“I already trust you, Jude. Jimmy told me I could, and that means you have nothing to make up for. All is already forgiven. I won’t even ask you what happened.”
“But I’m going to tell you all about it. I want you to understand.”
“Then, let’s put that off until later. Now, I want to enjoy Jimmy’s birthday dinner and think of the wonderful message he gave us today.”
“Ms. Kay, what do you mean by that?”
“Let’s tell him how it all came about, Jude.” She took a deep breath and then explained how Jude had come to the office and she’d asked him to go to Arlington with her. “Gilbert, you know how I talk to Jimmy when I go there. Well, today I introduced Jude. Then after I placed my bet…you tell him what you said, Jude.”
“I told Jimmy I loved his mother with all my heart and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I asked him to send her a sign to let her know I was telling the truth. I told him it didn’t matter whether or not I understood the sign, but to please give her one she couldn’t mistake.”
Kay took up the story. “You won’t believe what happened then, Gilbert. An Air Force jet just like the one Jimmy flew came over the cemetery, flying low. I thought it was having trouble, but it wasn’t. As it was over us, it tipped its right wing twice, then flew off.”
“Oh, my word. Jimmy sent you the signal that everything was okay with him.” Gilbert grabbed his chest.
“No, Gilbert. Jimmy brought me the signal.” Kay looked at Jude. He still looked as if he didn’t know what was going on. “Honey, when Jimmy was in training and he was going to fly over the ranch, if he could he’d always let me know what time he’d be coming. I’d go outside and he’d fly low enough to tip his right wing at me twice to let me know everything was fine and he loved me. He did the same thing today.”
Jude smiled. “It was just what I asked for, a signal that you would understand. Now, I understand it, too.”
“But, Ms. Kay, I know you realize it couldn’t have been Jimmy in the plane.”
“You’re wrong, Gilbert. It was Jimmy flying that jet. Do you know how I know?” They both shook their heads and looked at her shiny eyes. “When I went back to the car, I asked the limo driver about the jet that went over. He was less than fifty yards from us, yet he hadn’t heard or seen a thing.”
Gilbert stared at her.
Finally, Jude said, “I looked around the graveyard and nobody was paying any attention to it except us. That did puzzle me, because there was no way they couldn’t have heard the thing. It was awfully loud as it flew by.”
Kay smiled at them. “It doesn’t puzzle me. Jimmy flew that jet over for Jude and me to see. Nobody else saw it. It was a sign from him and it was meant for our eyes only. He was telling us he approved of our love.”
“I feel strange about it in a way, but I’m not going to question it. I asked for a sign and a sign was what we got.” Jude reached for Kay’s hand and gave it a squeeze, then let it go. “I’m grateful for Jimmy’s approval in any form because I really love this woman.”
“My goodness, my goodness.” Gilbert looked at them. “Are you sure about his love, Ms. Kay?”
“I’m positive, Gilbert. I hope you’ll be happy for us.”
Gilbert nodded. “Just give me a few days to get used to the idea and I’m sure I’ll be delirious.”
“Wonderful. Now that it’s all settled, please pass me the black bean salad.”
CHAPTER 20
After Gilbert cleaned the kitchen he came to the living room door and paused. He couldn’t help smiling when he saw Kay looking so relaxed. She’d taken her shoes off and was sitting on the sofa next to Jude. She had her head on his chest and he had his arms around her and they both had contented looks on their faces as they watched a movie he knew she’d seen several times. He didn’t know about Jude. He just hoped the man was what Ms. Kay said. Open and honest. So far, he liked the man, but he couldn’t abide seeing her hurt anymore.
He cleared his throat.
They turned to look at him. “Yes, Gilbert?” Kay said.
“Before I go up to my room, shall I make up the guest room for Mr. Jude?”
She looked as if she was thinking. Jude glanced at her with a question in his eye. He didn’t say a word.
Gilbert went on. “I’ll take his suitcase up as I go. I see it in the hall.”
