Whispers of Forever
Mending Christmas
Canyon Junction, AZ: Hearts in Love Series #1
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel
By
Mary J. McCoy Dressel
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/WyOcn
Website: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com
COPYRIGHT
All Rights Reserved. This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, scanned, distributed, stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, either now known or in the future, is forbidden without the express written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.
DISCLAIMER: The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his or her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms or accidents that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
First Digital Edition, November 2016 United States of America
Whispers of Forever © 2016 by Mary J. Dressel
Publisher: Teel Blue Books
Cover Design: DusktilDawn Designs
Formatting: LK E-Book Formatting Service
Edited By: Ally Robertson
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidences either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
1:1
Table of Contents
Books by this Author
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Note to Readers
Books by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
About the Author
Books by this Author
Canyon Junction, AZ Series: Hearts in Love Series
Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas
Finding Kimber (2017)
Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny
Tristan’s Destiny, Bonus Book #1.5
Heartbreak’s Reward
Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord
Lassoing the Last Dance (2017)
Bull Rider Series
Howdy, Ma’am
Hey, Cowboy
Christmas at Love House
Dedication
R.G. Rowe
I’ll never forget you.
Chapter 1
Pumpkin lights outlining the window cast a blazing orange glow against the blinds. With her new promotion, she could afford to let them burn into the night, he supposed. A promotion—the one taking his son away from him and away from Canyon Junction. To bigger and better things according to her. Jake Lawton sat in his truck outside his wife’s new townhouse to see his son before knocking on the door for the second time tonight. Had she purposefully not answered the phone or door the first time he came over?
The light remained on in the upper bedroom. This wasn’t the time to dwell on how many nights Paige had slept alone…or not. The window upstairs on the right belonged to his son. Had he slept as peacefully as he used to on the ranch?
The court had decided with her on the move after he’d done everything right to make the ranch profitable and to provide a good life for his family. She took their son away from all that he loved…the horses, his dog Kasha, him. No matter how he tried to fight it, she was moving and taking Trace with her. Jake wasn’t done fighting for him yet.
Lights came from around the corner behind him. The vehicle pulled into a parking spot beside her parked car in the lot. The driver side door opened, and a man got out to go around to her side of his car. Jake laughed. She didn’t wait for whoever he was to open her door and never had with him, either. She glanced across the parking lot, took a step back from the guy, and stuck her hand out for a handshake. When the man got back into his car and pulled away, she headed toward the front door but paused. Sure, Jake could’ve followed him to find out who the hell he was. Then what? Paige had seen him sitting here. Jake shoved the door open.
Paige didn’t go inside but came to the edge of the sidewalk. He willed himself to remain calm.
“Jake, what are you doing? Following me?”
“Don’t be silly. Where’s my boy? Did you forget I was coming over to see T.J.?” He put his hat on, got out, and leaned against the truck, still wanting to see his son. “It looked like you were home. I was about to knock on the door again.”
“I’m sorry, I forgot.”
“Where’s Trace?” He folded his arms across his chest and nodded toward the upstairs. “The light’s on up there. I figured that’s where you were.”
Paige rubbed her arms, turning toward the upstairs. “Well, it shouldn’t be on. You might as well come in. I have to send him…the babysitter home.”
A guy babysat his son? He sauntered toward the front door. “How come nobody answered the damn door when I knocked? Why didn’t you let me watch him?”
“He’s someone I know. I left instructions for him not to let anyone in. I swear, Jake, I forgot you were coming.”
Whatever you say. “I don’t like a guy watching my boy. Do I know him?”
“I doubt it. He’s the son of someone I work with. Trace plays baseball with his younger brother. Are you coming in so we don’t make a scene out here?”
Jake wasn’t there to make a scene. He wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity. “I suppose Trace is sleeping by now. You didn’t answer your phone.” He peered at his watch. “Don’t play games with me about seeing Trace. This is bullshit.”
Paige unlocked the door. A teenager sat on the sofa playing a video game. Jake nodded to him. The confused look on the kid’s face said it all. One guy picked her up—a different guy brought her home. Hmm. “How’s it going? I’m Trace’s dad.” He squinted. “I know you. You’ve been out to the JL Ranch down east of the 60.”
“Yeah, I have. I went out there to pick up my brother once or twice when he was practicing with Trace.”
She headed toward the stairway. “Have a seat, Jake. I’ll run up to change and check on Trace—”
“Let me look in on him. He expected me tonight.” Jake headed toward the stairway.
Paige hesitated for a few seconds, came off the bottom step, and pulled money from her pocket to pay the kid. She stood at the door until he pulled away. She faced Jake. “I guess. Please don’t wake him.”
