Family Matters (The Travers Brothers Series): The Travers Brothers Series

by Rita Hestand

  Sammie Jo stared at him serious as though he'd said something strange. "Does God know when it's real?"

  "Yes he does…"

  "Uncle Jake, how come you know so much about God?" Sammie Jo quirked her head and stared.

  "Well honey, I'm not the best authority on him, but I've read the bible a couple of times through. I studied theology in school. So I just do," he shook her head and laughed. "Now let's stop playing twenty questions, I've got something very important to do today."

  "What?"

  "I'm going to show Samantha where we'll be living…" Jake smiled.

  "Is it far?" Sammie Jo frowned.

  "Actually, it's real close to home, Pumpkin." Jake announced.

  "Really?"

  "Really!"

  "I've got to go tell Clay…." Sammie Jo ran for the back door again.

  ***

  Samantha was trimming the rose garden when Jake rode up on his bike. She smiled and went to greet him.

  "Jake, what brings you here so early?" Samantha laughed giving him a light kiss on the cheek.

  Jake placed his helmet on his bike and turned to hold her for a second, he kissed her on the lips then smiled. "I've got something I want to show you, if you've got a few minutes."

  Samantha took off her garden gloves and glanced at Jake's serious face.

  "Okay, sure, why not…." Samantha stowed her garden gear and looked down at herself, "Do I need to change clothes?"

  "Not really, we'll be riding my bike." He smiled.

  "All right, let me tell mom, she's playing chess right now anyway." Samantha chuckled.

  Jake smiled, "Good, one day she can teach me…" Jake's voice followed her into the house.

  In minutes they were on the road. Samantha didn't ask questions, she just enjoyed the ride. It was a lovely day and she was tired of pruning roses anyway. She had become accustomed to riding with Jake now and was able to enjoy her surroundings instead of holding on for dear life.

  But Jake seemed very quiet this morning and she finally broke the silence, "So where are we going?" she shouted through her helmet.

  "Just down the road a bit…" he replied, his voice a little more tense than usual.

  When he stopped it was in front of a nice old house, the driveway curved around and they pulled in. Samantha studied the house. She'd seen it alongside the roadway several times, marveling at the huge front porch and well-kept lawns. She had no idea who owned it, but the place was lovely.

  "You didn't tell me we were going to visit someone, Jake." Samantha's voice rose a little in panic as she discarded the helmet and straightened her hair.

  "We aren't. No one lives here…yet." He announced, taking her hand and guiding her toward the front porch. When they to the porch, Jake picked her up in his arms and carried her inside the house.

  "Jake…don't you think we should ask permission before just going in?" she fretted, surprised by his romantic gesture.

  Jake stared down into her eyes, his face as mask of questions and doubts. "I have permission sweetheart. I bought this place. I thought it a little awkward, because I didn't discuss it with you first. But it was going up on the auction block next week and I'd had my eye on it for some time."

  Samantha's eyes rounded on him in nothing short of surprise and wonder. "You bought this place?" She glanced around, but he still had her in his arms and she couldn't twist to see everything. "But Jake…you live in Peaceful, why would you buy a place here?" she gasp, still marveling at the beautiful wood work inside the house. The winding staircase took her breath away.

  He looked so vulnerable, so unsure when he glanced down into her surprised face.

  "Do you like it?"

  "Like it?" she gasped. "Well, of course I do Jake…it's gorgeous. I've always thought it one of the grandest houses in the town, but how could you afford something so grand…"

  He chuckled now, some of the tension flowing out of him. "Comes from being a bachelor all these years, not spending much money, and investing in the right types of stocks. But there is more to tell you honey, and I want you to sit down while I do. I took the liberty of buying this one chair, for you…" he gestured as he set her down and went to bring a beautifully intricately carved rocking chair out of a back room and sat it down in the spacious living room.

  "Sam you know I've been pretty square about telling you things, except for one thing. And I hadn't told anyone until the other day. But I couldn't contain myself any longer. " Jake took her hand in his, his thumb rubbing over her hand gently. She marveled at the beautiful chair, but it as his actions and expressions that captured her interest.

