Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  Still standing behind him, she whispered with empathy in her voice, “Yes,” and squeezed his shoulders.

  Jake scrolled to the bottom of the test, and read: “Probability of Paternity 99.9998%. “My God!” Jake laid his head against Beth and peered up at her. “He’s my boy.” Close to tears himself, he closed his eyes.

  “He’s always been your boy, baby.” Beth’s eyes teared, and she kissed his forehead. “I’m so happy. I feel like he’s my boy, too.”

  “He will be. When you marry me, he will be. Damn, but life is great!” Jake got up and picked her up, and like on the street earlier, he spun her around. He needed another drink, a soda to wet his throat.

  “La vita e bella! Life is beautiful, sweetie.”

  Jake grinned with pleasure. “It’s so sexy when you speak Italian. You need to do it more often.”

  “Maybe.”

  Jake lowered her to the floor and sat back down. He closed out all the documents and cleared history. “I have to destroy the other fake test.”

  “You should. Can you imagine Trace coming upon it one day? Destroy it, but only if you never plan on pursuing the creator of it.”

  “I don’t care anymore.” Jake got up. “I’ll go up and shred the piece of crap right now, and I can only hope there isn’t another copy somewhere.” As far as he knew, this was the only one besides the other copy he had given his lawyer, which he’d demand be shredded.

  “All righty. I’ll go sit with Trace.”

  “If he’s sleeping, I’ll help him get to bed, and you and I are hitting the hot tub.”

  They parted in the hallway. At the foot of the stairs, he glanced back. Beth plopped down beside Trace, but not close enough to crowd him out. Jake smiled to himself and climbed the stairs.

  Upstairs, Jake unlocked the file cabinet and pulled out the folder. He ripped the letter and the report in half and dropped to the bed while still holding it. Your little game didn’t work, Paige. And it wouldn’t have. No way would he have gone down without a fight, even if she had shown him. Jake rose and stretched his arms straight up to loosen his tightened muscles.

  He laid the papers on his dresser and opened the top drawer. Way in the back under his socks sat a black box he had recently brought in from an old wooden chest he had stored in the barn. He clasped it, brought it out, and flipped it open. Humph. That’s a puny diamond compared to the new one. But hey, he wasn’t twenty anymore. He stuck the ring back where it was, grabbed the papers, and went down to the office to shred. As soon as the teeth grabbed it and tore it into many pieces, he released a breath. Done. Then he picked up the phone to leave a message for his lawyer. Check.

  Jake entered the family room and sat on the other side of Trace. “What are you watching…son?”

  “A Christmas Story. It’s on every year. I’m tired. How many times will that kid lick a pole?” Trace hit the Guide and let them read what it was about.

  Jake and Beth both said, “It’s a great Christmas movie.” They peered at each other and grinned.

  Trace leaned against Jake and rubbed his eyes. Jake put his arm around Trace, winked at Beth, and mouthed the words, hot tub.

  “Let’s get you to bed, bud. Come on, Kasha.” Jake escorted him up. Kasha jumped on the foot of the bed and Trace lay down. “I love you, T.J. Go to sleep. We’ll go riding tomorrow.”

  “I love you, Daddy. Come on up here, Kasha.” Trace patted the bed beside him, and his dog crawled up. Jake turned the light off, left the door open a few inches, and stood in the hall a moment to collect himself. A few minutes later he went into his bedroom to get the monitor in case Trace woke. Eating ice cream this late could bring on a nightmare as it did sometimes.

  Jake unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt on the way downstairs, finding Beth waiting for him, to finish the buttons herself. “I love when you strip my clothes off,” he whispered. His lips pressed against the skin of her neck.

  Beth motioned to the monitor.

  “T.J might wake up and need me. He knows you’re staying, but I don’t want him wandering in on us.”

  Beth finished the last button. She pulled his shirt low over his shoulders and ran her fingers over his chest. His arms encircled her to draw her closer.

  “Your body’s beautiful.” She ringed her arms around his neck, pressing her body into his—kissing his throat with sizzling lips. He caressed her hips and lowered his fingers to her sexy ass.