There was a slight pause, then in a quiet voice, Kay said, “Take his suitcase to my room, Gilbert. There’s no need to make up the guest room.”
Jude tightened his arms around her as surprise and maybe a little shock crossed Gilbert’s face. Though he looked as if he might question her instructions, he didn’t.
“Yes, Ms. Kay.” He picked up the suitcase and headed up the stairs. “Good night.”
“Good night, Gilbert,” Kay and Jude said almost in unison.
•♥ •
She turned back to the movie and Jude put his cheek on the top of her head. “Thank you,” he whispered.
She nodded.
A little while later, he whispered again, “I’ve seen this movie before.”
“So have I.”
“Other than the fact it gives me a chance to hold you in my arms like this, why are we watching it since we’ve both seen it?”
“I don’t know. The boy gets the girl, you know.”
“Does he?” He took hold of her chin and tilted her head toward him. “I know he sure wants the girl.”
“Right now?”
“Right now, and forever.”
She picked up the remote and snapped off the television. She stood and looked down at him, offering her hand.
Without a word, he grinned and stood. He put his arm around her and with no need for talk they climbed the stairs together.
Later, fulfilled and happy, she lay in his arms. Her right hand was on his chest and her fingers were curling the hair which grew there.
“I like it when you do that,” he said.
“Good. I’ll put that on my list of things I know you like. I want to learn all the things that please you.”
“Everything you do pleases me.” He pulled her closer. “I brought you something. I meant to give it to you while we were downstairs, but when you told Gilbert to bring my suitcase to your room I was so flabbergasted I forgot.”
“Surprised you, huh?”
“Yes, but it was one of the best surprises I’ve ever had.”
“Good. I want to keep surprising you with things you like.”
“I sure like making love to you. You’re a wonderful lover, you know. You make a man feel like a king.”
“You have a way of pleasing a woman that makes her want to do everything she can to make you happy.”
“And after the way I treated you, I could hardly believe you’d give yourself to me completely.”
“It’s because of the sign. I have no doubts about you now.”
He kissed her gently. “You amaze me Kay Littleton.”
“How so?”
“You’ve never asked me once why I was so horrible to you the day I almost let you slip out of my life.”
“I’ve been curious, but I was afraid it was something I didn’t want to hear.”
“Like what?”
“Worst scenario is that there’s another woman, and I’m only an interlude.”
“You’re way off from the truth, but before I explain it to you, I want to get one thing settled.”
“Okay. What’s that?”
He let her go and sat up. “I’ll be right back. As I said I have something for you and I want to give it to you now. Afterward, we’ll talk about the reason.”
She watched his big, yet lean frame walk to the chair where Gilbert had put the suitcase. He opened it and took something out. In seconds, he was back beside her in bed.
“It must not be very big.” She giggled.
“I hope it’s big enough.”
She frowned and he went on. “I meant to do this properly when we were downstairs, but fo
r us, I think this is more appropriate. Everything about our romance has been different so far. I might as well do this differently, too.” He put one arm around her. “I know the accepted way is for me to get down on my knees, but it feels more right to have you in my arms.” He snuggled his chin in her hair. “Kay, will you marry me?”
“Yes, darling I will. There’s nothing I want more than to marry you.”
“Then, will you wear this to show the world you’re mine?” He took the three-carat diamond ring from the palm of his hand and slipped it on her finger.
“Oh, Jude, it’s beautiful, and it fits perfectly.” She kissed him again. “You’ve made me so happy.”
“That goes double for me.”
“I never thought I could love a man as much as I love you, Jude Winslow.”
“To think it’s only taken me fifty plus years to find the woman God meant for me to be with all along.”
She laughed. She was holding her hand up and looking at her ring. “I just thought of something. You brought it before we made up because you knew I’d say yes, didn’t you?”
“I wasn’t positive, but I hoped and prayed and I wanted to be prepared just in case.”
