by Tessa Layne
“I’m sorry if I worried you, daddy. I needed to think.”
“I know, sunshine,” he said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “And your mama and I raised you to be independent. I was only a little worried.”
Resting her head on his sturdy, strong chest, the tears she’d been holding back, came. “Daddy, what are we gonna do? I don’t know what to do.”
His hand came to her head, rubbing her scalp in circles, just like he had when she’d been a little girl and awakened from a bad dream. “This is all my fault, Moonbeam. I never thought you’d take grape growing seriously. And to be honest, I didn’t question where the vine had come from. It had been a gift, friend to friend. Nothing more.”
“I made good wine,” she hiccupped.
“You and Jason did, yes.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“About Jason, or the grapes?”
“Both.” She sniffed loudly.
His voice grew rough. “Your mama always fancied a Viking funeral, and I never had the heart to burn her ashes. We could torch the vineyard.”
A fresh sob bubbled up. “I don’t think I can let her go, Daddy. I miss her so much I feel like I’m splitting in two.”
“I know, sweetie. I know. I feel like that every day. Your mama was a bright star in this world.” His voice quavered. “But she’d never be okay with you staying stuck. You know that.”
She nodded, throat too tight to speak.
“So about Jason…”
“I want to marry him, but not like this. He didn’t even tell me he loved me,” she wailed, tears starting up again.
“He may have stuck his foot in his mouth, but can you see that his motivation was love? He knows how much that vineyard means to you. He’d do anything to keep you from having to destroy it.”
Her throat felt like there was a big balloon stuck at the base, and no amount of deep breathing would dislodge it.
“But if it weren’t for that, I’m not sure he’d marry me.”
“Why do you say that, punkin’?”
“You caught that he was engaged to someone else, who’s now married to his brother? He never even mentioned it to me. I can’t ask him to commit to a marriage to save our grapes when he’s never even hinted he wants that.”
Mike nodded. “It sounds like you two have a lot to talk about, then. Why don’t you go talk to him? I’m pretty sure he’s beside himself with worry for you right now.”
“Okay.” She pressed her hands to her flaming cheeks, then took a deep breath, drawing strength from the bottoms of her feet. “And daddy? I love you.”
He pulled her back into an embrace, planting a kiss on her forehead. “I love you too, my little Moonbeam. With all my heart. And your mama did, too.”
CHAPTER 22
Jason swung open the door before she could knock, looking like he’d been slowly going out of his mind. His belt and tie were off, shirt unbuttoned, a thin growth of stubble along his jaw. She could eat him up.
Without a word, he pulled her into an embrace. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” he growled. “Your dad kept telling me you’d be fine, but all I could think of were all the awful things that might have happened to you, and how I’d never get to tell you how much I love you.”
The hollow in her stomach eased a bit. “I love you, too, but I can’t marry you. Not like this.”
“Will you give me a chance to explain myself before you say anything more?”
She nodded against his chest, loving the feel of his skin, and the smattering of chest hair against her cheek. Naked Jason was better than a popsicle.
He led her across the suite, to the large leather couch in front of the gas fireplace that flickered in the dim light. “Can I pour you something?”
“Just a glass of water, please.”
“For you, anything.”
He pulled a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and handed it to her, before settling himself next to her, barely touching her.
“I owe you an apology. And a story. Will you accept both?”
She nodded once, unsure she should speak.
“You know I lost my mother as a toddler. And that my father remarried a trophy wife who promptly gave him triplets. My step-mother never wanted anything to do with me, and as soon as she could, handed me off to a rotating door of nannies. Dad was too wrapped up in keeping his bride happy to have time for me.”
She nodded, shocked that he was so flat and unemotional with his delivery. She couldn’t even imagine what that must have been like.
“Once I got into West Point, and started receiving honors, and later joined the Rangers, he started paying attention. Now he had bragging rights. But it was too late, I was wrapped up in Ronnie. We met in cotillion class when I was fifteen, and I was crazy about her from day one.”