  Leaning close, Jake gave her time to anticipate what he’d feel like inside of her. Her lips against his flesh brought him alive. Her hair was soft, silky, and thick. He balled it into his fist, pulling her head back to expose her slim neck. This woman brought out the man he was supposed to be—her lover, and he wasn’t about to wait much longer to prove she was his alone. Between breaths, he whispered, “Let’s get some towels.”

  “Do you have any champagne? We have your wonderful news to celebrate. Us as a couple, as well.”

  His breaths were ragged by now. He trembled as he spoke, “All right. I’ll get the champagne if you wanna get the towels, but hurry.” When Beth nodded, Jake pulled his shirt up over his shoulders. “I’ll meet you in the hot tub. I can’t wait.”

  Beth wiggled her eyebrows then smiled. “Same here, cowboy.”

  ***

  He strode toward the kitchen with Beth’s gaze all over the back of him. Wow. Sometimes she couldn’t believe this was reality. She and Jake were back together again, and she wanted forever with him so badly. She shook herself out of her musings and got two towels from the linen closet down the long hallway. Taking them to the hot tub area, she went inside the room to settle in, first dangling her fingertips into the water.

  The temperature was superb. Moisture settled on the windows in the enclosed room. Why would they want to soak in hot water when it was so warm outside? She smiled. Of course, it was the atmosphere, and their near naked bodies together, sweating. Oh! All of her senses sprung to life. She spotted matches and lit two candles, but moved them away from the hot tub so the faint light would surround their area.

  Jake liked his hot tub. She hadn’t been a fan, but the last time in there with him changed everything. It hadn’t been water keeping her warm, but the anticipation of becoming one with him. Now, she knew why soaking in a hot tub never appealed to her before. Being in there with the man she loved made the difference.

  He tapped on the door. She rushed to open it. Jake stood outside with a bottle in one hand, glasses in the other, and the monitor under his arm. What a sexy man! Shirt open, jeans low on his waist now that he had removed his belt, and he had a twelve-hour shadow on his face. It looked good on him. Ruggedness came to her mind. She’d seen him like that at twenty-years old after working on the ranch all day, but he didn’t appear a whole lot different now. More grown up. Masculine. He had a slightly different kind of handsome as a one hundred percent full-grown male. Sexy. Confident. Hot!

  Beth collected herself and took the glasses from him. He set the champagne down, and she grasped his arm before he opened the bottle. “Let’s get you undressed.” She removed his shirt and undid the button on his jeans. “Mmm, it’s my turn tonight, honey. I want to show you what I’ve learned. You’re a great teacher, but more importantly for you, I’m a fabulous student.”

  Jake popped the top off the bottle, sat it down again, and held her. “No, darlin’. What I’m thinking is we’re a good team. What was meant to be… God slap me now for saying silly verses.” He picked up the bottle and poured champagne into both glasses, handed her a glass, and chuckled. “Maybe you shouldn’t drink this.”

  Beth took the glass and smelled the contents. Bubbles tickled her nose, and she almost sneezed. “Why not?” She rubbed her nose.

  “Because the last time, we started working on a baby. A few times. Maybe it took.”

  “Took? You know in high school no one believed Marcie when she said she only had sex once and got pregnant.”

  Jake took a drink, picked up her glass, and set them both down o
ver on the side of the hot tub. Sauntering back to where she waited, he lifted the top over her head. He wiggled his eyebrows at her red bra. “Ah, ha, now I see how this works. One day you wear the bikinis and another day you wear the bra. Does this mean you don’t have any panties on?” He lay his hand on her abdomen and slid his palm down lower and inside her waistband. “Hmm, interesting, and lacy. What color?”

  “You’ll have to find out.” Beth unhooked her jeans and without a moment’s hesitation, Jake had them yanked down to her ankles.

  “I like red and black. Nice.” He ran his hands around to her backside to find her panties were a thong.

  Beth laughed hilariously when his finger traced the single strip of silk in the back. “You like?”

  He peeked around her body, his gaze checking out every inch. “I love it all.” But, he jerked them down.

