by Lucy Clark
‘Oh, honey. Are you hurt? Anywhere sore?’
Tommy tried to sit up but both of them put a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘Just lie still until we’ve had a chance to check you over.’
‘That’s what Mags said.’
‘Mags is right.’
‘No apparent fractures. He may have been unconscious for less than a minute. No bleeding. No signs of shock. Bruises and scratches are about all I can report,’ Mags told both the doctors as Jason ran his hands systematically along Tommy’s limbs.
‘Everything feels like it’s in the right place. How many fingers am I holding up?’
‘Two.’
‘Correct. How about now?’
‘Four.’
‘And what’s two plus four?’ Jason asked.
‘Aw…JD. That’s easy. It’s six. What do you think I am—three years old?’
Summer laughed as she bent down to kiss her son. ‘That’s my boy. Oh, yes, that’s my boy.’
‘Mum!’ Tommy was a little embarrassed by the attention but Summer could tell that secretly he didn’t mind her kisses.
‘Let’s sit you up. Slowly,’ Jason cautioned.
‘I’m sorry if I scared you.’ Tommy looked down at his hands before meeting his mother’s gaze. ‘I didn’t mean to. I was trying to be brave. Trying to face my fear, like JD said.’
Jason closed his eyes and shook his head. ‘I’m going to have to be more clear in what I say,’ he mumbled, and looked at Summer. She could see the pain in his eyes and knew he’d been as worried about Tommy as she’d been. Placing a hand on his cheek, she smiled at him.
‘It wasn’t your fault.’
‘A snake came out,’ Tommy continued, his eyes wide. ‘Slithered right across in front of me when I was riding. That spooked Eiffel and he reared. I didn’t know Eiffel was scared of snakes. I just wasn’t holding on tight enough. Guess I’m out of practice.’
‘Just a little.’ Summer shook her head, her body beginning to relax as the crisis passed. Her breathing was now almost normal although the pain in her heart, the maternal one which was constantly on alert was still pulsing.
‘I’m done with horses. I don’t want to ever get on one or go near one again,’ he declared.
Summer met his blue eyes, which were so like her own. ‘Well, we can talk about that another time. How about we get you home and settled in a relaxing bath? You’re going to have quite a few aches and pains tomorrow.’
‘Or how about we go and check on Eiffel,’ Jason said. ‘It wasn’t his fault after all, and he might be a little shaken up, too.’
Tommy thought about that for a moment. ‘Yeah. I guess he would be.’ They helped him to his feet and Summer brushed off her dress.
Jason came up behind her and said softly in her ear, ‘Do you trust me?’
Summer turned her head slightly, their lips almost touching. His scent was wild and overpowering and it was still a very new sensation for her to be so up close and personal with him in front of other people. ‘Yes.’
‘Do you trust me with Tommy?’
‘Yes.’ The answer was given without hesitation.
Jason was astonished. Although he knew she did, it was something else to hear her say it and to hear it in her voice. It was confirmation that she honestly did love him, that it wasn’t simply an infatuation. This was the real deal.
‘OK, then.’ Jason brushed a kiss over her lips, pulled his bow-tie undone and undid the top button on his shirt. Never had he looked more gorgeous. He took Tommy’s hand. ‘Let’s go and check on Eiffel.’
Summer walked back to the fence and went through the gate, knowing instinctively that Jason was going to help Tommy get back on the horse, to help him face his fears in the proper way. He was going to support him, to be there for him, and she knew tonight was only the beginning. Tommy was going to find out what it was like to have a man around who honestly cared about him, rather than one who simply brushed him aside.
She watched as Jason encouraged Tommy to stroke Eiffel and after a few minutes he lifted Tommy into the saddle. The horse and rider didn’t move and after a moment she watched as Jason effortlessly climbed up behind Tommy, his arms securely around the boy as he held the reins. After another minute or so, Eiffel started moving, slowly at first, just walking around the arena. Summer had had no idea that Jason could ride and it only emphasised that there was still so much she looked forward to finding out about him.
Tommy’s friends were watching and they all clapped encouragingly. The noise startled Eiffel for a moment but Jason had control over the animal. They went from a walk to a trot, from a trot to a gentle canter. Then Jason brought Eiffel to a stop and slid from the horse, leaving Tommy up there. He walked to Eiffel’s nose, taking the bridle in his hand and led him around. The whole process was taken step by step and she could see Jason talking to Tommy the entire time. It didn’t matter what he was saying, for fifteen minutes after they’d gone to check on Eiffel, Tommy was cantering around on his own, Jason standing in the centre of the ring, encouraging him along.
When they finally returned to Summer’s side, she came forward and opened her arms to her son. ‘I am so proud of you, Tommy.’
‘You are?’
‘Of course. I’ve always been proud of you. That was just so brave.’
‘It was?’ He seemed flabbergasted at the attention he was receiving, not only from his mother but from his friends as well as they came over and patted him on the back and congratulated him.
