He kissed her soundly and padded to the bedroom, Sasha and Tito on his heels. He stopped in the doorway. “Go lay down you two.”
“Aww, don’t shut them out,” Jenna joked, every nerve ending in her body abuzz.
“No way, you are my Christmas present, and I’m definitely not sharing, not even with them.”
Jack laid her on the bed, so gently, as if he feared she’d shatter in a million pieces if he set her down too hard. Mere minutes ago there wasn’t a place on her body that didn’t cry out in pain—now, it cried out for a very different reason.
He smoothed back the hair from her face and held her gaze captive. What she saw excited and scared her all in the same breath. What she saw...was a man in love.
“I’m so happy you came back to me, Jenna.”
Jack pressed his face into her hair, inhaling the sweet scent he missed the moment he walked into the empty cabin after he took her to town. He rained kisses from her earlobe down her jaw line, her skin so soft against his lips.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again.” Tears spilled over her long lashes. “I thought you wanted me to go…but I had to be sure…I’m so sorry…”
Sorry? “Oh, my sweet angel, you have nothing to be sorry for.” He brushed her tears away. “When you said you wanted to call home, I was reminded about how vastly different my ways are from yours on the estate. I could never compete with the life you’re accustomed to.”
Jenna held his face in her hands. “Don’t you get it? Just because it’s the life I’m accustomed to, doesn’t mean it’s the life I want.”
“And just what is it you want” He noted the unexpected tremor in his voice. If there was any doubt before, there wasn’t now…
I’m in love with this woman.
With trembling hands, she began unbuttoning his shirt, hampered by her taped fingers. She huffed, and dropped her hands in frustration.
Seeing her struggle, he took over and unbuttoned his own shirt. He guided her hand underneath and placed it over his thumping heart.
“Make love to me Jack….”
Her words ignited a fire in him he’d almost forgotten. After Carly died, so did his sex drive, until now. He kissed her deep, and his arousal hardened against the zipper of his jeans. It took every ounce of restraint to pull back.
“I’m so sorry, Jenna,” he panted. “I want you so bad, but I’m afraid of hurting you.”
“I promise I won’t break.” Her voice echoed how very sexy she looked in that moment, skin flushed, eyes bright.
“In that case…” He tugged at the waist of her jeans. “You have far too many clothes on.”
Without hesitation, he helped her undress, being careful of her injuries. When she lay naked on the bed, the moonlight illuminated her peaches and cream skin. Her chest rose and fell with each shaky breath, and her eyes grew big as he stood, undid the button on his jeans and took them and his boxers off in one fluid move. The lust in her eyes, coupled with his own growing desire, sent him in a slow sensual spin, further heightening the yearning he thought never to feel again for any woman.
“Please, Jack.” She reached out for him. “I need you now.”
Jack crept up from the end of the bed until he lay on his side beside her. He thoroughly enjoyed hearing her quickened breaths as he lightly feathered the swell of her breasts with his fingertips.
Jenna put a hand on his chest, and he lifted it to rest above her head. She winced, barely audible under her breath, but he caught the flicker of pain in her eyes before she managed to chase it away with a flutter of her lashes.
“I’m sorry, Jenna.”
“Sorry? For what?”
“I want to make love to you, but not like this.” He shook his head.
Even in the moonlight, he saw her lip tremble.
“It’s okay. You’re not hurting me.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “You’re a very bad liar.” He lay back and pulled her to his side. “We have all the time in the world, angel. I want our first time to be memorable because of the experience, not for the pain it causes you.”
Jenna laid her head on his chest, and melded to his side. “I thought you wanted me?”
“I do, and I will have you…but for tonight, I am completely satisfied holding you like this, knowing that when I close my eyes to sleep, you’ll still be here when the sun rises on a new day.”
Her body lost all tension; she yawned. “I promise I will make this up to you.”
Jack smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Look at me.” He hardly recognized his own voice, so thick with emotion.
Jenna lifted her head; her tear-filled eyes glistened in the moonlight.
I almost lost you. He swallowed hard, Never again….
He raised her chin with one finger and brushed the droplets away with the pad of his thumb. “I love you, Jenna Blackburn.”
Tears flowed freely now. “I love you, too.”
He kissed her softly. “
No more tears, please Jenna. You need to take care of yourself and do everything in your power to heal…quickly.” Her laughter, as he’d hoped, eased the tension in the room. “I fully intend to make up for lost time when you’re able.”
Jenna laid her head back on his chest. “And I fully intend on letting you.”
“No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow” -Proverb
Chapter Nine
Watching Jack help Sasha birth her pups was a beautiful experience. The dog lay panting on her side as he carefully persuaded the fourth one out. The new mother set right to work licking the placenta off the newborn while the first three pups squirmed next to the teats they’d be suckling before long.
As she loaded the woodstove, Jenna tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced sideways at her man. “Is that the last one?”
He pressed Sasha’s tummy, then sat back on his heels and wiped his sweaty brow on his shirtsleeve. His undershirt stuck to his lean frame like a second skin. God, she loved his body.