  His eyes glowed with passion. Beth stood there in nothing while he still wore jeans. “Take them off. Let them drop, honey, unless you have something in the way to hold them up.”

  “I do.” He removed his grey trunks. Beth’s lips quirked at the sight of him. She raised her eyes to his. She had been caught ogling, but couldn’t help but glance down again. He knew exactly how the sight of him entranced her. Oh, well!

  Smiling, he waved his hand in front of her. “Ah, hey, eyes up here. I believe you told me the same thing enough times in high school.”

  “Only when my breasts finally got large, and you stared all the time, like you’re staring now.” She reached behind to unhook her bra and let it fall to the floor. Beth hugged him, purposefully pressing her body against his. “Are we getting into the water?”

  “Uh uh. I’m carrying you up to my bedroom.” Jake lifted her off her feet and headed for the door. “I want you wet but not from the water.”

  “No! Wait. I want more delizioso champagne.”

  He lowered her to the floor and placed his hand against his forehead. “There you go with the Italian again. You know, I’m not kidding about it turning me on a lot. Think it’s a fetish?”

  “No, but maybe your underwear thing is.” Beth picked up Jake’s shirt and slipped it on. The room remained warm and humid, but if they were going upstairs, she wasn’t going naked.

  Jake handed her the monitor and the bottle. He blew out candles and stuck the matches in the drawer. “Come on, woman. My new bed is ready for its second, no fourth or fifth, christening with my favorite redhead.”

  “It so happens I love your new bed. Your designer has great taste.”

  He unfolded a towel and wrapped it around his waist. “Hey, I had something to do with it. She said something about log, and then mentioned barn wood. I growled—argh! Woof!” He grabbed the glasses in one hand, winking.

  Beth laughed, but stopped at the door. “What if we run into Trace before we get upstairs?”

  “Marconi. You’re procrastinating. Do I have to take you back to the damn barn?” Jake glanced at the hot tub, took the bottle from her, and filled the glasses. “Relight those candles. We’ll stay right here if you’re worried.” He set glasses on the ridge at the back of the hot tub and held out his hand. Setting the monitor nearby, she sashayed toward him.

  Standing in front of Jake, she backed him against the wall, took his hands behind her, holding them there. My prisoner. “Kiss me, before you change your mind again. Kiss me good.” She closed her eyes and lifted her chin, waiting to feel the pressure of his mouth against hers. His lips connected with hers in a reckless, open mouth, tongue tangling, wet, and sexy kiss. She released his hands. Jake drew her closer to his hard body. “All of you is what I want.”

  He lifted her, and her legs spread around him—her warm and ready center pressed into him. Jake turned around and leaned her back against the wall, and he took her right there, hard and passionately. Strong and wholly. Beth’s head dropped back against the wall as she opened her eyes to watch him make love to her—a sight too good to be imagined in her dreams. His eyes were partially closed, and his lips parted slightly, dreamily taking in breath after breath. “Honey…” Moans were all she could get out as she faded away on a wild slice of passion—her body floating on a sea of bliss and desire. “Omigod!” she screamed out as she held him.

  “Speak Italian,” he said in a quick breath as he gave her everything she could take.

  “Ti amo, amore mio,” she whispered when he pressed his lips to her throat.

  Sighing in one last yip of fury, he held her against the wall, with one palm against it and the other wrapped around her ass while she clung tight to him. “I want to give you more than I have to give. You drained me, honey. For now.”

  Beth drank in the moment of coming down from her high while he enjoyed his, wanting to remember this moment for the rest of her life. She whispered, “Is this a good thing, amore mio?”

  “Oh, sure! Hell yeah. God, I love when you speak those words.”

  “Sì, I love when you make love to me.” Beth released her legs from around him and slid to the floor. She took his sweat-laden face into her hands. “I love you, Jake, honey.”

  Jake peered into her eyes, lowered his gaze to her lips, and down the front of her body, still wet with sweat. He smiled, and her heart sailed away on the beam. “Tell me this is real.”

  “A hundred percent real.”

  “Hot tub this time?” He closed his desire-filled eyes and lifted her again.

  Beth hugged him tight. “Yes, but I fear we might overheat it.”