Millie’s chest burned, hot jealousy spiking through her.
“We were inseparable until I went to West Point, and even during. But she expected I would come home and keep her in the manner she’d become accustomed to in my absence. Angelique, my step-mother, had taken to her, treating her like the daughter she never had.
“After Ranger school, things got tense. I was having the time of my life. I loved my work, my team, the missions. I felt like I was doing useful, meaningful work for once, and Ronnie resented it. I could feel her starting to pull away, so I did what every twenty-six-year-old jackass in love does, I got the biggest ring I could afford, and I proposed.”
“Why didn’t you get married?”
A look of disgust crossed Jason’s face. “She wanted to get married right away, but I was taking more and more assignments, and she refused to do all the planning alone. I could never get home for a long enough period to tour venues, or taste cake, or anything else. Things skidded to a standoff. And I can see, in hindsight, that I was probably hesitating, but didn’t know how to articulate it.”
“How did she come to marry your brother?”
“He knocked her up on my last mission, and once I was lucid, back at Walter Reed, she wouldn’t return my phone calls. Eventually, she Dear John’d me.”
Millie covered her mouth, shocked. Outrage on his behalf surged through her. “How dare she? How could she ever show her face around you again? What an awful, awful person.”
“Not just her. It takes two to fuck, to make a baby.”
“What happened to the baby?”
“She lost it. And I’ll burn in hell for feeling relieved about it, but I do. I think I might have killed myself at one point early on if I’d had to be around the baby that should have been mine.”
No wonder he’d left. It all made sense now. The comments, the reticence. The fear of being vulnerable. She reached for his hand. “I’m so sorry. And I’m so angry that this happened to you, and that your brothers are assholes.”
“They’re a product of their environment. And my father makes them compete against each other for everything. Including his affection. It got worse when I returned home after Walter Reed, and he officially “retired”,” he air quoted. “I couldn’t help out like I used to, so they put me in charge of operations. Mostly to parade me around to their friends at the club. He spends most of his days golfing now, and jetting Angelique to spas around the globe where she can recover from the stress of things.”
Millie snorted. “I’ve been living in a bubble. I had no idea there were people like this.”
“Or maybe they’re living in the bubble, and you’re the one who’s got it all together.” His face softened for the first time since she’d returned. “You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever known, and the more I spend time with you, the more I know I need you like I need my next breath.”
Her heart melted at his words. “You really think that?”
“On my honor as a soldier.”
She’d promised herself she’d give him space, but she couldn’t resist threading her fingers against his. “I love you so much, Jason. And I hate that your family has been so hurtful. If
you let me, I’ll be your soft landing place. Your home.” Her pulse buzzed in her ears. “But I’ll never press you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Ever.”
He slid off the couch, dropping to his knees in front of her. “And what I want is you, Millie. Your brilliant smile, the way your curls are insane in the morning, your crazy metaphysical ideas – all of it. I bungled this afternoon because I was shocked and upset about my brothers, and in that moment I was desperate to do anything to save you from the pain of ripping out your vines. It’s an awful, heartbreaking process, even when you mean to do it. You’re pulling life from the ground, and it doesn’t sit well.”
He reached into his pocket and held up a box. “I want to marry you, Millie, for all the reasons you want. I want to share my life with you, be the father of your children, be your partner in every way. I’d planned to do this after dinner tonight, but Nico hijacked everything, and I’m sorry for that, too.”
He opened the box, and another star sapphire winked up at her, this one, surrounded by a circle of tiny diamonds. “You made it to match the necklace,” she spoke, understanding dawning. “I love them both.”
“So does that mean you’ll marry me?”
“Are you asking?” she teased, pulling the ring from the box.