‘Is it OK if I go play for a bit?’
Summer was about to say it was really time to go home when she felt Jason’s arm slip around her waist.
‘Five minutes,’ Jason answered.
‘And no running around,’ Summer added as they headed inside. The crisis was well and truly over and everyone else went back to their parties. Everyone except for the two people who were more than happy to stay beneath the now starlit sky. The stablehands were taking care of the horses so Jason slipped both arms around Summer’s waist and brought her to him.
‘Thank you.’ He bent his head and kissed her.
‘For what? Actually, I guess I shouldn’t ask if you’re going to give me kisses.’
He smiled. ‘You can have as many kisses as you want for as long as you want.’
‘Good.’
‘But just so you know, I was thanking you for trusting me.’ Jason glanced over to where he could see Tommy and his friends. ‘He’s an incredible boy.’
‘Who needs a man in his life. Someone he already trusts and loves.’
‘Yeah?’
‘Yes. I need that, too. Someone I already trust and love.’
Jason pressed his mouth to hers. ‘I love you, Summer. I want to be with you always.’
‘I want that, too.’
‘So you’ll marry me?’
‘Try to stop me.’
‘That’s a yes?’
‘That is most definitely a yes.’
She’d expected him to kiss her, to seal the deal, so to speak, but all she got from him was, ‘When?’
‘When what?’
‘When will you marry me?’
‘Impatient?’
‘Yes. Very.’
‘Well, then, I suppose it should be as soon as possible.’
‘How about Christmas?’
‘A Christmas wedding?’ She thought this through. ‘At least I can be assured you’d never forget our anniversary.’
His smile was huge, his eyes were smiling. ‘A Christmas wedding.’
‘Sounds perfect.’ She nodded and urged his mouth to her own.
Where Summer had been looking forward to a very different type of Christmas, one to help signify the beginning of her new life, she hadn’t ever dreamed that this Christmas would also be the beginning of her life with Jason.
Tommy had been ecstatic at the news that his hero, JD, was about to become his new father and had taken to calling him ‘Dad’ at every turn. She would often hear him on the phone to
Brad or Mike saying things like, ‘My dad’s taking me camping in the holidays,’ or, ‘My dad will know. He’s really smart. He knows everything.’ It warmed her heart to see the two men she loved bonding so completely.
Where the hospital had been abuzz with the Twelve Weeks of Christmas, it appeared the Christmas wedding was far more fascinating. Cassandra had insisted on making Summer’s wedding dress and the Ballarat Country Club had accepted their very late booking for the venue.
Jason had asked Tommy to be his best man and Alyssa and Rhonda were to be Summer’s bridesmaids. Jason’s father, Brian, had had tears in his eyes when she’d asked him to give her away and everything, somehow, fell neatly into place.
The only tradition she’d bucked was that of an engagement ring. Instead, she’d chosen a wedding band, encircled with diamonds. It was dainty, small and absolutely perfect. It was also a million miles away from the large diamond engagement ring and equally heavy wedding band she’d worn previously. Simplicity was the order of the day and Summer was thrilled when Jason chose a matching gold band with a strip of platinum in the centre of his ring to match her diamonds.
‘His and her rings,’ he’d remarked.
‘Matching. Equal,’ she’d replied. ‘Now, are you going to tell me where we’re going on our honeymoon?’
‘I’ve told you before. It’s a surprise.’
‘I’m a little concerned, though.’
‘About Tommy? He’s going to stay at my mum’s house for the wedding night and then join us the next day.’
‘No. I’m not concerned about Tommy.’
‘Then what?’
‘Well…you did tell me quite a while ago that you were going to take me camping.’
‘And?’
‘And we haven’t been yet.’
Jason’s grin had widened and he’d kissed her. ‘Trust me,’ was the only answer he was going to give. So Summer had trusted him.
Now she was standing in a small room at the Ballarat Country Club, their friends and family in the ballroom waiting for her arrival. She turned and looked at Jason’s mother, the woman who had welcomed her so warmly into the family.
‘How do I look?’ she asked.
Cassandra stood from fussing with the hem of the dress. Both women stepped back and sighed. The dress was made of cream-coloured raw silk. It was straight, showing off Summer’s amazing silhouette. She’d decided against a veil, wanting to see Jason’s face clearly while she said her vows. ‘Like the most beautiful bride in history,’ Elsie remarked. ‘My son is a very lucky man.’
Summer shook her head. ‘I’m the lucky one. I’ve been so alone for so long. I know I had Tommy and without him my life would have been desolate, but now I have parents, friends and a talented sister who makes the most amazing dresses.’ Summer sniffed and Rhonda quickly stepped in with a tissue.
‘Enough of that. Your make-up will run.’
There was a knock at the door and Jason’s father, Brian, put his head round. ‘Ready? Jason’s starting to get impatient and, let me tell you, it takes a lot to make my son impatient.’ When he looked at Summer he shook his head. ‘And I can see why he’d be impatient. You look lovely.’