“Looks like three, maybe four more,” he said
Any other time, the snap and crackle of the fire, coupled with the way his shirt hugged every ripple of his sculpted chest, might’ve had her eyeing the straw bed in the rafters with interest. Her face warmed, and not from the almost unbearable heat of the barn.
Jenna knelt beside Jack’s faithful companion and ran a hand down her damp coat. “You’re doing a great job, Sasha.”
The new mother made brief eye contact before laying her head down, resting for the next birth.
Two of the pups were silver and white like her, and the third dark gray and white like its dad, Tito.
“How about I make a fresh pot of coffee?” She slipped in behind Jack and squeezed his shoulders. “I’m guessing this might take a while?”
He leaned back and turned his head to her. “I’ll give you about an hour to stop that.”
His forehead was damp against her lips. “We’ll have none of that while you’re on duty, Dr. Doolittle.”
Jenna snickered while wrapping her cloak tightly around her to brave the inevitable rush of cold. She stepped outside and quickly closed the door behind her. The night’s chill swirled around her ankles, bringing bumps to her skin. Even though the days were becoming increasingly warmer, spring had not fully awakened, leaving cold nights.
Jenna hurried in the house, stopping for a second to scratch behind the anxious father’s ears. “Hang in there, Tito. She still has a ways to go.”
As if he understood her words, the dog huffed and rested his head back on his paws. The Husky hadn’t moved from his spot at the door since Sasha went into labor over four hours ago.
She’d witnessed another side of the man she loved today. Jack had remained calm and cool, assisting Sasha, the new mother’s well-being first and foremost on his mind.
He’ll make a great father one day.
She’d just filled the coffee pot with water when something drew her attention to the window.
A headlight gradually approached the cabin. Jenna wiped the moisture from the glass with a dishcloth.
Now, who could that be?
She set the coffee to brew before stepping into her boots and hurrying outside. The quad’s bright headlights momentarily blinded her.
“Charles!” she squealed, happy to see her dear friend.
He climbed off, setting his helmet on the seat and pulled his gloves off with his teeth. “Hey, kiddo.” He fished a hanky from his pocket to wipe the sheen of perspiration from his head before opening his arms wide. “Where’s my hug?”
Jenna laughed and flew into his embrace, knocking him back a couple of steps. “What a wonderful surprise!” So thrilled by her unexpected visitor, she chose to ignore the dark shadow that stole the sparkle from his eyes. “Come in out of the cold,” she urged. “I just put a fresh pot of coffee on.”
“Where’s the boss?”
“He’s in the barn. Sasha is having her litter. Four so far, and probably four more to come.”
Charles attempted to rub the cold from his hands before taking off his boots. “So, how are you making out in the middle of nowhere?”
“We can discuss that later.” She recognized his avoidance of a more serious matter. Small talk had never been his forte. “I’m sure you didn’t come all the way out here just to ask if I’m okay.”
The wooden chair he sat on creaked precariously under his large frame. “It’s your father, Jenna.” He shook his head. “It’s not good news. In fact, he could go any day now.”
“He could go where?” Jenna swallowed the lump in her throat. A picture of the prescription bottles on his bedside table flashed in her mind. She turned her back to him and grabbed hold of the countertop. “What does Dr. Harvey say?”
“He was initially treating him for a bladder infection. After two weeks of the antibiotics not working, he ran a series of tests. Your father has stage four colon cancer, and it’s too far gone and spreading. They’re keeping him as comfortable as possible, but he’s weakening rapidly. In fact, I’m taking a chance leaving there at this time, but I thought you should know.”
She’d spent the first weeks at the cabin wondering how her father reacted to her decision to stay. A part of her even hoped he’d reach out to her. As the weeks passed by, she gave up waiting, and accepted the harsh truth. Her father simply didn’t care enough about her to make the effort.
Now he’s sick, dying of cancer…
Jenna fumbled with the coffee mugs; one slipped out of her hand and hit the floor, breaking into several pieces. “Damn!” She stooped to pick up the shards, slicing her finger on a jagged edge. “Now look what I’ve done…” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Sure, she had every right to be angry, and more than justified in not wanting anything to do with the man, but he was still her father…
Charles stooped and grabbed hold of her arms, guiding her to stand. He took her bloody finger and ran it under cold water. “It’s going to be okay, kiddo. You’re not alone.”
Jenna sniffled. “I know my father can be an asshole, but nobody deserves to die from that horrid disease.”
Her dear friend picked up the broken mug and threw it in the garbage. “Got another cup?”
She sucked on her finger and nudged him out of the way with her hip. “Go on, I got this.” After taking another mug from the cupboard, she filled all three with steaming coffee. “I need to take one of these out to Jack.”
Charles smiled reassuringly. “Mind if I come? I’ve never seen a dog giving birth.”
She offered him a weak smile, grateful he sensed her need for a diversion. “Thank you.”
Charles hated being the bearer of bad news, but he hoped to talk Jenna into coming home for a few days. He hadn’t counted on the eight new arrivals. There was no need for words between the young couple, working together seamlessly, like a well-oiled machine. A brush of her hand against Jack’s arm and the slightest of smiles tugged at the corner of his mouth in response—the pair obviously very much in love.
Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea coming here and disrupting their lives.
“Well, let’s give our girl some privacy with her new pups.” Jack wiped his hands. “It’s good to see you again, Charles.”
They returned to the main cabin and settled in around the fire before he brought up the topic again. “I’m sorry I’m not here under more pleasant circumstances.”
Jenna sat on the arm of Jack’s chair.
“What’s wrong?” His gaze shifted from Charles to Jenna, and back again.
“Jenna’s father is very ill. He could go at any time now. I thought she should know.”
Jack took her hand and steered her to sit on his lap. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
She sniffled. “I think so. I haven’t been close to my father in a very long time.”
“He’s still your dad, so I get it.” He rubbed her back. “How long will you be gone?”
Jenna frowned and brushed his hands away. “Who says I’m going anywhere?”
“I am. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t go.” He smiled reassuringly. “It won’t be long, and you can help Charles tie up any loose ends. I’d come with you, but Sasha needs me here. I have to make sure all the pups are being nourished. You just don’t know from one litter to the next how the mom is going to do. So far, she’s been doing great, but it could go bad very fast.”
Charles ran a finger along the inside of his shirt collar. It felt a little like he was intruding on a very personal moment. A quick look around showed nowhere to bow out and give them some privacy.
“Don’t you need me here?” She pouted.
The same pout Charles remembered from when she was just a little girl.
“Of course I do.” Jack brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I’ll manage. You’ll only be gone a couple of days, right Charles?”
“Oh, uh, yes,” he stammered, surprised his presence was acknowledged. “I would think three or four days, depending on how long he…”
He pressed his lips together. Yes, the man had acted like a complete ass the past four or five years, but he’d worked alongside Kenneth for many years now. His life would have turned out very differently if he hadn’t hired him.
Charles cleared his throat noisily. “I’m not sure how he did it, but your father has pre-arranged everything. The will is to be read the day after his death, naming you as executrix. I imagine there will be a few details to take care of in regard to the house and staff.”
Jenna held up a hand to stop him. “Okay, I’ll go. I’m not crazy about leaving here, but I guess I should be there.”
Her knuckles turned white as she tightened her hold on Jack’s hand and moved closer to his side. Even so, Charles couldn’t help being happy she’d decided to return with him. Selfish or not, he looked forward to spending some quality time with her. He still wasn’t used to not seeing her every day.
He hoped the old guy hung in there long enough to see his daughter, but in the same breath, he prayed she wouldn’t bear the brunt of his nasty disposition.
Chapter Ten
The Lutsen Mountains gradually faded into the horizon. They’d been on the road less than an hour and Jenna already missed Jack so badly her heart hurt.
She’d spent so much time justifying her right to be angry with her father, she never once thought of things from his point of view. There was no disputing the arrangement he’d made with Howard Meed was wrong. It was her who ran off, not him who abandoned her. Was he hurt? Did he shed a tear over me behind closed doors?
Jenna put down the visor to block the blinding sun. “Did my father ever talk about me?”
Charles shifted in his seat. “Every now and then, I guess.”
She narrowed her gaze on him, sensing there was something he wasn’t telling her. “How did he react when you came home without me at Christmas time?”
He blew out a rush of air. “What do you want me to say?”
�
�Is it that bad?”
He shrugged. “No, he just thought you were punishing him for setting you up with Harold.”
“Well, I was pissed off. Who wouldn’t be?” She shook her head in disgust. “I guess it was pretty dumb of me to think he might have missed me, even just a little.”
“I’m sorry, kid.”
What a fool I am to have entertained the thought he actually cares about me, not just as part of a ridiculous business deal. How much was my hand in marriage worth to him? She shook her head and straightened in her seat. No more. I will not set myself up, only to be shot down by his indifference toward me.
Jenna recalled the diary entries. “Did I tell you about my mother’s diary?”
Charles shook his head in response as he maneuvered around an old lady who seemed to be sightseeing at thirty mph.
“Before I left the estate the night of my father’s birthday party, I snuck into my mother’s sitting room and took a diary from her writing desk.” She saw the surprise on his face. “Yes, I know I was treading on forbidden territory, but at that moment in time I didn’t give a shit what my father wanted. So, when Jack and his dogs found me under the snow, he also found the diary underneath me. It wasn’t until I woke up and began healing that he gave it to me.”
“I didn’t think anything was recovered from your car?” He kept his eyes on the road.
“I had stuffed the diary in my coat pocket.” She shrugged. “Unfortunately, the book was near ruin from blood stains and being soaked from the snow.” Jenna shuddered. “I could only decipher two entries…one at the beginning and one at the end.”
“That’s too bad, kiddo. So, what has you so confused? What did it say?”
Jenna situated herself to face him. “The first entry was about her experience, feeling me in her belly for the first time.” She swallowed hard. “It was the last entry that really made no sense. She talked about being excited to go out on a first date, and debating whether to share her secret so soon.”
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