He placed the ring on her finger, then, with a growl, he tugged her down on top of him. “I’m asking. Hell, Millie, I’m begging. Make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
“Yes. Yes, yes, yes.” She punctuated each yes with a kiss. “But I can’t wear it while I’m working on the farm.”
“That’s why you have this,” he fingered her sternum behind where the necklace swung forward.
“You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“That’s how I roll, baby.” He began to pull the skirt of her dress up her thigh. “And now, I need to make good on my promise from earlier.”
“What’s that?” Her voice turned breathy as she ground into his erection.
“Taking off your panties. Slowly. Maybe with my teeth.”
“Takes too long,” she murmured, mouth seeking his. “And I thought there were other promises made.”
“Oh?” he answered, chasing her mouth when she pulled away.
“Something about taking me from behind in front of a mirror?” A flush of heat raced through her as she rocked into him, pussy hot and ready.
“Round two.” He grunted. “I want you to ride me right here, right now.” He slipped a hand inside her lace panties, squeezing her ass.
“But the condoms are across the room.”
“Fuck condoms.” He nuzzled her breast, lightly nipping at the aroused peak through the fabric. “How about we start baby making tonight?”
Her belly fluttered at the thought. “I might have a hard time conceiving.”
He yanked her panties down, and she lifted her hips just enough he could slide them off. “All the more reason to start now – fuck, I love how wet you are.”
She fumbled with his zipper, reaching for his cock. With a sigh, she squeezed his hard, hot length. “I want this inside me. Now,” she panted. He canted his hips enough she could pull down his clothing.
“Why did you pick this time to wear panties?” he groaned, then yanked so hard the elastic snapped. “Dress. Off,” he commanded, voice rough.
She pulled the soft fabric over her head, hands at her bra clasp before his. She shimmied out of the confining thing, then positioned herself over his cock, and slowly slid down his length, gasping from the sensation of skin on skin.
Jason’s eyes grew dark and heavy. “I’ve never done this with anyone. Only you.”
“Me, too,” she admitted, rolling her hips. “And you feel incredible. And we’re going to make a baby tonight. I can feel it.”
He smiled up at her, keeping his eyes on her as he thrust into her. “Boy or girl?”
“Is it a full moon?”
“Yes,” he hissed, increasing his pace.
“Then both.” Her legs trembled as the tightness built in her core, coiling to be released in a cosmic swirl of white light and stardust.
“I love you,” he panted through gritted teeth, still keeping his gaze on her. She dropped her head, taking his mouth in a hot open kiss, as they thrust together, rocketing to the stars, giving and taking until they came together with noisy exuberance.
CHAPTER 23
May
Jason paced the length of the Sinclaire porch with Sterling. Where were their brides? Fortunately, the guests were more interested in talking with each other and drinking the last of Millie’s Stardust Rosé. At this rate, the guests would be tipsy before they crossed the road to Moonbeam Acres for the reception.
Macey joined them on the porch. “Sophie was so excited this morning, I could hardly braid her hair.”
“What about you?”
“I’m just glad I can stand in for Johnny.” Her face fell. “He should be here.”
“I know. But we did the next best thing. Did you see the front seat?” Sterling gestured to the center chair in the first row, where a framed picture of Johnny rested on the folded flag Macey had brought with her. On the opposite side of the aisle, a bouquet of peonies sat with a picture of Charlene and a very young Millie. On the far end of the porch, country singer Kaycee Starr, who went by Kate locally, plucked on her guitar. Last summer she’d opened a recording studio on the other side of town, and shortly after, married another veteran from Resolution Ranch, their buddy, Cash Aiken.
“They’re coming,” someone called excitedly.
Riding up the long Sinclaire drive were Millie, holding little Sophie in her lap, her dad, Emma and her brother Blake, who was giving her away. Emma’s older brothers waited at the back of the crowd, ready to help the women down.
Millie beamed as soon as they made eye contact. And taking her in, the tiny flowers in her hair, the pale blue dress that made her look like a Greek goddess, the white peonies and roses she carried, Jason forgot to breathe.