  He crouched before her on the floor, one knee bent. "I've already asked you to marry me, and you've accepted. But now I want to share with you what has been troubling me for some time and I have finally settled. You know I took the bar and that I didn't want to go into law."

  She nodded, her smile on him and then on the beautiful surroundings.

  "When I went to college I majored in theology." He stopped to watch her face.

  Samantha's head turned in surprise, but she said nothing, wanting him to continue.

  "That was my choice, although, I never told my family about it. For one I wasn't sure how they would react. They had a lot of preconceived ideas about me all their lives and I couldn't quite get them out of it. So I let them think it was law, until I figured out why I had taken this course myself. I went into law because I believed in it. I think law and religion are closely related in many ways. You obey commandments, you obey the law. I saw them as connecting so to speak. But as the years passed and the bar exam became an obstacle I decided to face it and take the exam, just to prove that I had learned what I set out to. However, my heart was not in being a lawyer. It wasn't me. I knew that from the start. I'll admit, I'm a mixture of things Sam. But my heart has always been with my major, in theology. So when Reverend Miller wrote me a few months back that he was retiring and that if I had any notion whatsoever to become a preacher, now was the time. We'd talked through the years about it. I put it off, fearing disappointing my family, until now. Now, it all seems to make sense and fit. I want to preach, Samantha. I want to do God's work, and I want you by my side. I bought this house, this home…for us. I was hoping you'd have the reaction you had. I was hoping you'd love it. As I do. And now I want to know…do you still want to marry me…?"

  "Jake," her voice shook with undefined emotions. "I've loved you for years. And nothing I've ever done, has ever shaken that love. But this…." She glanced around her and then at his worried expression. She couldn't torture him any longer. "Oh Jake…yes, my darling Jake, I'll marry you. This is like….some dream come true…."

  Jake's tension fled and he gathered her to him. He stood up, and brought her with him and kissed her firmly on the mouth. Then twirled her in a big circle and smiled into her face.

  "I love you Samantha….and I promise you," he stood suddenly still, holding her against him and smiling joyfully, "You will always be first in my life, next to God…"

  "Oh Jake…" she forgot having any reservations; she hugged him to her and kissed him wildly on the lips. Laughter, and happiness filled the old house and he carried her through each room.

  He glanced down at her then chuckled, "Hey Sam, this feels very familiar, me carrying you through a house, doesn't it…."

  She laughed and cuddled against him as they toured the house together. "I can't believe it's ours…"

  "I like the sound of that," he said and smothered her lips with another kiss.

  "There is one thing…Mom." She hesitated as she looked him in the eye.

  "Selma can live with us if she wants. And if she doesn't, I'll pay Al off for that little house and it will be hers. Oh…there is something I need to tell you…too." Jake stopped again. "I told Selma before I told anyone…."

  "About your being a preacher….?" Samantha smiled.

  "Yeah, she was a big part of the final decision, her witnessing there in her living room for me that
day. I felt she would enjoy the news before anyone." Jake shook his head, "forgive me…"

  "Forgive you…I think," Samantha grabbed his cheeks, "that is the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time. My mother adores you, you know…" Samantha giggled.

  "I'm pretty taken with her too." Jake chuckled.

  "We haven't talked about having kids…" Samantha sounded breathless now.

  Jake nodded, "No we haven't. And I think that should be your decision. I won't force you one way or another. I love children, as you well know, but if you feel we've passed that age and need to go on, I can understand that too."

  Samantha smiled, as he fingers played at his lips, "Let's leave that to God. If he deems it so, we'll have them…if not, we'll just have to love each other enough to fill the gaps."

  Jake's expression was somber, and happy, "That's a great idea."

  "Have you told your family yet?"

  "Only dad…I couldn't let him go off on a honeymoon fretting over what I was about to do or not do."

  "How'd he take the news?"