“I won’t. You should’ve let me watch him, and I’d have taken him to school in the morning.”
She called after him when he was half way up. “He’s doing fine, you know.”
His brow furrowed at her unconcerned attitude. “No, I don’t know, Paige. Detention and lowered grades says otherwise. How can he be? He misses me and the ranch…his home. You don’t have to do this.” Before she changed her mind, he rushed up and turned right to Trace’s bedroom. A dim light burned on a cheap pine dresser. His boy slept in a twin bed surrounded by a matching chest and bedside table. A few familiar toys sat around the room along with his bats and ball glove.
Jake
took a straight-backed chair and turned it around to sit on backwards, folding his arms along the back. Sitting beside the bed, he watched his son’s chest rise with each tranquil breath. How would they cope when she took him away? He lowered his head to his arms.
“Dad? You made it!”
Jake smiled to find him awake. “Hey, buddy. I came by for a visit earlier, but I guess you two didn’t hear me knocking. It’s late now.” He sat on the side of the bed and placed his hand on Trace’s shoulder. “Go back to sleep.”
Jake sat back in the chair until T.J. fell asleep. This was going to kill them both. No more tucking him in at night.
When she came upstairs to her bedroom, he glanced toward the door. Damn her. He pulled the sheet up before going downstairs, clearing his throat in the hallway so she’d know. A few moments later, she came down dressed in yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt. One of his shirts as a matter of fact. Her brunette hair was released and set free to fall over her shoulders. His gut twisted when her brown eyes focused on him. “You don’t even like hockey. Can I have my shirt back?”
She went up two steps, stopped with her back to him, tore the shirt off, then threw it at him before proceeding back up the stairs.
He tossed the shirt over his shoulder, getting a whiff of the familiar perfume she had on tonight. “Paige…”
She ignored him until she returned, wearing one of her own overly large t-shirts. “Do you want a glass of wine if you’re hanging around? Or a beer?” She went to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of sweet tea.
“Sure, I’ll take a beer.” He followed, waiting in the doorway as she got a bottle from the fridge. “Please don’t take my boy all the way across the country.”
With her back to him, she sighed. Her shoulders rose with another deep breath afterward. “Jake, I have to take this job.”
“Then leave him with me. We’ve discussed this, and it would be better for him. You know it in your heart.”
She faced him, attempting to leave the kitchen, but Jake didn’t move. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder from the front, and she remained beside him, peering at the white tiled floor. The warmth of her body seeped into his arm. She smelled sweet, floral like. “Paige…” Jake set his bottle down and took the chance to embrace her. Her body stiffened under his touch, but she didn’t try to pull away.
“Don’t do this. Please…” Her words trailed off.
“There’s no reason.” His breath caught. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know, though he had to ask. “The guy who brought you home? You’re seeing him?”
“No… It…it was a business dinner, nothing else. My job is the reason I’m leaving. Not…not another, another m-man.”
Jake released her. Her line was almost convincing. “It makes no sense for you to leave town.”
Without making eye contact with him, she muttered, “You could’ve come with us.”
“Why’d you mention a divorce then? Because I said no? Because I can’t leave my ranch? My business is for Trace’s future, our future. Money isn’t an issue for us. You’re aware of that.”
“Stop! I grew up in a small town. Canyon Junction is smaller, and I don’t want to stay in this little town any longer. Don’t you get it? We both know it isn’t going to work. Don’t we, Jake? Maybe your precious Beth would be satisfied, but I’m not.”
All right, there it was. What a surprise. Not. “Why do you keep throwing her up to me? She’s been gone from Canyon Junction for thirteen fu…damn years—”
“The rumors about her never stop—”
“Maybe because they aren’t rumors. She and I are a part of this town’s past. People like to reminisce. I don’t!” Jake lifted his hands to his head. “My relationship with her happened way before I met you, Paige. You’re the one I married.”
“Because you had to.”
“Regardless, you’re the one I married with no regrets—”
Paige shook her head and stomped away. “I wanted to travel, but then…then Trace came along and before I knew it, I was a tied-down wife and mother.”
His cheeks puffed out as he held his words in, but not for long. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Yeah, I get it more every time I see you. Maybe you’re fooling yourself. It’ll come out eventually. Let me fix what needs fixing. If you don’t think I’ve done—”
“You have, and you’ve had a complete turnaround from who you used to be, but…”
Jake swallowed another gulp of beer, set the half-filled bottle on the counter, and headed toward the living room. Her but didn’t go any further. He picked up his hat from the table and stopped at the exit door. She wasn’t getting off that easy. “But?”
Her eyes remained fixed on the floor. “I want more. I’ve had enough of ranching.”