Beside him Sterling muttered under his breath as he stared at Emma, looking lovely in a simple strapless linen dress embroidered with blue flowers at the top. They could have been sisters, with their blonde hair and blue eyes. But Millie’s hair was a riot of curls, where Emma’s was sleek and pulled back in a knot at the base of her neck.
Jason leaned over to Sterling. “I think we did alright for ourselves, don’t you?”
“Johnny would approve,” Macey agreed, with a tinge of sorrow in her voice. Sterling must have heard it too, because they both reached for her hand to give her a reassuring squeeze.
“Are you men ready?” Pastor Ericksen asked.
They nodded, and he waved Sophie forward. Jason covered a laugh as Sophie threw rose petals indiscriminately as she walked down the short aisle, dumping out the leftovers on the stairs, and receiving an indulgent laugh from the guests.
Kaycee’s husky voice rang out, singing a song of love and redemption, as the women and their escorts walked down the aisle. Jason’s heart pounded erratically under his starched white shirt. He and Sterling had debated about whether or not to wear their uniforms, but they liked the idea of a fresh start for this new phase of their lives, and they’d opted for cowboy dress – black boots, black denims, white starched shirt, and cowboy hat. Sterling had grown up wearing cowboy hats, but even after a year in Prairie, sometimes Jason still felt more comfortable in a baseball cap. But not on his wedding day.
Millie reached him and slipped her hand in his. “Hi.”
“You look ravishing.” He leaned in. “I hope you’re not wearing any panties.”
Her eyes lit, and she gave him a coy smile. “You’ll have to find out later.”
The ceremony flew by in a blink, and the next thing Jason knew, Pastor Ericksen was instructing them to kiss their brides. He pulled Millie close, and just before he kissed her, paused. “I’m going to smudge your lipstick. And I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
Millie’s
smile broadened. “Smudge-proof. Kiss away.”
He dipped her back and kissed her thoroughly, much to the delight of the crowd. “There’s more of that later when we don’t have an audience.” He murmured low in her ear.
“How about the barreling room after we cut the cake?”
“I like how you think.”
* * *
“I’d like to propose a toast,” Mike called out, tapping a champagne flute. “I know I speak for the Sinclaire family as well, when I say thank you so much for joining us today. This group embodies what we love about Prairie. Your love and support make all things possible.”
Jason looked out over the faces of the people assembled. People he’d barely known a year ago, like the Graces, or the Sinclaires and the Hansens. They’d become part of the daily fabric of his life. The family of his choosing.
He glanced over at his father and Angelique, who looked bored. And his brother Declan. Where was Austin? In typical fashion, Austin had probably disappeared to chase a skirt. He should be glad they came. Millie had insisted on inviting them. Only Nico and Ronnie had sent their regrets, and to be honest, he was relieved. He hadn’t wanted anything to mar today.
Millie nudged him. “Say something.”
Shit, he’d lost focus.
“The tasting room,” she whispered.
“Got it.” He cleared his throat. “Many of you know about the kerfuffle our wine caused in March when it was entered in a tasting competition. Through a crazy coincidence–”
“Destiny,” Millie muttered under her breath.
He side-eyed her, mouth quirking. “Somehow, through a series of coincidences, a proprietary vine Case Family Wineries developed, came to be cultivated here at Moonbeam Acres. You’re drinking the result of that today. Lucky for Millie, she married into the greatest family on earth,” he choked on those words, but Millie had made him practice his speech until he could stay it without tearing the script into little pieces. “And so in the spirit of family, the grapes will continue to grow here. But out of deference to my family’s hard work over the years on this varietal, we will only be selling it here on the farm. I’m pleased to announce that Moonbeam Acres will be opening a tasting room on site where you can purchase bottles of Stardust Rosé, and next year, Mike’s soon to be named Chardonel.”
