Kirra was glad Jared and her father had the same sense of humour. She’d taken Jared and Caleb to Noosa to meet her parents, the week-end after meeting Granny, Aunt Joyce and Granny’s boyfriend, Frank Goodman. Desmond and Kaylene Whitely were delighted with their news and Jared and Caleb had clicked with them from the get-go.
After her father had asked Jared the obligatory, old-fashioned questions about how he’d planned to take care of her, a night of beach fishing had sealed their friendship.
Her father was more than impressed that Jared was unassumingly loaded. He was amazed that he didn’t actually have to work - his inheritance and shrewd investments over the years had accrued to some unimaginable sum.
To Kirra’s surprise, Jared didn’t insist on a prenuptial agreement. She had some money herself, of course and the apartment in Brisbane was a substantial asset, but her parent’s values were instilled in her. Love and trust were more important than money.
‘As long as we have enough to pay the bills and put food on the table, I’m happy,’ Kirra had told Jared on the drive home.
‘I’m glad you’re not marrying for my money,’ he intoned seriously.
Kirra rolled her eyes. ‘I didn’t mean that. I meant that love, trust, loyalty and respect, are more important to me. Of course, money is necessary to sustain a good life.’
Jared agreed, but that didn’t stop him planning an extravagant honeymoon on a cruise ship down the Rhine River from Zurich to Amsterdam. He also paid for both their parents and Caleb to come along too.
When they’d sat down to do the wedding invitations, they’d realised with family, friends and the townspeople, it had added up to over two hundred people. Jared had immediately hired a wedding planner and the reception was held in front of Glengarry Homestead under a large white marquis. No expense was spared and it turned out to be the big fairytale wedding after all, but without the stress.
Jared and Kirra had practiced waltzing every night and they’d put on quite a show for the Bridal Waltz. Kirra had also practiced with Caleb, so she danced with him, after Jared, to the delight of everyone there.
In his Best Man’s speech, Phil let everyone in on the elaborate plan to get these two people together and Elise caught the bouquet.
Jared followed with the Scottish tradition of throwing the bride’s tartan garter which was deftly caught by Frank Goodman. Granny was ecstatic.
Jared and Kirra spent their wedding night at a prestigious hotel on the Gold Coast. Jared carried her over the threshold of the beautifully-appointed bridal suite, then set her down in front of the king-size bed.
‘Are you glad you married me, Mrs Glengarry?’ he asked, grinning from ear-to-ear.
‘Yes, I certainly am! Now that I’m officially one of the clan,’ she said with a wicked glint in her eyes, ‘I’m entitled to know the secret ingredient to the Glengarry Pea and Ham Soup.’
One dark eyebrow rose. ‘Is that the only reason you married me?’
‘No, I married you because I love you with all my heart and you’re the father of my baby,’ she said, patting her belly. ‘Who’d have thought I’d fall pregnant the first time we did it?’
Jared gently put his hand over hers on her belly. ‘Is it alright to make love when you’re four months pregnant?’
‘I’ve read that you just put a pillow under my buttocks,’ she said, then looked perplexed.
‘I know. I’m asking for your permission,’ he said in earnest.
‘Permission? Didn’t you and Heather make love when she was pregnant with Caleb?’
He shook his head and looked suddenly solemn. ‘No, she was adamant I’d hurt the baby. I knew I wouldn’t, but -’
‘Oh darling,’ she cut in and cupped his sad face in her hands. She kissed his mouth. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you. Rest assured that we will be having lots of children and lots of sex and not necessarily in that order.’
He laughed and his face lit up again. ‘I’ll look forward to it.’
Jared’s lips crashed down on hers then and slowly, very slowly he removed her wedding attire. His eyes filled with desire when he saw the red lacy French Knickers she was wearing.
‘Mrs Glengarry, you’re one very sexy woman,’ he groaned and ran his hands over the silk and lace that covered her buttocks.
‘And I’m all yours, forever,’ she said happily and wrapped her arms around his neck.
He laid her down on the bed and slipped a soft pillow under her buttocks. ‘Comfortable?’ he asked.
‘Very,’ she replied, her need for him sizzling in her blood. ‘Leave your bow tie on,’ she added teasingly. ‘It makes you look hot. I can pretend you’re a Fireman.’
‘You and your fantasies,’ he growled, then grinned. ‘I love them. Keep them coming.’
He stripped down to his bow tie as requested, then set about kissing every inch of her body to add fuel to the fire.
He tickled inside her belly button with his tongue. ‘This tastes like nutmeg?’ he muttered wryly and looked up into her surprised face, radiant with pregnancy and arousal.
‘Nutmeg?’