“I love you, Jude Winslow,” she said again.
“And you must know I love you more than life itself.” He swallowed. “Honey, I’ve thought about a lot of things while I was searching for you. I’ve decided if you want to stay in politics I’ll sell the farm and move here with you. I’ll…”
“Shhh,” she placed her hand gently on his mouth. “If you sold your farm you’d have to sell the cabin, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, but…”
“No,” she said. “Don’t you dare sell our cabin or your farm or anything you own. I have no intention of staying in politics, well…” She hesitated. “When I thought you didn’t want me I’d decided I might run again, but everything’s changed. I want to go back to my original plan. After this term, I’m retiring from politics and moving to North Carolina. Getting you is a wonderful bonus.”
His heart soared. “Oh, Kay. How can a man as stupid as I’ve been get so lucky?”
“You’re not stupid, Jude. You might jump to conclusions sometimes, but you’re not stupid.”
“I’ve pulled some bonehead tricks in my time and I probably will again, but from this day on I promise you one thing. I’ll never stop loving you.” He chuckled, “Of course, even when I didn’t think we would ever see each other again, I loved you. I tried to tell myself I didn’t, but I couldn’t squash the feelings I had for you. It was my hard-headed mountain pride that made me try to stop caring in the first place.”
“Maybe your hard-headed mountain pride is one thing I can’t resist about you. When you came into my office this morning I was stunned, but I had every intention of sending you on your way. You’d hurt me and I didn’t want to be hurt again. Still, when you put your arms around me and told me we loved each other, I had no argument. I knew you were telling the truth.” She snuggled closer to him. “Now, look where it has gotten me. Here I am, the sensible senator, cuddled in bed with a man I’m risking my reputation and my pride for. If you think Gilbert was shocked, what do you think my colleagues will say?”
“We won’t tell them until we’re married, and then we won’t care what they say.”
“That sounds like a good plan. I knew you weren’t stupid.”
He chuckled again and held her closer. “And to think, I was fool enough to let you walk out of my life a few days ago.”
“Why did you turn your back on me, Jude?” Her voice was a whisper.
He took a deep breath and told her about the phone call and how devastated he was to find out falsely that she had connived and used her grandfather and was now living with a man in Washington. He then explained about the letter. He ended with, “I knew I had to have you back, Kay. I would’ve turned into a bitter, lonely old man if it hadn’t been for that letter. Even before reading it, I knew I’d never love another woman. I figured it was my fate to work on the farm without love, then die someday, as I said, bitter and unhappy.” He sighed. “I bought the ring and came up here expecting to beg and plead, but you accepted me without question and with open arms. It gives me a wonderful feeling, but at the same time, I feel ashamed and unworthy because of the way I acted.”
“Please don’t feel that way, Jude. I came close to doing the same thing simply because you’d spurned me. It was my pride that wanted to send you away, not my heart. I’m glad now my heart won.”
“So am I, darling. So am I.” Jude covered her lips with his.
She responded.
Time for talking was over. In an instant, they were swept away in their love.
•♥ •
Jude kissed Kay good-bye the next morning, then opened the front door and watched her go down the steps to the waiting limo. It was going to be a regular work day at her senate office and he was going to fill the day with seeing some of the sights of Washington he hadn’t seen in a long time. They decided it’d be best for her not to wear her engagement ring to work, because the engagement might distract from the fact she was trying to get the education bill passed. They’d even decided not to tell Gilbert until tonight. But, as she was getting dressed for work, she said she couldn’t leave without her ring.
“Honey, they’re used to me wearing costume rings. I’ll put a couple of my colorful rings on each side of it and nobody will notice or if they do, they’ll never guess it’s real.”
“If that’s what you want to do. You’re calling the shots in your town.” Jude winked at her. “I’ll be the boss when we get home.”
“I can’t wait until I can call Coverton Mills my home and you my boss.”
“Neither can I.” He chuckled. “Of course, I’m like Neil. I know who the real boss in our family will be.”