  Jake shook his head, remembering, "He nearly cried, he was so happy. It kinda took me by surprise. He said it was the one dream my mother had for one of her children and that she would be so proud…."

  "Oh Jake…it's all working out isn't it? I mean, it's like some kind of dream come true. I can't deny, I did have reservations marrying another man in law. But this…I never dreamed…"

  She ran into his arms again and hugged and kissed him a long while. There was so much contentment here she didn't want to ever leave his arms. When he pulled away from another breathless kiss he smiled. "Sam…"He drawled with a sexy smile. "Just because I'm a preacher, doesn't mean I don’t have normal feelings too. I want you so bad. So let's don't prolong this engagement. I want to get married as soon as my dad gets back, and before Reverend Miller officially retires."

  Samantha rested her head on his big chest, and smiled, "I'm all for that, the sooner the better."

  He held her closely and swayed as though there was music, "I'm going to spend a lifetime showing you how good marriage can be, Sam. It feels so good all of this coming together for us, so very good. As though my entire life is all coming together now and it's so darn good I'm afraid to grasp it."

  She turned around to stare up into his face, "Don't ever be afraid to tell me you love me. I promise never to get tired of hearing it. I promise to put you first, and love you always. You can tell me anything…." She whispered before her lips tantalized him into a steamy kiss that threatened them both to a boiling point.

  He pulled away, and set her a little distance from him, "Not that I don't want you Sam. I do. So bad I can hardly stand here and look at you without taking you. But, our wedding night is going to be special Sam…I'll see to that." His eyes were filled with a desire she had never experienced.

  "First," he cleared his throat and turned almost away from her, as though some of the things he was thinking was too much. "I'm going to ask God to bless our marriage and our wedding night. I'm going to ask a special blessing for it, because I plan to make love to you all night long, if I can hold up to it. But before that I'm going to tell you why I love you."

  She smiled and stared with anticipation.

  "I love you…Sam, because your heart is so pure…you give so much, and take so little. Not only to me…but to your mother…to the kids you work with…to everyone you come in contact with. I fell in love with your heart….not your body. Although," he glanced from her head to her toes with nothing but open appreciation, "there is a lot to appreciate there too. When I look at you, I consummate us as one. We are one in spirit, we are soul mates…"

  She smiled, "Soul mates…I like that…"

  "I want you so bad, Sam…but I also know that you are worth waiting for. I've waited a lifetime for love to come along. I can wait a little longer. I think…" he came closer.

  Tears sprang to her eyes, "You are saying such sweet and beautiful things to me and look at me, I've been working in a rose garden all morning, I've got dirt under my fingernails…" she protested.

  "Not dirt…just good clean earth. And I love the smell on you. So…" he pulled her by the hand and they walked through the house once more. "I opened an account at the furniture store downtown and I want you to go and get whatever you want for each room.

  If you find something that needs repair, let me know because me and my brothers will get busy fixing the place up. There are a few things I've already decided needed fixing like the fence and flower beds and we'll put in some trees, although, it has one of the pretties pecan trees out back." He said kissing the top of her head as he dragged her through every room again.

  "Hold me Jake," she suddenly whispered.

  "Forever," he whispered.

  Chapter Ten

  "Sam?"

  "Yes Jake?" Samantha answered the phone a little breathless.

  "Why are you panting?" Jake demanded his worry obvious.

  "I ran to get the phone before Mom woke up, she's not feeling well today," Samantha answered.

  "I'm sorry, honey. Is there anything I can do?" He asked disappointed that Selma was having such a rough time. He wanted to be there for her too.

  "No, she's resting. I thought I'd call the doctor, maybe take her in this afternoon." Samantha explained.

  "That's probably a good idea, honey. Look, I've got to run over to Peaceful today and turn in my badge and get things settled over there. My house and my desk at work. So I'll be gone all day. But if anything comes up and you need me, call me on my cell, okay?"

  "Sure…I understand, you need to do that." Samantha agreed. "You go ahead and I'll talk to you tonight when you get in."