‘Yes, it must be in your bloodstream,’ he said cheekily, then told her, ‘That’s the secret ingredient of Glengarry soup.’
‘Ah yes,’ she sighed in relief. ‘That was the taste!’
Without another audible word, Jared made exquisite love to her to cap off her beautiful and memorable wedding experience.
Five months later, Kirra Glengarry popped newly-born Penelope Elise Glengarry on her breast to have her first feed.
Exhausted, but elated after a twenty-four hour labour, without pain-killers or intervention, as per her birth plan, Jared gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
‘You’re amazing, wonderful wife of mine!’ he said lovingly. ‘But I am grateful to be a male of the species. No way could I push something the size of a watermelon out of my -’ He stopped and looked perplexed.
Kirra laughed and patted his forearm. ‘Leave the tough stuff to me, darling.’
‘Are you truly happy, my love?’
‘Of course,’ she sighed dreamily, ‘Penny is the most beautiful baby in the world and a splendid addition to our family.’
He sat on the bed and faced her, a worried look on his rugged face. Do you think you’ll get Post Natal Depression?’
‘I’ve read in a couple of days, I’ll get Baby Blues due to a drop in hormone levels,’ she explained in knowledgeable reassurance, ‘but after that, I’m sure I’ll be my usual upbeat self. If not, you’ve had firsthand experience, so get me to a doctor sooner rather than later, if I need help.’
He relaxed a little.
Penny popped off Kirra’s left breast, so she swivelled her around. Penny latched her mouth instinctively onto the right breast and began sucking gently.
Jared took Kirra’s shoulders in his protective hands and kissed her on the mouth. ‘The day I met you, I became the luckiest man in the universe.’
‘And I, the luckiest woman.’ She gave him a contented smile. ‘Do you think the nurse will let you sleep in the bed with me tonight?’
Jared chuckled and shook his head. ‘I don’t think she’ll even let the baby sleep with you.’
‘Then I want to go home tomorrow if all is well,’ she said resolutely, ‘so we can start a new chapter of our lives and all sleep together in our own king-size bed.’
‘Anything you say, Mrs Glengarry,’ he said happily. Taking their sleeping baby girl in his arms, he cradled her, his heart bursting with love. He kissed her forehead and placed her in the hospital crib with the confidence of experience.
He looked at Kirra then and said with soft, loving eyes. ‘I love you so much, my love, but I’d better go see Caleb and his grandparents before I fall asleep. Caleb will be happy to know he has a sister.’
Next morning, mother and baby were allowed to go home with midwifery support. Jared and Caleb picked them up, the Range Rover fitted with a baby car capsule for the drive home.
Kirra ga
ve Caleb a big hug and a kiss and said, ‘I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart. I love you. When we’re home, you can hold Penelope, because I know how careful you were, when Chocolate was a puppy.’
Jared drove slowly home, dodging every pothole.
Just before they reached the low bridge near their property, Kirra noticed that surveyors had set up their equipment. ‘Oh Jared, look!’ she said, bursting with pride. ‘My article about ‘Public in Peril’ has made a difference. We might get a new bridge after all.’
‘Yes, I believe so,’ Jared said, then swallowed hard and tightened his grip on the wheel. ‘I have a confession to make,’ he said in all seriousness.
‘Another one?’ she teased gently.
‘Yeah.’ he said and gave her a sheepish look. ‘I did read your article . . . after it was published in the Brisbane Bulletin, but only because I’ve always read your articles. You’re a talented writer, Kirra.’
‘Is that all?’ Kirra patted his shoulder. ‘I had a fair idea you did,’ she said quietly. ‘I came across the article clipped in between some books on the shelf in your study the other day.’
‘Snooping, were we, Mrs Glengarry?’ he accused lightly.
‘No, I took down the photo of baby Caleb and his Mum to put in his room, before the baby came home,’ she said ever-the-practical, then turned her head towards the back seat. ‘I thought it might make you feel special too, Caleb.’
Jared took her hand in his, brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers. ‘We’re so blessed to have you,’ Jared said, his eyes filled with love and admiration. ‘Aren’t we, son?’
‘I’m glad you’re my Mum and Dad,’ Caleb said enthusiastically, ‘and I’ll try very hard to be the best big brother a baby can have.’
‘You are already!’ Kirra and Jared said in unison, then laughed, joined Pinkies and each made a wish.
‘Are you angling for a new computer game by any chance, Caleb?’ Jared asked wryly. He watched his son solemnly shake his head in the rear-vision mirror, then smile crookedly.
And the luckiest man in the universe drove his precious family home to live happily ever after.
The Outback Cattleman's Hired Wife Page 18