After Kay’s car drove away, Jude went into the kitchen. He took a seat at the small breakfast table.
“Would you like some more coffee, Mr. Jude?”
“Yes. Thank you.” As the housekeeper poured the coffee, Jude asked, “Gilbert, what are Kay’s favorite flowers?”
“Let me think.” He scrunched up his face. “I know she really likes the desert lupine and the desert pincushion. At the ranch, we have a wall covered with sand verbena, and she was fond of it.”
Jude raised his eyebrow. “I’ve never heard of any of those. Could I find them here?”
“Probably not.” He looked at Jude. “I assume you want to send Ms. Kay some flowers.”
“I thought she might like it, because I gave her flowers once and she liked them.”
Gilbert nodded. “I’m sure she would enjoy them. Now if you want to make an impression, see if the florist has wild flowers. She loves wild flowers. If you can’t get an arrangement of all wildflowers tell them to put in lots of daisies and Queen Anne’s lace. Both of those grow wild.”
“Thank you, Gilbert. I’ll do that.” He took a drink of the coffee. “Next question, can you recommend a florist?”
“Oh, yes.” He flipped a booklet near the telephone. Handing it to Jude he said, “This is the one Ms. Kay uses when she needs flowers for entertaining or any other reason. She’s a loyal customer, so I’m sure they’ll do you an excellent job when they learn who the flowers are for.”
“It doesn’t seem like I’m doing anything but thanking you this morning, Gilbert, but I do appreciate you being so helpful.”
Gilbert nodded and watched the big farmer dial the number. He tried not to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help smiling when he heard Jude say, “Ma’am, I’m not trying to confuse you. I simply want to get the kind of flowers the lady likes.”
After the order was placed and Jude hung up the phone, he shook his head at Gilbert. “I guess it’s my Southern drawl. She acted as if I was from a foreign country and was speaking my native tongue.”
“It happens, Mr. Jude. Chances are she could have a dialect herself.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to hurt yo
ur feelings or be nosy or rude, but may I ask you a personal question?”
“Of course.”
“You know I love Ms. Kay. I’d do anything in the world I can to protect her.” When Jude didn’t say anything, Gilbert went on, “When she came back from North Carolina, she was a mess. Her heart was broken. It was almost as bad as the day she learned Jimmy was dead. I can’t stand seeing her hurt that way so what I want to ask you is, are you going to hurt her again?”
Jude gave him a slow smile. “No, Gilbert. I’ll never hurt her again. I’m in love with the woman and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
“So it wasn’t a girlfriend, or anything like that, that made her so sad?”
Jude shook his head. “No, it wasn’t a girlfriend, Gilbert. It was my own stupidity. I believed a viscous lie and when I found out the truth I felt the lowest I’ve ever felt in my life. I still do. I just pray that someday I’ll be able to make it up to her.”
“I’m only thankful it wasn’t another woman. Ms. Kay contended with enough of that with Senator James.”
Jude looked surprised. “You mean he cheated on her?”
“Unless she asks don’t tell her I told you this, but yes, he cheated. Constantly. Of course it didn’t start, or we didn’t discover it, until they’d been married a while.
“Jimmy’s twelfth birthday was coming up, and we came here from the ranch so he could be with his father on his birthday as a surprise for Senator James. It turned out to be a surprise for us. When Ms. Kay was putting her belongings away she discovered another woman had been sleeping in their bedroom. Of course, she wasn’t sleeping there alone.”
He took a deep breath. “I think she would’ve left him then, but Jimmy was so excited about spending his birthday in Washington with his father, she didn’t have the heart to disappoint the boy. Later, the senator talked her into staying with him, and eventually she grew to either accept or ignore his indiscretions.”
“He must have been a bigger fool then I am, Gilbert. I can’t imagine a man lucky enough to have Kay would ever be tempted to look at another female much less have a tryst with one.”
Second Chance Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 2) Page 17