  "Alright honey, but let me know if there is anything…I can do. Oh, and by the way, I've got this chair, well, it's really broke in and so comfortable, I thought maybe we could put it in the bedroom or something, but it might not go with what you pick out. What do you think?"

  "I think you are about the most adorable man I've ever known to ask. Quit worrying, the chair will fit somewhere, bring it on." she chuckled into the phone.

  "Hey, Sam," Jake added hoping this put a smile back on her face. "I love you."

  "I love you too, in case I haven't told you…"

  "You have, but I enjoy hearing you say it," he chuckled into the phone.

  "Good and I have a washer and dryer I'm bringing back too. I might not get it all back today, but I have it."

  "Great. Please be careful though," she said softly.

  "I will, never worry."

  Jake hung up, but he had a bad feeling in his gut about this day and didn't know why. Selma not feeling well bothered him. He felt pulled in staying home to help Samantha and getting the work done. He decided that getting the work done would mean he could concentrate his effort here afterwards, so he knew he'd have to go to Peaceful today, but some gut feeling told him he should stay here.

  "God, I'm putting it in your hands today," he murmured as he went to take a shower.

  Deke came inside the house, he was hot, sweaty and spent the morning mending a fence, and stared bemused at his brother in a towel in the hallway. "Jake, where you headed all gussied up?"

  "Over to Peaceful. Deke have you got a minute?" Jake asked.

  Deke shrugged, "Sure, what's up, bro."

  Jake waved, "Let me get dressed and I'll join you in the kitchen. This won't take long…" he murmured, and then added, "I hope."

  He threw on an old soft pair of jeans and a bright yellow western shirt, and then joined Deke in the kitchen. Deke seemed calm and tired.

  Jake began to pace the kitchen as he went to the fridge and got him a glass of milk. It had always been the answer to a problem. Deke seemed to watch him and frowned. "Uh oh must be bad if you're reaching for the hard stuff."

  Jake looked up from his task to smile at his brother. "Well, not bad, it's just something I've got to confess and I'll feel better."

  "Okay, bro, go ahead and confess, I'm all ears." De
ke stretched in the kitchen chair, leaning back on the legs of the chair, like Emma asked him a hundred times not to do.

  "I'm quitting my job…" Jake blurted, wanting to get to the point and not sure how to go about it.

  Deke's face became a slight frown, he squirmed a little in his chair, not sure how to react to this news. "You're not going to be a Sheriff any longer?"

  "That's right….I'm not." Jake said downing half the milk in one swallow.

  Deke shrugged as though that wasn't the worst news he could hear.

  "I see…you've thought this through, and you're taking the partnership after all?" Deke twisted his head in question.

  "Nope…I'm not taking the partnership Deke…" Jake blurted. "I've even stopped off and talked to them about it, they completely understood."

  Deke frowned again, unable to put the puzzle Jake created together.

  Jake shook his head and blurted it out, "I'm taking Reverend Miller's place."

  He could have heard a pin drop it got so quiet. But not for the reason he anticipated.

  "Reverend Miller…he's a preacher…" Deke studied his brother closely now.

  "I know…that's what I am trying to tell you. I'm going to preach, Deke." Jake admitted, feeling some of the tension leave his body.

  Deke cleared his throat…"You…are?"

  "Yes, and I know this comes as a big surprise to you, a shock maybe. But in college my major wasn't law. It was theology. I took it on purpose. I wanted to take it. I was interested as far back as that, although Darla wanted me to study law. And I had an interest in the law too. Now I've finally made the decision. Reverend Miller wrote me a while back, wanted to know if I would be interested. Said he thought of me and me only for the position and hoped I was finally ready. I was, but I just didn't know how to tell all of you…."

  "Wow...bro…that is….a big surprise. I never even saw that one coming."

  "I know," Jake bowed his head. "I realize now I've been going at this the wrong way all these years. I should have been up front about it long ago. I just didn't know how you would feel about it." Jake admitted, with each word he felt better.