‘Thank you. I think Cass has outdone herself this time.’
‘Oh, no,’ Cassandra protested. ‘The dress may be good but it’s the person wearing it who lifts it to perfection.’
‘We’d better go and find our seats,’ Elsie said, and kissed Summer’s cheek. ‘Welcome to the family.’
‘Ditto,’ Cassandra said, kissing her other cheek. Rhonda stepped forward and made sure there were no lipstick marks on Summer’s cheeks.
Brian straightened his own tie and crooked his arm. ‘Shall we?’
Summer nodded. ‘We shall.’
As Rhonda and Alyssa went before her into the ballroom, the soft sounds of a harp and flute combined to make a romantic melody. Summer took three deep breaths. When the doors finally opened and she saw Jason standing at the other end of the room, Tommy beside him, both looking incredibly handsome in tuxedos, any nerves she’d had disappeared.
The room was decorated with a mixture of Christmas and wedding fare, little white horseshoes tied to the big Christmas tree in the corner. As she walked towards her groom, her step didn’t falter. When Brian handed her over to Jason, she felt strong. When the man she loved looked deeply into her eyes, she had not one doubt in her mind that this was the right thing to do.
‘Hi,’ she said softly.
‘I thought you’d never get here,’ he whispered, and kissed her cheek. They turned to face the minister and very soon they were making their vows. Vows they’d written themselves, promising to love, honour and cherish each other for ever. They’d included Tommy in the vows as well, her son saying that he accepted JD as his father.
By the time Jason was allowed to kiss his bride, Summer couldn’t help smiling when, before he pressed his mouth to hers, he muttered the word, ‘Finally.’
The reception was just one big party, everyone in the mood for one enormous Christmas party to celebrate the union of their friends. Eggnog was served along with Christmas pudding for dessert and every time someone tapped the side of their glass with a spoon, Summer and Jason had to kiss. It was the most incredible day of her life, something she made sure she told him as they drove towards the place where Jason had planned their first night together as husband and wife.
They’d said goodbye to Tommy at the country club, looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked as Jason pulled up outside an old-fashioned single-storey house. The large trees in the garden were covered in twinkling lights and the house was ringed with a large verandah, complete with a porch swing. It was old-fashioned, it was comfortable and Summer instantly fell in love with it.
‘Somewhere special.’ He helped her from the car and walked her up to the front door. He took a key from his pocket and unlocked it before lifting Summer into his arms.
‘What are you doing?’ She giggled, her arms about his neck, loving the way his body was so close to hers.
‘Carrying my wife over the threshold.’
‘Threshold?’
‘Yes.’
‘Aren’t you supposed to do that when you’ve bought a house?’ Jason’s only answer was to raise an eyebrow at her. Summer stared. ‘You bought this house!’
‘We can’t keep living across the hall from each other.’ He kicked the door shut and continued to carry her through the house which had been lit with small battery-operated candles that twinkled prettily.
He finally put her down outside the bedroom door. ‘Ready?’ he asked.
Summer smiled at him. ‘Yes. Ready.’ He put his hand on the doorknob but she stopped him. ‘Hang on. Ready for what?’
‘Your first camping experience.’ He opened the door to reveal a large king-sized bed, with rose petals on the floor and scattered slightly over the pillows and sheets but it was what was above and around the bed that made Summer laugh.
‘A tent?’
‘I remembered your instructions.’
‘An honest-to-goodness canvas tent?’ she said as she headed into the room. ‘You put a tent around the bed?’
‘Your instructions were that you’d camp where there was hot running water, a comfortable mattress and a fully functional bathroom.’ He pointed to the en suite. ‘You also wanted room service. Well, the kitchen is just down the hall.’
‘So I did.’ She ventured farther into the room, scooping up some of the rose petals and smelling their sweet perfume. ‘Smart, wasn’t I?’
‘Very.’ Jason took her in his arms. ‘I wanted to make your first camping experience one that you’d never forget.’
‘I won’t. Believe me. Thank you.’ Summer kissed her husband lovingly.
‘Because tomorrow, after we pick up Tommy, you’ll be enjoying your second camping experience.’
‘Remember the list. Hot running water. Room service. Bathroom and comfortable mattress,�
�� she dictated, punctuating his mouth with kisses as she spoke.
‘Trust me, Mrs Daniels,’ he whispered near her ear, and then lifted her into his arms again, carrying her to the bed, desire in his eyes.
Her eyes were alive with love, with laughter and with utter happiness. ‘Oh, I do, Mr Daniels. I do.’
All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.
All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the prior consent of the publisher in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
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First published in Great Britain 2008
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
© Anne Clark and Peter Clark 2008
ISBN: 9781408902592
Table of Contents
Cover
Excerpt
About the Author
Title Page
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