“The ranch used to be all you wanted. That’s why I took it over from my parents and built it up. For us.” He blew out a breath and glanced at the lighted pumpkin in the living room. Jake sighed. “Well, go get your more, but leave my son with me. He never said he wanted more. Have you asked him? He wants to stay with me.” Jake paused to catch his breath. “I’ll pick up Trace after school Friday.” He strutted out and down the steps until he got to his truck. Stopping for a moment, he glanced back. The door slammed. He’d hire a new lawyer. This wasn’t over.
***
The next morning, he did, in fact, call a new lawyer. Tom Brandt, a big shot recommended by Jase Carlson, a friend and customer who bought hay and supplies from him. After breakfast, he’d get the ranch hands situated and meet with him—happy the lawyer could, as a favor to Jase, fit him in right away. If Paige wanted to move away, it was her choice, but he was tired of her making choices that affected his life…and Trace’s.
Still early, he went to the barn to brush down and saddle his horse, a spunky bay stallion with enough white on his legs to look like he wore knee socks. Atlas neighed and grunted while Jake spread the blanket over his back. The sound was like music to Jake’s ears. “Ready to ride, Atlas?” He’d bring his son’s stubborn dapple gray along for the exercise. “That’a boy, Blue. We’ll get you out there for a half hour.” He tied his bay to a hitching post while he checked Blue’s hooves.
He got on his horse and took Blue’s rope as they trotted out toward the desert. Jake peered at the sky, lowering his hat to shade his eyes from the burning sun and continued. It’d been nearly four months since Paige had told him about her job promotion. How proud he was of her until she’d mentioned where it was. Baltimore? She’d made it seem like no big deal when she’d asked him to give up everything he had worked hard for to move to the big city with her. To become what?
He couldn’t. Sure, he’d be with his son, but he’d be half a man, and he didn’t want Trace to see him as an empty shell. City life wasn’t for him. Ranch life was no longer for her. Trace got stuck in the middle. Paige planned on leaving Canyon Junction soon. Getting her to put a date on the day of departure was impossible, as if she had planned on sneaking off in the night.
***
In the early afternoon, Jake met with Tom Brandt and explained the situation. “I need to know if I have a chance to turn the court’s decision around. To make Paige leave my son with me, or at least not to take him out of the state.” He shook his head in frustration. “It’s the only home he’s ever known. What the hell ever happened to the idea of me needing to approve something like that?”
“We can file an appeal, but I’m not sure it’ll happen too soon with the holidays coming up,” said Tom. “I’ll talk to the judge to try to find out his reasoning. If it’s something you’ve done, we need to clear it up before I file the appeal.”
Jake stood abruptly. “What? I haven’t done anything. I’ve never been arrested. The worst thing I’ve ever done was get speeding tickets and maybe tossed out of a bar for being a bit disorderly years ago. I don’t do that shit anymore since I quit binge drinking,” he said, gulping. “Unless you want to count the time when I was twenty and ran off with my seventeen-year-old
high school sweetheart—she was nearly eighteen. Her dad called the sheriff on us. Hell, nothing even happened, Tom.”
“I understand.” Tom straightened a family photo sitting near the corner of his desk beside a bottle of hand sanitizer.
“The county found us before… Well, Deputy Thompson found us and took her back home. This was way before he became the sheriff.” Jake shuddered at the memory. “Nothing went on my record. I’m only telling you this because Paige knows about it, so she could bring it up.” Embarrassed to talk about his past years, he flicked his gaze away. He observed the walls in the office, which held licenses and certificates, sports paraphernalia and banners.
Tom looked up from the papers. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. I’ll check records just in case. It’s even hard for me to understand why the judge allowed her to move him out of state when you’re contesting it.”
“Thank you. My son wants to stay, but he’s torn. He told me it makes him sick knowing he has to leave. What he wants is to be with both of us, but that isn’t going to happen unless she changes her mind, which is doubtful. Or I walk away from what I’ve built up.” Jake got up and paced, proceeding to tell Tom about Trace’s recent behavior in school. “Why make him start over when this is his home?”
“Has your son told your wife? How old is he, and did he tell the judge he wanted to stay with you?”
“No, he’s too intimidated by his mom. Trace doesn’t want to hurt her feelings. He’s nine. The judge never asked his opinion.” He did a quick perusal of the papers Tom handed him.
“We’ll take one step at a time… I’d like to talk to your son.” Tom checked the time. “I’ll get over to the courthouse today, and I’ll call you in a couple days.”
“She expects me to sit back and let it happen. He’s my only child, and I can’t lose him.” Jake read over and signed the papers, reached across the desk to shake Tom’s hand, and strolled to the door to leave. “I appreciate you taking my case, getting me in so quick.”
Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1) Page 1