  He lifted her over the edge and got in beside her. “Sex with you is wild—making love with you is fantastic.”

  “We will make it to the bed before the night is over.” Beth pressed her mouth to his throat, continuing with sweet sighs and kisses to his ear. “I’ll do all the work the next time.” She glowed inside, and it wasn’t only from making love. “Jake and Beth are back together. Let’s tell the world.”

  “Everyone in Canyon Junction knows by now. Pretty soon the whole world will know. Uh huh. Looks like the future I promised has commenced.” Jake sank lower into the water and placed his hand on her thigh.

  Beth gave him a cheery smile. She laid her hand over his and had a hard time removing her gaze from his attractive features in the soft afterglow of sex.

  Jake reached over to move damp strands of hair from her face with his other hand, fingers lingering against her cheek. “You’re so pretty. I said the same thing the day you walked into detention. I’m still saying it.”

  Beth cried internally at his soft spoken and sincere words. Their love was chemistry. He was the first one she had spotted in the back of the room when she took a seat a couple rows over, and ahead of him. Sensing eyes on her back, she had turned once, and he had been staring at her with those dreamy brown-sugar eyes. To this day, she didn’t know why she had given him a flirty smile. What had she even known about flirting?

  Making love together was the best thing she’d ever experienced. Would it have been this good so many years ago? She convinced herself it wasn’t possible to be this good with anyone else, making her thrilled to have saved herself for him.

  Jake languished in the hot water as he leaned back with his eyes closed, appearing relaxed and contented. “Should I tell your mom she was right?”

  “About what, sweetie?” Beth gazed in awe at the sight of him. His hair was pushed all the way back and a bit wavy where it dried, left over from sweating and humidity.

  With a squeeze to her hand, he chuckled. “I did take your virginity.”

  “You’re still on that? I don’t know if it counts thirteen years later.”

  “I’m telling her anyway because I’m proud.”

  Beth laughed. “Forget about telling her. Can we go to bed?”

  “Um hmm. You looked hot wearing my shirt, by the way.”

  Well, she’d have to wear it again and often. Beth got out and dried. She slipped into his shirt, buttoned it, and then held her hand out. “Come on, boyfriend. I want to wake up to a new day with you.”

&n
bsp; Jake got out of the hot tub and grabbed the towel while she blew out the candle. They exited. Outside the door, he gave her a kiss and smoothed her hair back. Their gaze magnetically held. “Don’t plan on sleeping. We’re breaking in our bed again.”

  Smiling and batting her eyelashes, Beth eased her arms over his shoulders, cocked her head, giving him a smug smile. “I’m game for anything with you. We’ve started a fire that will need to be put out often.”

  ***

  Waking Christmas Eve day, Beth tiptoed her fingers to the other side of the bed. Jake was up and gone. Christmas arrived so soon. Her mom had an early dinner planned with the closest of the friends from the senior center, and she had invited Jake and Trace. He had agreed, but he wouldn’t stay late. Beth smiled as she got out of bed. Afterward, she’d spend Christmas Eve with Jake and Trace. Since Isabella’s widowed best friend, Elly, was coming to town for dinner Christmas Eve, and for a couple days after Christmas, her mom wouldn’t be alone through this holiday.

  Beth peered out the window from the bedroom. Where was he this morning? Two other men stood on the ranch road talking. One of them was Wade Emory. How long would the shop stay open today? Dinner would be ready at 3:00 p.m.

  Three was early for dinner, but her mom planned to walk around town later with her friends. It mattered to Beth that she got out to socialize instead of remaining home alone. Tonight would be difficult for all of them. She had declined going to church with Jake. It wasn’t something she did anymore, having had enough of going to services two or three times a week while growing up. Maybe she’d change her mind in the future.

  Jake strode up to the other guys standing out there. He towered over both of them. She’d be able to pick him out of a crowd of cowboys, for he had a special way of carrying himself, his own swagger. A semi-truck drove up. Jake stepped up to the door to talk to the driver then got down as the truck pulled away. What a day for so many orders, and a big one at that. Where’s Trace?