooing noises. Antonio raised the baby from her hold. “Come to Uncle. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about women.”
Jasmeka let her son go with reluctance. “Don’t tell him crazy stuff, Tony, even if he’s too young to understand. I’m not kidding.”
Antonio made no promises, and he and his twin disappeared. She sighed as the kitchen quieted down.
“The Torres family doesn’t make girls,” Katrenda said for the millionth time.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Jasmeka bent over her task and scratched out a few more notes.
“And when are you going to tell Miguel yes?”
She didn’t look up. “He only wants to marry me because I slipped up and got pregnant.”
“Sis, you know you don’t believe that. Besides, you love him.”
Jasmeka pressed her lips together.
A shadow blocked out the light, and she glared up at her sister.
“Say yes.”
“Tren, you’re pushing me to my limit.”
“You’re only grumpy because you’re not sleeping enough, and because you’re not being honest with yourself.”
“Go talk to Laredo.”
“Jasssssyyyyy.”
“I’m going to snap you like a twig, Tren. You’re skinny enough.”
Her sister laughed. “All right, you say yes to Miguel, and we get on an exercise regime so you’re all sexy for your wedding day.”
“I’m not going to say yes to Miguel, and that’s final!”
The door opened, and there stood Miguel. She groaned because she was sure he’d heard. His face remained blank of expression, so she couldn’t tell if he was ticked off or not. He was good at that.
“Miguel, I—” she began.
“Excuse us, Tren,” he interrupted.
Her sister ran to the door, humming the music for the wedding march. Jasmeka shoved the papers she was working on away and surged to her feet. “I should get the baby from Tony. He’s probably tired of him by now.”
Before she could take more than two steps, Miguel, with his huge shoulders and big chest, with loaded gun strapped under one arm because he’d just come in from work—this man with his daunting presence—dropped to his knees in front of her. She grew weak when he rested strong hands on her hips and touched his forehead to her belly.
“I never knew I could love a woman as deeply as I love you, Jas. And this quickly.”
She almost panted and couldn’t find words to respond.
“I want you to be my wife, but I never want to make you unhappy. If you decide you don’t want me as your husband, then I’ll accept your decision. But I’ll always be by your side. If you call, I’ll come running to rescue you. That’s guaranteed.”
She burst out crying and covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook as she struggled to hold the emotions back.
“Thank you for giving me our baby boy. He is the ultimate gift.”
She sniffled and tried to lighten the moment. “Your gift made me fat.”
“You’re perfect.” He glanced up at her, and she could swear he looked sincere.
“I am not! You know I’ve put on forty pounds since getting pregnant, Miguel.”
“Eres hermosa!”
“And you’re in love.” She sucked in a shuddering breath and blew it out slowly. Who was she fooling? She loved the ground the man walked on and looked forward to every day when he came home from work. He wasn’t perfect, but he was pretty darn close to it.
He stood and drew her in for a kiss. She submitted to him, loving his touch. After a few moments he set her away and smiled. Her heart fluttered again.
“So that’s it. I won’t ask you again. We’ll continue as we are as long as you’re happy. Right?”
He radiated nervousness that she might tell him not only didn’t she want to marry him, but she wanted to move out of the house. That wasn’t happening. Not in that century. After his actions and the speech he had given, she had to let her fears go. They weren’t real anyway. Over the last couple of years, Miguel had learned to trust others a lot more, and his relationship with his dad had improved. He was without a doubt the man for her.
“Miguel.”
“Yeah, baby?”
She bit her lip and then took the plunge. A little of the old confidence her came flooding back. “Let’s do it! Let’s get married. I love you too—with all my heart. I do want to be your wife, as soon as possible.”
He staggered against the table and caught himself with one hand as if her words had taken it out of him. “You mean it? Please, tell me you mean it, Jas. I need to have you be mine—all mine.”
She fell apart. “See, when you talk like that is when I get pregnant.”
He grinned and scooped her into his arms. “We’ve got to work on our daughter. No time like the present.”
“Miguel!”
He laughed like an idiot and carried her out of the kitchen and up to their room.
* * *
The End
About the Author
Tressie Lockwood has always loved books, and she enjoys writing about heroines who are overcoming the trials of life. She writes straight from her heart, reaching out to those who find it hard to be completely themselves no matter what anyone else thinks. She hopes her readers enjoy her stories.
A Note From Tressie,
I would like to thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to review it and to let a friend know about me. A good review can help an author reach more people, and others will take a chance like you did. Thank you for your help, and happy reading.
- Tress
Also by Tressie Lockwood
For Other Clean Works Try:
* * *
The Sartoris
Accepting His Name
Raising His Baby
Reaching His Heart
* * *
Standalone
Involuntary Daddy
* * *
For Hotter Works Try:
* * *
The Marquette Family Series
* * *
Creed
Damen
Stefan
Duke
* * *
www.tressielockwood.com
Love Untrusted Page 11
